APPENDIX 1
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 1
COMPETITION REVIEW TERMS
0F REFERENCE (REVISED,
21 DEC 2011)
• Leagues, cups, merit tables and other
potential vehicles
The scope of the review is envisaged as
encompassing the adult game at Levels 3
to 12, together with the women’s game, and
seeks to achieve two key outcomes:
• Integration of the university sector,
where appropriate
• To establish the most appropriate
competition model at each level of the
game to meet the needs of both players
and clubs
• To incorporate sufficient flexibility within
the overall competition model to allow it
to be adjusted in the event of variances
within the playing population (e.g. in the
aftermath of RWC 2015)
The scope of the review will need to be
flexible to accommodate and react to its
findings as it progresses however the
following areas have been identified as key
initial considerations:
• Pros and cons of national competition and
regional, county or local models
• Promotion and relegation within the
overall structure
• Seasonal issues, i.e., time of year and
length
• Provision of meaningful and wellorganised competitive fixtures for 2nd
and other lower XVs
• Growth and integration of Sevens,
Touch and Tag
• Frequency of competition
• Geographical/travel considerations
• Club sustainability, from an economic
perspective
• Competition management and regulation,
and the locus of this
• Regional differences within England, and
the need to provide for these
To ensure the necessary consultation and
engagement (internal and external) it is
anticipated that the review will take close
to twelve months to complete and that
a further period of implementation will
be necessary beyond this (e.g. in drafting
rules/regulations, communicating change,
supporting organisers).
Hence it is anticipated that the earliest that
any new structures will be in place would be
for season 2013/14.
December 2011
APPENDIX 2
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
appendix2.indd 1
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Appendix 2
Competition Review
Desk research presentation,
23 November 2011
“Rugby Landscape”
•
-- Survey attracting >7500 responses
from players, officials, etc., followed
by stakeholder forum to discuss &
validate results:
Initial desk research
Competition structure:
•
“Rugby Landscape” report, Oct 2008
•
Tournaments & Competition Dept paper
for GPP Cttee, Nov 2010
•
RFU Club Matrix Survey, 2010-11
•
Anecdotal content from, inter alia,
www.rolling-maul.com
Recruitment & retention:
RFU Task Force deployed from
June – October 2008 with support
of CapGemini
-- 97 per cent of respondents from
Levels 3-7
-- Highest response from Levels 6-9
Tipping point at Level 5, where opinions
start to change – and again at Level 7
•
Further down the leagues there is:
-- Less desire for larger leagues and more
games
-- More desire for a winter break
-- Less commitment to cups
-- More pressures from outside rugby,
e.g., work, family commitments, fear of
injury
-- Lowest response from Levels 11 & 12
High-level findings
•
Season is right length, in right time
of year
•
No appetite to move away from
Saturdays
•
Go Play evaluation, 2007
•
UNN MSc dissertation, 2009
•
RFU survey around drop-out, Mar 2010
•
Travel time & cost not a great issue
•
RFU Club Matrix Survey, 2010-11
•
•
Sport England satisfaction surveys, June
2010 & July 2011
Regular leagues of 12 to 16 teams are
required
•
Cup rugby is popular
•
(WSFF survey, Sept 2010)
•
Midweek / end-of-season TT7s is
desirable; also tours
appendix2.indd 2
•
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Appendix 2
13 x recommendations
1. End the two senior National Cup
competitions
2. Maintain the existing league pyramid at
Levels 3-6
12. RFU Competitions Cttee to manage
Levels 3-4
13. Implementation at end of season
2008-09
-- The impact of retaining National Cup
competitions
“Rugby Landscape”
-- County Championship still not
addressed
3. National Leagues to include Levels 3-5
•
4. Level 3 / National 1 to be 16 teams, 30
matches
Layers of detail behind each of these
recommendations
•
Additional review work still to do:
5. Level 4 / National 2 to be 16 teams, 30
matches
appendix2.indd 3
•
Changing landscape has also brought
TT7s into the frame, and requiring
competitive structures
-- County Championship
-- Funding of competitions
6. Levels 5 & 6 / National 3 & Divisional 1 to
be 14 teams, 26 matches
-- Minimum standards requirements
of each level
7. Introduce National Championship Finals
at Levels 4-6
•
8. Introduce reserve leagues at Levels 3-5,
with end-of-season finals
Since then ...
Improvement and standardisation of
DOCs also required
9. DOCs to investigate most appropriate
models for Levels 7 and below
•
“Rugby Landscape” implemented in
2009-10, i.e., for two seasons now
10. DOCs to consider County Cups as
qualifying rounds for National Vase
competitions
•
Despite depth of research, some doubts
cast about its delivery – especially:
11. Length of season to be 35 weeks from 1
September – five-year structured season
club sustainability especially within
National Leagues
-- Its coverage of issues at Level 7 and
below
-- The validity of its conclusions
around travel costs, and therefore
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Appendix 2
Club Matrix Survey 2010-11
Level
appendix2.indd 4
4&5
6&7
8&9
10+
Region
Clubs
Change
%
Clubs
Change
%
Clubs
Change
%
Clubs
Change
%
SW
12
0
0
36
16
44
73
35
48
27
14
52
S
9
4
44
40
24
60
49
19
39
13
6
46
LS
4
1
25
17
9
53
17
9
53
21
14
67
LN
7
1
14
31
11
35
44
15
34
31
5
16
EM
9
4
44
38
6
16
44
10
23
7
3
43
WM
10
4
40
33
7
21
45
15
33
16
10
63
NEY
10
4
40
40
22
55
45
27
60
20
11
55
NW
12
5
42
27
12
44
43
18
42
0
0
0
11/03/2014 16:26
Appendix 2
Club Matrix Survey 2010-11
Level
Total
4&5
6&7
8&9
10+
Clubs
Change
%
Clubs
Change
%
Clubs
Change
%
Clubs
Change
%
73
23
32
262
107
41
360
148
41
135
63
47
By Region
Totals
appendix2.indd 5
Region
Clubs
Change
%
SW
148
65
44
S
111
53
48
LS
59
33
56
LN
113
32
28
EM
98
23
23
WM
104
36
35
NEY
115
64
56
NW
82
35
43
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Appendix 2
The reasons for change
Research into recruitment /
retention
•
Travel distances
•
Travel costs
•
Need for off-weeks
-- Online survey with 1640 responses
•
A shorter season
•
Family commitments
-- 38 per cent (623) current players,
37 per cent (607) former players
•
Work commitments
•
Strong link to recruitment / retention
•
•
Go Play evaluation, 2007:
UNN MSc dissertation, 2009:
-- Localised focus groups with four
Gateshead clubs
•
RFU survey, March 2010:
-- Online survey with 1509 responses
-- 83.6 per cent (1261) current players,
15.2 per cent (221) former players
•
appendix2.indd 6
(WSFF survey into drop-out among girls,
Sept 2010)
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Appendix 2
Go Play evaluation, 2007
appendix2.indd 7
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Appendix 2
RFU survey, March 2010 – current players
appendix2.indd 8
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Appendix 2
RFU survey, March 2010 – current players
appendix2.indd 9
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Appendix 2
RFU survey, March 2010 – current players
Which of the the following factors would impact upon your decision
to CONTINUE playing rugby in the future?
Age
2% 1% 1%
Employment commitments
6%
26%
Academic commitments
Family commitments
15%
Time commitments (training,
matches, fitness)
Risk of injury
Required health/fitness
13%
22%
10%
appendix2.indd 10
Pursuit of other sport/leisure
activities
Monetary cost
4%
Moving residence
11/03/2014 16:26
Appendix 2
RFU survey, March 2010 – current players
Which of the following rugby-specific factors would be most
influential in your decision to continue playing rugby in the future?
8%
4%
Quality of club facilities Quality of club
facilities
32%
Structure of leagues Structure of
leagues
Standard of play Standard of play
40%
16%
appendix2.indd 11
Standard of coaching Standard of
coaching
No longer wishing to play rugby No
longer wishing to play rugby
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Appendix 2
RFU survey, March 2010 – former players
Which of the following factors influenced your decision to
stop playing rugby?
Age
1%
3%
2%
7%
Employment commitments
9%
Academic commitments
Family commitments
17%
Time commitments for training
Risk of injury
2%
9%
40%
5%
5%
appendix2.indd 12
Actual injury
Level of health/fitness
Pursuit of other sport/leisure
activities
Monetary cost
Moved residence
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Appendix 2
RFU survey, March 2010 – former players
Which of the following rugby-specifc factors was most influential in
your decision to stop playing rugby?
8%
6%
Quality of club facilities
15%
Structure of leagues
Standard of play
Standard of coaching
57%
No longer wishing to play rugby
14%
appendix2.indd 13
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Appendix 2
RFU survey, March 2010 – former players
appendix2.indd 14
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Appendix 2
SE Satisfaction Surey - 2009 to 2011
SE Satisfaction Survey – 2009 to 2011
20
•  Across all sports satisfaction
has fallen from 80.0 in 2009 to
79.7 in 2011. This is an
increase of 3.2 from 2010
•  Overall satisfaction in Rugby
Union has fallen from 81.3 in
2009 to 79.8 in 2011
•  General participant
satisfaction in Rugby Union
has fallen from 80.5 in 2009 to
78.5 in 2011
•  Club member satisfaction in
Rugby Union has fallen from
81.8 in 2009 to 80.5 in 2011
Overal
l
General
Participants
Club
Talent
Base: Overall 995; General Participants 106; Club 818; Talent 66
appendix2.indd 15
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Appendix 2
The factors most likely to drive satisfaction / retention / participation in Rugby Union
Domains which have the most
impact on overall satisfaction
with Rugby Union
People and staff
Social aspects
Exertion and fitness
Ease of participating
KEY
Performance
Value for money
Officials
Release and diversion
Domains which have the least
impact on overall satisfaction
with Rugby Union
appendix2.indd 16
Coaching
Facilities and playing
environment
11/03/2014 16:26
Appendix 2
How satisfied were you ...?
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Taking everything about the ease of
participating in your sport into account, how
satisfied would you say you are with this aspect
of Rugby Union?
0
0
1
0
1
3
35
64
Sport Overall
37
33
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
45
65
63
The time it took me to get to the places where I
compete/participate in my sport
52
Club Members
3
7
2
4
3
8
38
41
36
0
30
47
52
53
52
23
Sport Overall ParticipantsClub MembersTalent Pool
The ease with which I could balance my
sporting, work, family or education
commitments
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2
8
2
6
2
10
8
37
37
37
38
53
55
52
55
Sport Overall
appendix2.indd 17
Club Members
11/03/2014 16:26
Appendix 2
How important is it that ...?
The ease with which I could balance my
sporting, work, family or education
commitments
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2
2
22
74
2
3
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
95
79
66
Sport Overall
0
5
2
2
17
29
Being able to compete/participate in my
sport at a time that was convenient to me
Club Members
5
9
9
23
27
21
20
64
61
66
70
8
4
Sport Overall
7
3
2
Club Members
The time it took me to get to the places where
I compete/participate in my sport
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
3
4
3
3
3
5
32
35
31
61
59
62
Sport Overall
appendix2.indd 18
0
3
26
71
Club Members
11/03/2014 16:26
Appendix 2
Frequency of participation in competitive games
appendix2.indd 19
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Appendix 2
Variants of the game
Q. Which, if any, of these variants of the game have you competed in at your
club this year?
Participant
Club
member
Talent
pool
appendix2.indd 20
11/03/2014 16:26
Appendix 2
Summary
•
“Rugby Landscape” made evidencebased change especially to Levels 3-6
from 2009:
-- Levels 7 and below left to local
discretion
•
Club Matrix Survey 2010, and anecdotal
evidence, suggests further change is
required:
-- Especially at Levels 7 and below
-- Especially in specific regions, e.g.,
London South, NE & Yorkshire
-- Especially due to travel time and work
/ family commitments
appendix2.indd 21
•
Retention / satisfaction surveys suggest
that:
-- Competition formats are not critical to
keeping people within the game
-- Creating a balance between
competitive rugby and the time
available is important – flexibility is
key
-- In this, employment, family and
academic commitments need to be
respected
-- Marginal gains might be made by
introducing alternative formats, and
midweek TT7s
11/03/2014 16:26
Appendix 2
Current climate – courtesy of rolling-maul.com!
“Is the current rule that
no more than two
leagues can feed into a
higher league the best
way to organise the
pyramid – would a wider
taper work better?”
“... The league structure
is doing its job. The
clubs that can compete
get promoted. Those
that cannot get
relegated until they find
a level”
Next steps
•
-- Other team sports (cricket, hockey, Rugby League,
soccer)
-- Other Rugby Unions
•
“By all means review
regionalisation at Levels 3-5, by all
means review 2nd XV league
representation, but don’t aim for
wholesale changes cos they are
neither needed nor wanted”
“Do we need to
reduce the size of
the leagues to
allow space for cup
competition?”
Comparator review:
Market research:
-- Define the brief and desired process / timeline
-- Brief to gather as wide a data set as possible
•
Consultation:
-- Student and women’s games
-- Region by region, against an agreed template
•
appendix2.indd 22
Report to Steering Group on progress
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Appendix 3
APPENDIX 3
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 3
RFU COMPETITION REVIEW
COMPARATOR REVIEW –
DRAFT FINDINGS
2B of the Ulster Bank League and the
provincial “qualifying leagues” (i.e., the
top junior league in each region) dictated
by minimum standards
A. Other Unions
• Promotion and relegation within and
between intra-provincial junior leagues
i. Irish Rugby Football Union
Cup competitions
League model : national /
regional / county / local
• All-Ireland Cup contested between the
52 clubs included within the Ulster Bank
League
• Four professional provincial teams playing
in RaboDirect Pro 12 and Heineken Cup –
Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster
• Ulster Bank League – revamped in 2011
to feature 52 teams in four hierarchical
national divisions (1A & 1B of ten teams
each; 2A & 2B of 16 teams each)
• Junior leagues beneath this are organised
on an intra-provincial basis by the four
Branches of the IRFU – Leinster, Munster,
Connacht and Ulster – on a regional, subregional and district basis
Promotion & relegation
• Automatic promotion & relegation
between the divisions of the Ulster Bank
League, part-automatic, partly by play-off
• Promotion & relegation between Division
• All-Ireland Junior Cup contested between
the top four teams from each of the
provincial Junior Leagues, played on a
round-robin basis
• Provincial knockout cups also contested
within Branches, mainly on a separate
Senior and Junior basis, but there are
also cup competitions specific to certain
counties or districts
Seasonality
• Ulster Bank League plays from the
beginning of October to mid-April, with
breaks for international matches and
Christmas
• Junior / intra-provincial club rugby plays
between September and April / May,
depending on postponements, etc.
Appendix 3
Frequency of competition
Competition management
• Once a week in most leagues, on Saturday
or Sunday as dictated by tradition
• National league and cup competitions
managed by the IRFU through the
medium of its Ulster Bank League
Committee
• The Ulster Bank League is experimenting
in 2011-12 with Friday-night and midweek
fixtures for commercial reasons, and to
support player availability
Integration of universities,
lower-level teams, etc.
• Larger Branches (Leinster, Munster)
maintain specific 2nd XV leagues for the
2nd XVs of Ulster Bank League clubs.
In Munster, 2nd XVs also compete in
Junior Challenge Cup competition; in
Leinster, there is a bespoke 2nd XV cup
competition
• The five university rugby clubs in Ireland
compete in the Ulster Bank League, while
their lower-level XVs play in the intraprovincial junior leagues
• There are also two annual knockout cup
tournaments for university clubs – the
Dudley Cup for open-age teams, and the
Conroy Cup for Under-20 teams
• Provincial competitions managed through
the four Branches of the IRFU, through
the medium of their Competitions
Committees
Regional differences
• Intra-provincial competition structures
vary greatly due to the differing strengths
of the club base, and the different
traditions which prevail
• All competition management structures
are homogenised across the country
– each Branch has a Competition
Committee reporting to its Domestic
Game Committee
Other issues
• 221 registered rugby clubs in Ireland in
total; 153,080 registered players of whom
25,440 are senior males
• Division 1 sides are able to field a
maximum of two professional players in
their match-day sides, and only one may
be a forward
• Professional players are banned from
participating in Division 2 matches, and
foreign professional players from playing
in the League at all
• The new structure will remain in place
until at least 2017
ii. Scottish Rugby Union
League model : national /
regional / county / local
• Two professional provincial teams playing
in RaboDirect Pro 12 and Heineken Cup –
Edinburgh and Glasgow
• National and regional league structures
are currently in a transitional phase
towards a pyramid structure following a
review which reported in April 2011. For
2011-12, national structures are:
-- Two Premier Divisions comprising 12
teams each, which play 11 fixtures and
then subdivide into three pools of 8
(A, B & C) to give a total of 18 league
fixtures
-- A third Premier Division of 12 playing
home and away = 22 fixtures
-- A National League of 12 playing home
and away = 22 fixtures
-- In place of the previous two other
national league divisions, three
Regional Divisions – East, West and
Caledonia – each with 10 teams playing
home and away = 18 fixtures
-- Regional leagues beneath and feeding
into these Regional Divisions – with
two separate sub-regional leagues in
Caledonia, i.e., Midlands and North
• For 2012-13, national and league structures
will be:
-- One national Premier Division of 10
teams playing home and away = 18
fixtures
-- One National League of 10 teams
playing home and away
-- Two Championship divisions
organised on geographical grounds, of
10 teams each playing home and away
-- Beneath these, three Regional
Divisions – East, West and Caledonia –
each with 10 teams playing home and
away
-- Regional leagues beneath and feeding
into these Regional Divisions – with
separate sub-regional leagues in
Caledonia for Midlands, North-West
and North-East
Appendix 3
Promotion & relegation
Seasonality
• Promotion and relegation to pertain
across the pyramid:
• National leagues play from end August /
beginning September to mid-late March
– with cup competitions interwoven.
However, adverse weather in each of the
past three seasons has seen an overrun
-- One automatic place, one by playoff between Premier Division and
National League
-- Automatic between National League
and Championship
-- Part-automatic, part-play-off between
Championship and Regional Leagues
-- Regional leagues determined locally
by Regional Competition Committees
Cup competitions
• Three national cup competitions:
-- Cup for the leading club sides
(Premier, National, Championship)
-- Shield for the second tier (Regional
Leagues 1 & 2)
-- Bowl for the remainder (all other
regional clubs)
• Initial rounds contested in four regions
(Edinburgh, West, Caledonia, Borders) ally
prior to national semi-finals and finals
Frequency of competition
• Once a week in all leagues, with all
matches scheduled for Saturday
afternoons
• Leagues reduced from 12 to 10 teams from
2012-13 specifically in order to shorten the
season, reduce travel costs and thus retain
players
Integration of universities,
lower-level teams, etc.
• Some 2nd XVs in regional leagues – but
also a dedicated Reserve League with two
national and three regional divisions
• There are five university teams which
play in the national or regional leagues
– Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Stirling, St
Andrew’s, and the Royal Dick Veterinary
College. Edinburgh’s 2nd to 4th XVs also
plays in the Reserve Leagues
Appendix 3
• The remaining university teams sit
outwith the league structure, in the eight
Scottish Universities Leagues and BUCS
competitions
iii. Welsh Rugby Union
-- Plate for the second tier (Leagues 2 &3)
League model : national / regional /
county / local
-- Bowl for the remainder (Leagues 4-6)
Competition management
• Four professional provincial teams playing
in RaboDirect Pro 12 and Heineken Cup
– Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons,
Neath-Swansea Ospreys, Llanelli Scarlets
• SRU oversees the national league and cup
competitions, but not the regional / local,
university or 2nd XV competitions
• Regional Competition Committees are
in place to manage the regional / local
leagues
Regional differences
• Regional variations exist at regional and
sub-regional levels in the number and size
of the leagues, depending on playing base
• Competition is otherwise homogenised
as far as is possible across what is a small
club / player base (251 registered clubs,
38,500 registered players of whom 11,687
are senior males)
• Premiership – national division
comprising 14 teams playing each other
home and away = 26 league fixtures
• Subsequent leagues are regionalised
within a pyramid structure, starting with
Leagues 1 & 2 North, East and West; and
then Leagues 3 to 6 with different subregional identities (e.g., South-east, SouthWest); and the developmental League 7
Promotion & relegation
Other issues
• Promotion and relegation between all
leagues, from national to regional to subregional levels, making it possible for
teams to play themselves from local to
national levels over a period of years
•None
Cup competitions
• Three national cup competitions:
-- Challenge Cup for the leading club
sides (Premiership, Leagues 1)
• All three competitions played on a
straight knock-out basis between as many
clubs as are eligible / enter
Seasonality
• League season runs from beginning
September to mid-April across all
divisions, with cup competitions
interwoven – approximately one round
per month
Frequency of competition
• Once a week in all leagues, with matches
mainly scheduled for Saturday afternoon
• The exception is the Premiership, wherein
fixtures are placed in spectator-friendly
slots, e.g., Boxing Day, New Year’s Day,
some Friday nights
Integration of universities,
lower-level teams, etc.
• 2nd XV league in place comprising 10
teams – no 2nd XVs elsewhere in the
league structure at any level
• Only one university team – the
traditionally strong UWIC – features in
the league structure. Other universities
play in BUCS competition, leagues and
cup
Competition management
• WRU manages the league and cup
structure at all levels, with the exception
of university rugby
Regional differences
• Regional variations exist at regional and
sub-regional levels in the number and size
of the leagues, depending on playing base
• Competition is otherwise homogenised
as far as is possible across what is a small
club / player base (over 300 registered
clubs, 50,557 registered players of whom
22,408 are senior males)
Other issues
• Plans are in train to reform the
Premiership by reducing it to 10 teams
from 14 and basing membership on
minimum standards; also creating a
National Championship division beneath
it as the pinnacle of the community game,
beneath which will sit the regional leagues
Appendix 3
iv. Fédération Française de Rugby
League model : national /
regional / county / local
• Senior national league is the Top 14
(formerly Top 16), played on a home and
away basis between the top 14 club sides,
followed by three rounds of play-offs
involving the top six teams in the league
table
• The second major competition in France
is Rugby Pro D2, featuring 16 teams that
also play on a home-and-away basis
• Beneath Pro D2 is Fédérale 1, the top
level of a system of nine levels of amateur
leagues – the top three of which are:
-- Fédérale 1 comprises four pools of 10
teams who play each other home and
away, before the top four in each pool
come together for knockout play-offs
to produce an overall winner
come together for knockout play-offs
to produce an overall winner
• Beneath the Fédérale leagues there is a
network of six regional and sub-regional
leagues comprising
-- Le Championnat de France Honneur
-- Le Championnat de France Promotion
d’Honneur
-- 1e Série to 4e Série
Each of the 26 regional associations
stages as many levels as it has clubs /
teams to fill – and the numbers of clubs
required to staff out each additional level
are prescribed in advance. Each level is
played on a regional basis to produce a
champion who can take part in end-ofseason play-offs to produce a national
champion
Promotion & relegation
-- Fédérale 2 comprises eight pools of 10
teams who play each other home and
away, before the top four in each pool
come together for knockout play-offs
to produce an overall winner
• Promotion and relegation between
the Top 14 and Pro D2 – two clubs
automatically relegated, and replaced by
the Pro D2 champion and one other top
five club determined by play-offs
-- Fédérale 3 comprises 16 pools of 10
teams who play each other home and
away, before the top four in each pool
• Promotion and relegation between Pro
D2 and Fédérale 1, automatic, two up, two
down
Appendix 3
• Promotion and relegation on a pro rata
basis between the three Fédérale tiers, and
from there into the regional leagues below
Cup competitions
• No national cup competition linking
professionals and amateurs, or for all
amateur clubs
• The Challenge de l’Espérance is a
knockout cup competition for Fédérale 3
clubs
Integration of universities,
lower-level teams, etc.
• 2nd XV rugby is played in dedicated
leagues which correspond to the three
Fédérale leagues, i.e., one tier of four pools,
one of eight, and one of 16. Each pool has
10 teams, and the end-of-season play-offs
mirror those of the 1st XVs
• The Coupe de la Fédération is a County
Championship-style competition played
between the regional associations using
their better amateur players – generally
from Fédérale 3
• University rugby played under the
auspices of the Fédération Française
du Sport Universitaire – men’s /
women’s, XVs and Sevens, universities /
technological institutes / colleges. XVs
rugby played at two levels, Elite and
National, in eight regional pools prior to
national play-offs
Seasonality
Competition management
• Regular league season runs from
beginning September to mid-April across
all divisions. Play-offs to determine
national champions for each level then
take place from May until mid-late June
• Professional rugby (Top 14 and Pro D2)
is organised and managed by La Ligue
National de Rugby, a company established
jointly by the FFR and the Ministry of
Sport
Frequency of competition
• Amateur rugby (Fédérale 1-3, including
the 2nd XV competitions associated
with these) is organised and managed
by the FFR through its Competitions
Commission and directorate
• Once a week in all leagues. Top 14 and Pro
D2 matches are scheduled with spectators
/ TV audiences in mind, while Fédérale
league matches are mainly scheduled for
Friday night or Saturday afternoon
• Amateur rugby beneath Fédérale 1-3 is
organised and managed by the 26 regional
associations
• University rugby is organised and
managed by the Fédération Française du
Sport Universitaire
Regional differences
• At Levels 6-11, the extent of the
competition depends on the number of
clubs / teams within the region. The FFR
prescribes as follows:
-- A region with 21 clubs or fewer will
organise three levels of competition –
Honneur, Promotion d’Honneur, and 1e
Série
-- A region with between 21 and 40 clubs
will organise four levels of competition
– Honneur, Promotion d’Honneur, 1e
and 2e Série
B. Other team sports
i. Cricket
League model : national /
regional / county / local
• Clear divide between tiers of the game,
which is built around and within county
boundaries across England and Wales:
-- Senior professional cricket played by
the 18 first-class counties within their
own ringfenced, national league and cup
structures. The four-day league is played
in two divisions of nine counties each,
playing each other home and away:
• There are, however, first-class
competitions which also include
minor counties, e.g., limited-over
leagues and cups
Other issues
-- Part-time, semi-professional cricket
played by the 20 minor counties
within their own ringfenced league
and cup structures. The two-day
league is played in two geographical
conferences, each team playing six
matches before a play-off between the
conference winners
• 1630 registered rugby clubs in France in
total; 313,877 registered players of whom
110,270 are senior males
-- Recreational cricket played within
counties, as organised by the 38
County Cricket Boards to whom the
-- A region with over 40 clubs will
organise six or seven levels of
competition – Honneur, Promotion
d’Honneur, and 1e to 4e or even 5e Série
Appendix 3
ECB delegates responsibility for the
management and development of the
game at this level. Each county has a
Premier League for recreational clubs
which spans the county, and such other
district and local league structures as it
determines
Promotion & relegation
• There is promotion and relegation within
two of the three tiers:
-- Between the two divisions of the firstclass County Championships
-- Within different divisions of the
county, district and local leagues,
depending on their structures
Cup competitions
• The first-class counties contest limitedover cup competitions in a variety of
formats – Twenty20, 40- and / or 50-over,
whose structures change from year to
year – and some of which may include the
minor counties
• The Minor Counties play a limited-over
knockout trophy competition among
themselves on a straight knockout basis
• There are two club competitions for
recreational clubs:
-- The National Club Championship (the
Kingfisher Beer Cup), an open-entry
competition which is organised by
the ECB on a straight knockout basis,
initially in 16 regional groups, and
then nationally from the round of 16
onwards
-- The National Club Twenty20 Cup,
which is contested between Premier
League clubs and organised in county,
area, regional and national rounds
• There is also staged within each county
a myriad of county, district and local cup
competitions of varying formats
• There is also a veterans / Over-50s
County Championship contested by the
38 counties and organised by the ECB on
a straight knockout basis, initially in 16
regional groups, and then nationally from
the round of 16 onwards
Seasonality
• The cricket season at all levels begins in
April, and ends in mid-September
Frequency of competition
• Competition at all levels is staged on most
days of the week:
Appendix 3
-- First-class cricket is staged in its
different formats seven days a week,
albeit with appropriate breaks between
matches
-- Minor counties cricket is staged
midweek, around the work
commitments of its participants
-- Recreational cricket is played on
both Saturday and Sunday, and most
midweek evenings
Integration of universities,
lower-level teams, etc.
• The six universities which host University
Centres of Cricketing Excellence play
against the first-class counties in earlyseason friendly fixtures. Other universities
play only among themselves, in BUCS
league and cup competition
• Most (but not all) the first-class counties
maintain 2nd XIs which play fixtures
against each other in league and cup
competitions
• Recreational clubs maintain lower-level
teams which play in district and county
leagues at different levels – the prevailing
principle being that no club may have
more than one team in any one division of
a league
Competition management
ii. Hockey
Promotion & relegation
• First-class cricket is organised and
managed at national level by the ECB
– as are the national cup competitions
contested by recreational clubs
League model : national /
regional / county / local
• Promotion and relegation between all
leagues, from national to regional to local
levels, making it possible for teams to play
themselves from local to national levels
over a period of years
• Minor counties cricket is organised and
managed by the Minor Counties Cricket
Association – an affiliated member of the
ECB
• The 38 County Cricket Boards have
delegated responsibility for organising,
managing and / or overseeing all cricket
which takes place within their boundaries.
Competition management for individual
leagues lie with their management
committees, some of which are
independent, some of which come under
the County Cricket Boards
Regional differences
• Because of the different geographical
nature and playing bases of the counties,
there are significant differences between
the leagues which are played at district
and local levels
Other issues
•None
• A true pyramid-concept national structure
for men and women which comprises:
-- Premier Division of 10 teams
Cup competitions
-- Three Conference divisions of 10
teams – North, East and West
• Range of national knockout cup
competitions for men’s and women’s
teams, including:
• Regional Leagues beneath these, under
the management of five Regional Hockey
Associations – North, South, East, West
and Midlands:
-- Each Region has at least one Premier
Division linked by promotion /
relegation to the national Conference
divisions
-- Beneath this are a varying number of
regional and sub-regional leagues
-- Beneath the sub-regional leagues are
county and district leagues
-- In some regions, development leagues
lie at the bottom of the pyramid for
emerging or rebuilding teams
-- Men’s and Women’s Cup, open for any
1st XI to enter
-- Men’s and Women’s Trophy & Vase
competitions, for any team below
national and regional premier league
levels
-- Men’s and Women’s 2nd XI Cup
and Trophy competitions, banded
according to standard
-- Additional cups for Veteran (Over-40)
and Vintage (Over-50) players, with
Plate competitions for early-exiting
teams – with different age bands and
format for women
Appendix 3
Seasonality
• September to March playing season,
with a two-month break in mid-winter
(December to January inclusive) during
which indoor hockey is played
Frequency of competition
• Once a week over the five active months
of the season
• Most leagues have 12 teams which play
each other home and away, giving a total
of 22 league matches.
• End-of-season play-offs also take place
to determine certain promotion and
relegation issues – these vary between
leagues
Integration of universities,
lower-level teams, etc.
• University teams fully integrated into
league system – seven university teams in
the national structure
• Only one team per club allowed in
national structure, and in regional leagues
• 2nd XIs integrated from regional leagues
downwards; sub-regional and county /
district leagues include teams from 2nd to
9th or 10th in some cases
• Exception is in the Midlands, where there
are discrete 2nd and 3rd XI leagues with
their own internal promotion & relegation.
Elsewhere in the Midlands, 4th XIs and
below are integrated within county and
district leagues
Competition management
• England Hockey manages the national
structure; regional structures managed by
Regional Hockey Associations through
their competitions committees
Regional differences
• Regional discretion afforded to Regional
Hockey Associations as to how they
structure their leagues at regional, subregional, county and district level – on
proviso that they produce clubs for
promotion to / accept clubs relegated
from national structure
• Result of this is some variance between
regional league structures, within the
confines of the overall pyramid
Appendix 3
Other issues
• County Championships – no longer run
by EH except for senior men. Women’s
and junior / youth tournaments disbanded
in favour of an Academy-based player
development system
iii. Netball
League model : national /
regional / county / local
• Ringfenced Netball Superleague,
contested by eight franchises on a
national basis. New league structure for
2012 sees each franchise play the others
once, before the league divides into top
four (Pool A) and bottom four (Pool B)
to play home and away fixtures: end-ofseason play-offs then feature the top three
in Pool A, and the top team in Pool B
• Top tier of the recreational game is the
Premier League, three national divisions
of ten teams each (expanded from two
divisions in 2010-11)
• Each Regional Association (nine) stages
a Regional League as the next tier below
the Premier League and, as appropriate, a
supporting county / district & local league
structure
• County / district & local leagues often play
on a central-venue basis, i.e., several teams
coming together at a single central venue
to play two or three matches in a single
afternoon
Promotion & relegation
• No promotion / relegation into / out
of Superleague – this is a ringfenced,
minimum standards-based competition
• Automatic promotion / relegation
between the Premier League divisions
for the champions of Divisions 2 & 3 / the
bottom team in Divisions 1 & 2 – plus playoffs to determine additional movement
• The nine Regional League champions
meet the bottom three from Premier
Division 3 in a play-off weekend to
determine promotion into the Premier
League
• Promotion and relegation within regions,
into and out of the Regional Leagues,
is determined locally by each Regional
Association depending on the supporting
league structure within the region
Cup competitions
• The Challenge Cup was launched in 2008
as a competition for all netball clubs (bar
Superleague), on an entry basis – and
played as a straight knockout tournament.
First-round losers were entered into a
Plate competition; second-round losers
were entered into a Shield competition; all
three competitions culminated in finals
played on the same day / venue
• A shortage of entries meant that the
tournament was:
• Regional Leagues play approximately once
a fortnight between September and March
Frequency of competition
• Matches are played once a week or once a
fortnight, depending on the competition
• Many players carry dual registrations, e.g.,
for Superleague and Premier League, or
Premier and Regional Leagues
• Recreational players will often play two
or three times a week, within different
leagues and formats
-- Amended in 2009 so that the first three
rounds were staged on a regional basis
Integration of universities,
lower-level teams, etc.
-- Amended again in 2010 to take place
as a weekend festival event
• Five of the eight Superleague franchises
are based in universities, who use a
combination of students, graduates and
non-students to make up their playing
squads
-- Finally dropped from the EN schedule
for 2011
Seasonality
• The Netball Superleague is contested
between January and May each year, in
order to prepare national squad players
for milestone international competition in
June / July
• The Premier League season runs from
September to March, with matches one or
two weeks apart
• University teams will otherwise play in
Regional, county / district & local leagues,
as well as in BUCS leagues and cups
• Premier & Regional League clubs maintain
lower-level teams which play in district
and county leagues at different levels – the
prevailing principle being that no club
may have more than one team in any one
division of a league
Appendix 3
Appendix 3
Competition management
iv. Rugby League
Cup competitions
• England Netball manages the Superleague
through a dedicated General Manager and
a League Management Committee which
includes representatives of EN and the
franchises. EN also manages the Premier
League and Challenge Cup competitions
League model : national / regional /
county / local
• Two national cup competitions:
• The Regional Leagues are managed by
the Regional Associations, while county,
district and local leagues have their own
management committees
Regional differences
• Regional discretion afforded to Regional
Associations as to how their leagues are
structured at regional, county and district
level – on the proviso that they produce
clubs for promotion to / accept clubs
relegated from national structure
• Result of this is some variance between
regional league structures, within the
confines of the overall pyramid
Other issues
• Superleague also introducing FastNet
competitions in 2012 as an alternative
format for players & spectators, à la
Twenty20 cricket
• For 2012, a new league structure featuring
four tiers of competition:
-- Tier 1: Super League, 14 professional
franchises
-- Tier 2: Championship & Championship
1, 10 semi-professional clubs in each
-- Tier 3: Conference Leagues – Premier,
1 and 2 comprising amateur teams
within the RL heartlands; and
Conference 3 for amateur teams
outside the RL heartlands
-- Rugby League Challenge Cup, in 2011
including all Tier 1, 2 and 3 teams and
a number of other amateur, university,
police and services teams – 115 teams
in total
-- Amateur National Cup, on an entry
basis, open to all amateur teams
• County cup competitions also for amateur
teams in each of Yorkshire, Lancashire and
Cumbria
Seasonality
• Tiers 3 & 4 play matches generally on
Saturday, subject to availability of facilities
• No standard league size – this depends
on the tier and the nature / location of the
league. All leagues play home and away;
some leagues (depending on size) play
home and / or away more than once
• No lower-level teams in Tiers 1 or 2; the
lower-level teams of Tier 3 clubs play in
regional or local leagues at Tier 4
Competition management
• RFL manages Tiers 1 and 2, and Tier 3 /
Conference 3
• End-of-season play-offs are common to
determine league champions and, in some
cases, promotion and relegation
• National Conference League management
committee manages Tier 3 / Conference
Premier, 1 & 2
Integration of universities,
lower-level teams, etc.
• Tier 4 leagues managed by regional or
local management committees
• Separate league structure for university /
HE teams – the Student Rugby League –
over 70 teams in 11 leagues which feature:
Regional differences
• Tier 4 leagues have the option to play
winter or summer
-- Super 8, the Premier Division – the
flagship competition for RFLsupported universities run on a
franchise basis
• Profound regional differences between
RL heartlands (Yorkshire, Lancashire &
Cumbria) where the playing base is strong,
and the leagues well-stocked with teams;
and those other areas where teams may be
fewer
Promotion & relegation
Frequency of competition
-- National Leagues North and South
Other issues
• Promotion and relegation within tiers, but
not across them
• Once a week at all levels – except where
circumstances dictate
-- Eight regional leagues
• Potential exception is between Tiers 2 and
3, for determination in future seasons
• Tiers 1 & 2 play matches at times suited
to spectator attendance, i.e., Friday or
Saturday evening, Sunday afternoon
-- Tier 4: nine regional league structures,
incorporating winter- and summerbased leagues, and including
competitive structures in Scotland,
Wales and Ireland
• Regional leagues in Tier 4 are selfcontained structures, as are (mainly) the
local leagues within these
• Switch to a summer season being effected
for 2012 – nine months from March to
November
• FE colleges in the Carnegie Champion
Colleges competition, played in five
regional leagues prior to national finals
• Clear divide between the professional and
amateur arms of the sport – residual from
the time before merger between RFL and
BARLA, the latter having firm regulations
prohibiting the payment of players. Thus
Tiers 1 & 2 are professional, Tiers 3 & 4 are
amateur
• County Championships – contested at
amateur level open-age and age-group
levels between Yorkshire, Lancashire and
Cumbria only
Appendix 3
APPENDIX 4
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 4
RFU Adult Competition Review –
revised draft
1. Background, objectives and
sample overview
-- The pros and cons of the promotion
and relegation structure
Objectives of the research
-- Length and timing of league structures
and frequency of competition
The RFU is currently undertaking a
review of its adult competition structures,
encompassing levels 3 to 12 of the game.
-- The importance of new models of play,
including: Touch, Sevens, and other
models
The RFU has commissioned FreshMinds
Research to help with this review by
conducting research with players to
understand their thoughts and opinions on
competition structures.
-- Geographical and travel
considerations
November 2012
Contents
1. Background, objectives and sample
overview
2. Executive summary
3. Overall satisfaction with competition
structure
4. Feedback on the current competition
structures, and potential changes
The research helps to understand:
•
The most appropriate competition
structure to meet the needs of clubs and
players.
•
The most appropriate competition model
flex to meet the changing demographic
of rugby players.
5. Key areas of frustration, and barriers to
playing rugby
6. The impact of time and cost of travel
Appendix 4
7. Appendix
More specifically, the research also provides
an understanding of:
•
The level of satisfaction with the existing
competition structure:
-- The pros and cons of existing
competition models
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
2. Executive summary
The majority of current players (58%) are
‘very satisfied’ with playing club rugby.
League rugby:
70% of are happy about how the league
they play in operates. Players are generally
content with the league structure, with 90%
agreeing it is ‘good that teams are promoted
or relegated’. The only potential change to
league structure that the majority (65%) of
players agree with was that, ‘there should
be a mechanism through which clubs are
allowed to decline promotion’.
Cup rugby:
the current structure of cup rugby is popular
with players. 94% of players agree that
‘winning a cup is a good achievement’ and
81% like playing in cup competition.
The one proposed change that the majority
(66%) of players agree with was that there
should be games arranged for teams that
are knocked out in the early rounds of cup
competitions.
The payment of players:
whilst 69% of current players agree that the
RFU should introduce ‘legislation which
controls the payment of players at lower
levels of the league structure’, the number of
players identifying the payment of players
as a problem was somewhat lower: 46%
of current players who participated in a
league agree that ‘the payment of players is
a significant problem for the sustainability
of club rugby’ and 36% agree that ‘players
being paid leads to unfairness in our league’.
Travel:
players are not particularly frustrated
by travelling; it was only the fifth most
frequently selected frustration. Around
a quarter of players agree that there is
too much travel involved in fulfilling the
commitments of league and cup rugby. The
majority of current players are prepared to
travel up to one hour for away games.
Stopping playing rugby:
largely unpreventable factors were the
main cause of lapsed players retiring from
playing rugby. ‘Injury’ (43%) was the most
frequently cited reason, followed by ‘family
commitments’ (11%) and ‘I was not fit
enough’ (10%).
Proposed initiatives:
the players responded quite positively to the
initiatives proposed for changing certain
aspects of rugby. 88% agree that on days
when England are playing, league games
should finish before the kick-off of the
Appendix 4
to 38% of 30-54 year olds and 28% of 55+
year olds.
England match. 73% of current players agree
with the idea of introducing rolling subs.
The majority of players (63%) agree that
‘there is a need for Sevens rugby to have
its own competitive structure’. Just 41% of
players stated the same for Touch rugby.
However, 66% of players stated that they
would ideally want to play Sevens outside
the 15-a-side season, with 58% saying the
same for Touch.
•
Nor are there differences by age for
agreement with the statement that more
matches should be played on a midweek
evening, to allow time off at weekends.
•
There is greater agreement among lower
XV teams with ‘there should be greater
opportunities for multiple teams from a
club to play the same opposing club on
the same day and place’, although this is
high across the board: 1st XV – 75% (n =
613), 2nd XV – 83% (n = 289) and 3rd – 6th
XV – 84% (n= 267)
Key findings on differences between
groups – structure of league
•
•
Team played for (1st XV, 2nd XV etc)
does not influence players feelings on
time off as there are no differences for
agreement with either ‘leagues should
have fewer teams so that fewer league
matches are played so that players can
have time off to recover’ or ‘leagues
should have fewer teams so that players
can have time for other commitments’.
There is a very small difference in
opinion between ‘younger’ age groups
(18-29 year olds vs 30-54 year olds) on
more matches being ‘played on different
days of the week to reflect changing
work patterns’ though older players are
less likely to agree: 39% of 18-29 year olds
agreed with the statement, compared
•
•
Although there are low base size the
trend suggests that unfairness due to
player payment is a bigger issue among
the lower levels: level 6: 47% agreement
(n=99), level 5: 32% agreement (n=50),
level 4: 21% agreement (n=14), level 3: 21%
agreement (n=24)
Agreement with the statement ‘even
if we had won our league, I would not
want to be promoted’ is highest for
regional upper level teams: national
(level 3-5): 17% agreement (n=88),
regional upper (level 6-9): 31% agreement
Key findings on differences between
groups – cup rugby and rolling subs
Agreement with this statement also
varies by team played for, with lower
teams less likely to disagree: 1st XV:
59% disagreement (n=589), 2nd XV: 55%
disagreement (n= 273), 3rd-6th XV: 46%
disagreement (n=191)
•
Team played for influences feelings
towards cup rugby as 1st XV teams are
more likely to agree that cup rugby
comes a poor second to league rugby.
•
A regional cup competition is of greater
interest than a national competition to
those players who didn’t enter Cups last
year.
•
There is very little difference between
feelings on the travel involved in
fulfilling the commitments of cup rugby
though again, higher team players
feel there is too much commitment
involved in cup rugby: 3rd-6th XV – 21%
agreement, 2nd XV – 23% agreement
and1st XV – 26% agreement.
•
Players in higher XV teams are more
likely to agree that they ‘would value the
opportunity to play county rugby’: 1st XV
– 78% (n = 613), 2nd XV – 61% (n = 289),
3rd – 6th XV – 51% (n= 267)
•
The base sizes for levels for agreement
with ‘the introduction of rolling subs is
a good idea’ are too small to comment
on at a robust level: Level 3 – 68% agree
(n=25), Level 4 – 63% agree (n=16)
Key findings on differences between
groups – number of matches
•
National level players are more inclined
to think that there are too many leagues
compared to regional level teams:
national (level 3-5): 18% agreement
(n=88), regional upper (level 6-9): 13%
agreement (n=671), regional lower (level
10-12) 9% agreement (n=161)
•
Unsurprisingly, the larger the league
size the more players feel that there
are too many matches, with agreement
accelerating for leagues of 13 to 14
teams: 8 and under teams: 8 % agreement
(n=113), 8-10 teams: 11% agreement
(n=369), 11-12 teams: 12% agreement
(n=364), 13-14 teams: 20% agreement
(n=153)
Key findings on differences between
groups – structure of league
•
(n=679), regional lower (level 10-12): 20%
agreement (n=161)
•
There are no significant differences
between league sizes – all have similar
levels of agreement
Appendix 4
Key findings on differences between
groups - travel
•
The base sizes for willingness to travel
at level 3 and level 4 are too low to
comment on .
•
Players in higher teams are more likely
to agree with the statement that ‘there is
too much travel involved in fulfilling the
commitments of league rugby’: 3rd-6th
XV – 22% agreed with the statement, 2nd
XV – 28% agreed, 1st XV – 29% agreed
•
2nd XV players are the most likely
groups to agree that ‘the time spent
travelling to and from matches puts
me off playing matches’: 1st XV – 23%
agreement, 2nd XV – 29% agreement,
3rd-6th XV – 17% agreement.
•
Lower teams are less likely to agree
that ‘I am more likely to travel longer
distances if the club hires a bus: 1st
XV – 68% agreement, 2nd XV – 66%
agreement, 3rd-6th XV – 53% agreement.
•
There is little difference by team on
whether ‘the cost of travelling to and
from matches puts me off playing
matches’: 1st XV – 21% agreement, 2nd
XV – 18% agreement and 3rd-6th XV –
17% agreement.
Appendix 4
3. Overall satisfaction with competition structure
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
4. Feedback on the current competition structures, and potential changes
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
5. Key areas of frustration, and barriers to playing rugby
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
6. The impact of time and cost of travel
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
7. Appendix
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
Appendix 4
APPENDIX 5
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 5
ADULT COMPETITION REVIEW
CLUB QUESTIONNAIRE –
RESULTS, DECEMBER 2012
i. Headline findings
1. Are you content with the league rugby in
which your club participates?
• 87.21% said yes, 12.79% said no
• Clubs were more likely to say no at Level
3 (33.33%) and Level 11 (36.36%)
• Clubs were more likely to say no in the
South-West (23.81%)
2.Does your club support the idea of cup
rugby?
• 91.60% said yes, 8.40% said no
• Clubs were more likely to say no at Level
3 (33.33%)
• Clubs were more likely to say no in the
North-East (21.43%)
3. Does your club think there should be
automatic promotion and relegation
between all levels of the RFU leagues?
• 94.09% said yes, 5.91% said no
4.Does your club think that the current
rugby season is of the correct duration,
and offers the right number and frequency
of matches?
• 82.81% said yes, 17.19% said no
• Clubs were more likely to say no at Level
3 (80%)
• Clubs were more likely to say no in
the North-East (27.27%), London & the
South-East (23.73%), and the North-West
(23.08%)
5.Is there too much travelling involved
within the season as it is currently
structured?
• 26.27% said yes, 73.73% said no
• Clubs were more likely to say yes at
Level 8 (50%), Level 9 (32.61%), and Level
4 (30%)
• Clubs were more likely to say yes in
the North-East (45.45%), West Midlands
(37.93%), North-West (35.90%) and SouthWest (35%)
6.Is the cost of playing rugby currently a
problem for your club?
