As the weekend approaches a reminder of our Core Values . We expect all of the rugby community to adhere to these. #teamwork #respect #enjoyment #discipline #sportsmanship
RFU President’s 150th anniversary walk
RFU President His Honour Jeff Blackett and his wife Sally are undertaking a 15 day charity walk in aid if the Injured Players Foundation as part of the RFU’s 150th anniversary.
Details of their walk and how to donate to the fund can be found in the link
Jeff and Sally will be with us on the morning of Wednesday 3rd November when they will commence that day’s walk from Saltash RFC, accompanied by members of the Cornwall RFU, heading back into England across the Tamar Bridge to be welcomed by members from Devon RFU.
CRFU President John Sumnall added the following;
May I remind you that this season the RFU is celebrating its 150th Anniversary and are using this Anniversary to raise funds for the Injured Players Foundation.
The RFU President, Jeff Blackett, in early November will be walking 150 miles taking in as many Clubs and Counties as possible. He will be visiting Cornwall on Wednesday 03 November starting at Saltash RFC and then crossing into Devon to visit Tamar Saracens RFC. Further information can be found at:
https://www.rfuipf.org.uk/news
https://rfuipf.enthuse.com/cf/rfu-presidents-150th-wa
In Cornwall we started early in our fund raising and the CRFU Chair David Saunter in early August walked 150 miles from Weston-Super-Mare to Perranporth raising some £600 for the Injured Players Foundation.
We will continue this fund raising by a third event and I would be grateful if you would please consider encouraging your Club to join my President’s Challenge by forming a team or a group of teams to complete 150 laps of your pitch. If your Club is able to join this event it would be greatly appreciated and you will be supporting a great cause. There is not an end date other than this season please and all funds can be donated to our specific Just Giving:
If your Club has age group teams may I suggest that the event is perfect for this Challenge and would be grateful if you would please ensure that they are aware of the event.
I do hope your Club will be able to join others that are already committed to the Challenge.
Game Changers on-line course
Do you want to create meaningful games based practices to effectively develop your players? Sign up to one of our upcoming FREE Game Changers online workshop throughout November.
Register your place via http://EnglandRugby.com/courses
Wayne Reed
RFU SW Game Development
RFU Community Game Update 12 October
| Back In The Game Update Community Game Updates are now fortnightly rather than weekly. They will also be structured as follows, to help volunteers distinguish between where action is required and where information is for awareness. 1. Action required 2. CB & Club member services – action if of interest 3. For awareness A PDF version is available to view by clicking on the ‘Read Online’ button below. Read Online |
| 1. Ongoing player affiliation (Mandatory Age Grade, Voluntary Adult) Over 97,000 age grade players have now affiliated across 800 clubs. There are helpful guides for registrars and data officers to continue to drive the affiliation process. CB & CLUB MEMBER SERVICES – ACTION IF OF INTEREST 2. How to show Autumn Internationals at your Club Details on how clubs can access the Autumn Internationals to show in their clubhouses. 3. Webinars – Building inclusive volunteer teams, Mobile Ticketing The first webinar talks about building an inclusive volunteer base and the second on how clubs can access and distribute their international tickets via the new mobile ticketing service. 4. Club GMS Support & Webinar We continue our support on GMS by identifying the two highest priorities seen from raised tickets and how to solve them before they become issues. Details on a Club GMS drop-in session every week for the next month. FOR AWARENESS 5. RFU President Jeff Blackett visiting clubs during IPF fundraising walk HH Jeff Blackett will be walking 150 miles in 15 days across 18 counties to raise money for the Injured Players’ Foundation (IPF) and thanking volunteers in person for their hard work in keeping the game going during the pandemic. 6. Player welfare resources including Activate, HEADCASE and RugbySafe Toolkit A reminder of our player welfare resources to keep players in the best condition possible and away from injury. 7. Age Grade – Under 7s Ideas on how to keep the youngest players engaged until January 2022, when they can play matches. 8. The Touch Union – St Columba & Torpoint RFC success A success story from the new non-contact playing format of the game where one club has formed a new section. |
Community Game Update 28 Sept
| Back In The Game Update A PDF version is available to view by clicking on the ‘Read Online’ button below. Read Online |
