Community Game

RFU President’s 150th anniversary walk

October 15, 2021 by Bill Hooper

RFU President His Honour Jeff Blackett and his wife Sally are undertaking a 15 day charity walk in aid if the Injured Players Foundation as part of the RFU’s 150th anniversary.

Details of their walk and how to donate to the fund can be found in the link

Jeff and Sally will be with us on the morning of Wednesday 3rd November when they will commence that day’s walk from Saltash RFC, accompanied by members of the Cornwall RFU, heading back into England across the Tamar Bridge to be welcomed by members from Devon RFU.

CRFU President John Sumnall added the following;

May I remind you that this season the RFU is celebrating its 150th Anniversary and are using this Anniversary to raise funds for the Injured Players Foundation.

The RFU President, Jeff Blackett, in early November will be walking 150 miles taking in as many Clubs and Counties as possible. He will be visiting Cornwall on Wednesday 03 November starting at Saltash RFC and then crossing into Devon to visit Tamar Saracens RFC. Further information can be found at:

https://www.rfuipf.org.uk/news

https://rfuipf.enthuse.com/cf/rfu-presidents-150th-wa

In Cornwall we started early in our fund raising and the CRFU Chair David Saunter in early August walked 150 miles from Weston-Super-Mare to Perranporth raising some £600 for the Injured Players Foundation.

We will continue this fund raising by a third event and I would be grateful if you would please consider encouraging your Club to join my President’s Challenge by forming a team or a group of teams to complete 150 laps of your pitch. If your Club is able to join this event it would be greatly appreciated and you will be supporting a great cause. There is not an end date other than this season please and all funds can be donated to our specific Just Giving:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/CRFUPresident

If your Club has age group teams may I suggest that the event is perfect for this Challenge and would be grateful if you would please ensure that they are aware of the event.

I do hope your Club will be able to join others that are already committed to the Challenge.

RFU Community Game Update 12 October

October 13, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Back In The Game Update Community Game Updates are now fortnightly rather than weekly. They will also be structured as follows, to help volunteers distinguish between where action is required and where information is for awareness.

1. Action required
2. CB & Club member services – action if of interest
3. For awareness

A PDF version is available to view by clicking on the ‘Read Online’ button below. Read Online

1. Ongoing player affiliation (Mandatory Age Grade, Voluntary Adult)
Over 97,000 age grade players have now affiliated across 800 clubs. There are helpful guides for registrars and data officers to continue to drive the affiliation process.

CB & CLUB MEMBER SERVICES – ACTION IF OF INTEREST
2. How to show Autumn Internationals at your Club
Details on how clubs can access the Autumn Internationals to show in their clubhouses.
3. Webinars – Building inclusive volunteer teams, Mobile Ticketing
The first webinar talks about building an inclusive volunteer base and the second on how clubs can access and distribute their international tickets via the new mobile ticketing service.
4. Club GMS Support & Webinar
We continue our support on GMS by identifying the two highest priorities seen from raised tickets and how to solve them before they become issues. Details on a Club GMS drop-in session every week for the next month.

FOR AWARENESS
5. RFU President Jeff Blackett visiting clubs during IPF fundraising walk
HH Jeff Blackett will be walking 150 miles in 15 days across 18 counties to raise money for the Injured Players’ Foundation (IPF) and thanking volunteers in person for their hard work in keeping the game going during the pandemic.
6. Player welfare resources including Activate, HEADCASE and RugbySafe Toolkit
A reminder of our player welfare resources to keep players in the best condition possible and away from injury.
7. Age Grade – Under 7s
Ideas on how to keep the youngest players engaged until January 2022, when they can play matches.
8. The Touch Union – St Columba & Torpoint RFC success
A success story from the new non-contact playing format of the game where one club has formed a new section.

Community Game Update 28 Sept

September 28, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Back In The Game Update A PDF version is available to view by clicking on the ‘Read Online’ button below.

