| STATEMENT ON START OF THE COMPETITIVE COMMUNITY RUGBY SEASON After careful consideration and extensive consultation with clubs across England, we have decided to delay the start of the competitive community game season until the week commencing Monday 21 September. We appreciate this will be disappointing news to clubs, players and volunteers who have been getting ready for and looking forward to the new season but there are a range of factors we’ve considered carefully before making this decision. Executive summary – what this means for rugby • National League Rugby (NLR) can make a decision subject to RFU oversight on RFU Men’s League matches at National League 1 & 2 to take place before 21 September. • No competitive matches in RFU Men’s leagues at Regional 1 and below or RFU Women’s Leagues below PWR level will take place before 21 September. • Merit leagues are governed by Constituent Bodies (CB). Fixtures due to take place before 21 September are subject to any CB decision, considering any RFU guidance at the time. • Age grade matches in RFU competitions due to take place before 21 September have been postponed with details below of alternative dates. • Friendly matches, where possible due to local conditions, player readiness and safety, may go ahead in order to help prepare players for the competitive season. • Training can continue but it is important pitch safety is assessed before every session and RFU guidance is followed on modifying contact activity on hard grounds. • All rugby activity, including that taking place outside of RFU league matches is subject to continual review and the RFU expects to issue further guidance to clubs, CBs, schools, colleges and universities in the coming weeks or when new information is available. Why we’re making this call now As outlined in our recent guidance on managing pitches and training in drought conditions, prolonged dry weather has left many grounds across the country hard and unsuitable for safe full-contact activity. With no meaningful or lengthy spells of rain currently forecast, these ground conditions are not expected to improve significantly in the short term. With this in mind, we have taken the decision to delay and to give everyone certainty now. We understand a delayed start has real practical implications – travel bookings, catering and food orders, volunteer planning and more – and we know volunteers always value as much time as possible to plan around a confirmed date rather than a moving target. This decision has been made on three grounds: • Player welfare – hard, dry pitches increase the risk of injury, particularly in the opening weeks of the season when players are returning to full contact. We recognise that many clubs have had to limit contact training in pre-season training due to the pitch conditions. We want players to return to competition safely and adequately prepared. • Competition integrity – starting the season on pitches that aren’t fit for purpose risks uneven conditions and disruption across fixtures as well as offering advantages for those clubs able to prepare players during pre-season using Artificial Grass Pitches (AGP) – undermining fair competition from the outset. • Planning – a clear, decisive two-week delay gives clubs, schools, colleges and universities the certainty needed to plan training, fixtures, travel and logistics with confidence. What this means for adult competitions • All fixtures in men’s leagues at Regional 1 level and below due to take place before 21 September should not go ahead as planned; these matches will instead be rearranged by Regional Organising Committees (ROC). It is expected that the November break remains in place. • All fixtures in women’s leagues below PWR currently scheduled to take place before 21 September should not go ahead as planned; these matches will instead be rearranged by RFU Competitions. • Local merit leagues and merit tables are governed and administered by Constituent Bodies under the overarching authority and general regulations of the RFU. CBs, competition organisers and clubs playing in these leagues will be provided with the suggested guidance from the RFU in regard to the start to the season. • Training can continue in the meantime, but it is important pitch safety is assessed before every session and continue to follow our guidance on modifying contact activity on hard grounds – including greater use of ACTIVATE, avoiding repeated practices that take players to ground, and considering Rugby 365 AGP hire where available. What this means for age grade competitions • RFU Continental Tyres Schools Cups – U18s will now start from the round two date of 28 September, and U15s from 5 October, with an additional round added in January/February. Schools and Academies will work together to address player load. • AoC Sport College Leagues – will start from 28 September, with extra rounds added in spare weeks or January. • RFU ACE Boys League – will start from the week commencing 21 September, using reserve dates and working with teams to reschedule. • RFU ACE Girls League – will start from its round two date of the week commencing 21 September, with an additional round to be identified in January. • Local leagues, cups and competitions are governed and administered by Constituent Bodies under the overarching authority and general regulations of the RFU. CBs, competition organisers and teams playing in these leagues will be provided with this suggested guidance from the RFU in regard to the start to the season. • Training can continue in the meantime, but it is important pitch safety is assessed before every session and continue to follow our guidance on modifying contact activity on hard grounds – including greater use of ACTIVATE, avoiding repeated practices that take players to ground, and considering Rugby 365 AGP hire where available. The following competitions are unaffected due to planned start dates/availability of AGPs and will maintain their existing calendar positions: • RFU Clubs U18 Boys & Girls Cups and U16 Girls Cup • RFU/PREM Academy League • BUCS Super Rugby Men’s League • BUCS Super Rugby Women’s League • BUCS Leagues This doesn’t mean staying away from rugby clubs A delayed start to contact fixtures doesn’t mean a delayed start for your club as a whole. We’d encourage adult and age grade players, coaches and volunteers alike to keep getting down to the club over the coming weeks. T1 Rugby and non-contact formats remain a great way to get members to your clubhouse and keep them active – subject to the usual pitch risk assessment – while also giving squads valuable time to properly prepare for the return to contact when the season begins. Looking ahead: the Rugby Competition Landscape Review This decision also feeds into a wider conversation the game needs to have. The RFU’s ongoing review of the Rugby Competition Landscape is examining, among other things, how a changing climate may affect the structure and length of the domestic season going forward. As dry spells and unpredictable weather become more frequent, we recognise the traditional season shape may need to evolve to protect player welfare, pitch quality and competition integrity in future years. We’ll share more on the findings and recommendations of this review in due course, with opportunities for clubs to feed in as it progresses. We understand the decision to delay the start of the season will be disappointing but hope it helps minimise disruption and impact on volunteers. We haven’t taken the decision lightly. Thank you for your patience and understanding, and for continuing to prioritise player safety and pitch care during this period. |
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RugbySafe & Player Welfare role
Applications are invited for the role of RugbySafe Lead & Player Welfare
For an informal discussion contact Steve Murley – CRFU Chair on 07802 647052.
