Upcoming RFU Courses in Cornwall – Numbers needed for courses to run

August 16, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Kids First Contact Course to be held in Truro RFC needs numbers. At the moment only 4 signed up, needs minimum of 10 to run, so book now please.

I just wanted to make you aware that all course numbers in Cornwall are below the minimum required at the moment so It would be great if you could promote them with any contacts in Cornwall that you may have. I know that some courses are a little way off yet but if possible I would like to get all these courses running with good numbers.

I will share the details attached in the poster with all club coaching coordinators via GMS and wondered if you had a direct mailing list for clubs that you could send this via as well? Try to hit as many people within clubs so the message isn’t missed.

Thanks for your help.

Reedy

Community Game Update 11th August

August 11, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Return to Rugby

This edition includes:

1. Club health check
2. Return to Rugby promotional posters
3. Warrior Camp press release for clubs – Danielle Waterman
4. Age Grade support
5. Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year winners
6. New financial monitoring & insolvency obligations – RFU Regulation 5
7. Annual D&I Survey – Friday 20 August

Club health check

The RFU and CBs have enjoyed getting closer to many clubs over the last 18 months and we all want to keep this going post-Covid. As we approach the 2021/22 season, we would like to understand how your club’s preparations are progressing for the new season.

Please take this short survey to share your news on the return of players and club finances and to highlight what support you might need this season.

It will only take five minutes to complete, but it will be invaluable in helping CBs and the RFU to prioritise where we can support you.

Take Survey

Pitch Up

As we continue to prepare for the Pitch Up for Rugby celebration, digital assets and editable posters will be shared via the below link at the end of the week to help you to re-engage players and build interest for events being held between 4 – 12 September.

If your club registered their interest and will be hosting a Pitch Up event in September, please complete the confirmation form below, providing your final event details, by Friday 20 August. This means we can then promote your event on our find rugby page and provide as much support as possible with the planning and preparation.

Confirmation Form

Assets Page

To read the rest of the update click on the link

Saunts’ completes first of CRFU events to mark RFU 150th anniversary

August 10, 2021 by Bill Hooper

The first of the three events by the CRFU to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the RFU was completed as Saunts, CRFU Chair, finished his 150 mile walk on Saturday at Perranporth RFC. He was accompanied at various times by members of Bodmin RFC, his wife Jenny and other colleagues from rugby.

CRFU President John Sumnall had arranged a reception at his Club to welcome Saunts and fellow walkers and he was met by Club members and members of the CRFU Management Board. The Club had arranged a “Fun Day” to celebrate the event and some 90 children, parents and club players took part in a series of touch rugby matches by mixed teams.

Saunts walk was in response to RFU President, Jeff Blackett, stating that he would be walking 150 miles visiting as many Clubs and Counties as possible and asked that Constituent Bodies and Clubs to join the fund raising for The Injured Players Foundation. At the reception the Perranporth Club donated £739 that had been collected from car parking at their Club. Further donations may be made to: Link to Just Giving Page below.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/CRFUPresident

The next event will be the CRFU Presidents Challenge to all Clubs in Cornwall to complete 150 laps of their pitch in teams of as many as they wish and whenever it is convenient for them. The final event will be held on Wednesday 03 November when the CRFU Management Board will accompany the RFU President from Saltash RFC to the middle of the Tamar Bridge where we will be met by Devon RFU who will accompany him to Tamar Saracens RFC.

40 years of service marked by presentation

August 10, 2021 by Bill Hooper

As well as celebrating Saunts completion of his 150 mile walk at Perranporth RFC on Saturday 7 August we were able to catch up on a presentation we had been hoping to make earlier, and a very special celebration too.

President, John Sumnall, was able to congratulate David Martin on his completion of 40 continuous years as a Committee Member of the CRFU by presenting David with a suitably inscribed glass bowl. David first became a Committee member when he was appointed as Cornwall Schools Representative following the sad and sudden loss of his brother Victor in 1982. In the ensuing years David has held the positions with the CRFU as Chair, President, RFU Council Representative for 14 years, Representative Rugby Football Schools Union, Chair Disciplinary Committee, Liaison Officer for the many times that Cornwall Clubs and Representative Teams have played at Twickenham and has been elected as a Life Member of the CRFU. Whilst RFU Council Representative David held positions as Chair Laws Sub Committee, Secretary Nominations Committee, Governance Standing Committee and numerous Disciplinary Panels. He also had the honour of representing the RFU at various matches and other events. As a referee David was well respected as a long standing member of the Cornwall Rugby Referees Society having been President and also a RFU Panel Referee for 9 years.

Truly, a remarkable list of activities and commitments especially as he is presently Facility Manager with the CRFU Club Development Committee.

Veor-Holman RFC’s Scott Lake picks up a major award

August 9, 2021 by Bill Hooper

The winners of this year’s Mitsubishi Volunteer awards were announced at an event hosted at Twickenham Stadium.

