| 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. |
Mitsubishi Motors Rugby Leadership Network
The Mitsubishi Motors Rugby Leadership Network is an exciting and unique opportunity to acquire valuable skills and network with other rugby leaders. Closing date for applications 8th February 2021.
RFU Community Game Update 22nd December
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update This week’s headlines include: 1. Return to Play Q&A with Eddie Jones, Bill Sweeney and Steve Grainger 2. Positive Test Guidance under Stage E Other Updates 3. Cluster Competitions update 4. Mitsubishi Motors Rugby Leadership Networks 5. Community Sevens Tournaments in 2021 6. Update on Club Accreditation 7. Webinars and podcasts 8. Physical and mental wellbeing 9. Schools Kitbag In this final Community Game Update of 2020, a massive thank you to you all for going above and beyond to keep your clubs and teams going during the toughest of challenges for the game. Your support of rugby communities will never be forgotten and we hope 2021 brings everything you deserve for keeping rugby afloat. On behalf of everyone at the RFU we wish you a happy, healthy Christmas and New Year. If you are playing matches over the festive period in Tiers 1, 2 or 3, enjoy being back in your teams and have fun on the pitch, while making sure you adhere to the Stage E law adaptations and Government and RFU Covid-19 guidance to keep everyone safe. For the avoidance of doubt, adult community rugby is not permitted in Tier 4 areas. The Government’s Tier 4 guidance states organised outdoor sport for under-18s and disabled people will be allowed. The Government’s guidelines on travel between tiers should be adhered to. These players cannot move in or out of Tier 4 to train or play. Guidance and FAQs can be found on the pages below. Please remember, there is no obligation to play 15-a-side fixtures in permitted Tiers. Clubs can still play Ready4Rugby if they prefer. To read the rest of the update please click on the link |
Community Game Update December 2020
| 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. |
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 |
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 |
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
