News Archive

State of the Art Clubhouse to Bring Sport into the Heart of the Community

Tuesday 18^th December 2018 is set to be the biggest day in the history of Ashfield RUFC. This is the projected opening day for the club’s first home of their own in the Ashfield District. And what a clubhouse it is going to be!

The new building is a two-storey construction, with a balcony viewing area overlooking the vast playing area which will include two full sized rugby pitches, a training area and a cricket square.

Ashfield RUFC was formed in 1997 when the Swans and Spartans came together to form one single club for Ashfield. Since that time, the club has moved its home around, with a brief stint at Moore Lane in Mansfield and at the Unwin Club in Sutton for the last 10 years. The new clubhouse, situated on Larwood Park, Kirkby, is the culmination of a project which has taken 17 years of hard work. On Thursday 24^th May, the dream of their own clubhouse took a major step forward with the erection of the steel framework for the club.

Below:  Construction begins at Larwood Park

Delivering Rugby to the Community

Superbly situated on Larwood Park, behind the Fire station on Sutton Road in Kirkby in Ashfield, it is hoped that the construction will help to raise awareness of Ashfield RUFC and in turn provide the best facilities in the area for players, current and new, to enjoy a team sport which promotes the RFU Core Values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.

Ashfield RUFC runs teams for all age groups, from 5 years to seniors (Men’s and Women’s teams), and is actively recruiting players for all levels, both experienced and new to the game.

Vice Chairman David Owen says, “This is a very exciting time for Ashfield Rugby Club. The 1^st XV has just had its most successful season, and the Ladies Team keeps going from strength to strength. Our teams at all age grades are enjoying a lot of success and are developing a fantastic family atmosphere at the club. With Ashfield School being right over the road from the new site, we hope that more and more youngsters, both boys and girls, will take this chance to come and try this wonderful sport with us. Summer camp sessions are being run on Sunday mornings from 1^st July, and all are welcome.”

Below:  Aerial View of the new home of Ashfield RUFC on Larwood Park, Kirkby

Community Focus

Funding for the construction of the clubhouse has been supported by Westerman Homes, who are building the residential development on Larwood Park, by the RFU and Sport England. It is planned that the clubhouse will be more than simply a rugby club, but rather a centre for the whole community. Talks are already in place for a local cricket club to be included on the site and the clubhouse itself will be available for use during the day for community groups, such as parents and toddler groups, and other community-focussed activities. The large function room will also be available for both private and corporate events.

For further information, or if you are interested in training times and opportunities, please contact Becky Brewer on 07594 362924.

It is with regret that we hear of the passing of Peter Allsop last week.  Peter was a stalwart of the Old Mannerians RUFC in the 60’s and 70’s at hooker, who then took up refereeing and developed a fine reputation under the auspices of the NLD Referees Society.

Peter’s funeral will be at Chesterfield Crematorium, Brimington on Wednesday 6th June at 11.50 a.m.

Our thoughts are with Peter’s family at this difficult time.

Sutton Bonington Students RFC is made up of students from the University of Nottingham Sutton Bonington campus (LE12 5RD).  The club currently play in the NLD Security Plus Pennant League 1 which they have won 3 seasons in a row and have been entered into the NLD Senior Knockout Cup for next season. The club has always been run by students with the help of a part time coach who is now retiring.

The club is looking for an enthusiastic, qualified coach who is looking to build experience coaching younger players. The club is mostly made of 18-24 year olds with varying abilities and experience. The team trains Monday and Friday evenings as well as Wednesday afternoons, before playing on Saturdays.

