Rugby Football Union
Exeter Chief’s full-back/wing Merryn Doidge has been selected for the England Roses squad for the upcoming Women’s 6 Nations.
Merryn, who began her playing career with Liskeard-Looe before progressing to Newquay Queen Bees, has played for Cornwall U.18s as well as England at both U.18 and U.20 level.
Everyone in Cornwall wishes Merryn the very best.
The Cornwall Rugby Football Union has decided that the remainder of the 2020/21 season should be suspended. Clubs have been circulated and their wishes requested, but only eight clubs replied. Three of those decided they did not want any formal arrangement of fixtures, cup or league. The remaining five would have accepted some form of formal competition, but 2 of them would only play in a cup. There will, therefore, be no formally arranged rugby competitions during this time.
Clubs are reminded that, if they wish, they are free to arrange fixtures within the restrictions set down by RFU during what remains of the 2020/21 season. Any such fixtures must be arranged by participating clubs. Cornwall Rugby Referees Society is willing to provide referees for any games arranged by clubs and it will be for those clubs to contact the Society to arrange referees.
A full programme of league and cup rugby will resume for the 2021/22 season assuming that Government and RFU restrictions permit.
Regards,
Chris Jewels.
Chairman CRFU Competitions Committee
“The last 12 months have been unlike any other and have seen the rugby landscape change considerably. During these challenging times, our community game has had to evolve and innovate in order to continue to deliver, and engage with members. The 2021 Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year will help to recognise and celebrate the volunteers for their achievements and efforts, both on and off the field, during this unprecedented year.To reflect the challenges clubs have faced, and recognise the outstanding contribution volunteers have made to both their rugby clubs and the wider community, this year’s national awards will focus on three specific categories:
• Resilience in Rugby Volunteer Award
• Beyond Rugby Volunteer Award
• Diversity & Inclusion Volunteer Award Nominations could be for an individual, or a team of volunteers within the community game, who have gone above and beyond over the course of the pandemic.
As with previous years, the aim of the programme continues to be to thank volunteers for their contribution to the game, and beyond. Please read the description of each award in full before submitting your nomination. We have also created some Top Tips to consider when writing your application. Nominations will open from Tuesday 23rd March and close at midnight on Sunday 2nd May. Finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony in the summer, where the winners of each category will be announced. To recognise a volunteer, or a group of volunteers, who have gone above and beyond since the start of the pandemic to deliver rugby activity in new and innovative ways, supported the local community to overcome challenges or shown outstanding commitment to improve diversity within the game.”
We know that in Cornwall there a many volunteers who are doing a great job in our clubs. The news this week of the success of Jade Atkins of Falmouth RFC in the 2020 awards should be an inspiration to our clubs to get nominating.
More info re categories here: https://bit.ly/3ceOI7g
Nominate here: https://bit.ly/2Pmy6Bw
Return to Rugby This week’s headlines include:
1. Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund – Loans and Grants update
2. Return to Rugby On-field guidance
3. Return to Rugby Off-field guidance
4. Training Courses including First Aid
5. Age grade activity – Easter camps & summer activity
6. Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year – 2020 winners unveiled & 2021 nominations now open
7. Webinars and on-demand videos
Send photos and videos to @EnglandRugby of you gearing up for rugby; cleaning your boots, preparing the pitch and getting your kit ready with #ReturnToRugby.
Return to Rugby Roadmap reminder
• Shareable JPEG version
• PDF version
Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Loans update
We are working through the final details with Sport England ahead of launching the RUWSF loans process and will publish further information shortly. The application period is set to open in early April.
Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Grants
The grace period for clubs to apply for a RUWSF Grant has now closed.
Clubs who applied in the first window will be contacted by the end of March. We are in the process of issuing award letters to clubs who have been successful in their application for a RUWSF Grant.
Those who applied during the grace period are likely to be contacted by mid-April.
Cornwall RFU were delighted to learn that Falmouth RFC’s Jade Atkins had scooped the top award at the RFU Mitsubishi National Awards Ceremony held recently.
Having been awarded the Cornwall Volunteer award back in October, Jade beat off local award winners from across the rest of the country to come out tops.
Part of Jade’s award is the exclusive use of a Mitsubishi car for six months.
Paying fulsome praise to Jade, CRFU President John Sumnall said. “We were delighted to learn of you attaining first place in the RFU Mitsubishi Awards in the recent ceremony which will have been an experience that you will treasure for some time.
“Your brilliant and empathetic idea of tackling the question of how other family members could spend their time in the Club when not involved in rugby has opened up a new meaning to being a community rugby club. By involving the children and parents not on the rugby field in crafts and other activities whilst rugby activity is taking place was an inspired idea and should certainly encourage other clubs to adopt your idea. You have clearly ensured that those members of the family that are not actively involved whilst rugby is taking place have a warm welcome in the Falmouth RFC Clubhouse and must look forward to their next visit.
