Where
Underneath the east stand of the Twickenham Stadium, the biggest rugby union venue in the world. The stadium is 100 years old, but it has been entirely rebuilt in the last 20 years, says the World Rugby Museum’s curator Michael Rowe.
What
“We cover the history of rugby from its 19th-century origins to its current status as a worldwide sport,” says Rowe. “The museum reflects the many changes in the game, from the emergence of a professional cadre to its broadening out to include female players.”
Opened
1996. Before this, there was a previous museum in the stadium, which displayed items collected by the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
Collection
“It’s the finest rugby-related collection in the world,” says Rowe. “It dates from 1871, the founding year of the RFU. There is a lot of silverware, including the Calcutta Cup – to my mind the most beautiful trophy in the museum; playing equipment, including a scrum machine that visitors can try out, and the jersey worn by JH Clayton from the first ever international game – England vs Scotland.”
There are also numerous interactive displays, films and videos that capture the excitement of the game.
Help at hand
There are five full-time staff members, including Rowe. “We also operate museum and stadium tours,” says Rowe, “and we have some 50 volunteers, many of whom are tour guides.”
Budget
The museum is funded by the Rugby Football Foundation, the charitable arm of the RFU, which provides about £200,000 a year.
Visitors
23,000 in 2009. Admission to the museum is £6 for adults (£4 concession); a combined ticket, which includes the stadium tour, is £14 (£8 concession). On match days, people can only visit the museum if they are going to the game.
Highlights
“I think the 1871 jersey, because of its importance,” says Rowe. “People are astonished at how small it is: it shows how rugby players have grown in size over the last century.” He also singles out the Calcutta Cup, the oldest international trophy, which is awarded to the winners of the annual England vs Scotland match. When the cup is on show in Edinburgh, the Twickenham museum displays a replica.
Sticky moment
“When England won the World Cup in 2003, our visitor numbers doubled as people came to see the trophy,” says Rowe. “This was great, but it was difficult for us to look after all these people.”
Survival tip
“Sporting museums, in particular, need to be adaptable and updateable as things change so quickly,” says Rowe. “Players of my generation are unknown to younger spectators.”
Current projects
The museum is one of many taking part in Our Sporting Life, which is being put together in the run up to the 2012 Olympics. Organised by the Sports Heritage Network, it aims to increase the uptake of participation in all sports.
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