RFU INVESTMENT IN RUGBY GROWS FOR FOURTH YEAR

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The Official Newspaper of The RFU
November 2014 Issue 173
RFU INVESTMENT IN RUGBY GROWS
FOR FOURTH YEAR
The RFU 2014 Annual Report &
Accounts published on November
14th shows investment in rugby
at all levels growing for the fourth
consecutive year.
The total investment into rugby
was £75.3m, up 13% on 2012/13
with a substantial proportion of
this growth focussed on the RFU’s
commitment to building a lasting
Rugby World Cup legacy across the
whole sport.
The commitment to maintaining
growth in rugby investment results in a planned loss for the year
of £9.5m, comfortably accommodated by the RFU Group’s profit
and loss reserve, which remains at a healthy £10.2m.
Group revenue for 2013/14 reached over £150m, down only £2.3m
from 2012/13, despite the low match profile year, largely due to
to a 26% increase in sponsorship income and the non-match day
growth of hospitality and catering revenues.
The RFU’s long-term financial position is further strengthened
by the purchase of an additional 7.5% shareholding in Twickenham
Experience Ltd (TEL) on 30 June 2014.
The drawdown against the £50m RBS revolving credit facility,
used to fund the upgrade of Twickenham Stadium, peaked at £40m
during the year, but was reduced to £37m by 30th June and will be
fully repaid before the end of November.
The stadium upgrade project is on
track to provide a world class facility
ready to host the Rugby World Cup
in 2015.
All year 2 Strategic Plan priorities
have been delivered, and the long
term objectives of delivering
sustained and growing investment
in rugby up to and beyond the
Rugby World Cup in 2015 is well
on track.
Said Chief Financial Officer
Stephen Brown, “This significant
success and fourth consecutive year of rugby investment growth is
in line with the strategic objectives we set in 2012.
“It is underpinned by turnover of more than £150m, despite
Twickenham hosting fewer matches than in 2012/13. Sponsorship,
with an already strong base, grew by 26% year on year and our
single largest revenue stream, hospitality and catering, continued
at around £37m, thanks to attracting non match-day business.”
Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive Officer, added, “Investing in the
game means investing in all of our people and all the places that
rugby is played and enjoyed.
“This has never been more important and we are committed to
creating a real and lasting legacy from Rugby World Cup 2015.
In the past year we significantly increased our investment in
both professional and development rugby, with a record £75.3m
invested directly with clubs and in operating the English game at all levels.”
Among the highlights for the year were:
• Investment in rugby grows for fourth successive year
driven by a commitment to RWC 2015 legacy
• Investment in rugby as a whole rose 13% over previous year
• Strong revenue performance at over £150m despite low match
profile year
• On track with delivery of all strategic priorities
• Additional 7.5% share in Twickenham Experience Ltd
bought on 30th June 2014
• During the season 1,104,754 seats sold for
Twickenham matches
• Commercial partnerships extending from
England team to the grassroots game
• Continued investment and preparation for
Rugby World Cup 2015
• Second year of Lead Up & Legacy work
• UNITY project working with 17 nations to support growth
of the game across Europe
• Twenty years’ endeavour sees England
Women become World Champions
• England U20s win second consecutive IRB Junior World title
• England U18s win third consecutive FIRA/AER
European Championship
• England Qualified Players agreement with clubs for World Cup season
To see the full report click here
CHANGES TO CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT
GARETH MILLS
This season sees major changes to the way
the risk of concussion is managed across the
professional game in England.
The Rugby Football Union, Premiership
Rugby and the Rugby Players Association
have worked together to focus specifically on
concussion awareness and education, game day
management and the graduated return to play
for players who have suffered a concussion.
A new mandatory online concussion
awareness module must be completed by all
registered professional players, coaches and
referees. All male registered Premiership
Rugby and Championship players over 18 and
contracted England Sevens players and all
England Women representative players over the
age of 18, coaches and referees have to complete
the course.
The objective is to improve the understanding
of concussion and the behaviours needed to
manage it effectively. The interactive module
explains what concussion is, what it feels like
and how to recognise it. It also highlights the
potential consequences of the injury and the
protocols that need to be followed to manage it
effectively. Independently reviewed by subject
experts, it is a major advance in concussion
education in professional sport. There will be
automatic fines for non-completion and a player
or coach could be ineligible to play or coach
until it is completed.
All Premiership Rugby and Championship
medical staff will also undertake additional
mandatory concussion management training as
part of the annual Immediate Care in Sport (ICIS)
programme. The head injury and concussion
section has been updated
to reflect recent changes in
concussion management.
The Head Injury Assessment
(HIA) process will again be
used in Premiership Rugby and
England matches in the 2014/15
season and cases of confirmed
or suspected concussion will
continue to be permanently
removed from the field of
play. Two components of the
assessment tool have been
expanded, with the memory test
strengthened and the balance
test altered, and the period for
assessment has been extended
from five to 10 minutes.
At all Premiership Rugby grounds and at
Twickenham Stadium, doctors will have access
to live TV feeds and replays when conducting a
Head Injury Assessment. There also will be an
independent review of on-field management and
all assessments during Premiership Rugby and
England matches. They will be conducted by two
experienced independent medical practitioners.
The review process is linked to the RFU
disciplinary process.
For the past two seasons, Bath University have
evaluated the return to play processes followed
Continued on page 2
TOUCHLINE – NOVEMBER 2014
1
Continued from page 1
by Premiership Rugby and England players after
concussion and will this season monitor and
report on the Graduated Return to Play.
Simon Kemp, RFU Chief Medical Officer, said:
“These significant changes were driven by the
Professional Game Board Medical Advisory
Group review of the 2013 Concussion Forum
and continue our work over the last ten years on
concussion. Working closely with Premiership
Rugby and the RPA, we believe this will provide
a comprehensive package of processes designed
to enhance all elements of professional player
concussion management.
“Importantly, these changes are consistent
with the Recognise, Remove, Recover, Return
message, relevant to all levels of the game.
Following the initial roll-out of the module our
aim is to make a version of it available to all
levels of the game.”
The RFU Headcase resource for the wider
game, developed with brain injury charity
Headway and independent neurology experts,
is an online resource with bespoke sections for
players, coaches, referees, schools, parents, and
health care professionals. Over 200,000 resource
cards have been distributed to volunteers,
with 19,000 caps, whistle lanyards and beanies
circulated at Rugby Ready, ELRA and Level 1 &
2 coaching courses. Concussion guidance has
reached 230,000 in the Rugby Ready coaching
course since 2008 and is an integral part of
coaching, refereeing and rugby medics’ courses.
www.englandrugby.com/headcase
also links to the IRB online concussion
education courses that the RFU helped
to develop.
WHEN A HERO COMES ALONG
Rugby’s values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment,
Discipline and Sportsmanship are what makes the
game special for those who enjoy the environment and
culture they create. They define the game and define
England Rugby.
And now the RFU has created a film celebrating
rugby’s core values and the everyday heroes who
live them every day. The film will help to recruit new
rugby followers and engage existing ones, allowing the
audience to identify with sentiments relevant to them.
While remaining true to the roots of what makes
the game so special for existing supporters and
participants, the film will appeal to new audiences, creating new fans. It covers the breadth and
diversity of the game, with five scenarios focusing on one key hero in each whose involvement with
rugby brings the core values to life.
The heroes’ stories include those of:
Nine-year-old Molly Stapleton from Surrey off to the Marriott London Sevens at Twickenham with
her two sisters, baby brother, and parents. Fancy dress, family breakfast, travelling to Twickenham,
playing rugby in the car park enjoying the action in the stands, two sisters asleep in the car home
and finally Molly sleeping too in her bed, clutching her ‘Ruckley Rocks!’ ball.
England Rugby Supporter’s Club member Jenny Hale, a lifelong Bath fan, supports local rivals
Bristol when her South African-born great nephew arrives at the club. She and her family, complete
with Jenny’s ‘Come On Nic’ banner, cheer on Bristol on a cold and wet evening. Though it isn’t
Bristol’s night, Jenny proudly embraces her star player beside the pitch after the final whistle.
