| Tuesday 6 December Stay up to date with news about the community game by following @RFU on Twitter here. Community Game Update Read Online 1. ACTION REQUIRED The deadline for your 2022 Club Safeguarding Audit is 31 December A reminder to all clubs who offer age grade activity, you must complete the Safeguarding Audit by 31 December 2022. You can find further information on how to conduct the audit in this section. 2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST Rugby World Cup 2025 Impact Programme – Facility fund Part of the Rugby World Cup 2025 impact programme is to help improve club facilities and the experience for female supporters and players. From today, 6 December 2022, clubs can apply for funds to support toilet upgrades and sanitary packages. More information is in this piece. Tackling energy use in rugby clubs and using Artificial Grass Pitch (AGPs) As energy prices rise and impact clubs across the country, we share some tips on reducing these costs. These include using AGPs, which could help save on the club’s electricity bills by reducing your floodlight usage and wear on pitches. Discover how you can book a local 365 AGP in this section. 3. FOR AWARENESS Age Grade affiliations reach over 150,000 players, incentives and GMS support trainers Age grade affiliation has reached over 150,000 players in the 2022/2023 season. In this article, Farnham RUFC and Hackney RFC share their experiences of how affiliation has worked for them. Also, a reminder of our incentives for age grade affiliation and GMS support trainers for clubs. Ways to support retention of players from age grade to adult rugby Hear from Surrey and Cheshire Constituent Bodies and clubs who have been running U21/U23 competitions to retain university players who might otherwise be lost from the game. Developing female match officials #Inspire 50 inspiring female referees lined up at England v Japan as part of the new Inspire campaign to attract more female match officials to the sport. This section discusses how you can get involved and more about the programme. Off-field support services for clubs A reminder of the off-field services for clubs, including guidance in legal and tax matters, licensing and VAT support. Many of these are free for clubs, so if you need help, read this article. Read Online |
Community Game Update 29 November
| Community Game Update Read Online |
| Headline News Adult Affiliation to begin in the 2023/2024 season After the implementation of age grade affiliation, which has already seen over 150,000 players affiliate in the 2022/2023 season, RFU Council members voted last week to introduce the same mandatory process in the adult game for the 2023/2024 season. There is no need to action anything at this stage, this article is for awareness only. 1. ACTION REQUIRED Deadline to enter the Papa Johns Men’s Community Cup is this week At midnight on 1 December, the entry period for the Papa Johns Men’s Community Cup will close. Some finals will be played at Twickenham, so don’t miss your chance to play at this iconic venue. Read this section to register your team and see what other benefits your club can receive by entering. 2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST Game On Using Game On, you can ensure you still get your games played and recorded as a full 15-a-side match. Hear from players who took part in our recent Mike Tindall XV v James Haskell XV as to why Game On works for them. 3. FOR AWARENESS Enhancement to Electronic Match Card from today From today, 29 November, a change to Electronic Match Card for match days will be made. The enhancement means clubs can only select registered players, except in leagues where non-registered players are eligible to be selected. Read Online |
Community Game Update 16 November
Welcoming more people to rugby union
During their record-breaking run to the Rugby World Cup Final, and their performance in it, the Red Roses have inspired more people to get involved in rugby in all kinds of ways from playing to volunteering.
Capitalising on RWC 2021 – new video available to share
The video outlines how we can capitalise on the excitement of the Rugby World Cup and the Red Roses’ inspiration as we continue to work together to grow the game and build towards RWC 2025 in England.
Practical guides and aims for growing the women’s and girls’ game
Guides, action plans and webinars are available for rugby communities to understand more about how they can increase playing numbers, coaches, referees and volunteers in their areas.
Attracting new players – Allianz Inner Warrior Camps and findrugby.com
More women and girls are interested in giving rugby a try. Have you held an Allianz Inner Warrior Camp at your club yet? If not, find out how you can in this article. We are also promoting findrugby.com to help direct new players towards clubs in their area.
What’s next – where to watch more rugby
We have welcomed many new viewers and players to the game through TV coverage of the Rugby World Cup 2021. Help to keep them engaged by letting them know what comes next.
Inspired by Red Rose
Activity supporting participation in the men’s game
Enter your club in the Papa John’s Men’s Community Cup before 1 December
All Clubs at Regional 1 and below can enter the Papa Johns Men’s Community Cup. In this article, you can discover more about the Cup and fixture dates, with Twickenham Stadium set to host many of the men’s and women’s finals.
