The Government Roadmap has moved to Step One – from today Monday 29 March
• Adult and age grade community rugby (including schools and colleges) may resume at Stage D1.
• O2 Touch, Tag and Ready4Rugby training and matches are permitted within the club and against other clubs. We will confirm travel guidance when published by government.
• Contact training (excluding scrums and mauls) is permitted to introduce contact gradually and prepare players physically for the next stage on the Return to Rugby Roadmap. Our guidance strongly recommends a maximum of 20 minutes contact in total per session, with regular hand sanitising breaks during and after contact skills training and equipment should be cleaned after use. Players should avoid face-to-face exposure of more than three seconds and more than 15 minutes of exposure at less than one metre with another player.
Community Game Update March 2021
| March 2021 – Return to Rugby |
| This edition includes: 1. Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund – Loans prospectus 2. Return to Rugby On-field guidance 3. Return to Rugby Off-field guidance 4. Adult Male Future Competition Structure 5. RFU Council 6. Warrior Camps to return in May – sign up now! 7. Richard Jones Legacy 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. Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Loans update  We are now able to provide you with the advance prospectus alongside a video from RFU National Facility Development Manager, Ted Mitchell, that details the formats and the terms of asset loans available. This can also be found on our loans page, with the application period is set to open in early April. Advance Prospectus Prospectus Video Return to Rugby – on field guidance  Monday will see the return of rugby at Stage D1, with Stage D2 (from Monday 26 April). We have updated our Age Grade Document to now include the below. Adaptations to Age Grade Rugby for 2021-22 Based on feedback we have made changes to Age Grade Rugby for 2021-22. These enable teams to be combined either up or down one age in the teenage years, if there are not enough numbers to field full sides in a single age group. We envisage this will be the exception, but the ability to do so could make the difference for these players who have been particularly disrupted by the pandemic; their safe transition to adult rugby is one of our highest risks. The 17 year olds playing adult changes have been revised to support this. The Age Grade changes document, version three, is on the Return to Rugby page below. Guidance includes advice for incremental contact training, building up to a max of 20 mins per session, excluding scrums and mauls, recommended coach to player ratio, equipment use and sanitisation advice. Return To Rugby Return to Rugby – off field guidance Off field guidance can be found on the return to rugby page with some of the more common questions answered in our FAQs which can be found below. All guidelines apply from Monday 29 March Government Step 1B until Government’s Step 2 comes into force, which will be no earlier than Monday 12 April. Details on Easter camps and Summer activity can also be found on the return to Rugby page. The age grade out of season regulation (see 15.8) is suspended in 2021. This is replaced with an RFU Summer Training and Playing Framework this year to enable age grade players to catch up on missed rugby development opportunities safely. On Friday 9 April the summer rugby training and playing framework for age grade players will be launched, including CB, DPP and rugby camps. The framework will be operational from June to the end of August and will include contact training and inter club activity. Support Centre FAQs Sport England FAQs To read the rest of the update click on the link |
RFU Community Game Update 23rd March
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.
RFU Covid Update 9th March
| 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 |
RFU CGU Return to Rugby Update
| 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 |
RFU Community Game Update 24th Feb
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update This week’s headlines include: 1. Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund reminder with Steve Grainger 2. RUWSF Loan Scheme – two days left to complete 3. RUWSF Grant Reminder – two days left to apply 4. Return to community rugby update 5. Lockdown rugby activity 6. Webinars and on-demand videos Update on RUWSF Grant and Loans  RFU Rugby Development Director, Steve Grainger gives an update on the Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund (RUWSF) Grant and Loan schemes. Please note, we are updating our FAQs daily, so please keep checking back using the button below. FAQs will contain the version number and date to help keep track of when they have been updated. The loan and grant scheme are two separate strands of funding, so clubs are able to apply for both where needed. Watch Video Criteria & FAQs To read the rest of the update click on the link |
February Community Game Update
| Community Game Update – February 2021 Content: 1. Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Loans Scheme 2. Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Grants Reminder 3. England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award and Coach Logic Partner 4. Irwin Mitchell Mentoring 5. Webinars and on-demand videos 6. LGBT+ month 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. England Rugby Coaching  New partner in Coach Logic We have partnered with video analysis platform Coach Logic to provide additional online support for coaches who enrol on coaching award courses. They will have access to game footage from different levels of the game, as well as allowing coaches (and players) to share ideas and analyse performance. Advanced Coaching Award – (Previously Level 3) The England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award (ERACA) for 2021/22 will kick off in February with two webinars which prospective participants need to complete. Firstly – Advanced Coaching Workshop Part 1. A free on-demand webinar that anyone wishing to take part in the ERACA must complete as a pre-requisite for booking. Secondly – Advanced Coaching Workshop Part 2 in March. Bookings for the full courses due to open in May 2021. You can find out more on the link below. Please be aware that course dates and venues are provisional and subject to change or cancellation depending on the evolving situation with the Coronavirus pandemic. Coach Logic Coaching Award To Read the rest of the update please click on the link |
