Coronavirus (Covid-19) update

This week’s headlines include: 1. Winter Survival Fund reminder with Steve Grainger 2. RUWSF Loan Scheme - two days left to complete 3. RUWSF Grant Reminder - two days left to apply 4. Return to community rugby update 5. Lockdown rugby activity 6. Webinars and on-demand videos

Update on RUWSF Grant and Loans

RFU Rugby Development Director, Steve Grainger gives an update on the Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund (RUWSF) Grant and Loan schemes.

Please note, we are updating our FAQs daily, so please keep checking back using the button below. FAQs will contain the version number and date to help keep track of when they have been updated.

The loan and grant scheme are two separate strands of funding, so clubs are able to apply for both where needed.

We will be hosting another CB national call today at 5pm to answer any questions you may have relating to the RUWSF. Once again, we politely ask that a maximum of two people attend from your CB and that you nominate one spokesperson to help us manage communications. Please contact your CB Relationship Manager if you need further information.

Watch Video Criteria & FAQs

Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Loan Scheme

A reminder that Presidents, Chairs, Honorary Secretaries and Treasurers at each club received an email from the Rugby Football Union last Friday which included a digital form to complete to indicate a non-binding interest in a loan.

If you would still like to lodge your interest, please ensure this form has been submitted by 5pm this Thursday, 25 February. We have included the link below for ease.

We request that only one representative of each club submits the form to avoid duplications.

The loans scheme is designed to support urgent infrastructure requirements of Rugby clubs at Levels 3 and below. This will be needs-based, to support essential infrastructure for survival and sustainability.

Loans will support clubs in immediate survival need - providing access to funding for facility works designed to respond to the impact of Covid-19 and enable clubs to get back playing when the time comes.

Loans to be made across three groups:

1. Up to 100% - Small-scale reboot projects – 2-year payment holiday and repaid in 8 years thereafter. 2. Up to 100% - Medium-scale projects – centrally procured with 3-year payment holiday and repaid in 8 years thereafter. 3. Large-scale projects (largely where these projects are essential for the survival of the organisation and would have progressed without support in the absence of Covid-19 impacts). Typically, loans matching 20-35% of project costs where the remainder of funding is in place and project ready to commence. 4-year payment holiday and repaid in 8 years thereafter.

Interest Form

Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund Grant Scheme

The cut-off-point to apply for a grant is 5pm on Thursday 25 February. If a club or CB is unsure whether they are eligible, we would encourage them to apply so we can assess whether they qualify. It is safer to apply now than to miss the deadline and discover too late that you would have been eligible.

The Rugby Union Winter Survival Fund aims to support community clubs at Levels 3 and below that have been severely impacted by Covid-19 restrictions.

It covers a specific six-month period - costs must be incurred between 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021. Clubs need to demonstrate financial need for funding to ensure survival.

You can find out more about the criteria and how to apply using the funding link below.

When completing the form, please ensure:

• You only input numbers for financial information. For example, instead of writing zero, input 0. • You do not input symbols such as the £ sign. Simply input numbers. For example, to insert £100,000 input 100000.

• All bank statements are required, not just the current account.

• For the cash position at end of September, use the closing balance rather than the opening balance from statements and add up the balances across all accounts.

• Golden roles are up to date in GMS.

Criteria & FAQs Funding Page

Return to Rugby

We welcome last night’s Government announcement that grassroots team sport including community rugby can return on Monday 29 March.

Over the coming weeks, we will work with Government to understand the number of players and format of rugby that will be permitted upon our return in both schools and community rugby. When we have clarified these details, and associated travel queries, we will share the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap alongside a step-by-step guide to returning to training and guidance around facilities re-opening.

Return To Rugby

Lockdown Rugby Activity

Inspired to Play Page On our Inspired to Play page, we have included lockdown activities that have ranged from Q&A’s with internationals and Shaunagh Brown, to position specific workshops with the England Men’s team and Age Grade fitness sessions.

Next up will be a back-row focus with Tom Curry and who will share their insights, thought processes and how they use the Principles of Play.

This content has been produced in support of the Community Game to keep players connected to rugby while unable to play.

Inspired to Play

Webinars and on-demand videos

We know that you might be Zoomed out, so we have made sure all our webinars are available when you need them on demand if you can’t see them live.

Introducing the Mental Wellbeing for Players webinar – Wednesday 18 March – 7pm

Welcome rugby players of all ages to a healthy discussion about mental wellbeing, creating kinder cultures and the importance of looking out for each other. Guest speaker, David Beeney, who has years of experience talking about (and not talking about) mental health is joined by former England Rugby captain Dylan Hartley. We put player welfare at the heart of the game in order to keep the community healthy with help from our trusted healthcare partner Simplyhealth. Register today

You can see all our previous Coaching, Refereeing, and Club webinars online.

Share your ideas

Please let us know if there are any further resources or specific support that clubs and CBs could benefit from during lockdown, by contacting

[email protected] or emailing [email protected].

We continue to highlight the wonderful activities of our clubs and their teams on our England Rugby channels. Please share your stories and videos with [email protected] or [email protected].

Teamwork Respect Enjoyment Discipline Sportsmanship