World-class attraction to bring fans from across the globe to the Birthplace of the Game - The Rugby Observer

World-class attraction to bring fans from across the globe to the Birthplace of the Game

Rugby Editorial 20th May, 2016 Updated: 27th Oct, 2016   0

A UNIQUE world-class attraction is set to draw rugby fans from around the globe to the Birthplace of the Game.

The World Rugby Hall of Fame – celebrating Rugby’s all-time greats and the moments that defined the sport – will have its first ever permanent home at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum (RAGM).

The Hall of Fame, first established in 2006, is being brought to Rugby by the sport’s international governing body World Rugby, in partnership with Rugby Borough Council (RBC).

The interactive museum will use cutting-edge technology to showcase rugby, its heritage and character-building values.




Combining World Rugby’s video archive and historical memorabilia, the Hall of Fame will explore the moments and personalities that have defined the game that began in Rugby in 1823 and has since developed into one of the world’s fastest-growing team sports.

Visitors will be encouraged to learn about the game and embrace the sport, either as a player or a fan.


The cost of the works to install the Hall of Fame and reconfigure RAGM will be £1.2million, which will be underwritten by Rugby Borough Council.

Approval for the works and for the agreement with World Rugby was given by councillors at a Special Meeting of RBC last night (Thursday May 19).

A World Rugby spokesman said: “The Hall of Fame will enable Rugby to establish an even stronger bond with its place in history as the birthplace of the sport, following the success of Rugby World Cup 2015, where it was the designated ‘proud home’ and attracted nearly 40,000 fans to a dedicated programme of activities.

“An innovative and engaging interactive format will also provide a unique learning experience.”

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Having a destination to celebrate and honour the achievements of those who have shaped the sport and inspired generations of players, coaches and referees is a very exciting development.

“For World Rugby to have a connection with the sport’s heritage is good for the town, the sport and sports fans.”

Incoming World Rugby Chairman, RFU Chairman and Hall of Fame inductee Bill Beaumont added: “Rugby has a unique status within the sport as the birthplace of the game and will provide a fitting and popular home for the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

The former England captain added: “Having visited the town during the Rugby World Cup, the enthusiasm of the community was very evident, because they are proud of their indelible link to where our game began and I am sure that the World Rugby Hall of Fame will further their enthusiasm.”

RBC leader Coun Michael Stokes said: “I’m delighted that Rugby will be the home of a world-class visitor attraction.

“Our involvement in Rugby World Cup 2015 raised the profile of the birthplace of the game across the world. Hosting the World Rugby Hall of Fame will continue the work that we have started.

“Here in Rugby we are rightly proud of our heritage, and this agreement means that we will have a visitor attraction that is fit for the future.”

The Hall of Fame is set to open its doors to visitors in late 2016.

Work will start almost immediately. The galleries on the first floor of RAGM will close by early June, and the Hall of Fame will begin installation in July. The Art Gallery on the second floor will not be affected.

RAGM’s foyer will be refurbished, the visitor information point and gift shop will move to the ground floor entrance area to the Hall of Fame, and the coffee shop will move to the current gift shop area.

A new feature installation, visible from outside the building, will be built in the atrium.

Coun Stokes added: “Rugbeians are rightly proud of their history, which includes a rich industrial and engineering heritage. It’s important that this heritage is remembered.

“The social history and Tripontium galleries haven’t changed for some years, so we now have an important opportunity to update and redisplay the collection in a new way.

“It is inevitable that these works will cause some disruption to art gallery and museum visitors. However, the Hall of Fame will bring a major boost to the town centre, and I know that this prize will be worth the inconvenience.”

The Hall of Fame will be located in the Art Gallery and Museum building for a minimum four-year period.

The World Rugby Hall of Fame was established by World Rugby in 2006, absorbing the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2014. So far, 120 greats have been inducted, including England World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward and his captain Martin Johnson, Ireland’s Keith Wood, Scotland’s Gavin Hastings, Wales’ Gareth Edwards, and former South Africa president Nelson Mandela.

The very first inductees were William Webb Ellis, the schoolboy credited with inventing the game, and Rugby School.

Visit www.worldrugby.org/halloffame for more information.

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