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Home , Alex Matthews, Bill Beaumont, Derek Quinnell, Ian McGeechan, Jack Nowell, Jason Leonard

TOUCHLINE The Official Newspaper of The RFU September 2017 Issue 204

BROWN BECOMES RFU CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JOANNA MANNING-COOPER Steve Brown was appointed RFU Chief Executive Officer at the “His passion for rugby, and his commitment to rugby’s values start of this month after an extensive selection process led by a are obvious to everyone who has worked with him, and he will lead Board Nominations Panel and the approval of the RFU Board. He a strong executive team who are committed to making rugby in began his new role on Monday 4 September the best in the world. ” Brown was Chief Officer, Business Operations at the RFU, and Before joining the RFU, Brown was UK Finance Director at the UK succeeds Ian Ritchie who announced his retirement earlier this year. operation of Abbott, the global, broad-based health care company, for Steve Brown joined the RFU as Chief Financial Officer on June 10, five years after a decade with the company, covering a number of other 2011. He also served as Managing Director of England Rugby 2015, senior financial positions, including UK Pharmaceutical manufacturing responsible for organising the England 2015 , and at Abbott’s -based Commercial Regional Headquarters. widely acclaimed as the most successful Rugby World Cup ever. Prior to joining Abbott, he spent three years as the Business The impact of hosting the event saw the highest annual turnover Support Manager and Group Head of Finance for British Energy in the RFU’s history and record investment in rugby. PLC. He originally trained as an accountant in the National Health He was subsequently appointed RFU Chief Officer, Business Service where he held a number of financial roles. Operations with responsibility for Technology, Finance, Human Brown said: “This is the job of a lifetime for me. I’m thrilled to be Resources, Legal & Governance, IPF, International Relations & given this opportunity to lead a sport I love, in an organisation I have Public Affairs, Stadium and, in addition, the Chief been proud to work for over the last six years, and I look forward to Financial Officer of the RFU. leading the team as we work to grow the game at every level.” “Over the past six years, Steve has shown us all exactly what he Brown has been a club and international rugby fan for many can deliver,” said RFU Chairman Andy Cosslett. years, is keen on motorsport and loves music, playing occasionally “He has undertaken a series of important strategic and operational as a session guitarist. He lives in Oxfordshire with his wife and roles for the RFU and I’m delighted to appoint him as CEO. three daughters. PRIDE OF THE RED ROSES ENGLAND hurdle and that is the biggest disappointment – that we didn’t finish the job.” England fly half Katy Mclean said the squad wanted to thank IN 2018 fans who got in touch through the official England social ENGLAND TO PLAY media channels as well as using #redroses and #WearTheRose WORLD CHAMPIONS NEW throughout the competition. ZEALAND FOR THE FIRST “All I can say now is a massive thank you for the support we’ve had TIME SINCE 2014 AS THEIR in this tournament, it’s been immense and we are so grateful. To all FIXTURES FOR THE 2018 those girls and women watching back at home I hope one positive is OLD MUTUAL WEALTH that if another girl goes out and takes up rugby it’s brilliant.” SERIES ARE CONFIRMED Red Roses head coach praised the resilience of Continued on page 2 his side in a game of huge quality at Kingspan Stadium in where the lead changed five times over the course of the match. “I couldn’t be prouder as the girls gave everything they could and there was no shortage of heart, energy and passion,” he said. “We just couldn’t get enough possession in the second-half to be SUZI MURRAY able to turn the game how we wanted. Red Roses captain said her team can be “immensely “We’ve had a fantastic year with the things we achieved, we’ve proud” of what they achieved, despite the disappointment of pulled up short tonight but we’ve been everywhere and played falling 32-41 to New Zealand in the Women’s Rugby World Cup everyone and until tonight we’ve been successful. final in Belfast, after leading 17-10 at the break. “I thought it was an amazing occasion for the game with the Hunter, who played in her third Women’s Rugby World Cup final, energy in the stadium and it was fantastic match for the spectators said: “It just wasn’t to be our night. We fought for everything and to watch.” you can’t fault the girls’ effort throughout this competition. England defeated Spain, Italy, USA and France on their way to “All credit to New Zealand and congratulations to them, they the final. deserve to be world champions. At the end, we just said that we The Red Roses campaign inspired thousands of women to take up win together and lose together and we can be immensely proud of rugby and attend Warrior Camps in August, with many looking forward what we have achieved this season. to the next set of camps in January 2018. Find one of the hundreds of “We set our target at the beginning of the season, which was to women’s teams across the country, at findrugby.com. win the World Cup and lift it and we’ve just fallen short at the final Turn to Page 4 for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Numbers.

TOUCHLINE – SEPTEMBER 2017 1 Continued from page 1 ENGLAND v NEW ZEALAND IN 2018 OLD MUTUAL WEALTH SERIES GARETH MILLS Eddie Jones’ side will play four Test matches in next season’s The only previous meeting between the two nations was at the “Over the next year we need to continue to develop a bulletproof series at against (3 November), inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 when England secured a side, that can find ways to win in matches, and we will have to New Zealand (10 November), Japan (17 November) and comfortable 60-7 victory over the Brave Blossoms in . work hard and be smart in what we do to bridge the gap between (24 November). In the fourth Test, England will face Australia (24 November) us and the All Blacks. Our ambition is to be the number one team All matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports with kick off who have lost their last four matches against Jones’ side. The in the world going into the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.” times to be confirmed at a later date. Wallabies will play England on 18 November in this year’s Old Michelle Andrews, Marketing Director, Old Mutual Wealth said: England will host South Africa (3 November) in the first match Mutual Wealth Series between England’s matches against “The third Old Mutual Wealth Series sees England take on some of the series. The Springboks were beaten by England 37-21 the Argentina (11 November) and (25 November). really exciting opposition. With 2019 being a big year for rugby these last time the two sides met in 2016. Ahead of the Old Mutual England Head Coach Eddie Jones said: “The 2018 Old Mutual fixtures will have added importance for the teams and fans alike.” Wealth game at Twickenham, Jones’ team will travel to South Wealth Series is incredibly important for England as we build Old Mutual Wealth’s support of England Rugby extends from Africa in June for a three-Test series. towards the Rugby World Cup in 2019. the men’s and women’s elite game to the grassroots through Old England will then face the All Blacks (10 November) for the first time “We want to win that series 4-0 and we will need to play extremely Mutual Wealth Kids First. Aimed at U7 to U13 boys and girls, Old in four years. In 2014 England lost four times to the All Blacks including well to beat four very good teams over a four-week period. Mutual Wealth Kids First puts children first, upskills coaches and a three-Test series in New Zealand. They last beat New Zealand in 2012, “The series will give us a really good indicator of where we are as creates a great rugby environment, so that everyone stays in the defeating the number one side in the world 38-21 at Twickenham. a squad, a year out from the Rugby World Cup, and gives us a real game for longer. England’s against Japan (17 November) will be only focus on what we have to do over the next 12 months to be ready the second time in history the two sides have played each other. for that series and win.

