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RugbySafe Lead Christmas Newsletter

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Dear All

I hope this finds you well and dodging the Omicron!

Covid

Sadly it seems that no sooner than we were establishing a pattern and rhythm to our Rugby than another speed bump is put in our way. As you will have seen in the whatsapp that I sent out, the RFU have adjusted their advice and have also given some supplementary information on the Community Game. Unfortunately, there are no definitive rules on what we can and cannot do in the rugby club environment other than those applying to the hospitality industry, so its down to our common sense and personal appetite for risk. Certainly, some clubs are revising their plans for Mini Christmas ‘gatherings’ and also Rugby Camp providers are adapting their packages to reduce risk of transmission by removing contact and keeping events outdoors.

From a CRFU perspective we can only echo government and RFU advice and I am sure that those clubs with medical professionals among parents and players will seek their advice and opinion and formulate their response accordingly. I just wish we could be more proscriptive as that would reduce ambiguity. If anyone wishes to discuss their plans/ideas or concerns then please don’t hesitate to contact me. Often it is just the conversation that provides the elusive clarity of thought!

First Aid Courses

CRFU have approved the staging of four more courses in 2022 so that demand can be met. The dates as agreed with the provider are:

30 January

27 February

13 March

24 April

I have not nominated particular locations as yet as I wanted to gauge demand so that we can minimise travel, but ideally I would like to have a couple in the west and a couple in the East of the county. I appreciate that one club might not be able to fill all slots so will backfill any spare slots with applicants from adjacent clubs where possible. So, the Christmas challenge is to identify appropriate dates and get your bid in quick – certainly in good time for the 30 Jan!!

As you may be aware, RFU were seeking to mandate EFAs but there has been some pushback from other counties which is leading them to re-examine. From a CRFU perspective this is disappointing as both the CB and clubs have devoted a lot of time and energy to be ready for the rule change at beginning of 2022/23. There is continuing discussion and the RFU council will decide in the New Year. The CRFU stance is support the proposal to mandate it as then there is no ambiguity and everyone can be comfortable that appropriate provision is in place at all levels of the game. The RFU have issued a consultation at https://forms.office.com/r/zhg0zhUnsi Can you please complete this online questionnaire for RugbySafe leads by 7 Jan. Whatever happens, the guidelines will remain, so please take advantage of the First Aid courses which after CRFU rebate work out at £25 per successful attendee. Probably the best Christmas bargain ever!!!

GMS

In the link above it mentions GMS. I know this is a far from ideal administrative tool but it does enable RFU to analyse the functioning of the game. One of their pushes this season has been to ensure that the RugbySafe element of GMS is up to date and that the contents accurately reflect the activities of the club. Ideally, club RugbySafe leads should have the permissions to access this area and update as appropriate. A couple of audits show that as Cornish clubs we are not doing particularly well in this regard. I have not been too bothered for the first half of the season as just getting teams on the pitch has been of more importance. Nonetheless, in the New Year I will be auditing our records. It is not too much of a hardship to complete and certainly the First Aid Risk assessment and associated Medical Emergency Action Plans (MEAPs) are the most important as these are essential for clubs to complete. I am on hand to assist and answer questions but probably the first thing is to ensure you have the necessary permissions to access this part of GMS so please chase up whoever is your GMS guru to allow you to explore the system.

Uploading EFA Qualf and cert on GMS

HEADCASE

Just a reminder that I have some Headcase materials and have sent out a rejigged and more legible Graduated Return To Play (GRTP) table. For info, all CRFU First Aid bags have a laminated copy of this inside the bag along with the RugbySafe toolkit. I have attached both for interest/use. Please continue to educate players, coaches, committee members, supporters and parents (everyone!) on this increasingly significant aspect of  the game. Despite a lot of effort, there is still a lot of ignorance based on old wives tales and historical practices which is being highlighted in reports back from matches. Please reinforce that if there is any doubt as a players fitness to play, there is no doubt and they should be removed from play and not allowed to return. Furthermore, supervision should be exercised and post-match beers should be discouraged as well as ensuring that driving after a blow to the head may be impaired.

Anyway, that is enough from me except to wish you all a great Christmas and that you get the gifts you want!!

Kindest regards and see you in the New Year

Bob

Bob Hubble | CRFU RugbySafe Lead

rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk | 07980 600565

Follow the RFU Guidance

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Please follow this simple guidance from the RFU for games this weekend and any games being played on Boxing Day or Bank Holiday Monday. Do keep an eye on the RFU site as this is likely to be an ever-evolving situation over the coming days.

RFU Guidance

Handling a positive coronavirus test

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Following consultation with Public Health England, the RFU have produced overview guidance which explains the actions required by a club following a positive COVID-19 test. There is also extended guidance available for clubs who have a confirmed COVID-19 test case.

The RFU request that clubs submit notification of all positives tests with in a club (including retrospective cases). This information is requested to allow the RFU to monitor the number of confirmed positive COVID-19 test occurring in clubs and ensure the club has the appropriate support.

Clubs can do this by filling out the Positive Test Notification Form. 

