APO presents key facts, figures on Africa rugby rise

Rugby is developing at an unprecedented pace in Africa. The popularity of the sport is booming all over the continent, and APO Group (www.apo-opa.com), the leading media relations consultancy for Africa and the Middle East and main official partner of World Rugby's African association, Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), has released a new guide to the sport called The Incredible Rise of African Rugby.

The document, downloadable from the APO Group website (https://bit.ly/2oYs0XW), provides information on the development of African national rugby unions, the grass roots game and key international competitions. There is also a section dedicated to the women’s game, which is developing at an even quicker rate than the men’s.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont has acknowledged that rugby has experienced tremendous growth across Africa in recent years. “There has never been a more exciting time for rugby in Africa,” he said recently. “Ten African nations are currently placed in the top 50 of the world rankings and more women and men, girls and boys, are playing than ever before. The players are inspirational role models for the next generations of young Africans who are discovering the sport.”

APO Group became the main official partner of World Rugby’s African association Rugby Africa in 2017 and remains committed to raising the profile of African rugby on a global scale, helping introduce new fans to the game and building knowledge and awareness.

“Although few may know this, out of 105 countries playing rugby competitively, one-third are African,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder/CEO, APO Group. “There are many talents in Africa who deserve better recognition by the general public. Rugby generates great excitement amongst African children, millennials and women too - making it the fastest-growing sport on the continent.”

This sentiment is backed up by the statistics. In 2017, growth in player registration in African nations (excluding South Africa) was 66%, against an overall global increase of 27%. In the female game, the number of registered players has increased by 50% in the last year alone. This phenomenal growth at grass roots level is starting to bear fruit on the international scene.

“Just a couple of weeks ago, Namibia won the Rugby Africa Gold Cup, securing its place at the World Rugby Cup 2019 in Japan,” said Abdelaziz Bougja, President, Rugby Africa. “This month will see the start of the African regional Rugby 7s tournaments which double as pre-qualifier for the 2020 Olympics. These global showcase events give further exposure to our game and allow global audiences to learn more about what Africa has to offer.”

To download APO’s guide, The Incredible Rise of African Rugby, visit: https://bit.ly/2oYs0XW.

About APO Group

Founded in 2007, APO Group (www.apo-opa.com) is the leading media relations consultancy and press release distribution service in Africa and the Middle East. We assist private and public organizations in sharpening their reputation and increasing their brand equity in target countries. As trusted partner, our role is to leverage the power of media and build bespoke strategies that enable organizations to produce a real and measurable impact in Africa and the Middle East and outside the regional frontiers. The trust and recognition that have been granted to APO Group by global and multinational companies, governments and NGOs inspires us to continuously enhance our value proposition within Africa & Middle East to better cater to our clients’ needs. Among our prestigious clients: Facebook, Dangote Group, GE, Uber, Microsoft, Nokia, Mara Group, PwC, DHL, Marriott Group, Sage, Ecobank, Iflix, Jumia, Samsung, Total, Merck, Société Générale, L'Oréal, Oracle, Philips, Barclays, MoneyGram, Ernst & Young, Orange  ...

About Rugby Africa

Created in 1986, Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), previously the African Confederation of Rugby (Confédération Africaine de Rugby - CAR), is one of the six regional associations composing  World Rugby (www.WorldRugby.org), the international organisation responsible for the governing of Rugby Union and Rugby Sevens. Rugby Africa unites all of the African countries which play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organises the Rugby Africa Gold Cup, the qualifying competition for the Rugby World Cup 2019, and Africa 7, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games 2020. Rugby Africa has 38 members, including 22 members and associated members of World Rugby, 10 members and associated members of Rugby Africa and 16 new countries collaborating with Rugby Africa.