Clubs and Educational Links
The retention of players in the U16 - U24 age groups is a vital element for our future success. We need to encourage greater participation in all educational establishments by providing focused support and resources. We need to ensure that all education establishments have links with clubs to aid retention. This link is likely to lead to lifelong participation. Playing the game in schools and FE/HE establishments helps foster a healthy lifestyle and contributes both to the social fabric of local communities and to the
widening of the pool of talented players.
Objectives
Increase the number of student teams and the number of links between FE/HE institutions and local clubs by a minimum of 2% per annum averaged over the period of the plan
148 As a result of the growth in the student sector and especially in the FE sector, there is a need to develop opportunities for these players to participate in the sport both through an increase in the number of student teams playing in FE/HE institutions and within clubs in the Community game. We are therefore setting as a Plan objective an increase in the number of student teams and links between FE/HE institutions and local clubs by a minimum of 2% per annum over the period of the Plan.
Increase the number of Secondary schools affiliating and playing more than six matches per annum by a minimum of 2% per annum averaged over the period of the Plan
149 We are setting a target of a minimum of 2% p.a. increase in the number of secondary schools playing rugby. We are defining a ‘rugby playing school’ as one in which each relevant age grade plays a minimum of six matches per annum. We need to ensure that the development work carried out by the RDOs and the supporting Community Coaches translates into regular school activity and that the schools participating affiliate to the ERFSU thus ensuring that they are covered by insurance as well as actively involved in ERFSU activities.
Ensure that the recommendations of the Schools, Students and Youth Review are fully implemented and reviewed by the end of the period of the plan
150 The importance of the Schools, Students and Youth Review to the development of a single integrated playing structure, together with a well structured aspirational representative programme, is fundamental to the success and growth of the sport within Community Rugby. Also, as part of the Review the formation of CBRDPs needs to be continually monitored and evaluated to ensure the underpinning CB structures support the growth of the game and the representative programme at Schools, Students and Youth levels.
All clubs with a Mini and Youth section to have at least two links with local schools
151 Key to retention of players is the provision of an appropriate ‘exit route’ that effectively keeps youngsters involved in the game after they leave school or an FE/HE institution. Part of the development of club/school and club/FE-HE links will be the establishment of this ‘exit route’ to clubs that support the school and/or educational establishment and provide an attractive environment and facilities for young people.
Strategies and Plans
Develop a support/incentive based programme to increase the number of teams in FE/HE institutions
152 This programme will be focussed on the development of student clubs to increase the number of teams who regularly play the game within the student sector both in interuniversity competition and in internal rugby activity. The RFU will provide incentives, advice and guidance to assist institutions to establish new teams playing regular fixtures. This programme will focus on the needs of universities and colleges to establish strong infrastructures within their institutions to develop the game.
153 We should consider extending funding to non-league playing clubs including FE/HE institutions. This could be important to prevent clubs struggling and failing. Many such clubs play in junior leagues and provide regular competitive rugby for their members. This should be equally worthy of RFU funding.
Establish an appropriate affiliation process for the FE Sector to join the RFU
154 The FE sector is a growing area of activity with some 400+ institutions. However only 50% of these colleges have proper on site sports facilities. The FE sector is currently serviced neither fully by the ERFSU or SRFU due to the age range of the student. In some cases the institution is affiliated to four separate bodies; British Colleges Sport (BCS), ERFSU, SRFU and the CB. Some colleges play both in the Daily Mail and BUSA competition. The BCS have also established a representative side which plays some fixtures and tours.
155 BCS does not affiliate to the RFU and runs its organisation with little or no support from the RFU. However, some movement towards supporting the establishment of local FE leagues has happened but requires to be formalised.
Develop a tracking system for ‘students’ leaving FE/HE institutions
156 When students finish their course they are sometimes lost to the game especially when moving to a new area. A tracking system would assist in directing students to the local club in their new area, thus retaining links with our clubs. This will be one of the key deliverables of the ‘Rugby Passport’ and ‘Project Trafalgar’ IT projects.
Establish a Steering Group to ensure the implementation of the recommendations in the Schools, Students & Youth Review
157 In order that we continue to implement in a progressive and positive manner the recommendations of the Schools, Students & Youth Review, it is important that we establish an appropriate forum to monitor progress and review results to date. A Steering Group will therefore be set up, made up of members of the SSY Review Task Group, to provide this function. This Group will conduct a bi-annual review of our representative structures, the competitions we play in and the support we provide to the teams and their management.
