June/July 2013 Issue 158 The Official Newspaper of The RFU SOUND OF CHANGE LIVE Beyoncé and celebrity friends, among them Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, converted the Home of England Rugby to a women’s rights arena at the Sound of Change Live charity concert at the start of this month (June). The event was beamed to 150 countries, raising £2.8 million to promote women’s health, education and justice worldwide. Beyoncé, was joined on stage by her husband Jay-Z. “It’s time for change. Let’s chime for change. This is such an incredible night for me,” she told the 55,000 crowd. Jessie J opened the concert, Simon Le Bon performed with Timbaland, and J-Lo and Mary J. Blige delivered The Beatles’ Come Together, in a star-studded show which also featured the likes of John Legend, Florence + The Machine and Rita Ora. Madonna, Freida Pinto, Aishwarya Rai, Jada Pinkett Smith, James Franco, Ryan Reynolds, Jessica Chastain and feminist icon Gloria Steinem were among the presenters and Prince Harry sent a videotaped message of support. Beyoncé, with actress-producer Salma Hayek Pinault and Gucci creative director Frida Giannini, is co-founder of the Chime for Change charity, which aims to improve education, health care and justice for women. Partner organizations include UNICEF, the Global Fund for Women and Plan International. HASKELL AND VARNDELL JOIN IN WITH NATWEST RUGBYFORCE Emma Kennedy James Haskell and Tom Varndell rolled up their sleeves to support Weybridge Vandals with their NatWest RugbyForce project this month (June) when the club were one of 400 taking part in the weekend of DIY to improve their facilities with the support of volunteers and the local community. The London Wasps duo helped clear overgrown areas to create the additional playing space needed for the club’s mini and junior section, which now has more than 300 members. The changing rooms were also given a makeover to better cater for female teams and officials. James Haskell said: “I like to think of myself as a bit of a DIY expert so it’s been great to get involved at Weybridge. There’s been nearly 100 volunteers, an incredible BBQ and an atmosphere which proves why a rugby club is like a second home. I know that I owe a lot to my first club Maidenhead RFC. Continued on top right page 2… FIRST ELECTED FEMALE COUNCIL MEMBER Paul Bolton Tracy Edmundson has become the first female to be elected as an RFU Council member and steps up to be one of the two representatives for Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire at the Union’s AGM on July 14th. She replaces Alex Murphy, who has resigned from the Council after starting a new job in India. The other candidates were Alan Shaw of North Hykeham and Alan Swain of Newark. Although Deborah Griffin has represented women’s rugby on the RFU Council since 2010, Edmundson is the first woman to be elected to serve one of the RFU Constituent Bodies. Said Paul Murphy, President of the RFU, “We are delighted to Tracy Edmundson welcome Tracy as the first elected female RFU Council member. Her election is a landmark one for the RFU but she represents the important and growing contribution being made by women and girls to rugby in clubs and Constituent Bodies in England. “At a time when participation figures in women’s and girls’ rugby are at an all-time high, an increasing number of women are being elected to senior posts in our clubs and A new kind of lineout at Twickenham Constituent Bodies.” Continued top left of page 2… 1 Continued from page 1… Continued from page 1… Will we ever forget that lineout take from Lewis anniversary of England winning the World Cup. I FIRST ELECTED FEMALE COUNCIL MEMBER HASKELL AND VARNDELL Moody; the break from Matt Dawson; Jonny am positive we will raise valuable funds for our Edmundson has been an active member of Derby RFC “Alex Murphy has left some very big shoes for me to fill but JOIN IN WITH NATWEST REVISIT RUGBY Wilkinson nicely in the pocket; Ian Robertson’s nominated rugby charities, put on an entertaining since 2002 and holds a number of key voluntary roles in the I believe that with Mike Waplington, the other RFU Council commentary, ‘He drops for World Cup glory. It’s display of legends rugby and have fun with old over. He’s done it’? friends and team mates in the process!” club, including serving as colts manager, minis and junior Member for NLD, we can form a good team and represent RUGBYFORCE It’s moments that we would all love to relive He will be joined by fellow forwards Martin Corry, section secretary, assistant safeguarding officer and club the interests of rugby in the three counties.” The World Cup is only two years away and interest in rugby is only and now