| Community Game Update – December 2020 Content: 1. Covid-19 latest 2. Return to Play webinar Q&A with Steve Grainger and John Lawn 3. Community Game webinar with Eddie Jones, Bill Sweeney & Steve Grainger, Monday 21 December 4. RFU statement on concussion 5. Future Competitions Structure 6. O2 Touch 7. GMS Tidy Up 8. GMS Club Safeguarding Audit 9. England Rugby’s work with Stonewall As we head into the final few days of December 2020, we can reflect on quite a year for the community game. We have all been through so much and we want to take this time to wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope that everyone stays safe and well over the festive holiday. We would also like to say a massive thank you for going above and beyond to keep your clubs and teams going during the toughest of challenges for the game. Your commitment to, and support of, your rugby communities will never be forgotten, and we hope 2021 brings you everything you deserve for keeping rugby afloat in 2020. To those clubs holding friendly fixtures this weekend, please make sure you comply with all Covid-19 and Stage E guidance. Have fun being back with your teams and we hope you all enjoy returning to the pitch. This communication is only sent to the roles highlighted in the distribution list above. Please share it with others in your club who need to see it. To read the remainder of the update click on the link. |
Safeguarding audit extended until 28th December
| GMS Club Safeguarding Audit |
| Please remember that all clubs offering Age Grade activities or having 17-year-olds playing up into the adult game, must complete the Club Safeguarding Audit as per Regulation 21.1.6. Following the recent four-week lockdown, the deadline has been extended by four weeks, with a new completion date of Monday 28 December 2020. The club safeguarding officer, or another officer with access to the club’s organisational profile, should complete questions by that date in the questionnaire tab. Don’t forget to tick the safeguarding declaration at the end and press submit. Should you have any difficulties, please get in touch with the Safeguarding Team (safeguarding@rfu.com) who will be happy to assist. |
Approval of future competition structure 2022/23 in adult male game
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) Council has voted in favour of a number of features for a new competition structure for the adult male game from Level 3 down, scheduled to come into effect in the 2022/23 season.
The new measures aim to be more appealing to players as they juggle rugby with increasing demands on their time away from the game. The changes are designed to help arrest a decline in the number of adult men playing rugby union in the community game.
The features include limiting the amount of time players spend travelling to matches and shortening the length of league seasons. The priorities remain player welfare and protecting the sustainability of clubs.
The recommendations follow a series of consultations with clubs, coaches and players, in addition to webinars, a national survey and detailed analysis of the RFU’s Game Management System and Electronic Match Card data.
Evidence shows the number of teams playing in RFU leagues is reducing and players are choosing to play fewer games in a season. As a result, clubs need larger squads to complete their fixtures, which is having an adverse effect on Lower 15 match completion rates.
The features of the new competition structure voted on by Council includes:
The size of leagues at Levels 5 and below capped at 12 teams (reduced from 14).
The size of leagues at Levels 3 and 4 capped at 14 teams (reduced from 16).
The structured season will contain a protected two-week break over the Christmas period, rather than just reserve weekends.
The season will also contain protected weekend breaks from league rugby (at points to be determined through the season).
A National knockout Cup competition will be introduced at the end of the season (from Level 5 and below), leading to a Community Game Finals Day.
A review of specific aspects of the competition structure will take place every three years.
RFU Community Game Covid Update 15th December
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update |
| This week’s headlines include: 1. Return to Play webinar Q&A with Steve Grainger and John Lawn 2. Return to Play guidance 3. Facilities guidance 4. Club Cluster Competitions Other Updates 5. Inner Warrior 6. Positive Test Guidance under Stage E 7. Webinars and podcasts 8. A nice touch from Maidstone RFC The first weekend of contact matches with adaptations is allowed from this weekend. We ask that all clubs follow the guidance to make sure everyone is kept safe in the lead up to Christmas. Guidance and FAQs can be found on the pages below. Please remember, there is no obligation to play 15-a-side fixtures this weekend. Clubs can still play Ready4Rugby if they prefer. To read the rest of the update please click on the link |
Q&A session with Ground Safety Expert Kevin Instance
Kevin Instance grounds safety expert is prepared to answer any questions on crowd safety etc either by way of a group Zoom meeting this Thursday at 8.30pm or individually. Anyone interested could you please contact County Chairman Dave Saunter on 07554010480 and we will sort.