Content to encourage more social players back to the men’s game
A vast selection of Play Together, Stay Together content is available to engage players via your social media channels. From match action with Mike Tindall and James Haskell to inspiring videos to remind players what they’ve been missing. Read online for examples
Community Game Update 1 November
| Community Game Update Read Online |
| 1. ACTION REQUIRED Enter the Papa Johns Community Cup from 3 November On 3 November, all clubs at Regional 1 and below will receive an email containing a registration link to enter the Papa Johns Community Cup. In this article, you can discover more about the Cup and fixture dates , with Twickenham Stadium set to host many of the Finals. WATCH The Clubhouse – Community Game Magazine Programme Episode 1 A new TV magazine programme celebrating the community game is available to watch in this section. This pilot episode lets rugby communities know what’s happening behind the scenes to support the grassroots game and where to find information that may help them. Age Grade Affiliation 2022-23 More than 140,000 age grade players have affiliated, compared to 150,000 throughout the entire 2021-22 season. All age grade players need to be affiliated as part of Regulation 15, which allows for a 45-day window after they start playing. Therefore players who started in September need to be affiliated by now or clubs risk operating outside of Regulation. 2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST Win an England Rugby matchday makeover as part of #PlayTogetherStayTogether Win the chance to have an England Rugby matchday makeover for your club which will include a live stream and commentary, team announcements and post-match interviews. Enter the competition using the link in this section. RFU Community Game Strategy Development Survey We are currently in the process of putting together the strategy for the next 10 years of the community game. As part of this, we would love to have your input to create a shared vision for the future. Tackling Energy Use in Rugby Clubs Webinar If you missed the webinar on Tackling Energy Use in Rugby Clubs, you can watch it on-demand. You can also find other videos on how to support your club on the RFU Club Support YouTube channel. Join the RFU IPF 2023 #RugbyRunners Team! You can sign up to run the TCS London Marathon or London Landmarks Half Marathon on behalf of the RFU Injured Players’ Foundation (IPF). We will support you in every step, including a welcome pack, free sports massage and much more. 3. FOR AWARENESS RFU teams up with The Good, The Bad & The Rugby for #PlayTogetherStayTogether Two invitational sides led by Mike Tindall and James Haskell took to the pitch at Aylesbury RFC on Thursday 20 October. A mix of ex-internationals and community players combined to celebrate rugby and how it creates lifelong friendships. Watch the video and read more about the game in this section. Honda Volunteer of the Year Awards Congratulations to all the nominated volunteers and finalists across the three categories: Unsung Hero, Beyond Rugby and Game for All. This year’s winners were Jodie Hill, Lincoln RFC; Will Gilgrass, Old Streetonians RFC and Arthur Crabtree, Didsbury Toc H RFC. You can read about the night and their achievements using the link in this story. New Premier 15s CEO and Chair Belinda Moore and Genevieve Shore have been named as the Chief Executive and Chair of Women’s Premier 15 Limited (WP15Ltd), respectively. They will head up a new company to oversee the Allianz Premier 15s competition from 2023/ 2024. You can discover more in this article. Read Online |
Community Game Update 4th October
| Community Game Update Read Online |
| 1. ACTION REQUIRED There is no immediate action required from clubs in this edition of the Community Game Update 2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST U18s Tackle Height Study The 17 September saw the evaluation of waist-height tackling get underway at Millfield School. Eight schools: Millfield, Exeter, Kings Taunton, Canford, Taunton, Clifton, Blundell’s and QEH Bristol took part in a festival which involved around 180 U16 players. All matches were filmed, and two teams wore Instrumented Mouth Guards (IMGs). Any U16 – U18 club, school or college teams wanting to discover more or to be part of the ongoing evaluation of tackle height in age-grade rugby, please email johnlawn@rfu.com. Bonfire And Fireworks Displays With November’s bonfire and fireworks displays now being planned, clubs need to check the guidance and risk assessment to ensure everyone attending is kept safe. You can access the RFU insurance centre, guidance and risk assessment in this article. Upcoming Club Support Webinars & Virtual Workshop In October and November, virtual support to clubs around various areas of the game will be available. Webinars include: Marketing to Women, Tackling Energy Use in Rugby Clubs and an Age Grade Affiliation Update. There will be a Club for Everyone workshop in November. Times and dates are included in this section. Honda Volunteer Hospitality Registrations For Autumn Nations Series Honda continues their support of grassroots rugby with their annual pre-match hospitality in the British Airways Fan Village at Twickenham. Make sure your club/volunteer doesn’t miss out. All details are in this article. How To Show Rugby World Cup & Autumn Nations Series At Your Club How clubs can access the Rugby World Cup & Autumn Internationals to show in their clubhouses. 