Key responsibilities will be:

• Continue to deliver and support our culture of development focused, supportive and challenging training that drives an attractive and fun style of Rugby.
• Work with the captain and committee members to plan, deliver and analyse the clubs plan for the season.
• Run training sessions on Monday evenings 7-8:30pm (if possible run Wednesday afternoon, 2-3pm, and Friday evening sessions, 5:30-6:30pm, also). Opportunity to coach the women’s side on Monday evenings after the men’s session.
• If unable to attend Wednesday and Friday sessions then assist with a plan for these sessions liaising with the team captain.
• Coach the team on match days – Saturday’s.
• Be able to deliver personal, unit and team training sessions in line with our style of play.
• Assist with player recruitment and retention.
• Supporting and bringing through players who have never played senior rugby before into the 1^st

What we offer:

• Unique opportunity to coach an ambitious club made up of young fresh talent with a fantastic team spirit.
• Great training facilities (access to 4G training pitch, fitness studio, gym and fantastically maintained pitch).
• A young mouldable squad willing to learn.
• A chance for a young or new coach to gain experience coaching senior rugby.

Expenses paid include travel and time for sessions run, session planning and match day fee.

How to apply:

Please email your CV to Sam Bennett at [email protected] or call on 07535707229

Potential coaches will be asked to run a session as part of the interview process.

Application deadline: 30^th June 2018, applications may close early if the right candidate is found.

Please find the latest edition of the Community Game Update. As previously communicated, we are moving to a regular, monthly communication, replacing our previous fortnightly releases. You will receive the next editions on the following dates:

Friday 8th June // Friday 6th July // Friday 10th August // Friday 7th September // Friday 10th October // Friday 9th November // Friday 7th December

We hope you find the reformatted Community Game Update a benefit to your clubs, and if you have any feedback, queries or content you would like to feature, please email Tom Ainscough ([email protected]).

Payment of players update and information

Earlier this year, following extensive consultation with the game, the RFU Council agreed the regulations around payment of players which will come into effect from the start of 2018/19 season.

From season 2018/19 clubs will, if they wish to receive financial benefits from the RFU, be required to submit an accurate and completed signed annual declaration confirming if players have been paid and the total value of those payments. Clubs will be free to exceed the maximum payments laid out in the regulations but, in doing so, will render the club ineligible for RFU financial benefits. We are circulating the new regulations and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) now, in order that clubs can familiarise themselves with the system and the information that will need to be disclosed. The new regulations can be found here, and a list of FAQs can be found here.

We will communicate further with clubs in a month, at which point they can do a test run of their completion and submission of the declaration for the 2017/18 season to familiarise themselves with the process. Please note that this test run phase is not mandatory and will not impact RFU financial benefits for the 2018/19 season. For more information or any queries, please contact [email protected]

Online Risk Assessment Tool

To help clubs to assess the risks within their premises our insurance broker, Howden, has worked with the RFU to create an online risk assessment tool. Here clubs will find a number of simple, easy to manage, risk assessments, each designed to help clubs through the process with guidance on what risks they need to consider and how they can best manage them. Clubs will find the process easier by using our online risk assessment tools.

Working with Howden, we have secured a bursary from our insurers to use the services of Veritas Risk Management to support clubs with their risk reviews. Please get in touch if you have a group of clubs that Veritas Risk Management could visit to carry out a risk review on the same day, or over two days, as well as running A Practical Approach to Risk Assessments Workshop on the evening for all clubs to attend. The clubs would get a free risk review that would normally cost £350 per club.

For more information please contact Alex Thompson ([email protected]) or alternatively utilise our online resource.

How to create a University – Club partnership

With the end of the university year fast approaching, the benefits of a strong university-club relationship are evident across the game. The RFU is keen to help clubs and universities work together via the network of RDOs, CRCs and University Partnership Managers.

Whether sharing facilities, or creating a crossover of players between club and university, a partnership can help both club and university in many ways. This short video, or alternatively our case study from Vale of Lune RFC, gives examples of how the RFU have helped develop partnerships already. To understand how the RFU can help your clubs and universities, contact [email protected], our RFU Education Development Assistant.

