| RFU Council approves reduction in tackle height across community rugby in England from 2023/24 |
| Issued by Rugby Football Union |
| To support player welfare, the RFU Council agreed on Monday 16 January to lower the height of the tackle across the community game from 1 July 2023. Designed to improve player safety and informed by data, this change aims to reduce head impact exposure and concussion risk in the tackle for both the ball carrier and tackler. Evidence from studies has consistently demonstrated that higher contact on the ball carrier and closer proximity of the ball carrier and tacklers’ heads are associated with larger head impacts (as measured by smart mouthguards) and an increased risk of concussion. Lowering the height of the tackle and encouraging the tackler to bend more at the waist will minimise the risk of this occurring while maintaining the tackle as an integral part of the game. The RFU Council’s unanimous vote will result in law variations from next season, 2023/24, with the tackle height being set at waist height or below. Ball carriers will also be encouraged to follow the principle of evasion, which is a mainstay of the game, to avoid late dipping and thereby avoid creating a situation where a bent tackler may be put at increased risk of head-on-head contact with the ball carrier through a late or sudden change in body height of the ball carrier. The changes will apply across the community game (clubs, schools, colleges and universities) at both age-grade and adult levels – National One and below in the men’s game and Championship One and below in the women’s game. Programmes to support players, coaches and match officials, including detailed law application guidelines are being developed to ensure players, match officials and volunteers will be ready for next season. Speaking about the law change to be implemented in season 2023/24, RFU President Nigel Gillingham said: “Players’ welfare must always be at the centre of decisions we make about how we play the game of rugby. Evidence from our own research and from around the world clearly shows that lowering the tackle height will reduce head impact exposure and the risk of concussion. The RFU Council is able to influence how the game is played at the community level in this country and, therefore, has unanimously supported the decision to lower the tackle height to waist level. The tackle will remain the primary method of stopping the ball carrier using safe techniques that are taught from an early age. “While this change will apply to matches in the community game in England, the RFU will continue its work to reduce head impacts in contact training in both the community and elite games and be supportive of any law changes that World Rugby proposes for matches at the elite level that will further reduce head impact exposure.” What to expect Reduced tackle height for all community rugby: Tackles must be made at the line of the waist and below. The aim is to put players’ heads in the safest possible place by defining in law where the line of the tackle may start. A greater focus on the actions of the ball carrier: Ball carriers will be encouraged to follow the principle that rugby is a game of evasion, and they should avoid late dipping and thereby avoid creating a situation where a bent tackler may be put at increased risk of head-on-head contact with the ball carrier through a late or sudden change in body height of the ball carrier. Match officials will focus on the actions of the ball carrier as well as the tackler when head contact occurs. Further background to the change for next season Player welfare remains at the heart of all decision-making. By making the decision now, the RFU Council has demonstrated its continued commitment to player welfare and recognised the importance of giving coaches, match officials and players time to prepare. Based on extensive research and evaluations of law changes in England, South Africa, France and New Zealand, evidence demonstrates that a waist height tackle or below is the optimal height to provide a meaningful reduction in the height of contact on the ball carrier, a reduction in the risk of contact with the ball carrier’s head and a reduction in the risk of contact for the tackler’s head. A lower tackle height is also associated with a reduction in the magnitude of head impacts, a key target for reduction. France, which introduced similar changes in its domestic game in 2019, reported a 63% reduction in head-on-head contacts. It also reported this move has led to a more fluid game with reduced levels of kicking, increased passing, offloads and line breaks. |
Community Game Update 19 January 2023
| Community Game Update Read Online |
| 1. ACTION REQUIRED RFU Council approves lowering of the tackle height across community rugby in England from 2023/24 To support player welfare, the RFU Council agreed on Monday 16th January to lower the height of the tackle across the community game(Adult & Age Grade) from 1st July 2023. Find out more information about the law change and what to expect, including training support in this piece. Mandatory Player Registration 2023/24 From next season, all players, in all formats of the game (including non-contact), will be required to register to play rugby within RFU member clubs annually. More information on the benefits and next steps in this piece. Age Grade Rugby Update & Actions The new year signals the restart of Age Grade Rugby in clubs, schools and colleges. This article contains reminders and actions for a few key elements to get your rugby back underway for the second half of the season. 2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST Rugby World Cup 2025 Impact Programme – Facility fund closes 31st January Part of the Rugby World Cup 2025 impact programme is to help improve club facilities and the experience for female supporters and players. Clubs can apply for funds to support female toilet upgrades and sanitary packages before the deadline on the 31st. Club Rugby Support Fund 2022/23 The Community Rugby Support Fund for 2022/23 is now live. As with last year, the purpose of this fund is to support voting member clubs, CBs and referee societies who are in greatest financial need. The claim window closes on 19th February. Every Game Matters For A Chance To Play At Twickenham As part of the RFU’s #PlayTogetherStayTogether campaign, every team participating in a men’s merit table/league or women’s national challenge league (including the Allianz Inner Warrior Series) now has the chance to play at Twickenham Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, 1 May, 2023. More details can be found in this piece. Honda Volunteer of The Year Nominations Now Open The Honda Volunteer of The Year Awards 2023 nominations are now open for the three categories; Game For All, Unsung Hero and Challenging Spirit. Nominate your amazing volunteers before Friday 24th February. The National Rugby Survey The National Rugby Survey 2023 will be live between 20 January until 17 February and will be shared via email and social media. The survey is targeted at anyone who has been involved with community rugby in the 2022/23 season in some way. 3. FOR AWARENESS RFU Leagues & Papa Johns Community Cup update Read information about potential changes to the end of the league season date after the exceptional weather conditions experienced so far this season, plus the latest on the Papa Johns Community Cup. Submission Of Payment Of Player Declarations Declarations of payment of players are due to be submitted between 1 March and 30 June 2023. Find out more in this piece. Divisional U18s Programme returns in 2023 The RFU has confirmed the Divisional U18s programme – a culmination of matches played between the 28 Constituent Bodies – will return in 2023, providing a higher level of representative rugby and development opportunities for players, coaches and management. Read Online |
Lineout courses in Cornwall 2023
I am pleased to tell you that the Principle of the Lineout courses for 2023 in Cornwall and Devon are now live for bookings. Can I please ask you to promote these courses with your club coaches and via your club social media channels.
