The National Leagues are an important part of our structure but need a clear role, objectives and strategies upon which the RFU can make appropriate funding decisions.
Objectives
To provide the right environment to prepare aspirant clubs for the Guinness Premiership
199 The current policy of the RFU is for there to be automatic promotion and relegation throughout the league structure. In this context it is essential that National Division One provides the right environment to produce an effective promotion/relegation pathway between the Guinness Premiership and the rest of the game. The key is to provide the right level of preparation for aspirant FDR clubs so that on promotion they have a realistic chance of staying in the Premiership. One possibility is providing a heightened level of competition for a group of ambitious clubs in FDR to narrow the playing gap with the Premiership.
To raise playing and facilities standards for clubs below the Premiership
200 National League clubs should be setting the standards for both playing and facilities for clubs below the Premiership. In respect of facilities, it is key that all aspirant FDR clubs develop plans to improve their facilities so that they are in a position to meet the Criteria for the Premiership should they win the National Division One title.
To provide opportunities for RFU Academy athletes
201 A key responsibility of National League clubs is to provide opportunities for RFU Academy athletes who do not secure Premiership contracts, to play at as high a level as they can. National League clubs can also provide opportunities for Premiership ‘bench’ players to play for them ‘on loan’ benefiting both the player (who will get regular competitive rugby) and the National League club.
To provide a selection base for the England Representative team for players outside the Premiership
202 The RFU has committed to providing a representative England XV below Premiership level to play similar teams in other developed Unions but also to provide representative fixtures for developing Unions. It is intended that selection for this team would be limited to English qualified players. The National Leagues can play an important role in providing a selection base for this England XV.
To facilitate the wider promotion of the professional game
203 A successful and competitive National Leagues structure which generated growing attendances at matches and interest from broadcasters could facilitate a wider promotion of the professional game throughout the country. This could encourage a wider group of sponsors to enter the game at a much lower threshold cost than is the case for the Premiership or England teams.
To act as ‘Beacon Clubs’
204 The concept of ‘Beacon Clubs’ has been developed in Community Rugby (see paragraphs 118 - 123). The National League clubs offer a range of professional and semi-professional rugby that allows them to sit near the top of the performance pathway. These clubs may also be suited to act as ‘Beacon Clubs’ in terms of the development of the game within their area, working closely with CBs, local authorities, clubs and schools to set the standards for neighbouring clubs to aspire to. Whilst accepting that clubs in the National Leagues have clear aspirations to improve their playing standards, they also contribute significantly to the growth and quality of Community Rugby.
205 Many of the National Leagues clubs will be able to offer development specialisms (coaching, marketing, commercial, facility, sponsorship, etc) that would benefit clusters of Community clubs that surround them. It is, however, important that ‘Beacon Club’ status is not purely based upon league position; the club must show an affinity with the Community game in terms of a wider range of rugby opportunities for young people, girls and amateur players. The criteria that define ‘Beacon Clubs’ and their roles and responsibilities will be as defined by the Management Board on recommendation of the Community Rugby Standing Committee.
Strategies and Plans
Development of the National Leagues competition structures
206 On the basis that one of the prime purposes of the National Leagues is to prepare aspiring clubs for the Premiership, it is essential that our competition structures facilitate this. In order to achieve this objective, National Division 1 should provide a competition structure that ensures a high percentage of highly competitive games. It is this competition that will ensure National Division 1 clubs are prepared for the challenges of Premiership rugby, enabling a successful club to build a sustainable future at that level.
207 The National Leagues Strategic Plan Review Task Group came up with some ideas for possible changes to the National Leagues structures to deliver the above objectives and principles. These ideas have been circulated to FDR and NCA clubs for discussion. There are existing agreements in place until 2008/09 and no changes could be implemented prior to then without the consent of all parties. However, a Task Group made up of RFU, FDR and NCA representatives will be established to review the ideas in the above discussion paper and any new ideas with a view to reporting to Council by the end of the 2005/06 season. This Group should also consider the issue of RFU funding support and what areas such funding should be used for.
208 A further Task Group has been established to look at the Knock-Out Cup Competitions and their contribution to club sustainability. Significant consideration should be given to the implications (particularly financial) of this review and its effect on the competitions’ structures for the National Leagues. The work of this Task Group will need to be co-ordinated with the Task Group proposed in paragraph 207. Review the existing Player Registration Regulations that affect RFU Academy athletes
209 We have previously looked at an appropriate methodology to ensure that RFU Academy athletes have the opportunity to play regular competitive fixtures. It is apparent however that this group of players is still not finding sufficient match practice. It is proposed that the relevant regulations are reviewed, taking into account the necessity of maintaining the integrity of the competition structures and all other relevant information, in order that these developing players play regular rugby at an appropriate level now and in the future.
Develop the concept of Beacon Clubs within the National League structure
210 There is no doubt that many National League clubs would be able to fulfil the role of a Beacon Club and should be supported by the RFU either by direct funding of programmes and/or projects or with additional resource. The RFU will consider establishing a dedicated facility fund for Beacon Clubs, be they at National League level or below, who make an additional contribution to the Community game as a result.
211 The advent of Regional Sports Boards, local funding priorities and the diminished levels of Lottery funding available for sport will mean that only those clubs who provide rugby for all and who offer opportunities to participate, will be considered eligible for funding. Those professional/semi-professional clubs who do not offer Community rugby opportunities will, by their own ethos, rule themselves out of publicly funded support.
212 If, however, we identify that National League clubs can play a part in the development of grass roots rugby by showing all the necessary attributes of a Beacon Club, it would be incumbent upon the RFU to invest in these clubs. This investment may of course take a variety of forms, and it will be necessary for the union to actively explore ways in which it can support them; but with more autonomous funding from Government (i.e. CCDP) the opportunities will be there for those National League clubs who fulfil the role of Beacon Club to be identified and prioritised for support.
213 The Rugby Football Foundation supports clubs at level 5 and below, and while it is important to direct funding into the lower levels of the game, opportunities should be sought to improve facilities at National League clubs through similar grant aid programmes should it be deemed necessary. This would provide the RFU with an opportunity to promote the Community Rugby vision in the upper echelons of the game, and to support and incentivise National League clubs to become ‘Beacon Clubs’. A fixed amount of money should be made available (administered by the RFF), and a grant making procedure implemented with criteria based upon the clubs’ contribution to the Community game.
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