Just as the Webb Ellis trophy was being engraved and slipped lovingly into the Museum of Rugby’s trophy cabinet, news arrived that the Museum itself had also won a top accolade.

The Museum of Rugby was granted fully registered status by Re:Source (the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries) having worked to achieve it since 1996. Only two other sports museums have ever been awarded this status - the National Football Museum in Preston and the British Golf Museum in St. Andrews. Registration is a formal ‘seal of approval’ confirming that the Museum is working to the highest standards and that all its policies and procedures fulfil strict ‘best practice’ criteria.

Jed Smith, Museum Curator, said, “This is a wonderful declaration of quality for the Museum and is the result of a great deal of hard work. It is evidence that we perform at the highest standards in our collection care, documentation systems, public access and visitor services. It will provide confidence to potential sponsors and potential object donors and lenders. It also allows us to apply for governmental and private funding streams which were previously closed off.”

In December, the Museum and stadium tour enjoyed a record month, with no less than 4,144 visitors and 2003 saw more than 22,000 people visit, the highest number since 1997.