Read Online

In today’s Community Game Update:

1. Volunteering – Autumn pre-match hospitality + Leaders network
Details on how club volunteers who already have match tickets for the upcoming Autumn Internationals can register for up to four tickets for pre-match hospitality, as part of the Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme. Sunday 10 October deadline to sign-up for the Rugby Leaders’ Network, helping to develop clubs of the future.
2. Wednesday 29 September mobile ticketing webinar for Six Nations tickets
This webinar will explain how to access and distribute club allocations ahead of the move to mobile ticketing.
3. Game Management System (GMS) update
Update on the short and long-term plan around recent GMS challenges and a reminder of the services provided on the platform.
4. County Championship update for season 2021/22
Details for this season confirmed and an update on next steps.
5. Bonfire night planning
With bonfire night approaching, RFU insurance broker Howden is on hand to help with risk management guidance.
6. Inclusive volunteer recruitment toolkit
Rugby is a game for everybody – a toolkit of tips and advice is available to help clubs and CBs to provide an even more inclusive volunteer experience & engage a diverse volunteer base.
7. Discipline Update
A reminder of our Speak Up channels and ways to report any incidents of discrimination, abuse or harassment.
8. Tackle height evaluation, tackle & scrum resources
Details on an extension to the tackle height evaluation and a reminder of tackle height and scrum resources, including Tackle Ready from World Rugby and contact activity guidance.
9. Age Grade Rugby – including what teams 17-year-olds can play/train with
A reminder that U17’s can only play and train with adults for senior rugby from January 2022. Includes infographic to share with parents and players.
10. Media coverage of ‘Pitch Up For Rugby’ campaign
Examples of coverage to support the return to rugby and link for clubs to provide feedback on Pitch Up activity.

Community Game Update 14 Sept

September 14, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Return to Rugby Now the new season is underway, the Community Game Update will be issued fortnightly. The next edition will be sent on Tuesday 28 September. Read Online Version Read PDF Version

Below is a summary of what is contained in this week’s Community Game Update.

1. PDF Copy of CGU available to download
2. Electronic Match Cards and Team Management
Ahead of the majority of leagues starting this weekend, a reminder is included with step-by-step guides to the updated Electronic Match Card process.
3. Age Grade Rugby Changes 2021-22
With age grade rugby now fully underway across the country, a recap of when players can play the new rules is included.
4. Speak Up
Rugby is a game for everyone. If you witness or feel you have been subjected to discriminatory behaviour, it is essential you report this via our Speak Up channels.
5. What’s next post Pitch Up? Including webinar
New social media assets to help retain and attract players will be available on EnglandRugby.com next week. A webinar will also run next week for referees and coaches around return to play and supporting players on their return.

Community Game Update 7th Sept

September 7, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Return to Rugby We hope everyone is enjoying being back together and we’re looking forward to the season ahead with you all.

England Men’s Head Coach, Eddie Jones said: “It’s great to see smiles on the faces of the kids and parents, everyone is glad to be back on the pitch practising and having the opportunity to play rugby.”

Please share your #PitchUpForRugby event photos with @EnglandRugby from last weekend and this coming weekend. Or email ChrisDodd@RFU.com with any news stories. Full Stories

Below is a summary of what is contained in this week’s Community Game Update.

1. Rugby’s back! Pitch Up video & action shots campaign video
Our last weekend of ‘Pitch Up for Rugby’ is here with action shots and our promotional video to encourage people to come back.
2. Age Grade Rugby season kicks off
With the start of the season, all resources that clubs will need can be found in the Return to Rugby kitbag.
3. Age Grade tackle height reminder including video
Additional resources including animated videos are now available to share with coaches, players and parents around the law change.
4. Keeping players safe on their return
We are looking for clubs, schools and colleges to get involved in the Community Rugby Injury Surveillance Project (CRISP) project to continue to understand injury across the game and, in return, receive feedback reports. Injury Prevention (Activate) for kids is now here and our research webinar is accessible to watch on-demand.
5. Age Grade Affiliation
37,000 age-grade players have now affiliated online from over 600 clubs. Please use the support guides to remind parents they can affiliate their players at any point, they don’t have to wait until Sunday when the system will be at its busiest.
6. Electronic Match Cards and Team Management
Step by step guides on assigning players and Electronic Match Cards are now available and contact details for any questions.
7. National Youth Council
The RFU National Youth Council is looking for members aged 18-24 to influence the future development of rugby and be actively involved in RFU sub-committees.
8. News Round Up including RFU Council seeking greater diversity & Honda partnership
The RFU council is looking to recruit new members from under-represented groups to better represent game participants.
Honda supports grassroots in their new partnership and the first title partner of Rugby Grounds Connected.
9. PDF Copy

