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TOUCHLINE The Official Newspaper of The RFU March 2017 Issue 199 PRINCE HARRY JOINS 12,000 FANS TO WATCH TRAIN SUZI MURRAY Last month (February) Prince Harry, in his new role as Patron of the RFU, met young people involved in charities connected to England Rugby’s Try for Change programme as well as representatives from the RFU’s National Youth Council and Young Rugby Ambassadors (YRAs) at the England team open training session. He also met Old Mutual Wealth Kids First Champions from Didcot RFC, chosen from groups around the country to form a guard of honour for the England team. Over 12,000 supporters from grassroots clubs and schools from all over England, alongside local residents, were at to watch England prepare for their RBS 6 Nations game against . Fans were guided through the rugby session, while the players also took part in a series of specially-arranged supporter activities. The players also met Prince Harry on the pitch following their session. Richard Hill, England team manager said: “It was fantastic to end the week’s training at Twickenham in front of so many fans, I thank everyone for joining us.” As well as 40 school and college groups, 30 U11/U12 players and five coaches were there from Didcot RFC, Old Mutual Wealth Kids First Champions who were nominated by their local RFU delivery team. Continued on page 2 MORE THAN 1,000 RFU ANNOUNCES 10 WOMEN’S NOMINATED FOR CLUBS TURIA TELLWRIGHT MITSUBISHI MOTORS The Rugby Union (RFU) recently announced the 10 clubs offered places, subject to VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR CHARLOTTE HARWOOD contract, in the new women’s domestic competition from September 2017. Women’s Super Rugby is a major development for the women’s game in England and will significantly raise the standards of rugby domestically and help support the Red Roses’ ambition to be the number one team in the world. It is also expected to help grow participation and create new commercial partnerships to help underpin the competition. Following a rigorous and independently-chaired application process, the 10 successful teams offered a place in the Women’s Super Rugby, subject to contract, are: • Ladies Rugby Ltd • Darlington Mowden Park Sharks • Firwood Waterloo Ladies • Harlequin FC • -Hartpury Women’s RFC • Loughborough Students (Lightning) An astonishing number of rugby volunteers have been • Richmond FC nominated for the inaugural Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer • of the Year Awards, which recognises volunteers or their • Wasps FC Ladies dedication to the game. • RFC Continued on page 2 Continued on page 2

