JUNE 2010 / issue 125 RFU THE OFFICIAL TOUCHLINE NEWSPAPER OF THE RFU AND RFUW THE RFU ANNOUNCED at its Council the RFU Annual General Meeting. He said, “I want JOHN STEELE meeting on June 9th that John Steele will to welcome John to the role and give him my become its next Chief Executive Officer public support. The RFU Management Board panel Steele joins from UK Sport where he is Chief have undertaken an exhaustive and professional NEW RFU CHIEF Executive Officer and replaces Francis Baron, who search and identified him as the best candidate. signalled his intent to step down from the role The Management Board approved their last November after nearly 12 years. Since that recommendation which I fully support. EXECUTIVE “I have known John for over ten years in his Peter Thomas time an Executive Recruitment Panel drawn from the RFU Management Board has undertaken a roles at Northampton Saints, on the board of PRL comprehensive and exhaustive search process and latterly at UK Sport. He is a man of integrity which culminated in the appointment. and passion for the game which I believe will be Steele was chosen as having the outstanding important as we lead up to RWC2015.” mix of leadership skills, rugby expertise and Martyn Thomas, Chairman of the RFU Management business experience required for what is one of Board, commented, “We are confident that we have the most complex and demanding roles in sport captured the best person for the role of CEO at the globally. His background in rugby covers a RFU. Throughout the interview John greatly impressed successful playing and coaching career at the elite us with his style, knowledge and capabilities across a level, culminating in leading Northampton Saints broad range of areas. Nobody was able to match his to Heineken Cup success in 2000. unique combination of a background in and He then moved to become Executive Director of knowledge of rugby and a high profile administrative the club where, as well as extensive engagement role in sport. We fully believe he is the right man to with grassroots rugby from minis through schools take the RFU forward in its next stage of growth as to clubs at all levels he also drove the club’s we prepared to host the Rugby World Cup in 2015 fortunes off the pitch, including a successful and for the legacy beyond that.” flotation and the redevelopment of Franklin’s John Steele commented, “I am delighted to be Gardens to become one of the best rugby union taking up the role of Chief Executive at the RFU, stadiums in the country. and looking forward to what I know will be a big As Chief Executive of UK Sport he has played a challenge in the sport that I am immensely leading role in the development of the UK high passionate about. The next five years will be hugely performance system, including overseeing the exciting times for English rugby, culminating in a development of the most successful Olympic home World Cup in 2015. During this time I will be Games performance in modern times in Beijing as totally committed to ensuring a legacy is created well as working closely with the London Organising from the World Cup at both a community and elite Committee to ensure London is ready to host the level, whilst building on the sound commercial 2012 Games. He has also driven the development base already created at Twickenham. of funding for Olympic and Paralympic sport from “The decision to move on was an incredibly both the public and private sector, including difficult one. I am extremely proud of UK Sport for securing an additional £300million from the what it has achieved over the past few years, and Photo by Sarah Winterflood Photo by Sarah Government and developing new commercial what I am sure it will go on to achieve. It has a relationships with major sponsors to ensure record vital role to play not just in ensuring our athletes’ levels of funding for athletes ahead of the Games. success in London 2012 but also helping to shape Steele will join the RFU in the autumn subject to the future of the sporting landscape in the UK. I working his notice period with UK Sport and a know that I leave it not only in safe hands but full date will be confirmed nearer the time. In the of talented, experienced and committed people meantime, Francis Baron leaves on 4th July after whom it has been a pleasure to lead.” ONE SINGLE MIDDLESEX 7S SETS UP SQUADS FOR CODE OF RUGBY DELHI GAMES SINCE AN IMAGE of the Game Task Group THE 2010/11 SEASON kicks off at Twickenham on Saturday 14th August with recommendation, a group of Governance England, Scotland and Wales competing in the Middlesex Charity Sevens as a warm-up Committee members has been considering and to