TOUCHLINE The Official Newspaper of The RFU January 2015 Issue 175 RUGBY NEW YEAR’S HONOURS World Cup-winning England pair Sarah Hunter and Rochelle like to underline that I have had tremendous support from Clark received MBEs in the New Year’s Honours List for services many colleagues during my time in the game, and I feel this is to rugby, while former RFU Chairman and President Paul Murphy, acknowledgement of their efforts as much as mine. Like me tens Hertfordshire volunteer John Stuart Atkinson and Winscombe of thousands of rugby union volunteers deliver our sport, its core volunteer Michael Williamson were given British Empire Medals. values, and enjoyment week in week out, for what to me is the Hunter and Clark were part of England’s victorious World Cup greatest team sport in the world. As for the RFU, I am proud to winning team in August. Hunter, England’s vice-captain and No. have played a small part in helping it evolve into the modern, 8, has amassed 68 caps and 17 tries for her country and works progressive, forward thinking organisation it now is, ready for the as an RFU University Rugby Development Officer in the South biggest year in its history.” West. Clark is England’s most capped current player with 95 John Atkinson played for 20 years for Hertford Rugby Club,with appearances for her country and England’s second most capped nine years as captain, and had 23 games for Hertfordshire in the player of all time. At 33, she is a veteran of three World Cup County Championships. He was Hertford RFC President and campaigns and combines playing with her role as Head Coach of President of Herts Rugby Football Union and among his many the Chesham Stags and Bucks University. roles he refereed, was a club committee member and a fixture Paul Murphy’s playing career took in Oxford, Abingdon, and secretary for more than 10 years. Oxfordshire. He served on the RFU Council as Oxfordshire’s Michael Williamson was honoured for services to Winscombe representative from 1995 to 2011, before becoming Chairman in Rugby Club and to the community in Winscombe North Somerset. 2011-12 and President in 2012-13. He is former chair of Winscombe RFC’s Mini & Junior Section and He said: “This is a huge and unexpected honour but I would present Chair of the Winscombe and Sandford Parish Council. TURNING POINT pic © BBC AS ENGLAND ALL SCHOOLS BENEFIT WOMEN BECOME FROM ICAP CHARITY DAY VERITY WILLIAMS TEAM OF YEAR Prince Harry was at the City’s star-studded ICAP Charity Day last month (December), together with Ian Ritchie, Bill Beaumont, Jason Leonard, Rob Andrew, pop star Will Young and Masterchef’s Gregg Wallace. All were there in support of the Rugby Football Foundation (RFF) and the All Schools programme, which aims to have 750 new state secondary schools playing rugby by Rugby World Cup 2019. Joining the All Schools activities as the programme earned its place among the few selected JULIA HUTTON fundraising recipients were Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Launchbury, Alex Goode and Chris Ashton. Brad Barritt was there too, taking part in a double trade with Prince Harry. England Women were crowned Team of plenty of gongs over recent months. The Sports The RFF zone featured O2’s Wear The Rose headsets using Oculus Rift virtual reality the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of Journalist Association and Sunday Times/Sky technology and a George Ford cut-out board, both popular with celebrities throughout the day. the Year Awards. Sports also named England Women Team of ICAP is the world’s largest interdealer broker for over-the-counter trading, with ICAP World champions for the first time in 20 years the Year, while Street has been named Coach of Charity Day one of the City’s biggest fundraisers, all revenues, commissions, trades and profits after a campaign that saw them beat Canada the Year by the Daily Mail Pride of Sport awards generated being donated to charity. The 2014 Charity Day raised £8 million globally. 21-9, England fended off strong competition and Sport Coach UK. A meticulous application from the European Ryder Cup team, Rugby Borough Councillors awarded England process is followed by a Mercedes Formula One and the Great Britain Women the Freedom of the Borough. A special presentation to the ICAP athletics team to scoop the coveted Team of the ceremony to honour the team was held at Board for a final decision as to Year award. Rugby Town Hall, followed by a civic reception. whether charities will benefit Captain Katy Mclean, thanked the RFU and England Women also unveiled a plaque from the day which sees Sport England for making it possible for the commemorating their achievement, which will decorated ICAP offices