Return to Rugby |
This edition includes: 1. Reminder of gradual return to full contact and updated off-field guidance 2. Return to scrummaging guidance 3. Travel Funding – 23 July deadline 4. Game Leadership Diversity and Inclusion update 5. Community Game Insurance 6. Data tidy-up extension and player affiliation 7. News round-up with County Championship review Return to Rugby – on-field and off-field reminder We hope that clubs and players are enjoying the return to full contact training. While we’re all excited about being able to reintroduce scrums and mauls in training, we want to make sure that all players return safely. We remind coaches and players to follow an incremental approach in training and ahead of full contact matches, which are permitted in the adult game from Saturday 7 August for clubs that wish. Coaches are responsible for working with all players to assess and develop their physical and technical readiness before progressing to matches against other teams. This is especially true for front 5 players given the period of time the game has been operating without scrum and maul. Players should also be encouraged to follow the Activate Injury prevention exercise programme. You can find our updated Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. Key return to full contact dates are summarised here. Age Grade rugby still follows the Summer Activity Guide. This Summer Activity Framework includes provision for friendly matches to be played under adapted contact laws during August. These can start from Saturday 7 August, following a period of development in training sessions from Monday 19 July. Activate – All Age Grade players are encouraged to follow the Activate Injury prevention exercise programme with coaching sessions planned and delivered around the FITT principles (Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type). Global Law Trials As communicated last week, World Rugby has released the Global Law trials that will apply to competitions beginning on or after Sunday 1 August 2021. These are available here. We are eager to provide more detailed communication around these law trials, but are awaiting clarification from World Rugby on a couple of areas. As you will be aware, the timeline for the release of the Global Law Trials is set by World Rugby and these are effective from 1 August. We will provide further detail in next Tuesday’s Community Game Update when clarification has been received. Off-Field Guidance We continue to update our Club Support Helpdesk FAQs as we receive more information, for example around Test and Trace, self-screening and how to deal with a positive case. On Monday 16 August, the rules on self-isolating as a contact will change for people who are fully vaccinated and for under 18s. Those not fully vaccinated will still need to isolate if they are contacts, and everyone will still have to isolate if they test positive, to protect themselves and others. The current NHS Test & Trace remains in place until Monday 16 August. There will inevitably be a rise in cases of Covid-19 as measures relax. We must, therefore, manage any risks as best we can by remaining vigilant, supporting the vaccination effort and reminding members to self-isolate if they have a positive Covid test. With millions of us now protected by the vaccine, you are less likely to become seriously ill or go to hospital. Getting your Covid-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from the virus. To get maximum protection, you must get a second dose after 8 weeks. If you’re over 18, Go to nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/ to book, or visit your local walk-in centre. Club Support Helpdesk To read the rest of the update click on the link |
Robin Stephenson – RIP
Cornwall RFU were sorry to learn that former Liskeard-Looe RFC Chairman, committee member and past player Robin Stephenson has passed away aged 79 following a short illness. Robin was brother-in-law to Chris Jewels, current Chairman of the CRFU Competitions Committee.
The funeral will take place on Friday 23rd July at Bodmin Crematorium 2:30 pm
Cornwall RFU wish to express their sincerest condolences to family and friends.
