The Return to Rugby Roadmap released in March 2021 includes specific changes that support the return of Age Grade Rugby to the end of the current 2020-21 season, out of season 2021 and next season 2021-22. The next 12 to 18 months is about enabling as many options as we can for players to return to rugby, while ensuring their safety remains top priority.For these and the unchanged regulations, it is critical for everyone involved in the age grade game to apply a player welfare and safety lens at all times.
Community Game Update March 2021
| March 2021 – Return to Rugby |
| This edition includes: 1. Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund – Loans prospectus 2. Return to Rugby On-field guidance 3. Return to Rugby Off-field guidance 4. Adult Male Future Competition Structure 5. RFU Council 6. Warrior Camps to return in May – sign up now! 7. Richard Jones Legacy Send photos and videos to @EnglandRugby of you gearing up for rugby; cleaning your boots, preparing the pitch and getting your kit ready with #ReturnToRugby. Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Loans update  We are now able to provide you with the advance prospectus alongside a video from RFU National Facility Development Manager, Ted Mitchell, that details the formats and the terms of asset loans available. This can also be found on our loans page, with the application period is set to open in early April. Advance Prospectus Prospectus Video Return to Rugby – on field guidance  Monday will see the return of rugby at Stage D1, with Stage D2 (from Monday 26 April). We have updated our Age Grade Document to now include the below. Adaptations to Age Grade Rugby for 2021-22 Based on feedback we have made changes to Age Grade Rugby for 2021-22. These enable teams to be combined either up or down one age in the teenage years, if there are not enough numbers to field full sides in a single age group. We envisage this will be the exception, but the ability to do so could make the difference for these players who have been particularly disrupted by the pandemic; their safe transition to adult rugby is one of our highest risks. The 17 year olds playing adult changes have been revised to support this. The Age Grade changes document, version three, is on the Return to Rugby page below. Guidance includes advice for incremental contact training, building up to a max of 20 mins per session, excluding scrums and mauls, recommended coach to player ratio, equipment use and sanitisation advice. Return To Rugby Return to Rugby – off field guidance Off field guidance can be found on the return to rugby page with some of the more common questions answered in our FAQs which can be found below. All guidelines apply from Monday 29 March Government Step 1B until Government’s Step 2 comes into force, which will be no earlier than Monday 12 April. Details on Easter camps and Summer activity can also be found on the return to Rugby page. The age grade out of season regulation (see 15.8) is suspended in 2021. This is replaced with an RFU Summer Training and Playing Framework this year to enable age grade players to catch up on missed rugby development opportunities safely. On Friday 9 April the summer rugby training and playing framework for age grade players will be launched, including CB, DPP and rugby camps. The framework will be operational from June to the end of August and will include contact training and inter club activity. Support Centre FAQs Sport England FAQs To read the rest of the update click on the link |
Merryn Doidge called up to England Roses 6 Nations squad
Exeter Chief’s full-back/wing Merryn Doidge has been selected for the England Roses squad for the upcoming Women’s 6 Nations.
Merryn, who began her playing career with Liskeard-Looe before progressing to Newquay Queen Bees, has played for Cornwall U.18s as well as England at both U.18 and U.20 level.
Everyone in Cornwall wishes Merryn the very best.
CRFU suspend 2020/21 rugby season
The Cornwall Rugby Football Union has decided that the remainder of the 2020/21 season should be suspended. Clubs have been circulated and their wishes requested, but only eight clubs replied. Three of those decided they did not want any formal arrangement of fixtures, cup or league. The remaining five would have accepted some form of formal competition, but 2 of them would only play in a cup. There will, therefore, be no formally arranged rugby competitions during this time.
Clubs are reminded that, if they wish, they are free to arrange fixtures within the restrictions set down by RFU during what remains of the 2020/21 season. Any such fixtures must be arranged by participating clubs. Cornwall Rugby Referees Society is willing to provide referees for any games arranged by clubs and it will be for those clubs to contact the Society to arrange referees.
A full programme of league and cup rugby will resume for the 2021/22 season assuming that Government and RFU restrictions permit.
Regards,
Chris Jewels.
Chairman CRFU Competitions Committee
Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year 2021
“The last 12 months have been unlike any other and have seen the rugby landscape change considerably. During these challenging times, our community game has had to evolve and innovate in order to continue to deliver, and engage with members. The 2021 Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year will help to recognise and celebrate the volunteers for their achievements and efforts, both on and off the field, during this unprecedented year.To reflect the challenges clubs have faced, and recognise the outstanding contribution volunteers have made to both their rugby clubs and the wider community, this year’s national awards will focus on three specific categories:
• Resilience in Rugby Volunteer Award
• Beyond Rugby Volunteer Award
• Diversity & Inclusion Volunteer Award Nominations could be for an individual, or a team of volunteers within the community game, who have gone above and beyond over the course of the pandemic.
As with previous years, the aim of the programme continues to be to thank volunteers for their contribution to the game, and beyond. Please read the description of each award in full before submitting your nomination. We have also created some Top Tips to consider when writing your application. Nominations will open from Tuesday 23rd March and close at midnight on Sunday 2nd May. Finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony in the summer, where the winners of each category will be announced. To recognise a volunteer, or a group of volunteers, who have gone above and beyond since the start of the pandemic to deliver rugby activity in new and innovative ways, supported the local community to overcome challenges or shown outstanding commitment to improve diversity within the game.”