Community Game Update 31 August

August 31, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Return to Rugby We hope you’re all looking forward to the new season, with all formats of rugby back after 18 months.

Best of luck to any club competing in their first league match this weekend and we hope all players, coaches, officials, volunteers and administrators enjoy being back together across the country.

Click below to take you to further detail on each story and please share content with your clubs, coaches, players and volunteers.

1. Rugby’s back! Pitch Up campaign video
New video coming this Wednesday on England Rugby’s social channels and a reminder of assets and activation guide to help clubs prepare for Pitch Up.
2. Covid-19 Management Guide
An update to what clubs will need heading into the new season with an updated guide and player welfare resources.
3. GMS TaskForce and Data Tidy up
A GMS TaskForce has been set up to focus on club feedback on GMS, resolving issues and looking at the user experience. Plus a reminder of the Data Tidy up postponement.
4. Electronic Match Cards and Team Management
An update has been made to the Team Management Module within the Game Management System (GMS) which will influence your club’s line-ups on Electronic Match Card (EMC).
5. Age Grade rugby returns
Age Grade rugby returns this weekend after a disrupted two seasons. A reminder of all the Age Grade Changes can be found here as well as Age Grade Affiliation.
6. Rugby Leader Network
We are looking for the Rugby Leaders of the future. A programme designed to connect, exchange ideas and develop clubs to be fit for the future.
7. News Round-Up: The Touch Union Facebook Group and Vaccination reminder
A new Facebook group for The Touch Union has been created to help members with questions and information on the new non-contact format. A reminder that all those over 16 can now get Covid vaccinations.
8. PDF Copy

Read More

RFU Community Game Update 24th August

August 25, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Return to Rugby Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback on the new layout of the Community Game Update during this trial for the new season. We would welcome any more via ChrisDodd@RFU.com.

Click below to take you to further detail on each story and please share content with your clubs, coaches, players and volunteers.

Enjoy gearing up for the new season and we hope the Pitch Up For Rugby assets are helpful for the celebratory weekends.

1. Celebration time with Pitch Up For Rugby
Downloadable social assets, posters, press release templates, activation guide to help clubs prepare for Pitch Up events
2. RugbySafe Toolkit 2021/22
Includes a new Being RugbySafe document, Community Rugby Pitch-side First Aid and Immediate Care provision guidelines and links to player welfare resources to help keep your members and players safe
3. Age Grade rugby in 2021/22
Reminder of Age Grade rugby changes & Global Law Trials, plus Girls Age Grade specific guidance
4. Travel Funding update
Clubs will be informed if they have been successful this week
5. Annual Diversity & Inclusion Survey
We want to monitor progress since research conducted a year ago, which helped to create our Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan
6. Women’s Competitions and playing opportunities
Including updates, links to regulations, the competition structure and administrative tasks, as well as useful contacts
7. News Round-Up: Future Competitions Structure Lower XVs & The Touch Union
Update on the Future Competitions Structure Implementation Group’s Lower XVs workstream and register for The Touch Union webinar
8. Feedback and PDF Copy

Read More

RFU Community Game Update 17th August

August 17, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Return to Rugby

Over the next few weeks we will be trialling a new format of the Community Game Update, which aims to make the information we provide more enjoyable to read and easier to absorb, as we round up news in and around the community game.

