Veor-Holman RFC’s Scott Lake picks up a major award

August 9, 2021 by Bill Hooper

The winners of this year’s Mitsubishi Volunteer awards were announced at an event hosted at Twickenham Stadium.

Community

The past 12 months have presented big challenges to rugby clubs. However, while they have not been able to get together, train or play for much of the time, they have found innovative ways of keeping members engaged and many have been supporting the NHS and their local communities.

The Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer awards, in the fifth year, recognised volunteers’ efforts across three categories: Beyond Rugby, Resilience in Rugby, and Diversity and Inclusion.

A celebratory event at Twickenham Stadium saw the finalists enjoy an afternoon event pitch side, followed by dinner in the Spirit of Rugby, where winners were announced.

Beyond Rugby Award

Scott Lake of Veor-Holman RFC, who won the Beyond Rugby category thanks to organising initiatives to help local charities. This included club support for the local food bank, a fun day raising money for a children’s charity, a Christmas present giveaway for children in local hospitals and much more. Through Scott’s hard work the club is now embedded within their local community, and the donations have made a huge difference for many people.

Resilience in Rugby

Charlotte Wootton of Wymondham RFC, who won the Resilience in Rugby category, having been instrumental in ensuring that her club were able to continue operating during the pandemic. Charlie worked tirelessly to keep the club afloat, ensuring it was a safe environment, with regulations adhered to and the facilities kept well maintained to generate much needed revenue. Appointed as volunteer co-ordinator just before the pandemic, Charlie also successfully built a group volunteers ready to support the club as rugby returned.

Diversity & Inclusion

Kat Salthouse of East London RFC, who won the Diversity & Inclusion category. As the club’s women’s representative and diversity and inclusion champion on the club’s management committee, she reinforced their commitment towards inclusive rugby. Kat has made sure that members are supported and diversity is celebrated. She was also one of the driving forces behind the innovative partnership with Kings Cross Steelers, which has seen the delivery of joint events to introduce the game to those who may not have played before.

Said RFU President, Jeff Blackett, who presented the awards on the night: “It was a real pleasure to be able to thank all of our final outstanding volunteers. Every one of the 52 volunteers recognised have given up huge amounts of their time for others and they represent the 100,000 volunteers who do so much for our sport. Our three Volunteers of the Year richly deserve their awards and I hope that they enjoy being guests with their partners at one of Twickenham’s autumn internationals. They are a fine example of all who have kept their clubs going during the pandemic.”

Age Grade Player Affiliation

August 6, 2021 by Bill Hooper

All age grade players are required to be registered with the RFU to ensure accurate contact details and consents are in place.

Over the last three years the RFU’s Game Management System (GMS) has been improved to allow players and parents to create and manage their own online account.

In some instances, clubs have been managing the registration process on behalf of their players, from this season players and parents of age grade players will be responsible for the accuracy of their own data. This will have the benefit of improving communications, it will give players an accurate record of their playing career and it will ease the administration burden on club volunteers and administrators.

From the 2021-22 season player registration will be known as annual affiliation, allowing parents and players to update their details and affiliate with their chosen rugby club each year.

On 4 August, all previous age grade registrations in the game management system were switched to inactive to allow parents to renew their affiliation simply through logging in, checking their existing details and saving to re-affiliate to their club for the season.

If your club has registered you on the RFU GMS they will be able to provide you with your login details or send you an email confirmation via the system.

There are helpful step-by-step guides for the renewal process and for brand new affiliations on the GMS Help Portal.

Affiliation Renewal GMS Help Portal

Saunts’ challenge nears end

August 5, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Our intrepid Chairman has battled with the elements and is 48 hours from completing his challenge. He issues an invitation to join him on Saturday morning for a final stroll from West Penitre to Perranporth RFC.

Hi all

Update on the walk, I have now completed 138 of the 150 miles 5.5m to do tomorrow and finishing on Saturday with 6.5m from West Pentire to Perranporth RFC where the County President will be waiting to welcome us. The walk is to show support to RFU President Jeff Blackett and his chosen charity RFU injured players foundation.

The walk has had plenty of highs including being on the rumps by Polzeath at 8am with Mrs S and walking the Bodmin Moor Ten Tors half marathon with County Treasurer Andy Richards and Bodmin RFU Secretary Dan Brinson, that was tough but took in Brown Willy and Rough Tor.‘The last day will start at 9.30 at the car park in West Pentire if anyone fancies a coastal stroll’.

Saunts

Footnote: Saunts strolled into Perranporth RFC on Saturday for a well earned pint and pasty. Well done Mr Chairman.

