News Archive

LD RFU has in place a programme of ‘player identification’ using appointed NLD coaches. This is supported through close liaison with schools and clubs within NLD to ensure that any players deemed to be performing in line with positional expectations at CB level are monitored accordingly.

To be eligible for NLD selection a boy must meet at least one of the following four criteria:

1. Born within the RFU Constituent Body (‘CB’) of NLD
2. Be a registered player of an NLD ‘CB’ club
3. Reside within the NLD ‘CB’ area
4. Attend a school within the NLD ‘CB’ area

The NLD under 16s squad for the 2019/2020 season (i.e. last seasons under 15s and the new seasons under 16s) will be made up of boys who are eligible from the Leicester Tigers DPP and those who trial successfully. It is therefore important to manage the expectations of players that you nominate, ensuring that they are aware that the process is highly competitive and will require each player to produce their very best at trial and beyond, should they be successful. Please note that boys within the DPP are not selected automatically and players will be selected on current ability and potential.

The first trials will be held on Monday 21st October and Monday 28th October for all players that are not currently involved in the DPP group. Due to large numbers last year we are doing the trials in two stages this year so players have a greater opportunity. All players who attend this trial must be nominated in advance by their club or school coach and there is a limit of 2 player nominations from any one club or school, preferably one forward and one back. We cannot consider any player for trial that has not been nominated by their club/school coach. All successful players will then be invited to attend the final trial alongside the players from DPP on Monday 25th November, following which a playing squad will be selected.

The trials will be held at Newark  RFC, as will the training sessions.

How to nominate:

Use the following link to complete the nomination document:https://goo.gl/forms/04Ex7HTp3D3Diy132

Please ensure the document is filled out in full and the details are correct.

Closing date for nominations is Monday 7th October.

The season will include the following training sessions and fixtures:

Monday 21st October               Trials – Venue Newark RFC – First group of Club players

Monday 28th October              Trials – Venue Newark RFC – Second group of Club players

Monday 25th  November         Trials – Venue Newark RFC  – Shortlisted Club players plus DPP

Monday 9th December            Training – Newark RFC

Monday 16th December          Training – Newark RFC

Monday 30th December          Training – Newark RFC

Sunday 5th January                  Match (Super Sunday – TBC)

Monday 13th January              Training – Newark RFC

Sunday 19th January                Match Staffs – Away

Monday 27th January              Training – Newark RFC

Sunday 2nd February               Match  Eastern Counties – Away

Monday 17th February            Training – Newark RFC

Sunday 23^rd February               Match  Leics –  Home – Derby RFC

The selection process and structures season has been extremely successful in recent seasons with an excellent series of match results and, more importantly, a number of NLD boys going on to represent Midlands and England.  Two of this year’s England U18’s came through the NLD U16s.

All clubs and schools within the NLD region are thanked for their continued support.

If you would like to discuss any of your nominations or have any queries regarding the programme please contact:

NLD U16 Manager – Adrian Taylor   [email protected]

Some extra dates have been added to the Junior Competitions to accommodate the number of teams who have entered.

For clarity on the dates of all rounds at each age group, please refer to the Updated NLD Age Grade Calendar 2019-20

Find details of the 2019 NLD CCC Conference here

Please pay particular attention to the following points:

• If the CCC isn’t available then send someone else.
• Each CCC must come with an up to date Training Report off GMS.
• There will be other initiatives launched on the night in addition to designing the CPD calendar.

Newark RUFC is celebrating its centenary season and to mark the club’s first match in 1919, neighbours Southwell are visting Kelham Road on Saturday 7 September, kick off 3pm.

It’s ‘open house’ on the match day and a warm welcome will be awaiting all representatives of clubs from Notts, Lincs & Derbys. Free hot buffet will be served from 1pm.

The day will provide a rugby experience for all age groups.

Besides the 1st XV clash, there will be a 2nd XV match between the two clubs, starting at 2pm, plus rugby-related activities for the junior and youth sections organised by Leicester Tigers’ community group.

21st ANNUAL SIR ANTHONY WHARTON TRUST GOLF DAY

The 21^st annual Sir Anthony Wharton Trust golf day will take place at Chesterfield Golf Club on Friday 27^th September 2019.

So far the event has raised over £69,000 for the development of youth rugby throughout Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire.

The money has been used in schools and inner-city deprived areas and many other areas particularly in developing youth rugby coaches.

Teams are invited to enter this event to help support the trust and junior rugby in the three counties.

The cost to enter a team of four is £200 to include coffee and bacon cob on arrival, 18 excellent holes of golf on a very prestigious course, hot carvery meal after your round and superb prize table.

There will also be producing an attractive event brochure for which advert space is available at £75 per full page, £50 per half page and £25 per quarter page. Please complete the reply slip in the brochure link below if you would like to advertise.