Cecily Moore, a Physiotherapist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, works a very long day
but the enjoyment she gets from playing and coaching O2 Touch with friends makes a big difference.
As an England Touch Rugby triallist, Cecily displays a competitive spirit on the pitch but also loves
socialising in the pub after a great touch session.
Adnaan Rashid Cranford School’s Year 10 rugby captain and team-mate Ramash Arib meticulously
plan a training session for other pupils whenever they have a moment in the school day, before
encouraging them through their drills and skills. Both boys, having discovered the sport at
Hounslow’s Cranford, part of the RFU All Schools programme, now also play for Grasshoppers
Rugby Club.
Ben Blondrage captains Brixham’s Under 12s and is up at 7am preparing his kit. He meets teammates in the dressing room, listens to the coach’s team talk, scores a great individual try before being
substituted. Disappointment turns to cheers as his replacement scores and at the whistle Ben runs
to congratulate the team and thank the opposition, before the two boys walk arm in arm through the
tunnel of applause.
Click here for video
REMAINING TICKETS SET
TO GO ON SALE
950,000 tickets to England 2015 were sold in the September 2014 general sale, after a record level of
demand for tickets to a Rugby World Cup. Tickets went on sale between September 12 and 29, and
England Rugby 2015, the Organising Committee for next year’s showcase event, received more than
five million applications for tickets, leading to demand exceeding supply at every price category for
23 of the 48 matches.
All remaining tickets will go back on sale at the end of November and there are still some great
match tickets available. Those who did not receive tickets in the ballot will receive priority when
tickets go back on sale later this month. Fans should only buy tickets from official sources and all
individual match tickets will go on sale through the official Rugby World Cup 2015 ticketing website:
tickets.rugbyworldcup.com
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TOUCHLINE – OCTOBER 2014
ONE
YEAR
TO
GO
Delivering a lasting rugby legacy
The RFU Lead Up and Legacy
Strategy was set three years
ahead of the Rugby World Cup
2015 final. Now, with only a year
to go, the latest report shows
real progress across all seven
priority areas.
“In the past two years a great
deal of work has been done and
significant investment made in
both time and resources,” said
Rugby Development Director
Steve Grainger. “This report
gives a flavour of that work.”
One Year To Go: 2015 &
Beyond, outlines all the work
underway to deliver a lasting and meaningful rugby legacy. You can read what has been achieved so
far and what is yet to come. Click here
Headlines include:
• £27.5m of facility improvements in rugby clubs the length and breadth of the country,
including pitches, floodlights, changing rooms and clubhouses
• 300 more state secondary schools playing rugby as part of the All Schools programme,
with more than 150,000 students now involved
• 16,000 people playing O2 Touch rugby in over 230 Touch centres in clubs, colleges and
universities
• £1m plus invested in new coaches and match officials with record number of course
attendances
• Young people becoming more engaged in rugby clubs and schools as volunteers and
future leaders
• Innovative and interactive Schools Resource website to bring RWC 2015 and rugby to life
across the curriculum
• Six Regional Legacy groups working hard to support the delivery of legacy projects across
the country
There’s no doubt that it is, as RFU Chief Executive Ian Ritchie says, “an exciting time for the entire
game in England, from the U8s playing in grassroots clubs to Stuart Lancaster’s England squad
running out at Twickenham and the fans tweeting messages of support.”
CHAMPIONSHIP
XV BEAT CANADA
AT SIXWAYS
NICOL McCLELLAND
Martin Haag’s Championship XV clinched a thrilling 28-23 victory against their international
opposition, Canada, at Sixways at the start of this month.
Kyle Gilmour and Gordon McRorie tries gave the Canadians the advantage in the first half,
London Scottish’s Mark Bright going over for the hosts, before the Championship side turned
it around in the second half. Bright’s Exiles team-mate James Phillips clinched the win, adding
to tries from Bristol pair Jack Tovey and Marco Mama. Bedford Blues’ James Pritchard was on
form with the boot for Canada while McRorie had grabbed a second try. The Championship
held on for a memorable win.
Nottingham boss Haag said: “To beat an international team is no mean feat. I’m hoping that
15 years down the line they’ll still be thinking about this game, still be friends, and enjoying
the experience.
“When you look at the array of talent we started with and brought off the bench, we could
probably have picked another XV as well because the Championship is that strong.”
URUGUAY
SECURE FINAL
QUALIFICATION
SPOT
After a qualifying process involving over 200 matches and more
than 80 nations, the road to Rugby World Cup 2015 qualification
culminated in Montevideo last month with Uruguay clinching
the 20th and final qualifier spot after a 57 – 49 aggregate victory
over Russia.
Uruguay join England in Pool A, alongside Australia, Fiji and
Wales and will face the tournament hosts in Manchester on
October 10, 2015.
You can see the full match schedule on rugbyworldcup.com
LED LIGHTS ADD TO
TWICKENHAM SHINE
CHARLOTTE TRUSSON
Rugby fans heading to Twickenham Stadium to watch the
Barbarians take on Australia were the first to experience the
benefits of the new LED floodlights.
Twickenham became one of the first stadiums in the world to
adopt this low energy and low maintenance solution. The system
by Musco Lighting is the latest improvement as part of the RFU’s
long-term strategy to ensure the Home of England Rugby is a
world-leading facility and at the forefront of new technology.
The floodlights can be centrally coordinated with the stadium’s
LED boards, the recently added huge video screens and the
public address system, improving spectator experience and
match day atmosphere. The instant on/off/dimming controls
enable the stadium to feature special effects lighting for
games and other major events like concerts. It also provides an
enhanced HD broadcast quality for fans watching games on TV.
The system significantly reduces energy consumption from
the prior metal halide floodlights. Players, spectators and
the surrounding area benefit from the floodlight’s advanced
optic controls that provide lighting with pinpoint precision,
dramatically reducing spill light and glare. Musco’s complete
solution uses high-quality structural, electrical, and lighting
components for performance and reliability. The new
floodlights will light the QBE International between England
and Samoa, a night-time fixture.
Richard Knight, Stadium Director, RFU said: “Continuing
our aim of being at the forefront of new technology, the Musco
LED floodlights will see Twickenham become one of the
first stadiums in the world to have them installed. They are a
low energy and low maintenance solution that will improve
spectator viewing and significantly enhance the quality of TV
pictures.”
Jeff Rogers, President of Musco World said: “Musco is proud
to have worked with the RFU and ME Engineers Inc. to provide
a state-of-the-art lighting solution for this iconic centre of sports
history. This sustainable solution will light a stage for some of
the world’s greatest athletes with uncompromised light control,
quality, and efficiency.”
UNSUNG HEROES HONOURED AT
ENGLAND TRAINING
Five unsung heroes were selected from grassroots clubs which
have produced future England internationals. They all watched
England train at their Penny Hill Park base in Surrey, as well as
meeting coach Stuart Lancaster and receiving a plaque for their
club from the England players who started their careers there.
The clubs involved were Fylde, where Kieron Brookes of
Newcastle Falcons and Richard Wigglesworth of Saracens began
their careers; Dursley, first club of Gloucester’s Ben Morgan;
Warlingham, Harlequins’ Chris Robshaw’s club; Salisbury, where
Mike Brown of Harlequins set out and Westoe RFC, first club for
David Wilson of Bath.
The five unsung heroes recognised were:
• Warren Atkinson (Fylde) – for recruitment and retention
of players
• Laura Price (Dursley) – for her work with the junior section
• Tony Doe (Warlingham) – for his work with the club’s
senior team
• John Palmer (Salisbury) – for publicity and photography
activities
• John Pickering (Westoe RFC) – for work on junior coaching
The event formed part of the England Connected initiative,
which has seen elite players and coaches lend a hand to
grassroots clubs, strengthening the link with elite rugby and
acting as a further reminder of the unique benefits of joining the
wider rugby family.
AGE GRADE SEVENS
COMPETITIONS
Recognising concerns and in response to a number of
questions about age grade sevens competitions, this note
is intended to clarify the RFU position on weight limits
for players.
