| Message from RFU Chief Executive Bill Sweeney My thoughts and those of all of us at the RFU continue to be with everyone impacted by the difficult and exceptional situation we are all facing, both across the country and within our own rugby union community. Earlier today we held a virtual board meeting and I am writing to advise you of the actions that have been agreed to offer a support package directly funded from the RFU worth £7m to provide support for community clubs in England. Impact To support clubs we are today announcing that the RFU will be providing a £7m relief package for community clubs. The package includes monies ring fenced and diverted for the community game, as well as additional funding. These measures include: • An early release of £800,000 cash due to clubs through the ticketing fund. • Early release of final funding payments (£600,000) to Constituent Bodies and suspension of the activity plans against which this was allocated, enabling them to utilise this to provide “immediate support grants” to clubs most in need. In addition, £400,000 will be made available to Constituent Bodies who elect to match funds from their own reserves. • A suspension of the Quarterly loan repayments for clubs with outstanding loans due in April (£335,000). • The creation of a £5m support loans programme, offering loans of between circa £2,000 and circa £10,000 to clubs, with deferred payments for six months and repayable over three years. We will be providing more details on this financial package in the coming week. We will also be issuing regular club recovery updates with practical advice on how government grants can be accessed, as well as other business management advice. We welcome government interventions which will provide business rate holidays and grants for clubs. The RFU will continue to provide a free helpline to assist clubs with legal and tax related matters, which you can access here. Significant progress has been made on the process for considering the implications of ending the season early. We will ensure a fair and balanced outcome for the game and are now committed to update on this by the middle of April. No one can predict every possible outcome of the COVID-19 outbreak particularly with regard to the duration of this crisis and we are managing in the unknown. We have modelled three potential scenarios and are working on an assumption based on a medium term impact with a view to a return to rugby in the autumn. We will continue to monitor against this assumption and review and revise planning where necessary. The RFU had budgeted for a loss making year within a four year cycle due to the costs of the 2019 RWC campaign and hosting only two home Six Nations games. The loss will now be considerably more as we face challenges similar to businesses across the country. The RFU’s biggest asset is also a major cost and the closure of Twickenham Stadium has a significant impact on the revenues we can generate to re-invest back into the game. In that sense we are like every other club in the Union, when we do not stage matches and events we do not generate revenue. Based on our planning assumption we estimate RFU revenue losses over the next 18 months to be approximately £45-£50 million and have a firm plan in place to mitigate this. The RFU Executive Team will be taking a cut in remuneration in excess of 25%. In addition, combined Board fees will be reduced by 75%. Welfare We are continuing our support to ensure colleagues and communities are given help to follow government advice and are providing recommendations on how to stay fit and healthy and a range of new content will be made available to players and fans across our social media channels. We are discussing with government and the NHS the role the RFU and Twickenham Stadium can play in providing volunteers as well as support for the NHS including accommodation, parking, and meal provisioning. I am confident that rugby will play a big role in energising communities across England after this difficult period. In the meantime, we are working hard with the wider rugby community to take the necessary measures to safeguard a financially resilient Union so that we can prioritise support available to ensure survival in the best interests of the game. Bill Sweeney |
Terry Pryor – RIP
It is with great saddness that Cornwall RFU has learned of the passing of former county captain Terry Pryor.
Pryor (pictured above when captaining Cornwall) played for Cornwall on 55 occassions, captaining the Duchy during the 1977-78 season.
Pryor, a fine prop, played in a front row containing Stack Stevens and John Trevorrow at hooker, through the mid to late seventies.
A Redruth man, he captained his club in their centenary year in 1975.
An England trialist and replacement, Pryor captained England B on their tour to Romania in 1978.
He was also a Barbarian and played for the South West Counties in 1975 against Australia on the old County Ground in Exeter. Pryor and Stevens proped whilst Devon’s John Lockyer hooked.
Pryor went on to be an outstanding coach, mentoring the likes of Phil Vickery and Trevor Woodman.
Apart from Redruth he coached at Penryn and St. Austell and was involved with the county side.
A charming man, always had time for a chat, he will be sadly missed.
Everyone at the CRFU will wish to express their most sincerest and heartfelt condolences to Terry’s family and friends.
Funeral details will be published on the website when known.
Message from CRFU Chairman
Over the last few days various clubs have been asking how we as a County can help. The management board will continue to weigh up all options. This will include advice like the attached and any other important information we can share. We will be discussing over the weekend if and how we support financially. Hopefully we will hear from the RFU on what they propose. In the meantime please stay safe, and if you have any questions my mobile is 07554010480.
