Well done to Dan Lamb and Luke Bouchier, who both play in NLD, for being selected for England Counties Under 20 squad.
The full article and squad list can be found here.
The provisional NLD U17s Squad has now completed its programme for this season and, following assessment at the training sessions and matches, the Coaching and Management Team are pleased to announce the names of those players who will be retained until the start of the Midlands campaign next season.
Once the reduced Squad reconvenes (probably in October 2019) further sessions and matches will be arranged and a final NLD U18s Squad will be announced prior to the start of the Midlands campaign in December.
Everyone who has participated over the last few months has shown a willingness to learn and improve and those players unfortunately not carried forward should take pride in their progress during their time in the programme.
NLD U17s Squad – Provisional U18s Squad for Season 2019-2020
JOSH ALTON-SMITH
TOM BRIDDON
ISAAC BURLEY
OSCAR CLINK
GEORGE COEN
BEN CROWE
SAM DAY
JAKE DUNN
TARAN ELMS
REECE FLOWERS-LANE
LIAM GAVIN
OLLIE GIBBONS
LUKE HARRISON
BEN HART
SAM HAWKINS
CHRIS HESLAM
LIAM HIND
JACK HINKS
FINN HOPE
JACK HOUSTON
JOSH LIEPER
ANEIRIN LEWIS
MAX LOVERIDGE
BEN MANDERFIELD
OLLIE MASON
JOSEPH MOORE
JOEL NAYLOR
WILLIAM NORTON-LANE
JACK PATRICK
EDDIE PIZZEY
WILL SHENNAN
HARRISON SHEPPARD
CAIUS TWEED
CALLUM TWEEDIE
JAMES TWEEDIE
JOSH WHITE
NATHANIEL WIGLEY
CIARAIN WOLVERSON
Lee Slack
North Midlands 32 NLD 33
NLD travelled to Old Halesonians for the last game of the County Championships with a much changed side due to unavailabilities, which at one point threatened the fixture. Travelling two short of a full squad and with 6 players on debut, it was always going to be a tough task for NLD but I’m not sure anyone could predict the drama that unfolded once the game got underway.
Both teams were played two lost two and the hosts came out the blocks firing, trying to get a much needed win. An early high tackle gave North Mids a chance to open the scoring from a penalty and two quick tries really settled their nerves as they raced into an early 13-0 lead. NLD were missing tackles all over and this allowed the home side to enjoy the lion’s share of possession and territory which allowed them to score at ease in a period of total dominance.
After 35 mins of play North Mids were 32-0 ahead with NLD looking for any scraps of possession to see if the hosts could actually defend. The answer was soon found as, for the first time in the game, we managed to put more than two phases together and made gaps all over; one of which, number 8 Symcox benefited from allowing NLD to open the scoring. Fly half George Billam converted.
The half-time whistle blew immediately after with the hosts leading 32-7, but the chat in the NLD dressing room was very encouraging and with a couple of tactical changes we were set for a second half to salvage some pride. What happened next was the stuff of legend!!
NLD started the second half where they’d finished the first, enjoying possession and this allowed them to stretch the home side that were starting to blow. With the NLD lineout working, the backs were getting good quality balls which allowed centres Wallace and Moran to penetrate. It was from a break that brought the second score with debutant winger Barton scoring in the corner. Substitute fly half Castledine enjoyed the lack of wind for the first time this campaign and nailed a smartly taken conversion, reducing the deficit.
Full of confidence and belief, NLD now really began to open up and play a very entertaining style of rugby which saw a further try. Replacement hooker Josh Edwards finished off after some lovely phases of attack from NLD. Castledine converted again bringing the score to 32-21. I’m not sure the hosts knew what had hit them and the proverbial game of two halves got even more exciting when fullback Doug Billam (NLD’s player of the championship) scored the fourth try securing at least a bonus point and bringing us to within one try as Castledine converted again, making the game 32-28 with under 10 minutes left.
As we pressed for the winning points a few mistakes began to creep in and passes were dropped as we tried too hard to get over the line. However, with only two minutes on the clock, the comeback was complete when a break on half way went through the hands, the ball was recycled a couple of times and centre Liam Wallace crashed over to put the visitors in front with a minute left. The conversion was missed but NLD secured the restart and the ball was kicked off the field to loud cheers from the players and supporters who’d witnessed an astonishing comeback.
Having had a season away from the County Championships we decided our brief for this season had to be ‘being competitive’, and with a bonus point at Oxfordshire, another against Cumbria and a win at North Mids we can be delighted with our first year back. Overall 33 players represented the CB which is very encouraging. We now find ourselves in the position of being able to build upon this as we go into next season.