OLD MUTUAL WEALTH SERIES 2017 TIME CHANGE 2017 OLD MUTUAL WEALTH SERIES SATURDAY, 11 NOVEMBER: ENGLAND V ARGENTINA, Kick off times for England’s three Test matches in the Old Mutual Wealth Series have changed and will kick off at 3pm, 30 mins later KO 15.00 than initially announced. This will allow the matches to be broadcast on Sky Sports’ new Main Event channel dedicated to the biggest live events on Sky Sports and SATURDAY, 18 NOVEMBER: ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA, available to all Sky customers with the full Sky Sports package. KO 15.00 All three matches will also be shown live on Sky Sports Action. SATURDAY, 25 NOVEMBER: ENGLAND V SAMOA, KO 15.00 RFU LAUNCHES ENGLAND RUGBY

HOSPITALITY NICOL McCLELLAND

The RFU has launched England Rugby Hospitality. After last themed restaurant serving quality meats, paired with premium we will better understand our customers and also be in a position December successfully securing planning permission for the wines and real ale, to a more upmarket restaurant offering, The to generate additional revenue which will be invested directly back redevelopment of Twickenham Stadium’s East Stand, England Lock, serving classic English food with a contemporary twist. into rugby at all levels.” Rugby Hospitality will become the exclusive provider of official The East Wing will consist of large lounge spaces with bars and a England Rugby Hospitality will begin operating immediately match day hospitality at Twickenham Stadium from autumn concierge service and have unique dual aspect views of the match alongside Twickenham’s official licensed operators, before 2018. The new venture will also see Keith Prowse, the RFU’s long- pitch and terraces overlooking the landscape. Finally the becoming the exclusive hospitality provider from autumn 2018. standing official hospitality agent, become exclusive sales agent Rose Garden will be an authentic roof garden with a vibrant mix of Following the appointment of Ansell Henry as ERH Sales for England Rugby Hospitality. live cooking and live music. Director, who joins from IMG as Vice President and Head of Sales The East Stand development will create an additional 11,600 Steve Brown, Chief Executive, RFU said: “We are excited about and Membership Services for Club Wembley, the RFU is now sq.m of space over six levels. The new hospitality areas will be the prospect of owning, designing and delivering the only official looking to recruit various roles including sales, finance, marketing distinctive in design and celebrate the unique aspects of the home match day hospitality at Twickenham Stadium from autumn 2018. and customer relationships management positions. of England Rugby and the game. They will not only build on the England Rugby Hospitality will not only diversify our hospitality For more information visit englandrugby.com stadium’s existing high-quality hospitality, but also diversify the and create more choice, it will also transform fans’ match day For more information about England Rugby Hospitality visit hospitality offering to appeal to and attract new audiences. hospitality experience. The new upgrade to the East Stand will www.englandrugbyhospitality.com Fans will be provided with a range of new hospitality options create a quality, consistent offering to cater for a range of existing from informal dining experiences at The Gate, a chop house and new audiences. Through direct provision of official hospitality

2 TOUCHLINE – SEPTEMBER 2017 TYRRELLS PREMIER 15S FIRST JAPAN

SEASON TAKES FLIGHT SUZI MURRAY RECCE GARETH MILLS England head coach Eddie Jones was impressed by facilities at Miyazaki as he and his backroom staff made a recce ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. Jones and his staff visited Miyazaki which Jones said has a “winning feel” to it. They then moved on to Tokyo, Yokohama, Miyazaki and Kobe looking at various venues ahead of the tournament. Jones said: “Miyazaki is a great training venue, a short walk from the hotel, so it’s a perfect training situation. The weather here is hot – perfect preparation for the World Cup so we’ll look in Japan to see where the best training facility is. I’ve obviously had experience of it, so has (former Japan assistant coach) so we think this could be a very good training venue for us.” England will face Argentina, France, United States and Tonga in the pool stages of the competition and Jones added: “We’re possibly looking to come here to Miyazaki for that pre World Cup period where we’re putting the finishing touches on the team. Jones, Borthwick, as well as strength and conditioning coach Dean Benton, also put local school kids through their paces and the former Japan head coach says it is important for his staff to integrate themselves with the locals. “When you are coaching young kids you always want to teach them the fundamentals of the game,” said Jones.“If we decide to come back to Miyazaki for a camp it’s important we have a strong relationship with The inaugural Tyrrells Premier 15s season launched at Twickenham professionalism, high-quality coaching as well as support from strength the community and a good way to give back to them is Stadium with all 10 club captains, coaches and club directors of rugby and conditioning as well as medical teams. The league has been crying by giving the children of the area some training.” at the event. out for this for years and for the RFU to come in and transform it is The new women’s 15s domestic competition will see an investment of fantastic. It’s great to be involved in it on and off the pitch.” £2.4million from the RFU over the next three years with clubs benefitting Wasps Director of Rugby, Giselle Mather said: “I can already see the directly. The competition is expected to improve standards of the difference the increase investment is having at my club. The athletes are women’s game, as well as increase the talent pool available for selection really excited, there is a huge buzz about the place. We have an strength for England in the future. and conditioning department now, the medical team has improved and The event previewed the up-coming season of the competition which everything is there for them because of the sponsorship we have got. The starts on the 16th September and saw England Women’s captain Sarah excitement is palpable. We can’t wait until the 16th for the competition Hunter, Wasps Director of Rugby, Giselle Mather and to begin” discuss how the new competition will revolutionise the existing Alongside the multi-million pound commitment from the RFU, title landscape of women’s domestic rugby. partner Tyrrells will also invest significantly into the competition Nigel Melville, RFU Director of Professional Rugby said: “It’s about bringing the partnership to life as part of on-pack promotions over the raising the standard of the game and giving the athletes and clubs the next three years. support they need to be better. There was a gap between our club game A new website, Premier15s.com will officially launch ahead of the first and our international game so we wanted to put in a place a competition weekend of fixtures in September. that was aspirational for younger players. We hope to double the number In addition, the RFU has committed to live stream a minimum of five women and girls playing the game over the next four years to 50,000 games across the season, hosted on the new website along with the new players and a lot of them will want to participate in this league. This will dedicated Twitter handle @Premier15s to promote the competition. help create better players.” Tyrrells Premier 15s will operate in a league format with home and England Women captain and newly appointed Loughborough away fixtures confirmed today. The top four teams will progress to semi- Lightening assistant coach and player Sarah Hunter said “The finals played over two legs, culminating in a final on the 29th April. new Tyrrells Premier 15s is where the game needs to be in terms of To learn more visit the new website at Premier15s.com