RFU Community Game Update 16th Feb
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update This week’s headlines include: 1. Lockdown Rugby Activity 2. Age Grade Playing Calendar 2021-22 3. Inner Warrior Update 4. Webinars and on-demand videos 5. Hinckley RFC 6. Share your ideas Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund  Applications opened last Friday for clubs to submit applications for grants. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 25 February. The aim of the fund is to support community clubs at Level 3 and below that have been severely impacted by Covid-19 restrictions. Below is a video from RFU Rugby Development Director, Steve Grainger, to help explain the fund, its aims, and criteria for the application process. It covers a six-month period, from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021. Clubs need to demonstrate financial need for funding to ensure survival. You can find out more about the criteria and how to apply using the funding link below. We are working with Sport England to define the criteria and process for a Loans Programme, in addition to this grant funding, and will communicate this to CBs and clubs later this week when we have confirmation. Watch Video Funding Page Lockdown rugby activity England players go back to school Home-schooling was given an added rugby twist this month, when ten England players joined online school assemblies from their Guinness Six Nations training camp. Players answered pupils’ questions as Eddie Jones and England Rugby tried to help motivate students by giving them and their teachers something different to start their school day. The activity was part of England Rugby’s wider programme of support for the community game, aiming to keep players engaged in rugby while they can’t play. Red Rose Shaunagh Brown live Q&A Shaunagh Brown joined us live last Wednesday after a two-day training camp with the Red Roses. While discussing the upcoming Women’s World Cup later this year and the Women’s Six Nations, now scheduled for April, she also answered players’ questions on how to stay physically and mentally motivated during lockdown. Watch the Q&A on demand here. Position Workshop Series This week we were joined by second rows Courtney Lawes and Jonny Hill. Both players analysed match footage to share their insights, thought processes and how they use the Principles of Play. Back To School Inspired To Play Ag Grade Playing Calendar 2021-22 A final reminder that the Age Grade Playing calandar for 2021-22 is now with CBs, CSUs, Academies, Centres of Excellence, RPPGs and other local stakeholders to populate together. We hope this has started to be shared and published on websites to give everyone the best planning notice possible. Inner Warrior update Warrior Camps are now on hold until May. Should any tier system return, and if clubs are able to host a Warrior Camp as part of their permitted activity, then clubs are welcome to hold an event in April. We will run a targeted recruitment campaign in May and will invite clubs to host a Warrior Camp between 1st and 30th May. Information on how to register your event will be shared at the end of March, subject to Covid-19 restrictions. If you have any queries, please contact innerwarrior@rfu.com Webinars and on-demand videos We know that you might be Zoomed out, so we have made sure all our webinars are available when you need them on demand if you can’t see them live. RFU’s Head Groundsperson Jim Buttar Q&A – Thursday 18 February – 7pm We want to help you with the challenges you are having with your pitches but also to celebrate your success. Jim Buttar, England Rugby Head Groundsperson, will be answering your questions throughout the Webinar so send any questions or photos to groundsmenconnected@rfu.com. Register today Introducing the Mental Wellbeing for Players webinar – Wednesday 24 March – 7pm Welcome rugby players of all ages to a healthy discussion about mental wellbeing, creating kinder cultures and the importance of looking out for each other. Guest speaker, David Beeney, who has years of experience talking about (and not talking about) mental health is joined by former England Rugby captain Dylan Hartley. We put player welfare at the heart of the game in order to keep the community healthy with help from our trusted healthcare partner Simplyhealth. Register today You can see all our previous Coaching, Refereeing, and Club webinars online. Hinckley RFC Hinckley RFC are yet another club making a difference, like so many during this pandemic. They have called in a number of volunteers to help produce over 500 individually packed meals a day to distribute to children and their families during the weekdays of half term. Hinckley Share your ideas Please let us know if there are any further resources or specific support that clubs and CBs could benefit from during lockdown, by contacting ClubSupport@RFU.com or emailing ChrisDodd@rfu.com. We continue to highlight the wonderful activities of our clubs and their teams on our England Rugby channels. Please share your stories and videos with ChrisDodd@rfu.com or PatriciaMowbray@rfu.com. |
RFU Community Game Update 2nd Feb
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update |
| This week’s headlines include: 1. Lockdown rugby activity – Ben Youngs Q&A 2. Player survey Please encourage your players to complete this year’s player survey which is based around the different formats of the game, how Covid-19 has impacted them in the last 12 months and how they might take part in future. Your support will help us to protect and grow the game at this difficult time. 3. #ShowYourShirt reaches 650 4. Itoje and clubs push for laptops at home 5. Webinars and on-demand videos 6. Share your ideas To read the rest of the update click on the link |
RFU Community Game Update, January 2021
| Distribution list: Friday 22 January Constituent Bodies Chairs, Constituent Bodies Honorary Secretaries, Constituent Bodies Treasurers, Club Chairs, Honorary Secretaries, Treasurers |
| Community Game Update – January 2021 Content: 1. Council Election 2021 guidance 2. 150th Anniversary 3. Mitsubishi Motors Rugby Leadership Network 4. GameChangers online courses for coaches 5. #ShowYourShirt part two 6. Defibrillator funding for clubs 7. Webinars and on-demand videos 8. Kings Cross Steelers documentary 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 full update please click on the link. |
