England Under 20 Squad

Sarah McKenna (Old Albanian Saints) has been selected in the The England Women’s Under-20 squad of 26 to compete in next month’s Under-20s Nations Cup in Toronto. The England young guns head to Canada on the back of two impressive wins against Wales this season which saw them run in 74 points and concede none. England will take on Wales and hosts Canada and Canada A in the hope of qualifying for the Nations Cup championship final on July 19th. The tournament kicks off on July 11th.

Nominate A Deserving Sports Volunteer Today!

23rd June 2008

Service to Sport Awards - Nominate Now!!!

this issue

• Nominate A Deserving Sports Volunteer Today!

nominate a deserving sports volunteer today!

The nominations have been coming in thick and fast..... and you still have a week or so to get your nomination in. If you know a sports club or someone who you think is worthy of an award whether they are a coach, official, administrator, or a mum or dad who helps out week in week out... make sure they have the chance to be recognised for their efforts!!

Nominate Today! To get a nomination form and further information.....

read more

In Hertfordshire, we are a unique sports organisation that brings together expertise, resources and ideas from all sides of the sports industry to provide a central and coordinated sports service for the whole county to benefit from. Follow the links below to find out more about our work and how we can help you!..

be active	delivering sport	making it happen
What sports and physical activities are on offer in Herts? Want to volunteer? Try something new!	Sports Clubs, Schools, Coaches, Officials, Administrators and Volunteers	Take a look at our strategic moves and find out what's going on behind the action

In Touch Survey – Your Questions Answered

The RFUW ran an online survey in November 2007. They received a significant number of responses and have pulled out some key areas that they think they can address immediately for the game.

RFUW will be using this survey going forward to help shape their decision making processes and thank all those who took part.

Key Area	Action we will take
36% of volunteers requested updates of what is happening at a grass roots level	Click here to access the RFUW website for news, match reports and information http://www.rfu.com/women
50% of volunteers requested information on training courses	Click here for community rugby http://www.community-rugby.com. Here you will find information on all the different courses that are available to you
57% of players are unaware of the player pathway	The RFUW has a player pathway that highlights the routes you can take through rugby. Contact the RFUW office for a copy
68% of players felt that access to high quality coaching was very important while 71% are interested in information on coaching courses	Click here for information on RFU coaching courses http://www.community-rugby.com. Look at the Coaches sections for details of courses in your area
41% of players are interested in information on volunteering	We are currently updating the website with new information on how to get involved in volunteering. In the meantime, get in touch with Holly Hart on 020 8831 7482 or email hollyhart@rfu.com for details
3% of supporters felt that facilities at grounds are good	Visit http://www.community-rugby.com and look under Club Management, Facilities for information and guidance on improving facilities at your club. Also, for information on funding that might be available contact the RFUW office or check out the funding section of the Community Rugby website.
78% of supporters requested information on coaching	Click here for information on RFU coaching courses http://www.community-rugby.com. Look at the Coaches sections for details of courses in your area
61% of coaches have a level 1 coaching qualification and 39% have a level 2.	If you would like to obtain a coaching qualification, or to do your next level, click here for information on RFU coaching courses http://www.community-rugby.com Then have a look at courses being run in your region.
71% of coaches requested information on mentoring	Coach mentoring is available from your CCO. Visit http://www.rfu.com/women and look under contacts to find their details.
74% of parents feel that having a first aider at their club is very important	The RFU runs an excellent one day 1st aid course. Visit http://www.community-rugby.com, and have a look under Club Management, Health to find courses near you
52% of parents are willing to get involved in administration	We are currently updating the website with new information on how to get involved in volunteering. In the meantime, get in touch with Holly Hart on 020 8831 7482 or email hollyhart@rfu.com for details
90% of administrators are interested in training courses and 47% in accredited courses	Click here for community rugby http://www.community-rugby.com. Here you will find information on all the different courses that are available to you.

RFUW Newsletter: July 2008

RFUW NEWS UPDATE – July 2008

Experimental Law Variations (ELV’s) - We will be implementing the ELV’s as per the implementation that the RFU is doing. There are still some details to finalise particularly in reference to the youth game but information will be sent out to you via the RFU as a matter of urgency as soon as it is available.

For coaches and referees keep your eye out through your club / Constituent Body and on RFU.com for local training opportunities on the ELV’s.