| In today’s Community Game Update: 1. Volunteering – Autumn pre-match hospitality + Leaders network Details on how club volunteers who already have match tickets for the upcoming Autumn Internationals can register for up to four tickets for pre-match hospitality, as part of the Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme. Sunday 10 October deadline to sign-up for the Rugby Leaders’ Network, helping to develop clubs of the future. 2. Wednesday 29 September mobile ticketing webinar for Six Nations tickets This webinar will explain how to access and distribute club allocations ahead of the move to mobile ticketing. 3. Game Management System (GMS) update Update on the short and long-term plan around recent GMS challenges and a reminder of the services provided on the platform. 4. County Championship update for season 2021/22 Details for this season confirmed and an update on next steps. 5. Bonfire night planning With bonfire night approaching, RFU insurance broker Howden is on hand to help with risk management guidance. 6. Inclusive volunteer recruitment toolkit Rugby is a game for everybody – a toolkit of tips and advice is available to help clubs and CBs to provide an even more inclusive volunteer experience & engage a diverse volunteer base. 7. Discipline Update A reminder of our Speak Up channels and ways to report any incidents of discrimination, abuse or harassment. 8. Tackle height evaluation, tackle & scrum resources Details on an extension to the tackle height evaluation and a reminder of tackle height and scrum resources, including Tackle Ready from World Rugby and contact activity guidance. 9. Age Grade Rugby – including what teams 17-year-olds can play/train with A reminder that U17’s can only play and train with adults for senior rugby from January 2022. Includes infographic to share with parents and players. 10. Media coverage of ‘Pitch Up For Rugby’ campaign Examples of coverage to support the return to rugby and link for clubs to provide feedback on Pitch Up activity. |
ERCA & ERRA Courses in Cornwall
It’s often said that there would be no game without a ref! The C.R.R.S. have reported that at present there is a worrying lack of referees in the county. Some have retired, and injuries and unavailability for various reasons are not helping. There is to be a Referee’s Course on 10th Oct. at Callywith College, Bodmin commencing at 9am, but if there are not sufficient numbers, it will have to be cancelled. At present there are 6 registered, but they need about double to run it. Can this be circulated to clubs. Ideally every club should have at least one club ref. This would greatly help. So if you have ever fancied taking up the whistle, Now is the time.
People need to complete the online Headcase concussion course before they can register for the award courses. I have communicated this in all my messages but I don’t think the message has got through. It’s free and can be found by searching for Headcase Online Course, see link near end of post.
Attention of all Club Coaching Co-ordinators
Please circulate to all coaches in your clubs and let’s get a good number booked in for Wayne please.
Please find below information about the 2021-22 dates and venues for award courses being run locally to support coaching and refereeing. I have also included a course description for the Coaching and Refereeing Awards (Old Level 2).
Please can you share this information with your clubs coaches ASAP and ask them to register by following the links below. These will be the only opportunity to complete these courses in the next 12 months so please encourage your coaches to sign up.
| Venue | Course | Day 1 | Day 2 | URL |
| Callywith College | ERCA | 17.10.21 | 22.5.22 | https://bit.ly/2Tr5DwU |
| Callywith College | ERRA | 10.10.21 | 15.05.22 | https://bit.ly/3zjRJvQ |
The England Rugby Coaching Award consists of two face to face days, supported by monthly webinars and online community of practices.
This course is an entry point for those coaching U12’s and above. The course will provide coaches with the knowledge, skills and attributes to safely and effectively coach young players and adults.
The England Rugby Refereeing Award consists of two face to face days, supported by monthly webinars and online community of practices.
This course is an entry point for those refereeing U12 and above. The course will provide referees and coaches with the knowledge, skills and attributes to safely and effectively referee young players and adults.
In the meantime, if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. waynereed@rfu.com
IMPORTANT
One of the requirements to book a place on an award course is that you have completed headcase recently.
If you follow this link https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/playing/headcase you can complete this e-Learning and once this is on your record you will be able to book onto the courses. There may be a delay after completing Headcase before you can register for award courses!
You need to complete the Training Module not the Open Access course.
