RFU Council is now receiving fortnightly updates from the Chief Executive and Development Director. The next scheduled meeting of RFU Council is October 2nd. Due to current circumstances this will be a virtual meeting. Community Game Board had a formal meeting on 16th September, an additional meeting is scheduled for 30th September. An informal meeting was also held on 23rd September
Once again, both Jim and Ted hope that you are Staying Safe and Staying Healthy. Any progress toward a full return to rugby seems to be thwarted by the continuing pandemic and it is difficult to either report, or predict what is likely to happen as circumstances change frequently.
Return to Rugby – despite the latest news (Tuesday, 22nd Sept) we remain at Stage D on the Return to Rugby Roadmap. Following calls from the Game the RFU made an application to the Department for Digital, Communication, Media & Sport (DCMS) to move directly to Stage F. However, they have yet to receive a reply from Government and, considering the current situation, it looks unlikely that this accelerated move will take place. As always, we would encourage clubs to ensure that they read and distribute the Community Game Update and that Stage D is strictly adhered too.
Local Lockdown – some areas of the County are currently subject to more localised restrictions than others. However, the Government has made it clear that, since we have an agreed plan lodged with them, that Rugby Union can remain at Stage D of the roadmap despite any local restrictions UNLESS local authorities explicitly include rugby in their local restrictions. Having contacted the local authorities who are affected we are happy to report that none of them has singled out Rugby Union
RFU Re-Structure - You will be aware that the RFU has re-structured. A number of RFU staff have, unfortunately, been made redundant. We would both like to pay tribute to those individuals who have been closely aligned to YRFU and, whilst little consolation to individuals, thank them for their contribution to the Game in our County, they will be missed. We wish them all the best going forward and hope that they will be able to find positions that support both their career development and support themselves and their families.
At the time of writing we are still unsure of individual’s names who will fill positions in the new structure. However, the RFU has taken the opportunity to reduce the current Development Areas from the current 6 to 4. Currently, we are grouped with Cumbria, Northumberland and Durham as Area 6. Under the new arrangement Cheshire and Lancashire will be added to form a new Area D. Work within this area will be overseen by a CB Relationship Manager.
The RFU has established a new operations structure which will comprise :
· Club Support – supporting clubs to support themselves
· Coaching & Refereeing – inspiring and growing the coach and referee workforce
· Player Experience – attracting new players and keeping them playing for longer
Currently, all staff at the RFU are under furlough and a plan is being worked on to bring staff back into their new positions, to introduce the new structure to them and to begin to interact with CBs and Clubs. The actual timetable is being developed and as soon as it is finalised staff will be making contact with Council Members, CBs (i.e. Counties) and individual Clubs. The timetable will be circulated once finalised.
It is clear that the way that we work and interact with the RFU will undoubtably change. We will also have to familiarise ourselves with and develop new ways of working. We are sure that all clubs will be pro-active whilst these new ways of working develop and evolve.
Autumn Internationals – the scheduled games for the Autumn window are :
|
25 Oct |
England v Barbarians |
H |
14:00 |
Sky Sports Arena |
|
31 Oct |
Italy v England |
A |
16:45 |
|
|
01 Nov |
Italy Women v England Women |
A |
17:00 |
Sky Sports Arena |
|
14 Nov |
France Women v England Women England Men v Georgia |
A H |
13:15 15:00 |
Amazon Prime Video |
|
21 Nov |
England Women v France Women England Men v Ireland |
H H |
12:00 15:00 |
Amazon Prime/Channel 4 |
|
28 Nov |
Wales v England Men |
A |
16:00 |
Amazon Prime |
|
06 Dec |
Ranking Match |
H |
TBA |
Amazon Prime |
It would appear that, at the moment, these games will take place behind closed doors. The move to Amazon Prime Video is a first for rugby and should, in theory, realise a larger television audience than in previous seasons. Amazon Prime Video comes as part of the Amazon Prime package and should be available to all on payment of the Amazon Prime subscription. One benefit is that this is available on a monthly basis, so you won’t need to be tied into a longer deal.
RFU Finances – you will no doubt have seen a statement from Bill Sweeney, CEO regarding the various (dire) scenarios that the RFU faces. Sue Day (Chief Financial Officer) continues to develop budget predictions and it seems that following the decision that crowds will not be allowed at Autumn games that we move to a different scenario which will reflect the loss of revenue and ensuing loss of profit that the RFU will suffer. As with everything this seems to change on a daily basis and all we can promise is that we will try and keep you up to date.
Activities in September (Jim Chapman)
|
Date |
|
|
03 |
RFU Council – Update Area 6 – Meeting with Steve Grainger (Development Director) |
|
09 |
YRFU Officers Meeting |
|
11 |
Future Competitions Structures Group Area 6 – Meeting with Steve Grainger |
|
16 |
Community Game Board Area 6 – Meeting and AGM |
|
17 |
RFU Council – Update |
|
18 |
YRFU – meeting with Steve Grainger |
|
22 |
England Colleges RFU – Board Meeting Insolvency Working Group – Consultation Meeting |
|
23 |
YRFU – Officer’s Meeting Community Game Board |
|
28 |
Future Competitions Structures Group YRFU – AGM |
|
29 |
Adult Competitions Advisory Group |
|
30 |
Community Game Board |
Activities in September (Ted Atkinson)
|
Date |
|
|
03 |
RFU Council – Update |
|
04 |
Candidate review – Yorkshire Academy and ERDPP leads |
|
07 |
Interviews – England Rugby Developing Player Pathway (ERDPP) lead |
|
08 |
Interviews – Yorkshire Academy lead |
|
09 |
Interviews – Yorkshire Academy lead |
|
10 |
Post interview review and decision |
|
15 |
Insolvency Working Group – Consultation Meeting |
|
16 |
Yorkshire Rugby Academy stakeholder meeting |
|
17 |
RFU Council – Update |
|
21 |
Nominations Committee |
|
21 |
Management Board Committee |
|
22 |
ERGPR Divisional meeting |
|
22 |
Meeting with RFU President – Ripon Rugby Club |
|
28 |
Yorkshire RFU Annual General Meeting |
|
29 |
Interview for RPR Nominations chair |
|
30 |
Education and Age Grade Sub-Committee Meeting |
Ted Atkinson & Jim Chapman
September 2020
