| Return to Rugby Please share with coaches, players and RugbySafe leads. This edition includes: 1. RugbySafe, Activate & HEADCASE concussion awareness refresher 2. Age grade law adaptations and annual affiliation 3. Training course booking administration update 4. Diversity and Inclusion hub now live 5. Pitch Up for Rugby including Warrior Camps 6. News round-up including Global Law Trial clarifications and O2 Touch legacy RugbySafe, Activate & HEADCASE Concussion awareness refresher 2021/22  Ahead of the new season, we are sharing a reminder of player welfare resources and training and education programmes. Player welfare is at the heart of all training delivered to coaches, match officials and medics at all levels of the game in England. On the below buttons, you will find RugbySafe summaries for the age grade and adult game. Please share this information as widely as possible before pre-season friendlies start. Age Grade RugbySafe Adult RugbySafe Age grade law adaptations and annual affiliation The Summer Activity Guide includes the introduction of adapted contact laws for up to three fixtures in August. The Age Grade Adapted Contact 15s Law Variations are available on the Summer Activity page. These include the re-introduction of scrums and mauls in a gradual and managed way from Saturday 7 August, following the 3-week training period from Monday 19 July. These adapted laws are the format to be played, (along with non-contact and XRugby formats if preferred), before the age grade game moves back to full contact from Saturday 4 September, when the new season starts. Age grade affiliation and auto-de-affiliation – Wednesday 4 August The annual registration for our age grade players is on the horizon. As recently referenced in Community Game Updates, registration will now be referred to as Affiliation which will be ready from 4 August. We will centrally de-affiliate all age grade players in the Game Management System which many clubs chose to do last year. As before, this will simply turn their status from an active to inactive player. It will not delete any of their data or club and profile links. It enables the parent/player to renew their affiliation simply through logging in, checking their existing details and saving to re-affiliate to their club for the season. There are helpful step-by-step guides for the renewal process and for brand new affiliations on the GMS Help Portal. While most clubs will promote this from September, increasing numbers have said they want to get ahead of the curve. Club Registrars will be able to see this activity through their dashboard and the system-generated reports. Affiliation Renewal GMS Help Portal To read the rest of the update click on the link |
RFU Community Game Update
| Return to Rugby |
| This edition includes: 1. Reminder of gradual return to full contact and updated off-field guidance 2. Return to scrummaging guidance 3. Travel Funding – 23 July deadline 4. Game Leadership Diversity and Inclusion update 5. Community Game Insurance 6. Data tidy-up extension and player affiliation 7. News round-up with County Championship review Return to Rugby – on-field and off-field reminder  We hope that clubs and players are enjoying the return to full contact training. While we’re all excited about being able to reintroduce scrums and mauls in training, we want to make sure that all players return safely. We remind coaches and players to follow an incremental approach in training and ahead of full contact matches, which are permitted in the adult game from Saturday 7 August for clubs that wish. Coaches are responsible for working with all players to assess and develop their physical and technical readiness before progressing to matches against other teams. This is especially true for front 5 players given the period of time the game has been operating without scrum and maul. Players should also be encouraged to follow the Activate Injury prevention exercise programme. You can find our updated Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. Key return to full contact dates are summarised here. Age Grade rugby still follows the Summer Activity Guide. This Summer Activity Framework includes provision for friendly matches to be played under adapted contact laws during August. These can start from Saturday 7 August, following a period of development in training sessions from Monday 19 July. Activate – All Age Grade players are encouraged to follow the Activate Injury prevention exercise programme with coaching sessions planned and delivered around the FITT principles (Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type). Global Law Trials As communicated last week, World Rugby has released the Global Law trials that will apply to competitions