Community Game Update 13th July
Breaking News – Return dates for full contact rugby Clubs can re-instate scrums and mauls in training from Monday 19 July and in matches from, and not before, Saturday 7 August. The new season is set to start as normal for the whole community game. We are thrilled that clubs and players will be able to return to full contact rugby. As always, player welfare is our main priority and we need to manage the return to scrums and mauls as safely as possible. Read on for the step-by-step plan. |
Return to Rugby This edition includes: 1. Adult Rugby Roadmap – return to full contact friendly matches from Saturday 7 August for clubs that wish 2. Age Grade Rugby – Summer Activity Guide continuation – adapted contact laws in friendlies from Saturday 7 August 3. Key priorities for clubs and coaches including scrummaging guides 4. Off-field guidance from 19 July 5. Pitch Up For Rugby – 50 days to go promotion 6. Warrior Camps – bring new players to your club 7. News round-up 8. Webinars and on-demand Adult Rugby Roadmap – return to full contact dates When can clubs return to full contact rugby? (10s and 15-a-side) We have carefully considered the preparation period required after a long lay-off. We have taken advice from medics, coaches, directors of rugby and players within the community game to create the below pathway: Adult Rugby The updated rugby roadmap for adult rugby is here. Monday 19 July Scrums and mauls can be re-instated in training only. A minimum 3-week preparation period of training sessions follows ahead of match play. Coaches are reminded that they are responsible for working with all players to assess their physical readiness and technical competence before returning to scrummaging. Players may be at different levels of fitness and conditioning. See below guidance for returning to scrummaging safely. Coaches must be satisfied that players have undertaken sufficient technical preparation, skill refinement and reconditioning work before returning to full contact match play. Internal training games are allowed between Monday 19 July and Saturday 7 August. Training games should include an incremental approach to scrummaging and coaches should rotate players every 20 minutes. Clubs should not return to match intensity full contact 15 a-side training games immediately. Saturday 7 August Full contact 15-a-side and 10-a-side rugby matches, with scrums and mauls, may resume against other clubs from, and not before, Saturday 7 August. It is the choice of clubs and players whether they wish to compete in full contact matches from Saturday 7 August. There is no pressure to do so. Teams that do not yet feel ready for full contact 15s have the option of playing 7s, 10s, XRugby or 15-a-side rugby with uncontested scrums. Saturday 4 September Full contact 15-a-side league rugby commences for Men’s Levels 3 and 4, and for 14-team men’s leagues in Levels 5 and below. Saturday 18 September Full contact 15-a-side league rugby commences for 12 and 10 league men’s teams in London & SE. Saturday 25 September Full contact 15-a-side league rugby commences for 12 and 10 league men’s teams in North, Midlands & SW. 25/26 September Full contact 15-a-side- rugby commences for majority of women’s competitions. Global Law Trials The Global Law trial laws for next season have been released by World Rugby and are on their website. Detailed work is underway to ensure they can be properly communicated to the Game in due course. Sevens For the avoidance of doubt, Sevens fixtures can return with full laws from Monday 19 July. To read the rest of the update click on the link |
Diversity & Inclusion – Update
We’re keen to update you on the progress being made as part of the RFU’s commitment to improving diversity and inclusion in rugby union. Please feel free to share this information more widely if you wish. We will also send an update to clubs after CBs have had time to familiarise themselves with the plans. The RFU has been focussing on four key areas of the game: 1. Game Leadership – volunteer leaders within clubs, Constituent Bodies (CBs) and Council. 2. Game Play – players, coaches, match officials and club volunteers 3. Fans, Followers and Partners 4. Employees and Board Further background on each area can be found here. Over the next year, we will provide regular updates in each of the four work streams. In this communication, we begin by focussing on an area in which you play such an integral role and look at how we can support you in this capacity. Game Leadership – supporting volunteer leaders at clubs, CBs and Council. Below you can find: • An overview of plans that will be delivered by the RFU Council D&I Implementation Working Group. The attachment includes a progress report on each of the 10 recommendations approved by RFU Council that this group will focus on implementing. • The information is available in both a PDF and more interactive format via the buttons below. • A shareable jpeg visual that summarises the four key D&I workstreams is here. Key areas include: • A training programme to be initiated for Council and all Constituent Bodies to support with diversity awareness. • Guidance to be provided by the RFU to Constituent Bodies and clubs to support inclusive practices and showcase best practice. A best practice recruitment tool kit to be shared to attract a diverse range of candidates for each appointment; supporting Constituent Bodies to attract and retain a more diverse pool of people. Have you confirmed your CB D&I Lead yet? Our D&I lead in Cornwall is Steve Murley We’re organising plans and communications for the 2021/22 season to support D&I Leads, kicking off with a workshop on Monday 23 August. We know some CBs are midway through their recruitment process. However, if you need further assistance, or if you are ready to nominate your D&I lead, please contact your Council Member or MarissaLowe@RFU.com Read Update Interactive Format |
Vacancy for Chair of Finance & Governance
The CRFU management board have a vacancy as Chair of Finance & Governance. This is a key role within the MB and would require a degree of time commitment. The MB meets 10 times a year and you would also be expected to have at least 4 committee meetings of F & G. In the first instance could you log interest with County Secretary Terry Williams terry344@sky.com and we will then be in touch re interviews.
