Keep up to date with the latest at Verwood Rugby Club
NEWS
Summer Touch Rugby
Verwood Rugby Club are pleased to announce that their annual family Touch Rugby competition will again take place this year starting THURSDAY 20th May meeting at 6.45 p.m. on Potterne Park and at the same time every Thursday through 10th June.
Whether or not you are a club member, all members of the community will
be welcome to join in the fun from the age of 6 - 66 and beyond!!
A rewarding evening of enjoyable excercise in a controlled and happy environment
is to be had and afterwards food will be served with the compliments of
the Albion Inn on Station Road.
You may simply turn up at Potterne field next Thursday (20/05) or any
of the following Thursdays as above from 6.45p.m. and you may be assured
of a very warm welcome from club members. For further information
please contact club Chairman Alan Rex on 01202 827038 and we all look forward
to welcoming you at Potterne.
Annual Dinner Dance Friday 18th June at the St Leonards
Hotel.
Ladies and Gentlemen - Friday 18th June is our Annual Dinner
Dance which due to popular demand will again be held at the St Leonards
Hotel.
Following extensive negotiations our treasurer has managed to retain the price at a mere £25 per person which for an excellent three course dinner in pleasant surroundings with friends is outstanding. This year the speech and awards section will be very short so that we can fully enjoy the disco and for any still carrying injuries savour the delights of the bar whilst watching the younger members contort on the dance floor. Arrive promptly at 19.30 (7.30pm) for a pre dinner drink then we will move to the tables at 20.00 (8.00pm) where service will begin.
Each year we chaps benefit hugely by the support, encouragement and tolerance of the ladies and at the dinner we try to ensure that they all have a good time and an opportunity to dazzle us with their finery. To complement that, the event will remain Black Tie which, for the forwards, means Dinner Jacket and a bow tie which oddly can be any colour!
R E M E M B E R
Due to the beloved health and safety (and of course fire) regulations, places are again very limited so get a move on and get your places booked and secured. You can peruse the menu - See Dinner Menu after which you will need to do one of the following:-
Send an E-Mail to me with a completed version of the attached file and I will hold your places whilst you either hand me £25 per place or hand me a cheque made out to Verwood RUFC for £25 per place or even transfer £25 per place into the club's account (details available on request). You could alternatively mail a cheque to our treasurer at Verwood RUFC, 30 Margards Lane, Verwood BH31 6JG.
To make it even more convenient for you I will set up a table in a corner at the Memorial match so that you can make both payment and choice of food – so please don’t forget to bring along your cheque or bank a/c details or even your cash!
To be absolutely clear you need to do the following to secure your place(s): PROVIDE - Full name of each person attending - What each person wants for each course - Full payment for each person attending. Many thanks and looking forward to seeing you all at the Memorial game on 24th April.
John Edgar
PS - email me or phone me on 01202 822427 if you need to query anything whatsoever
Second annual Verwood “Crickby” match will be played
in support of Phil Allen’s Memorial day Saturday 1st May
For the second successive year a cricket match was played to celebrate
the hand-over of Potterne Park’s rugby ground to the village cricket
side for the summer season in what is quickly becoming established as the
annual Verwood “Crickby” match - a “twenty/20” over game
between Verwood’s cricket and rugby players.
This year, however, there will be the additional attraction on Potterne Park of a very special soccer match organised through the initiative of Verwood Town Football Club and that of Mrs Karen Charman-Allen whose son, Phil, died whilst serving in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province last November.
The footballers will play a team from Phil Allen’s Rifles regiment following the cricket during the afternoon and the proceeds from all the day’s activities will go towards the Rifles Benevolent Fund which was set up to help injured soldiers and the families of those killed in action and to which Mrs Charman-Allen has set herself the target of raising £10,000.
The day will be very much a family day out and everyone is invited to bring along their picnics and enjoy the “crickby” match which – if it’s anything like last year’s game - will be exciting right through to the final balls bowled, followed by the soccer game on the main football pitch.
Memorial Game
The Club's Annual Memorial game to remember and honour departed members,
was held at Potterne Park on Saturday 24th April. A beautiful afternoon
saw an entertaining game enjoyed by all.