RFU Community Game Update 3rd August

August 3, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Return to Rugby

This edition includes:

1. All RFU regulations for the 2021-22 season are now effective
2. Activate and HEADCASE reminders for coaches and players
3. Tackle height law change recap
4. Mitsubishi Motors volunteer awards shortlist
5. Supporting Age Grade to Adult Transition
6. Pitch Up For Rugby countdown
7. News round-up (Including Penryn RFC)

RFU regulations for the 2021-22 season

All RFU regulations for the 2021-22 season are now effective (as of 1 August 2021) and available below.

In addition to key changes already communicated about Age Grade Rugby (RFU Regulation 15) and Payment of Players (RFU Regulation 7), details of other changes relating to the below regulations are set out in the attached document.

RFU Regulation 1 (Foreign Player definition)
RFU Regulation 5 (Insolvency Regulations)
RFU Regulation 7 (Approaches)
RFU Regulation 13, Appendix 3 (Non-fulfilment of fixtures due to non-Covid 19 reasons)
RFU Regulation 19 (Discipline)
RFU Regulation 22 (Covid 19 Variations)

For any questions on the regulations, please contact regulations@rfu.com.

Further Details

Regulations

Activate and HEADCASE awareness

As we get closer to the start of the season, we want to make sure that players can take to the pitch safely and in their best condition.

The Activate resources below will help players return ready to play. Activate is an injury prevention exercise programme that can be integrated into training and pre-match sessions, and is available for players, rugby coaches and teachers via a suite of online resources.

Exercises are designed to improve functional and core strength, balance and agility, helping players with the game’s physical demands.

Exercises focus on three areas: General movement control, Pre-activation and Functional Conditioning. These aid activation of stabilising head and neck muscles, reducing the potential whiplash effect that can cause a concussion.

We also encourage all those involved in the game to take the HEADCASE online education module, which is open to all. The course provides information on how to recognise signs and symptoms of a suspected concussion, as well as concussion management and Graduated Return To Play protocols.

Activate

Headcase

To read the rest of the update click here

Lineout Course – In danger of cancellation!

July 30, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Important update regarding these courses and others, please note.

We today, 30th July, received the following e-mail from Wayne Reed, which we find rather disturbing to say the least.

“I know you can’t force coaches to attend courses but I just wanted to make you aware that both the Lineout courses at Wadebridge and Redruth are in danger of being cancelled! Only 5 coaches registered at Wadebridge and 7 at Redruth.

I have tried everything possible to generate interest including emailing every coach in Cornwall and every club secretary to make sure the information is being received.

The courses will remain open until next week but will be cancelled a week before they are due to run if numbers don’t improve. I am on leave for a week now so will keep fingers crossed.

On a positive note both the coaching and refereeing courses being run at Callywith have started receiving bookings!”

Guys, the ball in in your court. The phrase use it or lose it is often bounded about but in this case is very true. The CRFU take a dim view of the apparent lack of interest/enthusiasm being shown by our clubs, there has been virtually no rugby for 18 months and surely clubs need to get coaches on courses???????……..This needs to change, Wayne is putting in a lot of effort to try and organise courses for YOU, so please support him. We would rather clubs did the right thing but if needs be we as a CB will be forced to take action!

Venues have been selected with two in Cornwall, Redruth & Wadebridge, to deliver these courses. Clubs in the North and East of the Duchy may find one of the Devon locations easier to access. Please book your places via GMS.

Wadebridge Camels RFC 09/08/2021 https://bit.ly/3w4VDHI

Crediton RFC 11/08/2021 https://bit.ly/3fzhKAb

Redruth RFC 12/08/2021 https://bit.ly/3wJAmTP

Barnstaple 19/08/2021 https://bit.ly/34ERSwt

Wayne Reed RFU Game Development email:WayneReed@RFU.com

Saunts’ trek marks RFU’s 150th anniversary

July 29, 2021 by Bill Hooper

The coming season is the 150th year of the RFU and various events will be held to celebrate this.
Cornwall R.F.U. Chairman Dave Saunter is kicking things off by walking 150 miles over the next 2 weeks finishing at Perranporth RFC on Saturday 7th August, home of County President John Sumnall.

This season is a special one for many reasons, not least as it looks like we will all be returning to playing the game we love and respect. Let’s hope our clubs come back strong and able to compete at whatever level they are pitched at, however let’s also be County orientated and help each other out. I’m sure we will, Cornwall is a special County and I know we all want our clubs to not only survive but prosper.

Back to the walk, Saunter is doing this to mark the anniversary, and back RFU President Jeff Blackett who will be doing his own walk to celebrate. The chosen charity of the President is The Injured Players Foundation, which also happens to be the charity of our own referee Kevvy Williams has chosen to run the London Marathon, later in the year. Kevvy’s training has been going well and Saunts added if anyone wants to mark my 150mile walk please give to Kevvy’s just giving page below, let’s support the charity and a Cornish Legend.