RFU Schools & Youth Governance and ERFSU have
agreed that weight limits should not be adopted as they
can preclude children from playing rugby with their
peers, and may force them to play with groups that they
are not socially, physically or emotionally ready to play
with. It also removes the pressure for players to ‘make the
weight’ and the issues associated with weighing-in prior to
tournaments, and helps to ensure that they get maximum
enjoyment from playing rugby.
Rugby is an inclusive sport and age-grade rugby has been
developed to be progressive and to develop skills in a more
manageable, safe and child-centred way. The RFU believes
that teachers and coaches working with their teams are
best placed to assess any potential risk to their players and
make the appropriate decision as to who should or should
not take part. This should always be done with the best
interests of the players in mind. In conjunction with ERFSU,
organisers of the HSBC Rosslyn Park 7s have agreed that
no weight limits will be imposed for the 2015 festival.
Robshaw, the England captain, said: “Playing for England is a huge
honour; it’s also a huge responsibility. It’s because of people like
these five that there are opportunities to be part of the rugby family.
It’s great that the squad recognises its regional connection. Rugby
has given me so much and I’m proud to be able to give a little back.”
TOUCHLINE – OCTOBER 2014
3
GROUNDSMEN - WHY NOT GET CONNECTED?
and spend a day on the hallowed turf with Keith
Last month (October) Rugby Groundsmen Connected was launched by the RFU, linking rugby club
groundsmen across the country with speedy guidance from experts at the RFU.
Rugby Groundsmen Connected is an accessible, two-way communication network between the
RFU and all those out there making sure matches are played and training takes place. It will now be
the main communication channel for the RFU to provide information and advice to groundsmen and
will also have special offers and exclusive benefits for members.
Registration is free. Anyone interested should just email [email protected]
confirming their name and the name of the club or school that they are involved with. If they are not
on email they just need to send a note with the same information to ‘Rugby Groundsmen Connected’
at Rugby House.
Ted Mitchell, who is co-ordinating the scheme says, “This initiative has real potential for people
who put in such hard graft while not having a truly official role within clubs and schools. We at
the RFU will be in touch with them directly and they can reach us at any time. Getting relevant
information and advice to our groundsmen has been a challenge in the past but is important, and
urgent when they are faced with conditions like flooding or drought.”
Keith Kent, Twickenham head groundsman, will be the figurehead of the scheme and said, “I love
getting out and providing advice and support to grassroots rugby clubs. Now, through Groundsmen
Connected, we‘ll be able to help them more efficiently. Whatever else is achieved in clubs and
schools, if pitches are not looked after properly there’s no rugby. In the worst possible conditions it’s
the groundsman who saves the day and we want to help them all we can.”
The first 100 people to sign up will go into a draw to win a Twickenham match day on the pitch
with Keith.
CANTERBURY REWARD FANS WEARING THEIR
ENGLAND RUGBY SHIRT
Canterbury, the Official Kit Provider for
England Rugby, is giving fans a chance
to stock up their wardrobes with £500 of
Canterbury stash.
All you have to do is wear your new
Canterbury England shirt with pride on
match days during the QBE Internationals.
Share a photo with Canterbury on
Facebook, Twitter or Instagram of you
wearing the England shirt on match day
for a chance to win. Make sure you use
#EnglandIsAll when entering.
For fans heading to Twickenham on
match day and wearing the new England
home or alternate shirt, Canterbury will be
stopping and rewarding England fans at
random. ‘Team CCC’ will also be handing
out collectable wristbands and providing a
chance to win tickets to an RBS 6 Nations
match of your choice.
For more information join the community
at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Facebook: Canterbury, Twitter: @
CanterburyNZ, Instagram: @CanterburyNZ
Terms and conditions can be found at
Canterbury.com
SKY
PARTNERSHIP
EXTENDED
WILL CHIGNELL
VOTE FOR
ENGLAND WOMEN
IN THE SUNDAY TIMES &
SKY SPORTS SPORTSWOMEN
OF THE YEAR AWARDS
England Women have been named in the shortlist of finalists for The Sunday Times and Sky Sports
Sportswomen of the Year Awards 2014 – give them a boost by voting for them in the public ballot.
Vote for them here: http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/public/sportswomen/article1474175.ece
They are up against the England cricket team, GB athletics 4x100m relay squad and rowers Helen
Glover & Heather Stanning. Voting will close on Tuesday 11 November and the awards will be
broadcast live on Sky Sports on the evening of Wednesday 19 November.
Emily Scarratt and England Women have also received nominations for prestigious annual (since
1949) Sports Journalists’ Association awards in the Sportswoman and Team of the Year categories.
4
TOUCHLINE – NOVEMBER 2014
The RFU and Sky Sports have extended their
partnership with a new five-year broadcast
deal which will also see Sky Sports become
a top level RFU partner, with a range of
partnership rights for the first time.
The agreement strengthens one of the
longest running broadcast partnerships in
sport, taking it until the end of the 2019/20
season, and the relationship between the
RFU and Sky Sports into its third decade.
The deal will help to further raise the profile
and interest of rugby union and take the
sport to new audiences. It will also continue
to enhance the RFU’s ability to invest in all
levels of the game.
The new deal, which begins in July 2015, provides a continued commitment to cover rugby
union in England at all levels and comprises:
• Exclusively live coverage of England’s autumn QBE Internationals from Twickenham,
QBE Internationals before the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and 2019, plus the annual
England spring fixture
• At least two live England Women’s matches a season, as well as additional England
Under 20, Under 18 and England Saxons fixtures
• A minimum of 11 live Greene King IPA Championship matches
• An in-match clips package, which will enable near live match updates to be delivered
across RFU and Sky Sports’ websites and social media channels
Sky Sports is now consolidated as a major RFU partner and will work closely with the
governing body to develop opportunities to support and cover grassroots rugby throughout
the country.
RFU Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, Sophie Goldschmidt (above) said, “We have
a long term, trusted relationship with Sky Sports and are delighted that it is continuing. They
have an acknowledged reputation as a premier worldwide broadcaster, who always look to
take sport to new levels both editorially and in terms of innovation. We are looking forward
to not only showcasing our England teams in the best possible way, but also to exploring
opportunities to support the grassroots, so the whole game benefits further. The RFU is
fortunate to have a group of modern, forward thinking, progressive partners and Sky clearly
reflects these attributes as we look to the future.”
Sky Sports Managing Director, Barney Francis, added: “This new deal builds on our already
successful partnership with the RFU. It offers our viewers even more live England rugby from
the men’s, women’s and age grade game, and includes additional rights to enable us to support
the game from the grassroots up to the elite level. At Sky Sports, we share the RFU’s aims
to grow the sport before and after next year’s World Cup by investing across the game, and
innovating with our coverage to reach new audiences.”
RFU LEAD UP AND
LEGACY GRANT
FOR TUPTON
Tupton RUFC in North East Derbyshire was chosen by the RFU to become
a Lead Up and Legacy Centre for Rugby World Cup 2015 and a grant
of £70,000 which, together with further funding from Sport England,
Viridor, Veolia and Tupton Parish Council totals £475,000 will see a new
clubhouse built for members and the local community. The Club has
appointed DJ Atkinson Construction to design and build the clubhouse.
The RFU has committed a £10m investment to create a network of
over 500 Lead Up and Legacy Centres and said RFU Area Facilities
Manager Peter Shaw. “The new facilities will improve the quality of the
rugby experience for everyone using the site and provide more playing
opportunities, especially for local people in the 14-24 age-group.”
Club Chairman, David Brignull, said: “We are delighted that our project
won approval following its original identification by Nottinghamshire,
Lincolnshire and Derbyshire RFU. We will now have some of the best
facilities in the area that local people from Tupton and the surrounding
area can use during the week.”
“This investment by the RFU is excellent news.” said MP Natascha Engel.
“The club has had an enthusiastic group of hard-working volunteers and
this funding will enable them to do even more for young people in the
community in the future.”
Tupton RUFC is one of many clubs across England benefitting from
investment through the RFU Lead Up and Legacy fund.
To find out more go to englandrugby.com/betterfacilities
ANIMATED
BEGINNER’S
GUIDE TO
RUGBY
UNION
The RFU recently unveiled a new
animated video explaining the
fundamentals of rugby union in a fun
and accessible way.