3. FOR AWARENESS Championship Live Streamed For Free Starting with Doncaster Knights v Bedford Blues on Saturday 8 October, there will be ten games live streamed for free over the season. To discover how to watch the games, read this article. Papa Johns Community Cup It has just been announced that the finals of the Papa Johns Community Cup will take place at Twickenham Stadium. With every player dreaming of running out onto the Twickenham turf, don’t miss out on your chance. England Team Announcement At Community Club Last week saw England men’s head coach Eddie Jones head down to Grasshoppers RFC, Ben and Tom Curry’s first club, for the England men’s training squad announcement. In this video, Eddie discusses the important connection between grassroots and international rugby, and we hear from young players who met him. Data Management Update Following feedback from clubs and Constituent Bodies, a more targeted approach to data management, as part of the Platform for Rugby review, will see Yorkshire and Surrey become part of a pilot study. Read Online |
Community Game Update 27 September
| Community Game Update Headline News Energy Bill Relief Scheme Last week government published plans for the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. The scheme will provide a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for all non-domestic customers. To understand how this may affect your club, read this section. Read Online |
| 1. ACTION REQUIRED Inclusion and Diversity Survey We are asking people in the community game to participate in our inclusion and diversity survey. This research helps to shape and inform our work in this area and is key to supporting the RFU’s strategic objective to drive rugby union in England to better reflect society’s diversity. We would appreciate you sharing the survey link in this section with your rugby network. 2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST Get ready to capitalise on next month’s Rugby World Cup The Rugby World Cup 2021, postponed to 2022 due to Covid, is just around the corner and is a fantastic opportunity for clubs to grow. This article contains how to watch the games live, details on the new two-part Red Roses’ documentary and ideas on how to maximise the potential of the Rugby World Cup. Social Rugby Game Makers – Thank You! Next week will see the launch of a national, club-wide competition to thank volunteers who support getting social rugby played. Read this section for information on how to nominate them to be entered into a prize draw to win tickets to the Autumn Nations Series. Emergency First Aid In Rugby Union – Update On New Format From January next year, there will be a new hybrid course (face-to-face and online) which will take less time for volunteers to complete, but with the same level of qualification. Read this article to discover more about the change and how to book a course. 3. FOR AWARENESS Game Congress This article contains information on a recent Game Congress, which was the first in a series of consultations to help create a shared vision for where the community game will be in 10 years, as we continue to respond to the challenges of the pandemic and broader societal changes. Key principles discussed at the congress will be shared with the wider game for further feedback over the next couple of months. Read Online |
RFU Community Game Update 13 September
Rugby community unites to pay respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Rugby came together over the weekend to show its respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. You can see some of the moving tributes captured in this section.
Club guidance for National Mourning Period and Pitch Up
In line with the Government’s National Mourning Period guidance, there is no obligation to cancel or postpone sporting fixtures or events this week or weekend.
However, as a mark of respect to Her Majesty The Queen, organisers may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of events or fixtures. Players may wish to wear black armbands.
The RFU would strongly encourage rugby clubs to postpone or cancel events/training and close venues on Monday 19 September, the day of the State Funeral.
Read Online
1. ACTION REQUIRED
Clubs facing escalating costs
As clubs begin to see escalating costs, we would be grateful if you could complete the form in this article to help us further understand the impact price rises are having, or will have, on your club. You can also find a helpful energy saving checklist including 60 low-cost tips.
22/23 Community Rugby Inclusion & Diversity survey
Later next week we will release the Community Rugby Inclusion & Diversity Survey. We would appreciate you sharing this with your rugby network to help shape the future of the game.
2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST
Staying in touch with university students
It is important to keep connected with players while they are at university. The Student Pass allows students to be registered at two different clubs while they are studying, meaning they can play at university, a club local to university and their home club during term breaks.