ENGLAND U18S IN SOUTH AFRICA NABIL HASSAN England U18s ended their summer development tour with a 52-22 Cameron Redpath. therapy to give vulnerable children the skills to cope with victory over South Africa Schools.England had won one against England got their summer development tour off to a winning stress, regulate behaviour, build healing relationships and France and later lost to in their previous games of the U19 start with a convincing 24-8 victory over France in Stellenbosch. make positive life choices. International Series. They led 19-3 at the break through tries from Will Porter, Will The England squad spent time in the charity’s centre learning England led 19-0 against South Africa at the break through tries Capon and Cadan Murley, along with two Kieran Wilkinson about the project before putting the children through their paces from Ollie Hassell-Collins, Josh Basham and Sam Moore. conversions in a clinical first half of rugby. France responded with some rugby drills on the beach. South Africa scored second-half tries from Muller du Plessis shortly after the break with a try from Mathis Lebel but Murley’s The children performed a traditional song for the squad – who (2) and Henco Martins as well as seven points from the boot of second late on sealed victory. then returned the gesture before the youngsters spent time in Qamani Kota. Russell Earnshaw, England U18 coach said:”This tour is about the sea, being introduced to the ocean with some also learning to But tries from Nick Rigby, Tom Willis, Cadan Marley, Sam Spink the players learning, making connections on and off the pitch body board and surf. and Nick David as well as three Kieran Wilkinson conversions and improving their skillset. Putting 50 points on South Africa in “We hope the playersl come away from today’s visit with a better sealed victory. South Africa is outstanding and the players should be very proud awareness of the world,” said head coach John Fletcher. “It’s England’s two point loss against Wales, saw the opposition of themselves.” hugely important for rugby players to do things like this as they leading 14-0 at the break through converted tries from Tomi Lewis The squad supported vulnerable youngsters with some are role models, or they are going to be role models, and they have and Kemsley Mathias. Wales narrowly held onto that lead, despite beach rugby while on tour, visiting a charity project called the opportunity to affect change as a result. People will look at two late tries from England’s and a conversion from Waves for Change in Monwabisi. The charity uses surf their behaviour so they have a responsibility to young people.”

TOUCHLINE – SEPTEMBER 2017 3 WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP IN NUMBERS In just under three weeks of tournament rugby, the Women’s Rugby World Cup in was billed as the biggest ever Women’s Rugby World Cup. It was broadcast to more countries worldwide than ever before. GREENE KING IPA In England, there was television coverage across ITV and commentary on BBC Radio The final, broadcast on Saturday night prime time on ITV, had a peak audience of2,651,000 , with an average audience of 1,854,000, which is 11.8% share of viewers. CHAMPIONSHIP These numbers were also seen in other countries, a reported 3.5m watching in France when they took on England in the semi-final. With all the pool games played at University College Belfast, the pool stages at both UCD Bowl and Billings Park UCD sold out in KICKS OFF the build-up, starting, with over 16,000 people at the opening round of fixtures. When the play-off games moved to , at the stadium at Queen’s University’s Upper Malone facility and Pro 14 The ninth season of the Greene King IPA Championship side Rugby’s Kingspan Stadium, they were well attended, with the final at Kingspan Stadium approaching a sell-out in the launched with all 12 club captains and coaches at -capacity venue. Twickenham Stadium. 18,000 The 2017/18 season kicked off on 2 September and saw Across 30 matches in Ireland, fans saw 247 tries scored across the tournament, with an average of eight tries per match, with 1,549 Rugby return to the competition following relegation points scored – an average of over 50 points at a match. from Aviva and Hartpury RFC make their England ran in 33 of those tries and scored 211 points across their five games with14 players, exactly half of the squad, getting at tier two debut. least one try. Hosted by former Greene King IPA Championship player The Red Roses’ were particular impressive in their pool games,scoring at least four tries to secure their bonus point by half-time in Tom May, the event saw John Barnes, Geoff Irvine, all three matches. and Nigel Melville discuss the excitement of the new season. Bristol Head Coach Pat Lam said: “It’s great to be involved in Although at the very heart of rugby is the importance of a team game, individuals who stood out with their numbers included: the Greene King IPA Championship, I look at the teams we are led the most carries in the tournament (59) as well as the most tackles (51), Abbie Scott was the most prolific at going to be facing and the venues we are going to be playing turnovers won with her five. at and it’s very exciting. For a second Women’s Rugby World Cup in a row Emily Scaratt was England’s top points scorer with 56 points, the third highest in “We have a clear vision at Bristol Rugby of where we want the tournament to go. We have three main objectives: to be a Champions Lydia Thompson’s two scores in the final made her England’s top try scorer with five. Cup team, players playing for England and a lot of young Scarratt topped the clean break list ( ) and the metres made ( ) Bristolians coming through and playing for Bristol. For that to 11 289 happen it’s all about the quality of our rugby programme as Megan Jones made the most offloads withfour . well as coaching staff and if we get that right we’ll go a long A number of players hit significant moments in their career in Ireland way to achieving what we want to achieve.” Both and Harriet Millar-Mills reached 50 caps in the semi-final win over France Hartpury RFC Director of Rugby John Barnes added: “Last Fly half Katy Mclean hit 90 caps during the same game. year was a fantastic year, we never thought we’d go the season unbeaten and win promotion but when we got to that promotion Scarratt became the Red Roses leading points scorer, overtaking team mate Mclean, in that match and sits on 434 points in 73 Tests. stage it was sheer elation. To then finish the season unbeaten England’s record holder Rochelle ‘Rocky’ Clark reached 129 appearances for her country when she came on in the final and is was a fantastic achievement and we look forward to the step up now joint sixth on the all-time capped list with former Ireland fly half Ronan O’Gara. and the challenge in the Greene King IPA Championship.” GREEN KING IPA SIGN UP FOR A FURTHER THREE SEASONS

The RFU has renewed its partnership with Greene King IPA for a further three seasons. The extension will see Greene King IPA retain its title partnership of the Greene King IPA Championship, cementing its position as a key supporter of rugby at all levels of the game. RFU Chief Commercial Officer, Simon Massie-Taylor said: “Extending our relationship with Greene King IPA is another strong step forward on our mission to continue improving the league, and to have such an established brand invest in the competition is a real credit to the clubs and their continued efforts to drive this competition forward.” The news of Greene King IPA’s partnership extension was supported with the announcement that the RFU has invested in two significant marketing initiatives that will help to further promote the competition; a bespoke Greene King IPA Championship website and a redesign of the competition’s brand identity. ChampionshipRugby.co.uk has been rolled out across all Greene King IPA Championship assets and collateral. In addition, the RFU has committed to live stream up to ten games this season which will be hosted on the new website along with the England Rugby social media channels and will be led by a commentary team of Tom May, Rob Vickerman and Nick Heath. This is in addition to the 11 games that Sky Sports – the official broadcaster of the Greene King IPA Championship – will air throughout the season. For more information visit championship rugby