An educational resource for RFU
field teams and for anyone tuning in
on social media and YouTube and
keen to understand the sport, it uses a
combination of hand-drawn animation
and video clips to explain everything from
scrums and lineouts to rugby’s values.
Anyone who doesn’t know a maul from
a ruck can get clued up by watching and
downloading from www.englandrugby.
com/my-rugby/players/rugby-basics/
ENGLAND RUGBY BENEFITS FROM
LATEST SAMSUNG TECHNOLOGY
SUZI MURRAY
The RFU has agreed long-term partnership with leading electronics provider Samsung. The three-year agreement will see Samsung become a key
technology supplier as the Consumer Electronics & Smartphone Partner and Official Home Technology Partner to the RFU and England Rugby Team.
As the UK’s leading manufacturer of large format displays, Samsung will have installed over 700 state-of-the-art digital screens throughout Twickenham
Stadium, with further displays integrated into England Rugby’s training ground at Pennyhill Park. The Samsung Smart Signage products will significantly
enhance the fans’ experience and benefit elite and grassroots player levels, reflecting the growing importance of technology in the game.
The agreement will also benefit over 2,000 RFU affiliated grassroots rugby clubs across the UK, giving them a unique purchase offering with access to
Samsung’s Smart Signage and other coaching technologies.
As Official Partner to England Rugby, Samsung will also benefit from an extensive range of sponsorship rights including match day branding rights,
hospitality packages and category exclusivity in consumer electronic & smartphone products.
Sophie Goldschmidt, RFU Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, said: “There are natural synergies between Samsung and the RFU, as sport and
technology become increasingly intertwined and we both strive to be at the forefront within our specialty areas. This partnership importantly supports
both the elite and grassroots levels. In 2012 we committed to invest £76m into the development of a modern, connected stadium, and the partnership with
Samsung is another stepping stone to achieving our goal.”
Andy Griffiths, President of Samsung Electronics UK, said: “Samsung has long been committed to sport, both in the UK and globally, and we take
pride in bringing fans closer to their passions and creating unforgettable experiences through our technology. Partnering with the RFU and England
Rugby team is a very exciting step for us ahead of what will undoubtedly be a fantastic year for the nation. The installation of leading Samsung
technology at Twickenham and Pennyhill Park will not only support the England team, but will bring fans closer to the game than ever before, ensuring
that they don’t miss a single kick, try or tackle.”
SAMSUNG
TRY OF THE
MONTH
England Rugby and Samsung have teamed up to celebrate the
best tries scored around the country every month.
Whether it is a team try through a dozen set of hands, a rolling
maul, or an individual bit of brilliance, we want you to send us
your tries.
Each month, we’ll ask an England legend to judge the
competition and decide who is the winner of the Samsung Try of
the Month.
The winning club, school or University will receive £1,000 worth
of Samsung technology to upgrade their facilities. There is also a
Samsung smartphone for the person that enters the winning try.
Who can enter: Any age from minis to vets men and women.
Any level from tag or touch to National League 1.
How to enter: Visit www.englandrugby.com/samsung-totm
Prize for the club: Win £1,000 of the latest Samsung technology
to upgrade your clubhouse or school.
Prize for the entrant: The winning entrant will also receive the
latest Samsung smartphone.
Closing date: Entries will close on the last day of each month.
TOUCHLINE – NOVEMBER 2014
5
MOST TESTED GILBERT
BALL KICKS OFF QBE
INTERNATIONALS
Gilbert’s MATCH-XV ball was making its international debut in the England v New
Zealand QBE International before going on to be used in top level Test matches
throughout 2014 and 2015, meaning the world’s best players will have plenty of time with
the ball before Rugby World Cup 2015, where it will be the official match ball.
A modern classic, the MATCH-XV is the latest in a succession of balls stretching back to
1995 to be engineered by the industry-leaders and is packed with innovation. It is also the
most-tested Gilbert ball in history.
An extensive two-year development process has delivered a new surface compound to
enhance grip without compromising subtlety or durability. The surface design has also been
improved to enable quicker water dispersion. The MATCH-XV represents the pinnacle of
rugby ball technology.
SO MANY TEAM MATES GONE
RFU Chairman Bill Beaumont has been paying tribute to rugby players who died in the Great War
and those who returned having lost so many team mates. His own grandfather, Lieutenant Harry
Beaumont, was awarded the Military Cross for a significant part played in one of the most epic
battles, the defence of the Diyalah River pocket in Mesopotamia in 1917.
“He was later shot by a sniper and treated in India, before returning to the UK at the end of the war
to teach and coach rugby at Blackpool Grammar School,” said Bill. “Like most men of his generation,
I don’t remember him talking about the war and, sadly, his medal was later stolen in a house burglary.
“If you go to any of the older rugby clubs and there will be a roll of honour for players who died.
You just cannot imagine what it was like for them or the survivors who came back to their clubs, tried
to pick up the pieces, with so many of their team mates gone.
Of the 1914 England team only five ever played for the country again. They included Sydney Smart,
Bruno Brown, Cyril Lowe, who had the highest number of tries until Rory Underwood broke his
GUIDE DOG
TO BE NAMED
AFTER
WEBB ELLIS
Earlier this year Carlisle RFC organised a Sportsman’s
Dinner to raise funds for the club. The guest speaker was
Jeff Probyn and the event raised circa £5K of which £2.5K
was donated to Guide Dogs for the Blind.
The donation was sufficient to name a guide dog puppy,
and in recognition of the rugby connection, the club have
been advised that the dog will be named ELLIS after the
founding father of the game.
The club, and Guide Dogs are grateful for the excellent
support that the dinner attained and would like to thank
most sincerely, all those who attended or donated auction
and raffle prizes.
David Morton, secretary of the Carlisle club is
himself registered blind, hence the close connection
with Guide Dogs.
6
TOUCHLINE – NOVEMBER 2014
record, John Greenwood, known as Jenny, and William John Abbott Davies, who everyone called
Dave. Davies later captained England to two Grand Slams.
“It is easy to forget that 100 years ago these players were at their peak when careers were curtailed
and lives lost. We owe them huge respect and should all pay tribute to their sacrifice.”
It was at a Lancashire Infantry Museum function that Bill asked about his grandfather, an officer in
the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. In March 1917 a British force pursued retreating Turks up the
line of the River Tigris in what is now Iraq. The Diyalah River was the enemy’s last line of defence,
just eight miles from Baghdad.
Members of the North Lancs were cut down in waves as they tried to ferry pontoons across the
river. Harry Beaumont led the largest party to get across and some 100 men and three other officers,
gathered around him and an epic battle of endurance ensued.
For more than 30 hours they fought off attack after attack and, having used up all their bombs, hurled
back those thrown by the Turks. When relieved, the remaining force of 35 men and four officers, many
of them wounded, were down to
their last rounds of ammunition.
The following day the British
Army entered Baghdad. Harry,
who led the main body in the
Diyalah crossing, was awarded the
MC for courage in the face of the
enemy. His diaries chronicling the
action are being transcribed to be
added to the Lancashire Infantry
Museum’s archives.
“My granddad died when
I was eight,” said Bill. “I
remember him well. He
and my grandmother were
educationalists, among those
they tutored was Stanley
Matthews’ son. While other
children went to Blackpool for
a holiday, my sister and I went
to their home there and did our
homework! Education and rugby were very important to my granddad. But until recently I never
knew why he was awarded the MC. His bravery was matched by so many of our rugby players who
are being remembered in this Centenary at clubs across the land. ”
ENGLAND 7s PLAYERS
AT COLLEGE
Lord Wandsworth College was delighted to welcome three
England Rugby 7s players as Sam Edgerley, Callum Wilson and
Jack Walsh arrived to coach the U15, U14 and Junior boys.
Despite rain, the boys couldn’t wait to be out on the field with
the players and trained hard. They focused on defence, rucking
over the ball and working as a team. A lively and engaging Q&A
session followed.
Soma Singh, Director of Sport at Lord Wandsworth College,
said, “The boys were really inspired by Sam, Callum and Jack
and enjoyed the hands-on coaching session. They came away
with lots of good tips and advice which we look forward to
incorporating into our game.”
