Changes to RFU competition framework.
Dear Colleagues,
Over the past six months we have had consultations with the 28 county CBs, the four Divisional Organising Committees (DOC) and the NCA and RFU staff around the future development, management and delivery of competitions in the community game following on from the Adult Competition Review. As such, we wanted to share with you the main findings and principles agreed by the Community Game Board (CGB).
Findings
The discussions showed that competitions need to be more closely aligned to players’ needs, with a more coordinated approach across all competitions and effective liaison within and between CBs.
Our current competition infrastructure is vertical with very little horizontal cross pollination. In addition, with currently no single body overseeing the competition offer as players progress through the game, and with each element operating independently, there is a lack of consistency which is having a detrimental impact on player retention.
CGB has approved the principles for a new structure and work is underway to develop these principles into an efficient model of competition development, management and delivery. As the plans take shape we will be in touch with you with full details on the competition changes and how they will affect you.
Key principles of new structure
The RFU proposes a change in infrastructure to ensure our competitions are the best they can be, recommending the creation of four divisional competition commissions (working title) made up of representatives of all bodies running competitions and including appropriate stakeholders. This will include support for the ongoing developments in our Age Grade competitions. The ambition is to convert the current 71% of Lower XVs fixtures fulfilled to around 90%, utilising improved data gathering.
To achieve improved coordination, planning and delivery of the competition, we propose to structure work in four areas:
Ø Competition commissions
- Four competition commissions geographically based to ensure that the correct infrastructure and skill-set is in place to deliver a coordinated and sustainable competition framework encouraging cross-border support to the CBs in developing and delivering their competitions. Each Competition Commission Chair will be independent, respected in the community and a rugby figurehead
- Each competition commission will have the remit to oversee the competition offering in the following areas of the game: Women’s, Adult Men’s 1st XVs, Lower XVs, universities, colleges, age grade clubs and schools.
Ø Geographic Constituent Bodies
- We will work with the CBs to address any geographic anomalies or other matters while ensuring effective collaboration and coordination between the different competitions within each CB
Ø Governance
- Appropriate and effective governance across competitions is essential. Therefore the various committees need to work together for the benefit of the teams/players.
- The Divisional Organising Committees (DOC) form an important part of adult male 1st XV rugby and so they will be fully integrated into the new structure. The new structure will clarify the DOC terms of reference, governance and the extent of delegated authority in order to localise competitions management
- The RFU delegate the management of National 1 and National 2 North and 2 South to The National Clubs Association (NCA) who are part of the community competitions landscape (level 3 and 4)
Ø Volunteer Recruitment and Training
- The recruitment, training and rewarding of volunteers is essential to the successful management of competitions and for succession planning. Competitions is an area where this has been overlooked and so within the new structure the RFU will support competition organisers in ensuring the best delivery of competitions.
Staged Implementation
For Season 2017/18, the Competition Commissions will focus on establishing themselves and understanding the competition landscape within their division for Women’s, Adult Men’s 1st XVs, Lower XVs, universities, colleges, age grade clubs and schools.
For future seasons, the priorities will be determined by CGB and may include the following:
- Lower XVs – understanding the landscape in their area and working towards improving the offer for players and other stakeholders
- Optimising the transition from Age Grade (club & school/college) to Adult rugby
- Age Grade Girls – working with the Local Delivery Team in ensuring competitive opportunities continue to thrive and meet the objective of growing the game
- Determining the effectiveness of the competition offer
- Sevens - implementation and development of existing 247s competitive framework and alignment of other local 7s activity in clubs/CBs, universities, schools and colleges
We will keep you updated as this exciting initiative progresses.
Best regards,
Jim Chapman
Chairman of the RFU Competitions Development Sub-Committee
Malcolm Wharton
Chairman of RFU Community Game Board