RFU

Community Game Update 25th January

January 26, 2022 by Bill Hooper

Back In The Game Update Read Online

1. ACTION REQUIRED
Regulation 9 – First Aid Risk Assessment Reminder
As part of regulation 9, clubs are required to have completed an annual first aid specific risk assessment. To support this we have created a template as part of the Risk Assessment Tool kit. Please log that you have completed the assessment via the Organisation Profile tile in GMS.
Does your club have an Automated External Defibrillator?
We would like to get a better understanding of the number of clubs who have the provision in place. Let us know if your club has an AED.

2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST
Video: Top tips to keep your Game On
A short video on how clubs and CBs have had success in getting more games played, from using Game On principles to flexing the playing offer. Thank you to all those who have shared ideas.
‘Back in the Game’ national campaign
During the opening weeks of the Guinness Six Nations, we will be running a national campaign to encourage more social players back into the game. Read more about how to get involved.
The Club Support Centre Helpdesk has moved!
The aim is to make it easier for you to find the answers and information you need via a new Help portal. You can also submit a request if more help is needed.
Share your tries & stay up to date with the latest news via @RFU
Follow @RFU to stay up to date with all the latest from the community game and share your best tries, bloopers and videos!
Webinars and coaching interview
Maximising Bar Profits and Honda Rugby Grounds Connected support, plus an exclusive interview with England Attack Coach Martin Gleeson, available from 31.01.22.

3. FOR AWARENESS
Covid-19 measures update
A brief update on Covid 19 guidance for those attending training and matches
The Touch Union launches soon!
The Touch Union officially starts next month. To find out more and register your interest, head to The Touch Union on englandrugby.com
National Rugby Survey closes on 7 February
Still chance to have your say and help to shape coming seasons.

Community Game Update 11th January

January 12, 2022 by Bill Hooper

Distribution list: Tuesday 11 January
Constituent Bodies Chairs, Honorary Secretaries, Treasurers, Communications Liaison, Data Officers
Club Presidents, Chairs, Honorary Secretaries, Data Officers

This week we have launched an official, overarching @RFU Twitter account about the community game, for the community game. You can follow here.

Back In The Game Update Read Online

1. ACTION REQUIRED
Payment of Players declaration
From 1 March – 30 June 2022, clubs will be able to complete The Payment of Players declaration form under Regulation 7. The form is mandatory for men’s level 3 and below who provide material benefits to players.

2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST
@RFU twitter channel now live
Follow @RFU to stay up to date with the latest news from the grassroots game. The @RFU feed will act as a hub for information on everything from playing to volunteering, as well as celebrating the very best of the rugby community.
Honda volunteer hospitality registrations for Guinness Six Nations Details on how club volunteers who already have match tickets for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations matches at Twickenham can register for pre-match hospitality in the West Car Park, as part of the Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme.
Honda Volunteer of the Year Nominations are now open
The categories for this year’s awards to recognise the efforts and achievements of rugby volunteers across the country are live. You can nominate now.
17 Jan – Lower XV expression of interest deadline
There’s less than a week to go for clubs to let us know if they are interested in entering a Lower XV team in RFU men’s leagues at Level 7 and below. Read the eligibility criteria and how to express an interest here.
Back in the Game social media assets/posters for the New Year available to download.

3. FOR AWARENESS
National Rugby Survey – Live on 19 Jan
This year’s survey will go live on 19 January across RFU channels and is an opportunity for everyone to provide their views and feedback to help us try to meet the needs of the game.
January 2022 guidance for clubs wishing to organise a First Aid or Play it Safe course
Before requesting a course, we ask clubs to complete a risk assessment to help with the management of Covid-19
Allianz Premier 15s League Entry Mechanism 2023/2024
The third cycle for the Allianz Premier 15s will remain as a tender process. In June, clubs will be sent an expression of interest form for the 23/24 season.
News Round-Up including New Year Honours & Touchline
Congratulations to all rugby union representatives included in the New Year’s Honours list. Read on for more information and for how to subscribe to our Touchline digital newsletter for more stories from around the game.

RFU Update on this weekend’s fixtures

January 5, 2022 by Bill Hooper

Update on Community Game fixtures scheduled for 17/18/19 December

December 16, 2021 by Bill Hooper

As Christmas approaches, and concerns continue to grow around the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the RFU has introduced flexibility around this weekend’s Community Game fixtures to give clubs and players options. The below applies to level 3 and below in the men’s game and level 2 and below in the women’s game, for the weekend of 17-19 December 2021.

