One Among Many - The Story of Sunderland Rugby Football Club RFC (1873 - date) in Its Historical Context

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RWC 2025 will be the first Rugby World Cup hosted under the new joint-venture model (Local Operating Committee) between World Rugby and the RFU, with funding from the UK Government and support from our host city partners which will aim to optimise efficiency and impact across the tournament. Following a competitive selection process, the final roster of host cities and venues reflects the tournament’s core mission of growing the sport, taking rugby across the country and engaging with diverse communities. All will provide a family-focused festival of rugby. Councillor Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “This is a fantastic announcement that will be welcomed by sports fans across the region. The city of Sunderland and the Stadium of Light will be once again seen on the world stage hosting a World Cup. The women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is supported by its official partners Mastercard, Capgemini and Gallagher. Sunderland Football Club - I have indisputable proof that we are and have always have been Sunderland Football Club

By April 1874 and the end of the 1873/4 season all the signs are that Sunderland Football Club was established and firmly grounded. In April, three of its players were selected to play for a side representing Durham County and during the summer months a number of athletes taking part in sports were rugby players and gave their home club as SFC. Sunderland AFC’s Chief Operating Officer, Steve Davison, added: “Following an exceptional summer of events, including sell-out shows from global superstars Beyonce and P!NK, it is with immense pride that the City of Sunderland is announced as the host city for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. The Stadium of Light continues to cement itself as the premier destination for elite women’s sport, with our World Cup finalist Lionesses’ also celebrating their homecoming on Wearside on September 22. The RWC 2025 is the latest milestone that we hope continues to forge a legacy that empowers and inspires all within our regional community for many years to come.”The history of SRFC up to the early 1960s has been well chronicled and notes a number of sad losses in wartime and another memorable county cup success in the late 1950s. The story of the next fifty years should be in print by 2012 (‘Fifty Years On’) but is bound to include the huge growth in mini and junior rugby from the 1980s and a number of welcome First XV successes under the new league system.

Culminating in the Rugby World Cup Final on September 27 2025, the countrywide format provides an unparalleled opportunity to see, engage with and support the stars of the women’s game. My book/booklet will provide evidence for all these statements as well as pen pictures of all players whose names appear during this first season. Many will be of extreme interest including of course Alfred Hudson (oldest recognised existing club kit), Arthur Campbell Man (oldest man to die in Australian Forces WW1), Abel Chapman (Wild Life Explorer and Hunter), Laing brothers (links to formation of RFU in 1871) and the 6 Kayll brothers (who once all turned out for the 1st XV in the same game). Moves afoot to get the kit out in public during 2023/4 season. The Stadium of Light is one of eight stadia selected to host the biggest ever celebration of women’s rugby.Rugby World Cup 2021 smashed records across the board with more than 150,000 fans attending across the tournament, 1.8 million viewers on average in England and New Zealand tuned into the final with more than 156 million video views on social media.Powerful personalities were born, and a new generation of accessible and relatable role models championed change. Following the two years to go milestone, all eyes will turn to England later this year at the conclusion of the men’s Rugby World Cup 2023 as the road to England 2025 is launched alongside our partner venues and cities ahead of what promises to be a record-breaking event for women’s rugby in 2025. Canada, England, France and New Zealand have already qualified for Rugby World Cup 2025 after finishing in the top four of RWC 2021, with the remaining positions to be filled via World Rugby’s new women’s international 15s tournament, WXV, and regional competitions in 2024.