their Commonwealth Games appearances in Delhi in October. In line with the consulting on the many and varied RFU Codes of charitable nature of the event England will appear in a one-off kit as England’s Help Conduct in existence. At the June Council meeting CODE OF RUGBY for Heroes, Scotland as Scotland’s Thistle Trust and Wales as Wales’ Colin Hillman Trust. it was agreed to have one single Code of Rugby, Everyone involved in rugby in England, whether as They will be competing against Guinness Premiership sides including last year’s which now supersedes all others. This is in line a player, coach, referee, administrator, parent winners, London Irish as well as Harlequins, London Wasps, Saracens, Leeds Carnegie, with the Core Values of: Teamwork, Respect, or spectator is expected to uphold Newcastle Falcons and guest sides Samurai International and the British Army. Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship and the Core Values of our sport. Said England 7s Coach Ben Ryan, “It is great to be included in this historic embraces all aspects of the sport, from parents to Teamwork • Respect • Enjoyment tournament and to play such excellent opposition as a run up to the Commonwealth players and administrators to referees. Discipline • Sportsmanship Games in Delhi. Sevens has certainly gained in reputation since being declared an A Code of Rugby is included with this mailing of Olympic sport and Delhi will be the first multi-sport event to see its inclusion since that G Touchline for prominent display across the game and a Play to win - but not at all cost. was announced.” G pdf version will be emailed with the Community Win with dignity, lose with grace. Lawrence Dallaglio, England RWC 7s winner and previous winner of the Middlesex G Ezine,allowing everyone to print off more. Observe the Laws and regulations of the game. Charity Sevens commented, “The Middlesex Sevens is fun, fast and entertaining. But G Said RFU President and Chairman of the Image of the Respect opponents, referees and all participants. G more importantly it’s where we often see the rugby stars of tomorrow catapulted into Game Task Group, John Owen, “With the definition Reject cheating, racism, violence and drugs. G the international stage.” and promotion of our Core Values, it is sensible to Value volunteers and paid officials alike. G In addition to a full day of 24 sevens matches there are many activities going on for have a single, clear Code of Rugby reflecting those aims Enjoy the game. all the family including The Rugby Show in the South Stand. The new “Kids Go Free” and doing away with the confusion of a myriad of initiative offers an affordable day out at Twickenham. Adult tickets start at £20 with different Codes for different groups. We believe that the two free child tickets (15 and under) with each adult ticket. Obtainable from Code of Rugby reflects the ethos of the sport and will www.Ticketmaster.co.uk or 0844 847 2492 or through the Middlesex 7s website serve it well.” www.Middlesex7s.com 1 HQ NEWS PLAYER REGISTRATION CHANGES NEW Andrew Rogers, RFU Regulations Manager In order to achieve this 100 Player Limit ALL clubs at Levels 5 and below will need to undertake the “re- PLAYER REGISTRATION is one of the most important registration” procedure between 1st July 2010 and 1st NATIONAL elements of competition integrity and so it is essential August 2010, where you will need to confirm those players that the Player Registration System maintains high you wish to retain on your Player Registration list as quality and correct information. Effectvely Registered. If this process is not completed ACADEMY Over the past few years it has become clear that a large those players not “re-registered” will become de-registered number of clubs have not been removing those who have left on 2nd August 2010 and not be eligible to play in RFU the club, retired or become otherwise ineligible. As a result, competitions. COACH the number of registered players has, in some cases, risen to This process has been designed to be as easy as possible over 500 in a single club, making it very time consuming for through either RugbyFirst (online) or by paper via the By Richard Prescott the league administrators to manage and review. To address regional registrars and we are providing support for those this issue for the coming season we are changing regulations who are struggling to make this happen by calling (020 LEEDS CARNEGIE ACADEMY MANAGER Diccon to reduce the workload of our volunteers. 8831 6651) or emailing (rugbyfi[email protected]) our Edwards (37) has joined the RFU Elite Rugby Department as a Previously, there was no limit for clubs below Level 6.