RFU – Page 15

England Rugby Mentoring Award

June 17, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Dear Volunteer,

Do you want to play a role in supporting others to improve the rugby offer? Or do you already support other coaches, referees and volunteers? Then the England Rugby Mentoring Award could be the course for you! Please select the videos below to hear from Dylan Hartley and Sarah Hunter about the importance a quality Mentor has had on their careers:

England Rugby Mentoring Award- Dylan Hartley

England Rugby Mentoring Award- Sarah Hunter

The England Rugby Mentor Award aims to support those who wish to develop others they’re working with, whether that’s a fellow coach, referee or volunteer. The course will focus on behaviour change, learning and support of an individual with their practice. Irwin Mitchell have partnered with us to deliver this piece of work, with the aim of having a trained mentor in every club that offers U14-U18 Rugby.

The course is made up of one face to face day, plus an additional three remote sessions in November/ December/ January. Candidates will be required to attend all days and then complete a portfolio for one mentee that they’re working with throughout the season, to apply the learnings from the course back at their own rugby club.

Course are now live on the GMS Course Finder and we look forward to welcoming you onto the England Rugby Mentoring Award in July and August.

The specific link for the course running at Bodmin RFC is https://bit.ly/3zuLiHg

Kind Regards,

RFU Game Development

RFU Community Game Update 15th June

June 15, 2021 by Bill Hooper

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

Law Change announced for Age Grade Rugby

June 14, 2021 by Bill Hooper

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) will introduce a law change to the tackle height in age grade rugby in England for the 2021/22 season.

The existing rules for those playing full contact rugby at Under 9 to Under 14 levels has an imagined line between the armpits as the maximum height of a legal tackle.

Under the law change, approved by the RFU Council, this rule now extends to Under 15 to Under 18 levels bringing the tackle height down from shoulder level to the armpit for those age groups.

This means all players who are permitted to tackle in full contact age grade rugby (those participating at Under 7 and Under 8 level play non-contact rugby) will do so at the same height.

To read the full brief from the RFU click on the link

Not all hero’s wear capes

June 8, 2021 by Bill Hooper

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

May 25, 2021 by Bill Hooper

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

Age Grade Rugby – End of Season

May 24, 2021 by Bill Hooper

The Age Grade Rugby season ends on 31st May. The only permitted activity for June is:

• Tag Rugby – U7 to U18 boys and girls

• Ready4Rugby – U9 to U18 boys and girls

All players will move up to their new age grade on 1st August. Boys age grade players will remain with the same rules of play as for the 20-21 season until 1st Jan – as an example, U9s in 2020-21 still become U10s in 2021-22 but will play U9s rules from September to December and U10 rules from January. Girls age grade players will move as usual up to the new rules of play from 1st August 2021.

More details of what is permitted is at the Summer Activity Guidance https://www.englandrugby.com/…/Return2Rugby…

Community Game Update 18th May

May 19, 2021 by Bill Hooper

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

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

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

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

Community rugby to remain at Stage D2

May 14, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Government confirm community rugby to remain at Stage D2 from 17 May Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to secure approval, government has not given permission for us to re-instate scrums and mauls in community rugby from next week. This applies to both age grade and adult rugby at level 3 and below.

We must therefore, regrettably, remain at Stage D2 from Monday 17 May until further notice. As per Stage D2 guidance, contact training (excluding scrum and maul) and 15-a-side adapted laws matches may continue.

While we appreciate how frustrating this news will be for the rugby community, we also understand the picture that government and Public Health England (PHE) are currently looking at, with growing concerns around the Indian variant of Covid-19 in England.

Next Steps

We will remain in close contact with government and continue to press for progression to Stage E1, and therefore a move to full contact training, as soon as health guidance suggests this is possible.

In the meantime it is important that we all; CBs, clubs, coaches, players, match officials and volunteers, adhere to all government guidance and do not return to scrums or mauls until we have been given permission to do so. We will keep you informed.

Off-field Guidance

Off-field guidance, which will come into effect on Monday 17 May, is available via our Helpdesk on the button below.