beginning on or after Sunday 1 August 2021. These are available here. We are eager to provide more detailed communication around these law trials, but are awaiting clarification from World Rugby on a couple of areas. As you will be aware, the timeline for the release of the Global Law Trials is set by World Rugby and these are effective from 1 August. We will provide further detail in next Tuesday’s Community Game Update when clarification has been received. Off-Field Guidance We continue to update our Club Support Helpdesk FAQs as we receive more information, for example around Test and Trace, self-screening and how to deal with a positive case. On Monday 16 August, the rules on self-isolating as a contact will change for people who are fully vaccinated and for under 18s. Those not fully vaccinated will still need to isolate if they are contacts, and everyone will still have to isolate if they test positive, to protect themselves and others. The current NHS Test & Trace remains in place until Monday 16 August. There will inevitably be a rise in cases of Covid-19 as measures relax. We must, therefore, manage any risks as best we can by remaining vigilant, supporting the vaccination effort and reminding members to self-isolate if they have a positive Covid test. With millions of us now protected by the vaccine, you are less likely to become seriously ill or go to hospital. Getting your Covid-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from the virus. To get maximum protection, you must get a second dose after 8 weeks. If you’re over 18, Go to nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/ to book, or visit your local walk-in centre. Club Support Helpdesk To read the rest of the update click on the link |
Community Game Update 13th July
| Breaking News – Return dates for full contact rugby Clubs can re-instate scrums and mauls in training from Monday 19 July and in matches from, and not before, Saturday 7 August. The new season is set to start as normal for the whole community game. We are thrilled that clubs and players will be able to return to full contact rugby. As always, player welfare is our main priority and we need to manage the return to scrums and mauls as safely as possible. Read on for the step-by-step plan. |
| Return to Rugby This edition includes: 1. Adult Rugby Roadmap – return to full contact friendly matches from Saturday 7 August for clubs that wish 2. Age Grade Rugby – Summer Activity Guide continuation – adapted contact laws in friendlies from Saturday 7 August 3. Key priorities for clubs and coaches including scrummaging guides 4. Off-field guidance from 19 July 5. Pitch Up For Rugby – 50 days to go promotion 6. Warrior Camps – bring new players to your club 7. News round-up 8. Webinars and on-demand Adult Rugby Roadmap – return to full contact dates  When can clubs return to full contact rugby? (10s and 15-a-side) We have carefully considered the preparation period required after a long lay-off. We have taken advice from medics, coaches, directors of rugby and players within the community game to create the below pathway: Adult Rugby The updated rugby roadmap for adult rugby is here. Monday 19 July Scrums and mauls can be re-instated in training only. A minimum 3-week preparation period of training sessions follows ahead of match play. Coaches are reminded that they are responsible for working with all players to assess their physical readiness and technical competence before returning to scrummaging. Players may be at different levels of fitness and conditioning. See below guidance for returning to scrummaging safely. Coaches must be satisfied that players have undertaken sufficient technical preparation, skill refinement and reconditioning work before returning to full contact match play. Internal training games are allowed between Monday 19 July and Saturday 7 August. Training games should include an incremental approach to scrummaging and coaches should rotate players every 20 minutes. Clubs should not return to match intensity full contact 15 a-side training games immediately. Saturday 7 August Full contact 15-a-side and 10-a-side rugby matches, with scrums and mauls, may resume against other clubs from, and not before, Saturday 7 August. It is the choice of clubs and players whether they wish to compete in full contact matches from Saturday 7 August. There is no pressure to do so. Teams that do not yet feel ready for full contact 15s have the option of playing 7s, 10s, XRugby or 15-a-side rugby with uncontested scrums. Saturday 4 September Full contact 15-a-side league rugby commences for Men’s Levels 3 and 4, and for 14-team men’s leagues in Levels 5 and below. Saturday 18 September Full contact 15-a-side league rugby commences for 12 and 10 league men’s teams in London & SE. Saturday 25 September Full contact 15-a-side league rugby commences for 12 and 10 league men’s teams in North, Midlands & SW. 25/26 September Full contact 15-a-side- rugby commences for majority of women’s competitions. Global Law Trials The Global Law trial laws for next season have been released by World Rugby and are on their website. Detailed work is underway to ensure they can be properly communicated to the Game in due course. Sevens For the avoidance of doubt, Sevens fixtures can return with full laws from Monday 19 July. To read the rest of the update click on the link |