Saunts Chairman CRFU
RFU end season
| Message from RFU Chief Executive Bill Sweeney |
| My
thoughts and those of all of us at the RFU are with everyone impacted
by COVID-19 as well as recent flooding events, both across the country
at large but also within our own rugby union community. In order to provide clarity and to assist with immediate and longer term planning, the RFU is today announcing the end of the 2019/20 rugby season for all league, cup and county rugby in England. The only exception to this is the Gallagher Premiership, who we are in active discussions with to review possible best next steps. When current government advice on social distancing measures changes, we will naturally encourage rugby training and friendlies to recommence. I would like to personally thank everyone for their swift actions in suspending rugby activity, this is not an easy time and I know many of you will have concerns that go beyond the game. We are working through the implications of ending the season early and have instigated a thorough process to ensure fair and balanced outcomes for the game. We will communicate these outcomes by the middle of April. While we would like to provide all the answers now, we need some time to get it right for the best interests of the game. Rest assured we are working on this as a priority and we will continue to send weekly updates to clubs. The three areas of focus for the RFU right now are Welfare, Implications and Reboot. Welfare We are ensuring colleagues and communities are given support to follow government advice and are providing recommendations on how to stay fit and healthy using individual training programmes. We are also talking to government about how we can deploy and mobilise our own resources across England to support the vulnerable. Implications Every union is different, with unique structures and challenges and the RFU needs to manage its own particular complexities. Our business model is similar to most rugby clubs – we earn revenue from events on and off the field and we invest that back into the game. We benefit from strong Twickenham Stadium revenues but we are also exposed if there is widespread cancellation of games and events. In this extraordinary situation we are working through a range of potential financial scenarios dependent mainly on the length of this crisis. This was already budgeted to be a loss making year within a 4 year cycle due to the costs of the 2019 RWC campaign and only hosting two home Six Nations games. The loss will now be considerably more as we face challenges similar to businesses across the entire country. There may well also be much longer term financial implications which we are assessing now. It is therefore taking us some time to develop a considered position on how we can support clubs and the rugby community, which we will do. We have already undertaken financial measures to safeguard the business enabling us to review all options and programmes to provide support for clubs in these difficult times. We welcome the measures announced by Government which could provide crucial support to professional and community clubs and the RFU. We are in regular contact with Sport England and The Sport and Recreation Alliance to understand how business rate relief and hardship funds can be accessed by clubs and will be providing assistance to make sure every club who is eligible will be supported. The implications for all areas of rugby will be thoroughly worked through and solutions discussed and developed with the clubs. Reboot Our welfare advice before the start of next season will switch to offering guidance on how players at all levels can reboot and get match ready. We will work closely with constituent bodies to support clubs, competition organisers and the wider rugby community in preparing to re-start rugby in what is likely to be a challenging environment. In recent days we have all been inspired by the many stories across the rugby family working together to support those who are the most vulnerable in their community – this encapsulates the unique spirit of rugby. I am confident that this spirit and resilience during these tough times will ensure we will come through this together and emerge stronger. Take care and stay safe, Bill Sweeney |
Club’s Forum – Postponed
Please note, the Club’s Forum scheduled to be held at Camborne RFC on Thursday 9th April has been postponed.
Club secretaries and reps have been informed by e-mail by the Hon. Secretary.
Revived Bob Kennedy game a huge success
Bob Kennedy Memorial Match
Report by Martin Symons
Camborne President’s XV 7 – 5 Camborne School of Mines
Camborne narrowly prevailed in an evenly contested clash with the Students in front of a good sized crowd at the Recreation Ground.
The hard fought encounter proved to be a fitting renewal of the Bob Kennedy Memorial match after several seasons absence and marked 40 years since the inception of the contest in 1980.
Courtesy of sponsors Strongbow Exploration and with the generous support of a host of CSM alumni an excellent celebration event for more than 100 guests followed proceedings in a packed ‘Town’ bar at Crane Park.
On the pitch the Cherry & Whites led 7-0 at the break after skipper Dean Pascoe sent centre Oakley Smitham over near the posts for scrum half Luke Martin to add the extras.
In the 2nd half the School hit back with an unconverted touchdown from wing Charlie Wren.
Late on Camborne had to dig deep in defence to keep their line intact securing the spoils when fly half Pascoe gleefully booted the ball to the safety of touch.
