Community Game Update – January 2021

150th Anniversary

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is gearing up to mark the 150th year of English rugby throughout 2021.

Activity to celebrate the anniversary includes:

  • The creation of a heritage rose, with artwork by renowned artist Chris Wormell taking inspiration from the very first rose featured on the caps of the 1871 team and which still features on players’ caps today.
  • A social media campaign on Tuesday 26 January inspired by the World Rugby Museum’s RFU at 150 exhibition, charting the evolution of the game in England over a century and a half. A physical version of the exhibition will be available in the World Rugby Museum at Twickenham Stadium at a later date.
  • A commemorative 150th anniversary book celebrating a century and a half of England Rugby.
  • In partnership with Harkness roses, England Rugby will launch a commemorative rose on Monday 1 February.

·  A limited-edition heritage kit, created by official technical kit partner Umbro and England Rugby, which is now on sale.
The RFU will also look to celebrate its momentous milestone further with the community game and with supporters back at Twickenham when it is safe to do so

150th Anniversary

 

Mitsubishi Motors Rugby Leadership Network

The Mitsubishi Motors Rugby Leadership Network is an exciting and unique opportunity to acquire valuable skills as well as gain access to key RFU resources. To ensure our clubs are fit for the future and self-sustaining, we are looking for aspiring rugby leaders who can take their club to the next level.

We are looking for rugby leaders who:

  • Don’t want to stand still and watch from the sidelines.
  • Want to create sustainable clubs that are fit for the future.

·  Have the enthusiasm and openness for learning and supporting others to do the same.
For further information on the Network and how to apply click below

Leadership Network

 

#ShowYourShirt

Following the success of our #ShowYourShirt Campaign during the Quilter Internationals, part of the Autumn Nations Cup, we are bringing back #ShowYourShirt for the Guinness Six Nations 2021. In all, 583 clubs sent their shirts to be displayed at Twickenham Stadium and we are looking for even more to add to this number. To have your shirt displayed at the first match of the Guinness Six Nations at Twickenham, shirts need to be received by Friday 29 January.

If you were a CB, University or club that didn’t manage to send your shirt to us last time but would like to be represented, please use the freepost label below.

We have also created a short video to share across your media channels if you would like, and you can find more information on it here

Watch Video
Freepost Label

 

Defibrillator funding for clubs

The Richmond Heavies Foundation, working with The Community Heartbeat Trust charity, is offering a free, high specification defibrillator to rugby clubs that do not have one, and cannot afford to purchase this life saving piece of equipment. Included in this defibrillator provision will be an online training session for the club members, their families and their friends.

The Lifeline View defibrillator was chosen by the Rugby World Cup 2015 as it is easy to use, visual, robust, and very portable.

There is a limited fund available. To apply please use the link below to state your eligibility and provide 100 words explaining why you would like a defibrillator.

Please note, this is aimed at clubs with no defibrillator provision, or that currently have a poor provision, who are community clubs and have both a senior and youth section

Grant Application

 

GameChangers online courses for coaches

England Rugby’s team of Coach Developers kick off a nationwide programme of online workshops for coaches in the week starting Monday 25 January.

These 60-minute workshops are free to access and focus on helping coaches understand how to develop meaningful games-based practices through a fun and inclusive environment. Coaches will also be helped to understand the key principles of effective game zone design.

Workshops will take place with local groups of Kids First Rugby and 15-a-side coaches. Club Coaching Coordinators have been sent dates and booking details for all courses. Please speak to your Club Coaching Coordinator for more details.

 

Webinars and on-demand videos

We continue to support through our online workshops. Below are the dates and topics for February and the first week in March.

Virtual Workshop – Developing a Marketing Strategy
Key principles of club marketing and how to develop a marketing strategy using a simple framework for your club.
2 February – 6:30-8:30pm
20 places
Register here

Virtual Workshop – Legal Structures
Which legal structure suits your club best and whether a CASC or charitable status is worth exploring for your club.
17 February – 6:30-8:30pm
20 places
Register here

Virtual Workshop – Financial Sustainability
The importance of financial sustainability and the principles of good financial management
2 March 6:30-8:30
20 places
Register here

 

Kings Cross Steelers documentary

Injury prevented Eammon Ashton-Atkinson from playing in his Kings Cross Steelers team at the Bingham Cup, so he turned instead to his professional skills to create a documentary that chronicles the journey of two Steelers players and their female Director of Rugby, Nic Evans.

As the filmmaker says: “This isn’t just a story about being gay, or even a story about rugby. It’s a story about searching for happiness and finding a place to belong

Kings Cross Steelers