Community

The past 12 months have presented big challenges to rugby clubs. However, while they have not been able to get together, train or play for much of the time, they have found innovative ways of keeping members engaged and many have been supporting the NHS and their local communities.

The Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer awards, in the fifth year, recognised volunteers’ efforts across three categories: Beyond Rugby, Resilience in Rugby, and Diversity and Inclusion.

A celebratory event at Twickenham Stadium saw the finalists enjoy an afternoon event pitch side, followed by dinner in the Spirit of Rugby, where winners were announced.

Beyond Rugby Award

Scott Lake of Veor-Holman RFC, who won the Beyond Rugby category thanks to organising initiatives to help local charities. This included club support for the local food bank, a fun day raising money for a children’s charity, a Christmas present giveaway for children in local hospitals and much more. Through Scott’s hard work the club is now embedded within their local community, and the donations have made a huge difference for many people.

Resilience in Rugby

Charlotte Wootton of Wymondham RFC, who won the Resilience in Rugby category, having been instrumental in ensuring that her club were able to continue operating during the pandemic. Charlie worked tirelessly to keep the club afloat, ensuring it was a safe environment, with regulations adhered to and the facilities kept well maintained to generate much needed revenue. Appointed as volunteer co-ordinator just before the pandemic, Charlie also successfully built a group volunteers ready to support the club as rugby returned.

Diversity & Inclusion

Kat Salthouse of East London RFC, who won the Diversity & Inclusion category. As the club’s women’s representative and diversity and inclusion champion on the club’s management committee, she reinforced their commitment towards inclusive rugby. Kat has made sure that members are supported and diversity is celebrated. She was also one of the driving forces behind the innovative partnership with Kings Cross Steelers, which has seen the delivery of joint events to introduce the game to those who may not have played before.

Said RFU President, Jeff Blackett, who presented the awards on the night: “It was a real pleasure to be able to thank all of our final outstanding volunteers. Every one of the 52 volunteers recognised have given up huge amounts of their time for others and they represent the 100,000 volunteers who do so much for our sport. Our three Volunteers of the Year richly deserve their awards and I hope that they enjoy being guests with their partners at one of Twickenham’s autumn internationals. They are a fine example of all who have kept their clubs going during the pandemic.”

Age Grade Player Affiliation

August 6, 2021 by Bill Hooper

All age grade players are required to be registered with the RFU to ensure accurate contact details and consents are in place.

Over the last three years the RFU’s Game Management System (GMS) has been improved to allow players and parents to create and manage their own online account.

In some instances, clubs have been managing the registration process on behalf of their players, from this season players and parents of age grade players will be responsible for the accuracy of their own data. This will have the benefit of improving communications, it will give players an accurate record of their playing career and it will ease the administration burden on club volunteers and administrators.

From the 2021-22 season player registration will be known as annual affiliation, allowing parents and players to update their details and affiliate with their chosen rugby club each year.

On 4 August, all previous age grade registrations in the game management system were switched to inactive to allow parents to renew their affiliation simply through logging in, checking their existing details and saving to re-affiliate to their club for the season.

If your club has registered you on the RFU GMS they will be able to provide you with your login details or send you an email confirmation via the system.

There are helpful step-by-step guides for the renewal process and for brand new affiliations on the GMS Help Portal.

Affiliation Renewal GMS Help Portal

Saunts’ challenge nears end

August 5, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Our intrepid Chairman has battled with the elements and is 48 hours from completing his challenge. He issues an invitation to join him on Saturday morning for a final stroll from West Penitre to Perranporth RFC.

Hi all

Update on the walk, I have now completed 138 of the 150 miles 5.5m to do tomorrow and finishing on Saturday with 6.5m from West Pentire to Perranporth RFC where the County President will be waiting to welcome us. The walk is to show support to RFU President Jeff Blackett and his chosen charity RFU injured players foundation.

The walk has had plenty of highs including being on the rumps by Polzeath at 8am with Mrs S and walking the Bodmin Moor Ten Tors half marathon with County Treasurer Andy Richards and Bodmin RFU Secretary Dan Brinson, that was tough but took in Brown Willy and Rough Tor.‘The last day will start at 9.30 at the car park in West Pentire if anyone fancies a coastal stroll’.

Saunts

Footnote: Saunts strolled into Perranporth RFC on Saturday for a well earned pint and pasty. Well done Mr Chairman.

RFU Community Game Update 3rd August

August 3, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Return to Rugby

This edition includes:

1. All RFU regulations for the 2021-22 season are now effective
2. Activate and HEADCASE reminders for coaches and players
3. Tackle height law change recap
4. Mitsubishi Motors volunteer awards shortlist
5. Supporting Age Grade to Adult Transition
6. Pitch Up For Rugby countdown
7. News round-up (Including Penryn RFC)

RFU regulations for the 2021-22 season

All RFU regulations for the 2021-22 season are now effective (as of 1 August 2021) and available below.