Rugby Union matches to proceed this weekend
| Rugby Union to go ahead this weekend GAME UPDATE: The official guidance we have received from Government is that there can be respectful continuation of sport at all levels this weekend. The overwhelming opinions shared so far within the game, are that teams and supporters want to come together to honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to be united in our grief as we express sorrow at her passing. Rugby, at its heart, is about community and bringing people together, in good times and in sad. Rugby clubs are a source of strength and support during times of uncertainty, and we hope that by enabling games and other rugby activity to go ahead this weekend, with families and friends congregating it will help us all to unite at this time of national mourning. We strongly encourage all those playing sport this weekend to respectfully pay tribute to Her Majesty The Queen by holding a minute’s silence ahead of all fixtures this weekend. This an opportunity for teams from different areas to join together in honouring and celebrating her life. For clubs who have outdoor screens or for clubhouse televisions, graphics will be available to display via englandrugby.com/resources later today. Postponements While for many in the game, matches this weekend will be an opportunity to come together and celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, there may be some clubs who will find it more appropriate to postpone their fixture, such as those with closer connections to the Royal Family or those with large numbers of players in the military or emergency services who may be called away to work on official duties as a result. If that is the case, both clubs may agree to postpone their fixture this weekend without penalty – in that case they must inform their Organising Committee at least four hours before kick-off. Revised fixture dates would be arranged according to the relevant competition regulations. We trust the rugby community will respect the wishes of those clubs who wish to postpone because of the sad news and what is needed following it. Guidance for matches and rugby activity for the remainder of the National Mourning Period will follow as early as possible next week. Our thanks to Her Majesty The Queen We are deeply grateful for Her Majesty’s support of our sport over many years, including serving as the RFU’s Patron for 64 years, helping the Union to celebrate its centenary in 1971, her reception at Buckingham Palace after England won the Rugby World Cup in 2003, and honours bestowed on many of those who have served the game. Her Majesty earned the respect and affection of generations of rugby players and supporters here in England and around the world. On behalf of the rugby union community in England, we offer our condolences to the whole Royal Family at this time. The St George’s Flag has been lowered to half-mast at Twickenham Stadium. |
Community Game Update 6 September
| Community Game Update Please pay particular attention to the Age Grade section of this update. Approval forms for playing 17 year-olds into open age rugby have been updated and are now in electronic format. With the season underway for both adult and age grade rugby, we would like to remind clubs of some important information including Rugby Safe, Activate, HEADCASE and the suspected concussion tool on Electronic Match Cards. Click read online to find player welfare resources.Read Online |
| 1. ACTION REQUIRED 2022 GMS Club Safeguarding Audit is now live Any club offering Age Grade rugby or wishing to have 17-year-olds playing adult rugby, will need to complete a club safeguarding audit by Saturday 31 December. You can find out how and where to complete the audit in this section. 2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST Game On – Every Game Matters Game On provides teams with a flexibility of options to play matches even if they don’t have a full 15. Hear from Old Grammarians RFC who benefitted from using the Game On framework and find out how you could make it work for you. GMS Update and Technical Support On Sunday 4 September, the Game Management System (GMS) experienced significant performance issues and we apologise for the inconvenience this caused. We are working with our third-party provider First Sport International (FSI) to understand the root cause. We have included a reminder of the technical support available to clubs during the week and at weekends. #GrassrootsBeauts – Your tries on national television! #GrassrootsBeauts is returning this season on the ITV highlights show. If you have a great try from your games, post it on twitter, tag in @RFU and @premrugby using #GrassrootsBeauts and you might see it on TV! You can see last year’s montage online The Community Rugby Injury Surveillance & Prevention (CRISP) Project As we continue our advancements in player welfare, we are looking for teams, both adult and age grade, to take part in the 2022/2023 CRISP project. You can discover more information on how to take part in this section. 3. FOR AWARENESS How to make the most of the national participation campaign and Pitch Up Take some time out to watch our social media webinar explaining how clubs can engage in the Play Together Stay Together campaign and grow numbers. A summary of content available to share with players is contained in this communication. Age Grade Rugby 2022-23 With Age Grade rugby now underway, here are the regulations and some guidance on, playing out of age grade, how to manage 17-year-olds playing adult rugby, girls age-banding, and affiliation of all age grade players. To find out more on each of these topics read on. Important notice if clubs are contacted about VAT on fuel and power We have been contacted by clubs regarding ‘Utility Consultants/Brokers’ who have suggested they have been paying too much VAT, which is unlikely. If you have any questions regarding this you can contact our club VAT advisor Russell Moore whose details are included online. Football Foundation announce investment in multi-sport facilities With the launch of the PitchPower app on 17/18 September, the Football Foundation has agreed to invest £92 million over the next three years into multi-sport projects, including rugby. To find out more about the announcement, read this story. Premier 15s enters next exciting stage of tender process The next stage of the tender process for the third cycle of the Premier 15s kicked off at the beginning of September. This stage invites all clubs who have formally expressed an interest in joining the league to respond. More details can be found online.Read Online |
Community Game Update – Pitches
| Community Game Update UPDATED PROTOCOLS for dealing with matches and pitches in hot weather and drought conditions. As a reminder it has been agreed not to introduce a blanket delay to the start of the league season due to the current weather conditions. There are protocols in place should either team wish to request a postponement due to pitch condition and/or player preparation. Protocols have been updated and are included in the guidance on Pitch and Player Readiness link below. Updated Guidance |
