With the 2015 Rugby World Cup approaching, YouGov conducted research into Scottish opinions of the sport, revealing that it is the youngest age group in which the interest for the game is at its most fervent.
There is solid interest in the sport in Scotland. Just under a third (32%) of Scottish adults say they are either very or fairly interested in the game. Over two in five (42%) Scottish men are also fans of the sport, as opposed to 23% of women. Of the ages groups that say they are ‘very interested’, it is the 18-24 year olds that show the highest percentage (10%). This compares with 6% of 25-34 year olds and 5% of 35-44 year olds.
YouGov research also ascertained which words Scottish adults associated with the sport. Of those interested in rugby, fewer than one in ten (9%) Scottish rugby fans said they associated Rugby with “Violent”, far more associate the sport with more positive things; “Skill” (65%), “Pride” (55%) and “Fun” (50%).
Among the youngest age group, ‘fun’ is the key association. Almost two-thirds (65%) of interested 18-24 year olds said the sport is fun compared to 48% of 55+ year olds.
Head of the Scottish Omnibus, Karen Barzanji said, “The upcoming tournament presents the Scottish Rugby Association with an opportunity to capitalise on increased awareness in the sport, and invest in grassroots participation of the game within Scotland.
We expect they would be hoping to persuade children and teenagers to take up the game, but they should also look towards young adults too. They will be the ones buying tickets in future, and passing on interest in the game to their children eventually. They will also for the most part, still have the free time and inclination to play the game. With one in five women also expressing an interest too, there needs to be a redoubling of the efforts to expand that area of the sport. The benefits of the game should be stressed to all in the lead up to the tournament therefore.”
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