The International Rugby Board (IRB) has applied to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers to acquire the .rugby generic top level domain name (gTLD).
An application has been lodged to keep the .rugby domain within the sport “for the benefit of the global rugby family”, the body noted.
The IRB said it wanted to secure the gTLD to uphold and promote the game’s values, protecting the sport, its trademarks and the interests of core stakeholders.
Bernard Lapasset, chairman of the IRB, said the application underscores the IRB’s continued commitment to protecting and promoting rugby’s values and ethos.
“It is our ambition to ensure that the .rugby domain resides within the sport in order that all involved in rugby can benefit.”
He said that with an 18 per cent increase in participation over the last four years, there are now more than 5.5 million players participating across 117 countries affiliated to the IRB.
“Rugby is engaging with more men, women and children than ever before while the profile and commercial reach of the sport continues to go from strength to strength,” Mr. Lapasset stated.
IRB acting chief executive Robert Brophy said that if the IRB is successful in its application, the gTLD will be made available to clubs, players, organizers and fans across the world, at all levels.