| The RFU Board, Council and executive staff apologise for the anger and concern that has been created among the rugby community by announcing the decision to lower the tackle height from next season. In our desire to act quickly to reduce head impacts and concussions in the community game, which represents 99% of the rugby playing population in England, we have upset many of you who are the champions, volunteers, and ambassadors of our game. We fully acknowledge we got the engagement wrong, and we are truly sorry. In making our decision we were aware that France have lowered the tackle height, New Zealand will be doing so and World Rugby supports this approach. We, like the French, used the term “waist and below”; this has caused misunderstanding and confusion. We would now like the game to help us define how we describe a lower tackle height to reflect what the research is telling us in a way that is understood by all. Consequently, the risk of head injuries should be reduced if tackling below that optimum height. We will now begin a series of forums and workshops with players, coaches, match officials and volunteers, to explain and develop the details of the domestic law variation. A large body of scientific evidence (links to documents below) demonstrates the risk of head injury and concussion for players can be reduced by lowering the tackle height to prevent head on head contact. However, we also accept that the rugby community has other concerns that this change may bring and we need to listen, understand and respond to those concerns. We will start inviting players, coaches, match officials and volunteers to these forums from early next week, so that we can all work together. Rationale Paper Science Presentation |
Reduction in tackle height from season 23/24
| RFU Council approves reduction in tackle height across community rugby in England from 2023/24 |
| Issued by Rugby Football Union |
| To support player welfare, the RFU Council agreed on Monday 16 January to lower the height of the tackle across the community game from 1 July 2023. Designed to improve player safety and informed by data, this change aims to reduce head impact exposure and concussion risk in the tackle for both the ball carrier and tackler. Evidence from studies has consistently demonstrated that higher contact on the ball carrier and closer proximity of the ball carrier and tacklers’ heads are associated with larger head impacts (as measured by smart mouthguards) and an increased risk of concussion. Lowering the height of the tackle and encouraging the tackler to bend more at the waist will minimise the risk of this occurring while maintaining the tackle as an integral part of the game. The RFU Council’s unanimous vote will result in law variations from next season, 2023/24, with the tackle height being set at waist height or below. Ball carriers will also be encouraged to follow the principle of evasion, which is a mainstay of the game, to avoid late dipping and thereby avoid creating a situation where a bent tackler may be put at increased risk of head-on-head contact with the ball carrier through a late or sudden change in body height of the ball carrier. The changes will apply across the community game (clubs, schools, colleges and universities) at both age-grade and adult levels – National One and below in the men’s game and Championship One and below in the women’s game. Programmes to support players, coaches and match officials, including detailed law application guidelines are being developed to ensure players, match officials and volunteers will be ready for next season. Speaking about the law change to be implemented in season 2023/24, RFU President Nigel Gillingham said: “Players’ welfare must always be at the centre of decisions we make about how we play the game of rugby. Evidence from our own research and from around the world clearly shows that lowering the tackle height will reduce head impact exposure and the risk of concussion. The RFU Council is able to influence how the game is played at the community level in this country and, therefore, has unanimously supported the decision to lower the tackle height to waist level. The tackle will remain the primary method of stopping the ball carrier using safe techniques that are taught from an early age. “While this change will apply to matches in the community game in England, the RFU will continue its work to reduce head impacts in contact training in both the community and elite games and be supportive of any law changes that World Rugby proposes for matches at the elite level that will further reduce head impact exposure.” What to expect Reduced tackle height for all community rugby: Tackles must be made at the line of the waist and below. The aim is to put players’ heads in the safest possible place by defining in law where the line of the tackle may start. A greater focus on the actions of the ball carrier: Ball carriers will be encouraged to follow the principle that rugby is a game of evasion, and they should avoid late dipping and thereby avoid creating a situation where a bent tackler may be put at increased risk of head-on-head contact with the ball carrier through a late or sudden change in body height of the ball carrier. Match officials will focus on the actions of the ball carrier as well as the tackler when head contact occurs. Further background to the change for next season Player welfare remains at the heart of all decision-making. By making the decision now, the RFU Council has demonstrated its continued commitment to player welfare and recognised the importance of giving coaches, match officials and players time to prepare. Based on extensive research and evaluations of law changes in England, South Africa, France and New Zealand, evidence demonstrates that a waist height tackle or below is the optimal height to provide a meaningful reduction in the height of contact on the ball carrier, a reduction in the risk of contact with the ball carrier’s head and a reduction in the risk of contact for the tackler’s head. A lower tackle height is also associated with a reduction in the magnitude of head impacts, a key target for reduction. France, which introduced similar changes in its domestic game in 2019, reported a 63% reduction in head-on-head contacts. It also reported this move has led to a more fluid game with reduced levels of kicking, increased passing, offloads and line breaks. |
Community Game Update 19 January 2023
| Community Game Update Read Online |