• 44.31% said yes, 55.69% said no
Appendix 5
• Clubs were more likely to say yes at
Level 5 (64.71%), Level 3 (57.14%), Level 6
(56.67%) and Level 4 (55.56%)
• Clubs were more likely to say yes in the
North-East (63.64%), Yorkshire (56.25%)
and East Midlands (51.43%)
7. Do you think that university teams should
play within the RFU leagues?
• 47.77% said yes, 52.23% said no
• Clubs were more likely to say no at Level
4 (77.78%), Level 11 (66.67%), Level 6
(65.38%) and Level 7 (59.18%)
• Clubs were more likely to say no in the
North-East (81.82%), Yorkshire (64.52%)
and the South (58.62%)
8. Do you think that 2nd and other lower
XVs should play within the RFU leagues?
• 45.97% said yes, 54.03% said no
• Clubs were more likely to say no at Level
11 (70%), Level 7 (68%), Level 9 (56.82%)
and Level 10 (54.17%)
• Clubs were more likely to say no in
Yorkshire (71.87%), London & the SouthEast (63.33%), East Midlands (58.06%)
and the North-East (54.55%)
9. Does your club want to play Sevens and /
or Touch Rugby as well as 15-a-side?
ii. Responses
a. Total no. of club responses – by region:
• 80.71% said yes, 19.29% said no
Region
• Clubs were more likely to say no at Level
3 (66.67%), Level 12+ (33.33) and Level 8
(25.53%)
• Clubs were more likely to say no in the
North-West (42.11%), Yorkshire (21.21%)
and the West Midlands (20.69%)
No of clubs
%
London & South-East (London Boroughs, Beds, Cambs, Essex, Kent,
Middlesex, Surrey)
58
23.39
South (Berks, Bucks, Hants, Sussex, Oxon)
31
12.50
South-West (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Glos, Hereford, Somerset,
Wilts)
20
8.06
East Midlands (Derbys, Leics, Lincs, Northants, Notts)
34
13.71
West Midlands (Birmingham, Salop, Staffs, Warwicks, Worcs)
30
12.10
North-West (Cumbria, Gtr Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside)
31
12.50
Yorkshire
33
13.31
North-East
11
4.44
Total
248
Appendix 5
Appendix 5
1. Are you content with the league rugby in
which your club participates?
b. Total no. of club responses – by level
Level
Total
No of clubs
%
3
5
1.93
4
9
3.47
5
17
6.56
6
29
11.20
7
53
20.46
8
48
18.53
9
47
18.15
10
24
9.27
11
10
3.86
12+
17*
6.56
259*
* Includes the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th XVs of
clubs who responded appropriately to the
level of their 1st XV
London South
& SE
Southwest
East
Mids
3
2
-
-
-
4
2
-
-
5
2
2
6
6
7
North
West
York
-
2
-
1
1
5
5
3
15
4
8
7
9
Level
Yes
No
Total
Percentage
Yes
No
Total
Percentage
Yes
No
4
2
6
66.67
33.33
LSE
57
3
60
95.00
5.00
No
33
12.79%
4
8
1
9
88.89
11.11
South
26
4
30
86.67
13.33
Total
258
5
14
3
17
82.35
17.65
SW
16
5
21
76.19
23.81
6
23
5
28
82.14
17.86
E Mids
31
3
34
91.18
8.82
7
50
3
53
94.34
5.66
W Mids
24
5
29
82.76
17.24
8
39
8
47
82.98
17.02
NW
33
6
39
84.62
15.38
9
45
2
47
95.74
4.26
Yks
27
6
33
81.82
18.18
10
21
3
24
87.50
12.50
NE
11
1
12
91.67
8.33
Total
225
33
258
1
5
11
7
4
11
63.64
36.36
1
4
1
9
12
14
2
16
87.50
12.50
2
3
1
1
17
Total
225
33
258
8
1
3
2
1
29
3
6
8
7
6
4
53
4
7
8
6
7
6
3
48
9
8
2
6
7
8
7
-
47
10
8
6
3
1
4
-
2
-
24
11
3
1
1
-
1
-
4
-
10
12
4 (7)
1
-
-
-
(8)
1
-
17
58
31
20
34
30
31
33
259
No
3
-
11
Yes
87.21%
Total
1
Region
225
North
East
Totals
West
Mids
By region
Yes
c. Total no. of responses by region by level
Level
By level1
Occasional discrepancies between the number
of responses per level/region, and the number
of clubs from a level/region who responded, are
the result of some clubs either not answering a
question – or answering both yes and no
Appendix 5
2. Does your club support the idea of cup
rugby?
Appendix 5
By level
By region
Level
Yes
No
Total
Percentage
Yes
No
Region
Yes
No Total
Percentage
Yes
No
3. Does your club think there should be
automatic promotion and relegation
between all levels of the RFU leagues?
By level
By region
Level
Yes
No
Total
Percentage
Yes
No
3
4
1
5
80.00
Region
Yes
No
Total
Percentage
Yes
No
20.00
LSE
55
5
60
91.67
8.33
Yes
240
91.60%
3
4
2
6
66.67
33.33
LSE
53
7
60
88.33
11.67
No
22
8.40%
4
8
1
9
88.89
11.11
South
28
3
31
90.32
9.68
Yes
239
94.09%
4
9
-
9
100.00
-
South
26
3
29
89.66
10.34
Total
262
5
17
-
17
100.00
-
SW
20
1
21
95.24
4.76
No
15
5.91%
5
16
1
17
94.12
5.88
SW
20
0
20
100.00
-
6
26
3
29
89.66
10.34
E Mids
34
0
34
100.00
-
Total
254
6
27
1
28
96.43
3.57
E Mids
30
3
33
90.91
9.09
7
51
4
55
92.73
7.27
W Mids
29
0
29
100.00
-
7
49
4
53
92.45
7.55
W Mids
28
1
29
96.55
3.45
8
45
3
48
93.75
6.25
NW
34
5
39
87.18
12.82
8
44
2
46
95.65
4.35
NW
36
3
39
92.31
7.69
9
41
6
47
87.23
12.77
Yks
31
3
34
91.18
8.82
9
43
3
46
93.48
6.52
Yks
33
0
33
100.00
-
10
24
-
24
100.00
-
NE
11
3
14
78.57
21.43
10
22
2
24
91.67
8.33
NE
11
0
11
100.00
-
11
10
-
10
100.00
-
Total
240
22
262
11
10
-
10
100.00
-
Total
239
15
254
12+
14
3
17
82.35
17.65
12+
15
1
16
93.75
6.25
Total
240
22
262
Total
239
15
254
Appendix 5
4. Does your club think that the current
rugby season is of the correct duration,
and offers the right number and frequency
of matches?
Yes
212
82.81%
No
44
17.19%
Total
256
Level Yes
By level
No
Total
Appendix 5
Percentage
Yes
No
Region Yes
By region
No
Total
Percentage
Yes
No
5.Is there too much travelling involved
within the season as it is currently
structured?
3
1
4
5
20.00
80.00
LSE
45
14
59
76.27
23.73
4
7
2
9
77.78
22.22
South
29
1
30
96.67
3.33
Yes
67
26.27%
5
13
4
17
76.47
23.53
SW
18
2
20
90.00
10.00
No
188
73.73%
6
22
7
29
75.86
24.14
E Mids
29
6
35
82.86
17.14
Total
255
7
46
6
52
88.46
11.54
W Mids
24
5
29
82.76
17.24
8
37
10
47
78.72
21.28
NW
30
9
39
76.92
23.08
9
43
4
47
91.49
8.51
Yks
29
4
33
87.88
12.12
10
22
2
24
91.67
8.33
NE
8
3
11
72.73
27.27
11
8
2
10
80.00
20.00
Total
212
44
256
12+
13
3
16
81.25
18.75
Total
212
44
256
By level
By region
Level
Yes
No
Total
Percentage
Yes
No
Region
Yes
No
Total
3
1
5
6
16.67
4
3
7
10
5
4
13
6
7
7
Percentage
Yes
No
83.33
LSE
11
49
60
18.33
81.67
30.00
70.00
South
7
23
30
23.33
76.67
17
23.53
76.47
SW
7
13
20
35.00
65.00
20
27
25.93
74.07
E Mids
8
26
34
23.53
76.47
7
45
52
13.46
86.54
W Mids
11
18
29
37.93
62.07
8
23
23
46
50.00
50.00
NW
14
25
39
35.90
64.10
9
15
31
46
32.61
67.39
Yks
4
28
32
12.50
87.50
10
5
19
24
20.83
79.17
NE
5
6
11
45.45
54.55
11
-
10
10
-
100.00
Total
67
188
255
12+
2
15
17
11.76
88.23
Total
67
188
255
Appendix 5
6.Is the cost of playing rugby currently a
problem for your club?
Yes
113
44.31%
No
142
55.69%
Total
255
Appendix 5
By level
By region
Level
Yes
No
Total
Percentage
Yes
No
3
4
3
7
57.14
4
5
4
9
5
11
6
6
17
7
7. Do you think that university teams should
play within the RFU leagues?
By level
By region
Level
Yes
No
Total
Region
Yes
No
Total
3
4
1
5
80.00
20.00
LSE
30
29
59
50.85
49.15
47.77%
4
2
7
9
22.22
77.78
South
12
17
29
41.38
58.62
52.23%
5
11
7
18
61.11
38.89
SW
11
10
21
52.38
47.62
6
9
17
26
34.62
65.38
E Mids
18
13
31
58.06
41.94
60.00
7
20
29
49
40.82
59.18
W Mids
15
12
27
55.56
44.44
43.24
56.76
8
22
22
44
50.00
50.00
NW
19
19
38
50.00
50.00
32
56.25
43.75
9
24
21
45
53.33
46.67
Yks
11
20
31
35.48
64.52
4
11
63.64
36.36
10
13
13
26
50.00
50.00
NE
2
9
11
18.18
81.82
142
255
11
3
6
9
33.33
66.67
Total
118
129
247
12+
10
6
16
62.50
37.50
Total
118
129
247
Region
Yes
No
Total
Percentage
Yes
No
42.86
LSE
20
39
59
33.90
66.10
55.56
44.44
South
12
18
30
40.00
60.00
Yes
118
17
64.71
35.29
SW
10
11
21
47.62
52.38
No
129
13
30
56.67
43.33
E Mids
18
17
35
51.43
48.57
Total
247
17
32
49
34.69
65.31
W Mids
12
18
30
40.00
8
22
25
47
46.81
53.19
NW
16
21
37
9
20
27
47
42.55
57.45
Yks
18
14
10
9
14
23
39.13
60.87
NE
7
11
4
6
10
40.00
60.00
Total
113
12+
4
12
16
25.00
75.00
Total
113
142
255
Percentage
Yes
No
Percentage
Yes
No
Appendix 5
8.Do you think that 2nd and other lower
XVs should play within the RFU leagues?
Yes
114
45.97%
No
134
54.03%
Total
248
Appendix 5
By level
By region
Level
Yes
No
Total
Percentage
Yes
No
3
2
2
4
50.00
4
5
4
9
5
10
8
18
Percentage
Yes
No
9.Does your club want to play Sevens and /
or Touch Rugby as well as 15-a-side?
Region
Yes
No
Total
50.00
LSE
22
38
60
36.67
63.33
55.56
44.44
South
21
9
30
70.00
30.00
Yes
205
55.56
44.44
SW
11
9
20
55.00
45.00
No
49
Total
254
By level
By region
Level
Yes
No
Total
Percentage
Yes
No
Region
Yes
No
Total
3
2
4
6
33.33
80.71%
4
8
1
9
19.29%
5
16
1
6
24
Percentage
Yes
No
66.67
LSE
50
9
59
84.75
15.25
88.89
11.11
South
27
3
30
90.00
10.00
17
94.12
5.88
SW
17
3
20
85.00
15.00
6
30
80.00
20.00
E Mids
31
3
34
91.18
8.82
6
15
15
30
50.00
50.00
E Mids
13
18
31
41.94
58.06
7
16
34
50
32.00
68.00
W Mids
15
14
29
51.72
48.28
7
43
6
49
87.76
12.24
W Mids
23
6
29
79.31
20.69
8
22
21
43
51.16
48.84
NW
18
17
35
51.43
48.57
8
35
12
47
74.47
25.53
NW
22
16
38
57.89
42.11
9
19
25
44
43.18
56.82
Yks
9
23
32
28.13
71.87
9
37
9
46
80.43
19.57
Yks
26
7
33
78.79
21.21
10
11
13
24
45.83
54.17
NE
5
6
11
45.45
54.55
10
22
3
25
88.00
12.00
NE
9
2
11
81.82
18.18
11
3
7
10
30.00
70.00
Total
114
134
248
11
8
2
10
80.00
20.00
Total
205
49
254
12+
11
5
16
68.75
31.25
12+
10
5
15
66.67
33.33
Total
114
134
248
Total
205
49
254
Appendix 5
APPENDIX 6
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 6
NCA Clubs’ Response to Questionnaire
on various issues - Detail on ‘Structural
Questions’ for John Douglas’s committee.
To Nov 15th 41/47 responses. 87% so a
reasonable sample. I hope to get the rest in
soon but I know that current results needed
now for Monday’s meeting.
66% Happy with 30 League games- 34%
would prefer fewer.
38% would be happy for any University/
College side to be in leagues if justified
on playing record. 36% would prefer no
University/College sides to play in club
league structure.
51% would prefer ‘Community Game’ to be
Level 5 down, 22% Level4 down and 27%
Level 3 down as is the current situation.
87% Happy with current length of season.
56% would not want a reintroduction of a
knock out cup ; 41% would like one; Only 3%
would like a ‘pooled’ cup competition.
68% Happy with the current arrangements
of leagues at levels 3 & 4. 17% would like
regionalisation into two leagues at Level 3.
56% are unhappy with their 2nd XV fixtures;
41% are happy. Only 3% do not have a 2nd
XV.
66% Happy with one team being promoted
from Level 3 to Level 2. 32% would prefer
two promoted teams and only 2% would like
Championship ring fenced with Premiership.
56% say that they have good relationships /
contact with their county- 44% report limited
or no contact.
77% of clubs would prefer promotions from
and into Levels 3 & 2 to be solely based on
playing record and not affected by ground
requirements.
46% are happy with current play off
situations- 41% would prefer no play offs.
55% happy with 12 teams in Championship;
30% would prefer 14 and 15% 16.
RJE 11/12
APPENDIX 7
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 7
ADULT COMPETITION REVIEW
SAMPLE CLUB INTERVIEWS,
JULY – AUGUST 2012
1. Halifax RUFC – Grayham Smith,
15 August 2012
• In the mid-late 1990s Halifax attracted
two major benefactors in the form of
successful local businessmen who
bankrolled what had previously been a
traditionally strong northern club with
a reliance on good local recruitment
networks, and transformed it into a
rising professional outfit. The arrival of
better players led to promotion up the
league ladder, which in turn allowed the
recruitment of better players, which in
turn led to promotion, and so on ...
• The club’s reliance on their benefactors’
funding led to a fall-off in standards of
governance and financial management
– decisions were made ultra vires by
unelected individuals whose wealth
gave them influence outside of the
constitutional processes of the club.
This came home to roost when both
benefactors died in quick succession,
leaving no provision for the club in their
legacies. This meant that there was no
immediate way to meet the costs incurred
during the rise in status, and the club
began to slide
• The troubles mounted: players left when
there was no more money to pay them;
results declined, meaning that crowds
stayed away and match-day revenues fell
off; relegation reduced revenues even
further; brewery and bank loans were
called in for fear of default, while personal
guarantees from club officers were also
withdrawn, and so the club spiralled into
decline
Appendix 7
/ community club for players of all ages
and genders
• Halifax did consider the alternative course
of allowing itself to be relegated through
the leagues to its rightful level – but felt
that the quality of players available to
it militated against this. Put simply, it
would have been both dangerous and
disheartening to pit “pub players” against
semi-professionals week after week and to
get regularly thrashed
• In 2009, with the club in disarray, the
committee was faced with a series of
major decisions – to reform its governance,
to manage its creditors, and to rebuild
its rugby side. At this stage it fielded two
professional / semi-professional XVs and
a “pub team”, Halifax Vikings: however,
the inability to pay has meant that players
from the two senior sides had departed,
leaving only the pub team
• Should the RFU have intervened or
regulated against this scenario? Halifax
is an independent entity which had to
be allowed to make its own decisions /
mistakes, and to wear the consequences
of these. As it stands, these have not been
fatal: the club is now trading its way out of
debt, having opened up a variety of new
revenue streams as a result of finding its
place at the heart of its community – and
is stronger and more vibrant as a result
• The chosen solution to this collection of
problems was to abandon professionalism
altogether, seek peace with creditors, and
assume the identity of the Vikings at the
bottom of the ladder in Yorkshire 6. This
led to immediate promotion for a club
which became happier, more unified and
constructive, reinventing itself as a family
• Experience suggests two things: one, that
the club will never again pay its players,
whatever the consequences for its league
status; and second, it believes strongly
that there should be separate pyramids
for those who pay their players, and those
who do not – to control the insidious effect
of professionalism which destroys club
loyalty / undermines player pathways
within clubs / creates a ruinous, shorttermist approach
2. Manchester RFC –Andrew Bridgman,
14 August 2012
• The club’s first foray into National League
1 was around 2001: it was relegated, and
then promoted again, although it had the
opportunity to choose not to go up. Even
then it was apparent that the club could
not afford to compete at this level – and,
ultimately, relegation was followed by a
wholesale desertion of players who wanted
to remain playing at the higher level
• At the time the club maintained a “glass
ceiling” between the 1st XV and its other
XVs – but its 2nd XV players also wanted
to play 1st XV rugby and left the club
– meaning that, in 2008, there were no
senior players remaining of the required
standard
• The club’s committee then had to decide
whether to allow the club to be relegated
to its rightful level, within the constraints
of its budget – or to disband and reform
with a new club at the bottom of the
pyramid. It decided to take the former
course of action – but without quite
realising how traumatic this would be
• The Director of Rugby, Elaine Vassie, was
successful in attracting new players for
little or no money (the club continued to
pay players as it passed through Levels
3-5, but now pay only expenses at Level
6). Most of these were young players
/ students from the local universities,
and not good / experienced enough to
compete at Levels 3-5 – leading to a series
of thumpings as the club descended
through the leagues. The situation was
exacerbated by playing in the National
Leagues, where the long distances
required to travel for away matches meant
that there was a significant difference
between the teams fielded at home and
away
• Now, being out of the National Leagues
and in North 1 West, the club is in a better
place – it owns its own facility, its finances
are stable, its recruitment networks are
well established (including good links
with the Manchester universities), it has
three adult teams for the first time in a
decade, its players pay for expenses only,
it has successful junior, youth and ladies’
sections, and it is focused on building club
loyalty
• Competition for players from other local
clubs is intense: Stockport, Macclesfield
and Sale FC especially are ambitious and
have greater resources than Manchester.
Thus any players who do come through
Manchester’s ranks are soon lured away by
bigger payments elsewhere. However, this
situation pertained even before the onset
of league rugby, when bigger and more
ambitious clubs were able to lure players
away from their smaller neighbours
• Manchester’s is therefore a story of
professionalism, and a club broken on the
wheel of seeking to compete with better
resourced rivals. However, they point out
that leagues were introduced in 1987, and
professionalism in 1995: league rugby per
se is therefore not responsible for club
difficulties, it is the combination of league
rugby and paying players
3. Newbury RFC – Julian Lewis,
23 July 2012
• The key moment for Newbury was the
reorganisation of the leagues in 200809 which led to their relegation. At this
stage the club’s 1st XV budget was in the
region of £600K, half of which came from
the RFU: relegation cut this funding, to
the extent that the club found themselves
cast into a downward spiral of player
departures and four successive relegations
into South-West 1 East
Appendix 7
• As the first players left, it became
apparent that there was a massive gulf
between the 1st XV and the remainder
of the club, to the extent that there were
no senior players of a standard available
to replace the departees. Thus they had
to draft young players into the 1st XV,
meaning that games were lost, relegations
suffered, crowds fell, match-day revenues
reduced, rugby budgets also reduced,
player recruitment stalled, and the club
continued to decline – with the situation
becoming worse in each successive year
• Newbury had no financial resource
available to plug the gap, and a large
PAYE bill to negotiate. They had a
sponsorship deal with Vodafone, but had
put all their eggs in that basket and had
no other commercial properties from
which they earned revenue – and thus,
when the sponsorship terminated, they
lost significant income
• While the last-minute change to the
leagues is blamed as the primary cause of
Newbury’s troubles, at the same time they
acknowledge that they had no insurance
against it, no contingency plan, as they
had ignored the second and third tiers
of adult players and failed to develop
their revenue streams – and thus they
had nothing to fall back on when 1st XV
players departed
• That said, the club believes that a back-up
plan is hard to maintain as players don’t
want to play 2nd XV rugby, they will leave
a club rather than playing in the 2nd XV.
This prevents many clubs from having a
viable contingency plan in the event that
the same circumstances affect them –
and history has seen other clubs such as
Henley and Bracknell suffer similarly to
Newbury
• Should the RFU have stepped in to
regulate or intervene in some way?
Newbury believes that advice could have
been made available to save them from
their own naivete, e.g., in making the
transition from community club to one
which pays its players, managing PAYE,
etc. Not minimum standards as a gateway
to promotion, but rather a list of FAQs or
things to think about; there’s a big gulf
between emerging community clubs and
the bigger Championship clubs with their
seven-figure budgets, which includes a
comparative lack of know-how ...
• Rugby budgets have been slashed to the
extent now of £50K per annum across
all senior teams. Newbury has therefore
had to reinvent itself as a community
Appendix 7
club with amateur players who play for
love, after what appears to have been a
demoralising and chastening experience
for all concerned. This step was partcircumstantial, and part-design – a
response to the realisation that (a) there
was too great a gulf between 1st and 3rd
XVs, and (b) there is no money available
to support professionalism any more
• Finding the right level has been a matter
of trial and error, through fielding teams
under available budgets and seeing how
competitive they are. The club always
felt that the players available to it were
too good to go down to the bottom of the
league structure to start again, and did
not want to present those players with
rugby that was too easy for them at the
lowest level. They did consider asking
for a rebalancing move down a couple of
divisions at once to a more manageable
level – but decided instead to respect the
ability and aspirations of their players
by allowing them to play their way to the
appropriate level
4. Tunbridge Wells RFC –
Roger Clarke, 20 July 2012
• The club entered the leagues when they
first started, initially placed in London
3 SE from where they were immediately
promoted to London 2 / Level 6 where
they have remained for most of their
history since then, prior to the last
reorganisation of the leagues which took
them into London 1 South
• Retention of this status was difficult
without paying players: while TW has a
strong feeder school, it struggles with
young players leaving the area to go
to university, and with the consequent
need to buy in replacements. In the end
the club failed to meet the challenge,
was relegated, and then suffered a
second successive relegation following a
disastrous start to the following season
• The learnings from this experience
include:
-- The need for a bigger squad, the
higher up the league you go
-- The fact that player payments extend
a long way down the pyramid, which
constantly pulls players around to
different clubs
-- The desirability of larger leagues, so
that there is time to recover from a
poor start to the season – and so that
junior and senior calendars can be
aligned
• Of these, player payments operate within
a free market which shouldn’t be regulated
– but their effect on club economics is
undeniable, and clubs are compelled
to choose between expending limited
resource on either paying players, or
club infrastructure / facilities / coaching
/ development. Effectively, clubs are
required to choose: do they want a strong
1st XV of mercenary players divorced from
the remainder of the club; or do they want
to be a community club at a low league
level?
• TW’s retention of its good junior and
youth players is hampered by the fact
that they come from good schools, and
therefore leave for university at the end
of sixth form. While the club retains good
links with local universities, their players
can only play at weekends, they don’t train
midweek due to university commitments
– there is therefore a limit to what they can
contribute to the club
• TW finds that changing social
circumstances have meant that it now
has a wider pool of less committed
players – four XVs from 260 players,
where previously it was from 150. This
phenomenon is shared with other clubs,
who also have more players but fewer / no
more teams: it appears that, at these lower
levels, players want to play – but just not
very often
• Higher up the pyramid, it appears that
NCA clubs maintain one or two teams,
and then have links with feeder clubs –
rather than fielding the six-eight teams
that they used to do. This is where league
rugby has had its greatest impact – in
changing the identity of the clubs and the
nature of participation in the game
Appendix 7
APPENDIX 8
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 8
ADULT COMPETITION REVIEW
DOC CONSULTATION –
FEEDBACK, MARCH 2012
1. Consultations
London & South-East:
Monday 16 January 2012, East India Club
North:
Tuesday 24 January 2012, Skipton RFC
Midlands:
Wednesday 22 February 2012, Old Silhillians
RFC
South-West:
and this reduces the number of players
available for lower leagues and lower XVs
• Professionalism / the payment of players
also takes players up the pyramid and
away from lower leagues, and has created
a more itinerant, less stable playing
population
• The higher physical demands of the game
can be a deterrent to recreational players,
on the grounds that:
-- Family and work commitments prevent
them from training up to the required
standard; and
-- The fear of injury is enhanced
2. Principal feedback
• The perception is that the combined effect
of the above is a reduction of the number
of teams and players overall, and within
clubs
General
League rugby
• The intensity and physicality of the game
has increased considerably since (and
largely because of) the introduction of
league rugby, and this has impacted on
the competitive profile of the game
• League rugby is popular as it provides the
most meaningful competitive framework,
and a guaranteed number of fixtures per
season
Tuesday 20 March 2012, Taunton RFC
• Higher up the leagues there is a need
for larger squads and more substitutes
on match-day due to rates of attrition,
• While 14-team leagues may be appropriate
for higher levels, they are less so at lower
levels as:
Appendix 8
-- The season is too long / congested
when cup fixtures and postponements
/ rescheduling are added in
-- There is often too great a disparity in
standards between top and bottom of
the league
Merit Tables
• Merit Tables are seen as having value
especially as a place of refuge for teams
in a rebuilding phase – but are generally
viewed as less attractive than league
rugby, and more prone to postponements
• Cup competitions are heavily impacted by
league schedules, to which they are seen
as secondary
• Cup competitions also suffer from their
inability to guarantee fixtures, i.e., if the
team is knocked out at an early stage
Cup rugby
2nd XV rugby
-- They present recreational players with
the opportunity for weekends off for
family time / rest and recovery
• CB / county cup competitions remain
popular, especially at the lower levels of
the game. The derby fixtures which these
tournaments bring about are often keenly
contested and well-attended
• It is acknowledged that the 2nd XVs of
strong, higher-level clubs are themselves
sufficiently strong to require a high level
of league rugby
-- They allow more space in the calendar
for cup competitions, rescheduling
of postponed matches, pre- and postseason sevens and touring weekends
• Regional or sub-regional cup competitions
have been instituted with success in some
areas, as a qualifying tournament for RFU
national cups
• 12-team leagues are viewed as more
desirable and workable, especially at the
lower levels of the game, as:
• Promotion between divisional and
national leagues, and CB and divisional
leagues, is viewed as a significant
watershed for many clubs, one which
fundamentally changes their identity
(i.e., amateur to semi-professional, semiprofessional to fully professional). While
the opportunity to decline such promotion
should be afforded, it is believed that most
clubs would not take it – as their purpose
in playing league rugby is to pursue
advancement
• RFU national cups are viewed as a mixed
blessing, as follows:
-- They are “third in line” in importance,
after league and county cups
-- The prospect of a Twickenham final
continues to be attractive
-- The withdrawal of sponsors’ funding is
viewed as a handicap
• However, the overall standard of 2nd XV
rugby varies greatly between:
-- At one end of the spectrum, those
2nd XVs which are in effect “holding
pens” for the professional or semiprofessional 1st XVs of higher-level
clubs
-- At the opposite end of the spectrum,
those 2nd XVs which comprise
recreational players
• The league structure needs to cater
for both categories of 2nd XV, and
especially to provide recreational XVs
with local fixtures whose travel and cost
requirements are low
University rugby
• There is a perception that potential
club players are lost in great numbers
at university, as players emerging from
schools tend not to make it past freshers’
trials
• It was suggested (especially in the
South-West) that university teams
have an inbuilt advantage in RFU club
competitions, as the resources that they
can bring to bear (playing squads, finance,
support services) are well in advance
of those within the community club
sector. The overall feeling was that this
advantage needs to be capped in some
way
• Alternatively, it was suggested that the
stronger universities should be given their
own elite national league competition, to
provide them with the standard of rugby
that they seek when entering the RFU
leagues
Travel and cost
• The more remote counties with less well
developed transport infrastructures (e.g.,
Cumbria, Cornwall) suffer greatly from the
travel requirements of league rugby
Appendix 8
• Increased coach hire / petrol costs are
having an adverse impact on recreational
players and rugby
• The need for greater flexibility in the
application of county boundaries was
identified as a means of reducing
travel time and therefore cost. It was
acknowledged (especially in the
Midlands) that this flexibility and cooperation between CBs is already in place
• The cost of paying players was implied to
be the greatest financial burden that clubs
are carrying – and this is a choice made in
response to the prospect of advancement
in the leagues, rather than a necessity:
-- That said, the choice is loaded by the
alternative, which is to lose players to
other clubs who pay more
• The associated implication is that, when
clubs state that they need to play more
league matches in order to generate more
revenue, this is to cover player payments
rather than travel and operating costs
Registration and regulation
• Player registration is viewed as essential,
especially at the lower end of the game:
-- One league in the Midlands
experimented with scrapping
registration, but was compelled to
reinstate it by the clubs
• There are, however, aspects of registration
that require review and revision, e.g., the
means of registration, the acceptance of
late / short-notice registrations, the need
for identity cards, etc.
• Deregulation at lower levels (9 and below)
is viewed as helpful in allowing matches
to be played. Especially welcome are:
-- Being able to field up to two
unregistered players
-- Player matching, i.e., reduced numbers
on each side
-- Rolling substitutions, which allow all
players to get game-time and therefore
a return on their investment of time
-- Uncontested scrums, in the absence of
front-row forwards
3. Other issues raised
• The impact of Academy and loan players
on lower-level rugby, and the often
unbalancing effect that this has on league
outcomes
• The impact of Premiership rugby as a
spectator vehicle – this has converted
potential Saturday-afternoon recreational
players into spectators
• The as yet unknown impact of Rugby
League moving to summer, especially in
the North:
• Although soccer is still seen as a greater
threat to Rugby Union than is Rugby
League
JNT
21:iii:12
APPENDIX 9
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 9
ADULT COMPETITION REVIEW
NCA MEETING, 2 APRIL 2012
These notes comprise a record of the views
expressed by NCA executive members
during the consultation meeting, and
have been verified with the officers of the
association prior to publication. They should
not be considered to represent the views
of the Adult Competition Review Steering
Group regarding the NCA
League rugby
• The benefits of league rugby are that it
guarantees fixtures against teams of a
similar standard – as opposed to the days
when fixture lists were negotiated against
teams who were willing to play one’s club
• The withdrawal of Premiership clubs
from National Cup competition was a
watershed which triggered the desire
for 16-team leagues / more regular and
guaranteed fixtures, with certainty of
income
• Rugby Landscape is viewed as a success:
playing standards have increased,
intensity levels are high, and a positive
environment has been created for the
nurturing and development of both
players and match officials. The existence
of a national competition at this level
is seen as important to both player and
match official development
Seasonality
• Thirty league matches within a 33- or
34-week season is about right. Having
16-team leagues gives an even sequence
of home and away matches, which aids the
flow of commercial income
• There is no desire to fill the season with
cup or friendly matches, as the three or
four blank weekends are necessary either
for rest and recovery, or to allow for the
rescheduling of matches postponed due to
bad weather
• While London clubs and university
teams may press for a shorter season, this
does not coincide with the interests of
other clubs – especially those which gain
commercial capital from playing fixtures
on holiday weekends
Promotion & relegation
• Relegation was more difficult to manage
when payments to clubs were fixed
according to the level at which they
played. In those times, the loss of a high
percentage of income could be critical.
Appendix 9
Nowadays the impact of relegation is less
due to the funding offer
location. It is accepted that the restitution
of a flat-rate RFU grant is unlikely
the funding issues surrounding this would
need to be recognised)
• It is believed that every step from Level 12
to Level 2 is manageable for clubs to take,
as long as they plan effectively for their
playing rosters (to cope with increasing
intensity) and finances (to manage the
increasing travel requirement)
• While the travel commitments required
at Levels 3 and 4 are significant, it is
believed that players accept these as a
necessary corollary of competing at a
high level. There is more resistance from
members / supporters and, in some cases,
administrators
• At the same time, the difficulty of fielding
2nd XVs was acknowledged, including
through players preferring to drop down a
level in search of 1st XV rugby, rather than
playing 2nd XV rugby
Cost and travel
• “The vast majority” of clubs have
substantial first-team budgets – although
there are some clubs in Level 4 which
do not pay players at all. There is no
regulation around the area of player
payments: clubs are expected to exercise
common sense and good governance
• Problems of clubs going into
administration have come largely in the
Championship – although Launceston and
Mount’s Bay have suffered as NCA clubs
• NCA wished to impose automatic
relegation on any club which
entered administration – but this was
countermanded by the RFU in favour of a
30-point penalty
• RFU funding is now in the form of a 60%
contribution to the costs of travel and
accommodation, calculated against clubs’
Cup rugby
• An alternative proposal was to establish
dual registration which allows fringe 1st
XV players to play at lower levels:
• The loss of cup rugby is seen as
a necessary quid pro quo for the
enhancement of the leagues – which are
undoubtedly the priority for NCA clubs
-- If regulated effectively this would
maintain the number of players in a
club, without requiring them to leave
to get 1st XV rugby
• Those who still wish to compete may enter
lower-level cup competitions with their
lower-level teams, i.e., cup rugby is not
completely lost to the NCA
-- It would also allow players to play
for lower-level XVs within the same
club, who play in lower leagues (e.g.,
Stourbridge and Stourbridge Lions)
environments offered by universities,
by promoting university clubs as their
Academy / feeder clubs and funding these
accordingly. NCA resists this idea: Levels
3 and 4 are not Academy leagues, but club
leagues
• Alternatively, it was suggested that the
stronger universities should be given their
own elite national league competition, to
provide them with the standard of rugby
that they seek when entering the RFU
leagues
Under-20 rugby
2nd XV rugby
University rugby
• It was recognised that there is currently a
conflict between Under-20 representative
/ county rugby and club rugby. Any
proposal to establish an Under-20
competition would need to have clarity
around the respective priority afforded to
senior and Under-20 rugby
• Ideally, 2nd XV rugby would be a bridge
from youth to senior / 1st XV rugby.
However, this ideal is clouded by clubs
running both Academy and 2nd XV teams
• It was suggested that university teams
have an inbuilt advantage in RFU club
competitions, as the resources that they
can bring to bear (playing squads, finance,
support services) are well in advance of
those within the club sector
• At present, no NCA club fields an
Under-20 team. To do so would require
a squad of 30-35 players – which may
be difficult to muster, given the rival
demands of schools, universities, gap
years, etc.
• NCA is open to the RFU giving greater
direction to the area of 2nd XV rugby, e.g.,
through the establishment of dedicated
2nd XV leagues for Levels 3-6 (although
• It was further suggested that Premiership
clubs may seek to capitalise on the
Appendix 9
County Championship
Other issues
• Viewed as increasingly meaningless
and irrelevant to clubs at Levels 3 and
4 – although the emotional attachment
of some counties to the competition is
recognised, especially in the North and
South-West
• Proposals to regionalise Levels 3 and 4
would not be welcome, as these would
create a mish-mash of teams of different
standards, and would lose intensity as a
consequence
• May be valid for Levels 5 and below –
although the currency of a competition
which extends the season into May, when
pre-season training starts in July, may be
stretched
• It is believed that the incentive to play
county rugby that is the English Counties
XV is weakened by the concession that
one no longer has to play county rugby to
be considered for selection
• Note that playing and coaching
populations in NCA clubs are often
transient, and so their views may be more
selfish than altruistic / balanced and
strategic
JNT
3:iv:12
APPENDIX 10
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 10
ADULT COMPETITION REVIEW
COMPETITION ORGANISERS’
CONFERENCE, 26-27 MAY 2012
OUTPUTS
Table session 1:
(a) What is the purpose of inter-club
competition?
• “Tribal instinct” – the desire to prove
superiority over another
• Physical exercise and enjoyment –
most especially the perpetuation of
friendships and social interaction
through the medium of the game
• Providing opportunities for:
Appendix 10
-- Clubs to generate revenue and
perpetuate themselves
-- A set start date, and number of
weekends
-- Merit Tables for lower XVs – 2nd, 3rd,
etc.
-- Spectators to watch and enjoy rugby
-- Spare weekends for social players
– to allow rest / family time / other
competitions
-- Cup competition on dedicated
weekends:
• Need structures to:
-- Give shape and efficiency to the
above
-- Ensure that players and teams
compete at an appropriate level
against those of similar ability
• Keeping players in the face of other
sports
(b) Given a blank sheet of paper, what
competition structure would you devise?
• Key features include:
-- Flexibility of format depending
upon level, circumstances and
requirements
-- Different solutions in different
regions or localities
-- Allowance for 1st and other, lower
XVs where relevant
(a) What works well at present, and what
works less well?
-- Appropriate financial support
What works well?
• Proposed structures include:
-- As many players as possible to
play matches at an aspirational and
affordable level
-- Allowing the talented and ambitious
to progress
-- Promotion and relegation – but with
qualifications (requirements, options)
-- A sympathetic geographical model
with a smaller radius, and not
necessarily based on “boundaries” –
with a view to reducing travel
-- Improvement and progression, both
for the talented and the social players
-- Distinction between the ambitious
and the social
-- Other formats (Sevens, 10-a-side)
where appropriate and as required
Table session 2:
-- Regular participation in the sport
-- Generating club spirit and team
values, ethics, etc.
-- Pool-based formats
-- Protecting local or district rugby
-- Competition between clubs of a
similar level
-- Benchmarking in standards, one
against another
-- Qualifying competitions to give
more / certain matches
-- A pyramid league structure
• Structure – the league pyramid,
provision of fixtures, appointment of
referees, promotion & relegation
What works less well?
• Leagues too large – compressing
space available to cups, County
Championship, Sevens
• Cup competitions – need revitalising
• Reserve-team leagues are inconsistent
• Rigidity in structure and regulations
• Paying players below Levels 3/4
Start
• Fewer teams in leagues / a reduced
playing programme
• Giving clubs more flexibility to rearrange
postponed matches
• Meaningful RFU-organised 2nd XV
leagues
• Intermingling of university teams in
club leagues
• A window for tours – at Easter?
• Required travel distances
• Level transfers
(b) What would you stop, start and continue?
Stop
• 14- and 16-team leagues
-- Smaller leagues: ten- or twelve-team
leagues for 1st XVs:
• Fewer games called off
• The overplaying of players
• Ability to progress and develop players
• The overpaying of players
-- Perhaps with different H/A
formats
• County Championships
• Working exclusively within county
boundaries / excessive travel
-- Not necessarily playing the same
teams twice, H/A
• Results reporting system
• Level transfers
• Implementing financial penalties for bylaw infractions
• Player registration system
• Divisional Organising Committees
• Player registration system
• Level transfers
• The current player registration system /
any registration below Level 9
• A Christmas break for local derbies
• Playing matches at different times – e.g.,
Friday night, midweek & floodlit
• Play-offs between top team in league
below, and bottom team in league above?
• Co-ordination between CB and RFU cup
competitions
• A structured Sevens season
• Player ID cards / a passport scheme
• A student transfer system / dual
registration for student players
Appendix 10
Continue
• Fixture matrix and structured season
• Promotion and relegation (albeit with
qualifications)
Appendix 10
• The development of cup competitions,
including the Twickenham final
• To provide financial support for travel
expenses / cup involvement
• County Championship
• To improve player registration systems
• Regional / district / county differentiation
• To improve systems of regulation and
administration
• To address front-row issues
• Results reporting system
Topic
Winter rugby
Pyramid league structure
Continuous 35-week season
For
•Structure
• Promotion & relegation
• Core base
• Club status (bragging rights)
• Size of leagues – allows budgeting
• Fewer cancelled matches
• Mini pyramid structures / allows diversity
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cup rugby
• Variety of diet
• Opportunity to play different clubs
• Reward – prize money
• Can galvanise a club
•Romance
• No certainty of fixtures
• Knock-out format eliminates half the clubs after
first round
• Low appetite – leads to walkovers
• Clubs are judged on league performance, not cups
Integration of lower sides in
leagues
• 2nd XVs of larger clubs struggle for suitable
opposition otherwise
• Smaller club 1st XVs better off in Merit
Tables
• Improves standards in leagues
• Encourages loyalty to clubs
• Reduces travel
• Eases registration issues for 2nd XVs
• Certainty of fixtures and regulations around
these teams
• 1st XV players choosing to play 2nd XV in higher
league
• 2nd XVs more likely to cancel games
• CBs where few clubs have 2nd XVs will affect
merits
• Not enough registered players
• Glass ceiling
• Excessive nature / inflexibility of regulations
• Level transfers
• Revenue – financial gain
• Continuity for players
• Counters the threat of losing players to other
sports
• Use international fixtures for revenue – kickoff flexibility; regional differences
Against
• One size doesn’t fit all
• Compliance with regulations
•Travel
•Costs
• Inflexibility – do we have to go up even if we win?
• Lack of variety – potential loss of local rivalry
• Size of leagues
• Glass ceiling – 2nd XVs can’t progress
• New team entry levels
• Weather – need fallow weekends to allow for
cancellations
• Player fatigue / long-term burnout
• Need to give players a break / allow them to play
other sports
• Family issues / lifestyle
Against
• Softer grounds / player welfare
•Tradition
• Nature of rugby / style of play
• No clash with summer sports
• No clash with family holiday period
• Allow for pitch repair / maintenance
• Utilisation of facilities
• Reduces impact of seasonal working
• Summer would mean pre-season in January
Table session 3: Balloon debate
Topic
For
•
•
•
•
Weather disruptions
Fewer cancellations
Travel conditions
Junior welfare / conditions
Possible winter break?
Clash with international matches – a global
season?
Pitch damage
Floodlights / kick-off times
Spectator numbers
Better “après-rugby”
Appendix 10
Topic
For
Appendix 10
Against
University teams in club
league structure
• Keeps people playing the game
• Links players with clubs / sustains the club
habit
• Good facilities for visiting clubs to enjoy
• Merit Tables with less demanding
regulations help
• Legal advice that they can’t be kept out
A structured Sevens season
• League / competition development is always demand-driven – and unconvinced that demand will grow.
However, need to be prepared in case it does
• Not leagues as such – tournament- or festival-based:
-- Specialist game, new set-up
-- Possibly run alongside XV-a-side rugby – a different sport
-- Utilising universities or other external organisations, but RFU-owned and controlled
-- Short season – monthly events? Avoid mid-winter – end of season?
Paying players
• Restriction is unenforceable – player payment
happened before professionalism
• Inevitable in a league pyramid
• At the top end, needs of a club are more
important than needs of a player
• Sliding scale down to where the needs of a
player take over – line should be drawn here?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Distorts the leagues
Tax-payer funded teams have an advantage
Sometimes not true student sides
Univs can suffer from poor administration
Unreliable in fulfilling fixtures (Sept)
Need a better way to encourage players to go into
local clubs
• Not sustainable
• Gradual erosion of playing facilities as clubs
invest only in players
• Differentiates between players in a club
• Distorts demographic by importing / buying a
team which displaces local players
• Favours the richer areas – London, Channel Islands
• Collateral damage to clubs caused by short-term
sponsorships
Topic
County Championship
For
Against
• Pride & passion in the shirt and honour for
the club – history and tradition
• Highest levels of achievement for community
players, with a Twickenham experience the
draw
• Flagship activity for CBs
• Development pathway for players (England
Cos.), referees and coaches
• Age grade teams especially a major
development platform
• Different environment – improved coaching,
shop window for players
• Enjoyable interaction with other counties,
provides a yardstick for assessing progress /
sharing of ideas
• Attracts administrators
• Level 9 competition would be very popular
Other issues raised:
• Investigate three leagues feeding into one
league
• Problems in providing regular games for
3rd / 4th / 5th XVs where work problems
impact heavily on availability and make
earlier kick-offs impossible
• Irrelevant in the modern game where club
commitment is all
• Timing is all wrong – midweek travel required,
season is over and the players are tired
• Professional players won’t play
• Selectors only pick from a limited number of clubs
• Player availability – overplaying issues, conflict
with academic commitments
• Not enough continuity within the pathway /
progression into County XVs
• Experience is not guaranteed to be superior to
club / school
• High cost for limited returns
• Make lower-league matches 80 minutes of
elapsed time to allow later kick-offs
• Adult RU for Over-17s, but adult RL
for Over-16s – puts northern clubs at a
disadvantage in recruiting; once RU loses
out, it is difficult to entice players back to
the game
• RFU competition appeals should have a
competitions person on the panel to avoid
distortion
JNT
28:vi:12
Appendix 10
APPENDIX 11
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 11
Second xv seminar
Group discussions
1,669 games cancelled this year.
•
•
35,000 players didn’t play.
£150,000 worth of beer not bought.
Is this an accurate Picture?
•
•
•
•
•
One Group suggested that the figures
for walkovers were conservative and that
they were actually much higher. Asked
whether the figures included the “25-0”
results awarded for a walkover.
Another group suggested the lateness of
call offs was a major issue and needed to
be acknowledged
One group asked if the matches that
were postponed and later played would
be more accurate picture.
Terminology can be an issue e.g. “Team
expunged”- people thought club had
folded
Interaction between teams and clubs had
reduced and should be encouraged after
match etc.
•
•
Appendix 11
Lots of disparity in league with big wins/
losses meaning second match often not
able to raise team
•
In certain areas other sports meant that
there was greater cross over between
seasons e.g. cricket and Rugby leagueour season now much longer
•
Clubs enter leagues often with little
knowledge of likely numbers- often due
to strict deadlines for entry
•
Financial implications are great if match
called off
•
Weather was seen as a real problem – 2
consecutive lost weekends due to the
weather would cause players to walk
away.
New clubs may mean that players who
previously played in lower XV matches
are still playing at a lower ranked clubs
first team
Overall all groups were satisfied that this
was an accurate reflection of the situation at
present
•
Start of season most teams have
numbers but deteriorate as season/
weather progresses
Late call offs cause most dissatisfaction
with some teams even changed ready to
play when message gets through- leads
to player drop out next week
Whilst there needs to be regulations
and some RFU input, over emphasis and
strict adherence causes problems- local
flexibility is key
What is your experience of cancellations
within your locality?
•
Clubs enter leagues often with little
knowledge of likely numbers
•
Travel is a huge issue!
•
•
Everybody wants to play at Home!
•
Some areas huge distance /time to fulfil
league requirements
Players like competition and are often
less likely to fulfil fixture against very
strong or weak teams especially if they
have been docked points etc.
•
Big disparity in quality of teams in
leagues and the greater this is more
likely to cancel
•
•
Availability and standard of refereeing
can be a big issue
Lack of front row specialists a real
problem especially when injuries etc.
dilute pool of available players
•
•
•
Fear of not being able to work due to
injury very big factor!
Status {often linked to stash! e.g. I play
for………}
Cost of playing {high across all groups}when subs are due lots drop out
•
•
•
Work patterns changing and not being
able to train often led to selection issues
e.g. “no train no play!” even now for
second teams!
Clubs are providing an avenue for
rugby players especially for new senior
members who have come to the club as a
result of the formation of junior sections.
Can manage ½ day – not necessarily a
full day- long travel
•
Season too long for social players cuts
across other sports
•
Inclement weather also linked to poorer
changing/ pitch facilities for lower teams
•
Type / length of competition not
appropriate to area/level
•
League penalties for non-compliance
mean no chance of winning/ progressing
etc.
•
Poor coaching
•
Poor admin by club and also leagues
•
Mixture of aspirations within team’s e.g.
aspirational player and player who is
smoking before K. off!
•
Standard of coaching available to lower
teams is an issue and the perception of
being used as cannon fodder for first
team- “holding the tackle shields!”
Why are players playing rugby at this
level?