TOUCHLINE – MARCH 2017 1 PRINCE HARRY JOINS 12,000 BE PART OF ENGLAND FANS TO WATCH RUGBY 24/SEVENS ENGLAND TRAIN SUZI MURRAY Continued from page 1 The coaches, volunteers and committee members have worked At the start of the month (March) England Rugby tirelessly over the past six years to set up and grow a minis announced the 24/Sevens 2017 competition as section, which now has over 130 players aged 5-13 registered. They being open for all have also created a supportive and developmental environment community clubs and new and existing sevens encouraging older players to stay involved in rugby, when often teams to enter. there is a big drop off at 12-13. The exciting community sevens series, launched Didcot’s Harry Levell, aged 11, said: “It was so exciting to meet in 2016, aims to continue to grow sevens rugby Prince Harry and to be part of the guard of honour to cheer the and increase participation among men and England players as they ran out to training. I love playing rugby women. By aligning existing domestic sevens and it was so cool to come to Twickenham with friends from my tournaments, the competition has created rugby club.” consistent playing opportunities for sevens Also there were young people involved in rugby via Street players at grassroots level, with over 6,000 players Games, The Dallaglio Foundation and The School of Hard Knocks. taking part in 2016. The event at Twickenham raised over £12,500 for the Try for Sevens rugby is a key part of England Rugby’s Change fund, run by Comic Relief and England Rugby, which work with Sport England, broadening high quality the new tiered competition structure. will support projects and programmes that use rugby and the playing opportunities for all players. In 2017 the 24/Sevens “Sevens is an exciting format of rugby that can be played not rugby community to improve the lives of disadvantaged people in competition will be bigger and better, with more local qualifiers only by sevens specific players but also by anyone who plays England and across the world. being held in 38 locations across England. or has played 15-a-side rugby, as well as players who are new to For more information on Try for Change click here 24/Sevens 2017 will also see the addition of a new tiered contact rugby. We are looking forward to seeing player talent competition structure, with Social and Invitational Elite tiers on display this year as teams compete for the highest national added alongside the existing Open competition. accolade at community level in rugby sevens in England.” England Sevens Head Coach, said “Following the Formats success of the Olympics there has never been a more exciting RFU ANNOUNCES • Local qualifier winners in the Open tier, where men’s and time for rugby sevens. There are undoubtedly more players women’s sevens teams and community clubs can enter, playing the sport around the world and the growth of 24/Sevens 10 WOMEN’S SUPER will progress to one of four regional play offs in the North, is fantastic for sevens in our country. The linkup with the Super , South-East and South-West across two weekends in Sevens Series also creates a clear elite level for players in which RUGBY CLUBS July. The competition will culminate in a showpiece national to compete, providing a great opportunity to develop young Continued from page 1 final event hosted by England Rugby at The Recreation sevens talent.” All applicants will be required to deliver against a set of Ground in Bath on the 29th July. England Sevens Assistant Coach (Women), James Bailey said: minimum operating standards designed to create an infrastructure • The new Social tier will see tournaments held at all 38 “The 24/Sevens competition is important for the development of within the clubs to support an increasingly professional game. local qualifier venues across England. Open for all levels of the women’s sevens pathway as it’s giving players at community The key focus of these minimum standards include: ability, the Social tier is a great entry point into the game for level more quality and consistent playing opportunities. This is • To develop a professional coaching resource to support players those new to contact formats of the game and those returning making sevens a real option for aspiring players. The Olympics in training throughout the week to rugby. last year was a great showcase for the sport and inspired so many • To provide teams with regular and expert sports science support • The Invitational Elite tier will showcase top level men’s sevens to get involved. 24/Sevens is a great entry point to the game.” and medical provision for both training and match days teams and players with two Super Sevens Series rounds The local qualifier events take place throughout April, May • To improve the training and playing environment. coming under the 24/Sevens competition structure for the and June, with regional play offs in the North, Midlands, South- The competition will receive a multi-million pound investment first time, including the 24/Sevens national final. East and South-West in July. The 24/Sevens national final, on from the RFU over the next three years to help deliver the minimum the 29th July, will be a vibrant combination of electric rugby, standards expected and provide high-quality coaching, facilities, RFU Development Director, Steve Grainger said: “More than entertainment and live music ensuring a unique experience on training environments and community engagement plans. 6,000 players took part in the inaugural 24/Sevens competition and off the pitch for players and spectators. The announcement reflects the increasing popularity and in 2016. This year we are broadening the competition’s reach and For more information on how you can be part of the 24/Sevens success of women’s rugby in England following the Red Roses’ capacity to cater for an even wider range of playing levels with series click here success of winning the Women’s in 2014 and Great Britain playing in the first sevens competition of the Olympic Games last year in Rio. This has seen the RFU announce its ambitions to double the number of women and girls playing rugby to 50,000 and the IPF GUESTS AT OPEN arrival of 15-a-side professional contracts ahead of the eagerly anticipated Women’s Rugby World Cup in August this year. RFU Director of Professional Rugby said: “This is another significant development for women’s rugby in this TRAINING country. Women’s Super Rugby will drive standards in the game, both domestically and at an elite level, and continue to encourage more women and girls to play the sport. “I would like to congratulate the 10 clubs on their successful applications which have resulted in them being offered a place in the new competition. We now have the opportunity to build a world-class domestic competition, with the backing and funding of the RFU, demonstrating the union’s commitment to growing the game at all levels.” RFU Head of Women’s Performance, Nicky Ponsford, added: “We are really excited about the innovative opportunity that Women’s Super Rugby gives us to reach new participants and attract new fans to the game, and we are determined to make the most of this opportunity.” MORE THAN 1,000 NOMINATED FOR MITSUBISHI MOTORS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Continued from page 1 The inaugural Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year Awards will take place on a regional basis by rewarding worthy volunteers at 42 local events held at selected Enjoying the England open training session and VIP breakfasts return to work. The IPF have been brilliant, they are still there for Mitsubishi Motors dealerships. were RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF) clients Ross me and are the reason I’m here enjoying today’s event.” Of the hundreds of volunteers invited to these localised Morrison and Liam O’Keefe. Paralympian Ross, who has retired from international events, 42 outstanding finalists will be invited to the Liam, aged 27, was injured in January 2016 playing for wheelchair rugby but coaches the GB Development squad Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year Awards ceremony at St Mary’s Old Boys, and has been having a second series of also works as a fitness instructor and personal trainer and has on Friday 15 September. treatments at neurological specialists Hobbs Rehabilitation, recently taken up discus and is “seeing where it goes.” More information on this exciting programme will be thanks to the IPF. He’s a big IPF ambassador and was at open training with wife released over the coming months. For more volunteer He said: “Hobbs has been helping massively and now I can Eileen and son Luke, now two, who was in the IPF box watching recognition opportunities visit our website almost be independent and just need a little help. I’ve been his first England match at 26 days old. He’s already at Rugby talking to my old employers SAS Electrical in Bristol and hope to Tots every weekend and is a big Ruckley fan.

