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ERCA & ERRA Courses in Cornwall

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It’s often said that there would be no game without a ref! The C.R.R.S. have reported that at present there is a worrying lack of referees in the county. Some have retired, and injuries and unavailability for various reasons are not helping. There is to be a Referee’s Course on 10th Oct. at Callywith College, Bodmin commencing at 9am, but if there are not sufficient numbers, it will have to be cancelled. At present there are 6 registered, but they need about double to run it. Can this be circulated to clubs. Ideally every club should have at least one club ref. This would greatly help. So if you have ever fancied taking up the whistle, Now is the time.

People need to complete the online Headcase concussion course before they can register for the award courses. I have communicated this in all my messages but I don’t think the message has got through. It’s free and can be found by searching for Headcase Online Course, see link near end of post.

Attention of all Club Coaching Co-ordinators

Please circulate to all coaches in your clubs and let’s get a good number booked in for Wayne please.

Please find below information about the 2021-22 dates and venues for award courses being run locally to support coaching and refereeing. I have also included a course description for the Coaching and Refereeing Awards (Old Level 2).

Please can you share this information with your clubs coaches ASAP and ask them to register by following the links below. These will be the only opportunity to complete these courses in the next 12 months so please encourage your coaches to sign up.

VenueCourseDay 1Day 2URL
Callywith College  ERCA  17.10.21  22.5.22  https://bit.ly/2Tr5DwU    
Callywith College    ERRA  10.10.21  15.05.22  https://bit.ly/3zjRJvQ      

The England Rugby Coaching Award consists of two face to face days, supported by monthly webinars and online community of practices.

This course is an entry point for those coaching U12’s and above. The course will provide coaches with the knowledge, skills and attributes to safely and effectively coach young players and adults.

The England Rugby Refereeing Award consists of two face to face days, supported by monthly webinars and online community of practices.

This course is an entry point for those refereeing U12 and above. The course will provide referees and coaches with the knowledge, skills and attributes to safely and effectively referee young players and adults.

In the meantime, if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. waynereed@rfu.com

IMPORTANT

One of the requirements to book a place on an award course is that you have completed headcase recently.

If you follow this link https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/playing/headcase you can complete this e-Learning and once this is on your record you will be able to book onto the courses. There may be a delay after completing Headcase before you can register for award courses!

You need to complete the Training Module not the Open Access course.

Community Game Update 14 Sept

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Return to Rugby Now the new season is underway, the Community Game Update will be issued fortnightly. The next edition will be sent on Tuesday 28 September. Read Online Version Read PDF Version  
  Below is a summary of what is contained in this week’s Community Game Update.

1. PDF Copy of CGU available to download
2. Electronic Match Cards and Team Management
Ahead of the majority of leagues starting this weekend, a reminder is included with step-by-step guides to the updated Electronic Match Card process.
3. Age Grade Rugby Changes 2021-22
With age grade rugby now fully underway across the country, a recap of when players can play the new rules is included.
4. Speak Up
Rugby is a game for everyone. If you witness or feel you have been subjected to discriminatory behaviour, it is essential you report this via our Speak Up channels.
5. What’s next post Pitch Up? Including webinar
New social media assets to help retain and attract players will be available on EnglandRugby.com next week. A webinar will also run next week for referees and coaches around return to play and supporting players on their return.
 

Community Game Update 7th Sept

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Return to Rugby We hope everyone is enjoying being back together and we’re looking forward to the season ahead with you all.

England Men’s Head Coach, Eddie Jones said: “It’s great to see smiles on the faces of the kids and parents, everyone is glad to be back on the pitch practising and having the opportunity to play rugby.”

Please share your #PitchUpForRugby event photos with @EnglandRugby from last weekend and this coming weekend. Or email ChrisDodd@RFU.com with any news stories. Full Stories  
  Below is a summary of what is contained in this week’s Community Game Update.

1. Rugby’s back! Pitch Up video & action shots campaign video
Our last weekend of ‘Pitch Up for Rugby’ is here with action shots and our promotional video to encourage people to come back.
2. Age Grade Rugby season kicks off
With the start of the season, all resources that clubs will need can be found in the Return to Rugby kitbag.
3. Age Grade tackle height reminder including video
Additional resources including animated videos are now available to share with coaches, players and parents around the law change.
4. Keeping players safe on their return
We are looking for clubs, schools and colleges to get involved in the Community Rugby Injury Surveillance Project (CRISP) project to continue to understand injury across the game and, in return, receive feedback reports. Injury Prevention (Activate) for kids is now here and our research webinar is accessible to watch on-demand.
5. Age Grade Affiliation
37,000 age-grade players have now affiliated online from over 600 clubs. Please use the support guides to remind parents they can affiliate their players at any point, they don’t have to wait until Sunday when the system will be at its busiest.
6. Electronic Match Cards and Team Management
Step by step guides on assigning players and Electronic Match Cards are now available and contact details for any questions.
7. National Youth Council
The RFU National Youth Council is looking for members aged 18-24 to influence the future development of rugby and be actively involved in RFU sub-committees.
8. News Round Up including RFU Council seeking greater diversity & Honda partnership
The RFU council is looking to recruit new members from under-represented groups to better represent game participants.
Honda supports grassroots in their new partnership and the first title partner of Rugby Grounds Connected.
9. PDF Copy  

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  

Owen Barnes – R.I.P.