Players:
•
play to win- like competition and
meaningful matches
•
Social/ camaraderie factors
•
Habitual – Always done it!
•
Aspirational – especially at 2nd XV levelwould like to play for first team
{Lots of common ideas}
•
Social element still very high!
•
To improve
•
Play with mates, like minded people
•
To get fitter/ health
•
Place for everyone don’t have to be an
athlete
• What is it that is stopping players from
playing?
•
Local bragging rights are important –
derbies are good
•
Working less social hours – shift work
{very high across all groups!}
•
Refereeing standards
•
Chance to go on tours - 1st xv not likely
to tour
•
•
Lower teams get worst kit etc.
•
•
Love of game
Family life – child care especially if
family not together and wife has children
during week
•
Networks – new to an area often the best
way to meet people
•
Risk of injury- especially if selfemployed- no wage!
Some teams become clubs within clubs
and very hard to break circle e.g. people
refusing to play for higher teams
Appendix 11
What works well to maximise the fulfilment
of fixtures?
Where there is flexibility things work well
•
Reduced numbers in leagues to
meet availability of players-prioritise
weekends
from clubs (fixtures etc. but only if
degree of local call)
•
CB benefit financially
•
If there is publicity for winning league
etc.
•
When travel is local and there are lots of
local matches/derbies
Appendix 11
•
Size of league can be a problem either
too small and repetition or too large and
disparity of level
•
Encourage clubs to combine to fulfil
fixtures
•
Being led by traditional 15 a side model
•
The “win at all cost” attitude – restrict
the number of points that can actually be
scored
•
Having so many substitutes
•
Being restricted by CB boundaries
•
Starting so early
Finishing so late in year/season
•
Rewards for fulfilling fixtures e.g. Club
accreditation, funding etc.
•
Encourage premier league games to
avoid clashes
Start
•
Lots of local flexibility e.g. Friday night/
Sunday fixtures
Finals/ celebration days at end of season
possibly in play-off format
•
Group more by ability
•
•
Could u19 rules stop big scores and
embarrassment of being hammered
What would you continue / stop / start?
•
Lowest Team forfeit game first
•
Efforts of officials to ensure games go
ahead
•
Use of modern communication methodsFacebook etc.
What works less well?
Mid week games if appropriate
•
8-10 teams max in league
Continue
•
Increase level of press coverage for lower
league games through RFU press officers
•
Flexibility around key dates-half term,
internationals, etc RFU research to
support?
•
Developing technology
•
Incentivising completion of matches
through tickets , stash, equipment
•
•
•
•
Competition organisation- good work by
volunteers
Competition structure- rewards structure
for fulfilling fixture
Teesside structure awaits publication
of 1st XV programme – before deciding
on 2,3,4th XV fixtures – avoids too many
away games and empty clubs
Rules perceived as lacking flexibility
•
Spirit of the game – 2nd xv fulfilling 3rd
XV fixtures and thereafter being too
strong
•
Lack of referees
Lack of front row
Scheduling can be a problem for
example over xmas and half term when
less players available
•
Rules – merit pts. For completion etc.
•
Regulation – Hants referees Soc. Fining
clubs for very late call offs
•
•
Technology – web pages,
communications etc.
Administration has been taken away
Lack of competition – leagues split into
top and bottom far too early in season
especially if penalties are imposed
•
•
•
Where geography is used to form league
rather than CB boundary
•
Mid season drop out – injuries, weather
etc.
•
Enhance element of competition (Play-off)
•
Mid – season review – (2 x micro seasons)
•
•
•
League programme to start later to allow
clubs to ascertain suitability for that
programme
Encourage flexibility in numbers in team
allowed to ensure fixture goes ahead
Progress structure with new updates
from this conference
•
Regulate in right areas
•
Reward MOGP
•
some good examples of regulations
to support clubs playing games,
uncontested scrums no penalty, only play
one more player than the opposition,
rolling subs, no maximum subs
•
Increased promotion of core values and
teamwork aspects of Rugby
•
Education of clubs & players to
alternative provision- don’t cancel, share
players
•
Allowing cross CB merit matches (
geographic partnerships not county
borders
•
Player pool for a Saturday “Rock up
rugby”
Stop
•
-Some league regulations are player
centred but many are too bureaucratic
Appendix 11
Overall
•
Some caution over Military &
educational establishments (Use of
micro seasons may help?)
Message came through that once size
doesn’t fit all – micro seasons either side
of December / January either side of
a Dec / Jan period for Knock out – 10s
or friendly competition was another
proposal, culminating with play-offs and
finals in April May.
•
Carrot opposed to stick
-- Competition needs to be RFU branded
•
Flexibility on the number of rolling subs
•
Add –If you default on an away fixture
– your return “home” match becomes
“away”
-- Sliding scale of governance – High
level merit – higher regulation – lower
the level the less regulation – more
local solution based
•
Add – Remove glass ceiling at Level 8 for
2nd XV teams to enter the RFU league
structure – will avoid congestion at that
level
-- RFU to facilitate communication of
models of good practice
At the highest level of merit competition
there needs to be a reasonable level of
competition and regulation provided as
per model A.
-- RFU Grants to assist with mini-bus
hire/purchase
Principles need to be enabling not
disabling – incentivise rather than penalise
•
•
The lower levels require flexibility within
a structured environment – perhaps with
a level of conferencing.
•
-- RFU endorsed programmes to have
RFU plaques for merit table winners
-- Club fuel cards or RFU/BP loyalty
cards with kit/cash back
-- Funding for player education for front
row
APPENDIX 12
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 12
Appendix 12
Referee Society
Contact details
14. (07767 236666)
1. Army Rugby Union Referees Society
1. Secretary Justin Sampson (Email: Justin.
[email protected])
15. Greg Liddington
2. Buckinghamshire
3. Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and
Derbyshire (Trevor Sharpe)
4. Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and
Derbyshire (Paul Carroll)
5. Durham, North Federation
6. West Midlands Federation
7. Gloucester and District
8. Staffordshire (SRUSR)
9. Warwickshire
10. Dorset and Wilts
11. Manchester and District
12. Plymouth
2. Christopher Preston
3. Trevor Sharpe / Paul Carroll
17. M Firby (Chairman), A Hampshire
(Secretary)
4. Trevor Sharpe / Paul Carroll
18. Rhys Davies
5. Malcolm Shorney
6. Colin Macdonald
(Email: [email protected]
07932 859289)
7. Brian Ravenhill (01666 502178 /
07970 889987)
8. SR Bowden, Hon Sec.
(Email: [email protected]
01902 764854 / 07815 888806)
9. (Email: [email protected])
13. Sussex
10. Nigel Cowley
(Email: [email protected])
14. Kent Referees Society
11. Geoff Gill, Hon Secretary
15. Hertfordshire
12. John Scott, Secretary (07721 437648)
16. North Midlands
13. Iain Mitchell
(Email: [email protected]
07909 962085)
17. Cumbria
18. Leicestershire
16. Dave Yeomans
1. LEAGUE RUGBY
Neither
Agreeagree nor Disagree
Don’t
Totals
strongly Agree disagreeDisagreestrongly know
It is important that clubs are able to play their way from
the bottom of the league pyramid to the top, through
promotion from one division to the next
8
It is important that each club plays the others in its league,
both home and away
773118
1018
There are other league formats which don’t require each
team to play the others home and away, which would improve
the players’ experience of league rugby
2
Merit Tables which offer teams the flexibility to decide when
and how often they play are a viable alternative to league rugby
101 5 2 18
There is a desire for more friendly matches which is not
currently being catered for
7 4 4 1 118
1
7 4 2 318
End-of-season play-offs are the best way of determining
which teams should be promoted and relegated
2
5 3 4 4
18
Appendix 12
League rugby comments
6. No comment.
1. Leagues should be a maximum of 14
teams and a minimum of 10. Teams
at the lower level need a competitive
league structure to ensure they play
games. The University of Salford
Leagues (formally Miller Homes
Leagues) in the north our a great
example of competitive leagues for 2nd
, 3rd , 4th teams. In particular the rules
on team numbers and the concede rulesexcellent model. Not in favour of Play
offs. Promotion and Relegation should
be on league positions.
7. (Q4) No Merit tables at 1st XV level.
2. No comment.
3. Leagues of different size are an issue
which does not allow for sufficient space
for local competitions in the structured
season. Limit numbers in leagues to 12
or 10 but be consistent on numbers in all
leagues in community rugby.
4. Leagues of different size are an issue
which does not allow for sufficient space
for local competitions in the structured
season. Limit numbers in leagues to 12
or 10 but be consistent on numbers in all
leagues in community rugby.
5. No comment.
(Q6) The championship method for
2011/12 is wrong. To fill the third
promotion place is correct.
8. No comment.
9. No comment.
Appendix 12
standard of rugby being played. The
promotion and relegation is to my
mind a positive situation that allows
clubs to find their level and to open up
the prospect of new fixtures as sides
progress. Merit tables allow clubs to
have a competitive structure below first
team level and allow development of
their younger players.
10. No comment.
15. No comment.
11. No comment.
16. No comment
12. The current Leagues system, although
having been worked on for a long time,
has seen the demise of ‘social ‘rugby
and led to most Clubs only running a
1st team squad, also only a few running
a Colts set up. The pressure to succeed
has surpassed the actual taking part,
and Clubs require greater assistance
(generally from outside private sources)
to maintain the status quo because of
the reduced number of playing members
who, in the past, were the lifeblood of
income for the Clubs.
17. No play-off, i.e., top promoted, bottom
relegated. Leagues games only, no other
games organised
13. No comment.
14. In my opinion the introduction of
league rugby has led to an enormous
improvement in prospect of the general
18. No comment
2. CUP RUGBY
Neither
Agreeagree nor Disagree
Don’t
Totals
strongly Agree disagreeDisagreestrongly know
The structured season, between the beginning of September
National cup rugby, with a Twickenham final, is vitally
important to the club competition schedule 872118
Divisional cup rugby is the best way of producing
teams to compete in national cup competitions
1
763118
Divisional cup rugby is viable in its own right, and is
important to the club competition schedule
1
5
County cup rugby is the best way of producing teams to
compete in national cup competitions
2
645118
County cup rugby is viable in its own right, and is important
to the club competition schedule
3
84318
Cup rugby comes a poor second compared to league rugby,
in the eyes of most teams and clubs
98118
All cup rugby should be played at the end of the season,
so as not to interfere with the leagues
1
3
5
6318
There is a need to scrap cup rugby altogether so that teams
can concentrate on the leagues
1
1
8
7 3 1 118
818
Appendix 12
Cup rugby comments
1. No comment.
2. No comment.
3. There is a place for both league and cup
rugby and both should be an integrated
part of the season.
4. There is a place for both league and cup
rugby and both should be an integrated
part of the season.
at Twickenham they used to say ‘Last
one out turn off the lights’.! Nowadays
County Rugby consists of lower league
players, until their County reaches
the latter stages of the competition
wherafter the BIG Boys are drafted
in and it becomes a Championship
competition.
13. No comment.
8. No comment.
14. If cup rugby is all played at the end
of the season it could bring more
excitement to the game as it could be
seen as an extra “league of it’s own” to
compete in and make it easier to follow
than when it is spread out. Cup rugby
is just not regarded as highly as league
rugby.
9. No comment.
15. No comment.
10. No comment.
16. No comment
11. No comment.
17. No comment
12. Cup rugby was seen as a ‘reward’ to
Club members who had performed
consistently well throughout the
season, and selection, along with their
opposition peers, to come together and
represent their County. It gave a sense
of praise and pride for both Club and
Player, e.g. whenever Cornwall appeared
18. The County cup competitions have
become devalued because teams that
used to participate have greater interest
and investment in winning the leagues
5. No comment.
6. No comment.
7. No comment.
Appendix 12
3. SEASONALITY
Neither
Agreeagree nor Disagree
Don’t
Totals
strongly Agree disagreeDisagreestrongly know
The structured season, between the beginning of September
and the end of April, currently lasts too long
2
1
105 18
The structured season, between the beginning of September
and the end of April, is currently too short to accommodate
all the rugby that is being played 5
1
102 18
There should be fewer league matches played during
the structured season, to allow teams, players and match
officials some free weekends away from rugby 5
3
7318
There should be a mid-season break scheduled within the
season to allow teams, players and match officials some time off 4
2
9318
Serious consideration should be given to moving the season
away from the winter and into the summer months
2
2
More matches should be played on different days of the week,
i.e., not just Saturdays, to reflect changing work patterns
2
3
103 18
More matches should be played on a midweek evening, to
allow teams, players and match officials time off at weekends
4
2
9318
1418
Appendix 12
Seasonality comments
1. Time off allows recovery (mid season 2
weeks over Christmas holiday period as
example).
Season should be Maximum of 8 Months
with 4 Months off.
Mid week /Friday night evening
Floodlight games should be considered.
2. No comment.
3. No comment.
4. No comment.
5. No comment.
6. No comment.
7. (Q2) Season effectively starts in August
with preparation games for leagues.
(Q4) When Xmas falls on a weekend
there is an effective break.
(Q7) Schools/Colleges/University
games already take up all available
officials.
8. No comment.
9. No comment.
10. Free weekends are needed not to give
time off but to allow for friendly fixtures
and also some flexibility in catching
up from missed games due to weather,
fixture clashes etc.
11. No comment.
12. The structured season is long enough.
Evening games may depend on grounds
having floodlights which all Clubs do
not.The intensity of the leagues puts
pressure on Clubs to maintain a high
standard throughout the season. This
leads to bigger squad numbers, financial
pressures, and the need to keep all in 1st
team squads interested throughout the
season.
13. There is effectively a mid season break
at Christmas and New Year due to the
few games played.
14. Evening games although a good idea
not all clubs have the provision of lights.
** With the amount of league games
currently there is the potential for
having difficulty fitting all games in if
there needs to be a lot of rescheduling
due to adverse weather etc. The
structured season is fine but the cup
competitions need to be revamped for
a more successful solution. I think all
games should kick off earlier (like in
December / November etc) as it does
allow players and officials more of an
Appendix 12
evening. Most people do not do anything
in the mornings other than wait until it
is time to travel. Particularly at levels 6
and below where distance isn’t as much
of an issue. It also allows players/officials
a chance to watch some sport in the
afternoon after their game has finished.
15. No comment.
16. Few people are able to referee midweek,
therefore to have more games is
impractical
17. No comment
18. You would be asking people who already
have work commitments, some of them
away from home, to give up an evening to
play rugby. It also kills the social element,
however much of that remains, because
participants would need to go to work the
next day. Moving to a summer season is
fine for the professional game, but grass
roots participants have other interests for
the summer, not to mention it being the
traditional time that families take their
holidays, which would lead to games being
cancelled owing to a lack of available
players and/or officials. We currently have
breaks in the league season, and more
often than not, sides choose not to play
because they rest their players for the allimportant league games
4. TRAVEL AND COST
Neither
Agreeagree nor Disagree
Don’t
Totals
strongly Agree disagreeDisagreestrongly know
There is too much travel involved in fulfilling the
commitments of league rugby 2
8 5 2 118
There is too much travel involved in fulfilling the
commitments of cup rugby
1
9 5 2 118
The time spent travelling to and from matches is a significant
deterrent to the recruitment and retention of players
2
4
7 2 318
The time spent travelling to and from matches is a significant
deterrent to the recruitment and retention of officials
4
113 18
The cost of travelling to and from matches is a significant
deterrent to the recruitment and retention of players
4
2
4
The cost of travelling to and from matches is a significant
deterrent to the recruitment and retention of officials
4
2
9318
Many teams and clubs are under considerable financial
pressure for reasons other than the cost of transport and travel
92118
6
2
618
Appendix 12
Travel and cost comments
10. No comment.
1. No comment.
11. No comment.
2. No comment.
12. Promotions lead to ever spiralling
financial pressures, and there ‘ain’t
much money about at the moment’. This
applies to both Clubs and Refereeing
Officials.
3. Cost of fuel is certainly a major issue
and with a large geographical area
like NLD there are also costs of travel
(both time and money) to attend the
required training for officials and for
administering the game.
4. Cost of fuel is certainly a major issue
and with a large geographical area
like NLD there are also costs of travel
(both time and money) to attend the
required training for officials and for
administering the game.
13. No comment.
14. I personally do not mind travelling but I
know there are many who do not like it.
The increasing cost of fuel will become
more of a deterrent as some journeys
you barely break even on expenses.
15. No comment.
5. No comment.
16. No comment
6. The pressure on clubs comes from the
payment of coaches at the lower levels
teams at level 7,8,and 9 are paying
coaches inside the West Midlands area.
17. No comment
7. (Q1&Q4) For a better standard of rugby
all participants must be prepared to
travel longer distances and take more
time to do so.
8. No comment.
9. No comment.
18. The reason that clubs under pressure
are in that situation is because they
choose to play their players a fee which
will impact on the amount of money
available overall, but they choose to
do so in order to compete at that level
because all their league peers also pay
Appendix 12
Neither
Agreeagree nor Disagree
Don’t
Totals
5.
SUNDRY ISSUES
strongly Agree disagreeDisagreestrongly know
There should be dedicated leagues for 2nd XVs and other
lower teams, and these should not compete in the 1st XV
league structure
1
85216
It’s OK for 2nd XVs to compete in the 1st XV league structure,
as long as they’re capable and don’t compete in the same
league as their 1st XV
2
824117
University teams should be included in the club league structure
if they wish to enter, and they are strong enough to compete
2
132 17
Sevens and Touch should have their own competitive structures
which run in parallel with the winter league season 2
1
1
102 117
Referee Societies should appoint to all Sevens and Touch
leagues and festivals
1
5
2
7217
Playing women’s matches on a Saturday would allow Societies
to appoint better quality match officials to these games
5
2
6417
Player registration systems are over complicated, and present
a barrier to the playing of matches at lower levels
3
1
52 617
CBs, with the consent of the RFU, should be allowed to vary
Regulations to encourage more matches to be played
1
72717
The introduction of Rolling Subs will help with the retention
of players
7 3 1 2 2 217
The introduction of Rolling Subs will threaten the retention
of match officials
1
4
5
717
Appendix 12
Sundry issues comments
1. No comment.
2. No comment.
3. Sevens certainly need to be more
structured. Touch is a poor relation with
regard to officials as the competitions
structure is massively geographically
spread nationwide and thus time and
cost are major factors in officiating at the
Touch events, structured seasons also
overlap.
4. Sevens certainly need to be more
structured. Touch is a poor relation with
regard to officials as the competitions
structure is massively geographically
spread nationwide and thus time and
cost are major factors in officiating at the
Touch events, structured seasons also
overlap.
11. Item 4 – This would be extremely
difficult to cover with referees given the
present level of numbers available.
12. 7s and Touch Rugby could be a summer
sport. but their organisation is generally
poor, and they run mid week teams
with better players who play at a higher
level at weekends, and therefore the Uni
teams are weaker at weekends. Playing
Women’s rugby on Saturdays would put
greater pressures on Societies. : Rolling
Subs would lead to greater player
fatigue.
13. No comment.
7. (Q8) This already causes problems for
officials in South West.
14. Moving Women’s rugby to Saturday
might not secure better referees it
would just mean fewer games will be
covered due to the shortage of referees.
Universities should be included with
caveat that if they miss matches or
cannot field a team they are withdrawn
from league. I think women’s on a
Saturday would help with quality, but as
a society appointments officer, I know
this would not be possible to cater for.
8. No comment.
15. No comment.
9. No comment.
16. No comment
10. No comment.
17. No comment
5. No comment.
6. No comment.
18. Leagues are not just associated with 1
XV’s and 2nd XV’s – they go through
all the levels which is too much. There
has to be a place for the social side. If a
club has a strong 2nd XV, they should
be allowed to compete at the highest
level they want to, but I would question
why those players, given the peripatetic
attitude of players, don’t simply play 1st
team rugby for another club? University
sides have term time issues and may not
be able to fullfil fixture commitments
outside term-time, but ladies rugby
would benefit from having better quality
officials available. However, it is often
the case that the ladies’ team coach is a
club 1st team player, and would therefore
be unable to commit time to them on a
Saturday as well as play
APPENDIX 13
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 13
Appendix 13
Role and Region
20. CRC South Warwickshire
39. RDO Worcestershire / S Warwickshire
58. CRC Warwickshire
78. RDO Oxfordshire
97. RDO Middx
1. CRC Tameside
21. CRC Northamptonshire
40. CRC North Lancashire
59. RDO North Lancashire
79. RDO Wiltshire
98. RDO Gloucestershire
2. CRC Lewisham, London South
22. CRC Eastern Counties
41. CRC Warwickshire
60. CRC Manchester
80. CRC Central Yorkshire
99. CRC South
3. CRC Herefordshire and South Shropshire
23. CRC North Birmingham West Mids
42. RDO Berkshire - Southern Region
61. RDO North East & Yorkshire
81. RDO Herefordshire
100. RDO Bedfordshire
4. CRC West Yorkshire
24. RDO Middlesex (City) & Essex
(Metropolitan)
43. CRC East Yorkshire
62. RDO Mids East
82. CRC Merseyside
101. RDM City of Manchester
44. RDO Nott’s
63. CRC Bedfordshire
83. RDO SW
102. CRC City of Gloucester
45. Billingham, Stockton Hartlepool
64. CRC Staffordshire
84. CRC
103. CRC Cheshire
46. RDO, London South
65. CRC Surrey
85. CRC South Somerset & Mendip
104. CRC Eastern Counties
47. CRC Lincolnshire
66. CRC Leicestershire
86. CRC Essex Metro
105. CRC Oldham and Bury
48. CRC Durham
67. RDO London S
106. RDO Greater Manchester
49. CRC Central Yorkshire
68. CRC NW
87. CRC Redcar and Cleveland /
Middlesbrough
50. CRC Midlands East (Derbyshire)
69. RDO Derbyshire, Midlands East
51. CRC Surrey
70. RDO Staffordshire, West Midlands
52. RDO Hampshire (Southern Region)
71. CRC Merseyside
53. CRC Worcs and South Warwick’s
72. CRC Derbyshire
54. CRC North Yorkshire
73. RDO North Yorkshire & Teeside
55. CRC East Kent
74. CRC North Lancashire
37. CRC Staffordshire
56. CRC Central London, City, Camden,
Hackney, Harringley
75. RDO East Yorkshire
38. CRC Nottinghamshire - Midlands East
57. RDO Merseyside
5. CRC Central Yorkshire
6. Community Rugby Coach
7. CRC Northumberland
8. CRC SY Barnsley
9. CRC Black Country
10. CRC Kent Rural
11. CRC Leicestershire
12. RDO Northumberland
13. CRC Herts
14. Rugby Development Officer
15. RDO Eastern Counties
16. CRC Bucks
17. RDO North East and Yorkshire
18. RDO Bristol
19. Bristol
25. RDO Durham (North East & York’s)
26. CRC Allerdale Cumbria
27. RDO West Midlands
28. CRC West Yorkshire
29. RDO West Midlands
30. CRC Wigan, Greater Manchester
31. RDO Southern Region
32. CRC Durham
33. RDO Warwickshire
34. CRC West Yorkshire
35. CRC Durham
36. CRC Northamptonshire
76. RDO Isle of Man
77. RDO Cumbria
88. RDO Guernsey
89. CRC London North
90. CRC East Devon
91. CRC Sheffield
92. CRC Merseyside
93. RDO London North
107. RDO
108. Head Rugby Coach Manchester
109. RDO Cornwall
110. CRC Forest of Dean & Gloucester
111. CRC East Yorkshire
112. CRC London of Bromley
94. RDO Midlands East
113. CRC Herefordshire and South
Shropshire
95. CRC Essex
114. RDO London South
96. CRC Essex
115. CRC Oxon
Appendix 13
Appendix 13
116. RDO London South
135. Acting RDO Cheshire
13. Harry Harrison (07894489249)
117. RDO London South, Sussex
136. CRC Essex
118. CRC Middlesex, Richmond and
Hounslow
Contact details
14. Ben Stocken
([email protected] / 07889601261)
119. WRDM/WRDO Midlands
1. Steph Veal ([email protected])
15. Penny Chapman
([email protected])
16. Bob Hardman
([email protected] /
07771706787)
120. RDO SW Devon
2. Dan Buckland
(07738648829 [email protected])
121. RDO Gloucester and FoD
3. William Richards (07872465441)
122. CRC Cornwall
4. Chris Stone ([email protected])
123. RDO Somerset SW
17. Jonathan Rickerby ( jonathanrickerby@
rfu.com / 07764960400)
5. Stuart Dixon
([email protected] / 07718706550)
18. Neil Loader (07809199944)
124. CRC Bristol
125. RDO West Yorkshire
126. CRC Copeland
127. CRC London South, Sussex
128. CRC South Yorkshire
129. CRC Hampshire
130. CRC London North
131. CRC South
132. CRC Middlesex
133. CRC Cheshire
134. CRC Birmingham
6. Scott Powell
([email protected] / 07584075785)
7. Andy Buist (07718706562)
8. Andrew Gilmore Appleyard
([email protected] /
07935490960)
9. Adam Blackford
([email protected] / 07875442660)
10. Rachael Burford (07708916507)
19. Simon Clarke (077187065589)
20. Paul Scanlon
([email protected] / 07894489416)
21. Jon Perks (07702779484)
26. Trevor Richardson
([email protected] /
07545921473)
27. Simon Hincks ([email protected] /
07912541471)
37. Simon Jones
([email protected] / 07718706576)
52. Kieran Spencer
([email protected] / 07912541462)
38. Calvin Beech ([email protected])
53. Chris Hargreaves (07590890759)
39. Stu Eades (07730814156)
40. Chris Lowden ([email protected])
54. Kris Stafford
([email protected] / 07718706558)
28. Dave Duxbury
([email protected] / 07718706559)
41. Dan Oselton
([email protected] / 07921283330)
29. Chris Sigsworth
([email protected] / 07889601017)
42. Dan Whiteman
([email protected] / 07738648918)
30. Mark Devine
([email protected] / 07813620149)
43. Greg Bone
([email protected] / 07718706554)
31. Tim Holmes
([email protected] / 07764960408)
44. Pete Shaw (07734070674)
32. Matthew Fieldhouse
([email protected])
46. Andy Pratt (07738648784)
58. Ant Collins (anthony [email protected]
/ 07590890870)
47. Nathan Smith
([email protected] / 07921283223)
59. Stuart Urquhart
([email protected] / 07740565060)
48. Chris Simpson (07894489095)
60. Aaron Howorth (aaronhoworth@rfu.
com)
22. Tim Reed
([email protected] / 07872827158)
33. Mark Richardson
([email protected])
23. Matt Wooldridge
([email protected] /
07841156808)
34. Neil Spence
([email protected] / 07718706560)
11. Luke Green (07921283343)
24. Neil Sweeny
([email protected] / 07725141899)
12. Dave Reed
([email protected] / 07736517728)
35. Laura Coleman
([email protected] /
07969032443)
25. Matt Bryan
([email protected] / 07711185219)
36. Oliver Joisce
([email protected] / 07702779485)
45. Jon Benson (07789488613)
49. John Dudley
( [email protected] / 07718706548)
50. Sean Wright
([email protected] / 07786663549)
51. Mike Marsh
([email protected] / 07711453867)
55. Danny Vaughan
([email protected]
/ 07809 512781)
56. Dan Leek
([email protected] / 07738029263)
57. Mark Sutcliffe
([email protected] / 07764960410)
61. Alex Bowden
([email protected] / 07764336701)
62. Jenna Studley ( [email protected])
63. David Marshall (07733053407)
64. George Glenn
Appendix 13
([email protected] / 07894489754)
65. Adam Cottingham
([email protected] /
07590890764)
66. Scott Johnson (07590890857)
67. Matt Kemp
([email protected] / 07734856766)
68. Garry Holmes
([email protected] / 07545921474)
69. Matt Jefferson
([email protected] / 07894783342)
70. Tom Bartram ([email protected] /
07841156806
71. Martin Powell
([email protected] / 07894489418)
72. Gary Rudkin
([email protected] / 07718706573)
73. Alec Porter (07764960376)
74. Kai Burns (07894489730)
75. James McKay
([email protected] / 07764960401)
Appendix 13
76. Ian Williams
([email protected] or ian.
[email protected] / 01624686808 or
07624487965)
91. Andrea Dobson (07718706556)
107. Ivan Torpey (07764960384)
122. Phil Morris (07809512135)
92. J Foster (07738648944)
108. Steve Williams
([email protected])
123. Julie Price
( [email protected] / 07889601018)
77. Liam Nicholls
([email protected] / 07711901374)
94. Gareth Thomas (07764699644)
109. Mike Bratt (07764960380)
124. David Hilton (07970235204)
110. Ashley Stephens
([email protected])
125. Hamish Pratt ([email protected])
78. Jason Bowers (07703466773)
93. Ronnie Barry (07764336718)
95. Scott Murphy
([email protected] / 07595799472)
79. Hamish Morton
([email protected] / 07809199943)
96. Marcus Cattell
([email protected] / 07894489752)
80. Ben Steele (07718706549)
97. Phil Duffy
([email protected] / 07736517729)
81. Phil Kearns ([email protected] /
07595799711)
111. Alasdair McClarron (07718706555)
112. Phil Davis ([email protected] /
07894783350)
113. William Richards (07872465441)
82. Chris Hughes ([email protected])
98. Gregg Bayliss
([email protected] / 07764960396)
83. Jon Bendle (07753881272)
99. David Wilson (07894489753)
84. Steve Shaw ([email protected])
100. Sam Clapham (07764960389)
85. Simon Boyd (07809199941)
101. Phil Clarke (07730814162)
86. Dean Cutting
([email protected] / 07732829972)
102. Stuart Bradfield (2088317775)
117. Malcolm Chumbley
([email protected] / 07793167075)
103. Julian Gilding
( [email protected] /
07921283193)
118. James Platt
( [email protected] / 07889600309)
87. Richie Young ([email protected])
88. Geraint Cooper
([email protected] / 07781137988)
104. John Naylor ([email protected])
114. Matt Mitchell ([email protected])
115. Gary Morris ([email protected])
116. Martin Mactaggart
([email protected] /
07921283339)
119. Scott Sturdy (07810050970)
126. Kieran Marshall
([email protected] /
07718706568)
127. Jeremy Nobbs
( [email protected] / 07738648916)
128. Olly Dixon
([email protected] / 07939383632)
129. Sharon Evans
([email protected] / 07545319691)
130. Sam Carpenter
([email protected] /
07872827151)
131. Nick Parker
([email protected] / 07843343518)
132. Martin Crossan
([email protected])
120. Rob Masters
([email protected] / 07764960390)
133. Simon Verbickas (079821283192)
89. Rory Greenslade-Jones
105. Paul Arnold (07718706569)
90. Jason Michael Luff (0759089824)
106. Andrew Soutar (07736517730)
121. Don Parsons (07736722495)
135. Dave Westhead (07850166477)
134. Jon Critchlow (07894489419)
136. Simon Hoult (07921283179)
Appendix 13
Appendix 13
1. LEAGUE RUGBY
Neither
Agreeagree nor Disagree
Don’t
Totals
strongly Agree disagreeDisagreestrongly know
It is important that clubs are able to play their way from the
bottom of the league pyramid to the top, through promotion
from one division to the next
744310 6 1134
It is important that each club plays the others in its league,
both home and away
543928 14 1 136
Other potential league formats should be explored which
don’t require each team to play the others home and away,
with a view to improving the players’ experience of league rugby 19
492634 3 3134
Merit Tables which offer teams the flexibility to decide when
and how often they play should be more widely promoted as
a viable alternative to league rugby
31
6520 15 3 2136
There is a desire for more friendly matches which is not
currently being catered for
19
583318 4 4136
End-of-season play-offs are the best way of determining
which teams should be promoted and relegated
12
37
There should be a mechanism through which clubs are either
refused promotion, or allowed to decline promotion, if the
step up would be too great for them.
26
18
5016 3136
581329 8 1135
League rugby comments
7. No comment.
15. No comment.
1. With the last question I strongly
agree that a club should not be
promoted if they are not ready for it
but the following year every effort
should be made for them to get to that
level. No team should stay in a league
that they are smashing because they
can’t be bothered to put the effort in
to step up to the next level. It doesn’t
help those other teams in that league.
8. No comment.
16. No comment.
9. I believe all teams should aspire
to be promoted and should back
themselves and be backed to take on
the league above even if it does result
in immediate promotion.
17. 10. No comment.
11. No comment.
2. No comment.
12. 3.
I feel that is very important for the
clubs to have a structure for their
fixtures and that any club should have
the chance to make it to a play-off or
not. This should indeed be very clear
to the clubs from the start of a season
as player development.
I think clubs further up the leagues
should be governed more, but clubs
lower down in the junior leagues
should have more say in their playing
programme.
13. Not refused promotion but allowed to
decline promotion.
14. Clubs should be allowed to decline
promotion based on their own
circumstances, but I’m not sure they
should be refused a promotion that
they have earned.
It is important when a team is in a
league that they play home and away,
this adds to the ethos and social
aspect of our game, an opportunity
to visit old friends, foes and share
stories after the game.
Club Friendlies with local opposition
provide opportunities for players to
be developed from 2nd XV and Colts,
the associated costs are less for travel
as the games are played against local
teams. The main benefit would be
that Clubs would compete across the
whole club 1,2,3, 4th XV teams playing
on one day, which has an impact
on Club/Bar turnover, sometimes
making more money than a League
fixture. The friendly fixture would also
allow the key ethos of the game to
flourish as every game is not win at all
costs. If introduced Clubs would need
to be briefed and supported through
this change to engage them in
appropriate fixtures, Bar operations,
and local relationship building.
There is a requirement for realisation
with Clubs and the rise through
the League structure, balances and
Checks require to be introduced at
higher levels i.e. Level 4/5 to ensure
the Club can afford to play at that
level and has the Junior Section/
Quality of player supporting the 1st
XV. Care needs to be taken with the
4. No comment.
5. No comment.
6. I agree that competitive clubs should
compete in competitive leagues, but
the lower standard of rugby should be
more flexible with there fixtures and
registrations also so more people can
play the game.
Appendix 13
clubs who are ambitious, and should
be highlighted early to educate and
lead volunteers to the appropriate
level of playing the game. This would
be a preventative measure to assist
clubs in making quite large financial
mistakes. However this should be a
“Soft” touch process. Merit Tables in
Yorkshire have provided more teams
with appropriate fixtures which has
encouraged more teams to play. The
Clubs that have entered into merit
leagues enjoy the flexibility and
use them as a way of gaining extra
fixtures, building towards organised
leagues (eg Yorkshire 5) and
providing appropriate competition
for 2nd, 3rd and 4th XV players.
Clubs that play predominately league
fixtures, particularly in Yorkshire 5/4
have issues in recruiting a second
team due to the large amount of
players they may use (40+), players
who are used typically play less
games and therefore not as ready to
play rugby as a club with 3xv’s.
18. I personally think the fun side of
rugby has been taken away because
potentially all of our club sides are
playing league rugby. There is no
place for the guys who just want to
Appendix 13
turn up on a Saturday to enjoy a game
of rugby (which I believe was always
competitive before 2nd and 3rd teams
joined leagues) with 15 mates and
have a beer without being too serious.
I also believe this may be a reason
behind so many cancelled fixtures
as sides wont travel without a full
side and opponents won’t lend extra
players to sides with fewer players.
19. No comment.
20. Other potential league formats should
be explored which don’t require each
team to play the others home and
away, with a view to improving the
players’ experience of league rugby.
This would create unfair advantages
for teams during a season. Apart from
cutting down on travel expense’s I
do not see how other formats will
improve the experience of players.
Home and away games highlight a
team’s true ability across the season.
21. No comment.
22. There are clubs that just want social
rugby and that’s something that
should be catered for, however what
many clubs experience especially
in the merit tables, is that often
games are called off (invariably at
the last moment) and that teams
MORE often than not turn up short of
players, players are often played out
of position to facilitate a game,(front
row issues here) The end of season
play offs make the competition to
long, and often the teams involved
struggle with injured players and
unavailability that makes the play
offs a misrepresentation of the effort
deployed during the season.
23. Some teams that aren’t able to fill a
full season of fixtures due to other
commitments sometimes are not
aware that the merit tables/friendly
fixtures are a option to keep those
players involved in the game, wider
promotion of this I think would help
to resolve this issue.
24. No comment.
25. We should consider making leagues
smaller. No more that 10 per
league (locally). This would enable
less travelling, would be less of a
commitment for players, meaning
they may be more likely to continue
playing, and it would reinvigorate
local rivalries with some first teams
playing higher-level, nearby club’s
third teams, etc…
26. No comment.
27. Teams that enter a league and finish
in the promotion spot go up, by
declining some clubs will abuse
this to ensure they continually have
successful seasons. There will always
be yo yo clubs that flit between two
leagues.
28. I feel that friendly fixtures, if the
season allowed would be beneficial
for lower level clubs.
29. Important that clubs should play at
their own level. We have instance
where Birmingham and Solihull wish
to start a 2nd team/amateur from non
selected first team players / colts. If
they wanted to enter leagues and start
at bottom this would not help them as
their players would move to another
club at higher level to get standard of
rugby they are looking for. This also
raises question about best solutions
for 2nd and 3rd teams.
30. Team that cannot make the financial
jump up a league should have the
option to decline promotion. All
teams should be required to play all
home and away games, especially in
first team rugby. Second team leagues
should offer the rewards for playing
league games.
31. This would be more relevant to
3rd and 4th teams rather than 1st
XVs (friendly matches). If there are
occasions when clubs are playing
each other in 1st XV and also lower
teams then these should be structured
on the same day as currently they are
not, this could save travel costs and
bring teams closer together as they
travel together.
32. No comment.
33. I feel merit leagues should be in place
for second teams and those that do
not wish to join the 1st XV league
structures.
34. I don’t agree with end of season play
offs. I feel if you win the league you
are offered promotion and if you
finish bottom you are relegated. If a
team decides that they do not wish to
be promoted after winning the league,
I think they should be given some
financial reward to allow the club to
become stronger, whether it be on the
field or off it.
35. No comment.
36. No comment.
37. I think that smaller one team clubs
should make better use of the
merit table structure to increase
participation. It is often perceived
that if a club leaves the league
structure it is a step back for the club,
this isn’t the case in a lot of cases.
38. No comment.
39.
I feel there is a need for inter club
friendlies for players who might
not be able to get a 1st,2nd ,3rd …
team game. We are about to trial
this in South Warwickshire with 6
clubs from Sept to Dec 2012. Maybe
explore the case for small sided local
competitions at lower levels where
travel is a big problem , may be cross
counties and divisional cross over i.e.
South Worcester & North Gloucester
40. I feel that if clubs enter into a league
structure it is because they want the
opportunity to progress through the
structure and to better themselves.
The other consideration must be
made for social rugby, for those that
want to play rugby to enjoy it, not
because of the competition but to
play with their friends.If a team wins
Appendix 13
the league they should be crown
champions and get the rewards,
promotion. Teams not being able to
gain promotion due to outside factors
should be removed, if a team is not
given the rewards for winning the
league this will affect the integrity of
the whole league structure.
41. Appendix 13
throughout the club.
54. No comment.
48. No comment.
55. No comment.
49. If you win the league you should
automatically go up, and only the
second place teams should have an
end of season play-off for promotion.
This should work the same for the
bottom of the league relegation.
56. No comment.
57. With all answers above differences
in regional requirements need to be
considered, one size will not fit all!
58. No comment.
I feel it’s very important for teams to
be able to be promoted or relegated.
50. No comment.
59. No comment.
42. No comment.
51. No comment.
60. No comment.
43. No comment.
52. 61. 44. The biggest issue that is raised
with me is the travel distances
between clubs. League Secretary
lack of flexibility or sometimes
understanding. The payment of
players in the lower order of leagues
is becoming more and more common
place.
League rugby forces clubs to have to
put teams out. Without the ‘pressure’
of league fixtures some clubs would
see this as an excuse to play less and
eventually stop playing altogether.
Home and away is the beauty of
going to other clubs – without this
some clubs would choose to play
all of their games at home. Less
congested league schedule would
allow for more friendlies – allowing
for more local derby games. Could be
allowed to decline promotion within
reason. However, if win the same
league 2(?) years in a row then must
be promoted.
The strictness of league rugby can
help some clubs develop it needs to
allow for flexibility and address the
issues if transition from U17’s and
U19’s through to senior rugby – could
this be rewarded? The opportunity
for clubs to decline promotion,
as merit table’s offer, is important
especially if promotion is gained due
to a league restructure. One club in
Leeds 2 seasons ago asked not to be
promoted as they were promoted
finishing outside the top two but due
to the increase in numbers in the
leagues about had to be promoted
after 2 months that had had 2 losses
conceding over 100 points and
withdraw from the leagues lost their
45. No comment.
46. No comment.
47. If the Merit Table question is
related to 1st XVs then I stand by
my comment. If, however, this is an
option for 2nd XVs and below then
this is a great way of engaging players
53. No comment.
2nd team and are having to rebuild,
this could have been avoided if the
leagues supported their views. How
do we and CB’s support players who
don’t want to play league or merit
rugby and continue with freindlies,
its hard to find a balance? The views
of players need to be considered as
club committee will want more games
to get more revenue but players may
not reflect these views. Team decides
to pay players as well this is very
difficult to support developmentally.
62. 63. Club feedback is they like the
structure of leagues but still like some
flexibility for traditional friendly
fixtures Play offs extend the season
especially if bad weather which
adds pressure to get fixtures played
which in turn eats into off season or
traditional 7s season
At any club progression should
be based on the 1st XV therefore
straightforward promotion should
always be available. As you move
down the club the priority becomes
one of ensuring regular fixtures rather
than competition. 2nd / 3rd XV
become more focused on Merit table
rugby whilst at the lower end of the
club 4th / 5th team rugby should be
purely social.
64. No comment.
65. No comment.
66. The only problem with playing more
friendly games is that players become
less committed as the games are seen
to be of no real importance.
67. Clubs should be allowed to turn down
promotion if it doesn’t work for their
club but we would need to be very
careful about telling clubs they can’t
be promoted.
68. I think we have to remember that
each individual club has different
needs and different views of success.
We (RFU) have to do the best in
fulfilling the expectations of every
club whether it is competitive 1st XV
rugby or Social rugby. For me we have
to give the provision for both the
competitive side of rugby at all levels
without forcing teams to join leagues
that may not be ready for it or want to
play competitive rugby.
69. I believe there needs to be more
emphasis on flexibility and on
players’ enjoyment. Players are
switched off by league matches every
week with the pressure of family and
work commitments every increasing.
Clubs require a larger and larger pool
of players per team to fulfil fixtures
every week.
70. I didn’t experience adult rugby
pre the league structures so find
it hard to comment on whether
the league system is a good thing
in comparison to playing purely
friendly type fixtures. I think there is
a place for competitive rugby union,
however whether this needs to be
week in week out is questionable. In
Staffordshire 3 clubs have recently
dropped out of the league system due
to pressures that league rugby brings
with it. i.e. travelling distances, costs,
lack of flexibility etc.
71. No comment.
72. No comment.
73. Some teams can win promotion but
the step up means more travel and
tougher matches too often teams
bounce back down the following year,
the option to stay at the same level
would be good.
74. S hould only be allowed to refuse for 1
Appendix 13
season, should not be allowed to keep
winning consecutive seasons and not
go up, should use season after refusal
to rectify reasons for refusal.
75. 76. 77. League Rugby needs to be
regionalised beyond level 1 and 2 e.g.
Yorkshire One should have the top
teams in Yorkshire competing in it
then the next top league should be
regionalised e.g. East/South/North/
West If teams want to play outside
of their top County league they
must apply and show that they are
financial viable to do so. The payment
of players is killing clubs and must
be addressed!!! Regionalising
competitions would help to stop this
by teams playing in local leagues
stopping the need to pay players and
would also increase profits for clubs
with weekly local games and cut
down on travel costs.
If clubs want merit tables then they
should be able to access them. The
CB’s should inform the Clubs of their
availability.
We need to cater for the requirements
of all clubs and respect the level at
which they wish to play. If they can
retain more players by playing a lower
level or in a more local league then
surely this is much more important
than the promotion of a team who
then disband due to increased time
pressures, as has and this may well
come down to the flexibility of
games, Saturday at 3pm is not always
convenient to all participants so can
alternatives be provided for the nonleague formats??
78. Overall 1st team league rugby is well
organised and nearly always sorted by
the clubs. The challenge is to ensure
there is competition for 2nd 3rd 4th
teams etc appropriate to the level and
mostly the de regulation of some of
the laws around – front row players /
calling in results etc by X o’clock.
Appendix 13
83. 84. Friendly games are great, but there
are too many teams in the league for
this to happen e.g. 14. If clubs don’t
desire promotion, then don’t enter
the league.Play offs are a great way
of getting promotion, but there is
a massive advantage for the home
team. Perhaps a neutral ground.
85. No comment.
86. No comment.
79. No comment.
87. No comment.
80. No comment.
88. No comment.
81. If this system of declining promotion
came in there would need to be
a stipulation that if you declined
promotion but won the league again
the year after then you would not be
able to decline again otherwise that
would be unfair on the teams in the
current league.
89. No comment.
90. At lower levels, perhaps regionalising
leagues to assist with cost of travel
away? Would be a real achievement
for a club to be names as regional
champions and then have the
challenge to play at a national level.
No comment.
91. 82. important for teams/clubs that have
the desire to go up the tables but
alternatives should be available for
clubs/teams with other outcomes/
goals. Merit tables/development
leagues are ideal for new developing
teams.
Within my area, some clubs don’t
want to play formal league rugby
due to geographical travel. This is
prevalent at 2nd and 3rd XV level,
these sides want local competitive
and more importantly ‘appropriate’
matches.
A league format with promotion is
92. No comment.
93. No comment.
94. The Merit League which has operated
in Lincolnshire over the past number
of seasons has been a fantastic
success, with more teams joining the
league each year. For those clubs that
dropped out of the league system
it has helped them to stabilise and
rebuild, which has seen three clubs
re-join the league structure
95. No comment.
96. No comment.
97. The RFU needs to explore the issue
of players getting paid as it creates
a lack of team loyalty and frequent
player movement. It also places a
glass ceiling on clubs who whilst they
are ambitious and want to progress
through the league structure want
to remain strictly amateur.Merit
table rugby is a superb introduction
for new teams and teams who are
in decline, it offers flexibility to
players who have to juggle other
commitments such as weekend work,
young families and so on.
98. 99. League rugby is about who is the
most consistent over a long period.
Play-offs completely go against this.
Players currently see friendly matches
as a “week off” because they are now
un-used to playing them. However,
having taken a team through a nonleague season it was the most fun
these players had ever experienced
through a season – and that’s despite
the negative feelings about dropping
out of the leagues.
No comment.
100. Many clubs struggle to put out
regular teams at 3rd and 4th XV level,
so merit tables and the flexibility
they offer are great at this level.
However in 1st and 2nd XV rugby
the current league format of home
and away matches offer the greatest
opportunity for regular competitive
rugby.
101. Having been part of the NW pilot, the
feedback I got from my clubs were
that generally they were happy with
the league structure at a 1/2nd team
level but as you went lower down then
a number of miss-matches developed.
A number of examples were given to
me an example of one being playing
a team at home and winning. Taking
a stronger team away for the return
fixture only to be beaten by 100
points! No surprise that the home
team had no first team fixture that
day. I was given quite a few examples
and ALL my clubs felt this was an
issue.
102. No comment.
103. The possibility of more friendly
matches for social sides should be
investigated rather than forcing
them to compete in league fixtures
throughout the season
104. No comment.
105. The other formats would be good for
2nd 3rd teams etc
106. I agree there should be promotion
and relegation - but this needs to be
on a neutral ground or 2 leg game
as having the current format of
playing promotion atthe team with
Appendix 13
the highest points is not fair on the
teams as both leagues are completely
different.
107. For Premier and Championship teams
(Professional players) Home & Away
fixtures should be maintained.The
commitment of league rugby has taken
away the appetite for friendly games.
If a team is clearly dominant in the
league promotion should be strongly
encouraged. If a team narrowly
gains promotion and the demands of
the higher do not motivate the club
consideration for them to stay in the
league should be allowed.