2 TOUCHLINE – MARCH 2017 CBRE ALL SCHOOLS UNVEIL NEW CANTERBURY KIT

A hundred students from this season’s CBRE All Schools intake unveiled their schools’ new Canterbury rugby shirts on the Twickenham pitch before the England v Italy RBS 6 Nations match. Each shirt was individually designed by pupils at Canterbury kit design workshops, while they learned about the core values of rugby, the pride associated with the shirt and the importance of colours, logos and emblems. The CBRE All Schools programme, launched in 2012 by the Union, has now established rugby in an additional 500 state secondary schools, impacting some 450,000 pupils’ lives by making school life happier and healthier, reducing anti- social behaviour, enhancing learning and increasing students’ confidence and self-esteem. The programme plans to take rugby to 750 schools by 2019 as part of the RFU’s Rugby World Cup 2015 legacy. CBRE All Schools Ambassador Billy Vunipola shared with the pupils his experience of what it means to represent England, the importance of the shirt and what it is like taking centre stage at Twickenham on match day. Billy Vunipola said: “It’s great to see more state secondary schools getting involved in rugby through the CBRE All Schools programme. The atmosphere in Twickenham on match day is very special and it’s fantastic that the students experienced it first-hand, who knows, maybe one of them will be playing for England one day.” Andrew Morgan from Hodge Hill College said: “It’s been hugely exciting to have pupils both involved in designing our new school rugby shirt and especially in getting the opportunity to unveil it on the pitch. It’s great to be involved in the CBRE All Schools programme and we look forward to continuing to grow rugby and participation in our school.” All the shirts on display were created by pupils for their schools’ rugby teams to wear for many years to come, and all were provided free by Canterbury. Chris Stephenson, CEO of Canterbury said: “This is our fourth year as Official Partner of the All Schools programme – something we are extremely proud to be part of. The students were doing their schools proud by wearing shirts they designed at such a huge game and, hopefully, gaining some special memories.” For more information click here