Community Game Update 14 Sept
| Return to Rugby Now the new season is underway, the Community Game Update will be issued fortnightly. The next edition will be sent on Tuesday 28 September. Read Online Version Read PDF Version |
| Below is a summary of what is contained in this week’s Community Game Update. 1. PDF Copy of CGU available to download 2. Electronic Match Cards and Team Management Ahead of the majority of leagues starting this weekend, a reminder is included with step-by-step guides to the updated Electronic Match Card process. 3. Age Grade Rugby Changes 2021-22 With age grade rugby now fully underway across the country, a recap of when players can play the new rules is included. 4. Speak Up Rugby is a game for everyone. If you witness or feel you have been subjected to discriminatory behaviour, it is essential you report this via our Speak Up channels. 5. What’s next post Pitch Up? Including webinar New social media assets to help retain and attract players will be available on EnglandRugby.com next week. A webinar will also run next week for referees and coaches around return to play and supporting players on their return. |
Community Game Update 7th Sept
| Return to Rugby We hope everyone is enjoying being back together and we’re looking forward to the season ahead with you all. England Men’s Head Coach, Eddie Jones said: “It’s great to see smiles on the faces of the kids and parents, everyone is glad to be back on the pitch practising and having the opportunity to play rugby.” Please share your #PitchUpForRugby event photos with @EnglandRugby from last weekend and this coming weekend. Or email ChrisDodd@RFU.com with any news stories. Full Stories |
| Below is a summary of what is contained in this week’s Community Game Update. 1. Rugby’s back! Pitch Up video & action shots campaign video Our last weekend of ‘Pitch Up for Rugby’ is here with action shots and our promotional video to encourage people to come back. 2. Age Grade Rugby season kicks off With the start of the season, all resources that clubs will need can be found in the Return to Rugby kitbag. 3. Age Grade tackle height reminder including video Additional resources including animated videos are now available to share with coaches, players and parents around the law change. 4. Keeping players safe on their return We are looking for clubs, schools and colleges to get involved in the Community Rugby Injury Surveillance Project (CRISP) project to continue to understand injury across the game and, in return, receive feedback reports. Injury Prevention (Activate) for kids is now here and our research webinar is accessible to watch on-demand. 5. Age Grade Affiliation 37,000 age-grade players have now affiliated online from over 600 clubs. Please use the support guides to remind parents they can affiliate their players at any point, they don’t have to wait until Sunday when the system will be at its busiest. 6. Electronic Match Cards and Team Management Step by step guides on assigning players and Electronic Match Cards are now available and contact details for any questions. 7. National Youth Council The RFU National Youth Council is looking for members aged 18-24 to influence the future development of rugby and be actively involved in RFU sub-committees. 8. News Round Up including RFU Council seeking greater diversity & Honda partnership The RFU council is looking to recruit new members from under-represented groups to better represent game participants. Honda supports grassroots in their new partnership and the first title partner of Rugby Grounds Connected. 9. PDF Copy |
September RugbySafe Newsletter
| RugbySafe Toolkit 2021-22 The new RugbySafe Toolkit for the 2021-22 season is a series of online resources covering information on various player welfare topics, it provides guidance to support clubs and other rugby activity organisers in delivering best practice. The RugbySafe Toolkit includes: • Being RugbySafe – Player welfare guiding principles and best practice • RugbySafe Essential Guides & Resources • Community Rugby Pitch-side First Aid and Immediate Care Provision Guidelines • Emergency First Aid and Immediate Care Training – including the EFARU course • HEADCASE – Concussion Awareness Programme • Activate – Injury Prevention Exercise Programme • Mental Wellbeing Guidance To access the RugbySafe Toolkit document, please visit the RugbySafe homepage below. RugbySafe Homepage |
| Introducing Activate Kids Many people will be familiar with Activate, the RFU’s injury prevention exercise programme which should be integrated into training and pre-match sessions. The programme has been designed and improved to increase functional and core strength, balance and agility and can help: • Improve playing performance. • Prepare players for the physical demands of the game. • Reduce the risk of injury including concussion, as well as supporting rehabilitation post injury. • Mean more players are available (due to less players being injured). The 2021-22 season sees the introduction of Activate Kids. Coaches in the U7 – U12 age groups can add an extra 15 minutes to the regulated age grade training time limits to include Activate within the session. Activate Kids uses the principles of the main Activate programme and other recognised physical literacy components appropriate for younger children. The Activate Kids resources provide coaches at the U7 – U12 age groups with a framework and ideas for integrating Activate into training and pre-match preparations. The Activate Kids resources can be found on the Activate homepage below. The Youth (U13-14, U15-16, U17-U18) and Adult Activate programmes and supporting resources can be found on the Activate homepage. Activate Homepage |