SIR’S A PE
& SCHOOL
SPORT
WINNER
Stuart Manifold the head
of PE at the Manchester
Enterprise Academy
was awarded the
Contribution to PE and
School Sport Winner
2014 at the Manchester
Sports Awards last
month (October).
Stuart has received this award for his contribution to
rugby union development at the Academy over the last
12 months. The Academy is part of the RFU All Schools
programme. He received his award from Nathan Hines
of Sale Sharks and Paul Hitchen Belle Vue Coaches
Manchester, the event sponsors.
AMBER LIGHTS UP
IN COACHING
ROLE
A member of England’s triumphant women’s squad
is earning her coaching badges at Bloxham School in
Oxfordshire. The 23-year-old graduate sports coach
combines playing for Bristol and England with working
at the school where her duties include looking after the
Under 15s who compete in the NatWest Schools Cup.
“I’m very busy but it is a tremendous opportunity to get
a teaching career underway,” says Reed whose family is
steeped in the game, including uncle Andy, the former
Scotland and Lions lock.
Her own sports career not only includes rugby but has
brought county honours for Gloucestershire at cricket and
hockey for Bristol. And her all-round ability is reflected
in her also coaching netball, athletics and cricket at the
Banbury school. She was also a very decent footballer and
took up rugby when a pupil at Colston’s.
“I’m indebted to the work of Ben Berry. He coached the
girls’ team at Colston’s and introduced a number of us to
the sport. Another big inspiration was Jo Yapp at Exeter
University. She has done an amazing job there in bringing
players through and a lot of us have benefited from her
experience as a player.”
Reed hopes to add to her 18 England caps including in
the women’s World Cup campaign last summer.
“The whole experience in France was a huge thrill and
just to be involved was a big honour. To win the Cup at
the end was a huge reward for a lot of hard work by a lot
of people.”
As for the coaching and her under-15s rugby team, Reed
admits, “I’m always a little tense just before a match kicks
off. You want your team to do well, to get something out
of their matches and to progress.”
SPECIAL GUESTS
ON BECCEHAMIAMS
SPECIAL DAY
The maroon and black of Beccehamian Rugby Club was put in the shade by the
Scarlet red coats of eight Chelsea Pensioners recently. They were at Sparrows
Den for the annual lunch held by Club President, Clive Putner, attended this year
by 100 club members, including a contingent from the successful Ladies Team to
whom the Old and Bold took a particular shine.
Beccehamians are forging a close relationship with the Pensioners and have
adopted the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, as their charity for this year.
Club Vice-President Ken Ellis, who organised the lunch, said “As a rugby club,
we recognise the enormous debt we owe to these men and their colleagues and
we are delighted to welcome them back. They are great company and fantastic
ambassadors for the Hospital.”
Following lunch, the Pensioners were treated to an exciting 1st team game in
which the home side overcame top of the league Old Williamsonians.
As he left on the trip back to Chelsea, In-Pensioner Nick Clarke said, “ This is a
really friendly club. We can’t wait for next year’s visit.
HASTINGS AND
BEXHILL ARE
THE BEST
Hastings and Bexhill RFC recently won the best
sports team in Hastings and Rother community
award, having been nominated by the local
hospice for their sportsmanship on and off
the pitch and the amount achieved within the
community, raisings funds for good causes
including the hospice.
The ceremony saw the trophy collected by the
three senior team captains. Jimmy Adams, Chris
Pillow and Alan Dugan, as well as committee
member and second team manager Frances
O’Gorman.
Said the club’s social secretary Cinnamon
McManus, “I’m really proud of our members’
and it was great to show the club’s younger
players that giving back to your community can
be rewarded and thanked in so many ways.”
CELEBRATING
IN SOUTH
YORKSHIRE
GREAT
RUGBY
WELCOME
CHRIS HUDSON
When eight-year old Tabitha
McLoughlin arrived for her
first training session with the
Loughborough RFC Under 9s,
the St Mary’s Catholic Primary
School pupil was, thanks to
a minis open day, greeted by
enthusiastic coaches, teammates, members of the men’s and
women’s 1st teams. To complete
her first rugby session at Derby
Road she also met Loughborough
Women’s and England Under 20s
player Scarlett Cooper-Wall.
With first team players, Head
Coach Leon Pohe, Senior Coaches
and Chairman Dan Hatjiosif
welcomed new recruits and took
part in coaching. Scarlett then
told Tabitha about when she
started playing at the club aged
six and was the only girl among a
group of boys. She hoped Tabitha
would have as much enjoyment
has she was having in the sport.
Jim Dixon of Rotherham Clifton RUFC was
the big winner at the South Yorkshire
Volunteer Evening.
Jim was recognised for almost 20 years of
dedicated work supporting junior rugby in
Rotherham. His award was collected by his son
Tim at the gala evening last month.
Other winners included Craig Neil of
Thornesians RUFC, who was presented with the
Services to Coaching Award.
TOUCHLINE – NOVEMBER 2014
7
RFU NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL
TIM MARKS
The new-look RFU National Youth Council recently held its inaugural meeting at Twickenham
Stadium, aiming to get more young people excited by rugby. The Council of 12 young people from
across England set four key objectives for the next year:
- To enable player retention of 16 – 24s via research and project-based activities.
- To be a sounding board and youth insight group across the business.
- To be ambassadors for rugby and attend events and conferences
- To aid the development of the Young Rugby Ambassador programme
Council members met Jason Leonard, England’s most capped player, 2003 World Cup winner and
RFU President for the 2015/16 season, who told them: “I’m extremely impressed by the drive of the
Youth Council to help grow the game. As a cross-section of extremely bright young people from a
variety of different backgrounds you all have one major thing in common, a love of rugby. I’m very
positive that the National Youth Council will be a huge success story in the lead-up to and legacy of
the Rugby World Cup 2015.”
The six young men and six young women chosen to represent their peers to help grow the game
are: Eleanor Trezise, 23, from London; Chair and Dave Lote, 21, Staffordshire; Vice Chair; Dan Fay,
18, Hertfordshire; Jack Stacey, 18, Bedfordshire; Kate Marks, 17 Devon; Louise Smale, 21 , London;
Lucy Moore, 20, Berkshire; Richard Pulsford, 22, Surrey; Sam Alderson, 24, Surrey; Sam Strickson, 21,
Nottinghamshire; Tuesday Platt, 17, Yorkshire and Yasmin Proctor-Kent, 20, Yorkshire.
Sam Alderson, 24, from Surrey said: “I want more people to play the game of rugby and keep
playing it. It has given me friendships that will last a lifetime, and experiences I’ll never forget. We all
want to give something back and this is a great opportunity for young people to be involved, have a
voice and be heard within the RFU.”
Jenny Box, RFU Volunteer Engagement Manager, added: “One of the RFU’s key legacy strands is
to engage young people more effectively, particularly between the ages of 16 and 24, and what better
way of finding out how to do that than actually speaking to people in that age group.
To follow the National Youth Council’s activities on Twitter, it’s #RFUNYC
WORLD RUGBY MUSEUM
Old Streetonians: Life, Rugby and Art in Shoreditch
24th October 2014 – April 2015
SUZI MURRAY
Twickenham Stadium’s World Rugby Museum is featuring a new exhibition; ‘Old Streetonians: Life,
Rugby and Art in Shoreditch’. It tells how a group of friends and artists in Shoreditch founded Old
Streetonians RFC, and eventually progressed up the league pyramid.
Featuring work by members present and past, the exhibition covers a diverse range of
contemporary artwork from artists of worldwide renown. Combining art and sport; the exhibition
shows how the two passions have captured the spirit of a place and time.
Exhibiting artists include Billie Lee, Charlie Allen, Dan Gardiner, Joshua Compston, James Dean,
Kate Hawkins, Mark Woods, Mick Kerr, Gordan Faulds, Hamish Patel, Henry Stringer, Houston
Morris, Nic Clear, Ollie Naylor, Patrick Colhoun, Rebecca Scott and Samantha Denny.