TOUCHLINE – MARCH 2017 3 REAL RUGBY STORIES Featuring regularly on englandrugby.com, as well as in Touchline, our Real Rugby Stories celebrate the achievements of those involved in the grassroots game. Whether it’s supportive mums or medics, chairmen taking clubs places, or children with inspirational stories, let us know about your remarkable people by emailing: [email protected] A WHOLE NEW BALL GAME FOR PHILIPPA We often talk about refereeing as a confidence booster but one grassroots match official says qualifying as a referee a year ago and joining the Referee Society, has totally transformed her life. Philippa Greenwood was, on turning 40, a divorced, part-time single mum, working for the Foreign Office and says that after “a rough few years” she found refereeing at just the right time. Having grown up watching rugby, initially the when she lived there with her parents as a child, she was a definite fan and keen supporter but had never played. It was as the Sporting Opportunities Manager at the Foreign Office that she attended a Rugby World Cup match and proceeded to explain the referee hand signals to the person watching with her. “They told me I should do something with that knowledge but initially I thought refereeing would be too much of a commitment and qualifying too expensive.” Having discovered the cost was just £50 and that she could qualify over non-consecutive weekends near her home, which fitted in with her child care, Philippa signed up. “It was the first thing I had done in years which was purely for me, my confidence had taken a battering and I felt like I had lost my identity,” she says. Imagining that she was making a mess of the course, Philippa was amazed when she was complimented by those running it and applauded by those taking it. “A trainer said ‘I’ve been hearing good things about you’ and I actually went home and cried,” she adds. “The experience and the positive feedback has had such an to speak to colleagues about confidence building. Having opted to take charge of a men’s match as her first game impact on my life. I now think ‘If you can take charge of 30 burly “Refereeing took me out of my comfort zone, with each game a two weeks after qualifying, Philippa says, “It was worse than men on a rugby pitch there’s nothing you can’t do!’” new mini challenge which I meet and enjoy. giving birth to my daughter. If I could have pressed a button to Less than a month after qualifying as a referee, Philippa applied “My daughter Indigo, who’s nine, regards rugby with a sense of beam me up off that pitch I would have done.” for a new role at work that came with a promotion. She got the job sibling rivalry, but she tells everyone her mum is a rugby referee. Fortunately, a referee observer talked her down, told her to take and puts this success down to her new found confidence. So now I’m going to try to arrange to take charge of a match that some time to read the Laws book and then go and watch another “The referee training and the experience of officiating has been she can come along to watch. first-time referee in action. so impactful and the feedback you get is great. I can now say to “If you love rugby and you are one of those people always “That was great advice because it made me realise that we all myself ‘You’ve done a good job’ which I hadn’t been able to do commenting on the sidelines and if you’ve got stamina, I would make mistakes, at whatever level of the game. At my next game I for years. And it transfers across life, which is why I invited Dave say try refereeing. Give it a go, it’s amazing what you get out of it.” felt so much better and now I referee every other weekend. Broadwell, a London Society referee coach, to come into my work Why not visit englandrugby.com/referee COACH CRICK: FROM BRAZIL TO AUSTRIA VIA .30am every day in Innsbruck, a city in the west of Austria, rugby coach Jim Crick can be found cycling the six miles between his house and the first job of the day. “I have five jobs here to keep me going,” says 28-year-old Crick. “The first is unloading barrels at a depot. I do that for three hours every single morning while everyone else is asleep.” With the first job out the way, Crick cycles back in temperatures below freezing to begin the rest of his day. “The second job is at a kindergarten, followed by a few hours of childcare and in the evenings I do security work at nightclubs. I get about four hours of sleep a night.” It is a gruelling schedule and a long way from Essex and East London RFC where Crick’s journey began. “When I was growing up I played football and pretended to enjoy it,” says Crick. “I didn’t discover rugby until I was a teenager and I was blown away by how welcoming the club was. They took me in with open arms and I never looked back.” Crick continued playing for the club for the next few years while qualifying as a personal trainer but after going through a difficult period in his life, Crick found himself without a job or home and decided to pursue coaching, gaining his level one and two qualifications. “I was at a pretty challenging stage and that’s when I turned to rugby more than ever. It’s at those times when you turn to what means most to you. My dad helped me massively and the rugby family were a big support too.” The coaching qualifications gave Crick the opportunity to travel to Brazil where he worked for a year coaching rugby in local communities. “I had an amazing time coaching over there and doing Image courtesy of Johann Trojer outreach work but I didn’t feel I was testing myself enough, so I accepted the role of head coach at Innsbruck Rugby Club,” have to do all the other jobs to give me enough money to live out Crick has recently submitted his level three coaching application says Crick who has now been in the job for over a year. here but it is worth it to be able to coach at a club like this. and while growing the game abroad is his passion for now it can’t The club compete in Austria’s top domestic league and “It doesn’t feel like work to me. I have an obligation to coach be long before this incredibly driven coach comes home to put are currently vying to become champions for the first time rugby, it has given me so much and so I feel like I owe rugby what he has learned into practice here. under Crick. something. That’s why I’m doing this. That’s why I am working so Interested in becoming a coach? Go to englandrugby.com/coach “It is a great experience to coach a team of this standard. I hard, I kind of think I have a duty to help the game.”

4 TOUCHLINE – MARCH 2017 UNITE WITH STONEWALL ENGLAND COUNTIES BEAT SCOTLAND CLUBS AT MOSELEY

“The good news is that anyone involved in sport can be part of England Counties defeated the Scotland Club XV last month creating a more welcoming environment for LGBT people.” (February) with a 45-28 win at Birmingham Moseley RFC. The Said Cornish Pirates club captain Chris Morgan: “We know sport teams turned around level at 14-14 but England Counties piled has the power to unite communities across Britain. on the pressure and the points after the break.