We would love you to share content with your clubs, coaches, players and volunteers so more people know what’s happening in the game. This edition includes:

1. Pitch up for Rugby promotional assets are now live
A suite of assets are available to promote your club during Pitch Up for Rugby.
2. Data tidy-up extension reminder
No archiving of data in the near future and an overview of affiliation for the 2021/22 season.
3. Age Grade Regulation updates for 2021-22
Delay in age grade rules, suspension of 17’s playing adult rugby and Global Law Trials from U15’s and up.
4. Become part of how the RFU operates in the future
The RFU council has agreed to a review on how the RFU operates as an NGB and would like someone from the wider community game to be a part of it.
5. News roundup including D&I survey and Touch Union
Our annual D&I survey will be shared with the game on Friday. Discover more about The Touch Union rules and information on Thursday 26 August

Community Game Update 11th August

August 11, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Return to Rugby

This edition includes:

1. Club health check
2. Return to Rugby promotional posters
3. Warrior Camp press release for clubs – Danielle Waterman
4. Age Grade support
5. Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year winners
6. New financial monitoring & insolvency obligations – RFU Regulation 5
7. Annual D&I Survey – Friday 20 August

Club health check

The RFU and CBs have enjoyed getting closer to many clubs over the last 18 months and we all want to keep this going post-Covid. As we approach the 2021/22 season, we would like to understand how your club’s preparations are progressing for the new season.

Please take this short survey to share your news on the return of players and club finances and to highlight what support you might need this season.

It will only take five minutes to complete, but it will be invaluable in helping CBs and the RFU to prioritise where we can support you.

Take Survey

Pitch Up

As we continue to prepare for the Pitch Up for Rugby celebration, digital assets and editable posters will be shared via the below link at the end of the week to help you to re-engage players and build interest for events being held between 4 – 12 September.

If your club registered their interest and will be hosting a Pitch Up event in September, please complete the confirmation form below, providing your final event details, by Friday 20 August. This means we can then promote your event on our find rugby page and provide as much support as possible with the planning and preparation.

Confirmation Form

Assets Page

To read the rest of the update click on the link

RFU Community Game Update 3rd August

August 3, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Return to Rugby

This edition includes:

1. All RFU regulations for the 2021-22 season are now effective
2. Activate and HEADCASE reminders for coaches and players
3. Tackle height law change recap
4. Mitsubishi Motors volunteer awards shortlist
5. Supporting Age Grade to Adult Transition
6. Pitch Up For Rugby countdown
7. News round-up (Including Penryn RFC)

RFU regulations for the 2021-22 season

All RFU regulations for the 2021-22 season are now effective (as of 1 August 2021) and available below.

In addition to key changes already communicated about Age Grade Rugby (RFU Regulation 15) and Payment of Players (RFU Regulation 7), details of other changes relating to the below regulations are set out in the attached document.

RFU Regulation 1 (Foreign Player definition)
RFU Regulation 5 (Insolvency Regulations)
RFU Regulation 7 (Approaches)
RFU Regulation 13, Appendix 3 (Non-fulfilment of fixtures due to non-Covid 19 reasons)
RFU Regulation 19 (Discipline)
RFU Regulation 22 (Covid 19 Variations)

For any questions on the regulations, please contact regulations@rfu.com.

Further Details

Regulations

Activate and HEADCASE awareness

As we get closer to the start of the season, we want to make sure that players can take to the pitch safely and in their best condition.

The Activate resources below will help players return ready to play. Activate is an injury prevention exercise programme that can be integrated into training and pre-match sessions, and is available for players, rugby coaches and teachers via a suite of online resources.

Exercises are designed to improve functional and core strength, balance and agility, helping players with the game’s physical demands.

Exercises focus on three areas: General movement control, Pre-activation and Functional Conditioning. These aid activation of stabilising head and neck muscles, reducing the potential whiplash effect that can cause a concussion.

We also encourage all those involved in the game to take the HEADCASE online education module, which is open to all. The course provides information on how to recognise signs and symptoms of a suspected concussion, as well as concussion management and Graduated Return To Play protocols.

Activate

Headcase

To read the rest of the update click here