Bill Hooper – Page 57

CRFU Rugby Safe – May Newsletter

May 28, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Dear All
I hope the poor weather is not blighting your return to rugby too much although it does make the
ground softer! Below is a collection of current themes that may be of interest to you in the
RugbySafe environment.

First Aid Courses
These have been really well received and despite all the Covid postponements, by the time you get
this CRFU will have trained over 95 people in 10 courses at 7 club locations. Thank you so much to all
the leads at the clubs who helped make it happen – it would have been impossible otherwise. It is
planned that more courses will be run early in the new season so if you have likely numbers, let me
know early so we can plan it in – let’s hope Covid wont scupper these plans! Please remember to
upload the course into GMS. To do so, go on to own profile in GMS and on profile go to
qualifications and on top right of page there is a ‘Self Service’ button which will allow an upload of
certificate etc.

To read the rest of the newsletter click on the link

Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club – Youth Section Grants

May 26, 2021 by Bill Hooper

I am writing to you just as a reminder that we are open for business in relation to our Small Grants Scheme whereby any of your Youth Sections can apply for a grant of up to £500.00p to purchase or replace any training equipment etc they may need, be it as a one-off purchase or to be combined with any fundraising any of the teams may be doing.

As previously mentioned we are surprised that since we started this Grant Scheme only one has been received from the Cornwall area being a £500.00p grant back in April 2018.

Would it be possible for you to put this out to all of your clubs again so we can help them in some way. The monies are in the bank waiting to be used. As suggested before all they need to do is apply via our website www.chiefssupportersclub.co.uk or direct to me at my email address, email: pcurgenven.pc@gmail.com.

All applications will be considered by the committee. To date we have given away £8,900.00p in grants to assist in youth development.

In this time of cutbacks etc, we are sure there are clubs in Cornwall, whose youth sections would find a grant from this source beneficial. Over to you.

Community Game Update 25th May

May 25, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Return to Rugby

As a reminder, the Community Game Updates will now be fortnightly unless there are any important Government or Game updates.

This edition includes:
1. Return to Rugby – Indian Covid-19 variant – 8 geographic areas (Check Govt updates!)
2. Stage D2 reminder
3. NatWest RugbyForce
4. Player data
5. Dates for the diary
6. Girls Cup changes
7. Allianz Premiership 15s Final and magazine show
8. Webinars and on-demand videos
9. Young Warrior Cheick

To read the content click on the link

Chairman offically welcomes Steve Murley to the CRFU

May 25, 2021 by Bill Hooper

CRFU Chairman Dave Saunter took the opportunity from relaxed COVID rules to meet new Diversity and Inclusion Chairman Steve Murley at St.Austell RFC.

Saunts explained. ‘The CFRU advertised for the role and following an interview process appointed Steve last year, but due to Covid rules have been unable to welcome him in person’. Said Saunts ‘We are not only proud to be the first county in the country to have a Diversity & Inclusion Chairman appointed, but really happy at the calibre of our new Chairman. Steve is a top guy and known in Cornish rugby for his hard work and fairness.’ Saunts added ‘Steve is a great addition to the CRFU management board and we’re all looking forward to working with him’.

Good Luck Steve.

Age Grade Rugby – End of Season

May 24, 2021 by Bill Hooper

The Age Grade Rugby season ends on 31st May. The only permitted activity for June is:

• Tag Rugby – U7 to U18 boys and girls

• Ready4Rugby – U9 to U18 boys and girls

All players will move up to their new age grade on 1st August. Boys age grade players will remain with the same rules of play as for the 20-21 season until 1st Jan – as an example, U9s in 2020-21 still become U10s in 2021-22 but will play U9s rules from September to December and U10 rules from January. Girls age grade players will move as usual up to the new rules of play from 1st August 2021.

More details of what is permitted is at the Summer Activity Guidance https://www.englandrugby.com/…/Return2Rugby…

Improving Age Grade to Senior Transition at your Club

May 20, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Dear M&J Chair | Chair Officer | Coach | Player,

Your club is invited to nominate a representative to register to attend the RFU South West Workshop aimed at providing advice and guidance on supporting clubs on how we transition our age grade players into senior rugby. The invite is open to any and all volunteers at your club that are linked to U16’s into Senior Rugby, specifically those that focus on how we keep these players in the game. There is a maximum of 300 delegates across the South West for this workshop.