At time of writing Saunts already had 46 miles under his belt.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kevin-williams53?utm_source=sms&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=kevin-williams53&utm_campaign=pfp-sms&utm_term=1b15a78a60424b1784a6d1391583a450

RFU Community Game Update 27th July

July 27, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Return to Rugby Please share with coaches, players and RugbySafe leads.

This edition includes:

1. RugbySafe, Activate & HEADCASE concussion awareness refresher
2. Age grade law adaptations and annual affiliation
3. Training course booking administration update
4. Diversity and Inclusion hub now live
5. Pitch Up for Rugby including Warrior Camps
6. News round-up including Global Law Trial clarifications and O2 Touch legacy

RugbySafe, Activate & HEADCASE Concussion awareness refresher 2021/22

Ahead of the new season, we are sharing a reminder of player welfare resources and training and education programmes.

Player welfare is at the heart of all training delivered to coaches, match officials and medics at all levels of the game in England.

On the below buttons, you will find RugbySafe summaries for the age grade and adult game.

Please share this information as widely as possible before pre-season friendlies start.

Age Grade RugbySafe

Adult RugbySafe

Age grade law adaptations and annual affiliation

The Summer Activity Guide includes the introduction of adapted contact laws for up to three fixtures in August.

The Age Grade Adapted Contact 15s Law Variations are available on the Summer Activity page. These include the re-introduction of scrums and mauls in a gradual and managed way from Saturday 7 August, following the 3-week training period from Monday 19 July. These adapted laws are the format to be played, (along with non-contact and XRugby formats if preferred), before the age grade game moves back to full contact from Saturday 4 September, when the new season starts.

Age grade affiliation and auto-de-affiliation – Wednesday 4 August

The annual registration for our age grade players is on the horizon. As recently referenced in Community Game Updates, registration will now be referred to as Affiliation which will be ready from 4 August. We will centrally de-affiliate all age grade players in the Game Management System which many clubs chose to do last year.

As before, this will simply turn their status from an active to inactive player. It will not delete any of their data or club and profile links. It enables the parent/player to renew their affiliation simply through logging in, checking their existing details and saving to re-affiliate to their club for the season. There are helpful step-by-step guides for the renewal process and for brand new affiliations on the GMS Help Portal.

While most clubs will promote this from September, increasing numbers have said they want to get ahead of the curve. Club Registrars will be able to see this activity through their dashboard and the system-generated reports.

Affiliation Renewal

GMS Help Portal

To read the rest of the update click on the link

Cornwall Club Event

July 27, 2021 by Bill Hooper

FAO of all Cornish Clubs Club Chairs, Hon. Secretaries.

I would like to invite you one of two RFU and Cornwall RFC Club Event. On Sunday 15^th August we will be hosting two events;

10:00 – 12:00 @ Camborne RFC or 14:00 – 16:00 @ Bodmin RFC

Agenda

Message from CRFU
Update from RFU, ways of working and rugby landscape.
RFU led, Whole Club Development Workshop – Part 1
- Analysis of your Rugby Club.
- Creating a ‘Vision’ for your Rugby Club.
- Plans for 21/22 and beyond

With the whole club development workshop being an integral part of this forum could we ask where appropriate to bring 6 members of your club to the event. A guide to the 6 members of your club we would like to see at the event are as follows; Club Chair, M&J Chair, Treasurer, Rugby Safe Lead, Parent & Age Grade Player (If Applicable). This will ensure we have a balanced view as we go into discussions within the later part of the event, if you as a club feel others would be of more benefit please ensure the details are sent their way.

Below we have a message from CRFU Chairman Dave Saunter about the importance of gathering club members to attend this event.

‘‘Hi All,

This initiative from our RFU staff is a great opportunity to start off on the right path for 21/22. Clubs who have bought into the Whole Club Development Workshop already have seen great results. As a County we are continually trying to get our clubs to support these activities, and in this case it is part of the process for any future funding from both CRFU and the RFU you will need to attend either of the two proposed meetings as a club. I look forward to seeing you all at these events.

Many thanks,

Saunts’’

We look forward to seeing you on the 15^th of August and get the 21/22 season truly underway.

Many thanks,

Jonny Stephenson

RFU Club Developer South West Team

Deborah Fleming GB 7s Tokyo

July 24, 2021 by Bill Hooper

We wish Deborah all the best along with the rest of the GB Ladies 7’s squad for their Olympic competition in Toyko.

Deborah hails from Penzance and was part of the England Ladies 7’s that took the bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia.

Penryn R.F.C. celebrate 150 years

July 22, 2021 by Bill Hooper

The upcoming season marks an important milestone in Cornwall’s oldest, continuous club the mighty Penryn RFC, fondly known as the “Borough”.