Nathan Smith – Team Manager
Information about the NLD County Schools Union (CSU) can be found in the ‘Playing’ tab of this website.
Forwards coaching opportunity
Nottingham Moderns RFC – Midlands East 3 (Level 8)
Applications are invited for a progressive forwards coach with a proven track record preferably with the RFU level 2 coaching award & working towards level 3
Essential – Commitment to training & match days Desirable – Personal Development Man management skills
We train Tuesdays 7-9pm our address is Nottingham RFC Main Rd, Wilford, Nottingham NG11 7AA
Please email Director of Rugby Roy Reeve with your details and rugby CV to [email protected]
Nottingham University have positions available for Lead Coach (Women) and Assistant Coach (Women)
Coaches interested in either of these roles are invited to email Paul Westgate on [email protected]
NLD 25 Cumbria 41
NLD welcomed Cumbria to Newark’s Kelham Road for their only home game of this year’s County Championships and looked to get their first win after a narrow defeat at Oxfordshire the week before.
Once again the three counties were giving away about 2 playing levels per man and welcomed a few new faces into the squad. 
With the debutants and a couple of positional changes NLD took some time to get going and soon found themselves 10-0 down on the scoreboard before getting a foothold in the game. Winger McGrath Vanwyk took a quick tap penalty 5 metres out and barged his way over the line to open the home teams account.
The game evened itself out in terms of possession and territory and although the Cumbrians scored two further tries and a conversion, NLD challenged frequently and scored a second through full back Doug Billam and most people in a decent sized crowd were left wondering why NLD hadn’t received a penalty try when back rower Alan Symcox was almost decapitated by a very high tackle that didn’t even receive a yellow card!
Half time saw the score at 22-10 in favour of the visitors but NLD knew if they could keep the ball and build phases they’d test the Cumbrians defence that had looked vulnerable at times.
The home side couldn’t have made a worse start to the second half with Cumbria scoring immediately off the restart catching NLD napping, a try that took the home side by surprise and could have broken their character but to the NLD lads credit they kept going for the entire second half and whilst Cumbria seamed to always get the bounce of the ball the home side scored 3 further scores seeing a second for Vanwyk and Billam complete his hat trick.
It’s testament to the way NLD are trying to play when all five tries were scored out wide by players in the back three. Sadly this made converting a thankless task and fly half Castledine was close on all 5 attempts but we weren’t able to extend our score at any point. Losing by 16 these 10 points would have made the game much more competitive especially when you add in an interception try and a freak try that Cumbria scored from an NLD steal at the lineout!
In our first season back this is very encouraging for the three counties and we have built a great quad of characters who have all contributed to the team in some way.
This Saturday we make the journey to Old Halesonians to play North Mids in our final game of the 2019 campaign.
Community Game Update: May 2019
May 2019 Community Game Update contains important information on the following:
International Ticket Allocations Update
Thank you to the 525 clubs who have inputted information on their 2018-19 matches into the Game Management System so far.
Those yet to do so are reminded that failure to enter the required information is likely to result in a lower allocation of international tickets to your club than is currently the case.
Further information on these changes is available in previous editions of the Community Game update (click here to view). Clubs are reminded that the deadline to enter all 2018-2019 matches is Friday 17 May 2019.
Using this 2018-19 data, the RFU will forecast and share the indicative number of international tickets community clubs and geographic Constituent Bodies (CBs) can expect to receive. The actual allocations will be finalised once the results from the 2019-20 season have been collected.
Apart from determining ticket allocations, inputting your club’s matches will provide the RFU with a clear view of the health of the game and inform a review of the 2018-19 season.
Any clubs with significant gaps in GMS matches and teams data, should contact their RDO. For support accessing GMS and other FAQs, please click here. For technical help, please contact the GMS Service Desk (0208 831 6651, 9am-5pm Monday to Friday) or email [email protected].
We Play Rugby: Game On
Supporting getting more matches played and a Regulation from 2019-20
Game On has been developed to get more matches played at lower levels in the adult game. This includes playing with less than 15 players, uncontested scrums and/or lineouts, reduced playing time and use of rolling subs. It is a direct response to feedback from players and teams in the National Rugby Survey about the kind of rugby they want to play. Approximately a third of scheduled matches at lower XV level for men and women are cancelled. Game On has been designed to provide a menu of options to teams and players that reduces this figure.
From the start of next season, Game On will be embedded into RFU playing regulations, which means it applies to all friendly matches and competitions OUTSIDE the men’s and women’s RFU English Clubs Championship. This is a positive approach towards ensuring that more matches are played.