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The officers of the CRFU were saddened to learn of the passing of former county player Owen Barnes.

On behalf of the CRFU, President John Sumnall wishes to express the county’s sincerest condolences to Jean, family and many friends of Owen.

The following is published with the kind permission of Phil Westren at the Cornish Pirates;

The Pirates were sorry to hear that a former club captain, Owen Barnes, has passed away at the age of 84.

Of no surprise, the game of rugby was a focus for Owen from a very young age. His father Cedric ‘Ceddie’ Barnes, who had played for Newlyn, was Chairman of Penzance & Newlyn RFC (1949-55) and his brother Ian also played for the Pirates.

After progressing from the club’s Mount’s Bay under 18s team, full-back Owen played over 500 games for the Pirates. A gifted goalkicker, he captained the side in 1965-66, and represented Cornwall on three occasions (1958-60). In later years he was Chairman of the Pirates Mini-Junior Section.

A former Postman and then Removals Business owner, Owen passed away suddenly at his ‘Chygolder Cottage’ home in Tredavoe, where he was also born.

Condolences are expressed to Owen’s wife Jean and all family members, with it confirmed that his funeral will take place THIS Friday 10th September, 2pm at Paul Church. Following the service all are welcomed to the Wake to be held in the Kings Arms opposite the church.

New Season Message from John Sumnall

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Cornwall Rugby Football Union Limited

49, Rose Meadows

GoonhavernTR4 9LB

01872 572788

president@crfu.co.uk

01 September 2021

To all Clubs and Members in Cornwall,

At long last rugby has now returned the new season is upon us and we can enjoy old and new rivalries, old and new friends as well as wondering what this new season will bring to us all.

However, it is the past 18 months that I want to return to in that without much of the remarkable effort and dedication in this period by many of your members I just wonder where rugby in Cornwall would be without them. Their untiring work to ensure their Club was safe and secure for the future as well as keeping in touch with its members generated a camaraderie that saw you all through a most difficult period. Truly magnificent work.

The rugby family in Cornwall is a remarkable family and I must thank you all. Your success has not only seen you safely through the last 18 months it has also helped to secure rugby for the next generation. Thank you.

I am now looking forward to visiting as many Clubs as possible throughout the season and in the meantime may I wish that you all have an enjoyable and successful season.

Once again many thanks.

Yours,

John Sumnall

President.

Community Game Update 31 August

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Return to Rugby We hope you’re all looking forward to the new season, with all formats of rugby back after 18 months.

Best of luck to any club competing in their first league match this weekend and we hope all players, coaches, officials, volunteers and administrators enjoy being back together across the country.

Click below to take you to further detail on each story and please share content with your clubs, coaches, players and volunteers.

1. Rugby’s back! Pitch Up campaign video
New video coming this Wednesday on England Rugby’s social channels and a reminder of assets and activation guide to help clubs prepare for Pitch Up.
2. Covid-19 Management Guide
An update to what clubs will need heading into the new season with an updated guide and player welfare resources.
3. GMS TaskForce and Data Tidy up
A GMS TaskForce has been set up to focus on club feedback on GMS, resolving issues and looking at the user experience. Plus a reminder of the Data Tidy up postponement.
4. Electronic Match Cards and Team Management
An update has been made to the Team Management Module within the Game Management System (GMS) which will influence your club’s line-ups on Electronic Match Card (EMC).
5. Age Grade rugby returns
Age Grade rugby returns this weekend after a disrupted two seasons. A reminder of all the Age Grade Changes can be found here as well as Age Grade Affiliation.
6. Rugby Leader Network
We are looking for the Rugby Leaders of the future. A programme designed to connect, exchange ideas and develop clubs to be fit for the future.
7. News Round-Up: The Touch Union Facebook Group and Vaccination reminder
A new Facebook group for The Touch Union has been created to help members with questions and information on the new non-contact format. A reminder that all those over 16 can now get Covid vaccinations.
8. PDF Copy

Read More

James Murray gets his cap

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James Murray who plays his rugby at Redruth RFC was presented with his U20’s Cornwall cap recently at his home club.

James earned his tie on his first appearance for the U20’s back in February 2019 and was a regular squad member until the last game before Covid 19 struck in the away victory against Gloucestershire in March 2020.  Had it not been for the pandemic he would have potentially made several further appearances and had his cap presented at one of the games in front of his teammates!

James Murray proudly wearing his county under 20 cap

James is currently studying at Cardiff Met University. The CRFU President John Sumnall congratulated James on his achievement and wished him well in his future rugby career.

Congratulation to James on this well-deserved presentation.

Colin Hatch

CornwallU20 Team Manager

Cornwall Under 20 – Player Nomination Form Season 2021-22 – Cut off 5th Sept

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Deadline for clubs to make their nominations is fast approaching, Sunday 5th September, please get your nominated players in asap. Thank you to all clubs who have responded so far.

Details of how players can be nominated for this season’s squad have today been sent to all county club secretaries and club coaches. The completed pro-forma needs to be back with Colin Hatch (Under 20’s Team Manager) by the 5th September.

Please see the details in the link below;

Cornwall Under 20 letter & nomination form

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