Cornwall RFU are proud and delighted to help publicise the launch of this historic season for Penryn and look forward to playing a part in the celebrations during the season.

Below the the victorious Penryn side, captained by Roger Harris, with Cornwall RFU Knock Out Cup in 1972.

Below is the press release issued by the club to kick of their season of celebration.

Penryn RFC celebrates 150 years

Cornwall’s oldest Rugby Club, Penryn, are proud to announce the start of their 150th celebrations.
The forthcoming 2021/22 season will see many exciting events kicking off from August up at their
‘Borough’ home ground, to commemorate and celebrate the lives, families and individuals who have
shaped the diverse history of this small Club with a huge heart.
Since its inception back in 1872 by watch maker John Marshall Thomas, who had returned from a
spell playing for Blackheath bringing with him the now famous black and red hoops to the Borough,
the Club can boast a rich history punching well above what could be expected for a small Cornish
town.
By the time the Borough had reached its centenary in 1972 it was already playing and hosting the
likes of London Welsh, Sale, Neath, Harlequins, Coventry and Cardiff. This ‘Trelawny’s rugby-army’
can even boast that it is the only club side to have played the British and Irish Lions on home soil on
a unique occasion in 1973 at their Memorial Ground in Penryn.
“We are immensely proud of all that Penryn has achieved in the last 150 years and after a difficult
2020 season with Covid, we are now looking ahead to the future and the legacy we leave behind for
the next 150 years and all those future generations of rugby players in the Borough. It will be an
exciting year and with all our 150th celebrations woven in and around the sporting fixtures and off-
pitch festivities, we are delighted to announce the start of the season with the launch of our new
match kit and Club rebranding from August, ” said Tim Nicholls, Club President.
Just the Trick Design was tasked with creating an updated identity with a nod to the past and eye to
the next 150 years as this small yet strong club continues to grow at pace.

“Having received a warm welcome at the height of my playing career at the Borough, it was an
honour to give something back that will hopefully out live me off the field,” said Danny Trick founder
of Just the Trick Design, who played for Penryn RFC for a few seasons in the early 2000’s. “Our goal
has been to produce an identity that evokes a sense of belonging and that both players and fans will be proud to be part of,” he said.

Their new identity incorporates the Club’s new gold crest sitting centre stage of a laurel wreath, with a map of Cornwall making up the neck of the Saracen’s Head featuring a marker for the position of Penryn within the county.

For the 150th celebrations, the traditional red and black hoops return to the home kit. “We are excited to launch the new kit towards the end of August and I know all our players, young and old will be incredibly proud to step out in the famous Penryn red and black hoops this season with the shout of ‘Up the Borough’ resounding around the grounds,” declared Marek Churcher, Director of Rugby who has ambitious plans for the ‘Borough’ in the coming years.

Penryn Rugby supports over 15 teams, sportsmen and women at all levels, with in excess of 250 registered players in their youth section, championed by the backbone of a robust infrastructure of volunteers and highly engaged supporters.

“Added to this is the British and Irish Lions tour this summer which has added to the buzz at the Club as Penryn is the only club to have played them on home turf,” said Tim. “It would be easy to talk longer about the club’s past glories, but any rugby club is really about the here and the now and it’s about building for the future and that looks pretty good too. 2020 was an awful period in history causing loss and suffering to many, so as we head further into 2021 we will hopefully leave that behind. For Penryn Rugby Club as for everyone else, it was a difficult time, and yet we seem set to emerge in robust shape and excited for the future.

“We have excellent numbers of men and women attending training, enough for two men’s teams and a very successful women’s team and alongside our youth and minis teams, boys and girls, so we are all set to start the 2021/22 season as we celebrate our 150th anniversary. We are the oldest club in Cornwall and one of the oldest in the country. We are rightly proud of that distinction,” he added.

And with the 150th season fast approaching, the Club are looking for a collection of pictures, memories and artifacts that can contribute towards building up a commemorative story, so if you have something to contribute, the Club would love to hear from you.

Head to their website at www.penrynrugby.com where you can read more about this exciting phase in the history and evolution of the oldest club in Cornwall and if you have something to offer in the way of memorabilia, or have a personal connection to the Club, please get in touch via the website – they would love to hear from you!

#UTB1872

#justthetrickdesign

www.penrynrugby.com

www.justthetrick.com

Image copyright:

Also attach some images you might like to use, but please note, we (Penryn RFC) retain the full copyright for all images and we are only giving you (CRFU) express permission to use them in conjunction with the attached press release either in print or electronically with the CRFU/RFU. Any additional use without prior permission will be considered an infringement of those rights.