We have had a number of queries relating to DBS processing in the current lockdown and with social distancing restrictions. Whilst earlier in the year the decision was made to suspend the DBS process, the RFU have decided at the current time that DBS applications can be submitted as normal. We would remind you all of the need to carry out ID checks in accordance with the DBS ID guidance and as such face to face verification and hard copy documents must be seen prior to the applications submission. This should be carried out in line with the government advice/restrictions relating to social distancing. Further DBS guidance can be found on the England Rugby website on this link. For any further queries/guidance please contact us via our dedicated email account – dbseapp@rfu.com
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. |
Return to play & facilities reopening
| Following Thursday’s tier announcement, we know clubs have a number of questions to address and we want to reassure you that we are working hard with Government to clarify outstanding areas so that we can provide you with answers and clear guidance. As you will appreciate, the return to grassroots sport in the covid landscape is a complex and fast-moving world for Government to manage. We will continue to support their efforts to provide clarity for clubs as quickly as possible. As soon as we are in a position to do so, we will provide Clubs and CBs with on field and off field guidance for each tier, so you are confident about returning to play safely and excited about rugby restarting. Guidance for each tier will include: • Which stage on The Return to Community Rugby Roadmap clubs will be able to play. • Equipment that will be permitted. • Facilities guidance (for clubhouses, bars, changing rooms, showers, toilets) • Travel implications • Spectators management • Group mixing rules Until Wednesday 2 December, we remain in national lockdown and at Stage A on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. This means that no competitive or formal rugby activities can be undertaken. Please keep an eye out for communications in the coming days. We will share an update with you as soon as we have received and interpreted Government guidance around sporting facilities, so that we can provide clarity on what it means for clubs in each area. Roadmap |
RFU Coronavirus Update 24th November
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update |
| This week’s headlines include the Government Winter Sport Package funding and positive news that grassroots sport, including a format of rugby, will be allowed to resume from Wednesday 2 December across all levels, although there will be some restrictions across the tiers. Both topics are discussed in more detail in our video below with RFU Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger. You can also read a summary below. However, as we are awaiting confirmation from Government on tier, travel and contact implications, we will provide a more detailed update to the game later this week. In today’s edition, we also bring you news on how immigration could affect rugby clubs, an update on the latest #GetYourShirtOn virtual rugby sessions and share a message from England players on why they love seeing your club shirts at Twickenham in #ShowYourShirt. Can you spot your club shirt in the gallery below? Finally, there are reminders about our Club Support Centre during Covid, and how your friends and family can support your club by watching England for free on Amazon Prime Video. 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, including club age grade and adult rugby activities below Championship and Premier 15s.  Steve Grainger Video To access the full update click on the link |
RFU statement re HMG financial support package announced today
| We have been working hard with Government to develop a financial support programme for the game as well as permission to return to play when it is safe to do so. Today’s announcement demonstrates Government understands the need for rugby to be supported and we would like to thank everyone we consulted with in the game for your feedback which allowed us to provide clear and detailed submissions. Funding has been made available to help the survival of those sports who are not able to have spectators up to the end of March and the Sports Minister has estimated that the funding package for all sports will consist of £250m in loans and £50m in grants. The funding must be applied for and justified against certain criteria to be defined and is therefore not guaranteed. This news is positive for rugby and we will continue to work with Government to understand the details of the application process, the criteria under which submissions will be measured, and the composition of the independent panel and delivery mechanism. We will update you on this process in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the Government announcements can be read below. Announcement Minister’s Statement |
RFU Coronavirus Update 17th November
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update In this week’s edition, we bring you an update on how to #ShowYourShirts with 310 shirts received to date, a look back at week one of #GetYourShirtOn with Ugo Monye handing over to Nolli Waterman this Sunday, and update on the Revised Covid-19 Academy Under 18 match schedule 2020/21, extra curriculum activity and information on Legionella. With England in national lockdown, we are at Stage A on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. This means that no competitive or formal rugby activities can be undertaken until at least Thursday 3 December, including club age grade and adult rugby activities below Championship and Premier 15s. To read the rest of the update click on the link. |
RFU Safeguarding Bulletin November 2020
Key points
- Thanks for your efforts
- Safeguarding Team changes
- Rugby Activity
- GMS Safeguarding audit, due by 30th November
- DBS Processing
- Mental Health Advice
To access the Safeguarding bulletin please click on the link
RFU Community Game Update – November 2020
| Content: 1. Check out England Rugby social media channels this weekend 2. RFU Cluster Fixture Proposals 3. Age Grade Playing Calendars 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 4. Age Grade Registration – GMS Data Tidy-Up 5. Postponement of 2020/21 Level 3 Coaching Award 6. University Clusters and Partners Update 7. Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union Courses are back 8. NatWest Rugby Club Finance Guide 9. Warrior Camps return 10. Information – England Men’s and Women’s forthcoming fixtures Welcome to the November 2020 Community Game Update. We hope you find the update useful, and if you have any feedback, queries or content that you would like to feature, please email Chris Dodd, Communications Executive (chrisdodd@rfu.com). Our communications to you are based on the data held in the Game Management System (GMS). Please check the information held on this system is up to date and active. 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 rest of the update click on the link |
RFU Community Game Update, 10th November
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update In this week’s edition, we bring you an exciting opportunity to watch England Rugby for free in the Quilter Internationals 2020, part of the Autumn Nations Cup, on Amazon Prime. We also share a new Sunday morning streamed activity to keep our age grade players active and connected with their clubs during the national lockdown. We will mark Armistice Day in a number of ways this week. A poppy has been painted on the training pitch at the Lensbury, where a one minute silence will be held at 11am tomorrow. In addition, both the England Men and England Women will wear poppies at their matches on Saturday 14 November to pay tribute to the men and women who served and sacrificed to defend our nation and to secure our freedom. RFU Headlines  How your rugby communities can watch England’s fixtures for free this autumn We have been working with Amazon to provide an opportunity for fans to take advantage of a free one-month trial with Amazon Prime so you can watch England Rugby during the Quilter Internationals 2020, part of the Autumn Nations Cup, while also supporting your club. To help grassroots clubs generate revenue, Amazon are opening up registration for clubs to become Amazon Associates. The club will receive £3 for every member of the community who signs up to Amazon through the club’s unique Associates link. This money will be paid directly to the club and, while there may not be a huge cash injection, every little helps during these challenging times. The registration process will take 5-10 minutes. We will share templates to help clubs promote this offer in the coming days. Click below to read the step by step guide. If you want to see how the England squad have been preparing for the upcoming fixtures, watch the below episode of the Next Level, and please share the link on your channels. We will advise clubs of the broadcaster for both fixtures in the Women’s Autumn Internationals in the November edition of Community Game Update on Friday ahead of England playing France in Grenoble on Saturday 14 November (KO 1.15pm), and then at Twickenham on Saturday 21 November (KO 12pm). To read the rest of the update click on the link |
Community Game Update 5th November
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update RFU Headlines Community rugby – current status England is now in national lockdown until Wednesday 2 December and all team sports have been suspended, including club age grade and adult rugby activities below Championship and Premier 15s. With effect from today, we return to Stage A on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. This means that no competitive or formal rugby activities can be undertaken until at least Wednesday 2 December. While group training sessions are banned, a maximum of two players (or one player and one coach) can participate in socially distanced (two metres plus), individual training sessions in a public outside space, but not a garden, without sharing equipment. FAQ’s from Sport England are available below. Government Guidance FAQs To read the rest of the update, click on the link |