across team to do what was needed. She said: “This is eventually form part of the town’s Pathway of the world turn their attention a massive turning point for women’s sport. The Fame, due to be refreshed ready for the men’s to charity and staff at work in fact that we have been recognised against tough Rugby World Cup. The team visited The Close fancy dress. competition is testament to where women’s at Rugby School, where rugby is said to have All Schools is incredibly sport is right now.” begun in 1823, and met ocal residents. grateful to all who attended “We’ve been so lucky with the people that Cllr Michael Stokes, Leader of Rugby Borough the event on behalf of the have been involved in this team, not just this Council, said: “The England Women’s team had programme and thanks ICAP year but all the ex-players who have battled over an outstanding summer and the development for their generous support. the past 20 years to win England a World Cup. of the women’s game has been incredible to This is as much for them as it is for us.” watch, culminating in winning the world cup Head Coach Gary Street was also nominated and turning professional earlier this year. This for the Coach of the Year award but lost out to is an achievement that we want to recognise and European Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley. honour, and the highest award that we can give The Sports Personality Team of the Year is the Freedom of the Borough of Rugby. I look accolade has rounded off a phenomenal year forward to following England’s progress in the for England’s Women who have scooped run up to the Rio Olympics in 2016.” TOUCHLINE – JANUARY 2015 1 VOLUNTEER TRY OUTS CONCLUDE IN TWICKENHAM Minister for Sport, Helen Grant; England Rugby 2015 “The passion, knowledge and commitment that we have seen Remaining tickets for Rugby World Cup 2015 are available via CEO, Debbie Jevans; Rugby World Cup 2003 winner, Will throughout the Try Outs makes me confident the volunteers for this link. Greenwood and Harlequins player, Ollie Lindsay-Hague were Rugby World Cup 2015 will become the faces of the Tournament Official travel and hospitality packages are also available via in Twickenham for the final leg of the Rugby World Cup 2015 whilst welcoming the world to every venue, city and match day this link. volunteer selection events, the Try Outs. and of course to the game of rugby.” The search for the 6,000 volunteers to make up The Pack began Minister for Sport Helen Grant, added, “The fantastic turnout in February 2014 and more than 10,000 applicants have been part for the Try Outs recruitment drive highlights how Rugby World of the Try Outs, with events held in every Rugby World Cup 2015 Cup 2015 has captured the excitement and interest of the nation. host city. Prospective volunteers aged from age 18 to 85 enjoyed Speaking to the volunteers their enthusiasm is infectious. I know visits from RWC 2003 winners Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson, those selected will play a vital role in making the Tournament a Josh Lewsey, Jason Robinson and Will Greenwood. huge success, helping to grow the game at home and abroad.” Over 1,700 volunteers passed through Richmond upon Will Greenwood, said; “Everyone wants to be a part of one of Thames College over the course of the three weeks of Try Outs the world’s biggest sporting events, whether they’ve applied to there. England Rugby 2015 CEO, Debbie Jevans, said: “The volunteer, bought tickets or plan to soak up the buzz across the interest from people across England and Wales to volunteer at country as the countdown begins.” Rugby World Cup 2015 has been fantastic. With over 20,000 The majority of The Pack will be recruited from the rugby applications for just 6,000 roles within The Pack, the enthusiasm community, the remainder from the general public, providing to be part of the event is clear and we thank everyone for taking an opportunity to bring new people into the game. Offers will be the time to apply. made to join The Pack from early 2015. HOW WELL DO YOU OLD BEDIANS WIN STREETY KNOW YOUR RUGBY? CHRIS HUDSON OK then – who delivered the pass from which Jason Robinson It’s not every day a grassroots rugby player gets scored England’s try in the 2003 World Cup final? the chance to be coached by a World Cup winning Let Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio and Will Greenwood coach. But that’s what happened for the players of put you to the test with questions like this one in the IPF’s new, Manchester club Old Bedians when Gary Street – who free fundraising quiz pack with questions posed by some of the guided England to victory in the Women’s Rugby 2003 RWC winners and great prizes available.