108. In my opinion league structures are
working and competition is strong but
the season is too long.
109. No comment.
110. No comment.
111. 112. I think a lot of this depends on the club
and there circumstances i.e. if a club
is new and struggling then a certain
amount of flexibility should be allowed.
I don’t think what is right for one club/
league is right for another.
No comment.
113. 114. I feel that is very important for the clubs
to have a structure for their fixtures and
that any club should have the chance to
make it to a play-off or not. This should
indeed be very clear to the clubs from
the start of a season. I don’t think that it
should even be considered by anyone
whether the club should be promoted
or not. All clubs are striving to better
themselves in their Community and
they want to offer a form of progression
through this. Playing various clubs
“Home and Away” does improve the
player experience as well as player
development.
I think it is more important to have
spaces for non-league matches, e.g.
friendlies, tours, cups, 7’s festivals; than
it is to have a full league fixture list.
You only need to have a few weather
call offs each season to find the whole
season rammed full of league matches
which does not give players a rounded
enjoyable experience of rugby that
will ensure a lifelong commitment to
the game. I see more and more players
playing league rugby until they cannot
and then not continuing with the game
as coaches referees and supporters
because they are tired of the intensity
league rugby.
Appendix 13
115. clubs would want to play home and
away.There are a few Level 7-5 clubs
who have aspirations to rise through
the leagues but at a certain point it
undoubtedly involves having to pay
players. I doubt if there are many
completely amateur clubs above Level
5. For the most part I think 1st teams
want to play in a league but 2nd and
3rd teams prefer the more flexible Merit
Tables and the odd friendly game.
I don’t think including 2nd and 3rd
teams in the league structure works
very well – there are too many cancelled
games due to a lack of one or two
players to make up a full team.
Declining promotion is one thing,
being refused is a totally different
matter.
116. Leagues should only be used to give a
structure to competition not the be all
and end all of the experience.
117. 118. League Rugby is an import part of club
Rugby, however SMALLER leagues that
freed up opportunities for friendlies
and resting players. Greater flexibility
and empathy from League Organisers –
Often over focused on Regulations and
fining clubs for minor infringements
and not Supporting Clubs – often
contradicting the work of RDO’s errors.
(Where does the fine money go ??)
121. No comment.
122. No comment.
119. I think open and flexible league formats
are viable at a certain level or may
be more beneficial for 2nd team club
rugby.
120. The views of clubs will depend on what
level they currently play. I don’t think
that many clubs that play at Level 8 and
below have aspirations to rise through
the leagues from bottom to top. They
just want regular games of competitive
rugby which does not involve travelling
too far. In the interests of fairness most
No comment.
123. No comment.
124. No comment.
125. The idea of League Rugby is on that is
lost in translation, the growth of rugby
is mates playing mates and the rapour
between Clubs. We need in my mind
ask the players and as a player we need
to look at a tiered structure locally then
moving from there. Local matches are
what we need. Example Halifax small
town 6 teams that only 2 play against.
126. No comment.
127. No comment.
of fixtures. Especially if there were clear
blocks in the season when they knew
there would be no competitive fixtures.
I think end of season play offs would
be a great way to add excitement to
the end of the season but maybe to
decide the league championship but
promotion is determined by league
position and right of refusal for teams if
they didn’t want to be promoted.
128. More time needs to be allowed for clubs
to take part in Cup fixtures and Friendly
fixtures (to try out new players, give
players a rest etc), during the League
season. 14 Team Leagues are too large
and do not give flexibility in fixtures,
especially when we have a particularly
bad winter.
132. No comment.
129. No comment.
133. No comment.
130. Teams that have aspirations to play
in higher leagues should be catered
for. Those that think the next step up
is too great for them should be able
to refuse promotion, to prevent clubs
form loosing players and/or paying
out for higher expenses. Good players
naturally migrate to the ‘better’ clubs.
Maybe at a certain level you only play
in leagues that do not leave themselves
to promotion or relegation.
134. No comment.
131. Fall and Spring seasons with play offs
for lower league teams and similar
structure for 2nd / 3rd team merit
tables. So the commitment to play is
reduced into smaller bite size chunks.
This would actually lead to more people
committing to playing the vast majority
135. I think that the majority of clubs believe
that the league structure at 1st team
level is good and fair. I believe the
issues come with the clubs lower teams
when they have to travel long distances
to compete in matches that aren’t
always equal. This creates problems
with ‘moral’ amongst players and
does nothing with regards to
developing or recruiting players.
136. Maybe look at regionalising the
leagues as to cut down the big
travelling distances at national level.
Appendix 13
Appendix 13
2. CUP RUGBY
Cup rugby comments
Neither
Agreeagree nor Disagree
Don’t
Totals
strongly Agree disagreeDisagreestrongly know
National cup rugby, with a Twickenham final, is vitally
important to the club competition schedule 47412023 3 2136
Divisional cup rugby is the best way of producing teams
to compete in national cup competitions
19
37
4626 1 7136
Divisional cup rugby is viable in its own right, and is
important to the club competition schedule
14
34
4435 3 6136
County cup rugby is the best way of producing teams to
compete in national cup competitions
16
37
4033 7 3136
County cup rugby is viable in its own right, and is important
to the club competition schedule
16
4830 31 7 1 133
Cup rugby comes a poor second compared to league rugby,
in the eyes of most teams and clubs
31
6417 18 4 2136
All cup rugby should be played at the end of the season,
so as not to interfere with the leagues
10
31
37
Cup rugby should be scrapped altogether so that teams can
concentrate on the leagues
5
8
15
4113 3135
60
44
4
136
1. Sorry don’t know tons about men cup
comps but for the women’s game I
think a national/Divisional Cup comp
would be a great way of teams having
a game against higher level teams.
2. No comment.
3. I strongly disagree with the statement
that Cup rugby should be scrapped in
total. I feel this offers and opportunity
for players with weaker ability to
also compete in a good and sensible
structure, however I do agree that
these to different competitions should
not cross each other. This creates
a massive problem for coaches at
all levels and all clubs. County Cup
rugby adds massive value to the
players and the County Sport in a
total. The richer the clubs get with
players the better the County Sport as
a total will get.
4. No comment.
5. The current format and administration
of CB cup in Yorkshire is farcical and
creates massive problems for coaches,
players and fixtures secretaries. An
example of this is last season; a side
played their first round fixture as a
pre-season game and then had to wait
until the second week of April before
the 2nd round match.
6. No comment.
7. If we play cup rugby, play it as preseason games.
8. More cup finals should be held at
Twickenham or other impressive
arenas.
9. Cup rugby is vitally important in
my eyes, however some county cup
competition needs addressing with
regards to its organisation and how
it’s scheduled.
10. No comment.
11. No comment.
12. Again their needs to be more consideration into what I think are
to types of rugby being played semi
professional and rugby for players
who just love to run out for their club
no matter what competition.
13. No comment.
14. Cup rugby is important and County
cup rugby is localised enough
to mean something to the clubs
involved, whilst not meaning that
they have to travel vast distances
to play. I believe if cup rugby was
played at the end of the season, the
potential ‘free weekends’ during the
season would actually aid retention
as players would be able to strike a
better balance between rugby and
family commitments.
15. No comment.
16. No comment.
17. Clubs use cup rugby to provide
fixtures against clubs they would not
normally play against. Clubs that
play within Cup structures are highly
motivated to succeed and tactically
navigate their season resting players
or introducing players (Wider
playing base for 1st XV). Clubs that
have participated at Twickenham
finals have usually kick started their
following league season and external
awareness of the club is significantly
raised. Wath Upon Dearne RUFC
had circa 1000 people at their semi
final prior to their Twickenham
appearance this year.Where cup
competitions suffer is when they are
jammed into a season with a heavy
influence of League games and at the
Appendix 13
end of the season if a club has been
successful. The challenge is playing
two games a week.
18. 19. 20. 21. No comment.
22. Cup competitions don’t mean
anything at the lower levels!! Worse
if a player gets injured in a cup
competition then can’t play? The
same could be said if the player
gets injured in a league game,
the difference being the player is
contributing to an overall goal of
staying in that league, the club wins a
cup then what!!? Will that allow them
to play at higher level next season?
Cup rugby in my opinion is still
important to lower teams ( 2nds
and below) where as I believe for 1st
teams it is far less important than
league rugby.
From a lov level point of view cup
competitions for me is a pathway to
playing different teams.
All cup rugby should be played at
the end of the season, so as not to
interfere with the leagues. A bad
winter could push back the League
season putting pressures on the end
of season cups. Clubs compete in
multiple cup comps so stacking them
all at the end of the season will create
timing problems. Cup rugby should
be scrapped altogether so that teams
can concentrate on the leagues. Cup
comps are a massive part of a clubs
season. They offer a distraction from
the league and a chance at some
prestige for a club.Second team cup
rugby with in my area is strongly
contested and supported. It is one
of the main reasons second team
player’s play.
23. No comment.
24. No comment.
25. The reason that some County Cups
are now struggling, is due to the fact
that the leagues are too big. Way too
much emphasis on league rugby.
26. No comment.
27. Having a Twickenham final is a nice
dream for most, but not essential to
have, could Premiership Clubs be
used to host more regional finals? If
not the larger Amateur clubs?
28. The County Cup Competition provide
a good way to find the representatives
for the Nation Competitions.
Appendix 13
30. Personally as a coach the existing
cup competitions do interfere with
league rugby (for top / bottom teams
in a league) – as this weekends are
wanted as ‘rest’ weekend and good
to get rid of niggles players might
have. That said as RDO opinions from
clubs from clubs do vary, some want
cup competition (something to aim
for, goal of playing at Twickenham)
and others don’t. The same is true of
county / divisional.
33. No comment.
34. No comment.
35. No comment.
36. No comment.
37. I feel cup rugby still has a place but I
doubt the need for county cup rugby
and c.b. cup rugby e.g. Derbyshire cup
and N.L.D. Cup.
38. No comment.
The current cup format, offers no
incentive to club sides in lower
leagues. High league teams simply
field second string sides in the earlier
rounds. A larger scale competition,
split north/mids/south etc, would
mean clubs had a better incentive
to compete. A final at a premiership
ground would be ideal.
39. No comment.
40. Cup rugby is a tradition and has
a place in the season, but as clubs
are prioritising the league games
the timing of the Cup needs to be
reconsidered. In Lancashire the cup
final was played between two teams
that had only played in one other
cup game, so this devalued the whole
competition. I think the competition
needs to be revamped, with more club
buy in and also more clubs rewards
for winning it, county cup feeds
through to national cup comp. win
each winner playing in a bigger comp.
A final at Twickenham to find the top
county club side.
31. I feel there is a place for cup rugby
but the current structures do not
cater for both league and cup, with
the leagues being more important to
clubs, perhaps there should be a midseason window for the cups or play
them midweek and play less league
rugby.
32. No comment.
41. Cup rugby may not be the highest
priority for clubs, but I think it’s a
good chance for clubs to rest players
and use other players with in the
club and develop young players into
senior rugby.
48. No comment.
42. No comment.
49. 43. No comment.
44. The pressures on clubs now at 1st
XV is huge with club first teams
playing in their respective league
with 24 to 26 games then involved
with a National Cup, County & CB
competition.
The Saturdays left empty of fixtures
due to international matches should
be used for league fixtures. This
would mean that there is more
Saturdays left at the end of the season
for the cup fixtures thus avoiding the
need for mid-week cup fixtures.
50. Cup rugby has its place as a great tool
to develop youngsters come through
to seniors, as it allows more players
on to the replacements bench.
series through April and May as well
as freeing up players to play CB 15
aside games.
45. No comment.
46. No comment.
51. No comment.
47. There are far too many competitions
for clubs to be involved in. A typical
club has to participate in League
rugby, RFU Cup, CB Cup and County
Cup. Evidence from clubs in my area
(and my own club) would suggest that
clubs would prefer to play League
rugby and the CB Cup only. The CB
Cup is popular as it structured to
avoid mismatches and travelling is
mainly within 1 hour of most clubs. If
league and cups were planned to end
in late March this would allow for a 7s
52. Twickenham cup final isn’t vital
but is a unique selling point to
the competition that leagues do
not provide. If different levels of
competition remain (e.g. cup, plate,
vase, etc.) then the possibility that
your average Level 10 player could
end up at Twickenham adds the
magic! County cup probably depends
on the size of the county as to how
viable it is. Certain counties do not
have enough clubs at appropriate
levels to run this which leads to
Appendix 13
drop-outs and byes which harm the
integrity of the county. Divisional
competitions are probably just
about right with seeded levels of
competition to limit the travel
distance in the early rounds.
53. No comment.
54. Having been involved in a National
Intermediate Cup as a player,
reaching the final was one of the
highlights of my playing career. The
cup run brought a new excitement to
the season, and opportunity to play
at Twickenham is every armature
players dream. It is an important part
of the competition structure, and from
this seasons experience is valued by
all clubs and its players and should
stay in the competition structure.
55. 56. All focus is on League rugby where
winning is everything. Maybe a
cup competition for the teams that
are middle of the table and down
and another cup competition for
the teams in the top 5 or 6 position.
Giving all teams a chance to win
something.
Personally I think it’s to much rugby
and many players take that weekend
off for a rest. On the flip side it does
give players a chance they might not
of had.
57. Appendix 13
60. No comment.
61. Finding a solution to County Cups
is hard as each CB is so different
and run different formats – League
have taken away from these local
competition and so entry to national
Cups through this degrades those
competitions.Feedback from clubs
during the 2010 club surveys was
league rugby is important but getting
through to national cup and playing
teams outside of your county as a
non national league club was great,
it forged club relationships some
of which are now regular tours or
pre season fixtures. There was a
realisation that funding these cups
with travel support was an issue
though without a national sponsor.
National cups were and are very
popular with clubs and players, but
shouldn’t be compulsory, optional
entry, and played regionally initially
to reduce travel costs.County Cups
are currently failing due to clubs and
players prioritising league rugby and
need a window to survive, could they
be linked to National cup, knocked
out in first/second round of Nationals
go to County? Guarantees all clubs at
least 2 cup fixtures. Possibly round 1
last Sat in August? Not sure what is
meant by Divisional cup rugby?
58. No comment.
59. Cup Rugby is an important part of
the playing offer to players but has
sadly been downgraded by clubs over
recent years in favour of league rugby.
The opportunity to play in a knockout
county, divisional or national cup
structure I personally think is
important for players as it adds
enjoyment and excitement top the
season and offers another opportunity
to achieve success.
62. 63. Lack of buy in from clubs at present
to County rugby and above due to
league pressures Cup rugby & county
rugby of paramount importance to
CB not the players The experience of
playing at Twickenham is special and
of major importance to the players
however the above comments needs
to be considered
National based competitions are
a good way of ‘meeting’ new clubs
outside your normal playing area
and so are welcomed by most clubs.
As you move up the playing levels
(perhaps level 6 and above) there are
a number of sponsors/financiers who
regard league success as the measure
of their investment and therefore
Cup rugby tends to take a back seat.
County rugby is going downhill at the
moment as there appears to be a great
divide between the haves and the
have not’s across individual Counties.
64. No comment.
65.
I do feel that League position is more
important to clubs, but everyone loves
a little cup run!
66. I think there is a place for Cup rugby,
but not in its current form. Holding
it at the beginning of the season as
a pre season competition maybe one
option.
67. No comment.
68. As a player and a coach Cup rugby
is always nice to be involved in and
a good way to put yourself against
teams you may not get chance to play
otherwise. The worry with a cup run
is over playing players. I feel there is
a place for it however with the current
league structure it becomes more
difficult.
69. No comment.
70. Cup rugby can be a distraction from
league rugby. This can be positive
and negative depending on the
circumstance. Better structured cup
competitions, that don’t interfere with
league rugby is possibly the best way
forward. I don’t think cups should be
scrapped altogether but there needs
to be a better balance between cups
and leagues and friendlies.
71. No comment.
72. No comment.
73. Cup rugby is important in its own
right and gives clubs the opportunity
to play in more than one competition.
A National Cup competition
with tiers allows small clubs the
opportunity to play at Twickenham
which is very important to them.
74. No comment.
75. Cup Rugby is important but is being
killed off as there are too many league
games, it might be a good idea to play
them at the end of the season.
76. Cup Rugby at all levels is important,
as it gives the Clubs the opportunity
to play teams from different regions
and levels of play.
77. National cups are not important up in
Cumbria and sometimes we struggle
to get teams to compete in these
anyway given the large amount of
other commitments that other clubs
have. I am not convinced about cup
rugby in Cumbria as many clubs
seem to think that it is a hindrance
more than a help. We moved to a
tiered structure a few years ago
which has helped reinvigorate the
competition but some teams still
choose not to participate and thus
some teams reach the ‘final’ without
actually having to play a fixture!
78. No comment.
79. No comment.
80. No comment.
81. Although cup rugby will always come
behind league rugby the excitement
and challenges thrown up by cup
rugby add to the season.
82. No comment.
Appendix 13
83. The feedback from clubs on cup
rugby is that generally they aren’t
too bothered by it. Many clubs in
Somerset at Level 7 and below are not
interested as the CB enforce matches
to be played on a Sunday, often after
a league game on a Saturday. The
structure is not appropriate for these
clubs. If a timetable could be devised
where matches weren’t scheduled on
back-to-back days, the interest in Cup
rugby may increase.
not taking seriously enough by the
clubs. How can you get to a final and
it not be played what message are we
sending to juniors exc….???
Appendix 13
99. No comment.
100. Cup rugby is floored in its current
structure, county cups can often
match up teams several levels apart
and in doing so generate missmatches and cry-offs.
88. No comment.
89. No comment.
90. No comment.
91. No comment.
92. No comment.
Cup rugby is great and it would be
great to play at Twickenham, but
there are more important issues than
to play at Twickenham .
93. No comment.
94. No comment.
95. No comment.
105. I would play county cup rugby before
the season so clubs can use it as
preseason.
85. No comment.
96. No comment.
106.
86. No comment.
97. 87. This year Mowden Park had an
excellent season winning N3 North
and getting to the Durham County
Cup Final now for anybody playing
sports to win a league and get to a
final is a massive achievement but
unfortunately the Cup final never got
played due to Westoe been unable to
play the game on the set date which
meant the final didn’t go ahead so I
strongly agree that Cup rugby just is
Cup rugby can provide a welcome
change to the league format and
teams do the enjoy the variety it may
bring in terms of opposition however
the distance required to fulfil some
fixtures is an issue.Teams who don’t
place much emphasis on the cups
often field weaker teams or give
walkover’s so maybe they should have
the option of opting out?
84. 98. No comment.
101. No comment.
102. No comment.
103. No comment.
104. No comment.
Teams enjoy playing teams they
don’t normally play - Playing teams
above your standard gives you that
motivation and a new challenge.
107. Some clubs choose not to participate
in cup competitions to allow their
players a weekend off. It is the clubs
who have limited strength in depth
that struggle the most with the cup
fixtures.
108. No comment.
109. No comment.
110. No comment.
111. The problem with some cup
competitions is that it’s not supported
by all clubs i.e. they have other
priorities
112. No comment.
113. I strongly disagree with the statement
that Cup rugby should be scrapped in
total. I feel this offers and opportunity
for players with weaker ability to
also compete in a good and sensible
structure, however I do agree that
these to different competitions should
not cross each other. This creates a
massive problem for coaches at all
levels and all clubs.County Cup rugby
adds massive value to the players and
the County Sport in a total. The richer
the clubs get with players the better
the County Sport as a total will get.
116. Cup rugby adds to the all-round
experience for players, and at certain
times provides a great experience.
CB cup rugby is too dictatorial and
as such becomes a means to an end.
I would also question the need for
a national cup, what is it for? We
already have the opportunity to
play against teams from other CB’s
through the league structure. Is it
competition for competition sake?
117. Cup Competitions played at the end
of the season, on completion of the
league programme could encourage
greater priority from clubs. It could
also offer clubs the environment to
integrate colts and younger players
into senior squads in preparation for
the following season.
(Levels 10 – 8) probably appreciate
county cup rugby competitions
as there are often not enough
league fixtures to provide regular
rugby. Quite often cup rugby is an
inconvenience for amateur clubs at
Levels 6 and 7 as they have relatively
small squads and having to fit cup
rugby in amongst league fixtures is
often very difficult, especially when
some league fixtures are postponed
due to the weather and pitch
conditions. The semi-professional
clubs at Levels 4 and 5 would
probably prefer to concentrate on cup
rugby towards the end of the season
when most league games have been
completed.
121. No comment.
118. No comment.
122. No comment.
114. Cup comps that give players at lowly
clubs the chance to play at TW1 is
very important. The journey and
the experience has wider reaching
benefits than to only the players.
119. Cup rugby can provide a good outlet
from week to week league rugby and
can have a significant impact on
Teams seasons in terms of achieving
success outside of the league
structure.
123. No comment.
115. Some would argue at the lower ends
that league rugby has destroyed the
game and is not what the players
want.
120. Again this depends on where within
the leagues clubs are positioned.
Those clubs in the lower leagues
124. The county cups are already
struggling because of the
commitment needed for the large
amount of ‘league pressure’ games. A
national cup was always a welcome
break in the season and coaches/
players nearly always looked
forward to the cup games. Since the
Appendix 13
national cups have gone so has the
enthusiasm for county cups. How
can you NOT have a national cup
completion.
125. Cup rugby needs to mean something
and be used correctly to promote
the better teams and open up teams
that during the season they have not
played.Struggle to understand the”
Cup overview” in CB’s and players
would not have any idea.
126. No comment.
127. No comment.
128. Cup rugby is an important part
of the season and offers clubs the
opportunity to play against different
opposition and in some cases test
themselves against better opposition.
The loss of the old ‘full’ National
Knockout Structure was a shame, and
I would be keen to see it returned.
129. No comment.
130. It can be difficult to accommodate
all clubs varying levels. Some CB are
much stronger than others so more
competitions would be needed to
cater for all levels.
131. I would get rid of cup rugby
completely as part of reducing the
length of the season and replace
it with play offs to decide league
champions so there was an element
of knock out rugby in the season.
The number of players who ever
get anywhere close to experiencing
playing at Twickenham is a miniscule
percentage of the amateur playing
population so it is irrelevant to
maintaining their interest in the
game.
132. The cup competitions need to be
simplified as there can be two or
three competitions that any club
can compete in. It would make more
sense, and easier to arrange, if the
competitions started out at county
level, developing into divisional
level and then in the later stages
become the national competition.
That way you are less likely to have
the situation that occurred last season
with teams have to continually move
matches because bad weather and
the fact that the club was in multiple
competitions at the same time.
133. No comment.
134. No comment.
Appendix 13
135. I support the idea of cup rugby on
a national level. I believe that the
County cup structure is now out
dated and does not motivate clubs to
play, particularly when there is often a
big level variation between entrants.
I think that the old National cup were
excellent and offered clubs a different
experience with a monetary benefit.
136. No comment.
3. SEASONALITY
Neither
Agreeagree nor Disagree
Don’t
Totals
strongly Agree disagreeDisagreestrongly know
The structured season, between the beginning of September
and the end of April, currently lasts too long
17
38
27
486136
The structured season, between the beginning of September
and the end of April, is currently too short to accommodate
all the rugby that is being played
8
25
28
5816 135
There should be fewer league matches played during the
structured season, to allow teams, players and match officials
some free weekends away from rugby
21
592132 3 136
There should be a mid-season break scheduled within the
season to allow teams, players and match officials some time off 22
442639 4 1 136
Serious consideration should be given to moving the season
away from the winter and into the summer months
8
20
More matches should be played on different days of the week,
i.e., not just Saturdays, to reflect changing work patterns
16
413931 9 136
More matches should be played on a midweek evening, to
allow teams, players and match officials time off at weekends
12
443338 8 1136
20
4839 1136
Appendix 13
Seasonality comments
6. No comment.
1. Again based on the women’s game
but I think the season times are fine.
I’ve played a bit of league over the
summer and the ground is too hard to
play on! I think as for midweek games
are great for cup games and merit
leagues.
7. No comment.
8. I think there is place for midweek
matches if clubs can’t play their
Saturday matches. The clubs should
have floodlight facilities so the kick
off times is not too early.
2. No comment.
9. 3. Players have already got so much
prior school commitments and they
find it difficult to commit to the
mid-week games. As well as they do
have an obligations to school sport
as well. I do feel that the break that
the players get over Christmas is
sufficient enough for them. There is
more than enough matches through
the season to make it a success, and
it gives some of the clubs who have
more players the chance to play all
players across their squad. If indeed
some clubs find this difficult to do
then a game can be postponed to
another date.
4. No comment.
5. The season could be structured better
to allow the re-emergence of CB cups
as per previous comments.
I think a lot of this is dependant
on whether it’s Level 3 or 10 as it
changes so much! I strongly disagree
we should move to summer months,
Rugby 15 a side is a winter sport and
pitches are far safer at this time for
that format. Mid week games could
form a problem for a lot of teams
especially with floodlight issues etc,
I think the current continuum works
very well.
10. No comment.
11. No comment.
12. No comment.
13. It’s too short because there is too
much rugby that “needs” to be played.
Allow option of weekends off or play
friendlies. Non Saturday fixtures only
if both teams agree.
14. ‘Play by dates’ instead of purely
Appendix 13
Saturday fixtures, would allow for
greater flexibility and also may help
clubs to recruit new players who
would not otherwise be able to play
through work commitments.
15. No comment.
16. No comment.
17. The movement of Rugby to Summer
would create a disjointed link
between Schools and Junior sections
and also the facility’s that some clubs
use are multisport. The RFL have
undertaken a switch to summer and
in the first season the sides playing
regular rugby in Yorkshire have
numbered 20 in two divisions (255
teams nationwide, David Gent press
release). The previous year there was
5 full leagues of 12. A facility audit
should be completed first toensure
that a changeover of seasons would
not affect the participation rates in
Rugby Union. 1st XV matches should
be played on Saturday afternoons as
they are currently doing but flexibility
with 2nd XV, 3rd XV matches could
be employed so that matches could
be played under floodlights.Again
an audit of facilities is important as
clubs may not have the appropriate
facilities, Lights or an impact of other
sports on site.
18. 19. 20. If teams are close enough to play
midweek fixtures and have suitable
lights or games to be played in the
lighter months I think this would be
great for all people involved (and my
wife!!!).
league (where I have a coaching
involvement) there are 16 league
games consecutively up until Xmas?
Imagine being a front row player, on
average 18 scrums a game?
23. Most clubs tend to get some breaks
over Christmas usually 2 weeks and
the odd Saturday off,
Over the last couple of seasons teams
have had up to 5 weeks of due to
weather, move to summer months and
let the boys play.
24. No comment.
25. No comment.
26. No comment.
There should be fewer league
matches played during the structured
season, to allow teams, players and
match officials some free weekends
away from rugby. Clubs are
dependant on the income from the
season so decreasing the number
of league games will in crease
the financial pressures on a club.
More matches should be played on
different days of the week, i.e., not
just Saturdays, to reflect changing
work patterns. In my experience this
happens from time to time.
27. Consider all Cup games are NOT
played on Saturdays, option for
Mid week under lights or Sunday
afternoons as an alternative? Gives
players and families a Saturday off ,
but numbers of games maintained.
21. No comment.
22. There needs to be a break at
some point midway? At national
28. No comment.
29. Swings and roundabouts regarding
midweek’s. I think some players
will enjoy this and enjoy having
weekends free, however for those
who work eveningsduring the week
– they could be lost. There is also
question of facilities to support this
(esp. if in winter and need lights).
General feeling is that with the cup
competitions there is a lot of rugby
in the year then with addition of 7’s /
touch which extends this– this is true
also for volunteers etc who also just
want a break by the end of it.
30. A 10 team league would be preferable,
as only 18 games a season is ideal.
This would also allow the leagues to
be far more competitive at the lower
levels. Summer rugby is not suitable
for teachers. Midweek games are
something I would welcome, as long
as the games are picked at the start of
the season. Ideally for derby games,
local rivalries, where the travel is
under 30 minutes.
31. Most of the answers given apply to
1st XVs, however if I would answer
differently for the lower teams in
a club as they play more for social
reasons than competition, and I feel
for these teams less games and more
flexibility would benefit them and
help retention.
32. In my opinion the current league
season is just to long. We currently
play from the 2nd weekend in Aug
till the last weekend in April with no
more than a hand full of weekends off
and 2 of them are xmas and new year.
Appendix 13
Seasons should be shorter with few
teams in them. Pre season should be
made up of local county cup games
which at that time of year could be
mid week. New Zealand season is
much more balanced meaning players
stay fresh and had less injuries.
Appendix 13
season is as long as it is to allow the
fixtures to be played. There is no need
to adjust this as any shorter would
prevent all the games being played.
41. I think games should be able to be
played Friday nights when both
teams agree. Especial on international
weekend.
should be Sept – End of May.
However, weekends off are key to
do other activities, maybe play more
friendlies to allow development of
senior colts into 1st team matches but
as a friendly. Length of season and
games on the weekend are crucial
to small clubs i.e. 2 teams or less to
bring more money into the club via
bar takings.
33. No comment.
34. No comment.
42. No comment.
35. No comment.
43. No comment.
51. No comment.
36. No comment.
44. 52. 37. I think that we definitely need to look
at other options to play games on. E.g.
local level Friday night games etc. We
lose so many players due to the 3pm
Saturday afternoon structure
Keep our season, let’s not go the RL
way. The season is not too long or too
short it is determined by how much
you try to cram into those 8 months!
The season is probably the right
length and covers the right months
currently.Smaller leagues/fewer
matches would allow the club/players
the choice regarding free weekends.
Would be interested to know how a
mid-season break might work, but
pitches also take a battering at this
time of year.Summer rugby is not
a good idea but 7’s should cater for
this as the infrastructure to support
it grows. Evidence that midweek and
Friday night games have been well
received, especially by colts and vets
teams where the social element is
vital.
38. No comment.
39. No comment.
40. Rugby is traditionally played on a
Saturday and therefore people are
already prepared for this, if you
include 1 or two nights training, 3
days of the week are gone and if you
added in mid-week competition to
this over half the week involves rugby,
this will act as a deterrent to players
due to time commitments. The league
45. No comment.
46. No comment.
47. In the previous comment box I made
reference to how long the season
should be to allow for other formats
of the game to be played and thus
allowing players to have an off
season.
48. No comment.
49. Not all teams have flood lights good
enough to play evening games under.
50. In my opinion, the rugby season
53. No comment.
54. No comment.
55. No comment.
56. Season is very tough at all levels
especially at levels where you have
teams paying players £1000 a month
and others just for the love of it! It’s
hard to field teams when six nations
is going on. When I played in Ireland
all games were off to allow players a
break and support their country!! The
hoops you have to jump through just
to get a fixture played 30 mins early
so the players can watch their country
is a joke!!
57. The current season length is ok,
but doesn’t allow for bad weather
and extended cup runs, or a 7’s
window, for 7’s to grow it needs
a window in current season, Cup
and/or 7’s window would give the
clubs a choice.I believe we should
have a Winter break, incorporating
Christmas, which would allow clubs
flexibility to arrange local derbies,
returning student fixtures, or rest
etc. Shared points for weathered
off fixtures would prevent current
problems with end of season
congestion, and ensure cups and 7’s
window will be respected. Max 14
team leagues, with a winter break (3
weeks over Christmas?) with April/
May National Cups (regional initially)
and 7’s.
58. No comment.
59. Flexibility of season length, number
of league games and when the games
are played needs to be looked at in
relation to the different levels of the
game and the needs and aspirations
of the players at those levels. Social
rugby for instance does not have to
follow the same league structure for
the teams playing at say levels 6 and
above.
60. No comment.
61. It is hard to comment on the number
of league games to be played as each
league is different within Yorkshire
so for a 12 team league it might be
right but for a 14 team league it might
not so it can’t be agreed or disagreed
as a common statement. If we are
going to develop 7’s and touch the
contact seasons needs to consider
how it has a definite start and end as
only 2 years ago the bad weather lead
to league games taking place well
into May, which in turn lead to the
cancellation of traditional 7’s. If 7’s
and touch is to be embedded into the
calendar it can’t be the first thing to
be pushed back or postponed.
62. More mid week matches would be
great however needs a significant
shift in attitudes & traditionsMid
week games require certain facilities
such as floodlights currently a barrier
Sometimes having a ‘break’ from
regular weekend rugby effects player
retention as they find other things to
do and get out of the habitA typical
scenario is clubs struggling to field
teams on ‘friendly’ weekends as see
this as a ‘week off’A typical 7s season
has disappeared due to length of
season and need to have a rest after
intense league competition – 7s exists
mainly in ‘invitation’ teams not clubs
63. The structure of the current season
is fine, although issues always arise
around February as pitches tend to
become victims of the weather. Clubs
should become more creative about
where and when games are played.
At my own club we are looking to
launch a Friday night league for U20’s
players. With the demise of the Colts
(U19’s) rugby we have a number of
players who, whilst still at school/
Appendix 13
college/Uni work at weekends in local
supermarkets. This limits also going
to look at playing 2nd / 3rd Xv games
on a Friday evening. This will allow
to ensure we have players available
(those who want more than one
game) on the Saturday for the other
lower sides.
64. No comment.
65. No comment.
66. The difficulty with playing evening
games and games on different days
could be player availability and
lack of facilities e.g. floodlights etc.
However if clubs are in agreement
then games could be arranged to suit.
67. No comment.
68. The season as it stands seems very
long and with a harsh winter can lead
some senior teams to be finishing
off the league at the end of may.I
think we must be careful if we look at
moving to summer as we have a lot of
players that may already play cricket
and in the north Rugby League (as it
is now a summer sport at all levels)
69. No comment.
70. The season last too long when it
is consistent league rugby. Could
we introduce a rest period half way
through the season? Perhaps block
periods off? i.e. this period is for
leagues, this period is for friendlies,
this period is for 7s / 10s / touch and
this period for cups and this period
for rep rugby?
71. No comment.
72. Mid-season break already occurs at
Christmas/New Year
73. Midweek and evening matches are
very good but few clubs have Match
quality lights and pitches to cope
with evening games.
74. 75. Friday evening fixtures are viable
for teams in close proximity to
each other, particularly for second
teams which allows greater usage of
club facilities and clarity with team
selections.
The season is far too long!!!! It gives
no time for a proper off season for
people to develop themselves. By
shortening the season it would also
allow the other forms of the game to
grow e.g. touch, 7’s would also allow
cup rugby to reinvent itself along
Appendix 13
with growing County Rugby.
76. 77. golf, athletics etc… are all going to
be more popular in the summer. I
think league matches to a certain
level should be on Saturdays as the
structure works however down the
levels consideration must be given
to different days of participation
particularly with the growing
numbers of floodlights on club
facilities.
The season should be from
September to April. If you take away
the play-off system and allow the
winner of the League to be promoted,
then you will have more time to play
Cup competitions and still finish in
the “Season”!
The current season length seems ok
to me and that is the impression I
get from the clubs, however there is
too much rugby trying to be packed
into this season with all the National
& Local Cups which are put in place.
The idea of having some free time
for players / officials during the
season has been something that
clubs have mentioned during visits
and certainly worth exploring. I don’t
think a scheduled mid-season break is
the best way to integrate this period
of non-activity as players could drift
away from the game, lose fitness
etc… Many of our players play other
traditional summer sports so I do not
thing we should change the season as
per rugby league. We have some RL
players crossing over and vice versa
with the current changes in place so
it has been a benefit. Cricket, tennis,
78. Flexibility in when teams play should
be allowed as this would create much
better opportunities for all to be
involved.
79. No comment.
80. Midweek matches depends on
facilities and during winter months
would be difficult to constantly fulfil.
81. No comment.
82. No comment.
83. We must offer a wider range of
flexibility around the playing
calendar. Clubs would buy into the
idea of playing midweek evening
games to free up weekend schedules
at the club. This would both help
capacity issues at the club, and allow
the club to generate money mid week.
84. The congestion of games comes
down, to many teams in the league.
Start of Sept - first two rounds of the
County Cup. Then the league. After
the league you’re semi-final and final
of the county Cup. To finish midApril. County Championship starts
end of April.
85. Many of these points (especially the
last 3) I would need more information
on so I can make an informed
decision. For example the views from
players, officials, clubs etc.
86. No comment.
87. I feel that it would be good to have
some free weekends in the season
and maybe there could be a longer
break in the winter period due to the
weather conditions exc. But if you ask
every Rugby player Saturday is there
day for Rugby but more mid-week
games could be an idea to free up
some weekends.
88. No comment.
89. No comment.
90. It’s a winter game after all! Plus the
seasons are changing and sept, oct
and November are good weather-
wise. A break over Christmas would
be good to miss the terrible weather
which causes games to be missed
anyways.
91. The season isn’t too long however it
can become longer with cancelled/
rearranged matches needing to
be played due to poor weather.
Structuring the fixtures with a break
over a winter month may be better
as games struggle to be played
at that time anyway. Moving the
season to summer would possibly
cause fewer interruptions to the
fixtures. Flexibility when to play
matches(evenings/midweek) could
be beneficial to teams with changing
work patterns but should be an option
if the game cannot be played on the
usual day.
92. No comment.
93. No comment.
94. I would like to see a 4 week break
around the Christmas / January
period to coincide with adverse
weather.
95. With regards to the last question if
a club has floodlight facilities then
midweek / Friday night games would
Appendix 13
be a good option.
96. No comment.
97. We have to accept to that traditional
2pm/3pm Saturday kick offs are not
as viable as they once were. Floodlit
evening games should be explored as
should Friday night rugby matches,
allowing players a whole weekend off.
More and more of the clubs I liaise
with on a daily basis are complaining
about the higher levels of injuries
to players, perhaps this is due to
overuse?
98. Having a winter break (e.g. no rugby
during December + January) should
mean that the worst weather is
missed, players get to less pressure
off family during the holiday season.
Clubs can still train and maintain
fitness. Clubhouses can focus on the
Christmas party market for income.
This works extremely well in other
countries (this was the format in
USA when I played there). I strongly
believe if the game wishes to move
forward and grow it should be played
in the Summer. Simply seeing the
difference in quality of rugby played
at the start and end of season (when
the weather is better and pitches are
Appendix 13
in better condition) compared to the
mid-winter games is proof enough. It
is more FUN when the conditions are
better. People play for FUN.
99. season is too many as the physicality
of the leagues over the last 10 years
is a lot more demanding on players.
A free weekend before Christmas
is a must as it is solid rugby up to
Christmas where as a weekend of in
November would be nice as well as
two weeks at Christmas.
No comment.
100. The current commitment required
from players is huge, any opportunity
to give more rest weekends would be
welcomed. The game should not be
moved to the summer, it would be too
bigger shift in the whole dynamic of
the sport.
101. No comment.
102. As I come from Wales the teams don’t
play on internationals there for teams
geta well deserved rest furring the 6
nations
103. The season should be fluid in length
thus not forcing clubs to play in
atrocious conditions that neither
allow players nor the pitches an
opportunity to excel. One weekend
of rugby on a poor pitch can ruin the
rest of the season.
104. Friday Night Lights!!!!!!!!!
105. As a player still playing in the
National leagues I think a 30 game
106. Time off maybe at Christmas - No
rugby the week before Christmas Which can allow clubs to arrange
local games.
107. Suggest a playing season from
September until the 2nd Week
in December. Winter break.
Recommence season February and
using the months of May & June.
Overview of Season - August - Pre season
September to mid-April: League
Rugby – (League being the priority
competition for the RFU and club)
May & June : Club Cup & 7’s
Tournament– , (Those players who
participate in summer sport are free
to play their chosen sport)Challenges
with other sports i.e. Cricket will be
strong consideration Midweek games
: Especially Friday night thrillers, I
believe would be positively received
especially when the natural light
allows for all clubs to play
then a game can be postponed to
another date.
summer’s probably been worse than
the winter).
114. There should be fewer league
matches to accommodate other rugby
opportunities (not weekends away
from rugby).
120. No comment.
115. Not so sure about the break in the
adult game, but definitely would like
to see in the junior game.
123. No comment.
111. I think we have a good system already
but having played in summer months
I do prefer it as it’s faster and more
entertaining.
116. The leagues are too big thus not
allowing teams to play traditional
local friendlies or allow time off for
internationals, skiing season all of
which are part of modern life.
125. Great questions as above, because we
play home and away Clubs don’t want
to miss out, make the games less and
get bigger attendance.
112. No comment.
117. 113. Players have already got so much
prior school commitments and they
find it difficult to commit to the
mid-week games. As well as they do
have an obligations to school sport
as well. I do feel that the break that
the players get over Christmas is
sufficient enough for them. There is
more than enough matches through
the season to make it a success, and
it gives some of the clubs who have
more players the chance to play all
players across their squad. If indeed
some clubs find this difficult to do
118. No comment.
108. Current season structure is way too
long with little time for players to
experience other sports which is
important for their development.
109. No comment.
110. No comment.
No comment.
119. The league structure and format
currently worked well during my time
as a head coach at levels 7 and 8. Mid
week games are difficult to get buy
in from players for and as a result
end in weakened teams or game
cancelations. The season is long but
there are normally natural breaks
caused by weather conditions during
this time. Rugby during the summer
months would be dangerous due to
pitches being to hard or flooded (This
121. No comment.
122. No comment.
124. No comment.
126. Bad weather, especially in the north,
during November/Dec/Jan can cause
a lot of matches to be postponed so
there should be a time at the end of
the season to allow these fixtures to
be played.
127. No comment.
128. Leagues should be reduced in size,
to allow for more free weekends, as
stated previously, to allow clubs to
take part in cup and friendly fixtures.
This would also allow more flexibility
for re-arranging games due to adverse
weather etc.
129. No comment.
Appendix 13
130. No comment.
131. My two favourite seasons coaching
were when I coached in New Zealand
and Australia for several reasons:
1)The big reason was that the season
was a maximum of 24 games long
(including pre-season games and
play off games). This meant there was
a clear four month block away from
rugby before structured pre-season
started which was fantastic. This
summer all the local clubs in South
East Hampshire had started preseason within six weeks of the end of
the season. All the clubs struggle with
training numbers during the season,
a large number of players struggle
with overuse injuries and I believe
the quality of coaching is affected by
coaches getting burnt out and players
tuning out coaches who have to try
and motivate them for nine months a
year.
2) Also, the vast majority of away
games were within an easy 30 minute
drive, which meant it did not take up
a whole day.
3) have attached two documents
which I produced a couple of years
ago detailing 1, how I would structure
the season and 2, the reasoning
behind having smaller leagues and
end of season play offs, similar in
structure to the Rugby League Super
league play offs (mirroring what is
done in club rugby in the southern
hemisphere) with time and resource
put into making these end of season
games major events. In addition by
shortening the club season you could
reinvigorate adult representative
rugby. (County and Divisional).
132. Some of the leagues are too big but
if you reduce the numbers of league
and cup games then most clubs will
just arrange friendly matches to fill in
the gaps. As for the days that matches
are played on, Saturday should stay
as the dominant day, but clubs should
be encouraged to play fixtures that
are on the same day as internationals
either on a Friday night if it is
possible or a Sunday so that they
don’t have to miss out on players who
are attending Twickenham.
Appendix 13
is too long as it currently stands.
Including pre-season training the
season as a whole takes up 10 months.
136. At National league level the flexibility
of being able to play on a Friday night
or a Sunday to enable getting more
supporters through the door could be
a good option.
4. TRAVEL AND COST
Neither
Agreeagree nor Disagree
Don’t
Totals
strongly Agree disagreeDisagreestrongly know
There is too much travel involved in fulfilling the
commitments of league rugby 20
393831 3 4135
There is too much travel involved in fulfilling the
commitments of cup rugby
8
30
The time spent travelling to and from matches is a significant
deterrent to the recruitment and retention of players
19
582428 3 3135
The cost of travelling to and from matches is a significant
deterrent to the recruitment and retention of players
10
553330 4 3135
Having to play within county boundaries creates travel
difficulties for a significant number of teams
7
29
Many teams and clubs are under considerable financial
pressure for reasons other than the cost of transport and travel
29
7126 5 4135
The payment of players is a significant problem for the
sustainability of club rugby
51
5417 8 4 1135
4645 3 3135
6029 1 9135
133. No comment.
The RFU should adopt legislation which controls the payment
of players at the lower levels of the league structure
55 45 13 18 3 134
134. No comment.
135. Personally I believe that the season
Appendix 13
Travel and cost comments
1. I play in RFUW Championship North
1, we play teams from the North East,
Lakenham Hewitt, Birmingham &
Buckingham so our travel costs/
times are a massive issue. This will
only get worse if we’re promoted
to the premiership but if you want
to play at the top level then there’s
no other way. The only way this will
get better if more work is put into
developing more clubs/teams in the
North/Midlands. Also some form of
financial help from the RFU for travel
costs. Another massive thing about
travel is the amount players have to
do just to get to a quality club. With
fuel prices on the increase, players
are struggling to get to training.
As for teams paying players, this is
something very new in the women’s
game but I don’t think you can really
stop it. It’s wrong for a club to pay
players if the club can’t afford to do
so.
2. No comment
3. I do think that there is a cost at
everything. I think the biggest
problem that some of the clubs
experience is that they travel 3
Hours to play a certain club just
to get the match cancelled due to
some reason. I think this is a bigger
problem between the clubs and as
per their travel. I do not feel that the
RFU should need anything to do with
paying of players. This is solely up
to the club and their management to
make the necessary decisions.
Appendix 13
12.
No comment.
13. No comment.
14. Although I agree with the last
statement, paying players would still
occur in some form and this would
merely put a lot of clubs outside
of the laws of the game. This is
probably dealt with better by a carrot
approach of educating the clubs on
sustainability and player pathways via
RDO / CRC’s.
4. No comment.
5. No comment.
6. No comment.
15. No comment.
7. No comment.
16. No comment.
8. If clubs are paying players they
should have to state this to other
clubs and players and how they
manage to do it.
17. CB’s employ an appropriate structure
of leagues with clubs understanding
the implications of Promotion
and relegation, and usually a club
treasurer will plan for decreased or
increased income from fluctuating
league performance. Payment of
players and coaches can be an issue,
however if this is dealt with a soft
touch it can be avoided. Usually clubs
will spend within their means sonot
to jeopardise the long term future of
the club. Advice is required to clubs
the issues of paying players/coaches/
employees as in most cases they
are unaware of financial pitfalls and
9. Travel is something a player has to
deal with to aspire to a higher level,
as the level reduces travel is very easy
and incredibly easy. Just the nature
of more successful teams having to
play teams equal in quality to them
and sometimes they can’t be found in
close proximity.
10. No comment.
11. No comment.
government regulation/laws. The
creation of a system of regulation
would be difficult to enforce, regulate
or monitor as in most cases payment
is not usually through club accounts
and is reliant upon a club benefactor.
return home to the original club.
Legislation would be good but almost
impossible to enforce as rules are
being flouted currently.
31. I feel strongly about the not paying
players at the lower leagues, it is not
sustainable in most cases and causes
divisions within the clubs.
21. No comment.
32. No comment.
22. No comment.
In my eyes legislation should be done
at every level below championship.
19. No comment.
23. No comment.
33. No comment.
20. Players are aware of the cost of travel
with many players travelling 45
minuets or more to play for a team
they feel is at there level / standard.
The extra travel cost is often met by
the club adding to the clubs financial
pressures. I do not think that the
recruitment or retention of players
is affected by player’s personal
expenditure considerations. If clubs
are ‘paying’ this is a massive draw
for players and from experience
younger players are more likely to
move for money (19 – 24) some times
on mass leaving clubs decimated.
No club would ever stop a talented
player moving up but many times the
movement is just to the club that is
paying the most be it a sideways or
downward move by the player. And
if the player does not make the grade
at the paying club they often do not
24. No comment.
34. No comment.
25. No comment.
35. No comment.
26. No comment.
36. No comment.
27. No comment.
37. 28. No comment.
29. Clubs playing players is large issue
as players leave their “home” club
to get some money. Any structure
where clubs can play other local
clubs (regardless of CB, Divisional
boundary) should be encouraged
(though my experience is that the
leagues are by and large quite good at
this)
In the lower leagues the idea of
travelling 2 and a half hours for a
game in your own car is a major
downside of playing.