Develop a training and support programme for Schools’ staff
158
The MORI survey shows that rugby has declined in popularity as a core sport in the PE curriculum in secondary schools in England. Rugby is a complex game. If we are to encourage the delivery of rugby in schools we must identify the needs of individual schools and be ready to give appropriate support to the teachers and other staff who are delivering the sport. We therefore intend to provide schools with the necessary support and training for teachers and other personnel, in particular adults other than teachers (AOTTs), to develop the delivery of rugby in schools in an attractive and user-friendly format. A specific Schools Incentive pack will be therefore be designed and delivered by Community Rugby to support this process.
159 We will also recruit and train qualified coaches and AOTTs to assist schools in introducing the game. Quality coaching by suitably qualified individuals is essential for the delivery of the sport. These coaches will, in the main, be teachers in the schools, but may be external personnel who go in and help where needed. This initiative will be supported through the cluster programme and the School Support Programme. One of the other key objectives of this programme is to increase the number of affiliated schools that participate regularly in competitions.
Design a promotional campaign in Schools and Local Authorities to highlight the values of rugby
160 In order to facilitate the expansion of rugby participation levels in schools we must seek to influence those ultimately responsible for the formulation of the school curriculum locally. This means producing a promotional campaign that is targeted at Head Teachers, School Governors, Local Education Authorities and PE advisers. The campaign should aim at persuading them of the educational value of our sport. We will also develop a promotional campaign directed at the appropriate age groups to increase participation within State schools.
161 We will actively encourage the playing of girls rugby in both co-ed schools and all girls schools. The girls game continues to grow at mini-level but from 12 to 16 there is little or no involvement in the school curriculum. Again we should develop a targeted promotional campaign to increase the involvement in the school curriculum for girls rugby in the 12 to 16 age group.
162 We will create links with Colleges with sporting qualifications (and others where appropriate) so that students have the opportunity to gain work experience with clubs who will benefit from both the link with the student and extra personnel available. This is a partnership that could help clubs with administration whilst giving students invaluable experience.
163 We will develop links with key partners such as Local Authorities to ensure successful delivery of the sport. Such partnerships help to raise and maintain the game’s profile. Schools and clubs should be encouraged to take part in “local” town and/or district festivals and events. Clearly this has to be undertaken at a local level; however the RFU can provide guidance on how best to achieve such links.
Develop activities that increase the number of Secondary Schools providing rugby and playing in recognised competitions
164 To achieve our growth objectives for the game, it is important to set ourselves clear
targets in widening the take up of the game in schools. Traditionally the game has been strong in the independent sector. We now aim to grow the game within the whole Secondary Education sector. An incentive based programme will be developed to deliver this aim. This programme will need strong club/school links to ensure that there is a transition of players from schools to clubs.
165 While the teaching of the game in schools is important, we must also provide appropriate playing opportunities between schools at all age groups and levels. In line with the objective of increasing the number of participants in schools playing the sport across the board, we also need to set targets for a supporting increase in the number of schools playing in our intra-school competitions.
Develop activities that increase the number of Schools playing five or more matches in years 9 and 10
166 The 14 and 15 year old age group is one of key age groups for the retention of young players in the game. It is therefore important to focus development on this specific age group. At U14 level, the active sport programme is fully functioning. However, post 14 years there are few games available for many state schools leading to a fall off in participation. New strategies will be devised to increase the number of matches available for schools to assist in keeping these young players in the game for life long participation.
Establish competition links between Clubs and Schools
167 Once rugby is established in schools we must provide clearly defined competitions appropriate to their current needs with readily obtainable information on how and when they can participate. These competitions should be appropriate to the need of all levels of ability in both schools and clubs with a clear pathway linked to the Youth Structured Season. It is important to provide appropriate age group competitions, not just to produce champions, but to focus on the competition opportunity for all levels of ability. This will form part of a clear and simple Youth Structured Season.
168 We will develop 10-a-Side Competitions as a means of counteracting the influence of Rugby League. 10-a-Side rugby is a specific and relevant tool that addresses the appeal of Rugby League. These can be centred within club clusters, with venues rotated as appropriate. There should be a co-ordinated approach to their implementation, which maximises their impact. CB Competition Committees working in conjunction with CBRDPs have a key role to play in identifying opportunities to introduce suitable competitions.
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