A Steering Group has been established to make Coventry one of the “leading cities in the world” in rugby by 2023.

The 17-strong group, including the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the Rugby Football League (RFL), the Coventry Sports Network, Engage! Coventry and Premiership Rugby, will oversee the seven-year strategy to develop the game at all levels in the city.

Stakeholders will work together to devise a “coherent framework” to promote the sport’s “key values” – teamwork, respect, integrity, enjoyment and discipline – across the city.

The plan forms part of the 10-year Coventry Sports Strategy, which focuses on the grassroots to the elite, driving participation, coaching and volunteers. Schools, colleges, universities are also being connected with local rugby clubs.

Among the desired outcomes are an increase in participation, the improvement of local rugby facilities, getting more women and girls involved and enticing more big rugby events to the city.

Coventry lead councillor for sport Abdul Khan said he wanted to “take advantage of Coventry’s unique position” of being the only city in the Midlands to host professional and semi-professional teams in both disciplines of the game.

RFU rugby development director Steve Grainger said he wanted to “grow participation and promote the core values of the game”, while Jon Roberts, director of performance and development at the RFL, highlighted Coventry’s “proud history of pioneering rugby league in the Midlands”.