CRFU grateful to Jay’s Aim

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We are most grateful for the assistance given to us by Jay’s Aim in the provision of a portable defibrillator for the use of our county teams.

Jay’s Aim – Helping Young Hearts’ is a South West based registered charity set up to reduce the number of young people who die from sudden cardiac arrests.  We attempt to achieve this objective by:

  • Offering free to attend CPR/AED training sessions
  • Providing public access defibrillators to places in need
  • Providing cardiac screening sessions

We were delighted to ensure the safety of both the coaches and players at CRFU by part funding a defibrillator to the set up.  We hope to run some free CPR/AED training in the near future to ensure everyone is confident to use the equipment in an emergency.

September RugbySafe Newsletter

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RugbySafe Toolkit 2021-22 The new RugbySafe Toolkit for the 2021-22 season is a series of online resources covering information on various player welfare topics, it provides guidance to support clubs and other rugby activity organisers in delivering best practice.

The RugbySafe Toolkit includes:

• Being RugbySafe – Player welfare guiding principles and best practice
• RugbySafe Essential Guides & Resources
• Community Rugby Pitch-side First Aid and Immediate Care Provision Guidelines
• Emergency First Aid and Immediate Care Training – including the EFARU course
• HEADCASE – Concussion Awareness Programme
• Activate – Injury Prevention Exercise Programme
• Mental Wellbeing Guidance

To access the RugbySafe Toolkit document, please visit the RugbySafe homepage below.
RugbySafe Homepage  
 
  Introducing Activate Kids Many people will be familiar with Activate, the RFU’s injury prevention exercise programme which should be integrated into training and pre-match sessions. The programme has been designed and improved to increase functional and core strength, balance and agility and can help:

• Improve playing performance.
• Prepare players for the physical demands of the game.
• Reduce the risk of injury including concussion, as well as supporting rehabilitation post injury.
• Mean more players are available (due to less players being injured).

The 2021-22 season sees the introduction of Activate Kids. Coaches in the U7 – U12 age groups can add an extra 15 minutes to the regulated age grade training time limits to include Activate within the session. Activate Kids uses the principles of the main Activate programme and other recognised physical literacy components appropriate for younger children. The Activate Kids resources provide coaches at the U7 – U12 age groups with a framework and ideas for integrating Activate into training and pre-match preparations.

The Activate Kids resources can be found on the Activate homepage below.

The Youth (U13-14, U15-16, U17-U18) and Adult Activate programmes and supporting resources can be found on the Activate homepage. Activate Homepage  
  Age Grade Tackle Height Changes (Regulation 15) As part of our continual evolution of player welfare initiatives, a law change to the tackle height in age grade rugby will come into effect for the 2021-22 season.

The existing rules for those playing full contact rugby at U9 to U14 levels has an imagined line between the armpits as the maximum height of a legal tackle. This will continue. Under the law change, these rules will now extend across all U15 to U18 age groups, bringing the tackle height down from shoulder level to the armpit. This means that age grade players from U9-U18 will play to the same tackle height law.

Players participating at U7 and U8 level will continue to play non-contact rugby.

Watch the following videos for more information. Law Change Information Law Guidance  
 
  Research Webinar The next instalment of the RugbySafe webinar series is now available. This webinar covers the topic of player welfare research, it will be a pre-recorded session and will be available to watch on-demand.

The webinar will provide an overview of the RFU’s approach and involvement in research, discuss the Community Rugby Injury Surveillance and Prevention (CRISP) project, what it is, the insight and understanding it brings to the game and how clubs and teams can play their part and continue to be involved. We will also provide more information on the new age grade tackle height law changes and evaluation.

Available on YouTube, watch the RugbySafe Research Webinar below. Research Webinar  
 
  Get involved in Player Safety Research The RFU are looking for clubs and team across the adult men’s, women’s and age grade game (both schools and clubs) to get involved in the CRISP project to continue the understanding and insight of injury risk across the game.

A short video provides an overview of the CRISP project and how to get involved.

Clubs and schools can register their expression of interest to get involved below. Watch Video Get Involved  
 
  Regulation 9.3 information Regulation 9.3 now includes that clubs must complete a risk assessment and ensure an appropriate level of immediate care and/or first aid cover and equipment is in place for the rugby activity to take place as determined by the risk assessment.

We also continue to highly recommend that clubs and other rugby activity providers comply with the RugbySafe First Aid/Immediate Care Provision Guidelines. A new version for the 2021-22 season is available as part of the new RugbySafe Toolkit. RugbySafe Toolkit  
 
  Risk Assessment Tool & Injury & Incident Reporting App To help with completing a First Aid risk assessment and other risk assessments, the RFU has worked with our legal partner Howden to create an online Risk Assessment Tool which guides clubs through the various areas they should consider when managing the risk of injury at their club.

The tool has been designed to guide users through a series of questions relating to areas they should be considering. Many of the risk management measures highlighted will already be in place and these will be recorded in the risk assessment, the tool creates a risk assessment/action plan, to record these answers, which can be referenced by the club and used to implement further risk management actions if necessary.