38. No comment.
39. No comment.
40. No comment.
41. No comment.
42. No comment.
43. No comment.
44. If it could be achieved and if clubs
were to come clean about payment to
players then there should be a clear
divide that those who pay play in a
18. 30. Clubs should be allowed to pay if they
see fit. As long as it does not affect
the long term sustainability of the
club.
Appendix 13
league structure that is a level playing
field and the clubs that do not wish to
pay are able to play against one and
other. There are too many instances
where players are dropping down a
considerable number of leagues and
playing against amateurs who are not
as physically equipped to challenge
the players they are faced against.
The gap is huge and an accident is
waiting to happen! By splitting, the
clubs can be supported in their own
individual way. Paying clubs – more
of business support and None Paying
Clubs – development of players/
coaches etc.
45. No comment.
46. No comment.
47. Payments to players are very difficult
to monitor – if there is proven
evidence that clubs are paying players
and they then appeal for financial
help from RFU then this should
hamper their chances. Travel to
games has become more manageable
with leagues being restructured to
east/west and north/south.
48. No comment.
49. If clubs feel that players warrant
payment at lower levels then they
should be allowed to do so. However,
I do not agree with the import and
payment of players from overseas this
sends the wrong message to others
within the club and is a reason for
players to leave and juniors not to
stay at the club.
50. Travel does affect many clubs,
especially the players who are young.
But fuel costs do impact all clubs.
Hard cash payments to players are
unacceptable. Mileage claims are
justifiable.
51. No comment.
52. Most smaller clubs appreciate that
they can either play locally but play
stronger opposition, or travel further
for a more even contest – however
this does not mean that they like it
or find it easy to get players to travel
long distances.
For national and divisional leagues
the travel required can occasionally
take up a whole Saturday. This is a
large commitment alongside training
2 nights a week, that some players
cannot afford to make – some players
prefer local 2nd team rugby for this
Appendix 13
reason.
Payment of players ensures that any
team that has a significant playing
budget can make moves through the
leagues and word soon gets around.
Unsure how to police this but paying
players at lower level is detrimental to
the game.
53. No comment.
54. No comment.
55. Below National league there should
be no payment to players for playing.
You find in some leagues half the
teams pay and the other half do not
this creates a two tier league with
teams that pay in the top six and the
rest are a long way behind. It is not a
level playing field !
56. No comment.
57. Payment of players is a problem, when clubs over commit putting
themselves at risk, we shouldn’t
legislate against all to sort the
minority. If clubs can afford to pay
and also commit to coach education
for junior sections, are accredited and
have a sustainable development plan
etc and don’t over focus on First team
then fine, why not?
58. No comment.
59. No comment.
60. No comment.
61. Travel costs would need to be
considered for national cup rugby
which will be an issue without a
sponsor but clubs were in support of
it.
62. 63. Movement of players is significant
due to payment of players and causes
many issues within the County
payment should be regulated below
a certain level to stop this culture of
‘mercenaries’ Travelling distances
and therefore time is a significant
factor for player drop out in both male
and female game
The payment of players has had a
detrimental affect across the whole
spectrum of Community Rugby. We
are producing young players who
now expect ‘perks’ from playing,
we even have players being paid at
level 8. The situation needs to be
controlled quickly; the payment of
players produces unrealistic playing
results for individual clubs. While
those players are at the club success
and promotion comes to the club.
As soon as the money leaves so do
the players. The community game
is based on local clubs with local
players and local rivalries. If you are
good enough to be paid then you will
play at the higher levels. Mercenary
expectations of players will eventually
destroy the game as we know it.
64. No comment.
65. No comment.
66. Payment of players is a problem, but
I’m not sure how we can control this.
Clubs are always looking to recruit
the best players and will pay even
if they can’t afford it. By adopting
legislation we’ll just end up with
brown envelops in boots as in the
amateur days.
67. No comment.
68. In Cumbria to get anywhere you
must travel so I think players are
used to it. Keeping play within county
boundaries should be something that
is really looked at hard as some clubs
on the boarder of a county may end
up having to travel more if they are
forced that way. EG Cumbria is a big
county which take a long time travel
to get from one extreme to the other.
69. I believe the payment of players
creates issues far beyond league and
cup rugby but into problems between
clubs where they could/should
be working together to develop
the game, club finances are under
huge pressure where they could be
spending money on improving the
quality of experience or the quality
of their facilities to recruit and retain
players, instead they are trying to buy
loyalty.
70. Quite a contentious issue in rugby
is the payment of players. We need
to offer guidance and if necessary
legislate which level of the game
can pay and them have a cut off.
Travelling has been a noticeable
factor in many lower level clubs
dropping out of the league system
and entering the local merit leagues.
This is due to work commitments
and player unavailability and also the
travel costs.
71. No comment.
72. No comment.
Appendix 13
73. The RFU need to control the level of
payments in lower leagues.
74. Capping the payment of players
would encourage more young
talented players to play rugby league
if they could earn more. Teams should
be only allowed to only spend within
their own income affordability.
75. Regionalise the leagues
76. No comment.
77. Currently travel times do restrict the
recruitment and retention of players
for a number of clubs on my patch in
Cumbria. Personally being based on
the West Coast of Cumbria we often
have to supply cars as well as a bus
to get our players back to the county
for work commitments that have
been rearranged in the first place
to accommodate the games. Some
players cannot play away fixtures at
all due to the travel commitments
involved. I do not believe the cost
of travelling has an impact on
the recruitment and retention of
individuals directly, clubs are always
looking to recruit players to increase
numbers regardless of travel costs.
Being a rural county it is easier for
the clubs on the eastern side of the
county to get onto the motorways and
travel to Northumberland, Durham
or Lancashire to get fixtures, the
infrastructure means less travel time
(These clubs also have the option
of coming out to west Cumbria
but the roads are poor). The main
problem though is that clubs on the
west coast do not have this option
they must come east to play fixtures
as well as a few additional games
locally. If the east clubs travel out of
Cumbria though this minimises the
number of fixtures the clubs can play
thus losing players from the club
as a consequence of a non-regular
playing programme. Payment of
players always causes an imbalance
and is very unsustainable as once the
funding is removed the clubs suffer,
there is many anecdotal examples of
this across the country.
78.
No comment.
79. No comment.
80. No comment.
81. The travel for lower leagues needs
to be minimal to ensure they keep
players.
Appendix 13
82. No comment.
87. No comment.
83. We must offer a wider range of
flexibility around the playing
calendar. Clubs would buy into the
idea of playing midweek evening
games to free up weekend schedules
at the club. This would both help
capacity issues at the club, and allow
the club to generate money mid week.
88. No comment.
89. No comment.
90. Too much travel esp. in the national
leagues, players miss time off work to
play, clubs have to pay for players to
stay in hotels over night etc Difficult
to comment on the payment of
players as I have been a professional
player for 10 years, however I have
seen the good and the bad examples
and I think something should be done
to help clubs sustain themselves and
not bottom out financially.
83. 84. Travel and cost for the higher playing
level clubs is ever increasing and
is becoming a strain on resources.
The payment of players is an interest
debate, many clubs do pay players,
but at what level should the RFU
try to control this is a very good
question. The payment of coaches
and Directors of Rugby is also a
debate. Perhaps at Level 6 and below
= no player payment.
Some clubs are their own worst
enemy, trying to buy a team instead
of developing a team through their
own junior section. I believe someone
needs to get a control of the payment
of players.
85. No comment.
86. No comment.
91. Commitments for travel is dependent
on the support of the club, coaches/
travel expenses etc. The time involved
in travelling is more of a deterrent
than the cost more players are always
available for a home game than an
away game. Again it depends on the
commitment of the player and the
reasons they play rugby.
92. No comment.
93. The RFU should remain wary of
introducing any directive to clubs
on whether they can or cannot pay
players. This will appear unfair to
those clubs that provide ‘incentives’
for players i.e. university students
who receive their expenses to return
home to play at their own club or
even a local club. Although I think
that paying players is not sustainable
at the lower levels, there is a risk that
legislation on payment / incentives
will have a detrimental effect on
player numbers.
94. No comment.
95. No comment.
96. No comment.
97. In urban areas, particularly London
the distance is not often the problem,
the Herts. Middx League for example
– teams might only have to travel
12/13 miles however that journey in
London can be well over 2.5 hours.
This makes Saturday rugby an all day
sport which means clubs struggle
to recruit and more importantly
they struggle to retain players.Other
league structures should be explored
looking at transport links (A roads,
motorways and so on) For example
Middx/Surrey league incorporating
teams on the M4 corridor.We
should look at London and other
metropolitan areas differently and
produce a league format which
reflects the potential use of tubes/
buses/trains for example. We should
also look at earlier kick off times
(10.30am) for example for leagues
where travel/traffic is an issue. Finally
– Middx teams who live in close
vicinity to the stadium are still being
asked to travel to rural Hertfordshire
for a 3pm kick off meaning they have
to leave at 10am to avoid match day
traffic/congestion – this is not helping
these clubs to develop.
98. My club dropped out of the leagues
for a season purely because the
players did not want the travel
commitments imposed on them by
the re-structure.
99. No comment.
100. No comment.
101. The payment of players is getting out
of hand, there needs to be regulation
that below National 2 there is no
payment made to any player.
102. No comment.
103. For the lower sides in club rugby the
time and cost of travel seem to be
Appendix 13
limiting factors. It is a more frequent
occurrence for players not to be
available for away matches.
104. No comment.
105. I think the national league is a lot
of travel but if you are playing at a
decent standard that is something
you just get used to. I think paying
players will always happen and clubs
have to be careful.
106. No comment.
107. Travel is the major expense on all
clubs. Payment of players - I do not
have a full understanding of how
much players are being paid, at what
level of rugby players are being paid
and what impact that this has on the
financial position of the club to give
an objective opinion.
Utility cost are also a high
expenditure.
108. Paying players expenses makes it
more attractive to play rugby which
can help teams who otherwise
wouldn’t have the local player base to
choose from.
109. On the last point I do think that there
Appendix 13
should be control payment of players
but that it should be dealt with by
having leagues for CASC registered
clubs only.
players who were playing for the
opposition because they were being
paid. Typically these players were
big fish in little pond – i.e. more than
capable of playing at a much higher
level.
110. No comment.
111. I think travelling does put a strain
on certain players and clubs with the
cost and time commitments. I have
seen some lower leagued clubs climb
leagues due to buying in players then
a few years later parachuting down
as the money dries up and the clubs
look as if the money would have been
bet spent else were.
115. Depends on Cup competition, local or
national.
116.
112. No comment.
113. I do think that there is a cost at
everything. I think the biggest
problem that some of the clubs
experience is that they travel 3
Hours to play a certain club just
to get the match cancelled due to
some reason. I think this is a bigger
problem between the clubs and as
per their travel. I do not feel that the
RFU should need anything to do with
paying of players. This is solely up
to the club and their management to
make the necessary decisions.
114. I despised and feared playing against
117. I am not sure cost is a significant
factor when considering most
clubs across the game don’t have
to travel too far. The payment of
players happened during the nonprofessional time and didn’t deter
or significantly impact the clubs,
the issue seems to be promotion
and relegation where paying better
players to fulfil the ambition of
committee members costs more than
many clubs can sustain.
No comment.
118. No comment.
119. The payment of players within certain
leagues makes it very difficult to
compete and get promoted. It will be
very difficult to legislate as I know
the RFU already try to do as there are
a lot of back hand payments that no
one knows about.
120. Too much travel – yes for lower
league amateur clubs. Semiprofessional higher league clubs
probably expect to travel further to
play competitive games. Maybe all
clubs that play below level 5 or 6
should not be allowed to pay players,
then all things would be equal. The
recruitment and retention of players
would depend on the what the club
offers players in terms of playing
experience and not on how much
money they are being given.
121. No comment.
122. No comment.
123. No comment.
124. No comment.
125. Cost is due to playing league rugby
and travelling up the motorway for
3hrs to play in front of 12 of your
supporters, Clubs have learnt to live
within their budgets.
126. No comment.
127. No comment.
128.
No comment.
129. No comment.
130. Some clubs pay players a ‘fair wack’
to play for the club. This is only
sustainable for as long as the private
investor is keen on parting with their
money.
131. This is relevant above a certain level
in the leagues.
In New Zealand and Australia
payment of players below provincial
and state level is prohibited. There
should be no payment below a certain
level and above that a salary cap
based on a proportion of a club’s
income with restrictions on how
much can be funded by private
individuals as opposed to the club’s
own revenue streams.
132. Most issues that relate to travel time
and cost are with the lower clubs as
they require their players to doing the
travelling in their own cars. I know
how much this can cost and have
recently turned down a coaching
position because of the costs that I
would incur travelling down to the
south coast every other weekend.
Paying players can be a problem for
sustain clubs but that is the clubs
choice to do so. If they are not in a
position to pay players then they
shouldn’t and find their natural level
as a club. Paying coaches can also be
an issue for clubs as they can find it
difficult to attract someone when they
don’t have the necessary resources in
house.
133. No comment.
134. If clubs cant afford to pay players
then they shouldn’t. teams that can
afford that luxury are lucky but within
their right to do so.
135. At 1st team level the amount of
travelling is fine as far as I am
concerned with regards to the
recruitment and retention of players.
Players at this level know exactly
what will be required of them at the
start of the season. It is a huge issue
though at lower team level. Where
players play for social reasons an
hour or more trip to play a match is
undesirable and makes the retention
of teams much more difficult. I
believe players at this level would
quite happily play against a much
smaller pool of teams local to them 3
or 4 times each season.
136. No comment.
Appendix 13
Appendix 13
5. SUNDRY ISSUES
Neither
Agreeagree nor Disagree
Don’t
Totals
strongly Agree disagreeDisagreestrongly know
There should be dedicated leagues for 2nd XVs and other
lower teams, and these should not compete in the 1st XV
league structure
22
553121 5 1135
It’s OK for 2nd XVs to compete in the 1st XV league structure,
as long as they don’t compete in the same league as their 1st XV 12
56233310 1135
University teams should be included in the club league structure
if they wish to enter, and they are strong enough to compete
23
731219 6 1134
The ambitions of the stronger university teams should be
met by an improved students league structure, and not by
the club leagues
22
38
4723 3 2135
Sevens and Touch should have their own competitive structures
which run in parallel with the winter league season 9
31
30
Player registration systems are over complicated, and
present a barrier to the playing of matches at lower levels
19
4341 21 2 9135
CBs, with the consent of the RFU, should be allowed to vary
Regulations to encourage more matches to be played
27
6427 13 1 3135
The introduction of rolling Subs will help with the retention
of players
39
512613 2 4135
Sundry issues comments
8. No comment.
1. I think it would be a great idea to
have 7’s and touch leagues that
run over the summer. Same league
structure as the winter 15’s league so
creating another couple of teams at
clubs.
9. No comment.
10. No comment.
11. No comment.
12. No comment.
2. No comment.
13. 3. I think it should be paramount that
there should be a dedicated 2nd XV
league. Most of the clubs have a big
problem with getting competitive
fixtures for the 2nd teams. Sevens
and Touch should stay a summer
activity as this is when you can start
your recruitment for your next season.
I think the rolling subs system will
have it benefits to the game and that
clubs will take easy to this change.
Stronger University teams should be
in with stronger club or Universities.
Competitiveness should be excellent
across the league.
Sevens and Touch should not have
leagues – they are recreational and
should remain so – play for fun – apart
from the elite level.
14. No comment.
15. No comment.
16. No comment.
17. Player movement and appropriate
provision of clubs means that 2nd
XV’s are development sides, and
should be used as such. Some clubs
enter 2nd XV’s into leagues under
regulation 13, which is fine if they are
very high level club if it is monitored
and appropriate. The purpose of
Clubs to enter into organised 1st
XV leagues is to gain appropriate
fixtures for their team and retain
players. However if the 2nd XV was
developed appropriately then they
could find level fixtures to develop
4915 134
4. No comment.
5. No comment.
6. No comment.
7. No comment.
players. The differentiation between
club 2nd XV’s and other club 1st
XV’s may become an issue. The
RFL have allowed this as a sport in
Yorkshire and the problems have
been if there is “cry offs” in the 1st
XV the 2nd XV in a lower league
structure suffers and the sanctity
of the competition is jeopardised.
University Teams who have entered
into the leagues have usually found
retention of players in the league
season difficult, Team Northumbria
and Leeds Met are examples. If the
amount and timing of games was
to change then they could compete,
however appropriate competition is
provided for Uni’s in most cases on
Wednesdays. 7’s and Touch should
be retained within the end of the
season and summer periods. Clubs
use 7’s and touch as a tool to keep
players fit and prepared for the
15 a side season. More should be
provided for in Summer (May, June,
July) for players to play in affordable
well organised competition. This
strategy would retain players within
the RFU structures but also allow
for recruitment of new players and
development of new players to the
game. The summer opportunities
Appendix 13
are not always available or affordable
(Some competitions to enter are
£100+).
18. No comment.
19. No comment.
20. There should be dedicated leagues
for 2nd XVs and other lower teams,
and these should not compete in
the 1st XV league structure. This
is good if the club has full squads.
From experience I have seen league
structures cripple 2nd XV’s. Playing
second team Rugby is more often
than not social rugby. The focus of a
league takes the ‘social game’ out of
it leading to players not wanting to
play week in week out and ultimately
drifting away from the game. Sevens
and Touch should have their own
competitive structures witch run in
parallel with the winter league season.
Where would these sevens and touch
players come from? Current 15 aside
squads reducing the pool of players a
club has to draw on.
21. No comment.
22. No comment.
23. No comment.
24. No comment.
25. The pilot run in Durham &
Northumberland 3, which relaxed
some of the regulations, was a great
success.
26. No comment.
27. No comment.
28. No comment.
28. If university could commit to matches
in Sept, Dec/Jan and April then they
should be allowed to enter – however
not all universities could do this. My
concern with 7’s is that it is mostly
15’s players who get their season
extended and have more opportunity
– this year by the end of the season
my team has a number of “niggle”,
chronic injuries and players needed
time to recover – but invariably ended
playing more rugby.
30. Sevens and Touch should be in the
summer only. Second teams should
play in their own suitable leagues.
31. Touch rugby should be a summer
sport but have its own league
structure for those who want to take
it seriously but should also be used
Appendix 13
as a recreational game for clubs to
help recruitment of players and social
members.
43. No comment.
32. No comment.
44. 33. No comment.
34. No comment.
35. No comment.
36. No comment.
37. Another issue is the breakaway clubs
that are housed at bigger clubs e.g.
Dudley wasps amongst others. The
varying strength of these teams
effects the leagues.
Regarding TOUCH, I would
encourage the RFU to make the
relationship with ETA as close as it
can possibly be with the situation
set up where a player who joins an
RFU affiliated club also becomes a
member of the ETA. Reason being,
that with so many clubs introducing
Touch rugby it provides an exit route
for clubs to play in ETA sanctions
events and representative sides. Also
it could swell our number of players
involved with RU. No brainer to me!
7’s and Touch should continue for
the moment to be developed locally
until the critical mass is in place.
However, there are plenty of higher
level competition in both these forms
currently.
38. No comment.
39. No comment.
40. No comment.
41. No comment.
42. Touch should remain a Summer
version of the game. As a much
more stringent version of the game
handling wise winter weather
condition would make the game
frustrating to play and may turn
people off. 7’s could run in the winter
although it would suit spring summer
better.
45. No comment.
46. Rolling subs would ensure that all the
squad get a fair amount of playing
time and also makes the most of
smaller numbers of replacements
which means more players are
available for other teams.
47. University teams should play league
rugby IF they can evidence that
they will fulfil fixtures at traditional
busy holiday times. For big Uni’s this
should be easy but smaller ones may
not have the playing depths to have
a squad at Xmas for example. Sevens
season comment made in above
box – Apr/May would be the perfect
window. Student players should be
allowed to dual register – lots of
players come to Uni not wanting to
cut ties with their “home” club and
as such don’t play locally. If their
“home” club is in a different league to
a potential new club then they should
be allowed to register for both.
51. No comment.
52. There is a market for having year
round touch events – possibly festival
based to begin with. West Midlands
Women’s Touch Series is a good
example of how an event has grown
from need. Regulations could be
varied within a framework to ensure
that neighbouring CB’s don’t vary too
much from each other. Some clubs are
unsure as to whether they will have a
2nd XV from week to week so league
rugby for these clubs may not be the
answer.
53. No comment.
48. No comment.
54. No comment.
49. Lots of second teams already play in a
league system which works well.
55. No comment.
50. I don’t believe University teams
should be allowed into club
leagues as these players should be
encouraged into clubs and strength
clubs. The likes of Loughborough
and Hartpury entered into the lower
leagues as professional set ups.
Resulting in those establishments
cutting through the league like a ‘hot
knife through butter’
56. No comment.
57. 7’s and Touch are completely
different and shouldn’t be banded
to together! Touch during season
would work, but would need indoor
venues to attract new players. 7’s
needs a competition window.Dual
registration for all students would
assist with recruitment and retention
at club’s, they currently have to make
a choice and may spend up to 10
Appendix 13
weeks or more at home but are unable
to compete if they join a club while
at Uni. 2nd teams competing in 1st
team leagues will kill the game at
Level 6 and below, the strong will get
stronger the weak will disappear.
58. No comment.
59. No comment.
60. No comment.
61. The sevens and touch structure need
to be looked at closely and supported.
Leaving space for clubs to tour really
important to retention of players – a
lot clubs the 1st team players can’t
tour due to league commitments and
this create divides. Consideration for
clubs facilities for summer use and
joint sports facilities.
62. 63. 7s and touch attract a different
demographic to traditional XV a side
game so can therefore run in parallel
We play a 15-a-side game at
Community level, higher up the
leagues the requirements change with
regards to subs, there is no need for
a full subs bench. The requirement
of subs (especially front row on the
bench) means that lower teams in the
club suffer. I understand that if there
was no sub requirements then teams
could go to uncontested scrums in an
attempt to create some sort of parity
during the game but this should just
encourage other teams to work on
their all round game rather than the
dominance of the tight five.
64. Sevens and touch should run in their
own competitive structures but in the
summer.
65. No comment.
66. I’m not sure player registration is
overly complicated, but if it could
be simplified it would make sense.
The difficulty with have dedicated
leagues for 2nd teams will be the
varying standards and games may
not be competitive which could
affect player retention. There will be
some 2nd teams that can compete
comfortably with local 1st teams. This
may vary from region to region. By
running Sevens and Touch leagues in
parallel with the winter season may
not recruit more players, just move
players away from the 15 aside game.
Running the leagues in the summer
will often give new players a much
more positive experience with regard
Appendix 13
to weather conditions etc
67. No comment.
68. No comment.
69. No comment.
70. University’s already play in the league
structure and I see no problems with
this. I think the issue around second
teams needs more investigation and
perhaps done on a case by case basis.
I think touch and 7s should have
their own competitive structure but it
should run during the summer period
and not conflict with 15s.
71. Players who go to University (any
University) should be allowed ‘Dual
Registration’ so that player can play
for his Hometown Club when his is
at home & play for the Club Local to
University when there. As long as that
player has a University Number he
should be allowed to sign for 2 clubs
as well as play for the University team
he attends. Currently, that player has
to decide which one ‘Club’ to play for
minimising playing opportunities.
72. No comment.
73. University teams playing in Saturday
leagues cause problems, only a few
such Loughborough Students appear
to have the strength of numbers to
compete.Northumbria University
have just withdrawn from Saturday
rugby due to too much commitment
let alone intimidation to rough up
“young students”. York Uni played
in the lower Yorkshire leagues a
few years ago and withdrew due
the number of fights every week.
When playing Saturday friendlies
they could enjoy their rugby again
as there was no intimidation. Travel
time on Wednesday in BUCS games
does cause problems for students’
having to be on a bus at 9.00am isn’t
ideal. A stronger BUCS league would
mean longer time travelling .Would
Sevens and Touch played in season
mean that players would play less XV
rugby? Local CB rules to promote
more rugby at lower leagues would
be beneficial too much red tape stops
this player registration etc. Rolling
subs is better as players would have
more than 15-20 mins at the end of a
game.
74. Lower university teams should be
encouraged to join local clubs or form
additional club teams to support club
infrastructure.
75. No comment.
76. No comment.
77. There should be a ‘participation
structure’ for all levels of the game
from leagues to friendly / merit tables
which provides the flexibility to play
on a variety of days, not just limited
to Saturday 3pm. If teams are looking
to develop their full club structure
and underpin their 1st XV then their
2nd XV’s can play in the league
structure but not in the same league
as their 1st XV. Currently if University
Teams are good enough to compete
then they can play in the league
structure unless a separate structure
for the Students can replace this
and offer the levels of competition
required. Many universities will have
considerable resources available to
them which may not exist in the club
network in the same league. Sevens &
Touch are on the whole for different
markets of people, the 7’s game has
evolved and is very elitist or at least
that is the perception which puts
many people off playing. There are a
few social events but having played
in some of these personally people
are still there to win and hunt trophy’s
which often means there is a disparity
in playing levels. Touch again is for
a different market, social players and
those who do not necessarily want
to play contact rugby. As a sport
we have to accept that this is not a
huge recruitment opportunity, some
players will want to play contact
rugby but most will be happy with
the ‘jumpers for goalposts’ nature
of touch and its flexibility / ease of
organisation. Regulations should
have flexibility at a local level to
allow games to be played and we in
Cumbria have saved several clubs in
the county from extinction by being
able to do this. Rolling subs and
increased subs also helps increase
participation numbers particularly at
2nd team level and below.
78. No comment.
79. No comment.
80. No comment.
81. No comment.
82. No comment.
83. No comment.
Appendix 13
84. I like the idea of rolling subs, but who
controls this during a game. Why
would rolling sub help in retention of
players.
85. No comment.
86. No comment.
87. I feel that the introduction as
rolling subs is a real positive step
of recruiting and retaining players.
Sevens and Touch should be run as it
is now in the summer months.
88. No comment.
89. No comment.
90. A stronger 2nd XV set up would
improve the standard of the 1st XV
as will create better competition for
places and raise the standards within
clubs plus would give the 2nd XV
players a reason for training and
playing. Universities shouldn’t play
in the leagues as those players would
be best used within the community
game which would help raise the
standards and create more fixtures
etc and help clubs with player
recruitment 7s and touch are summer
sports and if there is a parallel league
schedule that would conflict with the
91. Appendix 13
XV a side game
99. There should be merit/development
leagues for 2nd XV’s with the
opportunity of entering the 1st XV
league structure if wanted. University
league structure should work with
clubs to accommodate ambitions. If
there is enough interest and players
then touch and sevens should
compete as often as possible.
100. 2nd XV’s abilities vary to dramatically
for them to be in dedicated leagues.
They should be allowed to play in the
most relevant league to their ability.
92. No comment.
93. No comment.
94. The Sevens integration is an
interesting one, many players want
to play 7s, but also will not stop
playing 15-a-side to do so. If there
were dedicated weekends between
May – Oct to allow CBs / RFU to run
a HSBC type 7s series I believe this
would be popular, but those weekends
(1 a month) should be purely
dedicated to 7’s.
No comment.
101. No comment.
102. The introduction of more subs will
give better retention, for teams who
only have a firsts but have 30 players
only 19 can play on a weekend but
up that to 22 players will be a lot less
likely to drop out
103. University players should be playing
club rugby at weekends and thus
become integrated into adult/club
rugby
107. Competitions for 2nd XV & Below:
There should be a system that allows
for those clubs that have 2nd XV
teams and have a desire to enter in
a competitive league fixture for this
to happen. A merit style league
would work for third teams and below.
Touch rugby could be run in parallel
with the league season as you will be
hitting a different type of player and
target audience as a high proportion
of the participating players will be
from the XV’s games I believe the
sevens structure should be organised
outside of the competitive league
season. (May & June / Early part of
pre – season August).
108. No comment.
104. No comment.
109. No comment.
110. No comment.
95. No comment.
96. No comment.
97. No comment.
105. I thought the rolling subs was a
huge success and enjoyed playing
using the system in the county
championship, I think it should be
brought in threw out theleagues and
will help the lower league teams out
with player retention i.e. blooding
younger players and older players will
play on longer for 20 minute bursts!
98. No comment.
106. No comment.
111. Rolling subs will be better for injury
management as key players can leave
pitch for assessment then return to
the game.
112. No comment.
113. I think it should be paramount that
there should be a dedicated 2nd XV
league. Most of the clubs have a big
problem with getting competitive
fixtures for the 2nd teams. Sevens
and Touch should stay a summer
activity as this is when you can start
your recruitment for your next season.
I think the rolling subs system will
have it benefits to the game and that
clubs will take easy to this change.
Stronger University teams should be
in with stronger club or Universities.
Competitiveness should be excellent
across the league.
114. Leagues for all club teams i.e. 1XV
2XV 3XV 4XV… make the job of the
Fixture Sec very easy. But leagues
and merit tables are not always the
right level for the lowest team within
a club. Club’s lowest teams (non 1XV)
find it difficult to find fixtures unless
they are in a league / merit table. The
fulfilment of lower XV merit table and
league matches prevents true Over
35 and other recreational teams from
playing regularly.
115. University teams fluctuate in there
strength/ commitment from year
to year, so hard to regulate which
division they are best suited. Sevens
or Touch would leave as a social event
from May to Sept.
116. I agree that 2nd XV leagues
are something that needs to be
considered especially alongside a
1st XV league, but don’t see that if
suitable for a club they should be not
allowed to compete in leagues with
1st XV’s. Universities should have the
option of a better structure within
their own competition format but
also be allowed to compete in RFU
leagues. Non registered players are
exactly that – non registered so how
can not allowing them to play helps
our game?
117. No comment.
118. No comment.
119. The introduction of rolling subs
will allow coaches to develop their
players at a quicker rate and maintain
a happy squad in terms of minutes
played per player. There is such a
deviance within 2nd teams across the
country that if stronger second teams
were not allowed to play within the
1st league structure players would be
lost.
120. I think Sevens and touch are best
played in the summer.
121. No comment.
Appendix 13
122. No comment.
other than playing in the bottom tier
of the structure. The vast majority
are run by the student committees
which change every year and
as a result have no institutional
memory, lack the leadership skills
to significantly develop the club
and have no long term aspirations
for the club’s future. However there
are a minority of university clubs
that can serve a useful function in
providing an alternative route for
potential professional players; who
either want to balance education and
future long term job prospects with
a professional playing career and
those who physically are not ready for
professional rugby until their early
twenties. This also means there are
some big barriers to developing the
student league structure including:-
123. No comment.
124. No comment.
125. No comment.
126. No comment.
127. No comment.
128. I agree that 7’s and Touch should/
could have their own competitive
structure, but they would be better
suited to be played over the Summer
Months, rather than the winter. Many
15-a-side rugby players, enjoy playing
7’s outside of the season and would
probably take part in a competitive
structure during the summer.
129. No comment.
130. A competitive Sevens competition is
an option however all players should
have the opportunity to play rather
than being pushed into one style of
rugby.
131. There is a very limited number
of university clubs that are in the
position financially, structurally or
in terms of aspirations to enter the
league structure beyond anything
1) Cost, primarily transport
2) Clashes with academic
commitments – Universities are
becoming increasingly strict on
attendance at lectures and all
other course sessions. This causes
significant problems for clubs when
playing away fixtures in fielding their
strongest sides or even fielding their
Appendix 13
lower teams on occasion. In the top
student leagues there is significant
travel involved in away fixtures.
3) Switching student fixtures to
weekends would raise issues around
availability of sufficient numbers of
high enough quality referees.
4) A number of students get
paid to play at weekends for club
sides. Examining ways to increase
the number of friendly fixtures
universities play against local club’s
lower sides would be a worthwhile
endeavour. This is something that
used to happen much more before
leagues and merit tables etc were
expanded and serve as a good way of
introducing students to men’s club
rugby.
132. The Merit Leagues do a wonderful
job in give the no 1st XVs a league
structure. My issue with then is
that they are only county based and
need to be run alongside the current
league structure so that there is great
consistency. Most university teams
run two teams, a Wednesday team
against other universities and an
often weaker Saturday team which
many would like to enter into the
9. No other issues.
10. No other issues.
133. No comment.
11. No other issues.
134. No comment.
12. No other issues.
135. I believe that a Touch league running
alongside the current season would
be a great idea. This would lead
to the recruitment of more club
members – ‘touch team’. These
players would be new players to the
club and would not necessarily be 15
a-side players.
13. No other issues.
14. No other issues.
15. No other issues.
16. No other issues.
17. The facility development will be
a barrier to any major changes to
the season and summer rugby.
The Sevens season May to June is
typically embraced by Clubs and
grounds men due to the ability for
the Club to make money in a quieter
time, but also the reduced impact of
less scrumming, mauling and tearing
up of the pitch in poor conditions.
Sevens competition structure does
need to be planned in advance with
ground men as in most cases they are
planning refurbishment to pitches 1
year in advance and commence on
the last fixture on the pitch/s.
18. No other issues.
19. If universities can commit to playing
league set up. So do that end both
domestic and university leagues need
to be looked for their development.
136. No comment.
Any other issues
1. No other issues.
2. No other issues.
3. No other issues.
4. No other issues.
5. No other issues.
6. No other issues
7. No other issues.
8. No other issues.
on Saturdays then that is fine,
boundaries must be put in place to
stop teams entering a league the
dropping out because they do not
like travelling away.If Second Teams
are good enough to play in 1st team
leagues then let them play, if not
then I feel that it will hinder player
development for those players that
have the potential to play 1st team but
are just not ready yet.
20. We are asking more and more from
the volunteers at our clubs. All
of the clubs day to day running is
done by <10% of the membership
and in some cases one person, yes
clubs should be looking to have
more volunteers but the reality is
that this just does not happen. So
when we ask if we can run midweek
touch leagues at a club during the
summer the clubs will always say
yes (revenue) but the same minority
are left with the job of opening up &
running the bar etc which can stop
ideas from progressing. The players
are also being asked inadvertently
to extend their seasons. During the
offseason, sevens tournaments are
being trialled; Touch leagues are
being held. I understand that they are
Appendix 13
being aimed at non-/ or occasional
players but from experience clubs are
being cajoled to enter teams and the
clubs then ask players to step up. I
attended a training day where a CRC
session discussed the benefits of a
complete break during the off season
and that 10 weeks pre season would
be ample time for players to prepare.
This was then followed by an RDO
& CRC session to organise a four
weeks 7’s league for their clubs that
would be interested. Again, this relies
on the usual <10% to organise their
players to play during the offseason.
21. No other issues.
22. No other issues.
23. No other issues.
24. No other issues.
25. No other issues.
26. No other issues.
27. No other issues.
28. My realist feeling is that most
junior or lower level clubs would
like a window through the season
to find room to reinstate a few
friendly fixtures if only to reinstate
traditional local derbies and also to
help revenues over the bar as well as
potential gate money. Having gone
through non-league seasons as well
as now full league programmes over
the years I feel the modern generation
of players like the competitive ( both
Cup and League ) all year round
and they tend to see friendlies as
a weekend off. I would be happy to
contribute on this topic in any way in
the future.
29. No other issues.
30. The leagues need to reassess a
number of the referees at the lower
levels. From personal experience
there have been some very
questionable officials.
31. To help retention of the 2nd team
players and below I feel strongly that
there should be less travelling for
them and also less regulations and
these are currently huge barriers for
them. Teams in our area (Bucks)
also struggle to get teams out on
International fixtures as a lot of their
players go to Twickenham to watch
the matches, during these periods
more flexibility to play matches on
a Sunday would be good. As lower
Appendix 13
teams do not have much admin
support on a Saturday then 1st XV’s
then it’s unfair that they get penalised
for not getting scores in etc.
43. No other issues.
55. No other issues.
44. No other issues.
56. No other issues.
45. No other issues.
57. No other issues.
32. No other issues.
46. No other issues.
58. No other issues.
33. The compensation for players moving
to higher level clubs should be reintroduced to stop the higher league
clubs from tapping up players from
the lower levels .
47. No other issues.
59. No other issues.
48. No other issues.
60. No other issues.
49. No other issues.
61. 50. No other issues.
51. No other issues.
52. Clubs in rural areas with high
numbers of agricultural members
often struggle for players during
harvest (Sept-Nov) and lambing
(March/April) seasons. Many
understand that this is their issue to
deal with – but could more thought
be put into the fixture lists to ensure
that the more local fixtures are held in
these periods? Cutting down travel
for these clubs at these times may
ensure that farming communities are
still able to work during the morning
and play in the afternoon?
53. No other issues.
54. No other issues.
Some of the feedback from clubs as
I have visited them are: Having a
structure for U16-19’s (whatever the
decided ages) reviewed as part of
the senior league structure would be
good. Nationally lead and run. Travel
support for women’s teams Player
consultation a must with changes to
work and life culture Clarity of who
does what, CB’s, RFU, Divisional
Groups Where does VET’s fit?
Having the ability for clubs to tour
each year, losing this is a loss to the
game and its traditions finding a way
of differentiating between cheating
the regulations and volunteer admin
errors. One club in our area made an
admin error within the leagues and
the resulting disciplinary which was
like a court case lead to the loss of 4
volunteer from the game altogether.
2 have returned two have not. They
34. No other issues.
35. There should be a separate
questionnaire for the women’s game.
I have answered this covering the
men’s competition structure. My
answers would be very different for
the women’s side of the game.
36. No other issues.
37. No other issues.
38. No other issues.
39. No other issues.
40. No other issues.
41. No other issues.
42. No other issues.
had the support of all other local
clubs that is was an admin error not
cheating. Clubs must be allowed time
to plan for any changes to the league
as it impacts upon all aspect of the
club and its development plans we
ask them to plan ahead and we need
to do the same.
62. No other issues.
63. Rugby has always been a game for
all shapes and all sizes. This should
be reflected in the rules applied
to the Community game. Not so
long ago clubs would run 4 or 5
sides on a Saturday afternoon now
they are down to 2 or 3. Whilst the
work commitments of many have
changed we should also accept that
a number of changes to regulations
has amplified this decline. A move
back to 1st XV focus at club level as
a measure of club success with the
lower sides either striving for 1st XV
places or being content with 3rd or
4th XV rugby will see a growth in the
club membership and along with that
a rise in bar takings and membership
fees (the 2 main incomes for most
clubs).The Community game should
perhaps re-focus on becoming ‘what
Appendix 13
it says on the tin’, a community
game. An opportunity to get out on
a Saturday afternoon and enjoy the
company of like-minded people in a
safe, friendly environment.
on the world scene…)
Appendix 13
We need to influence and educate
CB Competition Committees of
the importance of Recruitment and
Retention within the game. From my
experience CB organisers are too
wrapped up in the regulations and
the disciplining of teams that fall
foul of these regulations. Their role
should be to encourage and promote
appropriate competition strands for
their member clubs.
97. 84. No other issues.
101. No other issues.
85. No other issues.
102. No other issues.
86. No other issues.
103. No other issues.
87. No other issues.
88. No other issues.
89. No other issues.
90. No other issues.
91. No other issues.
104. In Merit tables teams have to travel
to far to play a competitive match
to many matches in a competitive
league season no decent national cup
competition across any of the leagues,
football has the FA cup, rugby league
has the challenge cup and rugby
union doesn’t have anything that
83. Benefits•
Increased revenue for clubs
•
Decrease payment of players
•
Increase priority on cup and
representative rugby
64. No other issues.
65. No other issues.
66. No other issues.
•
67. Lifestyles nowadays mean that
there is simply too much rugby. 3
weekends out of every 4, including
cup competitions, is plenty!
Increase development of other formats of
the game
•
Increased opportunities for players to
develop their skills
76. No other issues.
77. Can points be awarded for aspects
other than the results of the games
played? (Just a thought, incentivising
participation rather than barriers).
Local participation at lower levels
but with the option to progress to
regional participation for the clubs
with aspirations.
The RFU should invest in an online
local player/fixture exchange
programme where teams can publish
the needs of friendly fixtures and
opportunities to play for the less
talented players.
98. No other issues.
99. No other issues.
100. No other issues.
68. No other issues.
69. No other issues.
70. No other issues.
71. No other issues.
72. No other issues.
73. No other comments.
74. No other issues.
78. No other issues.
92. No other issues.
105. No other issues.
75. Payment of players is killing the
game!! Regionalise Rugby and
shorten the season (New Zealand
season runs from end of March to end
of July and they are doing fairly well
79. No other issues.
93. No other issues.
106. No other issues.
80. No other issues.
94. No other issues.
107. No other issues.
81. No other issues.
95. No other issues.
108. No other issues.
82. No other issues.
96. No other issues.
109. No other issues.
122. No other issues.
110. No other issues.
123. No other issues.
111. 124. No other issues.
No other issues.
112. Only one, that the regulations
around Men’s and Women’s adult
rugby should be aligned to eliminate
irregularities such as 17 year-old
boys being allowed to play senior
rugby but girls having to wait until
their 18th birthday. In order to
improve retention of players across
both genders, discrepancies that are
detrimental to one or the other should
be ironed out to level the playing
field.
113. No other issues.
114. No other issues.
115. No other issues.
116. No other issues.
117. No other issues.
118. No other issues.
119. No other issues.
120. No other issues.
121. No other issues.
125. No other issues.
126. No other issues.
127. No other issues.
128. No other issues.
129. No other issues.
130. The standard of refereeing needs to
be addressed to make sure all levels
of the game are catered for. I have
previously coached a University
Rugby Team where the majority of
appointed referees cannot keep up
with play or are at a poor quality.
Games/laws/regulations need to be
flexible for lower level clubs/teams to
compete regularly with a bigger focus
on fun rather than winning. Social
rugby??
131. I think it is vital that the views of
current players and coaches take
precedence in this review. The
views of CB committees and club
committees should be heard but need
to take second place to the views
Appendix 13
of those who are actually playing,
because we play far too much rugby
and this is as a result of trying to
balance the views and requirements
of people with vested interests in
maintaining and advancing their
interests, rather than putting the
players, their enjoyment and their
long term health, welfare and
involvement in the game at the centre
of all decisions made. To give you
an example, I can vividly remember
being sat in a changing room after
a National League 2 South fixture in
mid-January next to a Kiwi who had
come over to play. He was having
a great season, league leading try
scorer and didn’t miss a training
session all season. And I will always
remember him saying “14”. When I
asked him what he was referring to,
he said “the number of games I have
to get through to get to the end of the
season.” Playing rugby is meant to be
fun not a chore to be completed out
of necessity. And for the record he
wasn’t being paid to play.
132. No other issues.
133. No other issues.
134. No other issues.
135. No other issues.
136. No other issues.
APPENDIX 14
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 14
SRFU COMPETITIONS AND
PARTICIPATION SURVEY,
SPRING 2012
A. SURVEY SUMMARY
• In total there were 333 responses to the
survey. 268 students and 65 university
staff. In both cases there was a good
spread across the spectrum of playing
standards in different universities.
• The previous experience of female
players is very different to that of the men,
with only 44% having played previously
and only 27% playing any club rugby
compared to 94% and 63% of male players
respectively.
• Encouragingly 87% of male players and
78 % of female players intend to play after
they have graduated, but a number of
challenges were identified by students in
terms of playing both university and club
rugby whilst still at university.
• For students, the most important drivers
for participation were that they want to
develop and improve as players whilst
enjoyment with their friends also scored
highly. For university staff, the most
important drivers for first XVs were
similar with player development ranked
highest, whilst fun and enjoyment were
seen as the most important for 2nd XVs
and below. At all levels, staff felt that
teams need to be matched against others
of a similar standard.
• Course work, lack of time and cost were
repeatedly cited by students as the
greatest barriers although injury is also a
significant concern.
• For universities wanting to provide more
rugby, the barriers are cost, followed
by a lack of facilities, then coaches and
referees.
• Asked about the number of fixtures
needed per season, both staff and students
feel the current number is about right,
at all levels. Those expressing a need
for change generally would favour more
games at 1st XV level and fewer games for
lower teams.
Appendix 14
gradually reduced for lower teams with
the largest proportion (29%) feeling that
the optimum for 5th teams would be one
hour travel each way.
• Students and staff differed in their
opinion of the ideal structure of the BUCS
competition. The majority of students
questioned would prefer to keep the
current system of integrated cup and
league fixtures. This was true at all levels,
including Premier A where 60% chose to
retain the current structure. Staff took
a different view. Only Premier A staff
responded to this question with 4 out of 7
respondents preferring a model involving
North and South pools leading to a
national league. None of the staff opted to
keep the current structure.
• Both staff and students believe it is
important for games to be meaningful
until the end of the season, and this is felt
to be essential for 1st XVs.
• Further work will be required to
understand the feasibility of the new
structure if a national league were to
be created. 75% of university staff said
that their university would support the
additional cost of a national league, but
75% also said that they would not support
moving matches to the weekend.
• At first XV level 70% of respondents would
be prepared to travel over 2 hours each
way for their matches, with 37% willing to
travel over 3 hours. The ideal travel time
• There were very mixed views about
university teams participating in the
various community club competitions.
For students who expressed an opinion,
more were in favour than against, but
the vast majority said “don’t know”. Staff
views were also very mixed with more
against playing amongst community clubs
than in favour. The results suggest that
this will continue to be a situation where
universities will make their own decision,
case by case.
• Retaining more players is a priority for
the RFU so it is important to understand
what format of the game and what type of
competitions would be most appealing to
students who are currently (or relatively)
inactive. It must be noted that the results
to this part of the survey are from players
who are currently actively playing in the
BUCS competition and may not reflect the
preferences of the real target – students
who are currently inactive.
• For students, over 90% said that they
would be quite interested or very
interested in more BUCS competition and
other university matches. Staff were of a
similar view with over 80% believing that
students would be very or quite interested.
• On the same measure, over 80% of
students (92% for staff) said they would
like more sevens festivals and 54% (43% for
staff) said that there would be interest in
a more regular sevens programme. Other
responses show that there is still a view
that the sevens format should be played at
the end of the season for between 2 and 4
weeks.
• Over 50% of students said that touch
rugby would encourage more students to
participate with most favouring festival
style events in the summer.
• Over 70% felt that students would be
interested in playing more rugby provided
by a link to a community club.
• The women’s game is seen as an area
needing support and an area with
potential for growth and the RFU/W
development programme is designed
to provide an enjoyable and safe
introduction to the game for new players.
It is an area of recruitment as opposed to
retention in the men’s game.
• It is disappointing that only just over
one quarter of female respondents
participated in the programme, however
it is encouraging that 57% of those players
felt it improved the number of players
recruited.
Appendix 14
Appendix 14
B. SURVEY RESPONSES
b. University personnel
1. Respondents
a. Students
Responses
268
222 players
222 players
48 club officers /
committee members
48 club officers /
committee members
31 team captains
31 team captains
21 club captains
21 club captains
11 administrators
11 administrators
Responses
Other
sports
played
Winter (top six)
Snowsport (36)
Football (30)
Swimming (23)
Cycling (19)
Squash (17)
Badminton (16)
Winter (top six)
Snowsport (36)
Football (30)
Swimming (23)
Cycling (19)
Squash (17)
Badminton (16)
(Rugby League was played by 3 respondents in winter,
and by 13 respondents in summer)
65
18 AU staff /
personnel
18 sports
development staff
13 Directors of Sport
5 administrators
1 Team Manager
Squash (17)
Badminton (16)
2. Student Questions
18 others:
Coaches
Did you play rugby before you came to university?
Male
Female
Officers
Rugby personnel
Academic staff
What level does your men’s first team play?
Premier A
6
Premier B
7
Tier 1
8
Tier 2
8
Tier 3
2
Tier 4
1
Tier 5
1
RFU National Leagues
1
Skipped Question
11
Did you play club rugby as well as university rugby?
Male
Female
Are you already a member of a rugby
club outside of university rugby?
Male
Female
Appendix 14
Appendix 14
Do you intend to play rugby after you graduate?
Male
Female
Do you intend to join a new /
different club after graduation?
Male
Female
Is it important to you to play club rugby with
people you know, from school or university?
