RFU Council is due to
meet on Friday, 11th June, followed by the RFU Annual General
Meeting. CGB is scheduled to meet again on 23rd June.
Future
Competitions Structures – The Council Meeting
on 16th April saw one of the most important votes in recent years
where the adoption of principles for the future structure of leagues was voted
on. Previously Council had agreed to defer the implementation of the new
structures until the beginning of the 2022/2023 season and this still remains
the case. Next season (2021/22) will, in
effect, be a qualifying season prior to league re-organisation and the new
structure (outlined below) will then come into effect.
The new structure for leagues will be :
|
Level 3 (National 1) |
1 league of 14 teams |
|
Level 4 |
3 leagues of 14 teams |
|
Level 5 |
6 leagues of 12 teams |
|
Level 6 |
12 leagues of 12 teams |
|
Level 7 > |
Determined by local need but capped at
12 teams per. league |
A new cup competition will be
introduced at level 5 and below, with an optional mid-season entry. Cup
competitions will take place at the completion of the league season and entry
will be determined by finishing league position. At each level the cup will be split into Cup,
Plate & Bowl with the culmination being a “Community Cup Finals Day” at
prestigious locations.
Lower XVs (i.e. 2nd/3rd etc.) will be
allowed entry to leagues in the English Clubs Championship up to level 7
(currently the limit is set at Level 8).
Criteria for entry will be determined nationally and communicated during
an implementation phase.
A Rapid Review of league structures
will be scheduled for every 3 years.
Management Structures would be considered during the implementation
phase as it was noted that some of the leagues would cross current DOC
(Divisional Organising Committee) boundaries. It is likely that management of
Level 7 and below would be devolved to CB Competitions Committees.
An Implementation Group is
currently being set up and will begin consultations with local Clubs and CBs
shortly to determine the scale of work need to be carried out. Please look out
for details of your club/CB meetings.
Payment of Players – also voted on at the last Council Meeting were
recommendations regarding payment of players. In response to a club survey
limits are being reduced at levels 3-5:
|
Level 3 |
£250,000 |
|
Level 4 |
£125,000 |
|
Level 5 |
£50,000 |
a) Clubs at level 8 and below need only complete a
declaration if they pay their players and player coaches
b) Student clubs and non-voting clubs need only
complete a declaration if they play at level 7 or above
c) Women’s teams will be reviewed on a regular basis
d) No change be made to the loss of benefits that
currently exists.
Please not that these limits are “soft” and clubs that
exceed these limits will suffer loss of RFU benefits but no other sanctions.
Community Rugby Injury Surveillance Project (CRISP) – this report was presented to Council and it was
noted that Head Impact Injuries continue to be the most common form of injury
in the Community Game. It was further
stressed that no Head Injury Assessment protocols exist within the Community
Game and that once a player was removed from the field of play he/she should
not return to the field of play under any circumstances.
Annual General Meeting – this is due to take place on Friday, 11th
June at 5:00 p.m. It had been hoped that this would be a face to face meeting
but as current restrictions would still be in place the meeting would be
virtual. All clubs should have received
notice of the meeting including an ID and PIN in order to access the
meeting. If your club has not received
this notification then please contact CoSec@rfu.com
RFU Offices – in line
with Government guidelines it is not planned to open the RFU Offices at
Twickenham until after 21st June.
This will be a phased opening as we, hopefully, return to normal. You can already contact individuals via.
e-mails/telephone nos. until and after that date. Also, plans are currently being drawn up for
a phased return of spectators to the Stadium and announcements will be made
once details are formalised.
National Members – RFU Council
consists of two members who are known as National Members – these are former
internationals who represent the views of the Game nationally. Council confirmed that Maggie Alphonsi and
Martin Corry will remain as National Members for the 2021/22 season. Congratulations
to both.
The make up of other RFU Sub-Committees is
currently being considered by the Council Nominations Sub-Committee (of which
Ted Atkinson is a member) and will be presented to Council on 11th
June.
Activities in April (Jim Chapman)
|
Date |
|
|
06 |
Future
Competitions Structures Group |
|
07 |
County
Championship Review Group |
|
08 |
Community
Game Board – CRISP Report |
|
10 |
Meeting
with Lancashire RFU ref. Future Competitions Structures |
|
12 |
Yorkshire
RFU – Committee Meeting |
|
15 |
Community
Game Board – Budget Planning RFU
Council – Pre-Meeting |
|
16 |
RFU
Council Meeting |
|
21 |
County
championship Review Group |
|
27 |
YRFU –
Competitions Sub-Committee |
|
29 |
RFU
Council – Community Rugby Update |
Activities in April (Ted Atkinson)
|
Date |
|
|
01 |
Council
Nominations Sub-Committee Meeting
with Nicky Ponsford (W&G Performance Director) |
|
08 |
Education
& Age-Grade Sub-Committee |
|
12 |
Yorkshire
RFU – Committee Meeting |
|
14 |
Council
nominations Sub-Committee |
|
15 |
RFU
Council Pre-Meeting |
|
16 |
RFU
Council Meeting |
|
21 |
Council
Nominations Sub-Committee |
|
29 |
RFU Council
– Community Rugby Update |
Ted
Atkinson & Jim Chapman
April
2021