We know that in Cornwall there a many volunteers who are doing a great job in our clubs. The news this week of the success of Jade Atkins of Falmouth RFC in the 2020 awards should be an inspiration to our clubs to get nominating.
More info re categories here: https://bit.ly/3ceOI7g
Nominate here: https://bit.ly/2Pmy6Bw
RFU Community Game Update 23rd March
Return to Rugby This week’s headlines include:
1. Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund – Loans and Grants update
2. Return to Rugby On-field guidance
3. Return to Rugby Off-field guidance
4. Training Courses including First Aid
5. Age grade activity – Easter camps & summer activity
6. Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year – 2020 winners unveiled & 2021 nominations now open
7. Webinars and on-demand videos
Send photos and videos to @EnglandRugby of you gearing up for rugby; cleaning your boots, preparing the pitch and getting your kit ready with #ReturnToRugby.
Return to Rugby Roadmap reminder
• Shareable JPEG version
• PDF version
Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Loans update
We are working through the final details with Sport England ahead of launching the RUWSF loans process and will publish further information shortly. The application period is set to open in early April.
Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Grants
The grace period for clubs to apply for a RUWSF Grant has now closed.
Clubs who applied in the first window will be contacted by the end of March. We are in the process of issuing award letters to clubs who have been successful in their application for a RUWSF Grant.
Those who applied during the grace period are likely to be contacted by mid-April.
Jade scoops top award
Cornwall RFU were delighted to learn that Falmouth RFC’s Jade Atkins had scooped the top award at the RFU Mitsubishi National Awards Ceremony held recently.
Having been awarded the Cornwall Volunteer award back in October, Jade beat off local award winners from across the rest of the country to come out tops.
Part of Jade’s award is the exclusive use of a Mitsubishi car for six months.
Paying fulsome praise to Jade, CRFU President John Sumnall said. “We were delighted to learn of you attaining first place in the RFU Mitsubishi Awards in the recent ceremony which will have been an experience that you will treasure for some time.
“Your brilliant and empathetic idea of tackling the question of how other family members could spend their time in the Club when not involved in rugby has opened up a new meaning to being a community rugby club. By involving the children and parents not on the rugby field in crafts and other activities whilst rugby activity is taking place was an inspired idea and should certainly encourage other clubs to adopt your idea. You have clearly ensured that those members of the family that are not actively involved whilst rugby is taking place have a warm welcome in the Falmouth RFC Clubhouse and must look forward to their next visit.
“Your success has brought pride not only to your family, but also to Falmouth RFC and ourselves. Once again, many congratulations.”
RFU Community Game Update 16th March
| Return to Rugby This week’s headlines include: 1. Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund – Grants update 2. Monday 29 March – Return to Rugby Stage D guidance 3. Age Grade Summer Activity 4. Easter Camps guidance 5. Webinars and on-demand videos 6. Mako’s thumbs up 7. Inner Warrior return in May – Sign up now RUWSF Grants deadline – 5pm on Monday A reminder that we have been given a grace period for clubs that weren’t able to compile their financial documentation in time to meet the original Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Grant application deadline. If you are a community club in Level 3 or below that needs financial support for survival and fulfil the criteria listed on the funding page below, please complete an application form by 5pm on Monday 22 March. You will also find the application form on the Funding page button below. Clubs who applied in the first window will be contacted by the end of March and should not apply again as their application will be discounted. We are in the process of issuing award letters to clubs who have been successful in their application for a RUWSF Grant. The process is expected to take a couple of weeks to complete. To read the rest of the update click on the link |
Return to Rugby Stage D Guidelines
RFU Covid Update 9th March
| Coronavirus (Covid-19) update This week’s headlines include: 1. Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund – Grants update 2. Monday 29 March – Return to Rugby update 3. Steve Grainger takes grassroots players questions with Fill Your Boots 4. Re-starting the DBS application process 5. School of Hard Knocks – only a couple of spaces left 6. Mental Wellbeing and Know Your Lease webinars 7. International Women’s Day 8. Share your stories RUWSF Grants update  After the government’s positive funding announcement over the weekend (more information below), we are now able to update you on next steps for clubs who have applied for a Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Grant. Following the closure of applications, the overall grant need was submitted to the government’s Independent Board of the Winter Sport Survival Fund. The final amount to be awarded to clubs is at the discretion of the Independent Board rather than the RFU. The Independent Board has since confirmed that grants will be capped at a maximum of £50,000 per individual club. However, if a club has demonstrated a grant need of more than £50,000 for purposes of survival, they will be able to apply for an additional cash-flow loan to provide further financial assistance. Applications are currently being assessed and clubs who have applied for a grant will be advised of the outcome of their application by the end of March at the latest. We are in the process of creating a mechanism for eligible clubs to apply for a cash-flow loan and will communicate to these clubs as soon as possible. We have also been given a grace period for clubs that weren’t able to compile their financial documentation in time to meet the original RUWSF Grant application deadline. If you are a community club in Level 3 or below that needs financial support for survival and fulfil the criteria please complete the application form below by 5pm on Monday 22 March. Clubs who applied in the first window will be contacted by the end of March and should not apply again as their application will be discounted. Funding Announcement Grant Application To read the rest of the update click on the link |