4 TOUCHLINE – SEPTEMBER 2017 1000 RUGBY GROUNDSMEN CONNECTED Rugby Groundsmen Connected reached a major milestone in August with the 1000th member signing up. The initiative, launched in 2015, provides an easy access, two- way communication channel between the RFU and groundsmen. It is the main way that the RFU provides information and advice to groundsmen across the country, also offering special deals and exclusive benefits for members. 5,429 POINTS SCORED Keith Kent is the programme’s ambassador and was delighted to know that he’s now connected with 1,000 people who care about pitches as deeply as he does. “We never thought the scheme would have such an incredible IN SEVENS WORLD reaction when we first had the idea and to achieve one thousand members so quickly is a credit to all those involved. We’re simply here to help groundsmen in whatever way we possibly can so that the playing surfaces they tend week in week out satisfy players’ RECORD ATTEMPT needs. Groundsmen are often the unsung heroes of the game and The Horus 7s and Witney Barbarians rugby teams recently As the game moved on into the night, morale was decreasing; it has been fantastic meeting so many of them.” took on the challenge of playing the longest rugby 7s match it was dark, cold and very wet. The players needed a lot of Ted Mitchell who co-ordinates the scheme on behalf of the RFU in history, in a bid to become world record holders and earn a encouragement and through supporters on the sidelines, and a is keen to keep the momentum going. “What’s great for me is that place in the Guinness World Records. few characters on the pitch, the teams got through the night in not only are groundsmen signing up, but an increasing number The RAF Brize Norton based Horus 7s rugby team was set what was still a highly competitive game. are also taking full advantage of the benefits on offer. We’ve up in 2016 to raise money for an injured Parachute Jumping As the sun came up, the players got their 10th wind as once ordered more discounted machinery this month than ever before Instructor from Airborne Delivery Wing, Corporal Rob Bugden. again the pace of the game increased. As the day went on, more and the knowledge bank of our responses to member questions Rob was involved in a parachuting accident in January 2016 and more supporters turned up and the £2,100 fundraising mark is growing week on week. Keith has been out and about offering and sustained life changing injuries, for which he is currently was also reached for Cakes 4 Casualties. At the 24 hour point advice over the summer and it all bodes well for the new season.” undertaking an intense rehabilitation programme at the Defence there were many broken and fatigued rugby players, but the end It’s never too late to join Groundsmen Connected and Medical Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court. was in sight. anyone who is interested should just drop an email to The team take part in many competitions around the UK As the final whistle blew, both teams came together to [email protected] or follow them on twitter via and raise money through donations at the events, as well as congratulate each other on the amazing feat of endurance; there @rugbygroundsmen selling team merchandise. This year they have raised just under were lots of cheers from both the players and supporters, and £4,000 to support Rob, The RAF Benevolent Fund and the main fireworks were let off to end the event. beneficiary from the world record attempt, Cakes 4 Casualties. An incredible amount of money had been raised for charity Prior to the accident, Rob was an endurance runner, with a and hopefully a world record achieved. The teams are now great passion for rugby, so the team wanted to come up with waiting hear from Guinness World Records to discover if the a challenge that combined the two. Months of planning went world record has been verified and awarded, once the officials JUST FOR into the event and two teams made up of 12 men per squad (as have painstakingly gone through the video footage and logs stipulated in the Guinness World Record rules) took to the field. from the event. At 17:00 the game kicked off. Each period of play lasted for an Between the two teams a total of 5,429 points were scored, hour before the players had a five minute pause; this continued with Horus 7s scoring 3,035 and Witney Barbarians finishing on GIRLS AT for the full 24 and a half hours. 2,394 points. Both teams received great support from friends, family and locals The organising committee, led by Sergeant Phil Thomas, throughout the marathon game. The first two hours saw play at a thanked all of the players and all those involved behind the very rapid pace and players had really taken on board the competitive scenes who helped to make the event possible; You can follow BANBURY nature of the game required for the world record attempt. @Horus7s on Twitter for news of the record There was a fantastic turnout on a warm and sunny day at Banbury RUFC’s Bodicote Park for their first Just For Girls rugby camp. Led by Matt Goode with support from RFU Community Rugby Coach Gary Morris, Tim Wheeler and Owen Perkins, the girls were taken through core rugby skills, passing drills, positioning, space awareness, supporting the player with the ball, keeping the ball live etc.. After lunch and some ice lollies to cool down, the girls enjoyed a general knowledge quiz and can now tell you all what the biggest carnivore in the UK is, who is the captain of the England Women’s team and some quick rugby maths! Another game followed before trophies were handed out to four girls who showed the positive attributes playing as part of a team requires. Everyone agreed that all of the girls were the epitome of the This Girl Can campaign and all were given brand new kit bags, rugby balls, gym vouchers and other rugby goodies. For more information on the Banbury RUFC Junior Belles contact Karen Wheeler at [email protected]

TOUCHLINE – SEPTEMBER 2017 5 AKS LYTHAM BOYS IN SWAZILAND A PARTY OF 36 BOYS AND FIVE STAFF FROM AKS LYTHAM RECENTLY RETURNED FROM AN EIGHT MATCH TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA AND SWAZILAND During the 17 day tour, they were involved in a variety of cultural Michael Collinson, a regular visitor to the Rosslyn Park National before refereeing the U18 game himself and giving feedback and community based experiences, a significant part of the Schools 7s, as well as being the President of the Swaziland Rugby following the U17 match refereed by the Skrum coaching staff. based school’s ethos and as Robbie Jones (Director of Union and Council member. After the matches, AKS were delighted to be able to hand over PE) pointed out, “We are always keen to go off the beaten track”. With a day spent coaching some of the young children and more playing kit from both the school and through SOS Kit Aid, After two days at a training camp and matches in Pretoria four games during the Swazi leg of the tour, the AKS party were as well some referees shirts provided by Andy Thompson from and Cape Town to look forward to, the four days they spent in greeted by the match officials wearing old Arnold School shirts, SOS Kit Aid and & District Referee Society. Swaziland working alongside the Skrum charity was extremely taken out by the now merged school on a previous tour in 2014. For more information on the charities visit www.skrum.org and rewarding for all concerned. Ahead of the second round of matches versus Swaziland U17 www.soskitaid.com Skrum, an organisation set up to help increase HIV awareness and U18 sides, AKS staff member and Manchester Society referee uses the slogan “Pass the ball, not the virus”, is run by ex-pat Joe Matthews gave a presentation to the young Swazi officials

MILESTONE SEASON FOR AGE GRADE RUGBY This season sees the final recommendations from the four-year Age Grade Competition Review implemented, building on the successes of last season in developing Age Grade Rugby in England. The Age Grade Codes of Practice are now available on englandrugby.com/agegraderugby providing practical support to all delivering the Age Grade game. The Codes provide advice on how to adopt a player-centred and holistic approach to rugby. The aim is for them to be used by everyone involved in Age Grade Rugby. Clubs and schools who have committed to the Old Mutual Wealth Kids First pledge will also benefit from increased support in making the rugby experience for our younger players even more fun. The Old Mutual Wealth Kids First Community will share successes and challenges online as well as local opportunities to get together. A series of funded Old Mutual Wealth Kids First training courses for coaches and teachers will also be staged across the country. Said Mark Saltmarsh “We have been really pleased with this first full year of implementing the changes to Age Grade Rugby. We have seen numerous positive examples of the impact up and down the country. We are really grateful to the CBs and CSUs who have taken a lead in this work and to those across the Age Grade game in clubs, schools, colleges and academies who have really brought into it. There are still some areas to work on this season to further address over and under playing as well as enhancing the dialogue between club and schools. The Codes of Practice and expansion of Old Mutual Wealth Kids First support are a great starting point for all involved to do this and truly place players of every level at the centre of all we do in our Age Grade game.” Regulation 15 changes which came in from August 1st can be accessed on englandrugby.com/regulations. These include clarity on when our youngest players start competitive rugby and when girls can start playing adult rugby. There are also updates to out of season activities at the various age groups. The new Code of Practice makes the full regulations easier to read and apply. For more information on Age Grade Rugby, please visit englandrugby.com/agegraderugby and to sign up to Old Mutual Wealth Kids First, go to englandrugby.com/kidsfirst

