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| This edition includes: 1. RUWSF Asset Improvement Loan Programme 2. Return to Play – Off-field changes from Monday 12 April – Government Step 2 3. Return to Play – Rugby update 4. RFU Age Grade Summer Activity Framework 5. RFU Adult Men’s and Women’s Competitions 2021/22 6. County Championship Review 7. Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year 2021 – nominate by 2 May 8. Watch the Red Roses and videos on demand |
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| RUWSF Asset Improvement Loan update We aim to open applications for the Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Asset Improvement Loan programme on Tuesday 13 April, subject to government approval. Download the prospectus for further information about categories available. Next week an application form will be published on the loans page below, alongside full details of the eligibility criteria and process. Whilst incorporated clubs are eligible, we are still in discussions with government about eligibility for unincorporated clubs. Should it not be possible for them to access these funds we are likely to accept applications from unincorporated clubs who a) are prepared to incorporate within 6 months of receiving a loan agreement in principle and b) who are not prepared/able to incorporate but for whom we will look, with no guarantee of success, to explore other routes for loans. Loans of between £20,000 and £150,000, in three buckets (small, medium and large), will be available for facility projects that will help clubs to survive, diversify revenue, reduce operating costs and protect and grow their membership. All are subject to a 2% interest rate over an eight-year repayment period. The small and medium loan include a two-year payment holiday, the large loan includes a four-year payment holiday. Loans Page |
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| Return to Play – Off-field changes from Monday 12 April – Government Step 2 Ahead of reaching Step 2 on the government roadmap on Monday, we will update our Helpdesk FAQs in line with government guidance that will come into effect from Monday 12 April. This will be completed by Saturday 10 April. Please read this latest guidance which will include an update on spectators, hospitality and takeaways. Helpdesk FAQs |
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| Return to Play – Rugby update It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying being back on the pitch last week and over the Easter weekend. As planned, we are preparing to move to Stage D2 on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap from Monday 26 April. You can watch a 10 minute video guide for Stage D1 and D2 detailing the activity permitted on field for players and coaches. Additionally, the on demand Return to Rugby Stage D: Coaches Q&A is below. Stage D Q&A D1 & D2 Guidance |
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| RFU Age Grade Summer Activity Framework We are publishing the RFU Age Grade Summer Activity Framework on our Return to Rugby Page today, Friday 9 April. The framework and guidance will be followed by a Q&A session on Monday 12 April at 7pm. Please register on the link below if you would like to attend. We also plan to host #AskAgeGrade sessions on Twitter on the following dates: Monday 19 April, Monday 3 May, Monday 17 May, Monday 31 May. Please keep an eye on @AgeGradeRugby and our Return to Rugby Page for further information. Register |
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| RFU Adult Men’s and Women’s Competitions 2021/22 We are preparing for the competitive season to start as expected in September 2021, subject to the continued progress along the government and Return to Rugby roadmaps. In light of the exceptional circumstances of the last 12 months, we want to give clubs clarity on the next steps regarding season 2021/22: 9 April – 25 April Competition Entry Survey Open To Women’s Game 9 April – 6 May DOCs and CBs finalise clubs’ position in leagues for 21/22 season 26 April – 6 May Women’s Provisional Leagues Construction/Internal Feedback 1 May at the latest Men’s Level 3 and 4 Fixtures published 7 May – 21 May Women’s Provisional League Structure Feedback window 24 – 28 May Women’s Provisional Structure Amendments (To be agreed by RFU Governance) 31 May – 11 June Women’s Fixture Creation 1 June at latest Men’s Fixture Publication 15 June at latest Women’s Fixture Publication The reason for releasing the fixtures at different dates for different sections of the game are as follows: • There is a requirement at the higher levels of the men’s game to book for national travel as soon as possible. • Women’s fixtures being slightly later than the men’s due additional steps required. E.g. Provisional League Structure Feedback window to finalise the league structures. Please note that Structured Seasons have now been shared with Divisional Organising Committees. For any clubs wanting information, please contact your local Divisional Organising Committee |
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| County Championship Review As many of you will be aware, an independent review is underway of the County Championship across both the Men’s and Women’s Senior Competition and the U20s Men’s Competition, with an aim of making recommendations to the Community Game Board on the future and format of the competition. Please keep an eye out for a survey that will be circulated this Monday, 12 April, to players, coaches, CBs and Clubs. We are keen to hear from as many people as possible to understand your views and to collate feedback that will help to inform the group recommendations. Please contact competitions-development@rfu.com should you have further questions. The letter below from Dr Tim Miller, Chair of the County Championship Working Group, provides further background on the review process and is being shared with CBs. It is accompanied by the Excel template referred to in the note. Read Letter Excel Document |
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| Nominate your Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year Remember you have until Sunday 2 May to submit your nominees for the Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year Awards 2021. This season there are three national award categories: • Resilience in Rugby Award • Beyond Rugby Award • Diversity & Inclusion Award These awards have been created to recognise the exceptional work that volunteers have put in to keep their local communities as well as their rugby clubs going. You can find out more about how to nominate by using the link below. Volunteer Nominations |
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| Watch the Red Roses in action Following England’s convincing win over Scotland in their 2021 Women’s Six Nations opener, you can watch the Red Roses take on Italy this Saturday 10 April, live on BBC iPlayer, with kick off at 2pm (BST). You can also catch up with some of the Red Roses stars on O2 Inside Line. We have our previous Coaching, Refereeing, and Club webinars on-demand alongside those coming up below. Summer return to rugby Q&A – Monday 12 April 7-8pm Join us to discuss the plans for rugby activity this summer. If you have any questions for the panel, you can either submit them in advance, after registering, or ask on the evening. Register Mental Wellbeing – Keeping The Rugby Community Healthy – Wednesday 28th April – 7pm As a follow up to our Player Mental Health Webinar, we will welcome RugbySafe Leads to a discussion about mental wellbeing, creating kinder cultures and spotting the signs of mental wellbeing issues in your clubs. We are joined again by, David Beeney, and former England Rugby captain Dylan Hartley. With the help of our trusted healthcare partner Simplyhealth we are putting player welfare at the heart of the game to keep the rugby community healthy. Register |
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