we have the chance. Members of that Lewis Moody and Mark Regan and supported by a coaching co-ordinator administrator. Edmundson worked in advertising and marketing for 12 going to increase – as players we’ll make sure we’re ready for WORLD CUP 2003 magical squad will lace up their boots once more strong back line including Josh Lewsey, Ben Cohen, She is also a member of the NLD Rugby Development years and currently works for a management consultancy 2015 while NatWest RugbyForce is helping clubs get in shape.” As part of an enhanced programme for 2013, clubs were to face legends from the Australia team which Andy Gomarsall and Austin Healey. Individual and Partnership Executive Committee, a member of the Midlands which specialises in procurement, energy and management they beat back on that night in Sydney. team rivalries will be renewed when Justin Harrison, 16 Group Committee and is team manager of the NLD systems. awarded grants of either £250, £500 or £4000 to make renovations, with the aim of becoming more sustainable Jason Leonard, Martin Corry, Lewis Moody and Matt Cockbain, Al Baxter, Chris Whitaker, Richard Under 16 team. “The skills I have gained through work and my involvement businesses. In April, 175 clubs were invited to attend workshops Ben Cohen will be among the team taking on Harry and Tim Horan take to the pitch. Each side “It’s a great honour to be the first female to be elected to the to date in rugby show my ability to build and maintain good to help plan their projects and get the most out of the weekend. the Australia Rugby Legends at the Twickenham will contain up to eight 2003 World Cup legends and RFU Council but I don’t believe that I have been elected by working relationships and to enable others to fulfil their Several clubs upgraded kitchen facilities to reduce long term Stoop on Thursday 31 October (7:45pm) kicking further exciting announcements will be made over the clubs in NLD because I am a woman,” Edmundson said. potential. I am looking forward to the new role,” she said. overheads but a common objective for a number of clubs was off a weekend of celebrations to mark 10 years the coming months. “I believe that clubs have looked at the experience that I have Edmundson, 48, has two grown-up children and a to make their club houses more attractive for use by the local since England lifted the Webb Ellis trophy. The fixture is being organised by Sportingclass at club and Constituent Body level and the way that they grandson. She is originally from Wolverhampton but has community. As at Weybridge, the priority for others was to The full England squad will reunite for the first who have been responsible for legends matches think I can represent them at Twickenham. lived in Derby for the past 28 years. expand or enhance their facilities to be able to accommodate time since 2003 at the official Anniversary Dinner for the past four years in which 14 members of and encourage new members. at Battersea Evolution the following evening the 2003 World Cup squad have featured. Said North Hykeham RUFC were crowned Pride of the Nation (Friday 1 November) before attention turns to their Managing Director Andy Lee: “I am really following a NatWest RugbyForce competition to find the best future challenges when the current England excited to be bringing the Australian Barbarians PARALYMPIAN STAR MENTORS supported rugby club in England. In less than three weeks team play Australia in the QBE Internationals on over to play the England Legends as part of the over 21,000 votes were received online. Ellesmere Port RUFC, Saturday 2 November. official RFU celebrations of winning the Rugby ENGLAND UNDER 20S Newent RFC and Shoreham RFC were regional winners but the The weekend honours the achievements of the World Cup 10 years ago. Interest has been huge Midlands club claimed the national title after standing outside Rugby World Cup winning squad and all proceeds and we are hoping to have a sell-out at the Sainsbury’s canvasing votes. England legend Phil Vickery visited from the Legends Match and Anniversary Dinner Twickenham Stoop that night.” Stefan Curtis North Hykeham to support their NatWest RugbyForce Weekend. will go to rugby charities – the Rugby Football Tickets: For more information and to purchase Six-time Paralympic champion To see photos or to share your club’s NatWest RugbyForce Union’s Injured Players Foundation (IPF) and the tickets visit www.quins.co.uk Tickets prices start David Weir CBE visited England story visit www.facebook.com/natwestrugbyforce Rugby Players Association’s Restart. at £10 for children and concessions and £20 for Under 20s at their pre Junior World England’s most capped player, Jason Leonard adults.