Game On support guides and information will be available in the coming months to help everyone prepare for the 2019-20 season. At this stage, we are asking players, club officials, team managers, referees, coaches and competition organisers to be aware of Game On, spread the word and prepare for its introduction.
For further information contact your local RFU rugby representative or Competitions Development Officers (CDOs):
CDOs are specifically tasked with supporting CBs and competitions organisers in developing playing opportunities to retain and transition players and are working with a number of CBs to do so for 2019-20.
Essential Information for the game and GMS administrators
Ahead of the 2019-20 season, some significant changes have been made to GMS processes, to help CB and club administrators:
Electronic Match Cards
Following this season’s largely successful introduction of Electronic Match Cards (EMCs) down to Level 8 for men and National Challenge 1 for women, for the 2019-20 season this will be rolled out to all men’s and women’s RFU leagues and Cups in the English Clubs Championship.
To support this, the following will be available for clubs and CBs:
National Rugby Survey Deadline
To understand accurate numbers and support Age Grade players, we need all clubs to forward the link to latest England Rugby National Survey for their young players to complete.
We want to hear from players aged between 7-18, and from those who may have played previously but don’t now.
Please help by getting this link to them www.englandrugby.com/survey.
All responses will be entered into a prize draw to win tickets to an England match at Twickenham Stadium. The survey closes on Monday 3 June.
Making sure they love their rugby
Nobody wants young rugby players to leave the game because of pressure from parents, coaches or supporters on the touchline.
Sometimes what’s perceived as encouragement can discourage and what’s believed to be supportive can undermine players’ confidence and self-esteem.
Clubs who want to make sure that they are protecting the wellbeing of their players can take advantage of an RFU Rugby Aware workshop which they can deliver themselves at a time that suits everyone.
Aimed at parents, coaches, team management and volunteers, the Rugby Aware workshop discusses the current and important topics within the game. The focus is on touchline behaviour and player welfare and the role and impact that individuals can have on players. It covers the importance of promoting rugby union’s core values: Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.
Why not play your part in putting player welfare at the heart of the game in your club?
Email your questions to [email protected] or download the resources now by clicking here.
Deadline for Declaring Player Payments
With two months to go until the deadline for submission of Payment of Player declarations, mandatory under RFU Regulation 7, please note that Sunday 30 June is the final deadline for submissions.
The requirement came in to force on Wednesday 1 August 2018 for the 2018-19 season for all clubs (Level 3 and below) wishing to be eligible for RFU benefits. The declaration covers the period of Friday 1 June 2018 – Friday 31 May 2019.
For more information about the registration of contracted players, please click here.
For any queries around Payment of Players, contact [email protected].
For any player registration queries, contact [email protected].
Poll: how do you rate your rugby experience?
To ensure rugby is enjoyed by all involved in the game, it’s important we understand how the rugby community rate their individual experience. From this, we can better understand how we’re performing and where our work is having a positive impact, as well as those areas we need to continue to focus our efforts.
Please help us by filling in this quick, two question poll available here.
The poll will be open until Friday 31 May and we would be grateful if you could please share among your networks.
VAT’s No Problem
Is your club getting the most out of recovering VAT costs?
Why not join all the others who are making savings thanks to free advice from the RFU’s VAT helpline?
Whether it’s optimising your VAT recovery on general expenditure and facility improvements, or discovering just which incomes are VAT free, your club simply needs to call Russell Moore on 07710 329317 or by send an e mail to [email protected].
Legal and tax help
All RFU member clubs can get free advice on legal or tax related matters, as well as online support to create standard contracts and legal documents.
To draft legal documents covering things like employment agreements, health & safety or website privacy policies, you only need to respond to a series of easy-to-answer questions to put them together.
Register by entering the RFU clubs’ voucher code – ARAG751BIZ and to access the system click here.
The RFU’s Legal & Tax Helpline is on 0330 303 1877.
Spaces are limited, so to secure your place sign up now by clicking here!
On Saturday 15 June, the annual NLD Conference will be held at the Samworth Academy in Mansfield and the players involved in the current NLD U18/U17 Squad are invited to participate in one of the coaching sessions on the day.
Taking part will be Paul Westgate (Head of Rugby at Nottingham University and former Midlands U18 Head Coach) together with Nickki O’Donnell, one of the RFU’s refereeing panel members. This is an exciting opportunity for players involved in Representative rugby to experience a coaching session at the highest level.
Any players who would like to take up this invitation should remember it will be on a first come first served basis and contact in the first instance should be through NLD Head of Representative Rugby (Lee Slack) at [email protected].