Title: Improving Age Grade to Senior Transition at your Club

Date: Wednesday 26^th May 2021

Time: 7pm to 8.30pm

Presenters: Dave Livesey (Player Retention Manager) and RFU South West Club Developers

Workshop Aims:

Feedback from recent player survey and how we can relate to the findings.
Discussions around what good player retention looks like.
Opportunity to share ideas and best practice, what has worked, what hasn’t and what would you like to try next?

Workshop Format:

Interactive presentation delivery
Breakout Rooms of three topics with three rounds of rooms
Breakout Room One: 15/20mins | Breakout Room Two: 15/20mins | Breakout Room Three: 15/20mins
Club Developers to lead each Breakout Room, make notes and feedback two main points before the next room
Q & A

Registration: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAld-qqpjgoHdfkR5PBx3xeYhzPUorNfdP1

Community Game Update 18th May

May 19, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Return to Rugby We are delighted for everyone across the country that your clubhouses can finally re-open. We hope everyone enjoys being able to make good use of the facilities again!

This edition includes:
1. Stage D2 still in effect – no scrums or mauls until further notice
2. Mental Health resources available to download
3. England Summer Series – book tickets now

Stage D2 continues CBs and clubs are reminded that we must remain at Stage D2 on the return to rugby roadmap. As announced on Friday, Government has not given permission for community rugby to move to Stage E1 yet.

This means that, until further notice, no scrums or mauls are permitted in either training or fixtures.

The decision applies to all levels in the men’s and women’s game below the Gallagher Premiership, Allianz Premier 15’s and Greene King IPA Championship (which follow elite return to play protocols.

We will continue our conversation with government around when it maybe possible to move to Stage E. Insurance cover for RFU clubs remains in place and as well as providing cover for usual activity, the insurance protects clubs against allegations relating to Covid-19, provided they are operating within RFU regulations and government guidelines.

Clubs should undertake risk assessments of both their premises and any activity that is taking place to establish what measures need to be taken. This includes training sessions. Risk assessment should be kept on file. Further advice and resources can be located at England Rugby Insurance.

Updates will be provided when available.

Age Grade Playing Guidance has been updated

We have reviewed the playing guidance and updated it to better suit players’ needs.

• 1 September – 31 October – Current Age Grade (2020/2021 season) rules apply for all matches and training, internal and against another team.
• 1 November – 31 December – New Age Grade (2021/2022 season) rules can be applied in training and internal matches only. Non internal matches must be played under 2020/2021 age grade rules.

The changes can be viewed in more detail in the updated Age Grade document.

Rugby Camps

Guidance supporting organisers of rugby camps and those reviewing/approving CBs is being updated to help achieve alignment with the Summer Activity Guide. This will be available by the beginning of June.

Current off-field guidance

Yesterday, Monday 17 May, saw changes in off-field guidance. These can be found via our Help Desk FAQs, which includes current information on hospitality, travel and facilities guidance.

We have also received updated guidance from Sport England around spectators which you can find on the FAQs.

We ask that you read this carefully to ensure that when you have spectators, they stick to their groups of up to 30. While there can be more than one group of 30, it is important there is clearly defined space between groups and they do not join with another group to make it 60, 90 etc.

Spectators are now permitted both indoors and outdoors in Step 3, but capacity limits apply.

All spectators should maintain social distancing and must adhere to legal gathering limits whilst they’re spectating. There cannot be any groups larger than 30 people. Multiple groups of spectators are permitted.

Spectators should minimise shouting or raising their voices. There is an additional risk of infection where people are shouting or singing in close proximity to others.

It is important that all spectators (including supporters, parents and others) adhere to the legal gathering limits. In addition to being legal requirements punishable by fines, those violating the measures are endangering public safety and undermining the case for safe sport to be allowed to take place.

More information can be found on the Government’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) grassroots sports guidance. Helpdesk FAQs Return To Rugby

RugbySafe and Simplyhealth Mental Wellbeing Support During Mental Health Awareness Week last week, we and our trusted health partner Simplyhealth, published a range of material to help the rugby community enhance their wellbeing and provide support for those who might need it.