6 TOUCHLINE – SEPTEMBER 2017 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES GEMMA COBB

Work is underway on five new Rugby 365 England Rugby The pitches are a community facility for all clubs, players Chairman of Billingham AGP, Mark Armstrong, said “We’re Artificial Grass Pitches(AGPs) set for completion by next and teams from across the area to benefit from and enjoy. honoured to be selected as the host for the community’s first season in Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Durham, West Testament to the growth of the women’s game, a third of Rugby 365 AGP. This will enable us to ensure both Billingham Midlands and . all bookings have involved women and girls and a third of RUFC, the local community and the entire county can play The AGPs are at host clubs Billingham RUFC, Derby RFC, bookings are by non-senior teams, showing great appetite from year round rugby, irrespective of the weather, while enabling Keighley RUFC, Shelford RFC and Stourbridge RFC and follow youth players. us to continue to develop the amount of rugby being played. the completion of the first three AGPs in Buckinghamshire, “We are building AGPs in locations where an over-capacity Today’s launch saw us host a Colts 7s tournament, a ladies Somerset and Lancashire at the end of last year. pitch is limiting a club’s ability to grow or fulfil existing representative game and a senior first team fixture, all on the England Rugby’s investment in AGPs is part of their Rugby training or match demand, where there is high potential to same pitch, one after the other, which has been absolutely World Cup 2015 legacy of delivering over £50m over four years grow the game and where pitches are suffering from overuse,” brilliant to see.” into the development of 100 AGPs across England. said Steve Grainger, RFU Rugby Development Director. The RFU expects the creation of additional AGPs will In four months of on-season usage since the first three Rugby He adds, “traditionally a club’s best pitch is often reserved generate over 16,000 participants playing at least once every 365 pitches opened in January, they have hosted over 250 for their first team due to fear of damaging the ground through two weeks, with 58,000 players introduced to rugby for the first matches and more than 30 festivals of rugby with a combined overuse ahead of matches. Yet, the durability of the new AGPs, time each year. footfall of 20,000 players enjoying the experience. coupled with their all-weather surface and floodlights, enable Alongside the Rugby 365 programme, the RFU is investing Paul Milham, Chairman of Aylesbury RFC, host club for players of all ages and abilities to experience playing on a high £10m over four years into partner organisations to part-fund Buckinghamshire’s AGP, said, “Aylesbury RFC was one of the quality pitch year-round.” 40 Rugby Share pitches on community sites. The University first three clubs to host an RFU Rugby 365 floodlit artificial The installation of the pitches will create over 50,000 more of Hull and University of Gloucester are due for completion grass pitch and, since launch, the community has utilised it to playing hours for clubs across the country, ensuring more by next season and will offer even greater access to rugby the fullest. In the first four months of 2017 we hosted over 70 matches and training sessions can occur. The additional across their respective communities through multi-sport AGP matches and the pitch involving over 9,500 players from men’s games and training sessions created will allow more playing surfaces. under 18 players to junior players to women and girls who made participation at flexible times to suit the changing playing For more information on the RFU’s Rugby 365 AGP up a third of all of bookings.” demands currently seen. programme please go to englandrugby.com/rugby365 Paul adds “One of the biggest benefits to us as a club has Billingham launched their AGP with rugby royalty in the form been the ability to restructure our youth section training hours of England’s most capped men’s player, OBE, in on a Sunday to allow all age groups to continue to train when front of a crowd of spectators. our grass pitches have been unusable.“

TOUCHLINE – SEPTEMBER 2017 7 TRY FOR CHANGE SMALL GRANTS

PROJECTS ANNOUNCED GEMMA COBB

England Rugby and Comic Relief recently announced the first set Sue Wicks, Strategic Lead, Sport for Change at Comic part of a team and be more positive in prison’.” of Try for Change small grant recipients in England Rugby’s first Relief said: “The small grant recipients have each shown their Following the successful Try for Change small grants round, initiative in partnership with Sport Relief. Aimed at supporting commitment to making positive change through rugby, with many Comic Relief and England Rugby have launched a large grants smaller charities, community groups and grassroots rugby clubs already demonstrating just how important such initiatives are to round which is open for submissions from Monday 4 September. in England, the grants offer projects up to £10,000 to support the individuals in need. There’s a great spectrum of projects covering The projects awarded small grants during this round of valuable work they are doing to improve lives through rugby. numerous disadvantaged and socially isolated groups across funding are: Liverpool Tritons RUFC, Derby RUFC & Sporting Over 40 organisations, including 17 rugby clubs, applied for England and I can’t wait to see how they continue to grow their Futures, Manchester Village Spartans RUFC, Moseley Rugby a small grant, with 11 projects awarded funding. The successful fantastic programmes over the coming year to provide positive Community Foundation, White Gold Cornwall, Plymouth Sports projects are located across England and use rugby and its core change within their communities.” Charity, Northumbria Sport Foundation, Newcastle, Roots Project values as a tool to greatly improve and support the lives of Mike Crofts, CEO of 3 Pillars, said, “We have already successfully CIC, Bridlington, 3 Pillars Project, London Sporting Memories marginalised and disadvantaged people. piloted our rugby academy course with young men in HMP Foundation, Brighton (and across England) and Centre Spot CIC, Dominic Proctor, RFU Chair for Try for Change and RFU Board Wormwood Scrubs in North East London and the Try for Change North Birmingham. Member said “It’s great to see such deserving projects being grant will enable us to deliver new courses in further prisons. Our England Rugby is a partner of Sport Relief and fundraise for the awarded grants in our first round of funding. The projects selected project emphasises the value of teamwork and sportsmanship Try for Change Fund which is a fully managed fund by Comic each demonstrate how rugby has the ability to improve the lives through rugby, helping people achieve their full potewntial. Relief. Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, registered of millions of people from all walks of life and I’m excited to see “One prison officer remarked that she had seen a young man’s charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 () how they each of them utilise their grants to make a real difference behaviour become unrecognisable over the course, while a over the coming months.” prisoner remarked that learning to play rugby ‘allowed him to feel