See Match
Pictures
Isle of Wight
Verwood were at home to top of the table IOW on Saturday, 10th April
2010 losing 0-74. The IOW have now won the League and congratulation must
go to them. See Match
Pictures
Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Alresford 16 - 40 Ventnor
- Chineham 32 - 12 Overton
- Fawley 20 - 38 Lytchett Minster
- Kingsclere 34 - 53 Nomads
- Locksheath Pumas 24 - 0 Stoneham
For the second consecutive year, Verwood RUFC entertained one of the UK’s oldest rugby clubs, Old Freemens, on Good Friday 2nd April as part of their annual tour to this area. In a very competitive game, Verwood won 23-15 See Match Pictures
The match is fast becoming a regular series of dates between the two sides who have established friendly home and away fixtures at both the opening (hosted by Old Freemen’s) and the conclusion respectively of the rugby season. It is truly an “old meets new” meeting between the very much older established club and public school from Ashtead in Surrey and the relative ‘new boys’ of the English Rugby Union, Verwood, who have been in existence only since 1995.See Old Freemens RFC
Hampshire 2 Results Saturday 27th March
- Alresford 14 - 17 Overton
- Isle Of Wight 48 - 0 Fawley
- Lytchett Minster 41 - 20 Locksheath Pumas
- Nomads 17 - 49 Chineham
- Stoneham 7 - 20 Kingsclere
D & W U20 played some outstanding rugby against Middlesex to win their Quarter Final clash by 66-21 at Bournemouth. Yorkshire U20 beat East Midlands U20 by 66-19.
D & W U20 will now play Yorkshire in the Semi Final at Bournemouth on Sunday 18th April. Please put this date in your diary. The final of the National U20 competition will take place at Twickenham on Saturday 8th May.
Also on 18th April at Dorchester is the Dorset & Wilts 1st XV Cup Final : Bournemouth v Swanage & Wareham.
Chairman on Air - Forest FM
The Club's distinguished Chairman was interviewed on Tuesday 23rd March
at 3.20p.m (GMT) on Forest FM (92.3fm).
Listen to his interview in full. See Chairman's
interview
Donovan Van Lill
Chippenham man Martin Sugden appeared at North West Magistrates Court
on Monday charged with the murder of Corsham rugby player and gym instructor
Donavan van Lill.
The 41-year-old was arrested on Friday afternoon, and on Monday morning
magistrates set a date for a crown court hearing.Sugden, of Clanville Bar
in Stanton St Quintin, will appear at Bristol Crown Court on April 6 at
9.45am.No bail was granted. The mother of Donavan Van Lill was due to fly
into Britain on Monday while police continue their investigations and the
search for a body around the Stanton St Quintin area.
The South African born 29-year-old from Pewsham disappeared on 3rd
March from his home, leaving behind his wallet, phone, passport and belongings.
He even left his laptop computer plugged in, which was still logged
on to his Facebook page.Police were notified when he failed to turn up
for work as a fitness instructor at the Olympiad Leisure Centre for three
days in a row. See http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article369816.ece
Alresford
Verwood were at home to Alresford on Saturday 20th March losing 0-29.
See Match
Photos
Other results from Hampshire 3:
- Chineham 51 - 0 Stoneham
- Fawley 5 - 7 Ventnor
- Kingsclere 17 - 24 Lytchett Minster
- Locksheath Pumas 3 - 14 Isle Of Wight
- Overton 34 - 12 Nomads
In what was a much improved performance, Verwood lost 0-39 to Fawley on Saturday 6th March.
See Match Pictures
Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Alresford 5 - 37 Nomads
- Isle Of Wight 82 - 3 Kingsclere
- Lytchett Minster 32 - 18 Chineham
- Stoneham 15 - 26 Overton
- Ventnor 41 - 7 Locksheath Pumas
Saturday, 27 February 2010 saw yet another heavy loss despite early glimpses of Verwood trying to play an attractive handling game. Verwood lost 17 -48.
