| 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
Guide to Adapted Contact Rugby Activity in Stage E
The link below takes you to the more detailed RFU Guidance on what we can do in this return to rugby at Stage E.
Remember there are still very important rules that we HAVE to follow restricting the amount and type of contact, numbers who can train etc.
Clubs found to be in breach of this guidance may face disciplinary action and/or invalidate their liability insurance.
This guidance is only 6 pages long with all of these things laid out clearly. Well worth a read to familiarise yourself with what to expect
Community Game Update 1st December
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update This week’s headlines include: 1. Return to Play guidance 2. Facilities guidance 3. Club Support Centre Other Updates 4. Coaching and refereeing courses 5. Webinars and podcasts 6. Inspirational Zainab 7. Raising awareness for mental health charities Please remember that until Wednesday 2 December we remain at Stage A on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap, meaning no competitive or formal rugby activities can be undertaken. From tomorrow, Wednesday 2 December, we will move to Stage E Roadmap Return to Play update  Following yesterday’s Government approval for adapted contact rugby to resume in the Community Game, we’ve compiled Return to Play guidance, for the new game and law variations which will come into effect for match play. This guidance below is designed to help clubs resume adapted contact training from Wednesday 2 December to give players time to prepare ahead of the permitted return to local friendly fixtures from Friday 18 December. Please note, there is no obligation for players and clubs to play 15-a-side adaptations. Clubs can still play Ready4Rugby matches up until and beyond 18 December. This simply provides clubs with an opportunity to play adapted contact rugby should they wish. Adapted Stage E rules/laws for Age Grade Rugby have also been approved for U7-13 and U14-18. The move to Stage E will allow the restart of Tag Rugby for U7s and U8s. The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed schools/colleges can return to playing sport in line with approved NGB action plans. Universities will need to align rugby with their planning for student engagement, testing and return home in December. It remains an education institution decision whether playing rugby is possible within their own requirements and measures. These law variations will be reviewed as the season progresses and as restrictions are changed. We understand our return to play is a huge moment for our sport and for you as clubs and CBs. We all share a collective desire and responsibility to get this right. Now, we really need to be as safe as we can be so that we can continue the phased return to rugby for our local communities without further interruptions. Return to Play Webinar support will be available tomorrow on the Coronavirus Hub resources page. Law Variations Video Explanation Facilities guidance Government guidance has just gone live as we issue this evening’s CGU. We will therefore interpret the guidance overnight and update our facilities and travel guidance, alongside rugby specific FAQs, tomorrow on the Coronavirus Hub on the link below. This will cover clubhouses, changing rooms, showers, travel and tier implications. Please direct any queries to clubsupport@rfu.com. You can read the Government guidance below. Government Guidance Coronavirus Hub To read the rest of the update click on the link |
Community Rugby set to return with adaptations, moves to Stage E
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) welcomes the news that Government has given its approval for 15-a-side contact rugby union to return at grassroots level, subject to adaptations.
This comes after extensive research and consultations with Government into mitigating the risks of close contact. By using law variations, this will limit the risk of prolonged face-to-face contact, allowing the community game to resume (everything below the Greene King IPA Championship and Allianz Premier 15s).
Clubs will be able to begin adapted training from Wednesday 2 December in preparation for local friendly fixtures recommencing from Friday 18 December when the following law variations will come into effect:
- There will be no scrums or mauls in the game.
- Instead of a scrum, the game will begin with a free kick. This free kick cannot be taken quickly.
- A minimum of five and a maximum of seven players from each team are required to form a lineout.
- A team awarded a penalty or free kick will no longer be able to choose a scrum option.
- A team awarded a penalty or free kick at a lineout can instead choose another lineout at the same mark.
Further details on the variations (Law 5 – Time, Law 16 – Maul, Law 18 – Lineout, Law 19 -Scrum, Law 20 – Penalty and Free Kick) can be found here. These law variations will be reviewed as the season progresses and as restrictions change.
“We are delighted that our submission has been approved to return to a format of 15 a-side rugby and we thank Government for working with us to find a solution that enables the safe return of the community game,” said RFU Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger.
“In recent months, we have received growing support from clubs and players in favour of adaptations, with law variations preferable to the option of no rugby at all. This is wonderful news for community clubs, their volunteers, players and supporters around the country, who can now look forward to playing contact rugby for the first time since March.
“We now need to be as safe as we possibly can be and comply with all off-field social distancing and Covid-secure guidance to ensure we can continue our phased return to full contact rugby when it is safe to do so.”
England Head Coach Eddie Jones added: “I know how much work has gone into getting international rugby back.
“Having community rugby back is the next step in getting the game up and running and I am pleased for everyone involved in the community game, which has gone through a very tough time. They can now get excited about having rugby back in their lives.”
Clubs in all tiers will be able to return to Stage E on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap from Wednesday 2 December. Further guidance on travel within and between tiers will be issued following publication of government guidance.
There is no obligation for players and clubs to play 15-a-side adaptations. Clubs will still be able to play Ready4Rugby matches up until and beyond 18 December.
Adapted Stage E rules/laws for Age Grade Rugby have also been approved for U7-13 and U14-18. The move to Stage E will allow the recommencing of Tag Rugby for U7s and U8s.
Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed schools/colleges can return to playing sport in line with approved National Governing Body action plans.
Further Government guidance is expected today on travel, changing, spectators and clubhouses.
A light at the end of the tunnel
| Following Government’s announcement last week that outdoor team sport can resume from Wednesday 2 December, we are delighted to confirm that Government has today approved our submission to return to 15-a-side contact rugby, with some adaptations. Further detail on these adaptations and associated laws will follow tomorrow. However, they are briefly summarised below: • There will be no scrums or mauls in the game • Where the game would restart with a scrum, this will be replaced with a free kick • A minimum of five and a maximum of seven players from each team are required to form a lineout What does this mean clubs can now do? • Clubs can resume adapted training for 15-a-side contact rugby again from this Wednesday. Further detail to follow tomorrow. • Clubs can resume friendly fixtures from Friday 18 December – this is to allow players to prepare properly and safely, having not been training over the past month. • Clubs can still play Ready4Rugby if they have matches coming up from 2 December to 18 December and beyond. There is no obligation to play adapted 15-a-side contact fixtures. Further detail to follow Further Government guidance is expected today on travel, changing, spectators and clubhouses. We will be working overnight to interpret this information and will provide a detailed briefing in tomorrow’s CGU, on the Coronavirus Hub and Club Support Centre, together with more information about adaptations to the game. |