8 TOUCHLINE – SEPTEMBER 2017 TRY FOR IT’S A GRIZZLY CHANGE EXPERIENCE WHEN LARGE ALEX PACKS HIS BOOTS GRANTS PROGRAMME OPEN FOR PROPOSALS GEMMA COBB Comic Relief and England Rugby are inviting proposals for large grants to help fund projects using rugby union and its community to tackle a number of social challenges and aiming to have a significant and measurable impact on people’s lives. England Rugby and Comic Relief joined forces last year to launch the Try for Change Fund using rugby union and the rugby community to deliver social change in England and across the world. Over four years, £4 million will be raised and distributed by Comic Relief and England Rugby to support rugby for change projects. The inaugural large grants programme open for proposals from 4th September to 2nd October 2017 (midday).follows the success of the small grants programme, which launched in February 2017 and whose first awards have just been announced. These large grants will be awarded to projects likely to make a big difference. Proposals to the Try for Change large grants programme will need to demonstrate wider social outcomes and not just focus on increasing participation in rugby. Proposals which target the most vulnerable and marginalised groups will be prioritised and they must work towards at least one of the following outcomes: Increase community cohesion/ social integration Improve educational attainment Increase employability Alex Marsh, a 22-year old match official, flew to the other side coaching and training knowledge with a passionate and Reduce involvement in gangs and reduce the risk of re-offending of the world in June to tell the KYBO! community about the growing rugby community in north east America. Improve mental and physical health exciting refereeing opportunities that exist if you are willing During his travels Alex met and interviewed members of to pack your boots and travel. The Roaming Referee is with Referee Associations in New Zealand, bumped into Wayne The fund is open to charities, not-for-profit organisations and Gloucester & District Referees Society and recently graduated Barnes and Matthew Carley in a hotel in Sydney and tested his rugby clubs across England. Organisations will be able to apply from Gloucester University. skills as a Referee Coach at the State School Championships for a grant of up to £100,000 for work delivered over 2-3 years. As He has spent the summer getting to know the referee in New South Wales. Jamie McGregor, ARU Match Official well as existing rugby for change programmes, we are looking communities in New Zealand, Australia and latterly Development Officer, told him why referees need to understand to fund new and innovative approaches. Due to the nature of the Anchorage, where he discovered Pack Your Boots! In Alaska, the importance of earning players’ respect and Amy Perrett, an funding agreement, projects must be delivered in England. also means run for your life when your neighbour is a local international role-model for women and girls, shared how she The application process will be will a one stage process and we grizzly bear. Alaskan referees take this kind of thing in their started officiating and her most memorable moment. Alex’s will be open for proposals from 4th September to 2nd October stride – where else do you get wayward Moose walking onto the boots had a run around when he took charge of a local match 2017 (midday). Shortlisted organisations will be informed by the pitch during a game? between Newport v Epping in New South Wales. end of October and assessed in November. Final decisions will be This month (September), Alex is in Alaska as refereeing Alex’s video diaries have been watched by more than 24,000 made by late January 2018. intern at the Alaska Mountain Range Grounds. Nestled at the members of the KYBO! community. To watch the series, visit To apply for funding visit comic relief foot of the mountain, this is probably the most spectacular the ‘Pack Your Boots’ playlist on the KYBO! Facebook Channel rugby playing pitch in the world. Living in a log cabin, overlooking the main pitch, Alex is sharing his refereeing,

CHECK OUT THE CLUB BENEFITS GUIDE

With this Touchline your club should have received an updated copy of the Club Benefits Guide for the 2017/18 season. In it you will find current details of all the resources, services and advantages that you can get thanks to being an RFU member club. Don’t miss out because you don’t know what you may be entitled to. Just check out the Club Benefits Guide. Also available online

TOUCHLINE – SEPTEMBER 2017 9 JACK THINKS OUTSIDE ORGANISE AN ACTIVATE THE BOX EXERCISE PROGRAMME SESSION AND HELP PREVENT INJURIES GEMMA COBB

Activate is an evidence-based injury prevention intervention that has been developed following a number of research studies. The training and pre-match exercise programme focuses on balance, strength and agility to better prepare players for the physical demands of exercise and aims to mitigate injury risks. Each phase includes exercises which improve movement control and functional conditioning, and pre-activate the muscles in readiness for activity. The specific neck exercises aid activation According to Thomas Edison genius is one percent inspiration, ninety nine percent of stabilising muscles around the head and neck which is thought to reduce the potential perspiration and 15-year-old Jack Tombs from Haberdasher Askes Knights Academy in the whiplash effect that can cause concussion. London Borough of Lewisham has certainly experienced both. Activate can be integrated as part of the warm up element of any session before training or matches. Jack joined the England Rugby local rugby delivery team in Kent for two weeks of action- Developed by a research team at University of Bath the schoolboy study involved 40 schools packed work experience. He shadowed community rugby coaches Chris Spedding, Keith Forward and nearly 2,500 players aged 14 – 18. The researchers found that when players completed the and James Bloxham and assisted in improving the skills of young leaders at CBRE All School exercises three times a week injuries fell overall by 72%, this included concussion injuries which Bacons College, before helping them to deliver a mega-fest to local primary schoolchildren in were reduced by 59%. Comparable results were also found in a similar study carried out with Southwark. He also helped referee and run a transition festival with Bacons College for year 7 adult male players in 40 community clubs. students to help recruit young players for Southwark Tigers RFC. The articles for both the adult male and schoolboy injury prevention studies have been More inspiration came when he was lucky enough to spend a few hours at the Lensbury published in the Bristish Journal of Sports Medicine. For details on how to access these articles observing the young England 7s talent coming through the ranks. He learned a lot about their and other relevant research please go to englandrugby.com game based approach to developing as players in a coaching masterclass led by Warren Abrahams. More information and access to the free Activate online resources can be found at Said Community Rugby Coach Chris Spedding: “It’s been great to see Jack’s confidence englandrugby.com grow and see his ambition to take up coaching flourish. From speaking with his mum, this has A free two-hour practical session has been developed to equip coaches and teachers with the given him a new focus in what he wants to achieve after school. He’s a great young man and his key components of the exercise programme so that they can deliver it as part of their existing enthusiasm is great to see.” rugby and PE sessions. Our research suggests that coaches and teachers who attended the face Jack’s coaching journey has certainly begun. He said: ‘‘Work experience with the RFU gave to face session were more competent and confident in delivering the programme effectively. me a lot of confidence to go on and coach others, as well as improve my game. It has opened up Therefore, it is highly recommended that coaches and teachers attend this session prior to opportunities that I wouldn’t have known about before and I’ve now completed several coaching accessing the online resources. courses, including the Rugby Ready course to help me in my future as a coach.’’ To organise a free face to face session at your club or school please contact your local Rugby Jack also put his work experience and new coaching knowledge into practice by helping coach Development Officer/Community Rugby Coach – contact details are available at at his local club Beckenham RFC’s summer camp. Jack plays for Beckenham U16s where he will englandrugby.com be using all he has learned in his own game. BL ACKPOOL’S SAFEGUARDING TOWERING AMBITION CHILDREN At the start of the 2017/18 season rugby clubs are reminded that all those who have mini and junior players must appoint a Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO), as the first point of contact for safeguarding and welfare concerns This Officer should be a member of, or attend, the appropriate club committees, making safeguarding issues a priority at the proper level. Clubs should also ensure that they develop a safeguarding training plan, ensuring that as a minimum their CSO attends an In Touch Workshop within six months of taking up the post. In addition , each mini and youth age group should have at least one person who has attended the Play It Safe course. Promoting best practice throughout the club includes notifying all members, parents and children when a new CSO is appointed and publishing and making accessible to all members the club’s own safeguarding policy, reinforcing the RFU Safeguarding Policy and procedures and reflecting the unique local circumstances for that club. All club officers and committee members should be aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and ensure that at any youth disciplinary panel, the CSO supports the child and ensures that the panel considers the child’s emotional wellbeing throughout, following the RFU Guidance available for achieving best evidence for child witnesses. All those in a club’s children’s workforce should have up- to-date DBS checks . And Blackpool RUFC has been missing fun and “We have been actively seeking the support of everyone involved in the game candy floss over recent years, in fact for almost local businesses and some discussions have been should, if they suspect any a decade they have been struggling to survive. very positive, so far we have sponsorship from harm to a young player or have But the 2017-18 season is set to bring the iwaswronglyaccused.co.uk and EDC Blackpool concerns, report them in line enjoyment back to Blackpool. Ltd, and Business Energy Plus Limited as well as with procedures contained in Chris Parlour the newly appointed captain some positive media coverage from the Blackpool the RFU Safeguarding Policy at the Blackpool club, having moved back to Gazette. And with a new influx of keen players englandrugby the area, has teamed up with Sean O’Brien, a we are pushing forward with our ambitions. This In Touch Workshops and Play former player and now club chairman, director club is too important to us to let it die and it’s a It Safe courses can be accessed of rugby, George Hunt, and they have been busy real part of the community.” at englandrugby.com recruiting over the summer and so far have more With more than 20 players turning up to train The RFU Safeguarding Team’s than 30 new club members on their books. and socialise each week, the atmosphere is more YouTube channel has a great Chris, the son of the late Ed Parlour, who boom than gloom and says newly recruited fly deal of informative content to coached the team, says they are “gearing up to half, Adam Glover: “New players have been made help everyone in safeguarding take huge strides forward” having operated as so welcome that I’m sure we’ll get a decent squad children youtube.com a one team club in Division 5N and last season out for the season and, who knows, move from the reaching an all-time low, finishing bottom of basement to the top level of the league!” the table, with just five regular players and A series of pre-season friendlies and a family facing having to fold. Financial restraints and barbecue kicked off the season, with new competition for players from bigger, rival clubs players welcome at weekly training. For more had been a real challenge but now, with 60 years information visit the club’s Facebook page of history, a new era has hopefully arrived.