Helpdesk

RFU Community Game Update 11th May

May 12, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Return to Rugby

As a reminder, the Community Game Updates will be fortnightly unless there are any important Government or Game updates.

This edition includes:
1. Awaiting decision from government on move from Stage D2
2. RUWSF Asset Improvement Loan applications – Closed
3. Mental Health Awareness
4. Help players prepare through Activate
5. Artificial Grass Pitch usage
6. Volunteers Week: 1 – 7 June
7. Allianz Inner Warrior Club press release
8. Webinars and on-demand videos

Decision on move from Stage D2 to Stage E awaited from government

Since Monday’s announcement about the relaxation of Covid restrictions from Monday 17 May, we have remained in discussion with government around permission for us to move to the next stage on our rugby roadmap – Stage E1.

Dialogue continues to be positive, however, a decision has not yet been made by government about whether we can reintroduce scrum and maul activity to training from Monday.

Whilst we share your frustration at not yet having permission to move to Stage E, we will continue to work with Government to facilitate this progression and a return to full contact rugby.

We hope to receive a decision from Government later this week and we will communicate this information as soon as we can.

As a reminder age grade rugby is until Monday 31 May, when the season will finish and the Summer Activity Framework will come into effect. Information to help this can be found on the Return to Rugby page below.

Current off-field guidance

Off-field guidance is available via our Help Desk FAQs below, in line with steps reached on the government’s roadmap.

As of Monday17 May, when Government’s Step 3 comes into play, we will also update FAQs to reflect the arrangements for changing rooms, clubhouses and hospitality.

We have also updated FAQs around spectators to help answer your queries. A top line summary regarding spectators is as follows:

Government guidance does not permit spectators at sporting events that take place on private land, this includes private rugby club sites.

This does not apply to carers for disabled people or adults needed to supervise under-18s that they have a responsibility for whilst they are participating in an organised sporting activity. Supervising adults should not mix with others from outside their household or support bubble.

In age grade rugby, we consider one parent/carer on the sideline acting in a supervising capacity for their child is good practice, especially in the Kids First age groups (U13 and below). They are not ‘spectators’, they have responsibility to help the coaches, managers and volunteers supervise their child. Organisers/clubs need to ensure it is just one parent/carer and that, as per government guidance, social distancing is in place.

In a public space, such as a park, people can view recreational or organised sport that is taking place, in groups of up to six people or two households.

Helpdesk FAQs

Return To Rugby

RUWSF Asset Improvement Loan Applications deadline

Today (11th May) saw the closing of the applications for the Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Asset Improvement Loan.

We want to thank all the clubs that have shown interest and worked so hard to complete their applications. We hope these loans will help clubs improve their facilities and assist their recovery from Covid, to support long-term sustainability by diversifying revenue, reducing costs, or protecting and growing memberships.

If any clubs had major issues during their submission, please contact your Club Developer or email clubsupport@rfu.com no later than Friday 14 May.

To read the rest of the update click on the link

Wooden Spoon Annual Golf Day

April 29, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Annual Golf Day at Lanhydrock

Cornwall Wooden Spoon invite Clubs to enter a team of four to play in our Annual Golf Day. As well as usual prizes there is a prize for the Best Rugby Club Score. Truro RFC have won this prize on the last three occasions. Will you allow them to win again?

Details:

Date: Friday 2nd July 2021

Location: Lanhydrock Hotel & Golf Club, Bodmin, PL30 5AQ

Cost: £200 per team of four (concessionary fee available for Lanhydrock Golf Club members).

Timing: Two tee start with registration at 09.30hrs
Refreshments: Coffee and bacon rolls on arrival, carvery and desserts to follow after golf. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and best Rugby Club score

To register your place please give John Sumnall a call on 01872 572788 or email johnsumnall@btinternet.com to book your place now.

Our present fund raising is committed to the refurbishment and extension to the play and recreational area at Budehaven ARB which is attended by children with complex and severe learning difficulties.