eNewsletter – January 2020

Welcome back:

Welcome back to the second half of the rugby season.

As the we look to the start of the 7s season, may we remind you that to host a competition, approval will be required from your County Schools Union, and may in some circumstances require National approval.

If your school is planning a Rugby Tour to another Rugby Union you will need to apply for Permission to Tour, this is a World Rugby Regulation. The relevant permission needs to be applied for well in advance of the tour.

This also appies to hosting a team from another Union, including Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Searching for Heroes:

Competition to find the country’s Real Rugby Heroes is officially now open
Nominate someone who you believe deserves recognition for making a significant difference to schools rugby.

Do you know someone who has played a crucial role in volunteering their time and efforts to help provide opportunities for young people to enjoy rugby within school or develop links with local clubs to help young people to transition to a community rugby club? If the answer is yes, then now is your chance to nominate your hero and award them with the recognition that they deserve.

The England Rugby Football Schools Union and England Rugby have launched the search for this year’s Real Rugby Heroes.

Whether it is someone who has invested time in establishing new rugby teams, drives players the length and breadth of the country or gives up their spare time to coach a team, a Real Rugby Hero is someone who has made a real difference to rugby in schools and links to their local clubs.

If you know someone who has made a difference at your school, go to the following link describing how and why you believe they should be a Real Rugby Hero.

The closing date for nominations is 31 January 2020.

Downloadable Poster

England Rugby Schools Awards:

As well as the Real Rugby Hero Awards there are a number of awards available to those who have dedicated their time to England Rugby Schools:

The Life Membership Award: The recipient will have worked or volunteered at National level usually, having served on the ERFSU Committee. The Award is open to colleagues who continue to serve or have completed their time. A Life Member would normally have worked in a National capacity for at least ten years normally following an extended period of work at their County Schools Union and or at a higher level.

The Services to Schools’ Rugby Award: Is for those who have worked at Division, County or Local level through Committee work. The Award is open to colleagues who continue to serve or have completed their time. A Services to Schools’ Award Member would normally have worked for at least ten years.

The VIP Award: Is offered to nominated teachers/volunteers who have given a lengthy period of service to rugby without being a County Schools Union or ERFSU member. For example:
A PE or non-PE teacher, not necessarily retired, having spent the major part of his career in school rugby generally supported the County Schools Union without being a committee member or holding an organising position.

All of the above Awards are at the discretion of the Nominations Panel who will consider the length of time served and the importance of the role. The above awards are presented at the Annual Dinner or other suitable events either national or local, depending on the recipient, or if they are unable to attend the Awards Dinner.

To nominate someone for any of the above England Rugby Schools Awards please contact the Hon. Secretary of your County Schools Union.

Party in the Car Park:

As part of Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer Recognition Programme, Schools or Colleges members who already have match tickets for the England vs Wales 6 Nations match on 7 March 2020 are able to register for up to four tickets for pre-match hospitality, outside in the British Airways Fan Village. Pizza and a variety of beverages will be served before the match, opening two hours before kick-off and closing when the first whistle blows. If you have a ticket for the match and would like to attend, please let us know indicating your establishment, the names of your guests and if any are under 18:You will need to pre-register on Eventbrite prior to the event.
Closing date for registrations is 28 February and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

6-months and Counting!

Come on down to the World Rugby Museum and see our exhibition Rugby and the Olympics in the build-up to the 2020 Tokyo Games. Discover how Rugby Union played a leading role in the birth of the modern Olympic movement, from Pierre de Coubertin’s formative experiences at Rugby School to Fiji’s first Olympic gold medal.

Click here to discover more.

Get Red Roses Six Nations tickets:

The Red Roses will be back in action on home soil in February and March for the 2020 Women’s Six Nations, as they look to defend their 2019 Grand Slam. Get tickets for their home matches against Ireland on Sunday 23 February (KO 12:45 pm at Castle Park, Doncaster) and Wales on Saturday 7 March (KO 12:05pm at Twickenham Stoop).

All Schools:

Congratulations to the final inductees into the All Schools programme, an intiaitive started in 2012 as part of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Legacy Programme to increase the number of secondary state schools playing rugby union and to encourage new players to join local clubs.

Rugby is a sport for all and, through the All Schools programme, a positive legacy has been created for children in 750 schools in England through rugby and its core values, making school life happier and healthier, reducing anti-social behaviour, enhancing learning and increasing self-esteem. We aim to continue growing participation in rugby in the future.

Recent independent research conducted by Sheffield Hallam University highlights the positive impact that this programme has delivered for schools, students and clubs. As a result of participating in the programme:

– 85% of schools are positive about their links with local clubs and as a result clubs have an average of 19 new players joining in the first 3 years of All Schools in their area. In the last three years alone, over 10,500 students have joined a local rugby clubs from All Schools.
– Participation in rugby has increased in the All Schools since the inception of the programme in 2012. 65% of the players are boys and with over a third being girls taking up the game.
– 71% of students are undertaking more physical activity, 69% are more aspirational and 73% of schools on the programme reported that pupils are more confident.
– Rugby clubs report that All Schools has reinvigorated junior rugby provision. They are able to offer an additional competitive outlet to All Schools’ players, particularly for contact rugby, coached in a safe and supportive way.

10% OFF School Educational Packages:

Get a further 10% off a visit to the World Rugby Museum and Twickenham Stadium when booking a workshop from our learning programme this winter. School education packages include a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, entry to the World Rugby Museum and a free workshop or seminar. Valid for visits between January-March only.

Click here to learn more.

Calling Notice:

The 51st Annual General Meeting of England Rugby Football Schools’ Union will take place on the 4 July 2020 at the Village Hotel Club, Bristol BS34 6FG commencing at 1700 hrs.

This will be followed by the England Rugby Schools Awards Dinner.