10 TOUCHLINE – SEPTEMBER 2017 WHY NOT GRAB RECENT GRADUATES FOR YOUR CLUB TEAMS?

University rugby is thriving and has become bigger and better than ever before, giving undergraduates a real enthusiasm for the game. One of England Rugby’s aims is to keep as many of these male and female students as possible playing at local clubs after graduation. Maybe they are heading to your club’s territory and you could be snapping them up and welcoming them on board. Peter Macaulay University Development Manager says: “We want to help clubs get the benefit of recruiting or retaining more graduates. There is now a set of resources specifically designed to help which can be found at englandrugby.com. Perhaps the biggest opportunity for all clubs is FindRugby.com – all clubs have the opportunity to explain what they offer to players trying to find a club, and an easy guide has been produced to help.” You can also contact [email protected] or [email protected]. Research led by IPSOS Mori and Liverpool John Moores University has shown that roughly 38% of graduates head to London which represents a great opportunity for London and south east clubs to recruit new young players. However, that also means there are around 2,000 other players leaving university each year and settling elsewhere, ready to be recruited by clubs across the country. former England Captain and Students RFU Representative said: “There has been fantastic growth in students playing rugby at university or at nearby clubs in the past few years, but nearly one in two currently stops playing after graduation. We want universities to help ensure players find their next rugby home and which could also really help them out in the workplace.” Some London clubs are already on the front foot with this. Chris Calloway from Southwark RFC ENGLISH SIDES AT explains: “We are working with England Rugby to reach out to recent graduates who could really benefit from joining a rugby club. Joining a rugby club like ours is a great way to both make new friends and build a network of business contacts – and attracting recent graduates will make a real INTERNATIONAL MIXED difference to our player membership. So we all win.” It is an opportunity that universities are also increasingly recognising. Two of the biggest rugby playing universities, Durham and , are playing a fixture on Friday night 13th October at ABILITY TOURNAMENT Rosslyn Park RFC to help them to re-connect with their own graduates at eventbrite.co.uk JOE OGDEN And it’s not just the traditional rugby playing universities getting involved. Paul Newton from Mixed ability rugby teams from around the world gathered in Spain last month (August) for the the University of Bolton says: “While we have great links with local clubs, we want to keep all our International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament. graduates playing wherever they end up!” The competition, designed to showcase and promote mixed ability rugby, saw 12 teams, including three from England, compete over three days of the tournament. Bradford Bumbles, Letchworth Braveherts and Shropshire Stags all took part, with the Bumbles finishing on a high having been awarded the Spirit of Rugby prize, for the side that best showcased rugby’s values. Bumbles player Lee Hainsworth was also named Player of the Tournament Mixed ability rugby allows able-bodied and disabled athletes to participate together in full contact rugby, regardless of their disability. The game is played in line with all the rules of a regular match DUSTY HOME TO HELP aside from scrums which are uncontested and able-bodied players act as facilitators or helpers to guide players on the pitch. The format, first started in Wales 20 years ago, has grown significantly in England since life-long NEWARK CELEBRATE rugby fan Anthony Brooke in 2009 founded the Bumbles – England’s first mixed ability rugby side. The inaugural tournament was held in 2015 which saw over 400 players take part and this year’s tournament was won by Argentina. UPGRADE returned to his home club to help open Newark’s new impressive dressing 18 REFEREE SOCIETIES room block. The former England full back, who was part of the 1980 team, started his career NOW RFU MEMBERS in senior rugby at the club before moving on to Nottingham and then Leicester. Following a successful application process for RFU membership, ratified by the Governance Hare, who is a life member at the Midlands Standing Committee, nine referee societies gained full voting membership this month Two East North club, handed the honour of (September). They join the nine Societies who are already members. opening the new facility to another former They were: Staffordshire Rugby Union Society of Referees Limited, Warwickshire Society of player in David Pick who has been a volunteer Referees, London Society of Referees, Suffolk and North Essex Rugby project manager. Referees Society, Somerset County RFU Referees Society Ltd, Plymouth Rugby Referees Society, “David deserved the honour of cutting the Bristol Rugby Referees Society, Buckinghamshire Referees Society and Gloucester and District ribbon because he’s done so much in guiding Referees Society Ltd. the dressing room project from start to finish,” Said Michael Patz RFU Match Official Development Manager “This now affords the Hare explained. nine Societies all the privileges of membership of the RFU. It is part of implementing the Hare, who attended Magnus School in the recommendations of the Match Officials Blueprint and follows the Rugby Referees Union town, remembers making his debut for the club attaining CB status last year. I know that our match officials are delighted with this new status and in a second XV match at the start of the 1969-70 season before a first team debut the following week I’m sure everyone will want to congratulate them and wish them all the best for the future.” at Norwich. “It was a baptism in men’s rugby,” he explained. “I left school to be a professional cricketer with Nottinghamshire and was only playing rugby for enjoyment when I joined Newark.” Hare coached at the club when his two sons were growing up and he added that clubs like Newark had become very important in giving boys and girls the opportunity to play the game. “In my day the local schools played a very big part but now mini and youth sections like Newark are very important. “I know how important the club is for grassroots rugby – Newark is important to me. I am a Newark person through and through.” Another leading volunteer in the project is president Alan Swain who has masterminded the club’s fund raising campaign which has seen members and supporters raise over £200,000 in the last two years. The club has been further helped by a £295,000 grant from Sport England while the Rugby Football Foundation have loaned around £100,000. Grants from Tarmac (£40,000) and Wren (£49,500), the landfill tax organisation, have also been received. Among the guests was Peter Grace who was representing the RFF. The new dressing rooms, including a large physio treatment room, are the first phase in a project which will cost £1.2 million in all. Newark are aiming to complete the second phase (club office, shop and meeting rooms) by the New Year followed by a new club bar and dining facility next summer before the centenary season of 2019. In all, it is estimated over 400 Newark players, of all ages, will use the new facility this season.