| 1. ACTION REQUIRED RFU Council approves lowering of the tackle height across community rugby in England from 2023/24 To support player welfare, the RFU Council agreed on Monday 16th January to lower the height of the tackle across the community game(Adult & Age Grade) from 1st July 2023. Find out more information about the law change and what to expect, including training support in this piece. Mandatory Player Registration 2023/24 From next season, all players, in all formats of the game (including non-contact), will be required to register to play rugby within RFU member clubs annually. More information on the benefits and next steps in this piece. Age Grade Rugby Update & Actions The new year signals the restart of Age Grade Rugby in clubs, schools and colleges. This article contains reminders and actions for a few key elements to get your rugby back underway for the second half of the season. 2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST Rugby World Cup 2025 Impact Programme – Facility fund closes 31st January Part of the Rugby World Cup 2025 impact programme is to help improve club facilities and the experience for female supporters and players. Clubs can apply for funds to support female toilet upgrades and sanitary packages before the deadline on the 31st. Club Rugby Support Fund 2022/23 The Community Rugby Support Fund for 2022/23 is now live. As with last year, the purpose of this fund is to support voting member clubs, CBs and referee societies who are in greatest financial need. The claim window closes on 19th February. Every Game Matters For A Chance To Play At Twickenham As part of the RFU’s #PlayTogetherStayTogether campaign, every team participating in a men’s merit table/league or women’s national challenge league (including the Allianz Inner Warrior Series) now has the chance to play at Twickenham Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, 1 May, 2023. More details can be found in this piece. Honda Volunteer of The Year Nominations Now Open The Honda Volunteer of The Year Awards 2023 nominations are now open for the three categories; Game For All, Unsung Hero and Challenging Spirit. Nominate your amazing volunteers before Friday 24th February. The National Rugby Survey The National Rugby Survey 2023 will be live between 20 January until 17 February and will be shared via email and social media. The survey is targeted at anyone who has been involved with community rugby in the 2022/23 season in some way. 3. FOR AWARENESS RFU Leagues & Papa Johns Community Cup update Read information about potential changes to the end of the league season date after the exceptional weather conditions experienced so far this season, plus the latest on the Papa Johns Community Cup. Submission Of Payment Of Player Declarations Declarations of payment of players are due to be submitted between 1 March and 30 June 2023. Find out more in this piece. Divisional U18s Programme returns in 2023 The RFU has confirmed the Divisional U18s programme – a culmination of matches played between the 28 Constituent Bodies – will return in 2023, providing a higher level of representative rugby and development opportunities for players, coaches and management. Read Online |
NHS Ambulance Strike Days
| Important information regarding NHS Ambulance Services |
| There are planned NHS Ambulance Services strikes on Wednesday 11 January and Monday 23 January. As most community rugby activity takes place on different days this is unlikely to affect many community club activities. If your club has training/fixtures on these dates you may wish to limit it to non-contact. Clubs should factor this into your risk assessment and planning of any activities taking place on those days, dependent on the ambulance provision available to you. |
Community Game Update 6 December
| 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 |
Remember to get your Game On
| Getting your Game On In the lead up to matchdays, in the adult game, you may be short of a full 15. With Game On, you only need a minimum of ten players per side to get the game played and treated as a full 15-a-side game*. David Flatman, explains more about Game On and how you can use it in the video below. Video Game On means you can still get your matches played with more flexible options, because every game matters. The 2022/2023 season has seen enhancements to Game On, including additional scrum options, which you can read more about below. |
| The scrum can be modified to allow for a contested 1.5m push. If you don’t have a front row or if you have players new to the front row, you still have the option to go uncontested. As long as the referee has been notified 30 minutes prior to kick off that Game On might be used, these changes can be made during the game if teams feel it appropriate. Game On is a great way to ensure players can play each week, even when short of a full 15.You can even choose to reduce the pitch size and duration of the match to suit the needs of the players. By enabling players to play each week, you will keep them engaged and coming back for more as you continue to build towards a full 15. 10 v 10 one week, 11 v 11 the next, hopefully you will soon be back to the full complement of players. So, before you think about cancelling or postponing a match, consider how you can Get your Game On using the flexible options available. *Check out our dedicated Game On page below which includes details about which leagues the options can be used in. Game On David Flatman Video |
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
Papa Johns Community Cup
| Entries are now open for the Papa Johns Men’s Community Cup Enter Now |
| The Papa Johns Men’s Community Cup competitions will take place after the completion of the regular league season. This was the most favoured model during the Future Competition Structure consultation, intended to decongest the season and avoid league fixture clashes. This has allowed the mid-season entry process to give clubs a better understanding of their squad for the season as well as the ability to compete in the Cup competitions with teams of comparable ability in other leagues. It will also enable clubs who enter to switch their focus to the Cup competition once their league season has finished. Incentives for clubs to enter the Papa Johns Community Cup Opportunity for all finalists to play at Twickenham Stadium or other prestigious venues, with travel and accommodation provided. Travel bursaries available for competing clubs (men’s and women’s competitions). Further details to be published in due course. Exclusive benefits offered by Papa Johns to clubs competing in their Cup competitions (men’s and women’s), including a unique 50% discount for pizza specific to your community club for members, friends and family to use; On each redemption of this unique code, Papa Johns will make a donation back to the community club. The entry period is now open and will close on Thursday 1 December. You are encouraged to complete the entry form below. Enter Now |
| Clubs’ final league positions, alongside entry numbers, will determine which competition they will compete in within their respective league level, helping to ensure clubs play in competitive fixtures through their Cup Competitions. You can see a draft of what this will look like here. Fixtures will be held across the following dates: 25/03/2023 01/04/2023 08/04/2023 (not all competitions – Easter weekend) 15/04/2023 22/04/2023 Finals weekend – 29/04/2023 – 1/5/2023 Championship Finals at each level (Regional 1, Regional 2, Counties 1, Counties 2 and Counties 3 & below) will be held at Twickenham Stadium across Sunday 30 April and Monday 1 May. In addition, finals for other competitions will be held at other prestigious venues across the weekend of Saturday 29 April and Sunday 30 April. For more information, including the Cup regulations, please click here. You can also watch a section on the Papa Johns Community Cup on England Rugby’s new The Clubhouse magazine programme. Enter Now |
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 |
