RFU Council is due to meet on Friday, 16th April. CGBis scheduled to meet again on 2nd March where it will continue to look at the vexed issue of budgets for season 21/22.
Once again, both Jim and Ted hope that you are
Staying Safe and Staying Healthy.
Thankfully the Prime Minister’s announcement on February 22nd could
see the Return to Rugby begin on 29th March meaning that some form
of competitive rugby will be available during April.
Return to Rugby – as mentioned above we are hopeful that we can return to some form of rugby from the beginning of April. At the time of writing it is unclear what this means and the RFU is currently in conversation with Government (in particular the Department for Culture, Media and Sport [DCMS]) as to what form of rugby this will include and what the ramifications for player behaviour and clubhouse management this will take. However, a year has gone by since society entered some form of lockdown and we hope that all clubs will embrace the opportunity to indulge in some form of rugby before the summer months.
It is also worth mentioning that the RFU is also in consultation with other sports – football, cricket, hockey etc., to try and organise an orderly return to community sport that benefits all national governing bodies, players and administrators alike.
Lookout for further announcements in the coming days and, remember, the RFU is here to support your club as it returns to some form of normality. The Community Game Update will be the main form of communication between the RFU and Clubs and clubsupport@rfu.com should be your first port of call if you require specific help on any matters.
Professional Sport and Re-Opening of Grounds – again, we are hopeful that the Championship will return to play on 6th March. The Championship has been divided into two conferences and (with the exception of London Scottish who have withdrawn) will play within these conferences. At the end of that phase of the competition there will be a playoff to determine who (could) be promoted to the Premiership. There will be no relegation from the Championship this season and no promotion from National League One (whose league competition has been suspended for this season).
The decision of RFU Council to suspend relegation from the Premiership was taken due to the current pandemic. It was considered to be inequitable that a club could be relegated because of the pandemic and the requirement to cancel matches because of infections. The RFU are now in consultation with both the Premiership and Championship regarding future promotion/relegation but it is important to note that any proposals in this area would be subject to approval by RFU Council and will be subject to close scrutiny.
As you will have read there is a likelihood that professional sports grounds will be able to re-admit spectators. Again, at the time of writing the actual details are still to be confirmed but it is hoped that Twickenham will, once again, be able to welcome supporters at the end of this season.
Community Rugby Budgets – it will come as no surprise to report that monies will be tight in the coming financial year. As yet NO BUDGET has been set by the Community Game Board/RFU Board and it is likely to another month at least before any announcement is made. We will attempt to keep you up to date with any announcements that are forthcoming.
RFU Council Representatives Election – As many of you will be aware RFU Council Reps now serve for a 3 year term and it is 3 years since the last election. This means that an election will be held this year with the successful candidates being able to stand until 2024. Yorkshire RFU elects TWO representatives to the RFU Council. The deadline for nominations (proposed and seconded by two clubs) is the end of February with the process carrying on throughout March and the outcome being communicated to both clubs and the RFU on 1st April. Firstly, we hope that all clubs will become involved in the process – remember, it is the clubs and not the Constituent Body that elect the Council Representatives. The CB (in this case Yorkshire) has two votes as does every club within Yorkshire who are members of the RFU. We hope that you will take time to read the candidate manifestos and that you will take part in the Hustings Meeting on 17th March before casting your votes prior to 28th March.
Secondly, Jim Chapman writes : “When the ballot paper for RFU Council Representatives comes out my name will not be on it. As you will know Council Members now have a three year term and are allowed to be elected three times, giving them a possible full term of 9 years. I was first elected to the RFU Council in 2011 and have, therefore served for 10 years !! Under transitional arrangements I could have stood for election but only for one year before being forced to stand down. I have, therefore, taken the decision not to stand at this election but to make way for another person to serve for the next three seasons (and possibly longer).
The past 10 years have been an incredible experience for me. Not least has been the honour of being allowed to represent the views of Yorkshire clubs at the “top table”. That has been an absolute privilege and, whilst I do not fool myself that everyone within the CB will applaud the decisions of the RFU during that period, I always tried to reflect the views of clubs in coming to a decision. I hope I leave the Game in Yorkshire in a better place than it was ten years ago.
The last twelve months have, obviously, been unprecedented and it is with some sadness that I will not be able to participate in the recovery of the Game throughout the County. I am sure the Game will recover, hopefully stronger than it was twelve months ago. I wish you all well and Thank You for the work you do. I have made some wonderful aquaintances over the past 10 years and hope that we will meet each other again.”
Activities in February (Jim Chapman)
|
Date |
|
|
01 |
YRFU – Committee Meeting |
|
03 |
Future Competitions Structure – Group Meeting |
|
04 |
RFU Council - Pre-Council Debate |
|
05 |
RFU Council |
|
08 |
Adult Competitions Advisory Group |
|
09 |
Community Game Board |
|
10 |
Future Competitions Structure – Group Meeting County Championship Review Group |
|
11 |
RFU Council – Community Rugby Update |
|
12 |
RFU Council – Additional Meeting |
|
16 |
Payment of Players Working Group |
|
17 |
YRFU – Strategy Development Meeting |
|
18 |
RFU Council – Community Rugby update |
|
24 |
County Championship Review Group |
Activities in January (Ted Atkinson)
|
Date |
|
|
01 |
YRFU – Committee Meeting |
|
04 |
RFU Council Pre-meeting Debate |
|
05 |
RFU Council |
|
08 |
Awards Meeting |
|
11 |
Age-Grade and Education Sub-Committee |
|
17 |
YRFU – Strategy Development Meeting |
|
18 |
RFU Council – Community Rugby Update |
Ted Atkinson & Jim Chapman
February 2021