TOUCHLINE – SEPTEMBER 2017 11 GOSFORTH ACADEMY GO FAR WITH BUTLER’S OFFLOADING GAME JOE OGDEN

RUGBY The AASE League has for nine years been Butler says the approach wouldn’t have worked developing the next generation of stars and recently without an emphasis on the CARDS skills: creativity, REMEMBERING saw the rise of a new style of rugby. PJ Butler, a awareness, resilience, decision-making and self- Newcastle-based coach and the AASE Scheme organisation pioneered by England’s age grade sides. Manager at Gosforth Academy for five seasons, set “Focusing on CARDS allowed the players to take DAN a target at the start of last season of 300 offloads in control of the way we approached a game and it was It is two years since 25-year-old Dan Hickey was killed in a hit and run incident in his the campaign and the side turned heads with their massively successful. We didn’t want to constrict home town of Bristol. But many people’s hearts were touched by Dan, a keen rugby style of play them and if they tried things which didn’t work we player, who represented Leicester University for four years and when back in Bristol Butler himself played at Academy level, playing would never say ‘you shouldn’t have done that.’” returned to play for his home team, the Bristol Saracens. for Bath’s age-grade team before becoming a coach This year’s AASE League will see the 14 teams To honour and remember a beloved son and friend, the Dan Hickey Fund was set up last in 2007. He was head coach of Linlithgow RFC in battle it out in separate north and south pools to try year in his memory, by Dan’s brother Joe, sister Elizabeth and seven of his close friends. Scotland before taking up the job at Gosforth. and make the play-off stages. The league, originally The fund raises money for small, local Bristol charities making a difference to the lives of “We tried to get our players thinking differently named the Academic and Sporting Excellence people of 25 or younger who have an interest in sport or drama, Dan’s two main interests. about how the game should be played,” said Butler. League, was set up in 2008 to provide a competition Four main events have already raised £55,000. Last year saw a fundraising rugby match “It was pretty experimental but the players led it and structure for institutions offering an outstanding between Dan’s clubs the Bristol Saracens and the Leicester Alumni and this summer the enjoyed it and that’s crucial.” rugby programmes alongside academic education for second Dan Hickey memorial rugby match was played at the Saracen’s ground in Bristol. Most teams Gosforth played last season attempted students aged 16-18. More than 40 Leicester alumni played Bristol Saracens, including players dusting off around 10 offloads a match, while for Gosforth that All teams are linked to the Academy of a their boots for the first time in four years to play in Dan’s name. Former students who figure was closer to 50 and the approach certainly professional side and AASE has become a successful graduated up to seven years ago were playing alongside current university rugby club worked. The secondary school, linked to Newcastle breeding ground for some of England’s household members, in a game which was closely fought and a fitting tribute to Dan. Falcons, had not made the AASE Championship names, the likes of and his The Sarries had a squad of 48, mostly Dan’s old teammates, with a few close friends play-offs since entering the tournament in 2013, teammate Luke Cowan-Dickie. Last season 18 of from other clubs and last season’s successful Colts side. The side was organised by club but stormed to the final with a string of superb Gosforth’s 26 players were also part of Newcastle’s captain, Will Harding, and John Howell. performances, including an impressive 40-0 semi- Academy side and Butler knows this season will be Leicester looked much sharper in the backs with an outstanding offloading game seeing final victory over Worcester College (Worcester even tougher. them race into an early lead. However, the Sarries pack held the upper hand in the tight Warriors AASE) to advance to the final, where they “I think we caught some teams by surprise last encounters and this saw a number of penalties at scrum time and a few tries from pick and were defeated 19-53 by Exeter College. season but they will be more prepared this time. Our gos and driving lineouts. Five tries were scored in the last 20 minutes to (in the Sarrie’s “We made sure the focus was on how we played focus will remain on our own game we’ll see how far opinion) win the game – the referee stopped counting but the Sarries had it at 44-42. rather than the results,” says Butler but even he was that takes us.” Afterwards Sam Daniels who organised the University of Leicester RUFC team said, surprised by the stats that his coaching team saw You can follow all the fixtures and results from the “We would like to thank the Hickey family and Bristol Saracens RUFC for making us after the first few games. “It was amazing. We were up AASE League here. welcome and enjoying a few drinks with us after the game. This event epitomises why to around 60 offloads a game and you could see on rugby union is a truly special and unique sport.” that the team were focusing on attacking space and To discover more about the Dan Hickey Fund click here keeping the ball in play.”

CELEBRATION OF A LIFE IN RUGBY

Guests at the glittering charity event held to celebrate the career of former rugby international John Spencer, current President of the RFU, raised a magnificent £30,000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young and Wharfedale RUFC. John started his rugby career with the club in 1964, making his England debut in 1969, before playing another 14 times for them throughout the 1970s. He was also selected to play for the 1971 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, returning as manager of this year’s very successful Lions tour. The event, in a beautiful marquee in the club’s scenic grounds. brought together a stellar sporting line up including; Sir Ian McGeechan, , Ian Robertson, Andy Irvine, , , Simon Halliday and sports broadcaster John Inverdale – who entertained the assembled 400 guests with their rugby anecdotes and stories. Main sponsors for the event were Skipton Building Society and Pitchero, with audio visuals donated by Simply Better Events.

THE RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING WHO GENEROUSLY SUPPORT THE GAME

TOUCHLINE Editorial input with pictures to: Touchline Editor, Patricia Mowbray Email: [email protected] Direct Line: 0208 831 6514 Correspondence to: Patricia Mowbray, Touchline Editor, Rugby Football Union, Rugby House, Twickenham Stadium, 200 Whitton Road, Twickenham TW2 7BA. Mailing and Distribution: Enquiries or updates Email: [email protected] Tel: 0208 831 6762 Touchline is published by PPL Group, on behalf of the Rugby Football Union, the national governing body of the game in England. Also available on the RFU website: englandrugby.com Photography courtesy of Getty and Touchline contributors. Thanks to all individuals, clubs, schools and CBs for contributions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the RFU. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the RFU or PPL Group. While every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of editorial content, no responsibility can be taken for errors and/or omissions. All trademarks are acknowledged as the property of their respective owners. The RFU Rose and the words ‘England Rugby’ are official registered trade marks of the Rugby Football Union and are subject to extensive trade mark registration worldwide.

12 TOUCHLINE – SEPTEMBER 2017