“Your success has brought pride not only to your family, but also to Falmouth RFC and ourselves. Once again, many congratulations.”
| Return to Rugby This week’s headlines include: 1. Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund – Grants update 2. Monday 29 March – Return to Rugby Stage D guidance 3. Age Grade Summer Activity 4. Easter Camps guidance 5. Webinars and on-demand videos 6. Mako’s thumbs up 7. Inner Warrior return in May – Sign up now RUWSF Grants deadline – 5pm on Monday A reminder that we have been given a grace period for clubs that weren’t able to compile their financial documentation in time to meet the original Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Grant application deadline. If you are a community club in Level 3 or below that needs financial support for survival and fulfil the criteria listed on the funding page below, please complete an application form by 5pm on Monday 22 March. You will also find the application form on the Funding page button below. Clubs who applied in the first window will be contacted by the end of March and should not apply again as their application will be discounted. We are in the process of issuing award letters to clubs who have been successful in their application for a RUWSF Grant. The process is expected to take a couple of weeks to complete. To read the rest of the update click on the link |
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update This week’s headlines include: 1. Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund – Grants update 2. Monday 29 March – Return to Rugby update 3. Steve Grainger takes grassroots players questions with Fill Your Boots 4. Re-starting the DBS application process 5. School of Hard Knocks – only a couple of spaces left 6. Mental Wellbeing and Know Your Lease webinars 7. International Women’s Day 8. Share your stories RUWSF Grants update  After the government’s positive funding announcement over the weekend (more information below), we are now able to update you on next steps for clubs who have applied for a Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Grant. Following the closure of applications, the overall grant need was submitted to the government’s Independent Board of the Winter Sport Survival Fund. The final amount to be awarded to clubs is at the discretion of the Independent Board rather than the RFU. The Independent Board has since confirmed that grants will be capped at a maximum of £50,000 per individual club. However, if a club has demonstrated a grant need of more than £50,000 for purposes of survival, they will be able to apply for an additional cash-flow loan to provide further financial assistance. Applications are currently being assessed and clubs who have applied for a grant will be advised of the outcome of their application by the end of March at the latest. We are in the process of creating a mechanism for eligible clubs to apply for a cash-flow loan and will communicate to these clubs as soon as possible. We have also been given a grace period for clubs that weren’t able to compile their financial documentation in time to meet the original RUWSF Grant application deadline. If you are a community club in Level 3 or below that needs financial support for survival and fulfil the criteria please complete the application form below by 5pm on Monday 22 March. Clubs who applied in the first window will be contacted by the end of March and should not apply again as their application will be discounted. Funding Announcement Grant Application To read the rest of the update click on the link |
| Return to Rugby update All content in this email is embargoed until 5pm today (Friday 5 March). Content: 1. CB call 4pm today 2. Return to Rugby Roadmap 3. Steve Grainger video on provisional timeline for rugby’s return 4. Age grade rugby adjustments 5. Return to adult and age grade rugby timeline 6. Facilities update will follow upon government guidance being issued Return to Rugby Roadmap  We are pleased to be able to publish our provisional plan for a phased return to full contact rugby. It’s wonderful to see light at the end of the tunnel and we are as delighted as clubs and players across the country that they will soon be able to resume training and, subject to each step on government’s roadmap being achieved, progress towards contact fixtures and an exciting season of rugby for 2021/22 from September. Please note the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap has been revised to follow steps on the government roadmap. Please therefore disregard previous versions and only share the new ‘green for go’ roadmap below. We have removed Stages B and C as they are no longer currently relevant due to changes in government restrictions. Over the next couple of weeks, we will provide stage-by-stage guidance on our Return to Rugby page which will include all the information you’ll need for a gradual return to contact rugby. Guidance will include equipment that can be used at each stage and videos with our coach development team. While we are all incredibly excited about getting back out on the pitch, we should also be conscious of the need to build-up gradually after a long lay-off. The focus for all activity over the next three months should be on player retention and player safety. Until Monday 29 March, unless you are an age grade player taking part in organised school or college rugby activity, we remain at Stage A on the Return to Rugby Roadmap. This means individuals are only allowed to exercise alone or with one other from another household. Roadmap PDF Roadmap Image To read the rest of the update, click on the link |
Thoughts of Chairman Saunts
Hi all we are finally on the road to normality, both in general and Rugby. The Prime Minster has given us the roadmap to return and the key date is 29th March.
We are not sure at this stage as to what we’ll be able to do but, the RFU have invited me to a Zoom meeting on Friday when we will find out more.
My gut feeling is Ready4rugby for approximately a month and then some form of contact, maybe similar to previous return map, but we will keep you informed.
We do however get the feeling that the 21/22 season will be back to normal, and we will be looking at ways to generate both interest and income in the early part of the season.
As this is going to be an expense time for clubs, getting their changing rooms, clubhouses and facilities ready for return the CRFU are depositing £225 to all our clubs to help with this.
Whilst doing this exercise it has become apparent that some clubs have not updated their Golden Roles on GMS. For future communication from RFU it is vital that these are completed and kept up to date. From an RFU view, if you are applying for any funding this will be part of the criteria, we (CRFU) will also be taking that approach moving forward. So please review your Golden Roles on your club GMS page now.
This Saturday The Cornish Pirates take on Saracens in the RFU Championship at the Mennaye and I’m sure we all wish them luck with the season ahead. Something to watch on their livestream service.
Everyone stay safe and we’ll be in touch with an update after Friday which is of course St Piran’s day.
Saunts