Male
Female
What are the
benefits and
challenges of
playing both
university and
club rugby?
Benefits
More game time
Challenges
Time commitment
required
Improved fitness
Skills development
Exposure to different
styles of rugby /
new experience
Social aspects
Risk of injury
Cost of commuting
Recovery time
between matches
Better standard /
more technical
Physical challenge
Finding a mutually
convenient time
“Boys v men”
Fixture congestion
3. Joint questions
Students
1. Developing
as players
What are the
most important
drivers for a
competition
structure for
university
rugby?
What are the
greatest barriers
to students
playing rugby?
2. Making friends
and enjoyment
3. Frequent (weekly)
fixtures
4. Playing teams of a
similar standard
University staff
For 1st XVs, playing
against teams of
similar standard; and
supporting player
development
For 2nd and lower
XVs, the most
important driver is
fun and enjoyment,
followed by playing
against teams of
similar standard;
and supporting
player development
Students
1. Too much
course work
University staff
1. Lack of funding
2. Lack of time
3. Personal cost
to students
4. Actual injury
5. Risk of injury
2. Lack of facilities
3. Lack of coaching
6. Excessive travel
7. Social culture
4. Lack of referees
5. Lack of
administration
What are the
greatest threats
to students
playing rugby
over the next
three years?
Students
University staff
1. Academic pressure
1. Coursework /
due to fees
timetabling
2. Lack of money /
2. Lack of money /
funding
funding
3. Academic pressure
3. Difficulty in
raising teams
due to fees
4. Coursework /
4. Time / travel
timetabling
5. Lack of time
5. Clubs paying players
6. Facility issues
7. Injury / fear
of injury
6. Changes in student
demographics
7. Other sports
Appendix 14
What is the
biggest change
you’d like to see
in student rugby
by 2015?
Students
University staff
1. More
opportunities
to play / greater
participation
1. Higher profile /
more awareness
2. Higher profile /
more awareness
2. Better reputation
3. Discounted tickets
to matches for
students
3. More social rugby
4. More finance /
funding
4. Improved
facilities / access
Appendix 14
4. Existing competition structures
What additional support would you like to
see from the RFU / your county body?
Rating by students
Rating by staff
Access to
facilities
1
5
Training &
support for
student officers
4
1
Coaching
courses
5
3=
5. More and better
coaching
5. Improved refereeing
Referee courses
7
7
6. Better scouting of
student rugby
6. A national league
6
6
7. Improved facilities
/ access
7. More competition
Assistance with
forming links &
partnerships
Creating more
opportunities to
play
2
2
Assistance with
promoting rugby
opportunities
3
Too few
About right
Too many
Essential
V Impt
Impt
Not very impt
Not at all impt
3=
30 mins
1 hour
90 mins
2 hours
3 hours +
Is the number of matches you play in BUCS competition per annum:
1st XV
2nd XV
3rd XV
4th XV
Stu
Staff
Stu
Staff
Stu
Staff
Stu
Staff
32
4
20
2
11
2
9
1
159
31
107
28
82
18
58
12
3
6
2
9
2
9
9
8
Stu
114
74
12
2
1
How important is it to have meaningful matches through to the end of the season?
1st XV
2nd XV
3rd XV
4th XV
Staff
Stu
Staff
Stu
Staff
Stu
Staff
28
56
20
28
9
17
6
11
70
14
48
12
33
8
2
9
5
25
5
22
4
0
5
0
6
1
13
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
Stu
1
23
42
63
72
What is the maximum travel time that each team is prepared to travel for matches?
1st XV
2nd XV
3rd XV
4th XV
Staff
Stu
Staff
Stu
Staff
Stu
Staff
0
2
1
3
5
5
12
3
22
6
23
8
23
8
5
28
9
24
13
19
10
17
53
16
32
10
18
6
17
28
9
15
3
9
2
Stu
8
53
13
Stu
16
26
18
18
4
Stu
8
23
17
16
7
5th XV
5th XV
5th XV
Staff
1
10
9
Staff
6
5
3
3
1
Staff
13
9
8
6
2
Appendix 14
Appendix 14
5. Potential competition structures
What is your preferred model for the BUCS competition structure?
All Students
Students*
Status quo, i.e, integrated league and cup
137
21
0
The 2009-10 model, league followed by championship knock-out
40
9
3
A pool-based format - North and South pools before Christmas leading to 2 national pools after
Christmas (top half of north and south into Pool A, bottom half of north and south into Pool B)
19
4
4
*Prem A universities only
Should there be regional /
county / local discretion over
competition at a certain level?
(Staff only)
If yes, at what level? Mainly
Tier 2 or 3 and below
If there were a national league,
would your university support
the cost of participating?
(Prem A Staff only)
If there were a national league
for the second half of the season,
would your university support
the cost of participating?
(Prem A Staff
If there were a national league,
would your university wish to
play matches on Saturdays?
(Prem A Staff only)
Staff*
What interest does your university have in playing in any of the following RFU club competitions?
Students
Staff
Yes
No
DK
Yes
RFU League pyramid
RFU County Merit Tables
RFU National Club Cup competitions
RFU Local County Cup competitions
40
38
33
45
16
12
18
14
130
134
131
126
No
11
8
13
18
24
23
19
16
To engage more students more often, how interested would they be in the following rugby opportunities?
Students
Staff
Very
Quite
DK
Not
Very
Quite
DK
Not
BUCS competition
126
47
14
4
18
13
6
1
Other university rugby (friendlies, etc.)
119
62
8
2
9
22
5
2
Intramural XV-a-side
38
89
52
12
5
15
9
9
One-off 7s festivals
84
80
22
5
8
27
3
0
Regular 7s programme
33
71
68
19
4
12
16
6
Intramural 7s or 10s
22
69
74
26
3
17
8
10
Touch winter competition
12
44
71
64
1
9
14
14
Touch summer competitions
35
64
49
43
6
20
8
4
Touch one-off festivals
48
61
43
39
7
22
5
4
Saturday rugby for a linked club
53
84
39
15
2
23
7
6
Weekend rugby in RFU league or Merit Table
46
76
55
14
4
7
16
11
Appendix 14
Would your students support any of the
following rugby opportunities?
Appendix 14
How many weeks should there be set aside for Sevens
and other competitions at the end of the season?
Students
Staff
Sevens – in a league format
61
11
Sevens – in festivals
162
32
Sevens – after the winter season,
during the summer
125
20
Sevens – during the winter,
as an alternative to XVs
13
5
No support for Sevens at all
8
1
Touch – in a league format
39
6
Touch – in festivals
95
26
Touch – after the winter season,
during the summer
82
18
Touch – during the winter,
as an alternative to XVs
21
5
No support for Touch at all
57
5
Students
Staff
None
19
4
One
16
4
Two
64
10
Three
37
11
Four
52
6
Five +
15
6
6. Women’s Development Programme
Did you play rugby prior to
coming to university?
Were you involved in any of
the skills sessions for women,
delivered or co-ordinated by the
RFU at the beginning of this
season?
If yes, were the sessions
specifically for your university
or combined with other
universities?
Did these sessions improve
the number of players
recruited and retained?
What is the highest level
you have played?
Appendix 14
7. Other issues
• Staff issues:
Respondents invested considerable time to
make comments on a wide range of issues
in response to open ended questions. The
issues listed below are just a few of them.
They may represent the view of just one
person, but are listed here if they have not
been touched on at all in the statistical
analysis above. Some other views below
represent remarks and common themes
made by many. For a full account of the
comments made, see Appendix A.
-- Lower leagues would benefit from
player matching and uncontested
scrums, in order to get games played.
•
-- Increased opportunities need to be
matched by increased funding and
support
Student issues:
-- Students feel there is a lack of
support from some universities,
especially regarding timetabling on a
Wednesday.
-- There is opposition to merging of
medics teams within universities.
These clubs want to keep their distinct
identity and the opportunities that this
affords.
-- There is a perception that there is
favouritism towards “elite” universities.
-- Students want to see better promotion
and support for women’s rugby.
-- Registration needs tightening up
with players on bona fide courses and
preventing 1st XV players playing at
lower levels.
-- The season is very congested,
making it difficult for fixtures to be
rescheduled due to weather.
APPENDIX 15
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 15
Adult Competition Review
Summary of findings to date
Terms of reference:
Scope of the Review
•
To establish the most appropriate
competition model at each level of the
game, such as meets the needs of both
players and clubs
•
Pyramid league structure
•
Promotion & relegation
•
Home / away league forma
To incorporate sufficient flexibility
within the overall competition model
to allow it to be adjusted in the event of
variances within the playing population
(e.g., in the aftermath of the Rugby World
Cup 2015)
•
Size of leagues
•
Cup rugby:
RFU Adult Competition Review
•
Commissioned in autumn 2011
•
Steering Group comprising:
•
- RFU representatives – Council &
executive
- DoRs from Levels 3 and 7
- Independents from other sports /
organisations
Reporting lines:
Community Game Board
Board of Directors
RFU Council
- National
- Divisional
- County
Methodology:
•
Desk research
•
County Championship
•
Comparator review:
•
Seasonality:
RFU Competitions Sub-Committee
Rugby Growth Sub-Committee
Appendix 15
•
- Other Unions
- Length of season
- Other team sports
- Position of season
Consultation
•
Travel and cost
•
Club finances
•
2nd XV and other lower teams
•
Student rugby / university teams
•
Sevens and Touch
•
Registration & regulation
Appendix 15
Data set now assembled
Consultation input:
•
•
- 42 x NCA clubs in bespoke exercise
•
4 x Divisional Organising Committees
•
Nineteen Constituent Bodies
•
Over 60 league competition organisers
from regional, county and local levels
•
Eighteen Referee Societies
•
268 students and 65 university staff
•
- 4 x English team sports
•
Over 1800 current and lapsed players,
through independent market research
246 rugby clubs from Levels 3 to 12, and
all areas of England
136 regional and local rugby
development personnel
Picture of a changing landscape
•
•
•
Desk research:
- Rugby Landscape
- RFU player surveys
- Sport England surveys
•
Comparator review:
- 4 x northern hemisphere unions
Sample club interviews:
•
The intensity and physicality of the
game has increased considerably since
(and largely because of) the introduction
of league rugby, and this has impacted
on the competitive profile of the game
next slide)
- The fear of injury is enhanced
•
- Experiences of promotion and
relegation
Other evidence:
•
Appendix 15
The perception is that the combined
effect of the above is a reduction of the
number of teams and players overall, and
within clubs
What does the consultation
tell us?
•
Winter playing season
•
35-week duration, with space for
rescheduling, and no winter break
Higher up the leagues there is a need
for larger squads and more substitutes
on match-day due to rates of attrition,
and this reduces the number of players
available for lower leagues and lower
XVs
•
Pyramid league structure
•
Promotion & relegation is important:
Professionalism / the payment of players
also takes players up the pyramid and
away from lower leagues, and has created
a more itinerant, less stable playing
population
•
- But mechanisms around this, e.g., option
to decline promotion
•
•
- Family and work commitments prevent
them from training up to the required
standard; and
•
•
- Valued by 67% of players
The cost of playing rugby is problematic
to a relatively high number of clubs (see
- Some regulatory changes around
substitutions and registration, etc.
•
Flexible regulations at lower levels:
- “Get the match played”
•
(Findings re: university and women’s
rugby, Sevens and Touch to be processed
separately by relevant bodies within
RFU)
- Regionally, 63% in NE, 56% in Yorkshire,
51% in East Midlands
•
Where do we go with this?
•
- Based on the consultation, it is arguable
that there is no compelling reason to
change
•
A second option is no fundamental
change, but a few “tweaks”, e.g.:
- Qualifications around promotion /
relegation (65% of players believe clubs
should be able to decline promotion)
- Reformatting cup rugby to guarantee
- “Flatten the pyramid”
Option 3: “Straw Man”
Level 3:
•
Two conference leagues of 10 teams
each, i.e., 20 teams in total – with clubs
being permitted to reward players at this
level. Distribution between conferences
determined by region and geography
•
Each team plays the others in its
conference H and A = 18 fixtures. Each
conference then split into three tiers –
top four, middle four, bottom two – to
play cross-conference second phase
•
Two top fours combine to play an eightteam, pool-based Cup competition, the
winners of which secure promotion to
the Championship (as long as they fulfil
the requisite minimum standards)
•
Two middle fours combine to play
an eight-team, pool-based Plate
competition, the winners of which are
awarded a trophy
•
Bottom twos combine to play a fourteam, pool-based Shield competition.
Relegation to Level 4 is determined by
play-offs with Level 4 league winners;
Assume that the “cost of playing rugby”
is twofold:
- Payment of players
One option is no change:
- 70% of players and 87% of clubs are
happy with current league rugby
However, NB the worrying statistic that
44 per cent of clubs stated that the cost
of playing rugby is currently a problem
for them:
distances, and therefore also costs:
- At Levels 3-6, this was increased to 59
per cent
- Rolling substitutions
Cup rugby is desirable, for variety:
There is a desire for county rugby:
Travel is not a huge barrier to players:
- But flexible boundaries would help
reduce travel times / distances
Leagues should be smaller, 10-12 teams,
and evenly matched
- But with guaranteed fixtures / second
chances (e.g., Plate)
The higher physical demands of the
game can be a deterrent to recreational
players, on the grounds that:
•
more fixtures
- Fixture costs, including travel
•
Action therefore required to restrict
player payments, and reduce travel costs:
- Players (69%), CBs and RFU regional
staff (75%) believe RFU should legislate
around player payment at lower levels
•
•
Former to be addressed by an RFU
Working Party to examine all related
issues
Latter requires a third option which
seeks to reduce travel times and
Appendix 15
also on the willingness of the leaguewinners in the level below to accept
promotion / their capacity to fulfil
minimum standards
Level 4:
Four leagues comprising 10 teams each,
i.e., 40 teams in total – with clubs being
permitted to reward players at this level.
Distribution determined by region and
geography, not CB boundaries. Season
structure similar to that at Level 3, with
second phase of competition played across
two pairs of leagues. Promotion to Level 3
determined by play-offs between the four
league winners and the bottom two teams
in each league in Level 3. League winners
are promoted only if they fulfil minimum
standards and are willing to accept
promotion. Bottom two in each league
relegated to Level 5
Level 5:
Eight R1 leagues comprising 12 teams each,
i.e., 96 teams in total – all of whom should
ideally be amateur. Distribution determined
by region and geography, not CB
boundaries. Each team plays the others in
its league home and away: no second-phase
competition. Promotion determined by
play-offs, but teams should meet minimum
standards criteria (facilities, player welfare,
financial sustainability) before progressing
to Level 4. RFU Intermediate Cup contested
at this level
Level 6:
Sixteen R2 leagues comprising 12 teams
each, i.e., 192 teams in total – all of whom
should ideally be amateur. Distribution
determined by region and geography, not
CB boundaries. Each team plays the others
in its league home and away: no secondphase competition. Promotion determined
by play-offs. RFU Senior Vase contested at
this level
Level 7:
Level 7 (RFU controlled) should be feeder
into Level 6, but the number of leagues
that feed each R2 league should be flexible
depending on geographical issues, number
of clubs in a specific region, etc. Also, the
Appendix 15
number of teams in each league can be
variable, but no more than 12. Simple home
/ away league format. RFU Junior Vase
contested at this level and the levels below
Local leagues/merit tables:
Run by CBs, but no boundaries, i.e., team on
county border may opt to play in whichever
CB competition they prefer. Type of league/
merit determined by CB competitions
committee
“Straw Man” fixture format
Appendix 15
Appendix 15
Current vs “Straw Man”: travel
Appendix 15
“Straw Man” impact on teams – by region
Appendix 15
“Straw Man” impact on teams – sample
Appendix 15
Summary of options
APPENDIX 16
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 16
Appendix 16
OVERVIEW
Ave distance
to away match
Ave time per Journeys @ 3-4hrsJourneys @ 4hrs +
single journey
No. of journeys %age of all
No. of journeys %age of all
National League 1
154m
2hrs 41min
43
17.9
51
21.3
National League 2S
143m
2hrs 29min
36
15
35
14.6
National League 2N
96m
1hr 51mins
12
5
2
0.8
Total / average 131m
2hrs 20mins
91
12.6
88
12.2
Straw Man 3A
75m
1hr 31mins
0
0
0
0
Straw Man 3B
111m
2hrs 1min
6
6.7
2
2.2
Straw Man 4SW
88m
1hr 38mins
6
6.7
0
0
Straw Man 4LSE
57m
1hr 10mins
0
0
0
0
Straw Man 4M
70m
1hr 26mins
2
2.2
0
0
Straw Man 4N
79m
1hr 33mins
2
2.2
0
0
Total / average
80m
1hr 33mins
16
3
2
0.4
Appendix 16
Appendix 16
CLUB BY CLUB
Ampthill
Birmingham & Solihull
Bishop’s Stortford
Blackheath
Blaydon
Bournemouth
Bromsgrove
Caldy
Cambridge
Canterbury
Chester
Chinnor
Cinderford
Clifton
Coventry
Darlington MP
Dings Crusaders
Doncaster
Dudley Kingswinford
Esher
Exmouth
Fylde
Harrogate
Hartpury Coll
Henley
Current league
Ave distance Ave time per Journeys
to away match single journey @ 3-4hrs
Journeys
@ 4hrs +
Straw Man
Ave distance Ave time per
to away match single journey
130 2.172 2
93
1.42
0
0
138
2.19
2
2
138 2.332 4
213 3.281 7
124 2.211 0
94 1.421 0
96 1.530 0
143 2.271 3
164 2.54 3
81
1.36
0
0
113 2.52 1
159 2.532
118 2.012 0
122 2.062 0
138
2.22
3
1
117
2.03
1
0
137 2.253 1
86
1.46
1
0
136 2.253 3
156 2.443 3
186 3.066 2
99 1.571 0
124
2.12
3
0
130 2.23 3
Journeys
@ 3-4hrs
Journeys
@ 4hrs +
95 1.43 0
52
1.05
0
56
1.08
0
60 1.23 0
135 2.16 1
106 2.21 0
56 1.08 0
103 2.01 1
87 1.41 0
79 1.3 0
93
1.55
0
74 1.28 0
133 2.220
65 1.12 0
101 1.49 0
87
1.33
0
67
1.19
0
87 1.42 0
53
1.15
0
55 1.14 0
82 1.3 0
109 1.58 0
56 1.14 0
92
1.39
1
58 1.17 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 Increase of 14.8%
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Hull
Hull Ionians
Launceston
Leicester Lions
London Irish WG
Loughborough Students
Luctonians
Macclesfield
Old Albanians
Otley
Preston Grasshoppers
Redruth
Richmond
Rosslyn Park
Sedgeley Park
Sheffield Tigers
Shelford
Southend
Stourbridge
Taunton
Tynedale
Wharfedale
Worthing
Current league
Ave distance Ave time per Journeys
to away match single journey @ 3-4hrs
Journeys
@ 4hrs +
124 2.131
162
2.41
6
187 3.022
98
1.5
0
111
1.58
1
120
2.07
2
117 2.273
75
1.36
0
123
2.12
2
93 1.531
92
1.41
0
235 3.532
130 2.162
130
2.18
3
78
1.31
0
81
1.41
0
141 2.261
150 2.43
94
1.47
1
134 2.196
226 3.432
173 3.142
179 3.151
Straw Man
Ave distance Ave time per
to away match single journey
0
1
6
0
1
0
1
0
2
0
0
8
3
3
0
0
3
3
0
0
8
6
6
101
107
105
59
54
115
84
94
57
54
79
152
51
50
87
92
71
60
142
65
145
90
95
Journeys
@ 3-4hrs
1.5
1.52
1.45
1.11
1.05
2.04
1.53
1.52
1.16
1.13
1.31
2.32
1hr
1.06
1.35
1.51
1.2
1.17
2.3
1.13
2.29
1.55
1.57
Journeys
@ 4hrs +
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 Increase of 25.3%
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 Increase of 13.6%
0
0
1
Increase of 51%
0
1
0
0
Appendix 16
Appendix 16
REGION BY REGION
Current league
Ave distance Ave time per Journeys
to away match single journey @ 3-4hrs
Journeys
@ 4hrs +
Straw Man
Ave distance Ave time per
to away match single journey
Journeys
@ 3-4hrs
Journeys
@ 4hrs +
NORTH EAST
Blaydon
213 3.281 7 135 2.16 1 0
Darlington MP
138
2.22
3
1
87
1.33
0
0
Tynedale
226 3.432 8 145 2.29 2 1
Total / Average
192
3hrs 11mins
6
16
122
2hrs 6mins
3
1
NORTH WEST
Caldy
96 1.530 0 103 2.01 1 0
Chester
81
1.36
0
0
93
1.55
0
0 Increase of 14.8%
Fylde
186 3.066 2 109 1.58 0 0
Macclesfield
75
1.36
0
0
94
1.52
1
0 Increase of 25.3%
Preston Grasshoppers
92
1.41
0
0
79
1.31
0
0
Sedgeley Park
78
1.31
0
0
87
1.35
0
0
Total / Average
101
1hr 54mins
6
2
94
1hr 49mins
2
0
YORKSHIRE
Doncaster
137 2.253 1
87 1.42 0 0
Harrogate
99 1.571 0 56 1.14 0 0
Hull
124 2.131 0 101 1.5 0 0
Hull Ionians
162
2.41
6
1
107
1.52
0
0
Otley
93 1.531 0
54 1.13 0 0
Sheffield Tigers
81
1.41
0
0
92
1.51
0
0 Increase of 13.6%
Wharfedale
173 3.142 6
90 1.55 0 0
Total / Average
124
2hrs 18mins
14
8
84
1hr 40mins
0
0
EAST MIDLANDS
Bishop’s Stortford
138
2.19
2
2
56
1.08
0
0
Cambridge
143 2.271 3
87 1.41 0 0
Chinnor
113 2.52 1 74 1.28 0 0
Leicester Lions
98
1.5
0
0
59
1.11
0
0
Loughborough Students
120
2.07
2
0
115
2.04
1
0
Shelford
141 2.261 3
71 1.2 0 0
Total / Average
126
2hrs 20mins
8
9
77
1hr 29mins
1
0
Current league
Ave distance Ave time per Journeys
to away match single journey @ 3-4hrs
Journeys
@ 4hrs +
Straw Man
Ave distance Ave time per
to away match single journey
Journeys
@ 3-4hrs
Journeys
@ 4hrs +
WEST MIDLANDS
Ampthill
130 2.172 2
95 1.43 0 0
Birmingham & Solihull
93
1.42
0
0
52
1.05
0
0
Bromsgrove
94 1.421 0
56 1.08 0 0
Coventry
122 2.062 0 101 1.49 0 0
Dudley Kingswinford
86
1.46
1
0
53
1.15
0
0
Luctonians
117 2.273 1
84 1.53 0 0
Stourbridge
94
1.47
1
0
142
2.3
1
1
Increase of 51%
Total / Average
105
1hr 58mins
10
3
83
1hr 38mins
1
1
LONDON & SOUTH EAST
Blackheath
138 2.332 4
60 1.23 0 0
Canterbury
164 2.54 3 79 1.3 0 0
Esher
136 2.253 3
55 1.14 0 0
Henley
130 2.23 3 58 1.17 0 0
London Irish WG
111
1.58
1
1
54
1.05
0
0
Old Albanians
123
2.12
2
2
57
1.16
0
0
Richmond
130 2.162 3
51 1hr 0 0
Rosslyn Park
130
2.18
3
3
50
1.06
0
0
Southend
150 2.43 3 60 1.17 0 0
Total / Average
135
2hrs 24mins
23
25
58
1hr 14mins
0
0
SOUTH
Bournemouth
124 2.211 0 106 2.21 0 0
Worthing
179 3.151 6
95 1.57 0 0
Total / Average
152
2hrs 48mins
2
6
101
2hrs 9min
0
0
SOUTH WEST
Cinderford
159 2.532 133 2.220 0
Clifton
118 2.012 0
65 1.12 0 0
Dings Crusaders
117
2.03
1
0
67
1.19
0
0
Exmouth
156 2.443 3
82 1.3 0 0
Hartpury Coll
124
2.12
3
0
92
1.39
1
0
Launceston
187 3.022 6 105 1.45 0 0
Redruth
235 3.532 8 152 2.32 3 0
Taunton
134 2.196 0
65 1.13 0 0
Total / Average
154
2hrs 38mins
22
19
95
1hr 42mins
4
0
Appendix 16
Appendix 16
National League 1
Wharfedale
HenleyHull
Worthing Total AverageTotalAverage
HawksIonians
Distance Distance Time Time
Doncaster
68 16834232 2056 137
1.44
2.56
40mins
4.01
36hrs 8min 2hrs 25mins
Esher
245 3621749 2046 136
4.25
52mins
3.3
1.2
Blaydon
91
1.51
Rosslyn Park
234
33 206 55
1947
130
4.17
46mins
3.23
1.27
34hrs 28mins 2hrs 18mins
Old Albanians 208
3.47
Fylde
60
1.25
221128296 2793 186
3.31
2.11
4.52
46hrs 23mins 3hrs 6mins
Loughborough Students
124
2.31
110
2.01
173
1802
120
3.06
31hrs 49mins 2hrs 7mins
Richmond
233 3220567 1944 130
4.13
43mins
3.2
1.32
34hrs 6mins 2hrs 16mins
Coventry
161 80 128156 1826 122
2.53
1.26
2.08
2.49
31hrs 28mins 2hrs 6mins
Blackheath
238
4.2
Cinderford
204 95 196160 2390 159
3.38
2.01
3.12
2.59
42hrs 32mins 2hrs 50mins
Tynedale
107 294148358 3387 226
2.1
4.51
2.24
5.59
55hrs 45mins 3hrs 43mins
Wharfedale
Henley Hawks
Hull Ionians
x
x
36hrs 9min 2hrs 25mins
278132342 3194 213
4.31
2.04
5.39
52hrs 0min 3hrs 28mins
42
56mins
180
2.5
96
1.35
87
1846
123
1.55
32hrs 54mins 2hrs 12mins
45 208 75
2066
138
1.19
3.31
1.38
38hrs 18mins 2hrs 33mins
24283291 2589 173
4.05
1.5
5.23
48hrs 32mins 3hrs 14mins
242
4.05
x
x
199
3.19
81
1956
130
1.45
35hrs 2mins 2hrs 20mins
83
1.5
199
3.19
x
x
263
2423
162
4.24
40hrs 21mins 2hrs 41mins
Worthing
291 81263 x 2685 179
5.23
1.45
4.24
x
48hrs 49mins 3hrs 15mins
36950
154
644hrs 44mins 2hrs 41mins
Appendix 16
Appendix 16
NationalNational
League 2League
South 2 South National League 2 South
Hartpury
Coll
Cambridge Cambridge
Hartpury Coll
Redruth
Cambridge Cambridge
Distance
Distance
x
Travel time (hrs.mins)
Travel time (hrs.mins)
x
Hartpury
College
Hartpury
Distance
College
Distance
154
Travel time (hrs.mins)
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.35
Redruth
Redruth
Distance
Distance
339
Travel time (hrs.mins)
Travel time (hrs.mins)
5.26
Shelford
Shelford
Distance
Distance
4
Travel time (hrs.mins)
Travel time (hrs.mins)
9mins
Chinnor
Chinnor
Distance
Distance
79
Travel time (hrs.mins)
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.44
Launceston Launceston
Distance
Distance
287
Travel time (hrs.mins)
Travel time (hrs.mins)
4.34
Canterbury Canterbury
Distance
Distance
105
Travel time (hrs.mins)
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.47
Dings
Dings
Distance
Crusaders Crusaders
Distance
166
Travel time (hrs.mins)
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.5
Southend
Southend
Distance
Distance
71
Travel time (hrs.mins)
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.18
Taunton
Taunton
Distance
Distance
214
Travel time (hrs.mins)
Travel time (hrs.mins)
3.34
Clifton
Clifton
Distance
Distance
169
Travel time (hrs.mins)
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.52
Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Distance
Distance
154
Travel time (hrs.mins)
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.45
Redruth
Shelford
Shelford
Chinnor
Chinnor
Launceston
Launceston Dings
Canterbury
Dings Crus
Canterbury
Crus Southend
Southend
Taunton
Clifton
Bournemouth
Ampthill
Exmouth
Bishops
Stortford
London Irish
Total Distance Average
Distance
79
287
287
105
166105
71
71
214
169
154
38
250
30
80
2140
x
154
154 339
339 4
4
x
2.35
2.35 5.26
5.26 9mins
9mins
1.44
1.44
4.34
4.34
1.47
2.5 1.47
1.18 2.5
1.18
3.34
2.52
2.45
52mins
4.08
33mins
1.32
154 x
x
205
205 157
157 66
66
152
152
190
36 190
157 36
157
79
34
130
133
116
144
107
2.35 x
x
3.2
3.2 2.38
2.38 1.32
1.32
2.28
2.28
3.16
3.16
51mins
3.02 51mins
3.02
1.28
46mins
2.16
2.12
2.02
2.43
1.56
339 205
205 x
x
337
337 259
259
55
55
326
176 326
347 176
347
129
172
179
317
104
334
251
5.263.2
3.2 x
x
5.27
5.27 4.23
4.23
59mins
59mins
5.37
2.515.37
5.33 2.51
5.33
2.06
2.41
3.24
5.02
1.5
5.13
4.16
4
157 337
337 x
x
76
76
285
285
102
163102
69
69
211
166
153
40
248
28
78
9mins
2.38
2.38 5.27
5.27 x
x
1.42
1.42
4.32
4.32
1.45
2.481.45
1.17 2.48
1.17
3.32
2.5
2.42
55mins
4.06
32mins
1.3
79 66
66 259
259 76
76
x
x219
219
122
98 122
86
86
146
101
107
34
182
74
47
1.44 1.32
1.32 4.23
4.23 1.42
1.42 x
x3.29
3.29
2.13
1.462.13
1.49 1.46
1.49
2.29
1.47
1.57
1.05
3.03
1.29
53mins
287 152
152 55
55
285
285 219
219
x
x
273
123 273
294 123
294
76
119
126
264
52
281
198
4.342.28
2.28 59mins
59mins
4.32
4.32 3.29
3.29
x
x
4.43
1.574.43
4.39 1.57
4.39
1.12
1.47
2.3
4.08
57mins
4.19
3.22
105 190
190 326
326 102
102 122
122
273
x273
187 x
72
72
207
190
162
113
235
83
88
1.47 3.16
3.16 5.37
5.37 1.45
1.45 2.13
2.13
4.43
x4.43
3.03x
1.25 3.03
1.25
3.39
3.04
2.43
2.04
4.13
1.27
1.32
166 36
36
176
176 163
163 98
98
123
123
187
x 187
175 x
175
50
4
75
145
86
163
107
2.5 51mins
51mins
2.51
2.51 2.48
2.48 1.46
1.46
1.57
1.57
3.03
x 3.03
2.57 x
2.57
58mins
13mins
2.11
2.26
1.32
2.38
1.5
71 157
157 347
347 69
69 86
86
294
72294
175 72
x
175
x
202
177
157
80
230
50
83
1.18 3.02
3.02 5.33
5.33 1.17
1.17 1.49
1.49
4.39
4.39
1.25
2.571.25
x
2.57
x
3.42
3hrs
2.45
1.41
4.16
1.04
1.35
214 79
79
129 211
211 146
146
76
76
207
50 207
202 50
202
x
46
73
191
40
209
133
3.341.28
1.28 2.06
2.06 3.32
3.32 2.29
2.29
1.12
1.12
3.39
3.39
58mins
3.42 58mins
3.42
x
46mins
1.46
3.07
46mins
3.19
2.23
169 34
34
172
172 166
166 101
101
119
119
190
4 190
177 4
177
46
x
84
146
83
164
108
2.52 46mins
46mins
2.41
2.41 2.5
2.5 1.47
1.47
1.47
1.47
3.04
3.04
13mins
3hrs 13mins
3hrs
46mins
x
2.1
2.28
1.22
2.4
1.52
154 130
130 179
179 153
153 107
107
126
126
162
75 162
157 75
157
73
84
x
132
89
150
88
2.45 2.16
2.16 3.24
3.24 2.42
2.42 1.57
1.57
2.3
2.3
2.43
2.112.43
2.45 2.11
2.45
1.46
2.1
x
2.15
2.06
2.26
1.25
157
129
79
166
163
98
187
1860
3530
2117
1696
2804
2455
1754
2250
2006
1763
1859
Total Time
Average Time
36hrs 39mins
2hrs 27mins
33hrs 5mins
2hrs 12mins
58hrs 8mins
3hrs 53mins
36hrs 25mins
2hrs 26mins
31hrs 21mins
2hrs 5mins
45hrs 36mins
3hrs 2mins
42hrs 31mins
2hrs 50mins
30hrs 51mins
2hrs 3mins
40hrs 3mins
2hrs 40mins
34hrs 47mins
2hrs 19mins
30hrs 18mins
2hr 1mins
35hrs 21mins
2hrs 21mins
143
124
235
141
113
187
164
117
150
134
118
124
Appendix 16
Ampthill
Exmouth
Bishop's
Stortford
Appendix 16
National League 2 South
National League 2 South
Cambridge
Hartpury Coll
Redruth
Shelford
Chinnor
Launceston
Canterbury
Dings Crus Southend
Taunton
Clifton
Bournemouth
Ampthill
Exmouth
Bishops
Stortford
London Irish
Total Distance Average
Distance
Distance
38
133
317
40
34
264
113
145
80
191
146
132
x
228
36
58
1955
Travel time (hrs.mins)
52mins
2.12
5.02
55mins
1.05
4.08
2.04
2.26
1.41
3.07
2.28
2.15
x
3.43
1.04
1.07
Distance
250
116
104
248
182
52
235
86
230
40
83
89
228
x
245
157
Travel time (hrs.mins)
4.08
2.02
1.5
4.06
3.03
57mins
4.13
1.32
4.16
46mins
1.22
2.06
3.43
x
3.55
2.56
Distance
30
144
334
28
74
281
83
163
50
209
164
150
36
245
x
76
Travel time (hrs.mins)
33mins
2.43
5.13
32mins
1.29
4.19
1.27
2.38
1.04
3.19
2.4
2.26
1.04
3.55
x
1.17
80
107
251
78
47
198
88
107
83
133
108
88
58
157
76
x
1.32
1.56
4.16
1.3
53mins
3.22
1.32
1.5
1.35
2.23
1.52
1.25
1.07
2.56
1.17
x
London Irish WG Distance
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2345
2067
1659
34260
Total Time
Average Time
34hrs 9mins
2hrs 17mins
40hrs 55mins
2hrs 44mins
34hrs 39mins
2hrs 19mins
29hrs 26mins
1hr 58mins
594hrs 14mins
2hrs 29mins
130
156
138
111
143
Appendix 16
Appendix 16
National League 2 North National League 2 North
Macclesfield
Sedgeley Park
Stourbridge
Darlington MP
Preston
G'hoppers
Otley
Sheffield Tigers
Hull
Luctonians
Leicester Lions
Caldy
Bromsgrove
Macclesfield
Sedgeley Park
Stourbridge
Darlington
MP
Preston G
Otley
Sheffield T
Hull
Luctonians
Leicester L
Caldy
Bromsgrove
B'ham S'hull
Dudley K
Chester
Harrogate
Total
Distance
Average
Distance
x
30
84
129
54
67
35
117
102
83
54
84
92
74
41
78
1124
75
Travel time (hrs.mins) x
45mins
1.4
2.2
1.05
1.39
1.01
2.16
2.3
1.53
1.1
1.37
1.41
1.35
52mins
1.51
Distance
x
106
107
34
45
46
93
123
121
46
106
114
96
44
57
Travel time (hrs.mins) 45mins
x
1.54
1.48
39mins
1.07
1.13
1.45
2.39
2.1
1.07
1.5
1.55
1.5
49mins
1.2
Distance
84
106
x
193
122
149
105
160
39
64
118
15
23
5
70
154
Travel time (hrs.mins) 1.4
1.54
x
3.11
2.04
2.48
2.02
2.46
1.06
1.18
2.06
29mins
39mins
8mins
1.46
2.48
Distance
129
107
193
x
102
58
101
111
231
155
151
190
177
178
148
46
Travel time (hrs.mins) 2.2
1.48
3.11
x
1.48
1.05
1.5
1.48
4.02
2.3
2.41
3.01
2.51
3.11
2.25
53mins
Distance
34
122
102
x
54
77
127
139
137
51
123
130
113
61
60
Travel time (hrs.mins) 1.05
39mins
2.04
1.48
x
1.22
1.39
2.1
2.48
2.21
1.07
2hrs
2.05
2hrs
1hr
1.3
Distance
45
149
58
54
x
53
75
165
114
89
149
136
139
87
12
Travel time (hrs.mins) 1.39
1.07
2.48
1.05
1.22
x
1.22
1.27
3.32
2.05
1.59
2.36
2.27
2.44
1.44
23mins
Distance
46
105
101
77
53
x
73
143
67
87
102
89
90
74
68
Travel time (hrs.mins) 1.01
1.13
2.02
1.5
1.39
1.22
x
1.27
2.53
1.2
1.53
1.51
1.42
2.02
1.34
1.25
Distance
93
160
111
127
75
73
x
197
122
139
156
144
144
136
69
Travel time (hrs.mins) 2.16
1.45
2.46
1.48
2.1
1.27
1.27
x
3.36
2.03
2.37
2.34
2.25
2.44
2.21
1.23
Distance
123
39
231
139
165
143
197
x
99
100
42
55
41
80
197
Travel time (hrs.mins) 2.3
2.39
1.06
4.02
2.48
3.32
2.53
3.36
x
2.04
2.16
1.14
1.24
1.08
1.52
3.39
Distance
121
64
155
137
114
67
122
99
x
132
57
44
61
100
116
Travel time (hrs.mins) 1.53
2.1
1.18
2.3
2.21
2.05
1.2
2.03
2.04
x
2.21
1.02
53mins
1.17
2.05
2.04
Distance
46
118
151
51
89
87
139
100
132
x
118
126
108
22
100
Travel time (hrs.mins) 1.1
1.07
2.06
2.41
1.07
1.59
1.53
2.37
2.16
2.21
x
2.03
2.07
2.02
29mins
2.13
Distance
106
15
190
123
149
102
156
42
57
118
x
14
17
88
150
1.5
29mins
3.01
2hrs
2.36
1.51
2.34
1.14
1.02
2.03
x
24mins
35mins
1.45
2.35
Distance
30
54
67
35
117
102
83
54
84
Travel time (hrs.mins) 1.37
1168
1407
2077
1384
1392
1210
1863
1753
1472
1441
1411
Total Time
Average Time
23hrs 55mins
1hr 36mins
22hrs 51mins
1hr 31mins
26hrs 45mins
1hr 47mins
35hrs 24mins
2hrs 22mins
25hrs 11mins
1hr 41mins
28hrs 20mins
1hr 53mins
25hrs 14mins
1hr 41mins
33hrs 22mins
2hrs 13mins
36hrs 43mins
2hrs 27mins
27hrs 26mins
1hr 50mins
28hrs 11mins
1hr 53mins
25hrs 36mins
1hr 42mins
78
94
138
92
93
81
124
117
98
96
94
Appendix 16
Appendix 16
National League 2 North National League 2 North
Macclesfield
Sedgeley Park
Stourbridge
Darlington
MP
Preston G
Otley
Sheffield T
Hull
Luctonians
Leicester L
Caldy
Bromsgrove
B'ham S'hull
Dudley K
Chester
Harrogate
Total
Distance
Average
Distance
92
114
23
177
130
136
89
144
55
44
126
14
x
25
95
138
1402
93
Travel time (hrs.mins) 1.41
1.55
39mins
2.51
2.05
2.27
1.42
2.25
1.24
53mins
2.07
24mins
x
45mins
1.5
2.26
Dudley
Distance
96
5
178
113
139
90
144
41
61
108
17
25
x
65
139
Kingswinford
Travel time (hrs.mins) 1.35
1.5
8mins
3.11
2hrs
2.44
2.02
2.44
1.08
1.17
2.02
35mins
45mins
x
1.39
2.46
Chester
Distance
44
70
148
61
87
74
136
80
100
22
88
95
65
x
98
Travel time (hrs.mins) 52mins
49mins
1.46
2.25
1hr
1.44
1.34
2.21
1.52
2.05
29mins
1.45
1.5
1.39
x
1.56
Distance
57
154
46
60
12
68
69
197
116
100
150
138
139
98
x
1.2
2.48
53mins
1.3
23mins
1.25
1.23
3.39
2.04
2.13
2.35
2.26
2.46
1.56
x
B'ham & Solihull Distance
Harrogate
74
41
78
Travel time (hrs.mins) 1.51
1295
1209
1482
23090
Total Time
Average Time
25hrs 34mins
1hr 42mins
26hrs 26mins
1hr 46mins
24hrs 7mins
1hrs 36mins
29hrs 12mins
1hr 57mins
444hrs 17mins
1hr 51mins
86
81
99
96.1875
Coventry
Esher
Rosslyn Park
Richmond
Old Albanians
Blackheath
Cinderford
Cambridge
Worthing
Henley
Appendix 16
Appendix 16
Straw Man 3A
Straw Man 3A
Coventry
Esher
Rosslyn Park
Richmond
Old Albanians
Blackheath
Cinderford
Cambridge
Worthing
Henley
Total Distance
Average Distance
Distance
x
110
107
106
75
114
82
81
156
80
911
101
Travel time (hrs.mins)
x
1.53
1.5
1.47
1.24
2.12
1.31
1.33
2.49
1.26
Distance
110
x
14
10
41
26
126
82
49
36
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.53
x
29mins
26mins
59mins
1.02
2.21
1.44
1.18
51mins
Distance
107
14
x
3
30
14
124
72
55
35
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.5
29mins
x
10mins
52mins
41mins
2.15
1.28
1.25
47mins
Distance
106
10
3
x
29
17
122
70
67
32
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.47
26mins
10mins
x
50mins
46mins
1.25
1.25
1.29
44mins
Distance
75
41
30
29
x
44
118
44
87
42
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.24
59mins
52mins
50mins
x
59mins
2.29
1.04
1.52
56mins
Distance
114
26
14
17
44
x
135
59
59
76
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.12
1.02
41mins
46mins
59mins
x
2.47
1.05
1.35
1.17
Distance
82
126
124
122
118
135
x
163
163
160
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.31
2.21
2.15
2.12
2.29
2.47
x
2.48
2.48
2.03
Distance
81
82
72
70
44
59
163
x
127
83
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.33
1.44
1.28
1.25
1.04
1.05
2.48
x
2.2
1.41
Distance
156
49
55
67
87
76
160
127
x
82
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.49
1.18
1.25
1.29
1.52
1.35
2.58
2.2
x
1.46
Distance
80
36
35
32
42
46
89
83
82
x
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.26
51mins
47mins
44mins
56mins
1.17
2.03
1.41
1.46
x
494
454
456
510
544
1193
781
859
525
Total Time
Average Time
16hrs 25mins
1hr 49mins
11hrs 3mins
1hr 14mins
9hrs 57mins
1hr 6mins
9hrs 2mins
1hr
11hrs 25mins
1hr 16mins
12hrs 24min
1hr 23mins
21hrs 14mins
2hrs 22mins
15hrs 8mins
1hr 41mins
17hrs 32mins
1hr 57mins
11hrs 31mins
1hr 17mins
55
50
51
57
60
133
87
95
58
Blaydon
Doncaster
Fylde
Loughborough
Students
Tynedale
Wharfedale
Sedgeley Park
Macclesfield
Stourbridge
Hull Ionians
Appendix 16
Appendix 16
Straw Man 3B
Straw Man 3B
Blaydon
Doncaster
Fylde
L'boro Stus
Tynedale
Wharfedale
Sedgeley Park
Macclesfield
Stourbridge
Hull Ionians
Total Distance
Average Distance
Distance
x
116
150
175
17
91
141
162
227
132
1211
135
Travel time (hrs.mins)
x
1.58
2.34
2.48
23mins
1.51
2.18
2.49
3.42
2.04
Distance
116
x
113
66
132
68
68
65
117
34
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.58
x
2.08
1.13
2.18
1.44
1.25
1.48
2.08
40mins
Distance
150
113
x
138
138
60
48
69
136
129
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.34
2.08
x
2.25
2.25
1.25
53mins
1.22
2.2
2.13
Distance
175
66
138
x
191
124
108
74
62
97
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.48
1.13
2.25
x
3.05
2.31
1.55
1.39
1.23
1.36
Distance
17
132
138
191
x
107
153
174
242
148
Travel time (hrs.mins)
23mins
2.18
2.25
3.05
x
2.1
2.31
3hrs
4.02
2.23
Distance
91
68
60
124
107
x
50
77
153
83
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.51
1.44
1.25
2.31
2.1
x
1.11
1.43
2.52
1.49
Distance
141
68
48
108
153
50
x
29
106
83
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.18
1.25
53mins
1.55
2.31
1.11
x
42mins
1.51
1.3
Distance
162
65
69
74
174
77
29
x
84
110
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.49
1.48
1.22
1.39
3hrs
1.43
42mins
x
1.4
2.01
Distance
227
117
136
62
242
153
106
84
x
148
Travel time (hrs.mins)
3.42
2.08
2.2
1.23
4.02
2.52
1.51
1.4
x
2.31
Distance
132
34
129
97
148
83
83
110
148
x
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.04
40mins
2.13
1.36
2.23
1.49
1.3
2.01
2.31
x
779
981
1035
1302
813
786
844
1275
964
9990
Total Time
Average Time
20hrs 27mins
2hrs 16mins
15hrs 22mins
1hr 42mins
17hrs 45mins
1hr 58mins
18hrs 35mins
2hrs 4min
22hrs 17mins
2hrs 29mins
17hrs 16mins
1hr 55mins
14hrs 16mins
1hr 35mins
16hrs 44mins
1hr 52mins
22hrs 29mins
2hrs 30mins
16hrs 47mins
1hr 52mins
181hrs 58mins
2hrs 1min
87
109
115
145
90
87
94
142
107
111.1
Redruth
Hartpury College
Launceston
Clifton
Dings Crusaders
Taunton
Lydney
Exmouth
Weston
Super Mare
Bournemouth
Appendix 16
Appendix 16
Straw Man 4SW
Straw Man 4SW
Redruth
Hartpury Coll
Launceston
Clifton
Dings Crus
Taunton
Lydney
Exmouth
Weston SM
Bournemouth
Total Distance
Average Distance
Distance
x
205
55
172
176
129
192
104
153
179
1365
152
Travel time (hrs.mins)
x
3.2
59mins
2.41
2.51
2.06
3.07
1.49
2.31
3.25
Distance
205
x
152
34
36
79
22
116
56
129
Travel time (hrs.mins)
3.2
x
2.28
46mins
51mins
1.28
34mins
2hrs
1.08
2.16
Distance
55
152
x
119
123
76
139
52
101
126
Travel time (hrs.mins)
59mins
2.28
x
1.47
1.57
1.12
2.13
56mins
1.39
2.32
Distance
172
34
119
x
4
46
22
83
23
82
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.41
46mins
1.47
x
13mins
46mins
33mins
1.21
29mins
2.1
Distance
176
36
123
4
x
50
23
87
27
79
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.51
51mins
1.57
13mins
x
58mins
39mins
1.31
39mins
2.09
Distance
129
79
76
46
50
x
66
40
27
73
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.06
1.28
1.12
46mins
58mins
x
1.12
47mins
39mins
1.48
Distance
192
22
139
22
23
66
x
103
43
97
Travel time (hrs.mins)
3.07
34mins
2.13
33mins
39mins
1.12
x
1.47
55mins
2.3
Distance
104
116
52
83
87
40
103
x
68
89
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.49
2hrs
56mins
1.21
1.31
47mins
1.47
x
1.1
2.06
Distance
153
56
101
23
27
27
43
68
x
102
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.31
1.08
1.39
29mins
39mins
39mins
55mins
1.1
x
2.14
Distance
179
129
126
82
79
73
97
89
102
x
Travel time (hrs.mins)
3.25
2.16
2.32
2.1
2.09
1.48
2.3
2.06
2.14
x
829
943
585
605
586
707
742
600
956
7918
Total Time
Average Time
22hrs 49mins
2hrs 32mins
14hrs 51mins
1hr 39mins
15hrs 43mins
1hr 45mins
10hrs 46mins
1hr 12mins
11hrs 48mins
1hr 19mins
10hrs 56mins
1hr 13mins
13hrs 30mins
1hr 30mins
13hrs 27mins
1hr 30mins
11hrs 24mins
1hr 16mins
21hrs 10mins
2hrs 21mins
146hrs 24mins
1hr 38mins
92
105
65
67
65
79
82
67
106
88
Shelford
Canterbury
Westcombe Park
Chinnor
Southend
Barking
Dorking
London Irish WG
Barnes
Bishops Stortford
Appendix 16
Appendix 16
Straw Man 4LSE
Straw Man 4LSE
Shelford
Canterbury
Westcombe Park
Chinnor
Southend
Barking
Dorking
London Irish
Barnes
B Stortford
Total Distance
Average Distance
Distance
x
102
68
76
69
53
92
78
69
28
635
71
Travel time (hrs.mins)
x
1.45
1.09
1.42
1.17
54mins
1.41
1.3
1.25
34mins
Distance
102
x
52
122
72
57
68
88
67
84
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.45
x
57mins
2.13
1.25
1.03
1.23
1.36
1.36
1.31
Distance
68
52
x
83
38
22
28
49
23
49
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.09
57mins
x
1.31
53mins
28mins
41mins
54mins
58mins
56mins
Distance
76
122
83
x
86
64
67
52
47
69
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.42
2.13
1.31
x
1.49
1.22
1.14
53mins
58mins
1.32
Distance
69
72
38
86
x
33
62
82
49
50
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.17
1.25
53mins
1.49
x
46mins
1.22
1.35
1.24
1.03
Distance
53
57
22
64
33
x
47
28
19
34
Travel time (hrs.mins)
54mins
1.03
28mins
1.22
46mins
x
1hr
59mins
45mins
40mins
Distance
92
68
28
67
62
47
x
28
21
73
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.41
1.23
41mins
1.14
1.22
1hr
x
37mins
43mins
1.24
Distance
78
88
49
52
82
28
28
x
10
71
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.3
1.36
54mins
53mins
1.35
59mins
37mins
x
22mins
1.17
Distance
69
67
23
47
49
19
21
10
x
50
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.25
1.36
58mins
58mins
1.24
45mins
43mins
22mins
x
1.12
Distance
28
84
49
69
50
34
73
71
50
x
Travel time (hrs.mins)
34mins
1.31
56mins
1.32
1.03
40mins
1.24
1.17
1.12
x
712
412
666
541
357
486
486
355
508
5158
Total Time
Average Time
11hrs 57mins
1hr 20mins
13hrs 29mins
1hr 30mins
8hrs 27mins
56mins
13hrs 14mins
1hr 28mins
11hrs 34mins
1hr 17mins
7hrs 57mins
53mins
10hrs 5mins
1hr 7mins
9hrs 43mins
1hr 5mins
9hrs 23mins
1hr 3mins
10hrs 9mins
1hr 8mins
105hrs 58mins
1hr 10mins
79
46
74
60
40
54
54
39
56
57.3
Leicester Lions
Sheffield Tigers
Luctonians
Bromsgrove
Dudley
Kingswinford
B'ham & Solihull
Chester
Sutton Coldfield
Ampthill
South Leicester
Appendix 16
Appendix 16
Straw Man 4Mids
Straw Man 4Mids
Leicester L
Sheffield T
Luctonians
Bromsgrove
Dudley K
B'ham / S'hull
Chester
Sutton C'field
Ampthill
S Leicester
Total Distance
Average Distance
Distance
x
67
99
57
61
44
100
41
54
5
528
59
Travel time (hrs.mins)
x
1.2
2.04
1.02
1.17
53mins
2.05
48mins
1.01
11mins
Distance
67
x
143
102
90
89
74
72
119
69
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.2
x
2.53
1.51
2.02
1.42
1.36
1.3
2.06
1.22
Distance
99
143
x
42
41
55
80
62
132
100
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.04
2.53
x
1.14
1.08
1.24
1.52
1.4
2.34
2.08
Distance
57
102
42
x
17
14
88
32
91
59
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.02
1.51
1.14
x
35mins
24mins
1.45
39mins
1.34
1.07
Distance
61
90
41
17
x
25
66
24
94
63
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.17
2.02
1.08
35mins
x
45mins
1.39
43mins
1.46
1.21
Distance
44
89
55
14
25
x
95
20
79
46
Travel time (hrs.mins)
53mins
1.42
1.24
24mins
45mins
x
1.5
30mins
1.24
57mins
Distance
100
74
80
88
66
95
x
80
150
102
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.05
1.36
1.52
1.45
1.39
1.5
x
1.36
2.38
2.1
Distance
41
72
62
32
24
20
80
x
74
43
Travel time (hrs.mins)
48mins
1.3
1.4
39mins
43mins
30mins
1.36
x
1.18
52mins
Distance
54
119
132
91
94
79
150
74
x
59
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.01
2.06
2.34
1.34
1.46
1.24
2.38
1.18
x
1.08
Distance
5
69
100
59
63
46
102
43
59
x
Travel time (hrs.mins)
11mins
1.22
2.08
1.07
1.21
57mins
2.1
52mins
1.08
x
825
754
502
481
467
835
448
852
546
6238
Total Time
Average Time
10hrs 41mins
1hr 11mins
16hrs 42mins
1hr 51mins
16hrs 57mins
1hr 53mins
10hrs 11mins
1hr 8mins
11hrs 16mins
1hr 15mins
9hrs 49mins
1hr 5mins
17hrs 11mins
1hr 55mins
9hrs 36mins
1hr 4mins
15hrs 29mins
1hr 43mins
11hrs 16mins
1hr 15mins
129hrs 8mins
1hr 26mins
92
84
56
53
52
93
50
95
61
69.5
Appendix 16
Darlington MP
Preston
Grasshoppers
Otley
Hull
Caldy
Westoe
Huddersfield
Stockport
Harrogate
Sandal
Appendix 16
Straw Man 4North
Straw Man 4North
Darlington
Preston G
Otley
Hull
Caldy
Westoe
Huddersfield
Stockport
Harrogate
Sandal
Total Distance
Average Distance
Distance
x
102
58
111
151
39
86
117
46
75
785
87
Travel time (hrs.mins)
x
1.48
1.05
1.48
2.41
52mins
1.34
2.04
52mins
1.13
Distance
102
x
54
127
51
138
58
48
60
72
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.48
x
1.22
2.1
1.07
2.23
1.03
54mins
1.29
1.23
Distance
58
54
x
75
89
94
25
55
12
28
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.05
1.22
x
1.27
1.59
1.41
52mins
1.23
22mins
45mins
Distance
111
127
75
x
139
146
74
105
71
58
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.48
2.1
1.27
x
2.37
2.24
1.3
2hrs
1.22
1.11
Distance
151
51
89
139
x
186
70
54
100
84
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.41
1.07
1.59
2.37
x
3.13
1.27
1.05
2.1
1.47
Distance
39
138
94
146
186
x
121
152
81
110
Travel time (hrs.mins)
52mins
2.23
1.41
2.24
3.13
x
2.11
2.41
1.29
1.5
Distance
86
58
25
74
70
121
x
38
36
14
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.34
1.03
52mins
1.3
1.27
2.11
x
55mins
1.04
31mins
Distance
117
48
55
105
54
152
38
x
66
47
Travel time (hrs.mins)
2.04
54mins
1.23
2hrs
1.05
2.41
55mins
x
1.34
1.17
Distance
46
60
12
71
100
81
36
66
x
36
Travel time (hrs.mins)
52mins
1.29
22mins
1.22
2.1
1.29
1.04
1.34
x
47mins
Distance
75
72
28
58
84
110
14
47
36
x
Travel time (hrs.mins)
1.13
1.23
45mins
1.11
1.47
1.5
31mins
1.17
47mins
x
710
490
906
924
1067
522
682
508
524
7118
Total Time
Average Time
13hrs 57mins
1hr 33mins
13hrs 39mins
1hr 31mins
10hrs 56mins
1hr 13mins
16hrs 29mins
1hr 50mins
18hrs 6mins
2hrs 1min
18hrs 44mins
2hrs 5mins
11hrs 7mins
1hr 14mins
13hrs 53mins
1hr 33mins
11hrs 9mins
1hr 14mins
10hrs 44mins
1hr 12mins
138hrs 44mins
1hr 33mins
79
54
101
103
119
58
76
56
58
79.1
Appendix 16
APPENDIX 17
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 17
ADULT COMPETITION REVIEW
NCA ATTENDANCES 2012-13 ANALYSIS, AUGUST 2013
Introduction
Based on data provided through the RFU
and NCA, and using the website www.