Applicants should send a CV and brief covering letter to CRFU Secretary Jane Bell at
janebellcornishrugby@gmail.com.
Closing Date for Applications: 22nd August 2026
CRFU Hon. Treasurer role
The role description can be found in the link.
For an informal discussion contact Steve Murley – Chair CRFU on 07802 647052
Applicants should send a CV and brief covering letter to CRFU Secretary Jane Bell at
janebellcornishrugby@gmail.com.
Closing Date for Applications: 22nd August 2026
Reggie Gough steps down as CRFU RugbySafe and Player Welfare Lead
CRFU announces that Reggie Gough will be stepping down from his role as RugbySafe and
Player Welfare Lead due to increased work commitments.
Designated a “Golden Role” by the RFU as because of its importance in protecting player
welfare and supporting the safe delivery of the game, Reggie provided vital oversight,
guidance and assurance to our clubs so they could meet required standards and promote a
proactive culture of safety and care. In August 2024, at Reggie’s suggestion, the RugbySafe
role was expanded to include Player Welfare, recognising the need to support wider
wellbeing such as mental health.
Reggie has been excellent at pro-actively supporting club RugbySafe leads, themselves
recognised as holding important “Golden Roles” within their clubs. He has provided advice,
guidance and practical support to help them understand their responsibilities, strengthen
local processes, access training and resources, and manage incident reporting.
He has led improvements to the procurement, management and updating of emergency medical equipment for CRFU representative rugby, including procuring casualty shelters to
protect injured players and medical staff while further assistance is awaited.
Reggie helped improve first aid training for Cornish clubs by identifying a preferred local
provider and establishing a simple booking process for the 2025/2026 season onwards, with
courses available at club premises or the provider’s training centre.
For representative rugby, Reggie helped ensure appropriately qualified medical cover was in
place for critical training events and matches, from age-grade rugby through to our Senior
teams.
He contributed to the review and rewriting of concussion and wider player welfare policies
and procedures, providing a stronger foundation for clubs and representative rugby activity.
As part of the wider CRFU Rugby Camp Committee, Reggie also helped improve processes
to ensure rugby camps and associated activities are managed consistently and safely across
the county.
CRFU is grateful to Reggie for the innovation, commitment, expertise and energy he has
brought to this important area of work. His contribution has raised the profile of RugbySafe
and Player Welfare across Cornwall, strengthened support for club RugbySafe leads, and
provided a platform on which the County can continue to build.
Reggie is able to continue in his post for a short period to help his successor to become
accustomed to the requirements of the role. This will be advertised on the CRFU website
and other social media in the next few days.
We thank Reggie sincerely for his service and wish him well for the future.
CRFU management Board
Ashley Shopland to Step Down as CRFU Treasurer
The Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) regretfully confirms that Ashley Shopland will
step down from his role as Treasurer at the end of December 2026 for personal reasons.
Ashley has been the CRFU Treasurer since August 2023 and has made a fantastic
contribution not only to our clubs and all of our representative sides but also to the wider
Cornish rugby community. As part of the CRFU Executive, he has supported clubs across
Cornwall as well as representative teams, bringing energy, practical knowledge and real
commitment to work that has helped the game across the county.
While Ashley’s role has focused on finance, his support has gone much further than that. He
has been an invaluable source of advice for CRFU colleagues, Cornish clubs, volunteers
and members, and has played an important part in supporting the community that keeps
rugby thriving across Cornwall.
Whilst with the CRFU, his work has included introducing the Fanbase electronic ticketing
system, helping to promote facility grants so more clubs can access available support, and
leading a full review and update of the CRFU’s financial policies and procedures. He has
also provided valued financial guidance to individual clubs, helped introduce identity cards
for CRFU Management Board members, and organised volunteers to staff gates at Cup-
Final days and representative rugby matches.
Ashley will continue in post until the end of December 2026 to help ensure a smooth
handover. This role will be advertised on CRFU website and other social media in the next
few days.
The CRFU thanks Ashley for his hard work, commitment and service to Cornish rugby, and
wishes him every success for the future.