Community Game Update 6th July
| Return to Rugby |
| This edition includes: 1. Government update 2. A new chapter for Touch Rugby 3. Sky Sports for RFU affiliated rugby clubs 4. Pitch Up For Rugby – 4-12 September 5. First aid 6. GMS data tidy up – more information 7. News round-up 8. Webinars and on-demand videos Government update  In light of the positive announcement by the Prime Minister yesterday evening, outlining the government’s plan for Covid restrictions to lift from Monday 19 July, we are anticipating this will enable us to re-instate scrums and mauls and to start next season as normal. However, it is important to note that we are awaiting government’s confirmed position on sport and, in our case, permission to return to full contact rugby. We hope to receive guidance from government over the next week and will share further details as we get them. Government will continue to monitor data and we should therefore be prepared to adapt should an increase in cases or emergence of a new variant require us to do so. Over the coming week, we will work with government to interpret what any new guidance means for community sport and community rugby clubs specifically. As information is confirmed, we will update our Helpdesk FAQs and issue further guidance in next week’s Community Game Update. GMS Data tidy-up  Over the last few weeks, we have seen an increase in GMS usage due to the data tidy-up, with 25,000 people having logged in since Friday 18 June. During the process, clubs have raised important questions which we have reviewed. Following conversations with clubs, we have produced a short document that we hope will help clubs and CBs further understand the need for the tidy up. This project is directly related to the “Player Affiliation” mentioned in our CGU on 15 June, with more information to follow. Responding to feedback received, we have amended the criteria for archiving data. The following will now not be archived in this process: • Players who have appeared on an electronic match card. • Individuals with an active club membership. • Individuals with an active DBS. We will be running a live session on Tuesday 13 July for Data Officers to help answer any questions you might have. This will be an opportunity for clubs to ask any questions they may have with Programme Coordinator Alex Bowden and Senior Delivery Manager Matt Holding. More Information Webinar To read the rest of the update click on the link |
Community Game Update 29th June
| Return to Rugby |
| This edition includes: 1. Council update 2. 2021/2022 Travel Funding and RFU Competitions 3. Age Grade Summer Activity – July 4. Allianz Inner Warrior 5. Pitch up for Rugby 6. Club Support – VAT Recovery and Lease Reviews 7. News round-up including Pride in Brighton and helping at vaccination centres to #TackleCovid 8. Webinars and on-demand videos RFU Council vote in favour of Covid Recovery Plan and temporary pause on relegation  The RFU Council has today voted in favour of a range of structural changes to improve the financial stability and sustainability of professional rugby during the next three seasons while also providing benefits for England Rugby and the community game. The Covid Recovery Plan, with a temporary pause on relegation, follows a detailed consultation that was announced in February after the RFU Council voted in favour of no relegation from Gallagher Premiership Rugby or the Greene King IPA Championship for the 2020/21 season. The extensive consultation included Premiership Rugby and their clubs, Championship clubs, The RPA, RFU Board and RFU Council Read More Travel Funding and 2021/2022 season Further to announcements within the Community Game Updates on 15th and 22nd June, more information can be found below on travel funding support available for season 2021/22. The document provides information on: • Clubs travelling to play teams on Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey – women and men • Mainland clubs travelling to the Isle of Wight – men • Needs based travel funding. It also contains the Needs Based Travel Fund criteria, how to apply and the application form. RFU Competitions 2021/22 Season Both adult and age grade competitions are on track to begin in September. We do, however, need to be mindful of Government’s announcement scheduled for Monday 19th July regarding the provisional lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions. The situation is being closely monitored and we are ready to react if there is a change to that date. Application Form Travel Document To read the rest of the update click on the link |