Please see the poster attached with full details including booking links. It would be amazing to fill these courses up this year! PDF link here
Many thanks for all your support and your club for hosting.
Cheers
Reedy
NHS Ambulance Strike Days
| Important information regarding NHS Ambulance Services |
| There are planned NHS Ambulance Services strikes on Wednesday 11 January and Monday 23 January. As most community rugby activity takes place on different days this is unlikely to affect many community club activities. If your club has training/fixtures on these dates you may wish to limit it to non-contact. Clubs should factor this into your risk assessment and planning of any activities taking place on those days, dependent on the ambulance provision available to you. |
Reggie Gough appointed new CRFU RugbySafe Lead
CRFU Chairman Dave Saunter made the following statement following Reggie’s appointment. “The CRFU are excited to appoint Reggie Gough to the position of Rugby Safe lead, taking over from Bob Hubble.
The county would like to thank Bob for all his hard work, especially taking the lead on delivering First Aid courses all over the county, when the RFU could not supply.
Reggie’s resume is detailed below and as you can see brings a wealth of experience to the post.
REGGIE GOUGH
CRFU Rugby Safe Lead.
Reggie Gough (pictured below) is a Registered Paramedic who spent 18 years flying operationally as a Search and Rescue Winchman Paramedic on Coastguard Helicopters around the U.K.
He ended his Search and Rescue flying career on Rescue 924 out of Newquay – Cornwall’s
own SAR helicopter!
Since leaving operational flying, Reggie is now Head of Emergency Casualty Care for His
Majesty’s Coastguard. He has a team of 70 full time Casualty Care Instructors who deliver
training and revalidation to 3500 Coastguard personnel around the U.K.
He entered his rugby playing days during his school years, Captaining his school team at
James Gillespie’s in Edinburgh. After leaving school he played for various rugby teams
around Scotland including, North Berwick in East Lothian, Garioch in Aberdeenshire and
Lochaber in Fort William.
He is a staunch tight-head prop!
He is most passionate about the team he played for when he lived overseas – the Bermuda
Police RFC. He is still in regular contact with his Club and is one of their ‘Faded Blue’ ex-
players. He will be making an appearance for them during a ‘Tour’ to Ireland later this year!!
He is a currently active Coach for his local team, Launceston RFC, where he is involved in
coaching age-grade rugby, currently the U13 section.
He lives in North Cornwall with his wife, Emma, and sons Archie and Ozzie and their
Rhodesian Ridgeback, Kobi. They collect their new Ridgeback puppy in March. He’ll be called
Doddie!
Reggie is absolutely passionate about ensuring rugby is safely enjoyed by all and that both
the physical and mental wellbeing of all is taken seriously.
He is thrilled to have been appointed as the CRFU Rugby Safe Lead.
President’s first club visit of the New Year
Cornwall RFU President John Sumnall chose to visit Penryn RFC on the first league Saturday of 2023, to see their game against Tiverton at the Memorial Ground.
A close game ended up going the way of the visitors by a single point 24-25.
After the game John was delighted to present a club tie to Penryn’s Sam Hitchens (pictured above), marking his 100th appearance for the club.
Floyd Steadman O.B.E.
Congratulations to former Saracens captain Floyd Steadman, who lives in Ludgvan, on his award of an O.B.E. in the New Year’s Honours List, for services to rugby union, education and charity.
Floyd currently serves on the CRFU’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Boxing Day Fixtures
BOXING DAY FIXTURES 2022 FRIENDLIES
REDRUTH – CAMBORNE 2 PM
CAMBORNE CRUSADERS – REDRUTH II 11 AM
BUDE – PRESIDENT’S XV
FALMOUTH – PENRYN 2:30 PM
PENRYN SARACENS – FALMOUTH ONE& ALL 11 AM
HAYLE – ST. IVES
NEWQUAY HORNETS – CHAIRMAN’S XV 11 AM
LAUNCESTON CLUB XV – CHAE XV 11 AM
HELSTON – EXILES XV 11 AM
PERRANPORTH – CHAIRMAN’S XV
TRURO XV – ROSELAND 11 AM
ST. AUSTELL XV – LANKELLY-FOWEY 11 AM
SALTASH – ST. BONIFACE OLD BOYS 11 AM
PIRATES AMATEURS HARBOUR LIGHTS XV – ST. JUST 2 PM
Raymond George RIP
It is with great sadness that the President and Officers of Cornwall RFU have learned of the passing of former county player Raymond George (pictured above middle back row).
Raymond, who played for both Falmouth and Redruth, donned the Black & Gold shirt on 44 occasions, most notably as a member of the 1969 Cornwall side that played Lancashire in the County Championship Final at Redruth in front of a crowd of 23,000.
Playing in the back row Raymond kicked a penalty goal during the game but couldn’t prevent Lancashire winning 11-9.
Funeral details;
Penmount Crematorium, Truro
20/01/2023 at 11:30 am.
Introduction to Refereeing Course
Please find in the link details on the new Introduction to Refereeing course. Clubs can arrange this course themselves by following the information in the pdf link here.