CRFU Management Board
RFU Community Game Update – July
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| 1. IMPORTANT UPDATES We want to hear from you! We’re introducing a new way for our clubs and members to share their views with us on anything from how we regulate the game, to how we communicate, how things feel on the ground, to what could make a real difference to the administration of the game. Whatever matters most to you. Player registration for the 26/27 season is now open! To make sure your club is ready to hit the ground running at the start of the season, now is a great time to encourage age grade and adult players at your club to renew their registrations. Check out our helpful video guides in this section. England Rugby Learning England Rugby is introducing a major upgrade to how we support coaches, match officials and volunteers to complete essential training, access resources, and continually refresh their knowledge and skills. These changes will go live at the end of July and are designed to make learning simpler, more personalised, and easier to complete- especially on mobile devices. Competition Updates – travel funding and men’s Community Cup Check out the latest competition updates, including information on travel funding for next season and the future of the Men’s Community Cup following a review and community feedback. Changes to Regulation 15 for 2026/27 After consultation across the last 10 months, the new-look regulation 15 will be published shortly, alongside additional helpful guidance and resources. Remind yourself of the key changes in this section. Age grade updates – playing calendar and playing out of age grade process Alongside confirmation of the England U18 playing programme for Easter and the Schools Sevens plan for 2027, the updated Playing Calendar is now available as well as updates to the Playing Adult Rugby Application process for 17 year olds. Age Grade Summer Activity Plan – August Age Grade activity in the off season needs to be in line with the Summer Activity Plan, shared last month. Check out the plan for August in this section. READ ONLINE > |
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| 2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST Could you reduce the energy costs at your club? If your club is looking at ways to reduce costs, strengthen sustainability and protect future investment in rugby, this is a conversation worth starting now. Take a look at these two examples from the community game at Burton RFC and St Mary’s Old Boys RFC. Cut costs. Strengthen operations. Keep more money in your club. With nearly £2m in purchasing spend reviewed and over £68,000 in confirmed annual savings already delivered, participating clubs are achieving significant savings across key purchasing categories. Find out how you can get involved with One Club in this piece. Upcoming webinars and support available for your club! Find details and registration information for our upcoming webinars and wider support your club can access and benefit from here. |
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| 3. FOR AWARENESS T1 Rugby at the Festival of Sport England Rugby is working with Festival of Sport to hold a T1 Rugby showcase match at this year’s event. The match will take place at the festival (Packington Estate) at 6.30pm on Saturday 25 July. Community News – monthly round-up Read this month’s roundup of the best community rugby stories – and find out how to submit your own story. READ ONLINE > |
CRFU AGM 2026
The CRFU AGM took place recently at Camborne RFC and was attended by may club representatives.
Following the usual business, out-going President Andy Reed welcomed new CRFU President Terry Carter (pictured above) to the role.
Andy expressed his pride and enjoyment of his three years in office culminating in last month’s Twickenham successes.
There was also a presentation to John Dunstan, former Chairman of CRFU Discipline. John was made a Life Member of the CRFU. It was very appropriate that he received the honour at his home club.
Chair Steve Murley also welcomed Andrew Crichton onto the Management Board, he will be taking over Youth & Education from Tony Knightsbridge who can now concentrate on his Chairmanship of the Disciplinary Panel.
Vice President’s Subscriptions
Annual CRFU Vice President Subscriptions – thank you to all those who paid on July 1st for the coming year. A number of people are however still paying the old fee of £25 (changed w.e.f. July 1st 2025 to £35). Would any of those to whom this is applicable please remit the balance and look to amend any standing orders / direct debits for next time.
Notice of CRFU AGM
Please note the details above regarding our AGM next month at Camborne RFC 7 pm start.
Jane Bell
Hon. Sec CRFU
Upcoming Development Opportunities
We’ve got a big summer of coach development ahead, with several opportunities designed to support the continuous growth of your coaches — because when we invest in coaches, we invest in players.
These sessions are real opportunities to strengthen your club’s future, so please make the most of them.
XV Aside Coaching Performance Day – Saturday 11 July Featuring guest coaches Ricky Pellow & Joe Walsh. A high‑quality practical day for coaches at all levels. 
Book here: https://www.coachcentered.com/shop/p/saturday-11th-july-cornwall-xv-aside-coaching-performance-day
Recruiting, Deploying & Developing Coaches Workshop – Monday 3 August, 7pm (St Austell) Our first workshop in Cornwall focused on building and sustaining a strong coaching workforce.
England Rugby Learning – RFU Transition Briefings The RFU are transitioning to the new England Rugby Learning platform this summer. This will change how coaches, referees and volunteers access learning.
Please share these briefing sessions with your teams:
• 06 July – 7pm
• 07 July – 6pm
• 08 July – 7pm
• 13 July – 7pm
• 14 July – 12:30pm
• 15 July – 12:30pm
• 15 July – 6:30pm
All session links are available via the RFU Teams events pages.
Let’s continue building strong, confident and well supported coaches across Cornwall. Please share with your club coaching teams.
Daubroy Delahunty
CRFU Game Development
