He ran with it ... – will reopen at the end of next week in Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, Gallery 1, (15th September- 4th November 2023). Please see Rugby Art Gallery and Museum's website for opening times https://www.ragm.co.uk/visit#. 

This is an exhibition of art, textiles, objects and records, which tell the story of how the town and the School influenced the world-wide development of the game.

There will be the chance to learn about the development of the ball, clubs, rules, the Rugby Union, kit and celebrations of the game. There is also a chance to see The Harwood painting (thought to be the oldest oil painting of a game of rugby); gifts given to the School by clubs and unions from around the world and older versions of rugby balls. Later in the year, we also hope to have audio clips from Rugbeians telling their stories.

Visitors can view a physical display but also take a closer, digital look at the 'Following-up caps', especially those featuring embroidered matches. Another first is the chance to take a closer look at a scrap book and carte-de-visite album created by the 1871 English international player and 5th Rugby Union President, A G Guillemard, while at School. Both give an insight into how the game of football was developing at Rugby School in the 1860s before Guillemard helped to form the Rugby Union in 1871.

This is also an opportunity for visitors to learn more about the development of the game across the world. As part of this exhibition, we have created a map to show the geographical history of rugby football and we encourage visitors to share their knowledge of rugby clubs around the world to add to this map. If anyone has an origin story of a rugby club they would like to add to the map they can send it to us at archives@rugbyschool.net.

You can view our digital exhibition materials here