rugbyroundup.com, the following is an
analysis of attendances within Levels 3 and
4 during the 2012-13 season – that is, within
National League Division 1, National League
Division 2 North and National League
Division South. The purpose of the analysis
is to identify whether there are any specific
drivers of attendance within these divisions
– and especially to identify whether the
identity and provenance of the opposition is
a factor in higher or lower attendances.
In this, it is acknowledged that attendance
levels are subject to a variety of influences.
These will include:
• The provenance of the opposition,
especially whether the match is a
traditional local derby
• The standard of the opposition, e.g.,
whether it is a particularly attractive or
(conversely) a weak team
• The prevailing weather conditions, and
whether these are conducive or not to
watching rugby
• The stage of the season, e.g., whether it is
early and excitement remains high, or late
on and with little to play for; or whether
during school holidays, when potential
spectators are away
Attendance figures – summary
A summary of attendance figures for
the 2012-13 season at Levels 3 and 4 is
provided below: a full breakdown of these
on a club-by-club basis can be found within
the Excel spreadsheet which accompanies
this document.
Appendix 17
Total
Average
• Local marketing and promotional activity
which targets a particular fixture, and so on
In analysing the data to hand, it should be
noted that:
• It is incomplete, as a small number of
fixtures have no attendance figures
attached to them
• It is approximate, as several clubs have
submitted round numbers for their
attendances which suggest an element
of imprecision
• There are background circumstances
which have been impossible to assess
from the available data, e.g., weather
conditions, local marketing activity
• The circumstances relating to the stage of
the season have not been analysed, as this
would be too time-consuming
Highest
Lowest
Highest
Average
859
Lowest
Average
272
Nat Lge 1
120,331
501
1541
106
Nat Lge 2N
66, 046
275
1250
100
577
121
Nat Lge 2S
74,718
356
3270
67
813
100
These figures have been analysed on a clubby-club basis, with a view to identifying the
nature and provenance of the opposition
when each club recorded:
• Its highest home attendance of the season
• Its lowest home attendance of the season
• Any attendances which were higher than
its average by 30 per cent or more
• Any attendances which were lower than
its average by 30 per cent or more
In particular, for each of these incidences,
the opposition has been assessed to see
whether it was:
• One of the two teams geographically
closest to the home club
• One of the two teams geographically
furthest away from the home club
Highest attendances
An analysis of the opposition when each club recorded its highest attendance of the season
demonstrates the following statistics:
NB that Stourbridge (a top two side who were also the best attended within the league) were
the opposition when five National League 2 North clubs recorded their highest attendances
1
Nat Lge 1
Nat Lge
2N1
Nat Lge 2S
Totals
• One of the two teams which themselves
attracted the highest average attendances
during the season
• One of the two teams which themselves
attracted the lowest average attendances
during the season.
Nearest
two
9
6
Furthest
two
1
0
15
47
6
21
0
1
Top Two Relegated Best two Worst two
attended attended
3
2
1
0
8
1
5
1
3
14
5
8
3
9
1
2
Lowest attendances
An analysis of the opposition when each club recorded its lowest attendance of the season
demonstrates the following statistics:
• One of the teams which finished in the top
two of the league table
• One of the teams which was relegated at
the end of the season
Total
Teams
16
16
Nat Lge 12
Nat Lge
2N3
Nat Lge
2S4 5
Totals
Total
Teams
16
16
Nearest
two
0
1
Furthest
two
2
7
Top Two Relegated Best two Worst two
attended attended
1
8
0
6
0
6
3
2
15
2
4
0
1
0
4
47
3
13
1
15
3
12
Appendix 17
Attendances 30 per cent above average
In all, 84 of the 690 matches played at
Levels 3 and 4 in the 2012-13 season had
an attendance which was 30 per cent or
more above the average attendance of the
home team – or 12.2 per cent of the total. An
analysis of the opposition when each club
recorded attendances which were 30 per
cent or more above their seasonal average
demonstrates the following statistics:
An additional analysis of the (one-way)
journey time for the away team to fulfil
matches which attracted attendances which
were 30 per cent or more above the seasonal
average of the home team demonstrates
the following:
Total
Nearest Furthest
occurrences
two
two
Top
two
Relegated
Best two Worst two
attended attended
Nat Lge 1
31
14
0
10
1
4
0
Nat Lge 2N
28
10
1
10
5
8
4
Nat Lge 2S
25
7
1
5
7
4
2
Totals
84
31
2
25
13
16
6
Journey time (one-way)
No. of occurrences
%age of total
> 4 hours
3-4 hours
2-3 hours
1-2 hours
<1 hour
Totals
3
7
18
26
30
84
3.6
8.3
21.4
30.9
35.7
100.0
Attendances 30 per cent below average
In all, 99 of the 690 matches played at
Levels 3 and 4 in the 2012-13 season had
an attendance which was 30 per cent or
more below the average attendance of the
home team – or 14.3 per cent of the total. An
analysis of the opposition when each club
recorded attendances which were 30 per
cent or more below their seasonal average
demonstrates the following statistics:
Appendix 17
Total
occurrences
Nearest
two
Furthest
two
Top
two
Relegated Best two
attended
Worst
two
attended
Nat Lge 1
26
0
5
0
11
1
7
Nat Lge 2N
33
3
5
0
7
3
7
Nat Lge 2S
40
3
7
3
8
2
7
Totals
99
6
17
3
26
6
21
An additional analysis of the (one-way)
journey time for the away team to fulfil
matches which attracted attendances which
were 30 per cent or more below the seasonal
average of the home team demonstrates the
following:
Journey time
No. of
(one-way)
occurrences
> 4 hours
12
3-4 hours
23
2-3 hours
31
1-2 hours
24
<1 hour
9
Totals
99
%age of total
12.1
23.2
31.3
24.2
10.2
100.0
Summary and conclusions
Bearing in mind the caveats with which
this paper began, the following conclusions
may reasonably be drawn from the above
analysis:
• Of all the elements under examination,
geographical proximity to the opposition
is the single strongest driver behind
attendances. This can be evidenced from
the facts that :
-- Almost 45 per cent of clubs recorded
their highest attendance when playing
one of their two nearest neighbours
-- Almost 37 per cent of the attendances
which were 30 per cent or more above
the seasonal average of the home team
occurred when the opposition was one
of their two nearest neighbours
-- Almost 36 per cent of the attendances
which were 30 per cent or more above
the seasonal average of the home
team occurred when the opposition
was less than 60 minutes’ drivetime away – while over 65 per cent
of these attendances occurred when
the opposition was less than 2 hours’
drive-time away
• The next most significant driver of good
attendances is strong and attractive
opposition:
-- Almost 30 per cent of clubs recorded
their highest attendance when playing
one of the top two teams in the league
-- Almost 30 per cent of the attendances
which were 30 per cent or more above
the seasonal average of the home team
occurred when the opposition was one
of the top two teams in the league
• Finally, the third most significant driver
behind good attendances is the vibrancy
of the opposition, as evidenced by their
own high average attendances – which
might reasonably be taken to presuppose
a strong travelling support:
-- 19 per cent of clubs recorded their
highest attendance when playing one
of the two best supported / attended
teams in the league
-- 19 per cent of the attendances which
were 30 per cent or more above the
seasonal average of the home team
occurred when the opposition was
one of the top two best supported /
attended teams in the league
Appendix 17
• Weak opposition appear to be the single
strongest driver behind low attendances:
-- Almost 32 per cent of clubs recorded
their lowest attendance when playing
one of the teams relegated from their
league – the single strongest driver
-- Over 26 per cent of the attendances
which were 30 per cent or more below
the seasonal average of the home team
occurred when the opposition was one
of the teams relegated from their league
– again, the single strongest driver
• However, geographical distance
was also a significant factor in low
attendances, in that:
-- Exactly two-thirds of the attendances
which were 30 per cent or more below
the seasonal average of the home team
occurred when the opposition was over
2 hours’ drive-time away
-- Almost 28 per cent of clubs recorded
their lowest attendance when playing
one of the two teams geographically
furthest away from them
-- 17 per cent of the attendances which
were 30 per cent or more below the
seasonal average of the home team
occurred when the opposition was
one of the two teams geographically
furthest away from them
• At the same time, a lack of vibrancy within
the opposition, as evidenced by their own
low average attendances, can also be seen
to depress attendances – thus:
-- Over 25 per cent of clubs recorded
their lowest attendance when playing
one of the two poorest supported /
attended teams in the league
-- Over 21 per cent of the attendances
which were 30 per cent or more below
the seasonal average of the home team
occurred when the opposition was
one of the two poorest supported /
attended teams in the league
Neil Tunnicliffe
Wharton Consulting
August 2013
APPENDIX 18
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Page 2
Adult Competition Review
Research Findings
Presentation contents
1. Project objectives and method
2. Overview of findings
3. Context: Player perspective on rugby
4. Views on current structure
5. Reactions to straw man
6. Reactions to ‘Tweaks’
7. Next steps
Page 3
Project objectives and method
This research study was concerned with
gathering the views of players on
Overview of findings
Background and objectives
•
Introductory summary
Towards the end of 2012, the RFU instigated
a review of its adult competition structures
for non-professional clubs, including females
and university/college teams
the current league structure and any
desires for change
•
tweaks to the current structure
Players enjoy playing and being
involved in rugby
•
proposed Straw Man re-structuring
•
no strong latent dissatisfactions
•
biggest problems for players are the toll
it takes on their bodies and the demands
it makes of their non-rugby time
This review and subsequent consultations
with various stakeholders has led to the
development of
•
a proposed ‘Straw Man’: a new structure
for rugby at Levels 3 – 12
•
a range of ‘Tweaks’ to elements of the
current structure
Where we are now
We have completed 21 groups, with players
from 53 clubs
•
•
Area
Levels 3-5
Levels 6-8
Levels 9-12
Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset,
Avon, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire
2 Groups
No/ of Attendees: 12
No/ of Clubs: 3
Group
No/ of Attendees: 5
No/ of Clubs: 3
Group
No/ of Attendees: 3
No/ of Clubs: 3
-
-
Group
No/ of Attendees: 3
No/ of Clubs: 3
Group
No/ of Attendees: 3
No/ of Clubs: 3
Group
No/ of Attendees: 5
No/ of Clubs: 4
Group
No/ of Attendees: 6
No/ of Clubs: 3
2 Groups
No/ of Attendees: 7
No/ of Clubs: 5
Group
No/ of Attendees: 3
No/ of Clubs: 2
Group
No/ of Attendees: 3
No/ of Clubs: 2
Group
No/ of Attendees: 3
No/ of Clubs: 3
Group
No/ of Attendees: 5
No/ of Clubs: 3
Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire,
Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Hampshire
Essex, Sussex, Kent, Surrey
Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire,
Warwickshire, Northamptonshire,
Eastern Counties, Suffolk
Lancashire, Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Staffordshire,
Birmingham, Shropshire, Worcestershire
Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, Yorkshire
Mixed reactions to proposals
total of 73 players
Outliers / Conurbations
2 Groups
No/ of Attendees: 8
No/ of Clubs: 3
Group
No/ of Attendees: 2
No/ of Clubs: 2
Group
No/ of Attendees: 3
No/ of Clubs: 3
-
-
Group
Officials only
No players
-
-
-
2 Groups
No/ of Attendees: 6
No/ of Clubs: 4
often dependent on type of player
and level of rugby played
Context:
player
perspective
on rugby
Straw Man
Tweaks
•
most (apart from the more enthusiastic
and those in lesser populated lower
leagues) welcome fewer league fixtures
•
most would welcome some change
to Cup Rugby
•
and ‘outliers’ welcome relief from burden
of constant long distance travel
•
•
more ambitious players, at higher levels,
have major concerns over potential effect
on competitiveness, quality, excitement and
kudos of current ‘national league’ structures
less positive about proposals on
Promotion/Relegation, Player Payments
and introduction of Rolling Substitutions
at higher levels
•
resisted by clubs where regionalisation
of leagues could create a diminution in
quality of rugby, at all levels
Reasons to play rugby …
But competing with a
desire to play, are...
Personal
achievement
in rugby
Personal challenge
Love of the game
Family (time)
Work (time and money)
Social life (young men)
Body
Team Spirit
Camaraderie
Mutual support
Page 4
Page 5
Players have two slightly different foci …
Along a spectrum …
Players with different foci play the game for different reasons, and in different ways
Ambition
Enjoyment
Pitted against a third …
Life
Page 6
Implications for response to proposals
In simple terms, and for the purposes of this project, one can say there are two player ‘types’ …
Page 7
Views on current structure
Players are largely satisfied with the way
their rugby is organised now
They like to have a moan about financial
inequality, but see it as part of the game (as
it is part of life)
Some differences across the levels…
•
Levels 7 and below in particular have very
little to grumble about the overall structure
of the league
•
they’re mostly in it for the ‘enjoyment’
Similarly, levels 5 and 6 also broadly happy
•
though can find some aspects difficult,
or a little unsatisfactory
Levels 3 and 4, though broadly content do
have a few more obvious areas of tension…
•
can be amused to see clubs yo-yo up and
down leagues when they have / run out
of money
like to have a crack at besting richer
(most often southern) clubs
But, if pressed, players would point to a few
organisational and structural areas that
could be improved:
•
devalued Cup competitions
•
too few subs (at higher levels)
In general, players appreciate
At outlying clubs especially, travel time can
be an issue, affecting those at Levels 3 and 4:
•
proper league structure (vs. merit tables)
•
•
with promotion and relegation
•
... which affords them (mostly)
competitive rugby (although potential
for dead rubbers in second half of
season)
•
…and ensures the best, most consistently
performing team wins
•
•
a degree of regionalisation which
makes sense
•
some players at lower levels may be
more sensitive, baulking at relatively
short trips, or avoiding any away fixture
(difficult to see how to address at this
extreme!)
However, the amount of rugby
they play can be an issue …
The number of fixtures played in a season is
one of the most obvious complaints
•
most keenly felt by players in the upper
levels (3 – 5), with more fixtures
•
but, a complaint often also voiced
by those at the lower levels
The impact of number of fixtures being
•
too many early starts, or overnight stays
put pressure on family / leisure time and
necessitate time off work (financial issue)
body doesn’t have time to recover and
eventually gives up
•
lack of free weekends, for leisure
pursuits, family time
(players can also see their clubs as
victims here)
•
fixture congestion at the end of the
season, due to cancelled games, often
leads to season extending into May when pitches are hard (hurts!) and nonrugby summer activities beckon
Other players may moan about travel time
•
•
but mostly accept it as part of playing
high level rugby
they only really make the occasional ‘long
trip’, which if anything they might enjoy
The effect being, players may drop levels,
miss fixtures, or quit the game if demands
become too great
Page 8
Question for Straw Man:
quality against manageability
•
Straw Man: reactions
in a nutshell
•
to fix distance, though mainly a fix only
really called for by outlying clubs?
or to reduce number of fixtures?
Reactions to ‘Straw Man’
•
Mixed reactions to the proposals
Straw Man: mixed reactions
The impact of Straw Man is greater at upper
levels of rugby
Mixed reactions to Straw Man proposal
•
•
Page 9
•
most obviously Levels 3 & 4 and to an
extent 5 & 6: here views are mixed
appreciated the introduction of National
leagues 5 or 6 years back)
Levels 3 & 4: the key issues
Travel time
regionalisation removes the excitement
and variety of playing clubs further
afield and could lead to a diminution
in standard at each level
Regionalisation
Fewer fixtures
Principle of reduced travel time of interest
Raises issues…
Most appreciate, many benefits
•
Fears of ‘ambition’ focussed players
•
more recovery time
games in Phase 2 of season (L3, L4)
often seen as likely to lack edge and
excitement
Outlying clubs are more likely to
acknowledge as a benefit
•
•
‘proper’ space for Cup rugby
•
space for rearranged fixtures
•
variety: more space for ad hoc fixtures
- local derbies, open days, traditional exleague rivalries, open days, trial days, etc.
proposal itself greatly differs between
Levels 3 & 4 (2 phase season) vs. Levels 5
and below
•
Straw man represents more significant
change at Levels 3 & 4, with diminishing
implications (vs. current structure) the
further down the levels you play
The obvious benefit of Straw Man is that
it can make rugby more manageable,
appreciated more by players focussed on
‘enjoyment’
Very mixed reactions to Straw Man
•
‘enjoyment’ focussed players
Three key issues are most likely to influence
responses
•
fewer fixtures are welcomed by the
majority
•
players at outlying clubs
•
perceived benefit of reduced travel time
•
•
regionalisation of rugby
reduction in travel time times significant
and tempting for players at outlying
clubs
•
impact of fewer fixtures
•
(and for levels 3 & 4 a two phase season)
•
Support or resistance to Straw Man depends
on how much players are willing to trade
Levels 7 & below are generally less
impacted, but still views are mixed
However, many fear reduction in the quality
of rugby they will play, felt more keenly by
those focussed on ‘ambition’, but also those
in it for ‘enjoyment’ too
•
flattening the pyramid damages kudos
of prestigious National leagues (they
Levels 3 & 4: the most impacted
by Straw Man
Broadly, the most positive are
•
long journeys/ overnighters etc. are the
norm and take their toll
•
most obviously for ‘enjoyment’ players
Majority of others in non-outlying clubs
don’t see Straw Man as delivering a
significant change
•
distance (/travel time) to most away
fixtures seen as much the same as
currently
•
for most away fixtures players commit
to a day of rugby
Most resistant are
•
‘ambition’ focussed players
•
non-outlying club players
however, less enthusiasm for the
proposal in detail…
And, players enjoy the occasional ‘big trip’
diminution of quality and standard of
rugby
- leading to a few ‘easy’ games in the
season against lower standard clubs
•
exacerbates the South (stronger, richer
teams)/ North (weaker, poorer teams)
divide
- lea d to a talent drain down South
•
•
Northern league in particular may
become less competitive nationally, if
they play most of their games against
other Northern clubs
monotony: playing fewer clubs,
more often
•
excitement, novelty, builds team spirit
NB players saw list of clubs that would
be in their league under new structure:
•
…getting drunk on the bus
•
for some, this meant playing clubs of a
lower standard (most noticeable in first,
transition season)
A few of the more ‘ambitious’ players may be
left chomping at the bit
•
like to play as much meaningful rugby
as possible
•
see long league season as more testing
Page 10
Page 11
Levels 3 & 4: two phase season
Positives could be …
Need more work to convince players of the
merits of two phase season
•
fixtures in Phase 2 put back some variety
and challenge:
•
prevalent reactions are negative, or
suspicious…
•
chance to play clubs further afield and
outside your league
phase 2 looks weak, lacks
competitiveness
•
ability to test yourself against the best
(from neighbouring league, or especially
southern teams)
•
injects some life into second half of the
season for clubs with no prospect of
promotion and little fear of relegation
•
•
Most see only the negatives …
•
complicated, unfamiliar
•
dead rubbers:
•
temptation to rest players for Phase 2 in
preparation for Play Offs (‘Phase 3’)
•
(exception being top tier Level 3: teams
play for promotion in Phase 2)
•
similarly, some repetition of fixtures
•
does it really reduce number of fixtures
•
trophies likely to be of little or no value need greater incentives, e.g. Twickenham
finals, financial rewards
•
less of a marathon, the teams don’t need
to play consistently well over the entire
season to be top
•
Below Levels 3 & 4
Mixed views
Regionalisation, and shrinking the field
of teams played, is the biggest issue
•
there are some clubs/ regions for
whom Straw Man would bring about
a diminution in quality (standard and
variety) of rugby
who are less willing to accept the
rationality of a more manageable
solution
and there are also concerns about the
variety of rugby “would we by playing
the same teams time and time again”
to Manchester and beat the better teams”
•
Similarly to upper levels, type of player can
have a bearing on responses
•
Levels 5 & 6
Mixed responses
those where standard of competitors
would be less affected by shrinking of
their region are less concerned (e.g.
South Coast) “Sussex is a strong region,
it would save us having to travel to Kent
to play lesser quality teams”
•
the ‘ambitious’ players (may have
aspirations to move up through the
leagues) are again, concerned about the
dilution of quality of rugby (regardless of
the region they are in)
whereas, the more ‘enjoyment’ focussed
players appreciate the benefit of
reduction in number of fixtures this
brings
•
they already play fairly locally, so don’t
immediately see any significant savings
Most are positive about the ‘promise’ of Cup
rugby
•
particularly if ‘tweaks’ are applied and it
is given a greater degree of importance /
prominence in the season
We had less to show players at these
levels because the Straw Man makes fewer
fundamental changes to the structure of
their season
•
and the precise workings of the structure
is less formalised than the upper levels
•
Many are positive because of the singular
benefit of the reduction in the number of
fixtures
Some are concerned about the diminution of
variety of rugby they will play
•
•
“you’d just see the same old faces, season
after season”
Though some were concerned too
But, regionalisation has mixed impact
•
“we enjoy the trips out of the county”
•
•
Most are non-plussed about the apparent
reduction in travel time
basic principle of fewer fixtures and
reduced travel time (to relevant outlying
clubs) has appeal
However, still encounter ‘ambition’ and even
‘enjoyment’ focussed players further down
the levels who resist
particularly those ‘enjoyment’ focussed
(of which there are many at this level)
clubs in regions where standard of
competitive rugby would be diluted by
shrinking their region are resistant to the
Straw Man (e.g. Cumbria) “we want to go
Many players at these levels were positive
about the Straw Man proposals
•
the key benefit to them being the
reduction in the number of fixtures
some currently play in leagues with
small number of teams - they don’t want
a further reduction
they rarely travel more than an hour to
get to away games
Regionalisation can be impactful and
important
•
as with levels 5 & 6, some clubs/ regions
could see a diminution in standard of
the quality of rugby they are able to
play with introduction of Straw Man e.g.
Cumbria, and thus are resistant
•
others are less impacted i.e. those in
stronger regions e.g. Gloucestershire
Broadly positive
Mixed views on the Straw Man proposals at
these levels
•
•
Levels 7 / 8 - 12
Support for Straw Man is obvious below
3 & 4:
more likely to encounter players willing
to trade quality for manageability as you
progress down the levels: it’s the way
their rugby is
Reduction in travel time is less impactful
Positively, opportunities for more formalised
Cup rugby are appreciated
Page 12
Reactions to ‘Tweaks’
•
Proposal to introduce rolling substitutions
Current system of rolling subs seems to
satisfy at lower levels
•
opportunity for more to play (even if not
100% fit), and can increase speed of the
game
Rolling subs resisted by players at higher
levels
•
•
•
•
“amateur” (not like what they see at L2
and above)
takes away the endurance side of the
game “winning is partly about having
the players that will grind the opposition
down in the last 20 minutes”
and potentially, the strategic nature
“becomes less of a strategic game for the
coach, deciding which players to use”
in danger of becoming NFL farce –
players coming on and off continuously,
special teams
Higher level players do want
•
more subs (which also would allow more
specialist forward subs) and maybe help
to prevent injuries
5 instead of 3 (some would say 7 too
many, but some issues: players wouldn’t
get a game, clubs can’t afford it, and puts
pressure on 2nd XV)
Proposed changes to Cup competitions
Consensus that Cups could be improved
Page 13
•
although, no spontaneous gripes about
being left with gaps in the fixture list
having been dumped out of the cup
early; and could negate benefits of fewer
fixtures in a season
Proposal to restrict player payments
•
plays second fiddle to league games
Currently, grumbles about player payments
is an occasional sport
•
“it doesn’t have the kudos of league
games”
•
•
“you just field the second teams, some
years we don’t even enter”
•
an afterthought from the organisers
•
squeezed into congested second half of
the season by clubs (& often why it plays
second fiddle)
Players, especially at lower levels would like
a more highly valued Cup competition
•
•
•
a chance to play against some of the ‘big’
teams
but, want it to be better organised, with
proper space in the fixture list
with a prize worth playing for…
Twickenham final, plus cash prize
In this context, Heineken style pools could
work
•
talent drain down South “players
following the money”
•
demotivating to get beaten heavily and
regularly by invincible London teams
and, yo-yoing teams can be disruptive in
their flight up and down the leagues
On the whole though, not a huge call to
restrict payments
•
•
little, if any, resentment of higher paid
players
adds to the rich tapestry of rugby
competition … the richer clubs don’t
always win
and clubs buying short term success
often suffer - diminution of team spirit,
always get their come-uppance in the
league
•
•
-- players may not wish to travel in a
league that takes them out of their
current geographical orbit (but see
earlier discussion of distances)
-- in order to compete may need to
jettison team mates and replace them
with better players from outside
Proposals for regulation of promotion and
relegation
Players don’t like the idea of having
promotion blocked by RFU / authorities
•
players at all levels play to win and would
love to come top
•
would be deeply frustrating if you are
refused promotion
•
would affect focus and moral in the
closing stages and damage chance of
success
Having said that …
•
players recognise clubs may find it
difficult to compete financially in a
players may be more comfortable in
current league (esp. ‘social’ players)
-- don’t want to lose every game in a
league that’s too strong for them
“they’d just return to the bad old days
when a players wife gets paid £20k for
cleaning the club house once a year”
Overwhelming rejection of this proposal, if
imposed from ‘above’
very ambitious players and those in
leagues with smaller number of teams)
league above
Even if considered, the reality is that
restricting payments would, they think, be
largely unenforceable
most just accept as “the way it is now”
All recognise an unequal distribution of
wealth - richer clubs (mostly in the South)
can pay to attract the better (occasionally
‘mercenary’) players and buy success
•
•
… so open to the idea of clubs themselves
turning down promotion - as long as it was
supported also by the players
Reduction in travel time is less of a universal
benefit
•
The regionalisation of rugby appears to be
the most universal issue with the proposed
structure
•
some see no issue, preferring the benefits
that come along with it
•
but, it also meets with great resistance
-- those at upper levels are concerned
with loss of kudos of their ‘national’
status
Conclusions
-- and throughout the levels there are
concerns about how it will effect the
quality and potential for variety of
rugby played
Straw Man: Conclusions
Clear that it makes some players unhappy,
whilst others welcome the changes to the
current structure
•
at all levels Straw Man is well received,
but is also met with valid resistance
The most obvious benefit, at all levels, is the
reduction in number of fixtures
•
an almost universal benefit (save a few
only the outlying clubs, and particularly
those at levels 3 & 4 will benefit
Adoption of the Straw Man may depend on
RFU strategic intentions , who do you want
to keep happy/ who are your key targets?...
•
‘ambitious’ vs. ‘enjoyment’ focussed?
•
upper vs. lower levels?
•
outlying vs. non-outlying clubs?
Page 14
•
strong regions vs. weaker regions?
•
Further questions
•
•
can phase 2 (levels 3 & 4) of Straw Man
be addressed, this could overcome some
resistance?
is there a way to reduce number of
fixtures, without regionalising?
Further work, and/or different
questions?
Potential to further extend the study
Interview face to face more Level 3 and 4
clubs (for whom Straw Man has greater
implications)
•
•
•
mini-groups, or depth interviews (with
new clubs and revisit those already
approached and not taken part)
conducted at their clubs, to encourage
participation
•
Conclusions: The tweaks
Clearly merit in interrogating further the
‘tweaks’
Rolling subs resisted, but enthusiasm for
more subs on the bench
Very strong interest in ‘sorting out’ cup
rugby
•
online and phone interviews
give it greater importance/ prominence
in the season
Resistance to restriction of player payments
•
impossible to police and part and parcel
of the modern game
Resistance to ‘imposition’ of declining
promotion
•
some logic in clubs declining promotion,
but needs to be a joint decision with
players
•
…how feasible is this?
to include outlying and non-outlying
clubs, for balance
Talk to a broader range of lower level
clubs to increase number of clubs / players
consulted
concentrating on tweaks, and more
simple, more easily understood,
implications of Straw Man
Thank you
APPENDIX 19
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 19
ADULT COMPETITION REVIEW
NCA CLUBS’ CONFERENCE,
29-30 SEPTEMBER 2013
OUTPUTS
Table session 1: Consultation findings
(a) What is your response to the
consultation finding that there should be
fewer league fixtures / smaller leagues?
•
Mixed views on this:
-- Those in agreement stated the
following issues in support of their
view:
-- The attritional effect on players –
welfare & motivation
-- Season extends from July (pre-season
training) to April / May – too long for
players, coaches and administrators
-- Too many games can dilute playing
standards
-- Too many games can affect player
retention
-- Cost of travel is an issue (although
RFU funding could offset this)
Appendix 19
differently, as the clubs at Level 3 are
bigger businesses with different needs
• Having 2nd XVs in 1st XV leagues is /
would be a barrier
• Need an overall strategy which includes
PRL and Championship – can’t look at
Levels 3 and 4 in isolation
(c) What is your response to the
consultation finding that cup rugby is
popular among players?
• No appetite among Level 3 clubs for cup
rugby – league rugby is king
-- Current system works well and
shouldn’t be altered
(b) What is your response to the
consultation finding that there should be
some mechanisms in place to regulate
promotion and relegation?
-- Same number of games is key to
commercial sustainability
• Current system works, and is facilitated by
the pyramid
-- Two fewer fixtures would have an
adverse impact on club finances
(although it was recognised that not
playing would save costs)
• Declining promotion is / would be rare –
more in some locations than others
-- Fixture congestion
-- The need for bigger squads
-- Who is the league for – players or
clubs?
• Those who disagreed stated the following
issues in support of their view:
-- County rugby should be sacrificed to
make more space in the season
• All fixtures should be meaningful fixtures
– there needs to be a balance between
commercial imperatives and meaningful
fixtures
• If declining promotion is to be allowed,
there should be a limit on the number of
opportunities a club has to do so
• Play-offs should be removed – they don’t
work
• Review the number of clubs relegated
from Level 3 to 4
• National competition is essential to the
maintenance of competitive standards:
• Explore the possibility of more clubs
promoted to Championship / Level 2 –
two up, two down
• It is perceived that there is a north-south
divide in terms of playing standards
• Too much relegation (3 of 16, 18.75%) puts
too much pressure on clubs
• Levels 3 and 4 should be looked at
• Clubs need guaranteed income from
fixtures planned in advance
• Cup rugby adds little in terms of interest /
gate receipts
• Clubs don’t just need more games
• Not enough space in the calendar for an
expanded cup competition
• Any cup competitions would have to be
well structured and funded
• Width of cup competitions – there
shouldn’t be too much of a gap in terms of
standards / levels
• Local CB cup competitions are useful for
player development, but there are many
local organisational issues – and most
teams field 2nd XVs in these competitions
(d) What is your response to the
consultation finding that the cost of
playing rugby is prohibitively high for
over half the clubs at Levels 3-6?
• Player payments are a fact of life
• Player payments are a club choice
• Player payments are driven by agents and
players – difficult for clubs to influence
these
• It’s up to clubs to work within their
budgets – shouldn’t compensate for poor
management
• The RFU should increase its funding to
offset club difficulties
• The RFU should educate clubs on the cost
of promotion and the impact of relegation
• The RFU should require clubs to have
effective business plans and to meet
participation criteria within these levels
Table session 2: The Straw Man
(a) Competitive implications
• Seen as too radical – a leap of faith
• Would reduce the quality of competition
• Reduces the number of big matches,
North v South
• Gap from Level 3 to Level 2 would
increase
• League should be the same all the way
through the season
• Second phase creates cup rugby, which
clubs don’t want
• Second-phase matches between mid-table
teams would be meaningless
• Second-phase matches for bottom teams
would be pointless – their season is over in
January
• Players may leave clubs or be laid off
between first and second phases – would
lead to split contracts / pay rates
• However, some support expressed for:
-- Fourteen-team leagues and top-four
play-offs
-- Three regions at Level 4, instead of two
(b) Financial implications
• Fewer fixtures would reduce income
• Financial benefits would not be significant
Appendix 19
• Costs of play-offs would outweigh any
benefits
• Lower playing standards would reduce
marketability
• Depends on the RFU subsidy –
assumption that this will go down, but
should go up
• Risk of playing the same clubs too many
times
• Travel time and cost is not an issue for
clubs
• But also a contrary view that costs
would be saved and the number of local
derbies would increase, especially among
southern clubs
• Needs some financial incentive based on
league position – what is this worth to the
RFU?
-- Linked questions, what is the purpose
of rugby at these levels?
-- What is more important – saving
money, or good rugby?
(c) Commercial & marketing implications
• Becoming regional would affect the NCA’s
ability to attract a national sponsor
• Difficult to market the second phase,
especially at middle and lower levels
• Difficult for clubs to sell the second phase,
as don’t know who you will be playing
• Would not be attractive to club sponsors
(d) Other comments
• Concerns expressed over the data and
its analysis – stating the obvious; “lies,
damned lies and statistics”; consultation
process and sample size, not robust, out of
touch:
-- Needs separating out by level, and not
grouping across levels
• Question whether players really are
dropping out of Levels 3 and 4 in their late
20s:
-- But also a nuanced view that this is
more prevalent at Level 4 than at Level
3, where the average player age is
younger – and when players aged 27+
leave their club, they leave the game,
they don’t drop down a level or two
• Attendances aren’t important to Levels 3
and 4 – clubs at these levels don’t make
their money through the gate on matchdays
Appendix 19
• Travel is not always by bus – therefore
road distances / times are not always
relevant
Table session 3: Second XV rugby
• Not all Level 3 and 4 clubs have 2nd XVs:
-- Should NCA require its clubs to have
one?
-- Some Level 4 clubs are drawing on
Level 3 club squads for their 1st XVs
-- RFU incentives for clubs to field 2nd
XVs?
• Those who do expressed some desire
for 1st and 2nd XVs to be able to travel
together:
-- Same number of matches required
-- Greater squad cohesion
-- Economies of scale
-- But prospect of “dead clubhouse” when
both teams away from home
-- Also risk of late cry-offs when in transit
• Need meaningful fixtures – friendlies are
hard to come by – but, at this level, all
rugby is good rugby
• Need to find the right level for each 2nd
XV to play at – no generic solution for all
• Geography is important: need regional or
local groupings which minimise travel in
order to encourage fixture fulfilment
• Regulation should also be flexible to get
matches played. Support for mechanisms
such as fixture pools, points incentives for
fixture fulfilment (especially away):
-- Need to avoid late cry-offs
• Area League option has some appeal,
as a formalised organisation based on
current set-ups, if applied nationally
and with flexibility to cater for regional
circumstances:
-- Could finish the season with a
Regional Champions’ Cup competition
-- Incentives for winning through, e.g., kit
or an awards evening
• Some but not widespread support for 2nd
XVs in 1st XV leagues:
-- Would need RFU regulation allowing
this at specific levels only, e.g., Levels
3-5 or 6
-- Issues identified of regulation,
especially to stop teams being flooded
with 1st XV players when promotion /
relegation beckons
-- Counter-argument that this is the
wrong environment for 2nd XVs
• Some support for a loan system, or dual
registration, to avoid losing players to
other clubs
• Some support for end-of-season play-offs
and cup competition to enliven the diet
• Acknowledge need for RFU direction
• One size will not fit all – too many regional
variations, need flexibility to allow for this
Other issues raised:
• RFU should bring back conditional
funding
• RFU should negotiate national rail travel
to increase the discount that clubs can get
• RFU should regulate Premiership clubs
placing Academy players with lower-level
clubs, to improve equality of this – “draft
system”
• All Twickenham internationals should
kick off at 4 pm or afterwards, to help
boost bar revenue
JNT
7:x:13
Appendix 19
APPENDIX 20
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 20
Adult Competition Review
Leagues for 2nd and other lower XVs
Self-assessment tool – draft v2
As part of the RFU’s Adult Competition
Review, significant time and attention has
been given to the provision for 2nd and
other lower XVs, and the need to improve
practices at this level – in particular, to
reduce as far as possible the number of
postponements and cancellations which
occur within leagues outside of the RFU’s
pyramid. While the review has identified
a number of amendments that may be
appropriate both to league structures and
to the management information that is
maintained, it has also been agreed that the
sharing of best practice is vital to improving
operations at these levels.
With that in mind, research has been
conducted to identify the “critical success
factors” (CSFs) behind a well-managed,
efficient and effective league or league
competition. The purpose of this research
is to create a roster of CSFs against which
a league or leagues can assess their own
performance – and so identify areas of
their operation which might benefit from
improvement. The commitment of the RFU
is to provide a bank of resources on which
league organisers can draw to support those
improvements – or, in areas where resources
are not currently available, to invest in
providing solutions to problems which are
commonly identified.
In order to support this process, the
following self-assessment tool has been
drawn up. The intention is that league
organisers should self-reflect through
the medium of a discussion involving all
relevant committee members and (where
appropriate) other representatives such as
club officials, team representatives, players
and RFU development personnel. The
process envisaged for this discussion is as
follows:
• To consider the statement made in the
left-hand column of the review template,
headed “What we aspire to”. This
statement is intended to represent an
ideal situation that would be in place if
the league(s) was operating in accordance
with best practice – or a key driver that,
if functioning fully, would benefit the
league(s)
• For each of the statements, to provide
a RAGG rating which represents the
league(s)’ current state of fulfilment of the
aspiration. The RAGG ratings are broadly
as follows:
Appendix 20
-- R = Red = “we don’t fulfil this aspiration,
and we need help to address the
situation”
-- A = Amber = “we partly fulfil this
aspiration, but there are things we
need to do to fulfil it completely”
the RFU ([email protected]), who will
have responsibility for identifying the most
appropriate resource to be provided.
Name of League(s):
-- G = Green = “we fulfil this aspiration to
a level with which we are satisfied”
-- G – Gold = “we consider that our
fulfilment of this aspiration represents
best practice”
What we aspire to
1
• Under the “Comment” column, to give
reasons why the RAGG rating has been
chosen, and to identify issues which
impact on that rating
Our league operates within
structured season which normally
extends from 1 September to 30
April (but with licence to play
finals in May if required)
2
• Under the “Actions” column, to identify
actions which are required either to
improve the rating, or to maintain it at its
current (high) level
Our league has more than
one organiser, and succession
planning is in place
3
Our league delivers the optimum
number of matches per season,
respective to the needs and
preferences of teams and players
at each level
4
Our leagues are compiled with
a view to the travel times and
distances of the participating
teams
Once completed, it is envisaged that the
template will form the basis of an action
plan through which the league(s) may seek
to address the issues which have been
identified. In order to access guidance
and support in delivering this action
plan, it is recommended that a copy of the
completed template should be returned
to Chris Burns, Competitions Manager at
Completed by (name and position):
RAGG rating
Comment
Actions
Appendix 20
What we aspire to
5
Our league has a set of regulations
which is communicated widely
and openly, and applied equitably
and transparently
6
There is specific provision within
the regulations for the playing
of matches with sub-optimal
numbers
7
Our regulations encourage teams
to fulfil all scheduled fixtures, both
home and away, league and cup
8
There is specific provision
within the regulations to deter
cancellations, especially those
which occur late in the day
9
Our league has a mechanism in
place to arrange fixtures for teams
whose matches are cancelled
10
Fixtures are scheduled in
consideration of the schedules
operated by other leagues within
the region
RAGG rating
Comment
Appendix 20
Actions
What we aspire to
11
Match results are captured and
submitted to the RFU in a timely
fashion, and no later than 12 pm
on the Monday after matches have
been played
12
There is widespread use of ICT
within the league to manage
fixtures and results, and also to
address issues such as player
registrations, fixture exchanges,
etc.