Fixtures scheduled for the weekend of 17/18/19 December

• Matches can go ahead as normal this weekend if both teams are happy to play.

• Should either club involved in a scheduled fixture this weekend wish to postpone, they can do so without sanction. Both clubs must contact their respective organising committee as soon as possible, and at the latest by 1200 on Friday 17th December. (Clubs must not postpone their fixture via Electronic Matchcard). The postponed fixture must be played on the next available weekend as determined by the Organising Committee.

• To postpone a fixture for clubs in the Men’s and Women’s English Club Championship (RFU Leagues) they must adhere to the following process:

1. Submit a Covid declaration form
2. Include ‘concerns about Covid’ as the reason for the postponement
3. For this weekend – 17/18/19 December 2021 – there is no requirement to provide additional supportive information for the Covid declaration.

If clubs do decide to play fixtures this weekend, we would advise sensible precautions should be taken to protect members and players. In line with public health advice, we would suggest:

• Encouraging players, coaches, members, match officials, to undertake Lateral Flow Tests ahead of attending and to self-isolate if the test is positive, and take a PCR test to verify the result.

• Minimising use of changing rooms – encourage players to arrive in kit. If changing rooms or treatment rooms are required, facemasks must be warn and rooms should be ventilated where possible.

• Minimising use of social spaces, ventilating where possible and keep spacing within rooms.

• Implementing regular cleaning protocols of communal areas and toilet facilities.

• Ensuring hand sanitisers are readily available.

• Reminding members to follow government and public health guidance on mask wearing.

• Minimising travel with other people.

Covid-19 Guidance

We want to ensure rugby clubs have easy access to guidance over the Christmas period.

Alongside government guidance, which can be found here, and Sport England guidance here, you can find information, resources and FAQs on our England Rugby Coronavirus Hub which will be updated if government advice changes. Please check back regularly.

If you can’t find the information you are looking for please contact us ClubSupport@RFU.com

We will continue to monitor the situation and to work closely with government and public health experts and further guidance will be issued post Christmas. The safety of all players, coaches, officials and volunteers remains the priority.

RFU Community Game Update 7th December

December 7, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Back In The Game Update Read Online

1. *****ACTION REQUIRED*****

GMS Review Update
Deloitte has been appointed to conduct an independent review of GMS, to assess both the essential and desirable needs of the game from an administrative Platform For Rugby. Details are included on what the review will entail and how volunteers can join focus groups to engage in the review process.
Mandatory Club Safeguarding Self Audit – 7th Jan Deadline
The Safeguarding Audit is mandatory for all clubs who offer Age Grade activities, or who wish to have 17-year-old’s playing up into the adult game. The deadline for completion has been extended to 7 January 2022.

2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST
Age Grade Changes 2021-22 Season – Next steps from January 2022
A reminder that from January, Age Grade players will begin to play the rules for their age. Also 17-year-olds are able to play adult rugby again with CB consent.
Emily Scarratt explains benefits of hosting a Warrior Camp this January
Emily Scarratt shows her support for Warrior Camps with January being the most successful time to recruit new players. An editable press release is included to help clubs promote their camps. Register your interest now.

3. FOR AWARENESS
Speak Up for the Core Values
Rugby’s core values are why so many people get involved in the game. They need to be protected and championed. We encourage you to report any unacceptable behaviour or concerns through our Speak Up channels.
Content to support returning Age Grade players
As age grade players continue to return to the game, clubs have been sharing how they have retained and brought in new players. View our video series here, in case ideas can benefit more clubs.
Reminder of new Girls Age Bands from 2022/23
A reminder of girls’ age bands from September 2022 with shareable infographic.
RFU Injured Player Foundation #RugbyRunners Team for the TCS London Marathon
Spaces available for anyone looking to run the London full and half marathon to help raise funds for the IPF. You can find out more and sign up here.
News Round-Up including Active Together Crowdfunding
Active Together, a Sport England initiative, will match funds up to £10,000 for not-for-profit organisations that raise funds via the crowdfunding website.

Game on goes Global!

December 1, 2021 by Bill Hooper

World Rugby has today announced ‘Game On Global’ which provides national unions with the ability to implement a menu of 10 law variations in the community game. It is at the discretion of member Unions to decide which principles they may wish to utilise in the future.

This builds on work already done by the RFU and other Unions around ‘Game On’ domestically and is fantastic news for the global game to enable more rugby to be played across the world.

