January 2020

RFU Council meet on Monday, 24^th February. Community Game Board will next meet on 6^th March.

Adult Male Future Competitions Structure Group  - this is the group formerly called Adult Male Competitions Review Group. The group decided to change its name to better reflect its current focus; namely to provide the game with a competitions structure that, looking forward, would serve the game in the future.

As has previously been reported on this blog the group has considered a number of options regarding competitions structures particularly with regard to diminishing numbers of games at lower XV level which, it concluded, was due to increasing demands put upon 1^st XV squads.

The group has now concluded its first round of considerations and the next steps are :

·         A web page giving some background to its work and some possible structures going forward. These are accompanied by a short survey and we would encourage clubs to engage with players, coaches etc. to read and then complete the survey. The link is :

https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/adult-male-future-competitions-survey

·         A series of consultation meetings will be held across the Game. The full details of this are still being worked on but will take place during March/April.

Following these meetings presentations will be made to RFU Council and a vote held to adopt the group’s recommendations. It is hoped that firm recommendations can be published after the June RFU Council meeting.  Any recommendations will be implemented in the 2021/2022 season (i.e. there will be a “transitional” season in 2020/21 season to allow clubs to plan)

England “Red Roses” vs Ireland Women – as many will be aware this game is scheduled for Sunday, 23^rd February at Doncaster Knight’s Castle Stadium. Kick off is at 12:45 p.m. The last time the Red Roses visited Yorkshire we achieved record attendance at a women’s international and we hope that we can surpass this number. Tickets are available from :

www.drfc.co.uk or www.englandrugby.com

We look forward to seeing you their on the day.

GMS – is, perhaps, a constant subject at District Meetings and, without doubt, the system has experienced some difficulties, although those who have experience of using the system have found its use invaluable in managing and communicating.  If you would like to get to know the system better we would suggest contacting your local RDO who will be able to arrange training on the system. This can then, perhaps, be cascaded amongst club administrators.  At the same time the RFU has re-established the GMS SteerCo – a steering committee who will work with the RFU’s IT Department to suggest and prioritise improvements to the system. The SteerCo had its first meeting on 23^rd January and is scheduled a second meeting on 6^th March.  Results from these meetings and updates to GMS will be communicated via. the Community Game Update which is issued on a monthly basis.

6 Nations 2020 – obviously, kicks off (for England) on Sunday 2^nd February with the game versus France (kick off 3:00 p.m.). Let’s hope that this game and subsequent fixtures prove successful for our national side.  Enjoy the games – whether live or on TV.

Activities in January (Jim Chapman)

Date
05	Yorkshire U16 v Cheshire U16 (Yarnbury RUFC)
06	Community Game Board/Competitions Structures Group – joint meeting (Twickenham)
07	Community Game Board – Business Planning (Twickenham)
08	YRFU Competitions Sub-Committee (County Office)
13	YRFU Facilities Sub-Committee (County Office)
15	Yorkshire West District Sub-Committee (Keighley RUFC)
20	Competitions Structures Review Group (Conference Call)
24	Meeting with Ben Lowe (Rugby Growth Manager) & Paul O’Leary (Competitions Manager) (Conference Call)
29	Area 6 Forum (Headlam Hall, Darlington)

Activities in January (Ted Atkinson)

Date
08	Central District (West Park Leeds)
13	East District (Beverley RUFC)
21	Education & Age Grade Sub-Committee (Telephone Conference) Played Development Sub-Committee (Telephone Conference)
25	Yorkshire Academy v Newcastle Falcons Academy (Selby RUFC)
31	Meeting ref. Yorkshire Academy (Weetwood, Leeds)

Ted Atkinson & Jim Chapman

January 2020

December 2019

RFU Council meet on Monday, 24^th February. Community Game Board begins the Business Planning process on Tuesday, 7^th January.

December has been a very quiet month with people returning from RWC 2019 and re-establishing work patterns.

Adult Male Competition Structure Review Group – has continued to meet during December and has now concluded the first part of its deliberations.  The next stage of the process is to present these findings to the Community Game Board.  This will take place on Monday, 6^th January , when CGB will have an additional meeting in the evening.   CGB will then make recommendations regarding the next stages. The Review Group will make a number of proposals to CGB but the actual direction of travel is, at this moment in time unknown. However, we can say that any recommendations that come from CGB and the Review Group will be widely circulated with the opportunity of all parties within the Game to comment on them before they are taken to RFU Council.

As timescales become known they will be widely circulated to all clubs. This is likely to be via. the Community Game Update which is delivered to club secretaries – please ensure they are aware of this and that they circulate the Community Game Update widely.

HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR – as ever, both Jim and Ted wish your clubs, players, administrators and members every success in 2020. We both look forward to working with you and to representing your views at the RFU. Let’s work together to take our great Game forward !!

Activities in December (Jim Chapman)

Date
02	YRFU Financial AGM & Committee Meeting (Morley RUFC)
05	Community Game Board (Twickenham)
08	YRFU Clubs Conference (Woodhouse Grove School)
09	Adult Male Competitions Structure Group (London)
19	Adult Male Competitions Structure Group (Conference Call)

Activities in December (Ted Atkinson)

Date
02	YRFU Financial AGM & Committee Meeting (Morley RUFC)
17	Meeting with Don Barrel (RFU Academies Manager) (County Office)
18	Meeting ref Academies (Conference Call)
29	ERDPP (West Park Leeds)

Ted Atkinson & Jim Chapman

January 2020