World Rugby Museum curator, Michael Rowe said: “The exhibition is an exciting mix of works of
art, sculpture and also audio visual elements, coming together to tell the unique story of how Old
Streetonians rugby club was founded. The exhibition space has a distinctive look and feel where we
have recreated a typical Shoreditch artist’s loft to set the scene. A lot of time and preparation has
gone into curating this exhibition and we are delighted to be opening it for the public to enjoy.”
For further information visit http://www.rfu.com/twickenhamstadium/worldrugbymuseum
[email protected]
Tel: 0208 892 8877
@wrugbymuseum
www.facebook.com/worldrugbymuseum
WATCH ENGLAND WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS
JULIA HUTTON
England Women will play Italy, Scotland and
France at home this season in the Six Nations
Championship with Twickenham Stadium, the
Twickenham Stoop and The Northern Echo
Arena in Darlington hosting the 2014 Rugby
World Cup champions.
England, who finished second in the 2014
Six Nations, will play their first international
XVs game since becoming world champions
in August away to Wales at Swansea RFC on
Sunday February 8, kick off 2:30pm. Seven
days later and the Twickenham Stoop will host
SHARKS SNAP
UP GIRLS
Sale Sharks recently linked with the RFU
to provide a free development day for girls
in the North West. This was the first step
in working together around the funding
provided to Premier Rugby specifically
around girls rugby development.
Sale Sharks Community Rugby Coach
Darren Lamon hosted the day which saw
some70 girls aged 10 to 18 put through
their paces by Sharks players such as
Nathan Hines and Hendrie Fourie. Girls
attended from Sandbach, Winnington
Park, Northwich, West Park St Helens,
Manchester, Longton to name but a few.
And obviously they all had their picture
taken with the World Cup.
8
England’s first home game of the championship
against Italy at 2pm on Sunday February
15. Tickets for the match are on sale via
Ticketmaster and Harlequins.
Ireland await England in the third round of
the Six Nations at Ashbourne RFC on Friday
February 27th at 7:30pm. England last played
Ireland in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals with
Gary Street’s side taking an impressive 40-7 win
to book their place in the final against Canada.
Ireland finished fourth overall at the World Cup.
England’s home run then resumes with the
side making their international debut at the
27,000-seater Northern Echo Arena against
Scotland on Friday March 13 at 7:35pm. The
match will be part of a double header with the
Men’s U20s side taking on Scotland earlier at
5:30pm also in their Six Nations championship.
Both matches will be televised live on Sky Sports.
Twickenham Stadium will then welcome
TOUCHLINE – NOVEMBER 2014
England on Saturday March 21 for a double
header against France alongside England
Men. France, who finished third at their home
World Cup this summer, are the reigning Six
Nations champions after a Grand Slam winning
campaign in 2014. Kick-off is at 7:20pm and
rugby fans can watch the match for free with
free entry to the stadium after the men’s RBS 6
Nations clash. The match will also be broadcast
live on BBC Sport.
Gary Street’s side last lifted the Six Nations
trophy in 2012 after a third place finish in 2013
with Ireland taking the honours and France
keeping England to a second place finish this
year. With three different winners over the last
three years, this season’s Six Nations is set to be
a thriller.
Street said: “The success of the World Cup
has really stimulated the public’s interest in
women’s rugby and that coupled with three of
the four Rugby World Cup semi-finalists playing
in the Six Nations sets this tournament up to
be the most exciting yet. We are really pleased
to be playing at some great venues and to take
England on the road to the Northern Echo
Arena, a fantastic stadium.”
ENGLAND WOMEN
SIX NATIONS 2015
FIXTURES
Wales Women v England
Sunday 8th February 2015
Swansea RFC, kick-off 2:30pm
England v Italy
Sunday 15th February 2015
The Twickenham Stoop, kick-off 2pm
Tickets available via: www.ticketmaster.co.uk
and ticketsquins.co.uk
Ireland v England
Friday 27th February 2015
Ashbourne RFC, kick-off 7:30pm
England v Scotland
Friday 13th March 2015
Darlington Mowden Park, the Northern Echo
Arena, kick-off 7:35pm (after England Men’s
U20s v Scotland U20s, kick-off 5:30pm)
Tickets Office: 01325 350267
England v France
Saturday 21st March 2015
Twickenham Stadium, kick-off 7.20pm
(after England Men v Scotland, kick-off 5pm)
Free entry after England Men v Scotland
DREW SPLASHING OUT
IN RUGBY
RFU LEAD UP
AND LEGACY
FUNDING HELPS
DERBYSHIRE CLUB
The Northumberland Rugby Union has appointed Drew Robertson as their new Player
Development Pathway Coordinator. Drew will look after the development of players from U13 to
U20. He brings a wealth of experience from elite-level rowing, having also established development
programmes at both Newcastle and Durham universities.
As an international rowing coach and Team Manager for the Great Britain Under 23 Rowing Team
Drew also worked with the Olympic Team in the lead-up to London 2012. Currently, he is coaching
age-group rugby at Percy Park RFC. Drew will be joined on the programme by Jack Lambert as
Coaching Coordinator and James Mullins looking after player analysis and analytics.
Drew said “This is a really exciting time to be associated with rugby especially with the World Cup
approaching in 2015. To be given the opportunity to work with coaching staff to develop players from
grassroots rugby who could be the next county, professional or even international stars is something
I am really looking forward to.”
Chairman of NRU Mr Andy Thomson added, “Bringing in a coach with Drew’s experience from
another sporting discipline and especially one which relies on a team-based approach, will provide
new ideas of benefit to all participating players and coaches in the Player Development Pathway, and
who, on returning to their individual clubs, will pass on new-found knowledge for the benefit of all
those participating in grassroots rugby at clubs and schools in Northumberland.”
PAUL BOLTON
Derbyshire club Long Eaton have opened a
£300,000 extension to the changing rooms at
their West Park headquarters which was partfunded by grant from the RFU Lead Up and
Legacy fund.
The RFU contributed £80,000 towards the
cost of Long Eaton’s project which was
officially opened by Jessica Lee, the
Conservative MP for Erewash, and Kewal
Athwal, the Mayor of Erewash.
Further funding was provided by an MOD
Community Covenant and Sport England with
Long Eaton raising money themselves and
persuading local companies to donate materials
needed to complete the project.
The project has provided Long Eaton with
four new changing rooms, two officials’
changing rooms, a new room for a sports
therapist, new toilets, disabled facility as a new
committee room.
Long Eaton hope that the extension to their
existing clubhouse will benefit the club’s 300
playing members and provide facilities that can
be used by the local community.
SOUVENIR FAN CUPS SAVING WASTE
Twickenham Stadium is even more green with new eco-friendly fan cups. At all Twickenham bars fans simply pay a £1 deposit, and can keep or
return cups to get the deposit back. At the London Double Header using the eco cup resulted in waste plastic being reduced by nearly 5 tonnes.
For a major international this could reach 8 tonnes and will be monitored through the QBE Internationals.
CLEAR AS
A WHISTLE
ARE YOU SIGNED UP TO NATWEST
RUGBYFORCE 2015?
NatWest Rugbyforce is back and this year
it’s uniting clubs nationwide to ‘Get Behind
England’, as well as running the DIY weekend.
NatWest RugbyForce 2015 will be helping
rugby clubs the length and breadth of the
country to get ready to open their clubhouses
and be the place to watch England take on the
best in the world.
This is an opportunity to get behind England,
help clubs attract new members and become
stronger and more sustainable for the future.
The programme has been extended to run
from 9th October 2014 to 31st October 2015
and we want to have a record number of clubs
taking part.
All clubs that register for NatWest RugbyForce
2015 can look forward to receiving a host of
exciting rewards and benefits, from online
toolkits, to marketing and communications
advice, access to special offers and attractive
food and beverage deals – all to help you ‘Get
Behind England’ and show your support!
Registrations opened on Thursday 9th
October and there has already been a very good
At the recent Sports Officials UK Awards at
Staverton Park, Daventry, which began with
questions and answers with Wayne Barnes
(RFU) and Richard Illingworth (ECB), and a
special guest appearance by Howard Webb
MBE, among the seven officials shortlisted were
the RFU’s Peter Tolan (Officials Developer of
the Year) and Rhys Davies (Young Official of
the Year)
Sports Officials UK (SOUK) represents and
supports officials across all sports in the UK and
helps to address some of the common problems
and recruitment issues encountered by sports
and share examples of good practice.
