A Social History of English Rugby Union

Author: Tony Collins
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134023340
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 318

Book Description
From the myth of William Webb Ellis to the glory of the 2003 World Cup win, this book explores the social history of rugby union in England. Ever since Tom Brown’s Schooldays the sport has seen itself as the guardian of traditional English middle-class values. In this fascinating new history, leading rugby historian Tony Collins demonstrates how these values have shaped the English game, from the public schools to mass spectator sport, from strict amateurism to global professionalism. Based on unprecedented access to the official archives of the Rugby Football Union, and drawing on an impressive array of sources from club minutes to personal memoirs and contemporary literature, the book explores in vivid detail the key events, personalities and players that have made English rugby. From an era of rapid growth at the end of the nineteenth century, through the terrible losses suffered during the First World War and the subsequent ‘rush to rugby’ in the public and grammar schools, and into the periods of disorientation and commercialisation in the 1960s through to the present day, the story of English rugby union is also the story of the making of modern England. Like all the very best writers on sport, Tony Collins uses sport as a prism through which to better understand both culture and society. A ground-breaking work of both social history and sport history, A Social History of English Rugby Union tells a fascinating story of sporting endeavour, masculine identity, imperial ideology, social consciousness and the nature of Englishness.

Understanding Rugby Union

Author: Julia Hickey
Publisher: Coachwise 1st4sport
ISBN: 9781905540099
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 68

Book Description
Packed with information about rugby to help you, or anyone with an interest in rugby union, demystify the sport and make learning about it fun. This book features chapters on what you need to play rugby union, the laws of the game, misconduct, skills and more; and interactive tasks to test your understanding as you work through the chapters.

Rugby Union For Dummies

Author: Greg Growden
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0730376583
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 444

Book Description
Your complete reference for all things rugby in Australia and New Zealand! A practical, useful and entertaining guide to rugby union in Australia and New Zealand, this book explains the aim of the game, the laws, what to wear, tactics, training, coaching and more. Whether you want to play or just want to watch the game, Rugby Union For Dummies, 2nd Australian and New Zealand Edition, delivers expert rugby knowledge. Build your confidence — discover expert tips and tricks for honing your skills Prepare your rugby kit — choose the correct gear for your safety on the pitch Increase your rugby knowledge — learn the difference between a ruck and a maul Talk tournament facts and figures — improve your rugby small talk in preparation for the World Cup Train effectively — develop your strength, flexibility and fitness Become a coach — immerse yourself in tactics and the detail of rugby's laws Join a club — choose the right level of play for you or your child Follow the game — keep up to date with the latest rugby news and coverage in the media and on the internet Open the book and find: How to play to win and have fun at the same time Interpretation of the ref's signals Advice on taking a conversion Tips for surviving a scrum Pointers on coaching adult and junior teams A guide to spectating online, on TV and at the game Rugby records for major tournaments between Australia and New Zealand A round-up of all the World Cups Learn to: Master the game and play to win Follow the laws and understand the ref's calls Identify key players at the World Cup Appreciate the history of the game

The Complete Rugby Union Compendium

Author: Keith Young
Publisher: Birlinn
ISBN: 0857903268
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 328

Book Description
The 2015 Rugby World Cup in England is set to be the biggest, brightest and most successful tournament to date, as the world's top teams compete for the coveted Webb Ellis Cup and inspire new participants and fans worldwide across 44 days and 48 matches. With over three million tickets set to be sold for the matches, the Rugby World Cup will be viewed in over 207 territories worldwide.However, for all the fanfare of the third biggest sporting event in the world (after the Olympics and FIFA World Cup), it is astonishing that, until now, there has been no single reference book in the marketplace that contains all the rugby internationals, in chronological order, played by the world's major rugby nations since the game's inception. Keith Young has spent six years compiling such a compendium to fill this gap in the market and has undertaken a colossal amount of research in the process.The Complete Rugby Union Compendium contains over 5,200 entries, organized in such a way that details of all matches can beeasily accessed by the reader. It is laid out in a visually engaging and informative format and will be invaluable to every dedicated rugby enthusiast.