| Age Grade Tackle Height Changes (Regulation 15) As part of our continual evolution of player welfare initiatives, a law change to the tackle height in age grade rugby will come into effect for the 2021-22 season. The existing rules for those playing full contact rugby at U9 to U14 levels has an imagined line between the armpits as the maximum height of a legal tackle. This will continue. Under the law change, these rules will now extend across all U15 to U18 age groups, bringing the tackle height down from shoulder level to the armpit. This means that age grade players from U9-U18 will play to the same tackle height law. Players participating at U7 and U8 level will continue to play non-contact rugby. Watch the following videos for more information. Law Change Information Law Guidance |
| Research Webinar The next instalment of the RugbySafe webinar series is now available. This webinar covers the topic of player welfare research, it will be a pre-recorded session and will be available to watch on-demand. The webinar will provide an overview of the RFU’s approach and involvement in research, discuss the Community Rugby Injury Surveillance and Prevention (CRISP) project, what it is, the insight and understanding it brings to the game and how clubs and teams can play their part and continue to be involved. We will also provide more information on the new age grade tackle height law changes and evaluation. Available on YouTube, watch the RugbySafe Research Webinar below. Research Webinar |
| Get involved in Player Safety Research The RFU are looking for clubs and team across the adult men’s, women’s and age grade game (both schools and clubs) to get involved in the CRISP project to continue the understanding and insight of injury risk across the game. A short video provides an overview of the CRISP project and how to get involved. Clubs and schools can register their expression of interest to get involved below. Watch Video Get Involved |
| Regulation 9.3 information Regulation 9.3 now includes that clubs must complete a risk assessment and ensure an appropriate level of immediate care and/or first aid cover and equipment is in place for the rugby activity to take place as determined by the risk assessment. We also continue to highly recommend that clubs and other rugby activity providers comply with the RugbySafe First Aid/Immediate Care Provision Guidelines. A new version for the 2021-22 season is available as part of the new RugbySafe Toolkit. RugbySafe Toolkit |
| Risk Assessment Tool & Injury & Incident Reporting App To help with completing a First Aid risk assessment and other risk assessments, the RFU has worked with our legal partner Howden to create an online Risk Assessment Tool which guides clubs through the various areas they should consider when managing the risk of injury at their club. The tool has been designed to guide users through a series of questions relating to areas they should be considering. Many of the risk management measures highlighted will already be in place and these will be recorded in the risk assessment, the tool creates a risk assessment/action plan, to record these answers, which can be referenced by the club and used to implement further risk management actions if necessary. The RFU online Risk Assessment Tool can be accessed below. Clubs sign in using their club name and postcode. Developed in collaboration with Howden and the RFU, the Proactive Digital injury and incident reporting app offers an affordable (just £50 per season) option for clubs to effectively, efficiently and securely log on and off the field injuries/incidents and complete pre-session checks. Please click below to sign up for the Proactive Reporting System Risk Assessment Tool Reporting System |
Community Game Update 31 August
| Return to Rugby We hope you’re all looking forward to the new season, with all formats of rugby back after 18 months. Best of luck to any club competing in their first league match this weekend and we hope all players, coaches, officials, volunteers and administrators enjoy being back together across the country. Click below to take you to further detail on each story and please share content with your clubs, coaches, players and volunteers. 1. Rugby’s back! Pitch Up campaign video New video coming this Wednesday on England Rugby’s social channels and a reminder of assets and activation guide to help clubs prepare for Pitch Up. 2. Covid-19 Management Guide An update to what clubs will need heading into the new season with an updated guide and player welfare resources. 3. GMS TaskForce and Data Tidy up A GMS TaskForce has been set up to focus on club feedback on GMS, resolving issues and looking at the user experience. Plus a reminder of the Data Tidy up postponement. 4. Electronic Match Cards and Team Management An update has been made to the Team Management Module within the Game Management System (GMS) which will influence your club’s line-ups on Electronic Match Card (EMC). 5. Age Grade rugby returns Age Grade rugby returns this weekend after a disrupted two seasons. A reminder of all the Age Grade Changes can be found here as well as Age Grade Affiliation. 6. Rugby Leader Network We are looking for the Rugby Leaders of the future. A programme designed to connect, exchange ideas and develop clubs to be fit for the future. 7. News Round-Up: The Touch Union Facebook Group and Vaccination reminder A new Facebook group for The Touch Union has been created to help members with questions and information on the new non-contact format. A reminder that all those over 16 can now get Covid vaccinations. 8. PDF Copy Read More |