If you want to stay involved in the game but
no longer play, the RFU’s Keep Your Boots
(KYBO) initiative can help you start refereeing
or coaching. Sessions are held at rugby clubs
across England and bring players together to
stay in the game
Don’t hang up your boots! Take a look at the
videos here.
response. It does pay to register by 11th January
to be in with a chance of being selected as one
of 350 clubs attending the new and improved
programme of free workshops. All clubs
attending workshops will receive £500 to go
towards your NatWest RugbyForce 2015 project
as well as ‘Get Behind England’ material. You
could be one of 35 clubs selected on the basis of
your project plan to receive additional support of
£1,000, with £500 on offer to another 35 clubs.
Visit www.englandrugby.com/
NatwestRugbyForce for more information.
ROCHFORD HUNDRED YOUTH LEGACY
Ray Stephenson, a Rochford Hundred RFC
player, was driving past Rochford Primary
School a quarter of a century ago and persuaded
rugby coach Chris Richardson to let his son
Ryan join the schoolboys’ training. Soon Chris
and Ray, joined by Pip Wright and his son Mark,
had moved the set up to the club.
At the end of their first season they went on
tour to Cornwall, the visitors beating Penryn,
Cambourne and St Ives. Many of that team
went on to play senior rugby for the Rochford
Hundred first team and 11 of those 12 ‘originals’
were guests of honour at a recent League Lunch
before Rochford’s 1st XV played. They also
helped to coach some of the 200 strong mini
section, assisted by the U15s.
Their legacy is that Rochford have one of the
best youth setups in Essex, with many youth
players following in their footsteps and
playing not only for the club but for also for
others, as well and playing representative rugby
at various levels.
Youngsters wishing to join are very welcome,
with a FREE three week taster of offer. For
more information www.rochfordrugby.com
TOUCHLINE – NOVEMBER 2014
9
ANDREW WIDDOWSON TROPHY
A FITTING TRIBUTE
At Iffley Road, Oxford, a remarkable man was honoured by
Oxford University RFC and Edinburgh University RFC. Andrew
Widdowson, now President of the club, played for Edinburgh in
the late 1970s, including annual games home and away against
Oxford. Then at St Catherine’s College for a teaching training
year, Andrew suffered a catastrophic neck injury in a college
game, which left him in a wheelchair.
Showing the remarkable courage for which he is now well
known, he went on to a teaching career at Felsted School, retiring
last year and returning to his native Edinburgh. Andrew was
elected a member of Vincent’s Club in Trinity Term 1981 shortly
after leaving Stoke Mandeville Hospital to resume his studies.
Since the installation of a lift during club refurbishments, to which
he contributed, Andrew has become a welcome visitor.
Since becoming President of EURFC he has worked with his
friend and former OURFC opponent Reg Clark to resurrect rugby
contests between his two universities and this resulted in the
game between the Oxford Greyhounds and Edinburgh for the
Andrew Widdowson Trophy, unveiled before the game in the
Iffley Road Pavilion, which ended in a 24-24 draw thanks to a last
minute Edinburgh try.
WHEELCHAIR
RUGBY STARS
AT CANTERBURY
LAUNCH
Stars of the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby helped make
history in Canterbury recently when the Paralympic sport
staged the first ever game played in the city.
The landmark event, at the Canterbury High Academy
complex, was opened by the city’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Ann
Taylor and marked the success of a Canterbury Rugby Club
community initiative set up less than 12 months ago.
Great Britain and London Club stars Steve Brown,
who captained the GB side in the 2012 Paralympics,
Steve ‘Archie’ Palmer, Dave Goddard and Matt Hignett
an exhibition game against 1st XV able bodied players,
followed by games between Canterbury Wheelchair teams,
which Steve Brown has been coaching, and Woodbridge
Warriors from Suffolk. The Canterbury Rugby Club
Wheelchair section has been organised by the club’s vicechairman Jonathan Marsh.
EARNSHAW TO BECOME
INTERNATIONAL
PERFORMANCE COACH
Russell Earnshaw has been appointed RFU International
Performance Coach reporting to John Fletcher, National
Development Academy Manager and IPD Coach. He will
work with both John and Peter Walton in talent identification
and player development across the national and international
programmes from U15 – U19.
Russell is currently teaching Economics at Eastbourne College,
as well as coaching the 1st XV rugby side, and will take up his new
role in July, 2015.
An RFU Level 4 qualified coach and a Cambridge Blue, Russell
worked with the England Sevens side between 2007 and 2013 and
also held the position of Director of Rugby at Birmingham Solihull
Rugby Club between 2007 and 2012.
He represented England Sevens at the 1998 Commonwealth
Games in Kuala Lumpur and won the European Cup with Bath
that same year.
NOMINATE VOLUNTEERS NOW!
The RFU President’s Awards 2015 opened for
nominations on 3rd November and closes
Sunday 1st February 2015
Last year an impressive 241 entries arrived
across the 7 categories – this year let’s get
it to at least 300!
The overarching theme is to identify and reward outstanding teams of volunteers, although
nominees for Category 7 – the President’s Choice, ‘Beyond Rugby’ can be an individual or a group.
Categories 1 - 6 embrace the key areas which together contribute to a successful, vibrant club and
help to deliver opportunities in all areas of the game.
The categories are:
1. LAYER RECRUITMENT
The team of volunteers receiving this award will have worked creatively to recruit new players from
different backgrounds.
2. PLAYER RETENTION
This team of volunteers will have used all formats to keep players enjoying rugby.
3. PEOPLE POWER
This will be an exceptional group of volunteers using innovative ways to recruit, retain and recognise
coaches, referees and volunteers.
4. CLUB MANAGEMENT
The winners of this award will be a volunteer team using effective and efficient club management
and development, modernising the running of their club.
5. BETTER FACILITIES
These volunteers will have developed fantastic facilities to transform their club environment for
everyone who visits.
6. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The winning team will have forged links with schools, colleges, universities, businesses, community
groups and people that traditionally have had little contact with the game.
10
TOUCHLINE – NOVEMBER 2014
7. PRESIDENT’S CATEGORY - ‘Beyond Rugby’
This award will go to the person or people who have used the game as a vehicle for social change.
The winner or winners will have used rugby to transform lives or communities.
Please note that anyone can make a nomination.
www.englandrugby.com/my-rugby/volunteers/the-presidents-awards/
LONDON
UNIVERSITY
MERIT
LEAGUE
KICKING IT
VICKY CHAN
The first ever London University Merit League Festival this
month (October) went down a storm. Organised by the newly
appointed London University Merit League coordinator, Vicky
Stahle, the festival was held at Ruislip RFC. Players from 11
London-based institutions came together for an afternoon of
friendly 11-a-side games.
Pioneered by the RFU University Rugby Development Officer,
Jamie Traxon, the Merit League is aimed at new and developing
rugby players at university clubs. No previous rugby experience
is necessary and coaching stations alongside the games proved
ideal for beginners to transfer skills straight into a game.
Players are also given the opportunity to referee games at the
festivals. Refereeing courses are funded by the RFU to encourage
university clubs to bring their own referees to festivals and to help
their members understand the game better.
Jamie Traxon said: “It was a massive success. It was great to see
non BUCS players playing on a Wednesday afternoon. There were
over 170 players – seven men’s teams and four women’s teams –
most completely new to rugby.”
The Merit League promises to continue to grow rugby at
universities by providing fortnightly opportunities for less
experienced players in a no-pressure environment.
NEWTON ABBOT
REACH PINNACLE
Newton Abbot RFC, The Devon All Whites, with three adult
male teams, ladies, girls and every age group in minis and youth,
needs to get all of its ageing facilities in good working order to
keep everyone involved.
Having committed, in its successful RFU Re Accreditation, to
engage even more with its local community to encourage locals to
play or volunteer at the club, they formed a great relationship with
Pinnacle People, who provide placements for those trying to get
back into work.