Rugby Union For Dummies

Author: Nick Cain
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 111999182X
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 428

Book Description
If you're new to the sport or you feel you could sharpen up your knowledge of the game, this guide is for you. Inside you'll find easy-to-understand advice on the basic rules and pitch positions, plus in-depth lessons on ball skills, fitness training, and techniques to outwit your opponents - all illustrated with entertaining stories from British and International rugby's back pages. In addition, you get a grounding in the local, national and international reaches of Rugby Union Rugby Union For Dummies 3rd Edition: Features an in-depth and up-to-date look at the Laws that form the beautiful game Covers all you will need to know about talking tactics and is perfect for anyone looking at swatting up on rugby for the World Cup and beyond Advises on all you will need to know to get stuck in and play Contains a new chapter on sevens as the sport will be a demonstration sport at London 2012 and a full sport at Rio 2016

Rugby Union and Professionalisation

Author: Mike Rayner
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351971247
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 176

Book Description
The game of rugby has changed significantly in the course of its history. In the early part of the 19th century it evolved from a folk game played by the working class to a recreational activity for public schoolboys. From the 1820s rugby represented an opportunity for gentlemen to demonstrate physical prowess and masculinity and in more recent times it has developed into an activity that reflects the changing attitudes towards professional sport. For the most part of the last one hundred years, rugby union became an important international sport that represented the nationalistic ideals of a number of countries. However, a number of developments, including the increasing influence of a business ethos within sport during the latter decades of the twentieth century, exposed rugby union to the realities of commercialism and all the factors associated with it, especially the demands of a more diverse spectating public. Drawing on interview material with forty-eight elite level rugby union players from England, Wales, Scotland, France, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia who participated in elite level rugby union either before, in the overlapping period or after the declaration of professionalism, this book traces the evolution of attitudes towards professionalism from a players’ perspective and develops a critical review of the impact that professionalism has had upon the sport of rugby union. Rugby Union and Professionalisation: Elite Player Perspectives is fascinating reading for all students and scholars with an interest in rugby union, sport history, sport policy, sport management and the sociology of sport.

Rugby's Great Split

Author: Tony Collins
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134221371
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 289

Book Description
Since it’s first publication, Rugby’s Great Split has established itself as a classic in the field of sport history. Drawing on an unprecedented range of sources, this deeply researched and highly readable book traces the social, cultural and economic divisions that led, in 1895, to schism in the game of rugby and the creation of rugby league, the sport of England’s northern working class. Tony Collins’ analysis challenges many of the conventional assumptions about this key event in rugby history – about class conflict, amateurism in sport, the North-South divide, violence on the pitch, the development of mass spectator sport and the rise of football. This new edition is expanded to cover parallel events in Australia and New Zealand, and to address the key question of rugby league’s failure to establish itself in Wales. Rugby’s Great Split is a benchmark text in the history of rugby, and an absorbing case study of wider issues – issues of class, gender, regional and national identity, and the impact of the commercialization and recent professionalization of rugby league. This insightful text is for anyone interested in Britain’s social history or in the emergence of modern sport, it is vital reading.

Rugby Games & Drills

Author: Rugby Football Union
Publisher: Human Kinetics
ISBN: 1492582972
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 277

Book Description
Improve technique, game sense and fitness levels with the aid of Rugby Games & Drills. Developed by one of the game’s top coaches and endorsed by the Rugby Football Union, Rugby Games & Drills contains over 115 games and drills designed to bring out the very best in players, regardless of age or ability or rugby code. This book is packed with the most effective games and drills for improving core skills such as handling, kicking and decision making while providing tough physical challenges. In addition, the detailed descriptions with accompanying illustrations will help you make the most of training sessions and ensure you are ready for game day. Rugby Games & Drills is the ideal companion for coaches and players of both rugby league and rugby union looking to maximize talent and harness their potential.

The 50 Greatest Rugby Union Players of All Time

Author: Steven White
Publisher: Icon Books Ltd
ISBN: 1785780271
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 270

Book Description
Throughout the history of rugby union, a select few players have stood out above the rest. Bringing together 50 of the finest, this book reveals the fearless scrum-halves, tricky wingers, explosive centres and powerful props that have lit up the game, celebrating their achievements and controversially ranking them in order of greatness. Is the might of Jonah Lomu preferred to the vision of David Campese? Who was more influential, Jonny or Johnno? Which hemisphere has produced the most superstars? And most importantly, who will be named the greatest player of all time? Passionately argued, provocative, and sure to trigger lively debate, this book is a must-read for rugby fans everywhere. Published in time for the Six Nations 2016 and fully updated following the 2015 Rugby World Cup, hosted in England.

Rugby Union Basics In A Day For Dummies

Author: Nick Cain
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118380126
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 100

Book Description
If you get a big kick out of rugby but still feel you could sharpen up your knowledge of the game, Rugby Rules in a Day For Dummies is for you. Inside you'll find easy-to-understand advice on the basic rules of the game, pitch positions, and tactics. In less than a day, readers will find all they need to know to get understand the sport of rugby: Features an in-depth look at Laws that form the beautiful game Covers all the reader will need to know about talking tactics Is perfect for anyone looking at swatting up on rugby