Yorkshire RFU has two Representatives who are elected by the Clubs in the County to sit on the RFU Council. They also participate in Sub-Committees of the RFU which report to the Community Game Board. Keep checking back on a monthly basis as your Reps keep you up to date with relevant matters from the RFU.

June 2019


The next meeting of RFU Council is on Friday, 13th September. Community Game Board meets on 29th August.

RFU Council & AGM – The RFU AGM was held on 14th June at Cowdray Hall in Central London. The main business was to receive reports on activities undertaken at the RFU and to elect the President for the coming year. As many of you will be aware Peter Wheeler, ex-England hooker, was elected President.  HHJ Jeff Blackett becomes Senior Vice-President and Nigel Gillingham steps up to Junior Vice President.
Earlier in the day Council also ratified the decision of the Nominations Sub-Committee:

Ted Atkinson – Player Development Sub-Committee
                        Education and Age Grade Sub-Committee
Jim Chapman - Community Game Board
                        Competitions Development Sub-Committee (Chair)
                        RFU Rep to England Colleges RFU Board

Finally, Keith Shurville (East Midlands) was afforded Distinguished Membership of the RFU. Keith is standing down from RFU Council after many years of service and richly deserved his award.

World Rugby – As you will have seen in the Press the proposed Nations League will not go ahead. Unfortunately, World Rugby could not gain agreement over the proposals and they have been taken off the table.  There were many reasons for this and, to be frank, some press reports did not reflect the discussions that actually took place.  Broadcast rights are now at the top of the agenda and, in particular, 6 Nations broadcasting.  The 6 Nations Committee is hopeful that it can strike a good deal by negotiating collectively rather than individually as has happened in the past.

RFU Strategy Review – the new CEO, Bill Sweeney, has launched a review of RFU strategy. A small group of both staff and Council Members has been formed to look at this matter and, after its initial deliberations, will involve all Council Members. A session was held at the last CGB meeting and a further consultation is planned prior to the RWC Warm Up Game in August.  The revised strategy will then be brought to Council in September with a view to launching it post-RWC in November.

Premiership Rugby – again, you will have seen in the Press reports that the Premiership will expand to 13 teams with a play off between the top of the Championship and bottom club in the Premiership.  This has been extensively discussed by the Professional Game Board (PGB) and it seems likely that it will be adopted at the end of the 2019/20 season with the exception that there will be no relegation for a one year period.

Tyrells Premiership – the current structure for the Tyrell’s Premiership were introduced two years ago and were approved for a three year period which ends at the close of the 2019/20 season. Council has debated proposals for the structure of the Premiership on two previous occasions and voted to accept the following :
·         Premiership will remain at 10 teams
·         Entry into the Premiership will by tender/re-tender and audit
·         The structure will run for three years
·         Women’s Performance Management group will hold delegated authority during the three year period.
In addition to this Community Game Board approved an Operating Framework for Championship Clubs (tier 2). This is a voluntary set of parameters for these clubs which, as well as providing good practice for clubs, will provide guidance for those clubs that may aspire to the Premiership.

EnglandRugby.com – this is currently undergoing a refresh in terms of look and feel but also functionality. In order to achieve this you may find times when certain functions are not available.
Holding pages will be put in place whilst upgrades take place.  Please bear with this, we are sure the updated site will be well worth the small inconvenience caused.

RWC Preparations – the initial training squad for the World Cup will be announced on July 4th with the actual travelling squad being announced in mid-August, with the first group game taking place against Tonga on September 22nd.  The RFU are also gearing up with publicity to accompany the tournament. Some of this will be available for clubs to download and customise for events they may be planning around the competition. More details will be forwarded to clubs when these assets become available.



Activities in June (Jim Chapman)

Date

01
Premiership Final (Saracens v Exeter) (Twickenham)
02
Liaison Officer – Yorkshire Women – Gill Burns Cup Final (Twickenham)
03
YRFU County Committee (County Office, Morley)
06
Competitions Development Sub-Committee (Twickenham)
08
YRFU Volunteers Evening (Emerald Suite, Headingley)
10
North Yorkshire District Meeting (Ripon RUFC)
12
YRFU Competitions Sub-Committee (West Park Leeds)
14
RFU Council & AGM (Cowdray Hall, Central London)
22
Nat West  RugbyForce (Aireborough RUFC)
26
Area 6 Forum (Headlam Hall, Darlington)
27
Community Game Board
Interview with Bill Sweeney (CEO)  (Both Twickenham)



Activities in June (Ted Atkinson)

Ted is currently enjoying some well earned rest and recuperation following recent ill health. He will be unavailable for most of July


Ted Atkinson & Jim Chapman
June 2019
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