Keith MacLean Club Chairman said: “They are doing a great
job around the club, helping more and more players to be able to
enjoy the rugby experience. We are hoping they will stay involved
even after their placement is over.”
Michael Uhlman of Pinnacle People says: “Pinnacle People
are an innovative skills and employment provider delivering
solutions to help people to gain the skills, experience and support
that they need to secure sustainable employment.
“In partnership with Newton Abbot RFC, we are delighted to
be supporting local unemployed customers to gain vital work
experience and job search support that will help lead them closer
to securing a job.”
Click here
ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR RWC 2015
The RFU has been commended for an innovative approach to managing
communications with its staff. In the last year, the organisation launched RFU Connected –
a new ‘social intranet’ – which allows the 600-strong employee community to communicate
with each other more effectively, sharing documents, news and success stories from around
the country.
Built on Microsoft’s latest SharePoint technology and incorporating its own private
social media service, the organisation has made a step change in how information is
shared internally.
Receiving a commendation in the global Step Two Intranet Innovation Awards 2014, RFU
Internal Communications Manager, Toby Jones, said: “Everything we are doing at
the moment is focussed on maximising the opportunity of RWC 2015 and giving our staff the
right tools to do their jobs more effectively and will ultimately benefit the game for the future.
“It’s great to be recognised for some of the behind-the-scenes work going on and being a global
awards scheme, it shows the RFU is up there with the best in how we are doing things.”
‘TWICKENHAM
THE HOME OF
ENGLAND RUGBY’
PHIL McGOWAN
The World Rugby Museum’s Phil McGowan has authored an
official publication that takes us on an illustrated tour of the
long and illustrious history of Twickenham Stadium. Home of
England Rugby. Twickenham is the largest stadium in the world
to devoted purely to rugby, the second largest stadium in the UK,
and the third largest in Europe.
Phil McGowan, author, sporting and social historian, documents
the story of Twickenham Stadium’s history, featuring some of the
legendary players that have trodden its hallowed turf, the matches
that have taken place, and the history that is woven into the fabric
of the ground.
Education and Interpretation Officer at the World Rugby
Museum Phil said: “Twickenham Stadium is steeped in history,
from its original construction to the legendary players who have
had the honour of representing England. There is no question that
2015 will be the greatest Rugby World Cup there has ever been
and that Twickenham Stadium, its heritage and sporting legacy,
will be its most iconic monument.”
Lavishly illustrated with images and memorabilia from the
World Rugby Museum’s archive in full colour, this is a tribute not
only to the history of the stadium, but to rugby union itself.
‘Twickenham – The Home of England Rugby’ retails at £20 and
is available from the RFU store online and at all major retailers.
TOUCHLINE – NOVEMBER 2014
11
PATRON PRINCE TRAINING
WITH ALL SCHOOLS
VERITY WILLIAMS
FRESHERS
FROM SOUTH
WEST START
UNI RUGBY
HANNAH HIRST
Bristol University’s Coombe Dingle Sports Complex hosted the
annual South-West Freshers’ Festival marking the start of the
16th season of competitions for institutions within the region.
Over 400 hundred first-year students involved in 18 men’s and
six women’s squads from across the region experienced their
first competitive rugby for their respective universities, following
pre-season training camps and trials. The quality of play along
with team organisation was testament to the effort and structures
in place within the clubs involved. Now the challenge will be to
develop the huge pool of rugby-playing talent while maintaining
numbers keen to be involved.
The women’s competition (run by Universities Development
Officer and England World Cup winning Women’s Vice-Captain
Sarah Hunter) was played as a touch rugby tournament with
many girls in their first competitive games. Squads were entered
from the universities of Bath Spa, Bristol and Exeter and from
Hartpury College.
The men’s competition was run as five pools with clubs playing
against each other on a round-robin basis. Games were refereed
by qualified student referees from the Bristol University Society,
plus members of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Societies. Yet
again officials included the evergreen John Carr and John
Masters, both of whom represented Bristol University and Bristol
RFC as players back in the day! In addition, Bristol University
First Aiders ensured all pitches were covered for medical back-up.
Participating squads were: Bath University A, B & C; Bristol
University A, B & C; Bristol University Medics; Exeter University
A, B, C, D & E; Exeter University Engineers; Hartpury College;
Reading University A & B; University of Gloucestershire
(Cheltenham) and University of West of England
Now begins a programme of Grand Prix tournaments and
local Merit Table competitions with an event to be hosted by
Exeter University. Each of the region’s larger institutions will
then host similar events. The Grand Prix series will culminate in
Grand Finals Day. After the Christmas and exam period break,
competition will resume with local 3G competitions followed by
10s and 7s events.
Prince Harry recently joined teachers and student volunteers for a
training session to remember at Eccles RFC in Greater Manchester,
alongside Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Sarah Hunter.
This was Prince Harry’s second visit in his role as Patron of All
Schools, England Rugby’s programme to help more state secondary
schools start playing rugby. Launched in September 2012 in
partnership with the Rugby Football Foundation, All Schools
supports state secondary schools over three years to help them start
and sustain playing rugby union, with kit and equipment, coaching,
young leaders training and links to a local club.
The event followed the announcements of 2003 World Cup
Winner Jonny Wilkinson as an All Schools ambassador and
leading commercial property and real estate services advisor
CBRE as Principal Partner of All Schools.
During his visit, Prince Harry took part in a training session with
teachers from 12 All Schools in the area including St Patrick’s,
St Mary’s and Fred Longworth. He joined teachers as they learnt
how to coach safe and effective scrum and tackle techniques and
chatted to them about the impact rugby is having in their schools.
Prince Harry also worked with 20 student volunteers from St
Patrick’s School training under the All Schools Young Leaders
programme. He chatted to them about rugby’s core values and
what leadership means to him, before joining them on pitch as they
coached younger students from local schools in a rugby festival.
England Women’s Rugby World Cup Winner Sarah Hunter,
who was passing on tips and advice to the teachers and young
leaders said: “Seeing so many teachers, young leaders and
students getting involved in rugby and embracing the core values
that make the sport so special has been really rewarding. Rugby
is relatively new to them all and yet already they are getting so
much out of the sport. I think having Prince Harry here as well has
been really exciting for them – it was also great from a personal
perspective to meet him today.”
Bill Beaumont, RFU Chairman, said: “It was brilliant to see
Prince Harry getting stuck into the action with the teacher
training session and chatting to the Young Leaders about what
rugby means to him. I think everyone has had a really memorable
experience and one that I hope will encourage them to carry on
enjoying rugby. Prince Harry is really passionate about the game
and that certainly came through.”
All Schools is generously supported by Canterbury as an Official
Partner who deliver bespoke kit design workshops for every
school in the programme. Gilbert, OPRO, Comic Relief and ICAP
also support the programme.
A keen sportsman and rugby fan, Prince Harry is also Vice Patron
of the RFU and Patron of the RFU Injured Players Foundation.
For more information about All Schools visit
www.englandrugby.com/allschools
THE RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION WOULD LIKE TO THANK
THE FOLLOWING WHO GENEROUSLY SUPPORT THE GAME
TOUCHLINE
Editorial input with pictures to: Touchline Editor, Patricia Mowbray
Email: [email protected] Direct Line: 0208 831 6514
Correspondence to:
Patricia Mowbray, Touchline Editor, Rugby Football Union, Rugby House,
Twickenham Stadium, 200 Whitton Road, Twickenham TW2 7BA.
Mailing and Distribution: Enquiries or updates
Email: [email protected] Tel: 0208 831 6762
Touchline is published by PPL Group, on behalf of the Rugby Football Union,
the national governing body of the game in England.
Also available on the RFU website: englandrugby.com
Photography courtesy of Getty and Touchline contributors.
Thanks to all individuals, clubs, schools and CBs for contributions.
No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the RFU.
The views expressed are not necessarily those of the RFU or PPL Group. While every care has
been taken to ensure accuracy of editorial content, no responsibility can be taken for errors and/or
omissions. All trademarks are acknowledged as the property of their respective owners.
The RFU Rose and the words ‘England Rugby’ are official registered trade marks of the Rugby Football
Union and are subject to extensive trade mark registration worldwide.
12
TOUCHLINE – NOVEMBER 2014