RFU Community Game Update

Following analysis of our latest National Rugby Survey (Winter 2017), we are pleased to be able to offer Council members and CB representatives the ability to interrogate these results with our CB Insights Dashboard.

What is the dashboard?
The dashboard is a tool to analyse data from the 2016 and 2017 editions of the National Rugby Survey. Rather than the static PowerPoint document we have delivered to CBs last season, we have developed a tool that allows users to interact with the results, selecting data from relevant groups of respondents to produce insights that are most useful for them.

What insights will I be able to generate?
We have included 12 of the key questions from the National Rugby Survey in this dashboard across 3 categories – satisfaction, players and clubs/concerns. The selection options we have included in this dashboard are CB, age, gender and year. With the ability to filter the data by these options, we aim to provide more specific answers to these 12 questions that allow CBs to learn more about rugby in their area and take action. Some examples of ways in which you could use the tool are:

• Compare results in your CB vs another CB or the national picture to understand how your region differs from others
• Compare results within your CB for male respondents vs female respondents to understand how opinion differs by gender
• Compare results from the 2016 survey vs 2017 survey to understand the change in opinion over time

If you are interested in learning more about the dashboard, please email Tom Chellis, Data & Insights Manager ([email protected]) who will be able to arrange a short phone tutorial and give you access to the tool.

Indicative PFR Budget for 2018/19

The indicative PFR Budget for 2018/19 can be viewed here. This has been shared, subject to agreement of the business plan by the RFU Board in May. Please remember that we are working to find potential underspend this year that can reduce Q4 funding thereby releasing funding back centrally for other projects. 2018/19 funding will not be affected if a CB is able to identify underspend this year.

REMINDER: Places remain for the RFU’s Community Club ‘Health of the Game’ Consultation Roadshow 2018

During April and May this year we will be embarking on a Community Club consultation roadshow around the country, looking to speak to club committee members, international ticket officers, along with members of constituent body executive committees / boards. The roadshow, which will be visiting twelve different venues across England, will provide clubs with the opportunity to consider the latest National Rugby Survey results, discuss the health of the community game, and review proposals as to how international tickets may be allocated to clubs in the future based on the amount of rugby being played. There are places remaining at each local event.

The roadshow has been designed to allow those involved within club rugby in England to attend a regional evening event and discuss the above, thus providing a voice from those responsible for the administration of the community game. The roadshow will be visiting the following clubs (all events running from 6.30pm – 9.30pm):

To register for your place at a local event, please click here, enter your details in the available fields, and select the event you would like to attend. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

If you have any questions, please contact Tom Ainscough ([email protected]).

Is your Club ready to recruit University students and graduates?

The University Season is coming to an end and thousands of rugby playing students will be returning home for an Easter break. Can you get in contact and get them back to your Club?
What can your Club do to attract them to your Club?

The RFU have produced a case study detailing how Derby RFC, the University of Derby and Belper RFC have benefited from a partnership between a University and clubs. To read more about their partnership, click here. Alternatively, watch this short video on how to offer students a great playing experience.

For more information, please contact Sam Strickson ([email protected]).

2017/18 County Championship details announced

For the culmination of the 2017-18 season, the decision was made by the County Championship Group and endorsed by Competition Development Sub-Committee that the Bill Beaumont Cup Division 1 and 2 and Gill Burns Cup Division 1 finals will be played at Twickenham.  The Bill Beaumont Cup Division 3 and Gill Burns Cup Division 2 finals will be played at Richmond.  All matches will take place on Sunday 27 May. Kick off times are to be confirmed.

Get involved in O2 Touch

We’re recruiting for new centres and ambassadors to get involved with O2 Touch – one of the fastest growing games in the UK. Thousands of people across the country are discovering O2 Touch and having a huge amount of fun in the process.

We’re looking for clubs to become new centres, and girls / guys within clubs to join our ambassador team, to help bring people together to get fit and introduce O2 Touch to your community.

If you’d like to be part of a UK wide campaign that’s focused on fun and fitness, get in touch with Garnet at [email protected]. For more on O2 Touch, watch here.