CRFU First Aid Training Dates – Postponed Until Further Notice
Course Description
The CRFU sponsored Rugby First Aid course mirrors that developed by the RFU. As delivered by CRFU engaged instructors, the course is recognised as a Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course which is oriented to the requirements of the rugby environment. The course is designed for coaches and other volunteers designated as a first aider and responsible for providing pitch side cover at both training and matches. Lasting one full day, the minimum age for trainees is 16 years old. The qualification is valid for 3 years. Prospective learners must have completed the RFU online safeguarding and headcase modules.
Community Game Update 8th December
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update This week’s headlines include: 1. Steve Grainger video update on Return to Rugby, including travel 2. Return to Play guidance 3. Facilities guidance 4. Club Cluster Competitions 5. Inner Warrior Other Updates 6. Webinars and podcasts 7. #ShowYourShirt reaches 600 8. Dursley’s new strip We are now at Stage E which means tag and contact training can now continue under adaptations with matches allowed from Friday 18 December. There is no obligation to return to matches straight away and we would encourage a staged return to contact for players. Roadmap To read the update click on the link |
Cornwall Girls U.18s & U.15s County Application Process- Postponed Until Further Notice
With the long-awaited return of contact rugby a reality, we can now confirm that the girls representative rugby programme this season is open for business!
Any player looking to pull on the black and gold this season needs to download and complete the forms at the links below, and email to the Girls Representative Rugby Co-ordinator Melissa Rowe at dinksrowe72@yahoo.com prior to the Monday before their trial date (see dates below).
This year’s U18s Head Coach is Jon-Paul Shrosbree (Penzance & Newlyn) and the U15s Head Coach is Ross Tucknott (Perranporth). With the U18s and U15s programmes occurring on separate timelines they will also be supporting each other as assistant coaches alongside Chris Osborn (Truro). By having less county coaches selected and with county age groups playing on alternating weekends, there will be more players and coaches than usual available to continue club rugby throughout the campaign season, giving county and non-county players plenty more playing opportunities.
Whilst the precise fixtures details are yet to be finalised with the other counties, the weekends for each age group are known so get clearing room in your calendars!
Eligibility
To be able to play for Cornwall a player must be registered with the RFU, have previously participated in contact rugby, either live in Cornwall or play for a Cornish Club. School players may participate in the trial, but will be expected to join a club should they be successful in order to be RFU registered.
Under 15 players are aged 13-14 years old on 1st September 2020 in the school Year 9 or 10.
Under 18 players are aged 15,16 or 17 years old on the 1st September 2020 in school Year 11,12 or at college.
All players nominated for the trials who attend must have a fully completed consent & nomination forms before they can participate.
In particular, please make sure the coach contact details are correct: participation in the trials is dependant upon sign-off from the club/school coach to ensure players are safe enough to compete, and all coaches will be contacted regarding their players. We recommend not to submit an application before consulting with your coach that they are happy to support your application.
Front 5 players: despite the temporary removal of scrums and mauls from the community game, we will still be selecting props, hookers and second rows as per usual. So when filling out playing position on the form please put your usual/favoured position(s). Cornwall Rugby is a journey to be shared by One And All!
CRFU Girls Letter & Nomination Form and Consent Form can be accessed via this link
Ross Tucknott
Chairman Women & Girls Rugby
Key Dates: U18s
18th January, 2pm – Application Deadline
24th January 12-2pm, Truro College – Selection
7th February 12-2pm, Truro College – Development Session
28th February, tbc – Match 1
14th March, tbc – Match 2
11th April, tbc – Match 3
Key Dates: U15s
25th January, 2pm – Application Deadline
31st January 12-2pm, Truro College – Selection
21st February 12-2pm, Truro College – Development Session
21st March, tbc – Match 1
18th April, tbc – Match 2
2nd May, tbc – Match 3
Mitsubishi Award for Penryn’s Ro Gomez
CRFU President John Sumnall was present at Penryn RFC to present Ro Gomez her Mitsubishi Award for her services to Penryn RFC Women and Girls section both as a coach and player. Ro represented Cornwall Senior Ladies in the Gill Burns Cup until its postponement but sadly will be moving her teaching career to Manchester where she proposes to play for Broughton Park RFC. We wish her well.
Lancashire RFU podcast
The latest edition of this podcast sees both RFU CEO Bill Sweeney & Director of Rugby Development Steve Grainger, join the usual team for a frank discussion well worth a listen, click on the link