See Match Photos
Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Alresford 5 - 9 Isle Of Wight
- Fawley 15 - 10 Nomads
- Locksheath Pumas 8 - 6 Overton
- Ventnor HWO Lytchett Minster
Another heavy League defeat for Verwood on Saturday 20th February losing 81-7. Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Chineham 0 - 37 Isle Of Wight
- Fawley 63 - 7 Alresford
- Kingsclere AWO Ventnor
- Nomads 20 - 7 Stoneham
- Overton 26 - 20 Lytchett Minster
Verwood played Gosport & Fareham III on Saturday 13th February, the game against Kingsclere being re-scheduled sine die. Verwood ran home convincing winners 43-3.
See Match Photos and Match Report
Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Alresford 20 - 0 Stoneham
- Fawley 5 - 23 Locksheath Pumas
- Isle Of Wight 5 - 6 Overton
- Lytchett Minster 17 - 35 Nomads
- Ventnor 64 - 0 Chineham
Some very sad news.... the President of Fordingbridge RFC, Tony O'Connell, died suddenly of a heart attack in the early hours of Sunday morning, 7th February. Tony was a legend in the Fordingbridge community through the Rugby Club, Cycling, Carnival organisation, his business ventures and his hearty laugh. Before moving to Fordingbridge ‘Rocky’ was a stalwart member of The Trojans Rugby Club during the 70’s and early 80’s. He played well over 100 games for their 1st XV, initially as a flanker and latterly as a prop. He represented Hampshire in 1981.He and and the late Brian Fuller, were the founding members of Fordingbridge Rugby Club and he will be sorely missed.Our thoughts and condolences go to Christine, his wife, and his Children Paul and Amy.
Nomads
Verwood lost heavily away to Nomads on Saturday 6th February. Other
results from Hampshire 2:
- Chineham 22 - 15 Alresford
- Overton 41 - 5 Kingsclere
- Stoneham 0 - 33 Fawley
Verwood's game against Chineham on Saturday 30th was another casualty of the cold weather as Chineham's pitch was frozen and the game postponed.
Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Kingsclere 10 - 5 Fawley
- Locksheath Pumas 34 - 9 Alresford
- Nomads 0 - 34 Isle Of Wight
- Overton 13 - 13 Ventnor
- Stoneham 12 - 40 Lytchett Minster
Verwood were at home to Overton on Saturday, 23 January losing 5-49. See Match Pictures and Match Report
Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Alresford 11 - 27 Lytchett Minster
- Fawley 20 - 21 Chineham
- Isle Of Wight 78 - 0 Stoneham
- Verwood 5 - 49 Overton
Sadly, Bill McLaren passed away earlier today. To those of us who grew up with his voice in our ears and our hearts, it marks the end of a bygone age as to the true sprit of the game that is Rugby Union. He inspired so many a player to take up the game and enjoy its "magic". We trust he is now with the greatest rugby player of them all.
See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/8468319.stm
See also http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article6994386.ece
Portsmouth Nomads
Although the great thaw is upon us, Verwood were unable to resume their
League campaign against Portsmouth Nomads on Saturday 16th January, as
the pitch was unplayable. See Nomads
RFC
Stoneham Park Match postponed
Verwood were due to have their first outing of 2010 at home to Stoneham
Park on Saturday 9th January. The game has been postponed due to the frozen
pitch at Potterne Park. As a consequence of the large number of matches
being cancelled, Hampshire RFU are considering resetting the remaining
league fixtures so any further changes will be posted as soon as they are
available
Dorset & Wilts Questionnaire
The Club has received an important questionnaire from the D & W
RFU Ltd Management Board that needs to be completed and returned ASAP but
not later than 31st Jan 2010 which the committee will be addressing.
The aim of the questionnaire is to ensure that the annual joint work programme delivered by D & W RFU volunteers working in partnership with RFU staff is in future fully focussed on meeting the needs of member Clubs. It will also inform Clubs about actions that are currently being undertaken to deliver RFU Community Rugby Objectives and the response will help determine priorities and the structure of the D & W RFU budget for FY 2010-11. In particular the information will help D & W RFU Management Board and D & W RFU Council determine the content of the 2010-2011 joint work programme. It will also determine how much of the budget should be allocated for Club Development activities, including recruitment and retention of players in the 16-24 age group, and for example, how much should be allocated for Player development activities, including the playing of County age grade rugby.
