Sussex Rugby Game Development minutes Jan 2017
Held at Hove RFC – Tuesday Jan 17th 2017
Present:
Steve Briscoe (Chair), Gordon Burtenshaw (Refs), David Hooker (Youth), Simon
Stodart (Representative), Hadon Westerby (Projects)
1. Apologies: Ken Nichols (Senior Comps) , Faye Easton (W&G)
2. Previous Meeting
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Minutes agreed
Actions completed from September meeting:9/2016-3 SB - identified that the Quins festival was held closed season – before New Regs in effect
9/2016-5 KN - has confirmed that Cup Finals will avoid Senior XV scheduled dates
9/2017-7 SB - has received list of current identified CRefCs – further follow-up
9/2017-8 HW - Mighties event held as planned after agreement meeting with local RFU reps
3. Exec Update (SB)
Of
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note:Gary Howarth will complete his 3rd year as Chairman this season and stand down.
Next combined meeting is Feb 6th
Planning conference planned for Easter to review strategy and budget
4. Youth (DH)
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Youth Management, Mini Forum and Fixtures meeting and Youth Forum held since last meeting.
Continued consultation and provision of RFU courses.
Current playing programme proceeding with only usual minor problems.
Safeguarding - Youth Management promoting monitor actions by clubs in conjunction with Jackie
Coleman.
Review of under 17 League - proposing better co-ordination with Under 16 dates and eliminate
involvement of under 18 players in this competition.
Under 12 age group will effectively become Intermediate teams as they will have a waterfall
competition as the under 13s and under 14s.
Future of Sussex mini festivals under discussion. 4 regional festivals up to under 11 age group.
Under 12s will have a waterfall competition with all teams going forward to the date designated for
finals. There was discussion that in future up to under 11 teams would only play their local teams in
regional festivals.
Clubs were reminded that they are required to advise the Youth Executive secretary Tudor Ellis when
they hold a summer camp.
5. W&G (FE)
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Women – 3 new teams have commenced playing friendlies – Pulborough, Heathfield, Hove II
County Girls Development sessions rotating around clubs
o Jan 16th (Hastings), Jan 30th (Pulborough), Feb 13th (Hove)
Recruitment 7s event being held each month – Jan cancelled due to weather – next Feb 24th
Next W&G Forum is scheduled for Feb 6 at Brighton Uni
o HW & SS confirmed they will attend. SB unavailable due to clash with Exec meeting
6. Senior Competitions (KN)
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Report from Comp Committee meeting Jan 2017 circulated
Number of games called off has reduced compared to last season – mainly Community league
o Littlehampton and Sussex Police struggling with player numbers
Sussex 1 League is a mess – looking at restructure for next season
Area meeting to review Merit leagues to be held at Cobham RFC next week
Draft questionnaire being reviewed by Comps committee before issue to clubs
Sussex Rugby Game Development minutes Jan 2017
7. Representative (SS)
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U18 - Games finished (P3 W2 L1)
o 6 boys invited to LSE assessment, with 4 progressing to the squad
o LSE U18 team will play a combined Sussex & Hants team next weekend
U17s – A & B teams have been successful in their games
o Development squad has also played district games
o 60 players engaged
U16s - just started their games – 2 teams
o Coaches monitoring club games
o This Sundays – A & B teams v Surrey 14:00 @ Old Reigatians
o No Dev squads allowed at u16
U15s – Games finished
o A & B teams lost their final games v Hants last weekend
o New coaching team – worked well
U20s – problem with number of available players
o many playing 1st XV rugby
o Tags still leading
Senior – Lead Coach prime candidate unavailable to work commitments
o Following-up with other candidates
Girls 15 &18 – Games finished
o Good job by Lead (LukeH)
o Development sessions continuing
Ladies – due to start
SS
8. Referee (GB)
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David Beglan has requested County team contact list
o SB confirmed it is on Sussex website under Representative – will email link
SB
o SS to be the contact for all future Representative requests/queries
SS
Still problem with senior teams notifying cancellations at short notice
o Saturday (Senior)
= 345 appointments, 42 cancellations
o Sunday (Colts & Women)
= 105 appointments, 18 cancellations
o Midweek (School)
= 126 appointments, 21 cancellations
A couple of Refs have recently moved to London
o One stated due to low level/match quality
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Suggested not appointing to lowest Senior league level – use club refs
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Appointing more toolder youth and school games would provide better quality
No feedback on poster campaign
o They are visible in some clubs
SB identified that there is a Teacher Development days including refereeing scheduled for later this
month on an Inset day (Jan 30th ) @ Cardinal Newman
o Sussex Schools covering the charges
9. Development (HW)
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Mighties event was well received
o Mon 13/2 Feb – live U-tube CPD – ‘relative age effect’ to be publicised
‘Keep Your Boots On’
o Bulletins being issued – no known effect – catch up with Jon Bates
10. Youth Playing Calendar 2017-18 (SB)
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RFU now require all CBs to submit for approval (by early Feb)
Draft Sussex calendar submitted to Mark Saltmarsh during December
o Confirmed no major issue with Club & County dates
o Updates required for School and Girls events
Draft issued to all clubs early Jan ahead of fixture meetings
o Twickenham event deferred from end Jan to March to allow for sign-off time for all CBs
Sussex Rugby Game Development minutes Jan 2017
11. Budget 2016-17 (SB)
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(circulated ahead of meeting)
Game Dev budgets generally on plan – no major concerns
Representative - SS provided breakdown by Age Group
o overall expects an under spend, more games away
Youth – competition trophies / medals ordered, Minis not ordered yet (but self funding)
No recent update on sponsorship leads from Neil D
o Quins meeting for Mini festival event support cancelled
o Only known contributions towards new shirts have been £500 from Southern Rail
12. 2017-18 Plans (All)
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Next meeting will consider 2017-18 initiatives and budget requirements
o Initial thoughts to SB (ahead of Easter planning conference)
13. AOB
No items
Next Meeting: Tues 2nd May @ Hove RFC
All