Club Development Club Development is a key priority to improve the health of the community game. Sustainable Rugby Clubs need enough participants (both on and off the field) as well as an effective club structure, good facilities and relevant competitions for all.
Rugby Clubs have different development priorities based on their circumstances and goals. To help prioritise possible areas for development, the responses you gave to 14 of the most important questions from the 2004 Club Questionnnaire have been highlighted below.
If a green circle is shown, the club's response is consistent with current good practice. Development in that area may not be necessary, although the club may wish to allocate resources to maintain or improve.
Where a red circle is shown, the club may want to consider developing that area. Development will depend on the clubs' circumstances, aspirations and resources. Links are given to additional information which could help your club provide a better service and facilities for your members, while ensuring that it is a safe, effective and child friendly environment.
1.2h Does your Club have a Club Development Plan?
What are your clubs goals? What people, facilities and funds will you need to achieve these goals?
The Club Development Guideline [PDF] helps you create a plan that is right for your club.
2.1i Does your Club have a written player recruitment plan?
Clubs need to continually recruit and develop their players. Recruit or Die 2 [PDF] is a practical guide to recruiting more players.
2.2i Does your Club have a written player recruitment plan for U13-U18 players?
The Seal of Approval [PDF - 831kb] is a youth section club development and accreditation programme for Active Sports Rugby Union Clubs. Clubs that meet the criteria achieve recognition for providing a safe, effective and child friendly club. If you wish to register your interest, please contact your local Rugby Development Officer.
To learn more about why, and how, to develop a Junior Section visit the A to Z of Community Rugby [PDF]
4.1b In your opinion, does your Club have adequate changing facilities for the number of participants involved?
The Sport England Pavillions and Clubhouses Guidance Note [PDF - 460kb] gives guidance about the types of facilities needed for different numbers and types of participants. If you believe that you need to improve your club facilities, visit the Rugby Football Foundation to find out how might wish to fund the improvement.
5.2a Does your Club have a written Coach Development Plan?
Helping coaches progress to the appropriate qualification and skills they need is part of a Coach Development Plan [PDF - 57kb]
5.2h Does your club have a Coaching Co-ordintator?
Quality coaching is vital for retaining and recruiting players. Having a Coaching Co-ordinator will help your club provide and sustain quality coaches at all levels.
5.3a Please select the following organisations/individuals that your Club has active and close working formal links with.
Rugby Clubs exist at the heart of their community. To thrive, clubs need links with schools, local authorities, youth organisations, Active Sports Partnerships, local businesses and other organisations. The A-Z of Community rugby describes how to form links with these organisations.
5.5b Does your Club have written terms of reference for all voluntary roles?
Volunteers need to know what you want them to do. Terms of reference help them understand what they are taking on without being overly prescriptive. Try to make them sound 'fun' ... everyone wants to have fun! Some generic examples for your club to adapt or create your own:
Child Welfare Officer [PDF - 290kb]
Fixtures Secretary [PDF - 290kb]
Press Officer/Media Liaison [PDF - 290kb]
Secretary [PDF - 290kb]
Sponsorship Officer [PDF - 290kb]
Treasurer/Financial Manager [PDF - 290kb]
5.5i Does your Club have someone responsible for your volunteers?
A Volunteer Co-ordinator [PDF - 290kb] provides a focal point for volunteering within the club. They facilitate the recruitment, retention, recognition and reward of volunteers within the club.
6.1i Does your Club, have in place, accident and emergency procedures?
Undertaking regular, and event specific, risk assessment will minimise incidents. The Guidelines for dealing with an incident/accident [Word - 10kb] describe how to respond if an indident does occur.
If an incident does occur an Incident Report Form [Word - 12kb] should be completed.
7.1b Does your Club follow the `RFU policy and procedures for the welfare of young players' policy?
The RFU and RFUW have a moral and legal obligation to ensure that, when given responsibility for young people, coaches and volunteers provide them with the highest possible standard of care. Through the implementation of the RFU/RFUW Policy and Prodedures for the Welfare of Young People in Rugby, [PDF - 1.2Mb] and the support of its coaches and volunteers, the RFU/RFUW alongside a growing number of governing bodies, will maintain the professionalism and safeguards of good practice which are associated with the game.
7.1e How many officials at your Club have attended training covering child protection and welfare of young people?
A self paced, home learning package include a video is available from the RFU. Please contact Steve Farr for more information.
7.1g Have all the people at your club who have responsibility for supervision of people under 18 years of age undertaken a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure via the RFU or local authority?
The RFU/RFUW Policy and Procedures for Welfare of Young People in Rugby, [PDF - 1.2Mb] required 'all relevant members who have regular supervisory contact with children or a management responsibility for those working with young people undertake a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure'.
7.2c What Equity Policy does your Club follow?
The RFU/RFUW aims to ensure that all people irrespective of their age, gender, ability, race,religion, ethnic origin, creed, colour, nationality, social status or sexual orientation have a genuine and equal opportunity to participate in rugby union at all levels and in all roles. For more detail read the RFU Equity Policy [PDF - 109k]
An Equity Policy Statement [Word - 80kb] is provided for your club to develop its own policy.
We hope this information will help you successfully develop your club.
A free download of Adobe Acrobat Reader is available here. This will allow you to download and read the PDFs on this site.
If you would like assistance with club development, please contact your Constituent Body or local Rugby Development Officer.
If you have any comments or queries about this webpage, please contact Activity Forum .
DISCLAIMER: The information given on this page is for guidance only. The 'green' or 'red' circle has been allocated automatically based on the clubs own response to the 2004 club questionnaire. Club development is at the discretion of the club officers.
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