The joint work programme for 2010-2011 will then be delivered by D & W RFU Volunteers working in partnership with RFU staff, including the new Club Support Officers (CSOs) and Community Rugby Coaches (CRCs). For 2009-2010 D & W RFU allocated (~£10k) in its budget to provide additional support for Clubs from CRCs to deliver the parts of the joint work programme that target increasing the number of Club players recruited and retained in the 16 - 24 age group. It will not be possible for D & W RFU to maintain this level of funding next year for CRCs.
Many Clubs, such as ourselves, will have specific needs for CRC support to help recruit and retain young players and/or need to help to create formal links with our local Schools and FE Colleges. This can ensure that we receive the level of CRC support we need by agreeing to make a financial contribution This contribution would be subject to a very simple service level agreement to ensure that our Club receives the support it needs. Happy New Year
Enjoy your rugby.
The RFU Grand Draw 2009/10 helps us raise money for our club - Sell/buy tickets please
John Sneezum
It is with great sadness that we have learnt that John Sneezum passed
away on the morning of the 29th December 2009. John has been a prominent
and active member of the Hants RFU serving in several posts and without
chaps like him the rest of us would not be able to enjoy this great game
of ours. We will observe a full minutes silence at our home Match Vs Stoneham
on the 9th January and give silent thanks for the help and assistance he
has given to us over the years. All our thoughts and prayers are to his
wife Diana.
County President Mike Glogg was first to pay tribute to the man reknowned in rugby circles in the county and far beyond. Mr Glogg said, "Whilst not unexpected, the loss is no less acute and our thoughts are very much with Diana and with his family.
"John first came onto the Hampshire Committee thirty years ago and over that time gave immense service to our County, Club and the Game. Whether it was as a referee, County Fixture Secretary, Competitions Secretary, Executive Committee member, Manager of the highly successful County Under 21s, as County President and President of the Hampshire Schools RFU, John was unstinting in his service - totally dependable, loyal and always good natured and modest."He was a remarkable man and it was a privilege to have known him."
John's funeral will take place on THURSDAY 21st JANUARY 2010 at 1pm at the Church of St Leonards in Bursledon and will be followed by a private cremation. Please note that parking near the church is limited. There will be a celebration of John's life following the funeral and cremation at Eastleigh Rugby Club.
Inter Club Xmas run out
There were players aplenty who turned our at Potterne to run off the
excesses of Christmas on Sunday 27th December.
See Match
Pictures
Match cancellations and result v Lytchett Minster
Disappointingly Verwood were unable to honour their League match
commitments against both Ventnor and Alresford due due a heavily depleted
squad through injuries and unavailabilities. Below are the League results
for December
Saturday, 19 December 2009
Isle Of Wight 35 - 6 Ventnor
Lytchett Minster 26 - 11 Verwood
Saturday, 12 December 2009
Chineham 14 - 22 Nomads
Fawley 10 - 27 Isle Of Wight
Kingsclere 40 - 3 Stoneham
Locksheath Pumas 32 - 24 Lytchett Minster
Overton 15 - 22 Alresford
Verwood AWO Ventnor
Saturday, 05 December 2009
Alresford HWO Verwood
Isle Of Wight 34 - 0 Locksheath Pumas
Lytchett Minster 3 - 0 Kingsclere
Nomads 30 - 17 Overton
Fawley
Verwood were away to promotion chasers Fawley on Saturday 28th November
losing 55-0. Other results from Hampshire 2 were as follows:
- Chineham 33 - 8 Lytchett Minster
- Kingsclere 19 - 13 Isle Of Wight
- Nomads 43 - 7 Alresford
- Overton 73 - 7 Stoneham
- Paxton Pumas 10 - 23 Ventnor
No game for Verwood this weeend. Other results from Hampshire 2 were as follows:
- Isle Of Wight HWO Chineham
- Stoneham 0 - 24 Nomads
- Ventnor 114 - 3 Kingsclere
Another defeat for Verwood on Saturday 14th November losing 0-31 to Locksheath Pumas.
Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Alresford 17 - 22 Fawley
- Lytchett Minster 23 - 34 Overton
Verwood were away to Kingsclere on Saturday 7th November winning 12-17. Captain Darren Kendall suffered a serious rib injury during the match and, although discharged from hospital, is likely to be unable to play for the rest of the year. All at the Club wish him a speedy recovery. See Match Report Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Chineham 23 - 20 Ventnor
- Nomads 35 - 5 Lytchett Minster
- Overton 10 - 29 Isle Of Wight
- Paxton Pumas 6 - 22 Fawley
- Stoneham 0 - 15 Alresford
Verwood were at home to Chineham on Saturday 24th October 2009 losing 27-46. This was a much improved performance from Verwood who trailed 3-22 in the first 20 minutes to pull the score level at half time at 20-20. Chineham scored 4 tries in the second half including an interception in the dying seconds of the game. See Match Pictures
Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Alresford 13 - 3 Paxton Pumas
- Fawley 38 - 12 Kingsclere
- Isle Of Wight 37 - 15 Nomads
- Lytchett Minster 38 - 22 Stoneham
- Ventnor 39 - 8 Overton
Verwood were away to Overton on Saturday, 17 October 2009 suffering another heavy defeat 52-5.
Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Chineham 22 - 3 Fawley
- Kingsclere 15 - 16 Paxton Pumas
- Lytchett Minster 10 - 15 Alresford
- Nomads 9 - 22 Ventnor
- Overton 52 - 5 Verwood
- Stoneham 0 - 50 Isle Of Wight
Verwood lost at home to Nomads on Saturday 10th October 7-53.
See Match Pictures
See Nomads RFC
Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Alresford 29 - 24 Kingsclere
- Fawley 25 - 18 Overton
- Isle Of Wight 61 - 0 Lytchett Minster
- Paxton Pumas 14 - 3 Chineham
- Ventnor 87 - 0 Stoneham
The Rugby World's December cover has been shortlisted for a national award (The Maggies) alongside 4-4-2, TennisLife, Huck, and Muscle & Fitness. So if you want to help rugby triumph then please click the following link and vote for Rugby World www.themaggies.co.uk/vote. You'll need to vote in every category and if you do you'll get £2 off a subscription for a magazine, with hundreds to choose from.
Stoneham Park
Verwood were away to Stoneham Park on Saturday
26th September winning 26-29. See Match Report
See Match
Pictures
Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Chineham 46 - 0 Kingsclere
- Isle Of Wight 45 - 9 Alresford
- Lytchett Minster 17 - 67 Ventnor
- Nomads 15 - 0 Fawley
- Overton 33 - 19 Paxton Pumas
The Club has a small allocation of tickets. The Procedure for ticket applications is the same as in previous seasons and full details are set out in the Club Handbook and as displayed on the Players dressing room noticeboard Please submit your application and cheque for tickets to the Club Secretary Niall Donnan by no later than 1st October. See Ticket Application form
Lytchett Minster
Verwood were home to Lytchett Minster
on Saturday 19th September losing 12-24. See
Match Pictures
See Lytchett Minster RFC
Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Fawley 79 - 5 Stoneham
- Kingsclere 0 - 22 Overton
- Paxton Pumas 18 - 12 Nomads
- Ventnor 21 - 25 Isle Of Wight
By Kate Saunders, Digital Media Manager
It’s all change for the RFU’s website, rfu.com. And if you are a regular visitor you should find improvements that will make life a great deal easier. Following feedback from many online followers and rugby supporters, rfu.com has been redesigned to offer: • Greater ease of use, based on tests on participants within the game • Improved functionality • Faster publication of Results • Improved content • Improved accessibility to content through mobile devices • Greater accessibility for people with disabilities • A better online shop front for rugby, to encourage new participants in the game and broader supporter audiences • Improved club finder to encourage those new to the game to get involved All online content has had a thorough spring clean and all your favourite facts, documents and advice will be accessible on the new site. We thought it might help to provide you with the answers to a few frequently asked questions, to assist in navigating the new rfu.com: The website design has changed a lot. Why has this happened and where do I go to find content? We have had a lot of feedback from our website users that content has been very difficult to find on the old website. By working with users and frequently testing the new site during development, we have come up with a design that makes sense to the most users and makes browsing for information easier and more logical. We have also improved our search capabilities. I bookmarked a page I visit regularly and now can’t see it – why? Whilst we are ensuring that frequently used