Saunts
Community Game Update 6th July
Return to Rugby |
This edition includes: 1. Government update 2. A new chapter for Touch Rugby 3. Sky Sports for RFU affiliated rugby clubs 4. Pitch Up For Rugby – 4-12 September 5. First aid 6. GMS data tidy up – more information 7. News round-up 8. Webinars and on-demand videos Government update In light of the positive announcement by the Prime Minister yesterday evening, outlining the government’s plan for Covid restrictions to lift from Monday 19 July, we are anticipating this will enable us to re-instate scrums and mauls and to start next season as normal. However, it is important to note that we are awaiting government’s confirmed position on sport and, in our case, permission to return to full contact rugby. We hope to receive guidance from government over the next week and will share further details as we get them. Government will continue to monitor data and we should therefore be prepared to adapt should an increase in cases or emergence of a new variant require us to do so. Over the coming week, we will work with government to interpret what any new guidance means for community sport and community rugby clubs specifically. As information is confirmed, we will update our Helpdesk FAQs and issue further guidance in next week’s Community Game Update. GMS Data tidy-up Over the last few weeks, we have seen an increase in GMS usage due to the data tidy-up, with 25,000 people having logged in since Friday 18 June. During the process, clubs have raised important questions which we have reviewed. Following conversations with clubs, we have produced a short document that we hope will help clubs and CBs further understand the need for the tidy up. This project is directly related to the “Player Affiliation” mentioned in our CGU on 15 June, with more information to follow. Responding to feedback received, we have amended the criteria for archiving data. The following will now not be archived in this process: • Players who have appeared on an electronic match card. • Individuals with an active club membership. • Individuals with an active DBS. We will be running a live session on Tuesday 13 July for Data Officers to help answer any questions you might have. This will be an opportunity for clubs to ask any questions they may have with Programme Coordinator Alex Bowden and Senior Delivery Manager Matt Holding. More Information Webinar To read the rest of the update click on the link |
Report from the 2021 A.G.M.
A well attended, Covid compliant, CRFU AGM was held at Camborne RFC on the 30th June.
President John Sumnall welcomed the attendees and congratulated them and their clubs for all the hard work under difficult circumstances this past season.
John felt that the rugby community in Cornwall had come together during a troubled year and shown true Cornish spirit in adversity.
The President also made a plea to the clubs to help the CRFU deliver it’s role via the committees, as ever willing volunteers are sought to come on to these committees to help formulate the game in the duchy. (See below for the full President’s address).
CRFU Chairman, David Saunter informed the meeting that John Sumnall’s tenure as President had been extend by one year as a result of the covid affected season. He also informed the meeting that Andy Reed, (Bodmin, Camborne, Bath, Wasps, Scotland and the British Lions) had been appointed President Elect, assuming the role in season 23/24 for the three year term.
Honorary Secretary Terry Williams and CRFU Clubs Representative to the RFU, Alan Milliner were both re-elected unopposed to serve a further three year term.
The President then went on to make the following presentations;
Honorary Vice President: Paul Hurrell (Hayle RFC), held over from 2020.
Honorary Vice President: Paul Cottle (Bude RFC)
Honorary Vice President: Alan Truscott (Camborne RFC
The President also paid tribute to past President Dave Martin who has completed 40 years service with the CRFU covering many different roles.
Following the AGM there was an open forum with several topics being discussed.
President’s address;
CRFU AGM 30 June 2021
President’s Report
As we reflect on the activities of this strange season in its closure there are many positive conclusions to be drawn but the one that stands out is the simple fact that the rugby family in Cornwall is in particularly good health.