A new mental wellbeing resource, as well as mental health awareness posters and on-demand webinars, can be accessed through our RugbySafe page below. RugbySafe Page

Get tickets to watch England men This week marks the gradual return of supporters to sporting fixtures. With the Summer Series set to kick-off against the USA on Sunday 4 July.

What better way to celebrate getting back to playing and watching rugby than a day out with your teammates at Twickenham?

Tickets are on sale for both England v USA on Sunday 4 July 2021 and England v Canada on Saturday 10 July, and you can purchase them via the e-ticketing website below, with adult tickets ranging from £15 to £50, and junior tickets at £10, subject to availability.

If you require accessible seating, please secure your tickets first and then submit a request. We will arrange for seats that are suitable for your requirements. Tickets must only be purchased in household groupings

All tickets will be delivered via the Twickenham App to a mobile device.
You can read more on our Covid-19 safety protocols below. Covid-19 Information Buy Tickets

Gerry McKeown – RIP

May 15, 2021 by Bill Hooper

We are very sorry to have learned today of the passing of former County player Gerry McKeown.

A wing forward in the mighty Penryn side of the 1960s/70s, McKeown played for Cornwall on 29 occasions, most notably the 1969 County Championship Final against Lancashire at Redruth.

He was also an England Trialist and played for Devon & Cornwall against the Wallabies in 1967.

His program notes in the 69 final program read thus; “He is a hard worker and ferocious tackler, who never lets up. His non-stop performances have caused havoc to the opponents’ defences and his opportunism has not infrequently resulted in some finely-taken tries.”

The President and committee of Cornwall RFU wish to express their sincerest condolences to Gerry’s family and friends.

Funeral details:

The cremation of Gerry Mckeown will be on Tuesday 1st June . Due to number restrictions it is a private ceremony. No flowers. Any donations towards Treliske Childrens ward can be sent to Keith Penrose Funerals, Appleshaw, Bareppa, Mawnan Smith, TR11 5EG .

It is hoped to hold a celebration for Gerry’s life at a later date when covid restrictions have been further relaxed.

Community rugby to remain at Stage D2

May 14, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Government confirm community rugby to remain at Stage D2 from 17 May Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to secure approval, government has not given permission for us to re-instate scrums and mauls in community rugby from next week. This applies to both age grade and adult rugby at level 3 and below.

We must therefore, regrettably, remain at Stage D2 from Monday 17 May until further notice. As per Stage D2 guidance, contact training (excluding scrum and maul) and 15-a-side adapted laws matches may continue.

While we appreciate how frustrating this news will be for the rugby community, we also understand the picture that government and Public Health England (PHE) are currently looking at, with growing concerns around the Indian variant of Covid-19 in England.

Next Steps

We will remain in close contact with government and continue to press for progression to Stage E1, and therefore a move to full contact training, as soon as health guidance suggests this is possible.

In the meantime it is important that we all; CBs, clubs, coaches, players, match officials and volunteers, adhere to all government guidance and do not return to scrums or mauls until we have been given permission to do so. We will keep you informed.

Off-field Guidance

Off-field guidance, which will come into effect on Monday 17 May, is available via our Helpdesk on the button below.

Helpdesk

Peter Floyd – RIP.

May 14, 2021 by Bill Hooper

It is with much sadness that Camborne RFC have to report the passing of Cherry & White stalwart and club Treasurer Peter Floyd after a long battle with Cancer aged 77.

Peter had been involved with Camborne Rugby Club for over 60 years starting as a player (fly half), going on to be a coach, Mini-Junior Treasurer before becoming senior club Treasurer in 2008.

A hard working and conscientious member of the Executive committee Peter’s legacy will be how he turned around the clubs finances during his tenure as Treasurer.
He transformed the Cherry & Whites from a club in the red to one in a sound financial position that’s now well and truly in the black.

During this time the club has also had a major overall of it’s facilities which are now among the best in the County with the team gaining promotion twice and winning the Cornwall Cup on four occasions.
Peter has certainly left the club in a much better state than he found it both on and off the pitch, he will be very much missed by everyone who knew him.

Our thoughts are with Rose and the rest of Peter’s family at this difficult time.
We will advise of funeral details as soon as we have them.

The President and committee of the Cornwall RFU wish to express their sincerest condolences to Peter’s family, friends and all at Camborne RFC at this sad time.