In addition to key changes already communicated about Age Grade Rugby (RFU Regulation 15) and Payment of Players (RFU Regulation 7), details of other changes relating to the below regulations are set out in the attached document.

RFU Regulation 1 (Foreign Player definition)
RFU Regulation 5 (Insolvency Regulations)
RFU Regulation 7 (Approaches)
RFU Regulation 13, Appendix 3 (Non-fulfilment of fixtures due to non-Covid 19 reasons)
RFU Regulation 19 (Discipline)
RFU Regulation 22 (Covid 19 Variations)

For any questions on the regulations, please contact regulations@rfu.com.

Further Details

Regulations

Activate and HEADCASE awareness

As we get closer to the start of the season, we want to make sure that players can take to the pitch safely and in their best condition.

The Activate resources below will help players return ready to play. Activate is an injury prevention exercise programme that can be integrated into training and pre-match sessions, and is available for players, rugby coaches and teachers via a suite of online resources.

Exercises are designed to improve functional and core strength, balance and agility, helping players with the game’s physical demands.

Exercises focus on three areas: General movement control, Pre-activation and Functional Conditioning. These aid activation of stabilising head and neck muscles, reducing the potential whiplash effect that can cause a concussion.

We also encourage all those involved in the game to take the HEADCASE online education module, which is open to all. The course provides information on how to recognise signs and symptoms of a suspected concussion, as well as concussion management and Graduated Return To Play protocols.

Activate

Headcase

To read the rest of the update click here

Lineout Course – In danger of cancellation!

July 30, 2021 by Bill Hooper

Important update regarding these courses and others, please note.

We today, 30th July, received the following e-mail from Wayne Reed, which we find rather disturbing to say the least.

“I know you can’t force coaches to attend courses but I just wanted to make you aware that both the Lineout courses at Wadebridge and Redruth are in danger of being cancelled! Only 5 coaches registered at Wadebridge and 7 at Redruth.

I have tried everything possible to generate interest including emailing every coach in Cornwall and every club secretary to make sure the information is being received.

The courses will remain open until next week but will be cancelled a week before they are due to run if numbers don’t improve. I am on leave for a week now so will keep fingers crossed.

On a positive note both the coaching and refereeing courses being run at Callywith have started receiving bookings!”

Guys, the ball in in your court. The phrase use it or lose it is often bounded about but in this case is very true. The CRFU take a dim view of the apparent lack of interest/enthusiasm being shown by our clubs, there has been virtually no rugby for 18 months and surely clubs need to get coaches on courses???????……..This needs to change, Wayne is putting in a lot of effort to try and organise courses for YOU, so please support him. We would rather clubs did the right thing but if needs be we as a CB will be forced to take action!

Venues have been selected with two in Cornwall, Redruth & Wadebridge, to deliver these courses. Clubs in the North and East of the Duchy may find one of the Devon locations easier to access. Please book your places via GMS.

Wadebridge Camels RFC 09/08/2021 https://bit.ly/3w4VDHI

Crediton RFC 11/08/2021 https://bit.ly/3fzhKAb

Redruth RFC 12/08/2021 https://bit.ly/3wJAmTP

Barnstaple 19/08/2021 https://bit.ly/34ERSwt

Wayne Reed RFU Game Development email:WayneReed@RFU.com

Saunts’ trek marks RFU’s 150th anniversary

July 29, 2021 by Bill Hooper

The coming season is the 150th year of the RFU and various events will be held to celebrate this.
Cornwall R.F.U. Chairman Dave Saunter is kicking things off by walking 150 miles over the next 2 weeks finishing at Perranporth RFC on Saturday 7th August, home of County President John Sumnall.

This season is a special one for many reasons, not least as it looks like we will all be returning to playing the game we love and respect. Let’s hope our clubs come back strong and able to compete at whatever level they are pitched at, however let’s also be County orientated and help each other out. I’m sure we will, Cornwall is a special County and I know we all want our clubs to not only survive but prosper.

Back to the walk, Saunter is doing this to mark the anniversary, and back RFU President Jeff Blackett who will be doing his own walk to celebrate. The chosen charity of the President is The Injured Players Foundation, which also happens to be the charity of our own referee Kevvy Williams has chosen to run the London Marathon, later in the year. Kevvy’s training has been going well and Saunts added if anyone wants to mark my 150mile walk please give to Kevvy’s just giving page below, let’s support the charity and a Cornish Legend.

At time of writing Saunts already had 46 miles under his belt.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kevin-williams53?utm_source=sms&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=kevin-williams53&utm_campaign=pfp-sms&utm_term=1b15a78a60424b1784a6d1391583a450