Rugby World Cup: The importance of grass-roots rugby with Matt Dawson
The Rugby World Cup is the sport’s greatest prize. Matt Dawson was part of the illustrious group in 2003 that emerged Champions of the world.
We caught up with him to look back on his rugby life and how much he thanks grass-roots rugby for where he is today.
We caught up with him to look back on his rugby life and how much he thanks grass-roots rugby for where he is today.
Transcript
00:00 Grassroots rugby clubs are at the very heart of so many communities throughout the UK,
00:07 none more so than Saracens in London, who recently welcomed English legend Matt Dawson
00:13 to highlight how key these outfits are in supporting and growing the rugby stars of the future.
00:20 It's so important isn't it that grassroots rugby is highlighted and particularly right now in the Rugby World Cup where there's so many eyes on the sport.
00:37 It's a fantastic shop window and an opportunity for the sport to really get hold of those aspiring to take up a sport, a new sport.
00:51 Maybe they've watched a game and thought, well I quite like having a go at that. And the grassroots is where they capture it.
00:58 Matt Dawson has partnered with the National Lottery ahead of the World Cup campaign to highlight the importance of funding for grassroots rugby clubs.
01:08 With Saracens one of the thousands of rugby clubs that benefit from the £30 million raised by National Lottery players every week for good causes across the UK.
01:19 Since 1994 the National Lottery has invested more than £185 million into Rugby Union from grassroots to elite level, providing vital support to clubs throughout the UK.
01:31 Myself and the National Lottery have been at Saracens rugby club at the moment and we're celebrating all things that are great about the individuals and the grassroots clubs and the communities that they're in.
01:46 Owen Farrell of course, a captain, Elliot Daly, even Nick Topkins at Wales as well. A vast majority of those players have come through the academy.
01:56 And the National Lottery has helped fund Saracens over the years. Tens of thousands of pounds has been given to the club to make sure that those players do come through.
02:11 England's rugby set-up has changed a lot over 20 years since that World Cup win. So what's made of the current set-up that the nation have and how does Matt view the current tournament for favourites and who may likely go all the way?
02:26 England fans are relieved that they did get off to that start because of where England rugby was, ninth in the world, losing games left, right and centre, France, Ireland, South Africa, all blacks. There are some unbelievable teams on tip-top form.
02:48 Matt Dawson boasts an incredible sporting life and uses his platform to spread the positive community message surrounding grassroots rugby and how important it is to find the next generation of rugby stars.
03:03 stars.
03:03 (projector whirring)