Opinion = Rugby is the top sport in Gloucesteshire

Gloucestershire holds a place in English sporting culture like no other. and the main sport is Rugby union. Gloucestershire plays host to one of the most renowned rugby teams up and down the country, Gloucester Rugby.  

With a team competing at the highest level in the country in the Gallagher premiership. With its passion shown by the supporters at The Kingsholm regularly and the club’s natural success, I believe it’s safe to say Rugby union is on top of the sports agenda in Gloucestershire.  

The Cherry and Whites were founded in 1873. The club itself has become an icon for the county itself. The Kingsholm is one the most well-known grounds within the rugby heritage. 

The Gloucestershire-based side has been performing in the Premiership regularly. They have two west-country rivals, one which is Bath, where the fixture between the two sides never fails to disappointment, and Bristol bears, another thriller-producing encounter. The club also had players perform at the highest level for the national team with Jonny May. 

The community around Rugby union is one of the key factors for the popularity in the west region. Rugby can provide togetherness making no barriers between any types of people. The local support is given out by the club. It is shown through the Gloucester Rugby Community charity. The charity promotes exercise and spreads positive messages about mental well-being through Rugby driven ideas. (Gloucester rugby 2022). 

Attendance figures compared to other sports just shows the standout that Rugby union has. Gloucester rugby’s home fixtures. In 2022 Gloucester came third in premiership clubs when it came to average attendances, with attendances going from 12,791 to 14,010 from seasons 2021/22 to 2022/23 with the attendance percentage going from 79.37 percent to 86.94 percent (Gloucester bid.uk).  

And if we look at cricket, which is another sport Gloucestershire happens to be well known for, the sell-out crowd at the unique stadium in Bristol typically takes you to the 7000 marks.  

Even football, the nation’s national sport, struggles against rugby when it comes to Gloucestershire. The two main clubs in the county are Cheltenham town and Forest Green rovers but due to their performance in the lower leagues in the football league. 

Their influence has much less of an impact. Whaddon Road, the home ground for the Robins, holds a capacity of just over 7000, when it comes to Forest Green theirs is even smaller. The Kingsholm holds 16000 and is almost full on a regular basis. 

However, despite the local dominance, football does defeat rugby in its national audience. Events like the premier league draw attention from viewers all over the world.  

In conclusion, Rugby union is safe in Gloucestershire with a team well known in the sport. Despite footballs national and global dominance, Rugby union remains the top of the Gloucestershire’s sports agenda 

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