shortcuts like rfu.com/coach will still work and redirect to an appropriate page on the new website, if you have saved a particular page, some bookmarks might not work on the new site. If you use the search functionality with the topic you are looking for you should find the information you need. What happened to the Community Rugby Website? One frequent criticism of the RFU’s web presence has been that it has been disjointed and lacked comprehensiveness and clarity. By bringing together all of the streams of RFU activity into a single website and by labelling categories based on the way our online test users have used the site, we have been able to make a single, clear location for all information about rugby union in England. The new site also separates content relating to direct personal participation in rugby and club and CB management. It might take a little getting used to but we are confident that the new design will help you find the content you need faster. Who can I contact with feedback or questions about the new website? The site launch will be a busy time for our Digital Media team. For the fastest possible response, please send any questions or feedback to webmaster@therfu.com
See the September issue of Touchline for other RFU news
Touchline
Isle of Wight
Verwood were away to the Isle of Wight
on Saturday 12th September losing 36-5.
A match report will appear on IOW County Press on-line. See IWPC
See also Isle of Wight RFC
Other results from Hampshire 2:
- Lytchett Minster 7 - 13 Fawley
- Nomads AWO Kingsclere
- Overton 29 - 36 Chineham
- Stoneham 12 - 23 Paxton Pumas
- Ventnor 24 - 3 Alresford
Verwood RUFC were pleased to accept the invitation to play Old Freeman's on Saturday 5th September who had toured and played Verwood at Easter this year.
This was a good run out in advance of the first League game away to the Isle of Wight. See Old Freemans RFC
See Match Pictures
HQ Update
1. The 2009/10 RFU Business Plan and Budget have been prepared on the assumption that the economic downturn will impact the whole of 2009/2010 and will continue into the first half of the 2010/2011 season.
- A principle objective is to ensure that the RFU is profitable over the next two seasons and to ensure that the RFU reserves grow over the Rugby World Cup cycle.
- Corporate hospitality has been materially affected by the downturn and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.
- A series of cost reduction measures have been included in the budget.
- The budget shows a loss before tax of £2.4m, which compares with the latest forecast for 2008/2009 of a profit of £1.4m
- With the opening of the hotel, and the increase in the bank loans, interest payable will increase from £1.1m in 2008/2009 to £2.9m in 2009/2010.
- The final works on the South Stand are budgeted to cost £6.2m.
- £12.5m will be raised by the sale of debentures that are due to expire in 2009/2010.
- The latest forecast shows that the bank loans are expected to be £50m by the year end. If the budget is achieved then £10m will be repaid and the balance outstanding will fall to £40m at the end of 2009/2010.
- A pay freeze for all staff in 2009/10 and in 2010/11 if there no improvement in the economy and key revenue streams. No salary regrading.
- No overtime paid to staff other than to those who are hourly paid.
- Payroll will be reduced by natural wastage. No recruitment of any new positions.
- Postponement of major training and development programmes.
- Restriction on marketing and promotion programmes.
- All non essential capital expenditure will be deferred.
3. The RFU’s bid to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup has been accepted.
4. Following the Conference held at the Lensbury at the end of March 2009 the IRB Rugby Council adopted all of the global Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) that were trialled during 2009/2010 with the exception of the ELVs relating to the pulling down of the maul and the ELV removing the right of the throwing in side to determine the maximum numbers in the lineout. The additional ELVs being trialled in the Southern Hemisphere were not recommended for adoption into Law by the IRB Rugby Committee.
- The new laws came into effect on 23rd May 2009.
- There will be no law experimentation prior to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
- The IRB is reviewing the Law Change Process and has started consulting.
- A Union may implement rolling substitutions at defined levels of the game under its jurisdiction.
- A Union may implement the Under 19 Scrum Law Variations at defined levels of the game within its jurisdiction.
- A Union having jurisdiction for a match below international level may permit an interval of not more than 15 minutes at half time.