OMW Kids First becomes Quilter Kids First

From Tuesday 1st May 2018, Old Mutual Wealth Kids First became Quilter Kids First. The same people, same commitment, same approach, just a different name. Quilter Kids First puts children first. Aimed at U7-U13 boys and girls, it upskills coaches and creates a great rugby environment, so that everyone stays in the game for longer. More than 900 clubs and schools from across the country have pledged to put children at the heart of our sport. For more info on this approach please visit www.englandrugby.com/kidsfirst or contact [email protected]

Age Grade newsletter’s latest edition released

As we approach the end of the season, please find the latest edition of the Age Grade newsletter here. It contains information about the half game rule, which we encourage everyone in the age grade game to implement for the coming season. We have also released an out of season guide which helps clarify out of season regulation and permitted activity. If you have any further questions please contact [email protected]

The NLD U20 squad to line up against Lancashire in the Jason Leonard RFU U20 County Championship Final has been announced.

After a nail biting last grasp victory against Devon in the Semi Final the squad will make the considerably shorter journey to Moseley RFC on Sunday 6th May 2018 to face their northern rivals, kick off 2pm.

NLD U20 Head Coach Nic Corrigan commented ‘This campaign has been enjoyable and we set out to create a learning opportunity for the players who have taken part. I am indebted to Graeme, John, Matt, Tim & Steph for their work on the program this season. It hasn’t been straight forward managing many areas outside of the sessions but nevertheless to be on the eve of national final is a highlight in all of our rugby journey’s irrespective of route. The focus has been these players developing and learning to challenge themselves. They have appointed their own leadership group and are at the point where they run the game plan and are mentoring each other in smaller groups to add it together as a unit which they have forged.

I am a proud Cestrian (someone from Cheshire) to play against such a distinguished county as Lancashire in this competition is a challenge not many get the chance to take them on. Lancashire are a fantastic CB with names in the coaching game such as Mark Nelson, Brian Ashton MBE, Paul Arnold and Warren Spragg to name a few over the years who have dominated both the senior competition and U20s competition. I wish them and the NLD team the very best for the day but approach this from a point of view that players involved have an opportunity to demonstrate the value of knock out rugby in a highly structured and busy season.’

An NLD Vets squad turned out last week to take on local rivals Staffordshire at Derby RFC.  The team which comprised players from across Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire delivered a strong performance and ran out 35-19 winners.

Excellent displays in particular from Greg Hill, Matt Upton, Tim Pritchard (Nottinghamshire), Ben Chamberlin,Karl Ward, Russ Wright (Lincolnshire) and Gaz Daykin, Steve Leadbeater (Derbyshire).

Huge thanks to Matt Worsey and the Coaching team for their hard work ahead of the fixture.

Great news for the NLD under 20 squad. Following their semi final win over Devon a couple of weeks ago and in advance of the final of the Jason Leonard under 20 county championship division 2 this Sunday, the following players have been selected for the midlands for divisional weekend on the 12th May.

The next honour potentially available to these players is a cap for England counties under 20 and a trip to Georgia involving two tests after the divisional trials.

The players are (alphabetical order)
Luke Brown – West Bridgford
Kane Linklater – Scunthorpe
Dec Neary – Long Eaton
Tom Tucker – Long Eaton
Jack Weedon – Long Eaton
Jacob Wright – Long Eaton

Reserves
Dan Glasse – Nottingham Academy
Toby Hutchison – Nottingham Academy
Henry Trimmer – Nottingham Trent University

Huge congratulations to all of the players!

England Rugby need your help in ensuring that we all continue to attract young people towards the game of rugby and making it something that they will continue to be involved in throughout their life.

They’re asking as many young people under the age of 18 as possible to complete the National Rugby survey to help them understand what motivates them and what their rugby habits are.

This covers their likes, dislikes, why they play, how much they play and their future involvement in the game. The information will help them, their clubs, schools and colleges to develop good support and practice that ensures Age Grade rugby puts young people at its heart.

Please help rugby by forwarding this survey to your players (both current and former) or children and ask them to respond with their own opinions.