The RFU online Risk Assessment Tool can be accessed below. Clubs sign in using their club name and postcode.

Developed in collaboration with Howden and the RFU, the Proactive Digital injury and incident reporting app offers an affordable (just £50 per season) option for clubs to effectively, efficiently and securely log on and off the field injuries/incidents and complete pre-session checks.

Please click below to sign up for the Proactive Reporting System Risk Assessment Tool Reporting System  

Covid-19-RugbySafe Lead August update

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Sadly the effects and implications are never far away!. Discussions with RFU, other CB’s and clubs show that the odds on clubs not having enough players to fulfil a fixture are very high. Regulation 22 para 6 covers this with Para 7 outlining who has jurisdiction if a fixture cannot be fulfilled. Given the numbers of cancelled warm up fixtures around the county and the long layoff, the temptation to play a match with a weakened team or have players out of position to fulfil a fixture are understandably high. However the guidance from RFU and CRFU is that that regardless of the circumstances, player welfare MUST NOT be prejudiced.

The current guidelines remain in force for Covid and clubs should actively enforce the self – isolation guidelines and mandated obligations should any of their players/personnel either contract Covid or receive notification via the app. Sanitisation and cleaning guidelines for kit and equipment remain. It is in the interests of all Cornish clubs to go beyond mere compliance in their Covid practices, especially given the current high levels of Covid among the age group that comprise the majority of our players. For example, and in order to protect individuals whilst still seeking to fulfil the fixture, one clubs pragmatic approach has resulted them initiating the following process for its players after a limited close contact. This process is endorsed by CRFU RugbySafe and has also been recognised as an example of good practice by other counties.

  1. All players who attend training on both nights should be advised to take a Lateral Flow Test as soon as reasonably practical and then follow the COVID protocol associated with their result.
  2. Additionally, all players who are selected to play on Saturday must provide evidence as to a clear LFT on Saturday on arrival at the Club. 
  3. Opposition teams are to be made aware of the process and advised of the team Covid status on the day of the match

If there are any questions or concerns regarding COVID or any other matter please don’t hesitate to contact rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk

First Aid Risk Assessments, Courses and Proactive App

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This season all clubs should have a First Aid risk assessment in place and next season the requirement for first aid provision increases markedly along with the requirement for an emergency action plan. A well written First Aid RA should include an Emergency action plan so getting it right now will save hassle later. If anyone needs assistance or guidance in getting this essential support tool in place contact rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk. As part of the Risk assessment there should be reference to injury reporting and CRFU have secured 15 licences of the excellent Proactive Injury Reporting App at cheap rate (£30) for Cornish clubs to buy. This is a valuable tool and will make enforcement of the mandated first aid risk assessment much easier for clubs. Again, any questions or requests for a demonstration to rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk

CRFU will be running a series of the well-received First Aid courses over the season. The following dates have limited spaces available : 10th October at St Austell & 17th October at Bodmin. CRFU are always looking to stage more courses so any clubs wishing to take advantage of this excellent course please contact rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk

Covid Awareness as Cases Rise Again in Cornwall

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To All Clubs and Players

With the rise in cases of Covid D variant in Cornwall, despite all the progress over the past few months, the rugby community is still extremely vulnerable and it is probably timely for all clubs, teams and players to remind themselves of the necessary precautions.

Anecdote and direct observation shows that being human we have all become a little complacent in our behaviours both on and off the pitch thereby exposing ourselves to additional risk whilst still playing the game at level D2.

Attached are the extended guidelines for dealing with a positive covid test and also the guidance on first aid provision in the Covid climate.

If there any questions or concern please don’t hesitate to contact rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk

Guidance on First Aid Provision During Covid 19

Extended Guidance for Clubs following a positive Covid-19 test

CRFU Rugby Safe – May Newsletter

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Dear All
I hope the poor weather is not blighting your return to rugby too much although it does make the
ground softer! Below is a collection of current themes that may be of interest to you in the
RugbySafe environment.


First Aid Courses
These have been really well received and despite all the Covid postponements, by the time you get
this CRFU will have trained over 95 people in 10 courses at 7 club locations. Thank you so much to all
the leads at the clubs who helped make it happen – it would have been impossible otherwise. It is
planned that more courses will be run early in the new season so if you have likely numbers, let me
know early so we can plan it in – let’s hope Covid wont scupper these plans! Please remember to
upload the course into GMS. To do so, go on to own profile in GMS and on profile go to
qualifications and on top right of page there is a ‘Self Service’ button which will allow an upload of
certificate etc.

To read the rest of the newsletter click on the link

CRFU Representative Rugby Managers’ File

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As part of the RugbySafe remit of protecting both players and administrators, the CRFU Representative Rugby Managers’ file has been created that captures a considerable amount of experience, whilst collating information pertinent to Mangers of CRFU representative teams of all ages and genders. Covid means that when rugby resumes, even the most experienced manager will have experienced some ‘skill fade’ and clubs are welcome to use the document as a guide for their own use. For more detail or information please contact rugbysafe@crfu.com

Link to the Managers’ File- PDF

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