It has been most rewarding working with the Clubs and being reminded of the dedication of their volunteers and how, without them, some Clubs may be severely struggling. Finance was made available for the Clubs from various sources, including the CRFU, but it required the volunteers within the Clubs to ensure that this finance reached the required areas within the Club to find maximum benefit. We should congratulate those volunteers as they have ensured that the next generation can enjoy our great game within our great family in Cornwall.
Throughout the season the CRFU Management Board has worked tirelessly to support the game in Cornwall and, as described above, the Clubs have responded for the benefit of everyone with the response from the Clubs further motivating the Board and so recommencing the cycle. All the Board Members must be thanked for the unselfish manner in which they have freely given their time for the betterment of Rugby in Cornwall and I would be failing if I did not mention the outstanding work of our Chair “Saunts”. He has been an inspirational leader never too busy to discuss ideas and problems, unafraid to act when something must be corrected and always found time to praise when appropriate.
However, the present Board will not last for ever and it is vital that Club Members volunteer their services to one of the CRFU Committees as we are interdependent on one another. It is not a great commitment with many Committees meeting perhaps only four or five times a year and often virtual.
Everything of course was not always positive as we all felt the brunt of the wholesale changes by the Rugby Football Union necessitated but not solely by the effect of the covid pandemic on its income. Not only have we lost our RFU Community Rugby Department members in Cornwall but there have been massive changes to personnel in the RFU itself and I feel sure that it will take several more years to bed down to the level, if ever, that it was before the pandemic. One concern is the future of the County Championship and I can assure everyone that the CRFU is doing everything possible to retain this great event that gives a player the chance to play at Twickenham in a Cornwall shirt.
Finally, I consider it a great honour to be asked to add a further year to my tenure as President and I promise to continue my theme of “communication”.
Thank you.
John Sumnall.
17 June 2021.
W.R. Sandow, Robotic Line Marking
We are pleased to announce that we are now able to offer a new robotic line marking
service – no more measuring, marking out with string or pushing the line marker!
This fully automatic system uses satellite signals and GPS to accurately map the
location and mark out precisely within 1cm accuracy, both on the initial marking and
subsequent remarking, using the stored data.
• The robot can work on natural grass and artificial surfaces.
• It can cope with soft ground and rough conditions
• Able to paint between fixed posts
• All sports templates are available
To enhance the line marking service we also offer;
• Addition of growth regulator to the paint to maintain the quality of
the lines for longer
• Printing your logos or text on the pitch in colour (subject to one-off
set up costs)
For more information please contact
Andrew Sandow at W R Sandow Ltd
07778 836706
Community Game Update 29th June
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This edition includes: 1. Council update 2. 2021/2022 Travel Funding and RFU Competitions 3. Age Grade Summer Activity – July 4. Allianz Inner Warrior 5. Pitch up for Rugby 6. Club Support – VAT Recovery and Lease Reviews 7. News round-up including Pride in Brighton and helping at vaccination centres to #TackleCovid 8. Webinars and on-demand videos RFU Council vote in favour of Covid Recovery Plan and temporary pause on relegation The RFU Council has today voted in favour of a range of structural changes to improve the financial stability and sustainability of professional rugby during the next three seasons while also providing benefits for England Rugby and the community game. The Covid Recovery Plan, with a temporary pause on relegation, follows a detailed consultation that was announced in February after the RFU Council voted in favour of no relegation from Gallagher Premiership Rugby or the Greene King IPA Championship for the 2020/21 season. The extensive consultation included Premiership Rugby and their clubs, Championship clubs, The RPA, RFU Board and RFU Council Read More Travel Funding and 2021/2022 season Further to announcements within the Community Game Updates on 15th and 22nd June, more information can be found below on travel funding support available for season 2021/22. The document provides information on: • Clubs travelling to play teams on Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey – women and men • Mainland clubs travelling to the Isle of Wight – men • Needs based travel funding. It also contains the Needs Based Travel Fund criteria, how to apply and the application form. RFU Competitions 2021/22 Season Both adult and age grade competitions are on track to begin in September. We do, however, need to be mindful of Government’s announcement scheduled for Monday 19th July regarding the provisional lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions. The situation is being closely monitored and we are ready to react if there is a change to that date. Application Form Travel Document To read the rest of the update click on the link |