Affiliation Forms – Enclosed is everything you need to complete your affiliation for the upcoming 2008/09 season including updated calendars. Closing date to receive your affiliation forms is 31^st July 2008 (universities 31^st August).

Player Registration – We are pleased to confirm changes to the way players register for the forthcoming season which will benefit your club directly. For the 2008/09 season player registration will be linked with league status. Clubs will pay a one off set fee based on the minimum number of players they must have to meet the criteria for the league they are in. The fee being levied will remain at £11 per player. For any additional players clubs recruit, they can keep the money for club funds or decide not to charge some players a registration fee.

We hope that this change will also reinforce the importance of minimum player numbers which is vital in becoming a sustainable club. In turn, it will also reward clubs for recruiting more players.

Nations Cup – England are hosting a Nations Cup this August playing against the USA and Canada at Esher RFC on:

• Wednesday 20^th August at 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

• Saturday 23^rd August at 1pm and at 3pm,

• Tuesday 26^th August, 5.30pm and 7.30pm and

• Saturday 30^th August at 2pm.

Come along to watch great International rugby at an easily accessible venue, with low cost tickets that will be available on the day. Look out for further information coming out to you soon and on to the RFUW website in July.

Annual General Meeting - The RFUW Ltd Annual General Meeting will take place at 12.30pm on Saturday 13^th September 2008 at the Holiday Inn Leamington Spa, CV34 6RJ. A copy of the agenda, attendance and proxy form will be sent to you in advance within the required legal time scale, however we wanted to advise the date as far ahead as possible for planning purposes.

We have teamed the AGM with our Leaders Conference this year in hope that those people who work as leaders and volunteers for the RFUW are able to attend on behalf of their clubs where appropriate.

Recent meetings have been small and short with most clubs choosing to vote via post using the proxy form, for this reason we would suggest you may not want to travel a great distance for such a short meeting, however if you would like further information please don’t hesitate to contact us.

RFU Grand Prize Draw – This is the RFU annual Grand Prize raffle draw that has this season earnt Sandbach RUFC (Cheshire) a stunning £8,309 from ticket sales of which they get to keep 90%, in addition they won a Hospitality Package for 2 people to an autumn international match 2008, as well as the prizes available to their members who bought winning tickets. Full details, together with a pre-Registration Form, will be available on the RFU Website (at www.rfu.com) in mid-August. Start early and incorporate the Grand Draw in your fund-raising plans. We highly recommend you get involved in this draw, you just can’t lose!

RFUW Surveys – Thanks to everybody who took the time to complete the RFUW online surveys earlier this year, results of the survey will be posted on the RFUW website during June so please log on and have a look at your feedback and some suggestions from us how to address some situations.

Rosie Williams

Managing Director

Rochford Festival 2008

It has been announced that the date of the Rochford Festival has been changed from Sun 9 Nov to Sun 2 Nov 2008 to avoid clashing with County Training on the original date.

ELVs on Maul NOT to apply in age group rugby

The RFU have announced that the controversial ELVs on pulling down mauls will NOT be applied to age group rugby in England. However, they may be applied but other unions in other countries which will have implications for internationals and cross-border fixtures.

The RFU press release appears below:

The RFU Management Board has carefully considered a recommendation of the RFU Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) Implementation Task Group regarding introduction of some of the ELVs into the youth game in England.

The Management Board has approved the recommendation of the ELV Task Group that ELV 2 (shoulders must not be lower than the hips at the maul) and ELV 3 (pulling down the maul) should not be trialled in England at Under 19 level and below until:

• It has been demonstrated to be safe in the adult game; • The results of trials currently taking place in South Africa have been properly analysed by the iRB with specific reference to the safety of pulling down the maul at all rugby played at U19 and below; • Agreement has been reached on the safest method to pull down the maul and appropriate coaching techniques have been developed. • Sufficient time is allowed for the safest method and the appropriate coaching techniques to be communicated to all those involved in rugby at U19 level and below. The RFU will now discuss the issues that may arise with age grade cross-border competitions where other Unions are trialling ELV 2 & 3 with the IRB and affected Unions. However, the interests of young players and the safety concerns expressed by the game will take precedence. RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron OBE said: "We have received a large number of letters from the youth game expressing serious concerns over the introduction of some of the ELVs in the youth game. "It is established practice that Unions can apply variations to the Laws at youth level and many Unions exercise their rights in this respect. The RFU intends to exercise its rights in respect of the ELVs of concern to us and the game in England following discussion with the IRB and other affected Unions."