13
Teams are encouraged to
participate in initiatives which
prepare their players for the
specific challenges of playing
rugby, including and especially
Scrum Factory
14
Our league regularly consults
with the teams and players
participating in it, to ensure that
the rugby being offered fits their
needs and preferences
RAGG rating
Comment
Actions
Appendix 20
Additional issues
In this box, describe any additional issues which impact upon your league’s ability to function optimally, and which are not drawn out by
the review template above:
APPENDIX 21
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 21
Appendix 21
Issue: The Scrum and Front-Rowers
Regulation
Game can start with uncontested scrum.
You win, you only get two points instead of
four.
North West Intermediate League
Game can start with uncontested scrums.
Pros
1)Incentivises having the correct number
of front rowers.
2)Makes sure that games still go ahead
even if front rowers not available.
3)Encourage the proper spirit by
incentivising the lending of players.
Issue: Numbers – “but we don’t have a team”
Cons
1)Can mean that teams don’t make an
effort to get front-rowers to fixtures
which can change the nature of the
game.
2)Limits opportunities for the proper ‘fatty’
to get a run around on a Saturday.
Start the game with a points handicap.
Sussex Leagues
Games take place with uncontested
scrums.
Non-offending team get five points.
Scrums can only become uncontested if
opposition unwilling to lend.
Thames Valley Leagues
Innovations: Before the season starts, why not use the RFU Local Delivery teams to deliver front-row courses across the competition.
Organise a central one for the league and make it a condition of entry that every team sends at least five representatives to the course. This
means that every team has trained and qualified front-rowers, “theoretically”.
Regulation
Pros
Games can start with any number (per
team) above nine.
1)Provides players with a game on a
Saturday.
Rolling Substitutes – give everyone a run.
2)Can build spirit and comradeship within
the leagues.
Teams are given points for lending players.
Maximum difference between teams is two
players
3)Making everyone feel involved in the
team makes them want to come back
and be involved more often.
Cons
1)Impacts upon the integrity of the game.
2)De-values the experience. Leads players
to ask ‘why do I bother’.
3)A stick is often an ineffective deterrent.
Competition Points if you lend player(s) to
the opposition.
Innovation: Use technology to identify players who are transient and who may wish to pick up a game on random weekends without
wanting to align themselves to a side. Twitter hashtags/Facebook pages/dedicated player pool websites are all possibilities in this area.
Appendix 21
Appendix 21
The Season: Structure
Issue:
Gulf in quality between the sides in the competition
Possible resolution:
Mid-Season promotion/relegation.
Split the season into two competitions. E.g. A 12 team competition
can have one round and then split into a home and away round of
two groups of six.
Too much travel
Ground availability
The Carrot / The Stick
The Carrot
Pay teams who travel over a certain
distance to fulfil a fixture.
Half Carrot - Half Stick
Run a league in a conference style.
Bond teams.
- Split the competition into two by geography where teams will
play each other in their conference home and away and the
other teams home or away.
- Will reduce travel drastically.
- Teams must pay a deposit at the start
of the season. They will get the money
back if they complete a certain % of their
fixtures.
Manage the fixture list to avoid clashes with clubs first team
fixtures.
- Money can be discounted for
disciplinary issues/late notification of
results/going to uncontested scrums.
- Use RFU matrixes to schedule season and use the golden pairs
system.
Innovation: Start the season with a gala-day/festival with all games taking place at one venue. It means you can put all the captains/
managers/coaches in one place, go through the regulations for the season, create goodwill between the teams through an early-season
social-occasion.
The Stick
Pros
Gets a fixture played
Cons
Can become very expensive.
Not behaviour the game wants to
encourage.
Pros
Teams see something tangible coming out
of positive behaviour.
Pros
Cons
Difficult to manage and administer.
Judgement about what the team should
be punished for and what the individual
should be punished for.
Cons
If a team defaults its away fixture then the
home fixture is reversed.
Stops teams from simply playing the
games at home.
If the away fixture is the second fixture of
the season then no real consequence.
Once a team defaults a certain number of
fixtures in a season it is removed from the
league.
Creates serious consequences for
defaulting fixtures.
Difficult to manage, what if there is a
legitimate excuse for default?
Appendix 21
It’s the little things that help
Medals for the winning team.
End of season award functions.
Make it compulsory for every team to have
a trained and accredited referee.
Stash for participating teams – balls etc.
Release your fixtures a bit later in the
season. Give clubs a chance to accurately
predict the numbers of players/teams they
have.
Liaise closely with RFU Local Delivery
teams to support clubs and teams that are
struggling.
APPENDIX 22
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 22
Adult Competition Review SubGroup - 2nd XV Competitions
Draft framework for an Area League v2,
August 2013
The following document is intended to
provide a model framework to advise the
development of league competitions at 2nd
XV level and below, within an RFU Area.
The model is based on the Raging Bull
Leagues which have been developed in the
North-West over the past ten years, and we
are particularly grateful for the advice and
guidance of Fred Swarbrick, Reg Richardson
and John Powell of NOWIRUL in the
composition of this document.
Not all of the proposals in this document
will apply in all areas, and local discretion
should be exercised to take into account
different circumstances and preferences
which are expressed. The intention of this
document is not to prescribe, but to identify
considerations which might need to be
addressed in the event that an Area League
is agreed to be appropriate, and to suggest
solutions for them.
Appendix 22
•Treasurer
The committee may delegate certain
functions to sub-committees comprising
experienced and expert individuals, who
may or may not be committee members.
These may include a Rules Sub-Committee,
a Commercial Sub-Committee, etc.
• Divisional league secretaries
3. Finance and fund-raising
• Commercial manager
The league will primarily be financed by
Herein the three officers – President / Chair,
Secretary and Treasurer – may be elected for
a fixed period of time by the membership in
its Annual General Meeting. The (elected
or appointed) secretaries of each division of
the league should also sit on the committee,
while the commercial manager will be an
individual identified and appointed for
his / her expertise in raising funds from
sponsorship and other similar sources.
(a) an RFU grant allocated in accordance
with the number of divisions operated;
and
1. Constitution
as follows:
The league should be constituted as an
unincorporated members’ association, the
members of which are the clubs which enter
the league. Clubs may enter more than one
team in the league, and these will normally
be 2nd and other lower XVs: however, club
1st XVs should also be allowed to enter,
especially where these are representative
of one-team clubs, or where a club has been
struggling and needs to re-establish itself at
a relatively low level of competition.
• President / Chair
All clubs should be bound by the terms of
membership to observe both the rules of
the league and any additional regulations
or codes of conduct which are adopted
from time to time. A draft constitution is
appended to this document, which stipulates
the right of the clubs in membership of
the league inter alia to elect officers and to
approve rule changes at an annual general
meeting, using the principle of one club, one
vote.
2. Governance and management
The constitution should allow the league to
be governed and managed by a committee
which has authority over all matters to
do with the playing of the league. The
composition of this committee may appear
•Secretary
It will be important to ensure that the right
individuals are involved in the league
committee, as this will be a significant
factor in shaping the success of the league.
Advice is to ensure that elected / appointed
volunteers are “doers” with sufficient time
available to them to commit to their roles,
the requisite administrative capabilities to
run the league effectively, and a high level of
enthusiasm.
(b) subscriptions levied on participating
teams. The level at which subscriptions
are set will be locally determined;
however, it is suggested that these are
between £30 and £50 per team. The role of
the commercial manager will be to raise
additional funds through sponsorship and
other similar sources.
Funding is required to underwrite the
running costs of the league, in particular,
the cost of trophies, the staging of finals and
presentation evenings, administrative and
website costs, and committee expenses.
Teams will be required to generate their own
finance to support their playing costs (kit,
travel, etc.), insure themselves through the
RFU, and pay the expenses of referees.
4. League competition
Ideally, each division of the league should
have between 10 and 12 teams, and these
should play each other both home and away
during the course of the season. This will
give between 18 and 22 matches per team
within the scope of the RFU’s structured,
35-week season. RFU research during the
course of its Adult Competition Review
suggests that 12 teams is the maximum
to provide the optimum amount of league
rugby during the period of the structured
season, between the beginning of September
and the end of April.
League fixtures should be centrally
scheduled by the committee or its delegate
as soon as possible following the end of the
previous season. The scheduling should
avoid requiring teams to make long journeys
in mid-winter; and should be mindful of
facility capacity where a club has more than
one team active within the league (and,
indeed, elsewhere).
Where there are several leagues within
a competition, it is recommended that a
pyramid system is adopted which allows
promotion and relegation between divisions.
Herein consideration should be given
to geography: teams at higher levels of
the pyramid may be prepared to travel
more extensively within the area, and so
these top divisions may have quite a wide
geographical spread; however, lower down
the pyramid, teams may wish to operate
within a narrower and more localised
geographical area, and divisions should
be formulated to reflect that. Within this
structure:
• County boundaries may be disregarded in
favour of groupings which bring together
teams who share geographical proximity
• A higher division may therefore have two
or more feeder divisions at the lower level
• Promotion and relegation should be
structured to take into account the
number of divisions at each level – e.g.,
where two / three divisions feed up to a
single division, two /three teams may be
relegated from the higher division, and
just one team promoted from each of the
lower divisions
• Promotion and relegation will normally
be automatic, and not subject to play-offs
or the need for teams to fulfil minimum
standards requirements to enter the
league above. However:
Appendix 22
-- Play-offs may be considered for
introduction if there is space within
the season, and a desire among the
membership to have them
-- Teams may be offered the opportunity
to decline promotion if they so desire,
as long as their reasons for doing so
are considered to be compelling
• To set a minimum number of players for a
team to attempt a match, e.g., five. In this
event, the opposition should be required
to lend that team some of its players, in
order to get at least nine-a-side with a
maximum one-player differential
5. League emphasis
• To allow for uncontested scrums in the
event that insufficient front-row forwards
are present – but to institute regulations
which prohibit the abuse of this provision
The emphasis within the league should
be on getting matches played. Therefore
allowances should be made within the rules
to cater for the event that teams are unable
to field 15 players, including:
• To allow for rolling substitutions which
seek to ensure that all players will get
game-time, and at the same time make
provision for players unable to play a full
80 minutes
• Requiring that the higher teams in any
club should always fulfil their fixtures,
e.g., that the 3rd XV match gets cancelled
before the 2nd XV
At the same time, teams cancelling matches
should be penalised sufficiently strongly
within the league rules to discourage them
from doing so lightly. Penalties may range
from monetary fines through the loss of
league points to expulsion from the league
for persistent, repeat offenders. As an
example of this, NOWIRUL rules state that:
• To set a minimum number of players per
team for the game to commence, e.g., ninea-side
• To set a minimum differential between the
teams for the game to commence, e.g., at
the start of a match, no team should have
more than one player more (or less) than
the opposition
• Teams which cancel four matches in any
one season (three at the higher levels)
may be expelled from the league for the
following season. Any club which has
a team expelled, will also see the lower
teams within the club expelled from the
Appendix 22
league, i.e., if the 2nd XV is expelled,
the 3rd and 4th XVs will also lose their
place. If the club / team is subsequently
reinstated into the league, they are
required to pay a bond to guarantee their
participation
• Matches which are cancelled at the end
of the season, in April, are considered to
count twice within the above tally
• Any team which cancels an away match
will be required to play the corresponding
home match away from home
6. Cup rugby
RFU research during the course of its
Adult Competition Review has shown
overwhelming support for cup rugby at
the lower levels of the game. It is therefore
recommended that cup rugby is a key
feature of competition for teams within these
leagues – either through organisation by the
league itself, or by supporting the County
Cup competitions in operation through local
Constituent Bodies.
As an example of how cup competition
might be structured, NOWIRUL operates
five distinct cup competitions in five bands
which are determined by league levels, in
order to guarantee that teams play against
opposition of a similar standard.
Cup formats will depend upon the space
available within the season. Normally
they will involve a straight knock-out
tournament, with an appropriate number of
byes in the first round to create an optimal
formula. However, a pool-based, Heineken
Cup-style tournament format may also be
utilised if there is the space and the desire
to do so. Matches should be interspersed
with the league schedule, so that there is
no “blocking” of the season and to avoid
creating artificial breakpoints at which
teams and players may stop playing before
the end of April.
Again, cup rugby should be supported by
measures to reinforce the playing of matches
– in order to avoid the competition being
spoiled by cancellations and forfeitures.
Where there is more than one cup
competition in play, their finals should
ideally be played on the same day and at a
single venue at the end of the season. This
will creates a sense of climax, a finale to
the season at which other purposes (e.g.,
presentation evening, awards ceremonies)
can also be fulfilled.
7. Player registration
In keeping with the emphasis on getting
matches played, there should be no system
of player registration within the league – as
this is viewed as a barrier to participation at
this level, and difficult to enforce within the
constraints of a voluntary administration.
Clubs should be bound by a code of conduct
not to exploit this situation, and the league
committee should be vigilant to identify
and address instances where the spirit of the
provision has been abused.
8. Referees
League and cup matches may be officiated
by Society referees, if the league chooses
to form a relationship with its local Referee
Societies. However, as an alternative to
this, it should be noted that NOWIRUL
has formed its own Referees’ Association,
drawing together sufficient local officials
to appoint these to cover its matches on a
weekly basis. This comprises some 60 or
so officials within four regional groupings,
and is financed from within the league as a
whole – although clubs are expected to pay
referees’ expenses on a match-day.
9. Communications
Communications – up-to-date,
comprehensive, open and transparent –
are viewed as one of the key features of a
successful league. To this end, each league
should make best use of information and
communications technology, including
and especially through the establishment
of a website through which all information
should be processed. This website should
allow:
• League and club contacts to be shared
• Rules and regulations to be published
• Committee minutes and decisions to be
published
• Fixtures, results and league information to
be tabled and updated on a regular basis
• Teams without a match on any given
weekend to advertise for opponents
• Disciplinary verdicts to be communicated
The linkage of this website to social media
(Facebook, Twitter) is also encouraged,
to ensure that real-time information is
constantly provided.
Appendix 22
APPENDIX 23
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 23
1: SAMPLE CONSTITUTION
1. Name
The name of the organisation shall be “The
XXXX League” (hereinafter referred to
as “the Association”). At the Committee’s
discretion, this name may be associated with
such Commercial Organisations as may
from time to time enter into promotional
and sponsorship arrangements with the
Association.
2. Objects
The objects of the Association shall be:
2.1 To organise and administer competition
between its members in the form of
a league and, where appropriate, cup
tournaments;
2.2 To respect and abide by the laws and
regulations of the Rugby Football Union
which apply specifically to the playing
of rugby, and otherwise, including and
especially with respect to disciplinary
and anti-doping;
2.3 To raise, manage and expend
funding from appropriate private and
commercial sources for the maintenance
and furtherance of these objects;
2.4 To promote, develop and raise the profile
of the Association in order to maintain
and further these objects;
2.5 To consider matters of mutual concern
to its members and to co ordinate,
prepare, promote and administer any
programmes which may from time to
time be agreed by and which are for the
mutual benefit of its members;
2.6 To do all such other acts, to enter into
contracts and undertakings with others,
and to take such other steps as may
in the opinion of the Association or
its Committee to be conducive to the
attainment or furtherance of the other
objects of the Association.
3. Powers
In furtherance of the above objects but not
otherwise the Association shall have the
following powers:
3.1 To affiliate and co-operate with any
person, association, institution or other
body as may be thought fit;
3.2 To employ or retain on a full- or parttime basis, and on such terms as may be
though fit or on a voluntary basis, any
persons qualified to assist or skilled and
experienced in assisting the provision of
Appendix 23
any of the activities of the Association
including such officials as it may
consider appropriate;
3.3 To purchase, take on lease or in
exchange, hire or otherwise acquire
real or personal property and rights or
privileges, and to construct, maintain
and alter buildings or erections;
3.4 To sell, let, mortgage, dispose of or turn
to account all or any of the property or
assets of the Association;
3.5 To raise funds by way of grant
application, subscription, trading or any
other way as may be thought fit;
3.6 To borrow and raise money on such
terms and on such security as may be
thought fit;
3.7 To invest the moneys of the Association
not immediately required for its objects
in or upon such investments, securities
or property as may be thought fit, subject
nevertheless to such conditions (if any)
and such consents (if any) as may for
the time being be imposed or required
by law and subject also as hereinafter
provided;
3.8 To acquire, merge with or to enter
into any partnership or joint venture
arrangement with any other person,
association, institution or other body
with similar aspects;
3.9 To do all such other things as are
incidental to the attainment or
furtherance of the said objects or any of
them.
None of the objects or powers set forth
in any sub-clause of clauses 2 and 3 shall
be restrictively construed but the widest
interpretation shall be given to each such
object or power, and none of such objects
or powers shall, except where the context
expressly so requires, be in any way limited
or restricted by reference to or inference
from any other object or objects, power or
powers set forth in such sub-clause, or by
reference to or inference from the terms of
any other sub-clause of the clauses 2 and
3 or by reference to or inference from the
name of the Association.
None of the sub-clauses of clauses 2 and 3
and none of the objects or powers therein
specified shall be deemed subsidiary or
ancillary to any of the objects or powers
specified in any other such sub-clause, and
the Association shall have as full a power to
exercise each and every one of the objects
and powers specified in each sub-clause of
clauses 2 and 3 as though each such sub-
clause contained the objects or powers of a
separate Association.
4. Membership
4.1 Membership of the Association shall
be open in the first instance to member
clubs of the Rugby Football Union
and the appropriate Constituent Body.
Applications for membership shall
be made to the Committee, which
shall determine the terms on which
membership is enjoined.
4.2 Each Member shall have the following
rights:
4.2.1 To participate in competitions
organised and administered by the
Association;
4.2.2 To attend the Annual General Meeting,
and to vote;
4.2.3 To nominate a representative to stand
for office within the Association.
4.3 Each Member shall have the following
obligations:
4.3.1 To comply with the Constitution
and such other regulations of the
Association as may be in force from time
to time;
4.3.2 To comply with the laws and
regulations of the Rugby Football Union,
as are in force from time to time;
4.3.3 To pay any annual affiliation
subscription which may be determined
by the Committee for membership of the
Association;
4.3.4 To supply any information which is
reasonably requested by the Committee;
4.3.5 To ensure that its teams and players
are insured to the level required by the
Rugby Football Union from time to time.
4.4 Each Member acknowledges that
the Committee shall not be deemed
responsible in any way for injuries or
events which arise in any individual
Match played in accordance with the
Regulations of the Association and the
Laws of the Game.
5. Management
5.1 The affairs of the Association shall
be managed by a Committee which
shall normally comprise the following
individuals, each of whom shall carry
one vote:
• President
• Chair
Appendix 23
• Treasurer
• Secretary
The Secretaries of each of the divisions
within the league organised and
administered by the Association
Commercial Director
5.2 The Committee shall have the power to
co opt any additional individuals from
either within or outwith the membership
of the Association to serve on the
Committee, subject to such individuals
possessing the skills and experience
necessary to provide for the needs of the
Committee.
5.3 The Officers of the Association shall
be Honorary and shall consist of
a President, Chair, Secretary and
Treasurer. Such Officers shall be elected
annually by a vote of Members present
at the Annual General Meeting.
5.4 The Committee shall manage the affairs
of the Association in pursuance of its
objects. The Committee shall have
the power to delegate duties to subcommittees or individuals acting within
the terms of reference of the Association.
Each sub-committee or individual shall
in the performance of its duty conform
to such regulations as may be imposed
on it by the Committee.
5.5 The Committee shall have the power
to make, alter and operate such Rules
and Regulations, Byelaws and Standing
Orders as it deems appropriate
from time to time for the efficient
management of the Association –
provided always that these do not
conflict in any way with the laws and
regulations of the Rugby Football Union.
5.6 Without prejudice to the foregoing the
Committee shall operate within the
following principles:
5.6.1 To exercise their authority in good
faith and in the best interests of the
Association and its membership, and of
the Rugby Football Union;
5.6.2 To exhibit such skill in the performance
of their duties as may reasonably be
expected from a person or persons with
their knowledge and experience;
5.6.3 To continue to demonstrate that they
have the requisite management and
rugby knowledge and experience to
justify their appointment;
5.6.4 To use reasonable care and skill in
discharging their responsibilities;
Appendix 23
5.6.5 To dedicate sufficient time and
attention to serving the interests of the
Association and its membership, and of
the Rugby Football Union.
5.7 Meetings of the Committee shall be held
as follows:
5.7.1The Committee shall meet not less than
four times each year;
5.7.2 A quorum shall be four members of
the Committee. The members of the
Committee may act notwithstanding
any vacancy in their body, but, if and so
long as their number is reduced below
the number fixed as the necessary
quorum of Committee members, the
continuing member or members may
act for the purpose of increasing the
number of members to that number, or
of summoning a general meeting of the
Association, but for no other purpose;
5.7.3 Meetings shall normally be chaired by
the Chair. In the absence of the Chair,
or if the Chair is not present within five
minutes after the time appointed for
holding the meeting, the members of
the Committee present may choose one
of their number to be chairman of the
meeting;
5.7.4 Decisions in respect of matters
relating to the Constitution, Byelaws
or Standing Orders of the Association,
and decisions relating to fiscal policy
of the Association, shall be taken only
upon the unanimity of all Committee
members, irrespective of whether such
Committee members are present.
Decisions in respect of the operating
policies and general day to day business
of the Association shall be taken on a
simple majority of votes cast by those
Committee members present;
5.7.5 Each Committee member shall have one
vote. In the case of an equality of votes
the Chair shall have a second or casting
vote. Proxy votes shall be permitted, but
only in the case of a specific resolution
intimated to the members in writing.
Further, written confirmation of a proxy
vote must be intimated to the Chair by
the absent member prior to the meeting
of the Committee at which said proxy
vote is to be used;
Committee may participate in a
meeting of the Committee or of any
sub-committee of the Committee by
means of conference telephones or any
communication equipment which allows
all persons participating in the meeting
to see and hear or hear each other. A
person so participating shall be deemed
to be present in person at the meeting
and shall be entitled to vote and be
counted in a quorum. Such a meeting
shall be deemed to take place where the
largest group of those participating is
assembled or, if there is no such group,
where the Chairman of the meeting then
is.
5.7.8 Any matter to be discussed and voted
upon by the Committee must have been
received by members of the Committee
at least five days prior to the meeting at
which it is to be discussed.
5.7.6 A resolution in writing, signed by all
the members of the Committee for the
time being entitled to receive notice of
a meeting, shall be as valid and effectual
as if it had been passed at a meeting of
the Committee duly convened and held.
5.7.9 The Committee shall cause minutes to
be recorded and circulated to members
in a timely fashion. Such minutes shall
note when confidential matters have
been discussed, and may not incorporate
such matters within their content if the
Committee shall so determine. Such
minutes shall especially record:
5.7.7 All or any of the members of the
5.7.9.1 All appointments of Committee
members made by the Committee;
5.7.9.2 The names of those present at each
meeting of the Committee;
5.7.9.3 All resolutions and proceedings at all
meetings of the Association, and of the
Committee.
5.8 The Committee shall have power to
enter into commercial agreements on
behalf of the Association, as long as
such agreements do not expose the
Association or the Rugby Football
Union to financial risk, inappropriate
publicity, or expenditure in excess of
the Association’s annual budget. Any
such commercial agreement shall
be discussed and approved by the
Committee, who shall then authorise two
of the Association’s Officers to sign the
agreement.
5.9 The members of the Committee may
be paid reasonable expenses properly
incurred by them in attending and
returning from meetings of the
Committee or any sub-committee of the
Association or in connection with the
business of the Association provided
that the payment of such expenses has
been previously authorised by resolution
of the Committee.
Appendix 23
5.10 The members of the Committee and
the Officers of the Association shall
be indemnified out of the assets of
the Association against all losses or
liabilities which they may sustain or
incur in or about the execution of their
duties or otherwise in relation thereto,
including any liability incurred by them
in defending any proceedings, whether
civil or criminal, and no member of the
Committee or Officer shall be liable for
any loss, damage or misfortune which
may happen to or be incurred by the
Association in the execution of their
duties or in relation thereto.
6. General Meetings
6.1 The Association shall hold an Annual
General Meeting as soon as is
practicable at the end of each playing
season, and at any rate prior to the
beginning of the next playing season.
6.2.3 To consider and approve where
appropriate any changes made by
the Committee to the Constitution,
Byelaws or Standing Orders, Rules and
Regulations of the Association;
6.2.4 To agree membership conditions and
subscription fees for the forthcoming
year;
6.2.5 To elect the Officers of the Association,
and the Committee.
The Annual General Meeting shall also
consider any resolutions submitted by
any member and notified to the other
members of the Association not less
than 21 days before the date of the
Meeting.
6.3 All General Meetings, other than Annual
General Meetings, shall be called
Extraordinary General Meetings.
6.2.1 To receive a report on the work of the
Association in the previous financial
year;
6.4 An Extraordinary General Meeting may
be requisitioned by the Committee or by
a resolution of at least five Members. An
Extraordinary General Meeting must be
convened no later than four weeks after
receipt of such resolution.
6.2.2 To receive and consider financial
accounts for the Association for the year
prior to the date of the meeting;
6.5 At least four weeks’ notice in writing,
specifying the place, date and hour of
the Annual General Meeting and, in
6.2 The business to be conducted at each
Annual General Meeting shall be:
Appendix 23
the case of special business, the general
nature of that business shall be given to
all Members of the Association. Written
nominations from any Member for
the position of Officer or Committee
member shall be received by the
Secretary at least two weeks prior to
the Annual General Meeting and these
nominations shall be circulated by
the Secretary to the Members at least
ten days prior to the Annual General
Meeting.
6.6 Each Member may nominate as many
representatives to attend the Annual
General Meeting or Extraordinary
General Meetings as it has teams in the
Association’s competitions. In addition
all other Committee members shall be
entitled to attend.
6.7 Each Member shall have as many votes
as it has teams in the Association’s
competitions, and each Committee
member shall have one vote. Proxy votes
shall be permitted but only in the case
of a specific resolution communicated to
the Members in writing. Further, written
confirmation of a proxy vote must be
communicated to the Secretary by the
absent Member prior to the meeting at
which the said proxy vote is to be used.
6.8 All resolutions and the election of
Officers shall be decided by a simple
majority of the votes cast. In the case of
an equality of votes cast, the Chair shall
have the casting vote or in his absence
the Chairman of the meeting.
7. League management and administration
7.1 The Committee shall publish from
time to time Rules and Regulations
governing the conduct of the league
and cup competitions played within the
membership of the Association.
7.2 The Committee shall have power to
amend these Rules and Regulations from
time to time, acting in its sole discretion,
provided always that amendments shall
not be made during the course of a
playing season.
7.3 Each league, division or tournament
shall be administered by an appointed
Secretary responsible for that
competition. Such Secretary shall have
power to interpret and enforce the Rules
and Regulations appropriate to his
competition, subject when necessary to
consultation with the Committee.
8. Finance
8.1 The funds of the Association shall
be lodged in an established Bank or
similar financial institution approved
under the Financial Services Act and
shall be applied to or expended solely
in the furtherance of the Objects of
the Association and as directed by the
Committee.
8.2 The Committee shall cause proper
books of account to be kept in relation
to:
8.2.1 All sums of money received and
expended by the Association, and the
matters in respect of which such income
and expenditure take place;
8.2.2 All sales and purchases of goods by the
Association;
8.2.3 The assets and liabilities of the
Association.
8.3 The Committee shall have power
to make such provision for the
management of the Association’s funds,
and for the preparation of the said books
of account, as it shall see fit.
8.4 The Financial Year of the Association
shall end on [31st March] and a
statement of accounts shall be presented
by the Treasurer to the membership at
the Annual General Meeting following
the end of each Financial Year. Such
statement of accounts shall comprise a
true and fair view of the state of affairs of
the Association and shall include at the
minimum an income and expenditure
account and balance sheet.
8.5 The income and property of the
Association shall be applied solely
towards the promotion of the Objects
of the Association and none shall be
paid to or distributed amongst members
of the Association except in the
furtherance of these Objects.
8.6 In the event of the winding up or
dissolution of the Association, if
after the satisfaction of all debts and
liabilities there remain any assets,
these shall not be paid to or distributed
amongst Members of the Association,
but shall be transferred to some other
Institution or Institutions having objects
similar to the objects of the Association
and which shall prohibit the distribution
of its or their assets amongst its or their
membership.
9. Doping Control
9.1 The Association shall strictly forbid
doping. For the purposes of these
clauses, doping shall have the meaning
Appendix 23
ascribed to it by the World Anti-Doping
Code from time to time.
9.2 The Association shall respect and
be fully compliant with all rules and
regulations which are published with
regard to anti-doping by the Rugby
Football Union and amended from
time to time, and which impose clear
prohibitions and controls on doping
within the Association’s membership.
10. Disciplinary
10.1The Association shall refer all on-field
matters requiring redress under the
Rugby Football Union’s disciplinary
regulations to the County Association
to which the player or the club whom
he represents is affiliated. Such matters
shall include but not be limited to:
10.1.1 Sendings off, where a player has been
dismissed from the field of play by the
referee;
10.1.2 Abuse of a match official, where a
player, coach, club official or member
is reported by a match official for abuse
during the game or after it while he is
still on or at a club’s premises;
10.1.3 Citing by a club or by an Accredited
Referee Assessor or Advisor, where a
player is alleged to have committed an
act of foul play but has not been sent off
for that act;
10.1.4 Breach of Rugby Football Union Rule
5.12, that is, any words or conduct of any
kind which is deemed to be prejudicial
to the interests of the Union or the game
of rugby.
10.2 The Association shall respect all
disciplinary decisions or action taken
by the Rugby Football Union with
regard to individual players, coaches,
referees, officials or any other individual
in membership of the Association, and
shall be bound by such decisions.
10.3 On behalf of the Association, the
Committee shall have the power to take
such disciplinary action as it deems
reasonable and appropriate in respect
of any action or comments, whether
written or verbal, made by any player,
coach, referee, officer or employee
relating to the activities or Objects
of the Association. The Committee
may appoint a disciplinary panel to
investigate and consider such action and
to determine its appropriate disposal.
The procedure to be followed by such
disciplinary panel shall be determined
by the Committee.
11. Additional matters
11.1The Committee shall have power to
determine at its absolute discretion any
additional matter arising which is not
covered either by this Constitution or
by the Bye-Laws, Standing Orders, Rules
and regulations of the Association.
11.2A Member may appeal against any
decision of the Committee upon the
payment of a fee, the level of which shall
be determined by the membership in
Annual General Meeting from time to
time. Such appeal shall be conducted
by an Independent Tribunal, which
shall meet in accordance with such
procedures as it shall determine for
itself.
APPENDIX 24
ADULT COMPETITION
REVIEW REPORT
MARCH 2014
Appendix 24
Adult Competition Review
Sub-Group - 2nd XV
Competitions
Sample rules for an Area League v2,
August 2013
1. General
1.1 The Committee shall have power:
(a) To manage the competitions which
are contested by the members of the
League and to make policies and
Regulations for such competitions;
(b) To formulate and publish a
fixture schedule for each playing
season, involving league and cup
competitions;
(c) To produce an annual budget for
the playing of league and cup
competitions, including but not
limited to the purchase of trophies,
the staging of finals, and the
payment of administrative expenses;
(d) To assume such other responsibilities
as may be considered reasonable in
connection with the management of
the competitions from time to time
1.2 The Committee may delegate such
powers as it deems appropriate to:
(a) The officers of the League;
(b) Sub-committees whose terms of
reference are set by the Committee
and cover specific aspects of these
Rules’
(c) Divisional League Secretaries;
(d) Any other individual or group.
1.3 The Committee shall not vary or
amend these Rules during the course
of a playing season, if such variation or
amendment shall be reasonably held to
alter the outcome of any league or cup
competition.
1.4 The Committee shall have discretion to
decide on matters not provided for, and
in the interpretation of, these Rules.
1.5 The Committee’s decision(s) in respect
of these Rules is final and binding save
for any club’s right to appeal or review or
such other rights of appeal or review as
may be reserved.
2. League Competition
2.1 All league competitions involving
members of the League are governed by
Appendix 24
these Rules, except for such variations
as the Committee may determine from
time to time in respect of specific levels
of the league.
2.2 The name of the league competition, and
of different levels of the league, shall be
determined by the Committee and may
include the names of sponsors as the
Committee shall determine.
2.3 All league matches shall be played in
accordance with the IRB Laws of the
Games, except as specifically provided
for within these Rules.
2.4 The structure of the league shall be
determined by the Committee. The
number of teams in each division of
the league shall be determined by the
Committee, but shall not normally
exceed 12.
2.5 1st XV, 2nd XV, 3rd XV teams, etc., shall
be permitted to play together in the
same division of the league. Teams from
the same club shall [not] be permitted to
play together in the same division.
2.6 Each team shall play the others in its
division both home and away during the
league season.
2.7 Except as provided for within these
Rules, teams shall be awarded the
following league points:
• Four points for a win
• Two points for a draw
• One point for a loss
2.8 League tables shall be maintained by the
Committee based on the award of league
points. In the event that two or more
teams are level on points at any stage
of the season, their respective placings
shall be determined by:
(a) The number of wins achieved during
the season to date;
(b) If the number of wins is identical,
points difference (that is, the
difference between the number of
points scored and the number of
points conceded);
(c) If points difference is identical, the
average number of points scored per
match;
(d) If the average number of points per
match is identical, then the number
of tries scored;
(e) If the number of tries scored is
identical, then the results in matches
played between the teams;
(f) If there is still no resolution, then the
teams shall be placed in alphabetical
order.
2.9 Following completion of all league
matches in the playing season, the team
which finishes at the top of the league
table in each division shall be named
league champions and awarded a trophy.
2.10 Promotion and relegation:
(a) The principles of promotion and
relegation shall be determined by
the Committee from time to time, in
accordance with the league structure
and the number of teams in each
division;
(b) Promotion and relegation shall
normally be automatic, and shall
not be governed by additional
requirements other than
performance on the field of play.
The Committee may institute endof-season play-offs to determine
promotion and relegation if it so
decides;
(c) The top two teams in a division
shall normally be promoted to the
division above;
(d) Where one division is fed by one
lower division, no more than two
teams shall be relegated;
(e) Where one division is fed by two
lower divisions, no more than four
teams shall be relegated;
(f) Notwithstanding the above, the
Committee shall have power at its
absolute discretion to disapply,
suspend, amend and/or vary the
foregoing in order to address
extraordinary circumstances which
may arise from time to time.
2.11In the event that a team withdraws
or is expelled from a league
competition prior to the end of a
season, it shall not be replaced and
shall have its results expunged from
the league table.
2.12In the event that a team withdraws
or is expelled from a league
competition after 1 August prior to
the start of a season, it shall not be
replaced and the division in which it
was due to play shall continue with
one less team.
2.13Any team applying to join or rejoin
the league will normally be placed in
the bottom division.
Appendix 24
3. Cup competition
3.1 Cup competitions shall be organized
by the Committee being mindful of the
number and standard of teams at each
level of the league.
3.2 Cup competitions may be played:
(a) On a straightforward knock-out
basis, between as many teams as
are included. In the event that the
number of teams in the competition
is not conducive to a knock-out
tournament, preliminary matches
may be played or byes may be
issued in the first round to as many
teams as is necessary to achieve the
required number; or
(b) With a preliminary pool phase
in which teams play round-robin
matches against each other, from
which the pool winners progress to a
knock-out phase.
3.3 Draws in cup competitions will be
arranged by the Committee. The draws
shall be made during the seven days
following the weekend specified for the
completion of the preceding round;
3.4 The first named team to be drawn in
a match up to and including the semi
finals shall be the home team and unless
otherwise mutually agreed, the venue of
that match shall be the ground of such
home team.
3.5 The final shall be played at a venue
determined by the Committee, and
which shall normally be neutral to
both of the participating teams. The
Committee shall be responsible for
determining all matters relating to the
management of the final, including the
disbursement of any financial proceeds.
3.6 All cup matches shall be played to a
conclusion, and there shall be no replays.
In the event that scores are level after 80
minutes:
(a) Two periods of extra-time shall be
played between the teams of 10
minutes each way, with a one-minute
interval;
(b) If the scores are then still equal, the
team that has scored most tries shall
be declared the winners;
(c) If this does not produce a result,
the team that has scored the most
goals from tries shall be declared the
winners;
(d) If the scores remain equal, in all
Appendix 24
matches save for the final the away
team shall be declared the winners;
(e) If the scores remain equal in the
final, then additional time shall
be played until one team scores,
whereupon that team shall be
deemed the winner.
3.7 If, having agreed to participate, any
team does not take part in the cup
competition(s) or having participated
fails to honour a fixture then that team’s
opponents in the round as drawn will
receive a bye into the next round.
3.8 With the agreement of the Committee
and / or the relevant League Secretary,
and both participating teams, a cup
match may count as a league match
which was otherwise scheduled between
those two teams.
4. Eligibility & Restrictions
4.1 The Committee shall have the power
at any time prior to or during the
season to impose conditions upon
the participation of any team in either
league or cup competitions.
4.2 There shall be no system of registration
for players, except that teams are
expected to operate in good faith with
regard to the players that they select
and field in any match. The Committee
shall have power to act in its absolute
discretion in cases where such good
faith can reasonably be demonstrated to
have been abused.
4.3 No team shall knowingly play in any
match players who have been suspended
or expelled by the RFU.
4.4 Except as provided for by Rule 4.5, a
player who moves between clubs may
play for his new club immediately.
4.5 A team may not be represented in any
match in cup competition by any player
who has played or been selected as a
replacement for another team in the
same cup competition in the current
season.
5. Team composition
5.1 All reasonable efforts shall be used to
ensure that matches are played between
two teams of 15 players each.
5.2 In the event that a team is unable to field
15 players:
5.2.1Matches may be played with a minimum
of nine players per team;
5.2.2 No team may have an advantage of
more than one player at the start of any
match;
5.2.3 A team may seek to fulfil a fixture if it
has a minimum of five available players,
on the understanding that its opposition
will offer players from its own team to
make up the required minimum of nine.
In this event, the team captains must
agree the exchange of players before the
match begins. Should there be a failure
to agree then the team responsible for
such failure to agree shall forfeit the
match and any/all league points;
5.2.4 Any team which provides fewer than
nine players in any league match shall
only be entitled to claim two league
points if it wins that match.
5.3 Front row requirements:
5.3.1 No player may play in the front row of
the scrum during contested scrummages
in adult rugby until he has reached his
eighteenth birthday;
5.3.2 In the event that a team has fewer
than three players aged eighteen or
above who are suitably trained and
experienced to be capable of playing
in the front row, then a match shall be
played with uncontested scrums. This
Rule shall apply whether at the start
of a match, or at any stage of a match
at which a team is reduced by injury
to having fewer than three front-row
players;
5.3.3 Any team which provides fewer than
three front-row players for the start of
any league match shall only be entitled
to claim two league points if it wins that
match;
5.3.4 Any match which involves uncontested
scrums must be reported to the relevant
League Secretary.
5.4 The Committee shall determine the
maximum number of replacements
that a team shall use in any league
or cup match. Replacements and/
or substitutes must be named to the
Referee no later than 15 minutes before
the commencement of a match.
5.5 Rolling substitutions shall be permitted
in all league and cup matches in
accordance with RFU regulations,
subject to a maximum number of
interchanges determined by the
Committee from time to time.
6. Match & Fixture Management
6.1 Fixture lists in respect of league and cup
Appendix 24
competitions shall be prepared by the
Committee and sent to clubs and to the
RFU by 15th June in each year.
6.2 All matches will be played on a Saturday,
at a time agreed between the two
participating teams, unless otherwise
specified by the Committee or the
relevant League Secretary. In the event
that teams are unable to agree a kick-off
time, the relevant League Secretary shall
determine the time.
6.3 Teams may request the rescheduling
of specific fixtures if they have good
grounds to do so, and any such requests
shall be determined by the Committee
provided that:
(a) The grounds for such request are
considered reasonable; and
(b) The request is made at least one
calendar month prior to the date
on which the fixture was originally
scheduled.
6.4 The Committee shall appoint Referees
to all matches, and such officials shall
be the arbiter of these Rules in regard of
the playing of matches. In the event that
an appointed Referee does not arrive,
the teams shall agree between them the
appointment of a replacement Referee
who shall be appropriately experienced
and knowledgeable in the Laws of
the Game, but shall not generally be
regarded as the arbiter of these Rules.
6.5 Both teams are required to report the
result of each match, after first checking
the score with the appointed Referee.
The result must be reported to the
relevant League Secretary, by telephone,
text message or email, no later than 6
pm on the evening of the match – or, in
the event of an evening kick-off, by 9 am
the following morning. Failure to report
the result of a match in a timely fashion
will be subject to the application of
sanctions by the Committee.
6.6 Any delay from the specified or agreed
kick-off time may be reported by the
non-offending team or the Referee to the
Committee and may lead to sanctions
being imposed
6.7 Cancellations:
6.7.1 League and cup matches may only be
postponed in the event that the pitch or
the weather is considered unfit or unsafe
either for play or for travel. In the event
of dispute as to whether the pitch or
weather is fit or safe for play or for travel,
the matter will be determined by the
Appendix 24
appointed Referee acting in consultation
with the relevant League Secretary;
6.7.2 Matches postponed for this reason will
be rescheduled by the Committee or the
relevant League Secretary for the next
available date;
6.7.3 Any team which fails to fulfil a fixture
for reasons other than those described
in Rule 6.7.1 will forfeit the match and
any/all league points, except where
the circumstances are deemed by the
Committee to be extraordinary. In the
event of a forfeit, the opposing team will
be awarded maximum league points;
6.7.4 Any team which fails to fulfil an
away league fixture in the first half
of the season may be required by the
Committee or by the relevant League
Secretary to play the corresponding
home fixture away from home;
6.7.5 Any team which fails to fulfil three
matches in league and/or cup
competition during the course of any
season will be expelled from the league
and have its record expunged;
6.7.6 For the purposes of Rule 6.7.5, any
match which is forfeited in the month of
April will count double;
6.7.7 Clubs must ensure that their senior
team or teams fulfil their fixture(s) in
the event that they are unable to fulfil all
scheduled fixtures. That is, if a club has
two teams but sufficient players only to
field one team, then the lower team will
be the one which forfeits its fixture. In
the event that a senior team forfeits its
fixture, but a lower team or teams fulfil
their fixtures, then all teams from the
club will be deemed to have lost their
fixture and (in league matches) forfeit
any points gained from that fixture
together with an additional two league
points; and (in cup competition) forfeit
their place in any subsequent round. For
the avoidance of doubt, the opponents
in each of these fixtures will be awarded
maximum league points or the place in
the subsequent round.
6.8 Any team which is expelled from the
league pursuant to Rule 6.7.5 will not
automatically be readmitted to the
league for the following season but
may at the Committee’s discretion be
required to fulfil specific conditions for
re-entry including but not limited to the
payment of a financial bond.
6.9 If any team is expelled from the league
pursuant to Rule 6.7.5, then any lower
teams from the same club will also be
expelled.
6.10Any match which is abandoned for any
reason whatsoever before 80 minutes
have been played shall be reported by
the appointed Referee to the Committee
within 48 hours, stating the reasons for
the abandonment, the score at the time
of abandonment and the number of
minutes played. The Committee shall
thereafter determine the outcome of the
match.
6.11In the event of teams having clashing
or similar colours, the home team shall
be required to change their kit to the
satisfaction of the appointed Referee.
6.12The home team shall be responsible for:
(a) The availability of a pitch, correctly
and clearly marked;
(b) The costs of the appointed Referee;
(c) The cost of providing a reasonable
meal and other refreshments for the
away team’s players, replacements
and officials.
6.13The away team shall be responsible its
own travelling and other expenses.
7. Discipline and Disputes
7.1 All matters relating to on-field
discipline will be dealt with by the RFU’s
Constituent Bodies in accordance with
the RFU’s disciplinary regulations. The
decisions of the Constituent Bodies in
this regard will be final and binding
upon all players and teams involved in
the competitions under the Committee’s
management. For the purposes of
this Rule, “matters relating to on-field
discipline” shall include:
(a) Sendings-off, where a player has
been dismissed from the field of
play by the Referee. In all such cases,
the Referee must, within 48 hours
after the end of the match, send
a completed copy of the sendingoff report to the Secretary of the
appropriate County Disciplinary
Committee and to his own Referees’
Society or Organisation.
(b) Abuse of a match official, where
a player, club official or member
is reported by a Referee for abuse
during the match or after it while
he is still on or at a club’s premises.
Again, a written report should be
completed by the Referee and sent
to the persons named in (a) above
Appendix 24
within seven days from the day of
the match.
(c) Citings by a club or an Accredited
Referee Assessor/ Advisor, i.e.,
where a player is alleged to have
committed an act of foul play but has
not been sent off for that act. In such
case, a written citing complaint must
be made to the appropriate County
Disciplinary Secretary and received
by him not later than the first
post on the 14th day immediately
following the match in which the
incident took place. Clubs should
note that this time limit cannot be
extended under any circumstances
and the full Citing Procedures are
set out in Appendix 7 of the RFU’s
Disciplinary Regulations.
(d) Breach of Rule 5.12 of the Rules of
the RFU, i.e., any words or conduct
of any kind which are prejudicial
to the interests of the Union or
the game. Such a breach may be
by a club, a team, an individual
player, an official or member. Clubs
should note that, although a County
Disciplinary Committee may not
have jurisdiction to sanction a
spectator who is not a member of
a club, the club itself is responsible
for controlling the behaviour, and
ensuring the good conduct of its
spectators. Thus a club itself may
be sanctioned for the misconduct
of a non-member spectator. Any
complaint relating to a breach of
Rule 5.12 must be in writing and
made to the appropriate County
Disciplinary Secretary within
a reasonable time. Any club or
individual, whether a member of
a club or not, may make such a
complaint;
(e) Bad disciplinary record. Clubs
should note that where players
from or other members of a club
or people linked to a club appear
before a Disciplinary Committee
(which includes a Club Disciplinary
Committee and, thus, junior players)
on more than five separate occasions
in any one season, then that club
may be deemed to have a bad
disciplinary record and sanctions
may then be imposed on the club
itself or any of its teams.
7.2 Any alleged breach of these Rules
should be reported to the Committee
within seven days of the alleged breach
Appendix 24
taking place. Such allegation must be
accompanied by documentary evidence
including any referee’s report and
written statements from officers of the
club making the allegation. On receipt
of the allegation the Committee shall
forward details to the club against
whom the allegation is made, who
shall respond within seven days. The
Committee shall then determine the
matter at its absolute discretion and
issue their findings within seven days
and inform all involved.
7.3 Where a club, team or individual is
found to be in breach of these Rules, the
Committee shall have power to impose
sanctions which may include but not be
limited to:
(a) A caution in regard of future
conduct;
(b) A monetary fine of such amount as
the Committee shall determine;
(c) Suspension from the competition or
competitions under the Committee’s
management for such period as the
Committee shall determine;
(d) In the case of a team, the deduction
of league points;
(d) In the case of a team, relegation to a
lower division of the league;
(f) Expulsion from the competition or
competitions under the Committee’s
management;
(e) Such other sanction as the
Committee may reasonably
determine.
7.4 A club may appeal against the findings
of the Committee pursuant to Rule
7.3 or against any other ruling of the
Committee made pursuant to these
Rules. An appeal must be formally
notified to the Committee, stating the
grounds on which the appeal is raised,
and accompanied by the payment of £50,
whereupon the Committee may:
(a) Refer the matter to an Appeals
Committee comprising independent
persons of appropriate standing,
who may uphold or overturn the
ruling of the Committee and whose
decision shall be final and binding
on both parties; or
(b) Refer the matter to the RFU for
determination by a Disciplinary
Panel, who may uphold or overturn
the ruling of the Committee and
whose decision shall be final and
binding on both parties.
7.5 In the determination of appeals raised in
accordance with Rule 7.4, time shall be of
the essence.
8. Sundry matters
8.1 Each team shall be responsible for
ensuring that it has adequate insurance
cover for itself and its players for all risks
which might reasonably be associated
with participation in league and cup
competitions, and in the game of rugby
generally.
8.2 No club, team or player shall hold the
Committee responsible for any material
loss incurred while participating in the
league and cup competitions, except
where such loss can be reasonably
attributed to the negligence of the
Committee.
Appendix 24