Every individual who completes the survey below by Tuesday 15 May will be entered into a prize draw to win one of four £50 England Rugby Store vouchers. Winners will be announced by 12pm on Thursday 31 May.

Replies are anonymous and personal data will not be shared.

Click here to complete the survey.

The first two NLD Senior Knockout Finals were held at Boston RFC on Saturday 28th April.  The weather was a little damp but it certainly didn’t diminish spirits as people turned out to see teams from across all three counties.

Derby RFC overcame local rivals Paviors to take the feature match, the NLD Senior Knockout Cup, with the final scoreline reading 36-20.

The NLD Vase Final was a close affair with Cleethorpes prevailing over Nottinghamians in a tight encounter that finished 12-10.  In true rugby spirit the teams joined together after the game to celebrate the life of former Nottinghamians President who passed away a couple of weeks ago.

The Shield & Plate finals will take place at Boston RFC on Saturday 12th May 2018.

13:00:    Plate:    Long Eaton v Ashfield
15:00:    Shield:  West Bridgford v Matlock

Derbyshire based Long Eaton Rugby Club has announced the launch of its innovative player transition scheme for the 2018/19 season, set to tackle to growing issue of youth player drop-out in the sport.

The club, which has just been promoted for the second year running, will implement the retention scheme in response to growing reports of player drop-out between the ages of 15-21 at club level.

The ground-breaking programme will see first team player, Paul Wakefield, become the club’s first Transition Officer, appointed to support each player aged 16-18 with all aspects of their personal development as well as rugby, including education, family and careers.

Scottish Rugby recently found that on average, 43% of 18-year-old players fail to progress to play adult rugby and an over 80% of 16-year-olds are not involved with their club or rugby by the time they reach the age of 20. Possible contributing factors to this drop-off are leaving school, starting work, moving away or full-time university education. Long Eaton aims to address this by working together with teenage players to increase communication about their options and increase involvement of younger age groups within adult sessions to ensure a smoother transition into men’s rugby. The club targets to keep 50% of under 16 players within the club or the sport by the age of 20.

As part of the new initiative, a mentor system has also been implemented by Long Eaton’s management team, to be overseen by Paul. The system will support and encourage young players through their transition period and promote the benefits of the adult teams. Each of the 19 mentors involved is a member of Long Eaton first or second team and positions will be paired together, to also help improve young player’s rugby skills and ability.

Chris Brookes, Chairman and Development Manager at Long Eaton Rugby Club, said the new scheme was a huge step forward for the club.

He said: “Although we enjoy the senior teams winning and playing the best rugby possible, our ultimate goal as a club is to retain players, from young children up to adult level, and watch them develop on both a personal and professional level. If we can play even a small part in a player’s journey, then we can consider that a great achievement.

“Through our mentoring scheme, our men’s team players will be able to create productive and lasting relationships with our players aged 16-18. Whether that’s introducing the fun and social elements of the club, improving their strategic thinking, giving advice on juggling work and rugby or just helping them with their passing skills. We’re pleased that so many of our players have opted to become mentors to put this into practice.

“Life skills gained through rugby, together with our sports core values are essential in nurturing youngsters not only into rugby but the community too. This initiative will enhance this and keep young people in our sport and community.”

Long Eaton will now refer to their 16-18-year-old players as the ‘Transition Squad’ and provide the option of letting the under 16 team train alongside their mentors to encourage further learning and development. The club will also offer an additional training session to this age group per week.

Matt Everard, Director of Rugby at Long Eaton, said: “The implementation of the transition scheme is a brilliant move for our club. We aim to continue the great progress we have made over the past few years and that can only happen when we have fresh, talented and enthusiastic players moving up to our adult squads. We’re excited for the season ahead and look forward to putting the initiative into practice during pre-season training this summer.”

Long Eaton Rugby Club is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year. The club’s first team have just won their league and will be promoted to the Midlands 2 East (North) league next season.