Community Game Update – 22nd June
| Return to Rugby – This edition includes: 1. Community rugby clubs boosted by £30 million government funding allocation 2.‘Pitch Up For Rugby’ will return between 4-12 September 3. First Aid and Immediate Care Provision Guidelines for the new season now available 4. Competition Organisers’ Guide – CB ONLY 5. Rugby Camp Guidance 6. Connecting with your players 7. News round-up including Travel Funding and July 4 National Thank you Day 8. Webinars and on-demand videos. Community Clubs boosted by Government Funding  We are thrilled that so many community rugby clubs across the country have benefited from the Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund. Over the past few months, community rugby clubs nationwide have been boosted by an allocation of £30 million of government funding, the biggest single investment in the community game, following collaboration between the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Sport England, the RFU and the grassroots game. 512 rugby clubs have already received Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund grants totalling £18,275,903, with more set to receive funding through the loans programme. You can read the full story below. Read More Rugby Camps Guidance We have now consolidated our information regarding the organisation of rugby camps into one guide. This guidance is for all camp organisers at member clubs, educational institutions, Constituent Bodies (CB) and third party/commercial providers and can be found on the Summer Activity page below. It will support anyone organising and delivering a rugby camp at any time and specifically during the summer of 2021 when out-of-season regulations have been changed due to the impact of Covid-19. We strongly recommend that all organisers see this guide as the template for their activity. There is separate guidance for those responsible for rugby camp approvals (mainly CBs). If approvers have further questions please get in touch on agegraderugby@rfu.com. Summer Activity Guide To read the rest of the update click on the link |
RFU Community Game Update 15th June
| Return to Rugby This edition includes: 1. Government Step 4 update and what this means for rugby 2. Regulation changes approved by RFU Council, Friday 11 June 3. Season 2021/22 Community Funding 4. Women’s leagues & fixtures release 2021/22 5. RFU Virtual AGM 6. Taxation of business support grants 7. News round-up 8. Webinars and on-demand videos Government Step 4 and what this means for rugby  Following yesterday’s announcement by the Prime Minister to delay Step 4 until Monday 19 July to enable more people to be vaccinated, we remain at Stage D2 on the rugby roadmap. We will continue to hold discussions with government around when it will be possible to move to Stage E and full contact training. In the meantime, we remind clubs and their members to follow all Covid-19 protocols and Stage D2 guidance. Please take particular care in light of the increase in Delta variant cases. A reminder of Covid protocols and Stage D2 guidance can be found on the buttons below. Stage D2 Helpdesk FAQs To read the remainder of the update click on link |
Not all hero’s wear capes
The last 18 months have been trying to say the least for all of us. Can we play, can we train, or even socialise. Thankfully it looks like we are coming out the other side and September will be back to the real deal.
In lockdown our rugby community comes to the front and Alfie Martin is a fine example of this. On hearing an ex-college playing friend, Chae Jenkins, had become poorly he decided to do something about it. Alfie is walking over 250 miles to raise money for Chae and Cornwall Mind a mental health charity. Setting himself a target of £3000, he’s smashed it.
I had the pleasure of joining Alfie on the leg from Wadebridge to Newquay. Spending 6hrs with someone you get to understand the motivation and drive of a special young man. At a time when it’s easy to criticise the next generation, hats off to you Alfie. The whole of the Cornish rugby family is with you and wish you luck with the rest of the journey.
Today he’s walking from St Just to Penzance. If you would like to make a donation go to https://uk.gofundme.com/f/cornish-rugby-walk-for-chae-jenkins
Dave Saunter
CRFU Chair.