6. Government funding for sport is now delivered in a single pot via what is known as Whole Sport Plan. The RFU, along with other sports has had to develop a four year Whole Sport Plan defining how it is going to contribute to the Government’s key targets which include reducing the number of 16+ who drop out of sport. As a result the RFU has recently been awarded £31m over a four year period from 2009/11 to 2012/13 which has been split roughly between capital and revenue funding to support the RFU Facilities Strategy and delivery of the RFU’s Community Rugby Critical Success Factors which aim to:
- increase the number of people playing the game at adult, aged 16 -24 and in the women’s game. Nationally increase the number of players in these target areas who participate once a week.
- Increase the number of matches and training sessions being played through better pitches, floodlights and changing rooms resulting in an increase of teams.
- Improving the sustainability of clubs through club planning and accreditation and via links to education
- The number of effective people supporting the playing of the game in the key areas of volunteers, coaches and referees.
- To avoid the need for separate sets of targets (and monitoring and evaluation systems) the objectives and targets set for Community Rugby in the Third RFU Strategic Plan (and D & W RFU’s Action Plans for next season) now reflect Whole Sport Plan targets.
8. The key focus for last season has been the Play On campaign following on from the success of Go Play Rugby last season. The establishment of a national network of over 1,200 Pathfinders in clubs, schools, colleges and universities has produced an increase of 201 adult teams of which 46 are student teams.
- Since July 1st 2008 RugbyFirst data shows that the number of adult players has grown by over 9000, youth players (U13-U18) by over 3000 and Mini/Midi players by nearly 29,000
- Some 407 clubs now have the Mini & Youth Seal of Approval.
- There are over 150 Community Rugby Coaches (CRCs)
- Almost 13,500 coaches have participated in coach development programmes and increase of 1500 on last year. Some 4000 have attended Level 1 courses and 1000 Level 2 courses.
- A pilot coach licensing scheme is being run successfully in the Midlands.
- Over 3500 referees undertook the Entry Level Referee Award (ELRA)
- Hundreds of young volunteers have delivered a wide range of vRugby projects
- 40 young rugby volunteers attended a 3 day inaugural Young Leaders Camp
- 58 candidates from 44 rugby organisations have taken part in the Leadership Academy
- Club Volunteer Coordinators (CVCs) have attended over 30 workshops and forums 900 are registered on RugbyFirst.
- Nearly 300 calls to the RFU legal helpline
- 45 teams of grass roots volunteers were recognised by the President's XV Awards 2009 with 224 entries an 50% increase from 2008
10. The four year Community Rugby Planning cycle to grow participation in the game is used to focus activity around the Rugby World Cup. In order to reduce the workload on volunteers the four year planning cycle now works on a two year development focus. For the next two years the emphasis shifts to a single 'People & Places programme which will focus on the volunteers, referees, coaches and facilities needed to create a high quality environment in which to play the game. This programme will be underpinned by a campaign to promote the core values of the game. Investment in the People & Places programme will be made in each of its four 'pillars', volunteers, referees, coaches and facilities.
11. Local priorities, based on club needs will be determined by the Whole Club Development process. This means that in future, if Clubs wish to be included in the RFU Capital investment Programme, (which includes Sport England Funding), they will have or demonstrate a commitment to work towards a number of key criteria agreed with their local RDO and D & W RFU. This will be developed through a Whole Club Development Plan that is SMART (Specific, Measurable, Realistic and Time related) signed by the RDO, D & W RFU and Club Chairman. The RDOs will be leading this new process of accreditation. Within the Whole Club Development Plan certain areas of work will be mandatory to enable the RFU Regional Delivery Team working in partnership with D & W RFU to prioritise support to your club. The Whole Club Development Plan will focus on Club Management (finance, admin, facilities, etc), People (coaches, officials, volunteers and players), Member Services (playing, training, social activities), Member Welfare (equity and medical) and Community Links.