Reunited 40 years on from the inaugural Bob Kennedy match are six members of Camborne’s team and two of the match officials. (left to right) Derek Taylor, Merrill Clymo (touch judge), Stephen Rogers, Martyn Hendra, David Richards, Jon Bowden, David Martin (referee) and Nigel Tregenza. Picture Steve Mock.
RFU suspends all rugby activity
Following government advice, the RFU will suspend all rugby activity in England, at both professional and community level.
Rugby activity includes club training, league and cup matches plus rugby education courses from 17 March until 14 April subject to continued review.
The decision has been taken following government advice in the interests of players, coaches, referees, volunteers, supporters and the wider rugby union community.
Where possible, players at all levels are encouraged to maintain their own personal fitness and keep active during this time, while following government guidelines about safe distance and safe exercise environments.
The RFU will continue to review and monitor government advice and will provide detailed updates on the impact to the season in the coming weeks.
Clarification on fixture postponements affected by Covid-19
| Further to the information included in yesterday’s Community Game update and in response to enquiries from clubs and players, we would like to provide clarification on the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in organised competitions. The government yesterday announced that there is no change in advice regarding sporting events at the moment i.e. they can continue. Given this, league and cup games planned for this weekend will played as usual. However we recognise that competition organisers, players and clubs are seeking advice on specific details, so the RFU’s position is that in the event of situations where: (a) Covid-19 case or cases have been reported or suspected in relation to player and/or individuals connected to a club (or closely connected to a club, player or such other individual connected to a club); and/or (b) such individuals are subject to the Governmental advice to self-isolate; Postponements of fixtures involving the clubs will be permitted as a justifiable reason for postponement, subject to clubs notifying the opposition and the competition organiser of the postponement (in accordance with competition organisers’ instructions). The RFU regulations will continue to apply. We will keep this under continual review and will be assessing the situation over the weekend in line with latest Government advice. If there are any planned changes to the future playing of the league and cup programmes this will be communicated to clubs and participants as soon as possible. If (a) or (b) applies to your team please contact: • Mens teams playing in RFU Leagues (English Club Championship) and Cups – your league secretary or competitions organiser • Mens teams playing in Merit/CB Leagues – your league secretary or competitions organiser • Womens teams playing in RFU Leagues – womenscompetitions@RFU.com • Age Grade – Your league secretary or competitions organiser Teamwork Respect Enjoyment Discipline Sportsmanship |
Covid -19 Virus (Coronavirus)
Letter that has been sent out to all Cornish Club Secretaries this week from the CRFU.
Dear Secretary,
Re: Covid Virus.
The CRFU is very aware of the problems and decisions that clubs at all levels of rugby will have to make regarding Coronavirus (Covid).
We are aware that we should all show due diligence to ensure the welfare of players, coaches and the rugby community at this difficult time. The advice to us all continues to change and as we approach the weekend fixtures club officials may need support with decision making and the more practical operational details.
We will update the CRFU Web as and when matters develop as well as contacting the Clubs where it is felt necessary and may we confirm that CRFU officials are pleased to help in any way and can be contacted as the situation requires.
May we also draw your attention to a specific situation relating to Clubs and its players who have been selected to represent their County and we ask that the following is observed please:
Should someone catch the virus whilst engaged with county sides, CRFU will inform the club. However, this does not cover someone who has been with the County who subsequently developed symptoms nor does it cover a county player who may have been in contact with someone at the club who developed symptoms. As the government regularly state, tracking contacts is essential in dealing with the Covid.
Can we therefore ask all Clubs that they inform us, in total confidence, of any reports of the virus within their club so we can take appropriate actions in respect of representative rugby so as to limit the spread please? Equally, CRFU will, in total confidence, inform the respective club of any Covid related development that may affect club activities as a result of having one of their players engaged in representative rugby.
The contact person is Bob Hubble, Rugby Safe Lead (rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk) who will treat any correspondence as confidential.
Once again can we remind you that the CRFU Officers will be happy to help in any way and you should not hesitate in making contact with one.
Yours,
Dave Saunter, Chair.
John Sumnall, President.
Statement concerning county fixtures for this weekend
Leading up to CRFU representative teams playing at the weekend all precautions and professional advice is being taken to ensure the welfare of our players, coaches and members of the rugby community.
Contact with players, clubs, coaches and where necessary player’s parents has been maintained. Players have been given good advice about hygiene and procedures by our CRFU doctor.
At present, while we remain vigilant and updated on developments, all our fixtures are going ahead.
Please refer to the CRFU website for further updates as and when they are required.
Chris Lea
Chairman of Representative Rugby