Community Game Update 25th May
| Return to Rugby |
| As a reminder, the Community Game Updates will now be fortnightly unless there are any important Government or Game updates. This edition includes: 1. Return to Rugby – Indian Covid-19 variant – 8 geographic areas (Check Govt updates!) 2. Stage D2 reminder 3. NatWest RugbyForce 4. Player data 5. Dates for the diary 6. Girls Cup changes 7. Allianz Premiership 15s Final and magazine show 8. Webinars and on-demand videos 9. Young Warrior Cheick To read the content click on the link |
Community Game Update 18th May
| Return to Rugby We are delighted for everyone across the country that your clubhouses can finally re-open. We hope everyone enjoys being able to make good use of the facilities again! This edition includes: 1. Stage D2 still in effect – no scrums or mauls until further notice 2. Mental Health resources available to download 3. England Summer Series – book tickets now |
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| Stage D2 continues CBs and clubs are reminded that we must remain at Stage D2 on the return to rugby roadmap. As announced on Friday, Government has not given permission for community rugby to move to Stage E1 yet. This means that, until further notice, no scrums or mauls are permitted in either training or fixtures. The decision applies to all levels in the men’s and women’s game below the Gallagher Premiership, Allianz Premier 15’s and Greene King IPA Championship (which follow elite return to play protocols. We will continue our conversation with government around when it maybe possible to move to Stage E. Insurance cover for RFU clubs remains in place and as well as providing cover for usual activity, the insurance protects clubs against allegations relating to Covid-19, provided they are operating within RFU regulations and government guidelines. Clubs should undertake risk assessments of both their premises and any activity that is taking place to establish what measures need to be taken. This includes training sessions. Risk assessment should be kept on file. Further advice and resources can be located at England Rugby Insurance. Updates will be provided when available. Age Grade Playing Guidance has been updated We have reviewed the playing guidance and updated it to better suit players’ needs. • 1 September – 31 October – Current Age Grade (2020/2021 season) rules apply for all matches and training, internal and against another team. • 1 November – 31 December – New Age Grade (2021/2022 season) rules can be applied in training and internal matches only. Non internal matches must be played under 2020/2021 age grade rules. The changes can be viewed in more detail in the updated Age Grade document. Rugby Camps Guidance supporting organisers of rugby camps and those reviewing/approving CBs is being updated to help achieve alignment with the Summer Activity Guide. This will be available by the beginning of June. Current off-field guidance Yesterday, Monday 17 May, saw changes in off-field guidance. These can be found via our Help Desk FAQs, which includes current information on hospitality, travel and facilities guidance. We have also received updated guidance from Sport England around spectators which you can find on the FAQs. We ask that you read this carefully to ensure that when you have spectators, they stick to their groups of up to 30. While there can be more than one group of 30, it is important there is clearly defined space between groups and they do not join with another group to make it 60, 90 etc. Spectators are now permitted both indoors and outdoors in Step 3, but capacity limits apply. All spectators should maintain social distancing and must adhere to legal gathering limits whilst they’re spectating. There cannot be any groups larger than 30 people. Multiple groups of spectators are permitted. Spectators should minimise shouting or raising their voices. There is an additional risk of infection where people are shouting or singing in close proximity to others. It is important that all spectators (including supporters, parents and others) adhere to the legal gathering limits. In addition to being legal requirements punishable by fines, those violating the measures are endangering public safety and undermining the case for safe sport to be allowed to take place. More information can be found on the Government’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) grassroots sports guidance. Helpdesk FAQs Return To Rugby |
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| RugbySafe and Simplyhealth Mental Wellbeing Support During Mental Health Awareness Week last week, we and our trusted health partner Simplyhealth, published a range of material to help the rugby community enhance their wellbeing and provide support for those who might need it. A new mental wellbeing resource, as well as mental health awareness posters and on-demand webinars, can be accessed through our RugbySafe page below. RugbySafe Page |
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| Get tickets to watch England men This week marks the gradual return of supporters to sporting fixtures. With the Summer Series set to kick-off against the USA on Sunday 4 July. What better way to celebrate getting back to playing and watching rugby than a day out with your teammates at Twickenham? Tickets are on sale for both England v USA on Sunday 4 July 2021 and England v Canada on Saturday 10 July, and you can purchase them via the e-ticketing website below, with adult tickets ranging from £15 to £50, and junior tickets at £10, subject to availability. If you require accessible seating, please secure your tickets first and then submit a request. We will arrange for seats that are suitable for your requirements. Tickets must only be purchased in household groupings All tickets will be delivered via the Twickenham App to a mobile device. You can read more on our Covid-19 safety protocols below. Covid-19 Information Buy Tickets |