Hole sponsorship is also available allowing individual advertising on each hole at £50 per hole with opportunities to sponsor the “nearest the pin” and “longest drive” holes.

We are in discussion with several sponsors and are looking for a main sponsor for the event at the present time. If you are interested then do not hesitate to contact Brian Inglis on o7793 198948.

The full brochure and entry slip form, along with details of where to send it, can be found here.

Details of an opportunity as Head Coach of the England Counties XV can be found here.

The draw for the 1st and 2nd rounds of the 2019-20 Midlands RFU Knockout Competition can be found below.

Please note that the Senior Vase KO Competition does not require a Round 1 as all eligible clubs are in Round 2.

Int Cup 19-20 Rnd1

Int Cup 19-20 Rnd2

Jun Vase 19-20 Rnd1

Jun Vase 19-20 Rnd2

Sen Vase 19-20 Rnd2

MDOC Officials & Lge. Secs.

SS 2019-2020

Leagues Tree 19-20

MDAI – 2019-2020

NLD Women & Girl’s section is looking for volunteers to join them in various roles to help provide support to clubs who are wishing to start, or have an existing Girls/Women’s section, to deliver the CB programme as laid down by the RFU and to help grow player participation and development within NLD.

If you would be interested in volunteering, please fill in the relevant form below:

Volunteers Link

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1c2QG_qwT8uojxsRCXEusyqNoWwaAAo0i9sigtE5A5Co/edit

Coaches Link

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jXGmUmEJ6hKtxpwbBnhq_5-gxWOpAZtZrccnnP_Owww/edit

Parent Trials Survey Link

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1C0M-S4X_EpMqtQE9qn-5AGPfVXEhqKQsuypA4-Oql_M/edit

17 Year Olds Playing Adult Rugby

The RFU have introduced a new Regulation effective from the start of our new 2019/2020 season, which requires approval from the CB BEFORE a 17- year old can be allowed to play or do contact training with adults.  Hopefully you will already be aware of this, as information was included in the RFU’s July Community Game Update.

This two-step process has been introduced as a result of clarification by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) on safeguarding requirements when underage players play in adult sport.  17-year olds are still considered to be children and this process helps clubs to react to this change and support the appropriate transition to adult rugby.  The RFU recognised that a more robust process was needed to assess both Club and Player suitability, and this process, whilst may initially be time consuming on our hard-working volunteers, will ensure that decisions are player-centred.  Firstly, the Club needs to be approved, and secondly, the Player.  These are separate processes, but Player approval cannot be given until the Club is approved.

This is the same process for both 17-year old boys and girls playing men’s or women’s rugby.

We attach 4 documents :-
1)  REGULATION 15.5 Playing Adult Rugby    2) A Club guide – to assist you to manage the process
3) Club Approval Form 2019                                 4) Player Approval Form 2019

Clearly, time is tight before the start of the season with first league games on 7^th September, and we will do what we can to support you in this process.

We are setting up a dedicated email address to help you manage this process which will be communicated out to you in the coming days.

Where a Club wishes to play a 17-year old in an adult side at the start of the season, please complete the Club Approval Form by 31^st August, so that Darren Dolby, NLD Safeguarding Manager can authorise it in time.

We are aware that some smaller clubs without a youth section do not have a Club Safeguarding Officer, and that there are others who have not taken the “in Touch” course.  Our RFU Delivery Team have determined that a course will be run before the end of October, to allow all clubs to adhere to this requirement.

Once the Club Approval has been agreed, we will then be in a position to countersign the Player Approval.  We would ask that applications are received by midnight on the Tuesday prior to the Saturday of a game; this will give our volunteers reasonable time to review and approve.

We would recommend that clubs complete forms with “real” signatures, scan and send as PDF documents – please.

We are required to approve in advance – the RFU will not allow us to approve in retrospect.

There may be some clubs who want an U17 to play in a pre-season August friendly – please send forms ASAP if you need this, and we will aim for a swift turnaround.

We would expect clubs to have an official (coach, captain, manager, senior player) with a DBS check for every match (home or away) as a mentor where there is a 17-year old playing, in line with what we would expect with 17-year olds in youth teams.  Where clubs are concerned on player numbers, and in the past have used 17-year olds to “make up numbers”, please be aware that the new “Game On” regulations permit games with reduced numbers below level 9 – hopefully, this will reduce the pressure on premature playing up.

No doubt there will be queries on the process so do please ask any questions – we will do our best to assist with forms or find appropriate personnel to assist with your own club’s processes.  Please do not question us on the RFU’s decision – this process is not optional.

We wish you a great season of rugby.

The age grade calendar for the 2019-20 season has been amended to include some extra dates for the NLD U14-U16 Cup and Shield Competitions. The updated calendar can be viewed here.