12. In order to link the Club development programmes within the Community Rugby Department an on-line club development and accreditation tool in RugbyFirst will be launched later this year. This will also provide Clubs with a ‘user friendly’ facility containing the tools and information to develop a short term action plan and/or a longer term strategic development plan and become Club Accredited if appropriate. The work programmes of the RDOs and CRCs are currently recorded in a standalone system which does not allow for the integration and collation of data on the game or the reporting of activity and performance by the field based staff. RDO and CRC work programmes will be integrated with on-line reporting into RugbyFirst.
13.Much progress is being made to establish RugbyFirst as the sole system of choice in the community game through a coordinated programme of activity. It was designed to replace a range of incompatible and poorly documented systems developed over many years and in use across the RFU. RugbyFirst is a comprehensive system and covers all aspects of game administration on a national basis and is unique in sport in the UK. It supports all the operational areas of administering rugby union football as well as providing each club with sophisticated, but user friendly, tools to build and maintain its own website. The functionality developed includes recording key club details (contact information, directions, facilities, teams, etc.), membership, fixtures, results, tables, merit tables, disciplinary hearings (including automatically making banned players unavailable for team selection), referee and coaching qualifications, referee allocation to fixtures, CRB processing, team selection and events. All of these areas are underpinned by a role-based security system, restricting users only to those areas of the system they need access to in order to carry out their role.
14. The significance of The Championship (Level 2 Clubs) has been recognised by creating a new 12 Club Championship which will form a key part of the structure of the game in England, developing players, coaches and referees in a competitive professional environment. Agreement has been reached on the fixture list for both the Championship and the brand new 24 team British & Irish Cup for 2009/2010. Below the Championship, the new National Division One (Level 3) becomes a 16 team league. The new National Division Two (Level 4) becomes two leagues of 16 clubs divided into North and South. The new National Division Three (Level 5) will be based divisionally on four leagues (South West, London, North and Midlands). As a result of these changes both Bournemouth and Chippenham will become National Three Clubs next season.
15. Clubs will shortly be made aware that in future sanctions for breach of RFU Regulations applying to players under 18 may apply to the whole club, the offending team and/or any culpable individual. This is because any breach could have far reaching consequences.
- RFU Regulations state that no player may play adult rugby (or train with adults) until he has reached his 18th birthday except in cases where permission to play has been obtained from the player’s parent, guardian or head teacher
- Players who are 17 may play and train with adults provided they have also been assessed as capable of playing with adults. This exception does not apply to playing in the front row where there is an absolute prohibition on players under 18 playing in adult rugby.
- Players of all sexes and age may play or train together in non contact variations of the game, provided the organiser has assessed the session as safe for all players.
17. The RFU Injured Players Foundation has now been established as a result of a merger of the former charity SPIRE and the RFU's medical team. The RFU now has the people and framework in place to provide a bespoke and pro-active response to each catastrophic injury in order to maximise each injured player's potential for recovery.
18. The RFU Grand Draw raised £400k of which £356k was retained by clubs. 678 clubs took part in the Draw. In D & W £11k was raised with clubs receiving £10k. The Draw has now raised over £1.75m for clubs over its 5 years in existence.
Season 2009/10 Fixtures
See the fixtures link for full details of this season's matches.Following
a restructuring of the Leagues in Hampshire, Verwood will play in Hampshire
2 this season.
See League Fixtures
The Ellingham & Ringwood Agricultural Society Annual
Show 2009
Ellingham & Ringwood Agricultural Society annually presents a local
traditional country show and a guaranteed family day out.
This years's show was held on Saturday, 8th August 2009 and once
again in the beautiful grounds of the Somerley Estate by kind permission
of the Earl of Normanton.
Verwood RUFC was once again very happy to lend its support to the Society.
For further details, see The
Ellingham & Ringwood Agricultural Society Annual Show 2009
Verwood RUFC Annual Dinner Dance
The annual dinner was held on the 19th June at the St Leonards Hotel.
Club awards were as follows and congratulations to the worthy recipients:
- Players Player: Andre Jensen
- Coaches Player: Karl Jensen
- Captains Player: Mathew Pike
- Top Try Scorers: Charlie Cockram & Mark Hutchinson
- Clubman of the Year: Mike Cockram
- Chairman'sAward: Darren Clarbull
See Alan Rex's review of Season 2008/9 See Review