Whereas previously Unions were required to ask permission from World Rugby to implement law variations, World Rugby has looked at the most common variations that could get more games played and has given advance permission for Unions to implement these if they wish next year.

Over the coming months, we will assess the implications and opportunities that the additional law variations may bring. No decisions are imminent, and no action is needed by CBs, clubs or schools/colleges at this time.

The RFU Game On principles remain in place. More information on these and levels they apply to is available below. Game On principles allow teams to be more flexible with the laws to allow matches to go ahead.

WR Press Release RFU Game On

RFU Community Game Update 23 November

November 24, 2021 by Bill Hooper

We hope the below structure helps to distinguish between where action is required and where information is for awareness.

Action required
Action if of interest
For awareness

There is important information contained in this update regarding the following;

Future Competitions Structure – Lower XV criteria for entry into RFU leagues

17- year-olds playing adult rugby

NEW – Girls age bands from 2022/23 approved by RFU Council

Please click on the link to see the full update

Former international referee Lawrie Prideaux gets his referee’s cap.

November 19, 2021 by Bill Hooper

This week at Twickenham Cornishman Lawrie Prideaux was one of 22 of the 26 living RFU referees to have taken charge of a test match to receive an international cap from the RFU.

Lawrie received his cap from RFU President, His Honour Jeff Blackett.

Cornwall RFU wish to add their congratulations and acknowledge Lawrie’s contribution to the game in Cornwall and wider afield.

Back In The Game Update Community Game Update 9th November

November 9, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Back In The Game Update Community Game Updates are now structured as follows to help volunteers distinguish between where action is required and where information is for awareness.

1. Action required
2. Member services – action if of interest
3. For awareness

A PDF version is available by clicking on the ‘Read Online’ button. Read Online

1. ACTION REQUIRED – N/A THIS WEEK

2. MEMBER SERVICES – ACTION IF OF INTEREST
Returning to Rugby for 16-18 year-olds
Bitesize videos and guides including tips from other clubs to help keep 16-18-year-olds engaged in the game
Refereeing
Content available to share – we hear from Luke Pearce and Matthew Carley on how they got into refereeing, how others can get involved to help get matches played and why refereeing gives you the best seat in the house.
Upcoming webinars
Leading into December, we have webinars on subjects ranging from GMS to Grounds Management. Read more and register for those that will be of value to your club.
GMS drop-ins
GMS drop-in sessions continue this Wednesday, when we will focus on booking courses and voucher codes. Again, there will be a Q&A opportunity at the end

3. FOR AWARENESS
England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award 2022/23
Details of the prerequisites for the upcoming Advanced coaching award and how to book on.
How much is your club paying for its energy use?
Advice from our preferred Energy Consultants ZTP on how they can help around the current rise in energy prices.
A reminder of Game On
Game On is a great way to keep players involved, even if you don’t have 15 players. Read more about the principles behind it.
News Round-Up – Harlow Poppy Appeal, Yorkshire reach 150, Max raises £565,441 and Combe Down RFC 125.
Hear how Harlow RFC raised £6,872 for the RBL Poppy Appeal, Yorkshire Rugby celebrate their 150th Anniversary, Max, who has camped in a tent since 2020 has raised £565,441 and Combe Down hit 125 years. Congratulations!

RFU President’s walk visits Saltash

November 5, 2021 by Bill Hooper

RFU President His Honour Jeff Blackett and his wife Sally were in Cornwall on Wednesday to commence their latest leg of their 150 mile walk in aid of the Injured Players’ Foundation and to mark the RFU’s 150th Anniversary.

Prior to the day’s walk breakfast was served at Saltash’s Moorlands clubhouse, where CRFU Chairman Dave Saunter greeted The President of the RFU and Sally.

Dave Saunter receives 150th anniversary walk plaque from RFU President Jeff Blackett

Speaking about his walk Jeff said “We wanted to promoted the RFU’s 150th anniversary and that’s why the walk is 150 miles.

“We are currently on day 13 and have done 128 miles so far.

“But the second reason for the walk was to meet as many people as possible in rugby.

“From my perspective I would like to thank everyone who has done so much to keep this game going.

“And the final reason for the walk was to try and raise funds for the RFU’s Injured Players’ Foundation.”

Members from Cornwall RFU then accompanied the Blackett’s on the first part of their day’s walk across the Tamar Bridge to be greeted by Devon RFU.