Brian Tempest Brian “As a club at the heart of our community, we are used to involving Hooker Matthew Miles, opened the scoring breaking away and supporting a wide variety of people with different needs. from the back of a rolling maul to cross the line but Scotland The Cornish Pirates rugby team has teamed up with Stonewall’s “We believe that it doesn’t matter who you are, everyone should be responded minutes later when inside centre George Taylor Rainbow Laces campaign to show support for lesbian, gay, bi able to play sport, so signing up to the Rainbow Laces campaign was weaved his way through. and trans (LGBT) people in sport. a natural step for us. England centre Steve Leonard then ran in to score, before the When the Pirates played the Titans from Rotherham at the “It is a fun, easy and instant way to demonstrate that we are fully final try of the first half went to Scotland wing Jordan Edmunds, Mennaye Field, , last month (February), members of both inclusive and that our members and supporters can be true to who started the second half off by crossing once more. teams and the officials wore boots tied with rainbow coloured themselves when they are with us.” Scotland’s lead was short lived, however, fly half Joe Tarrant laces, while the two captains also wore rainbow armbands. The and began addig points with his boot and, from the restart, centre Leonard Numerous clubs and associations have committed to kick supporting the Stonewall campaign during the autumn’s Old Mutual fed Leo Fielding who ran it in. anti-LGBT attitudes out of sport, following research released by Wealth Series, supporting Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, The floodgates then opened for England Counties, who scored Stonewall, Britain’s leading LGBT equality charity, which shows with England and , Twickenham Stadium’s LED displays three further tries, through Stokes, Fielding and Leonard. 45% of people who played sport in the past year heard language turning rainbow for the England v Argentina Test. Scotland clubs scored once more, through John Cox, but this offensive to LGBT people. “The Rugby Football Union is proud to support Stonewall and was England’s match, with Ampthill fly-half Joe Tarrant pulling But the research, conducted by ICM in 2016, also showed that the Rainbow Laces campaign,” said RFU CEO Ian Ritchie. “We the strings. most sports supporters welcome LGBT supporters and players. believe rugby’s core values of respect, teamwork and sportsmanship After last year’s 57-27 defeat, head coach James Shanahan Almost two thirds (63%) said more should be done to make resonate with what is at the heart of this important campaign. said it had all been about restoring pride. “We didn’t talk about LGBT people feel accepted. “We are committed to ensuring that sport provides an inclusive revenge, we just talked about the guys that played last year, Robbie de Santos, Head of Campaigns at Stonewall, said: and welcoming environment for all at every level and we look about making sure they got their pride back.” “There are still people who think it’s acceptable to discriminate forward to working with Stonewall to raise awareness and tackle The match was the first in the England Counties’ season, with against LGBT people in sport, which is something we have to inequality on and off the field.” the next match against Ireland Club XV on Friday, 17 March in work together to stop. England’s said he was proud to back the campaign, Cork, followed by a three-match tour in June. England Counties “Stonewall works with sports clubs at all levels to show that adding: “It is a sad world when people make so much of a person’s is the flagship team of the community game in England supporting diversity, in all its forms, is the easiest way to build sexuality. It shouldn’t matter if anyone is lesbian, gay, bisexual or and offers players from National League One and below the a more supportive and high-performing team and a strong, transgender and excellent campaigns like this can help educate as opportunity to represent their country. loyal following. many people as possible.”

Julian Quick

FOR JULIAN A minute’s silence was observed before the kick off of Weymouth & Portland’s match against Sherborne II in memory of former Weymouth & Portland captain and No.8 Julian Quick, who died aged 28 following a long battle with cancer. The Seasiders secured a 24-10 win and said head coach Paul Harding: “Julian fought cancer for two years with incredible dignity and courage. He was a fantastic rugby player; he played with passion and was a born leader who inspired the players that he led to play to their full potential. “He epitomised all that is good in the game of rugby, yet at the same time he was a very humble man, he had time for everyone and his passing will leave a big gap. In fact, I would say he is irreplaceable and will be missed by so many people both within the club and outside.”

TOUCHLINE – MARCH 2017 5 IPF AND STEVE GET TOGETHER ALMOST 30 YEARS AFTER HIS INJURY

In 1988 Steve Gascoyne was seriously injured has had lots of support over the intervening because of it. One of my physios suggested I I am part of the rugby community again.” playing in the second row for what was then the years from his employers HSBC. consider using a wheelchair occasionally and The IPF provides immediate and lifelong Midland Bank rugby team. “They were very supportive when I was injured, gave me funding options, which is the first time support for every rugby player across England That was 20 years before the RFU Injured the rugby president and chairman of Midland I’d heard of the IPF. who sustains a catastrophic spinal cord or Players Foundation existed, so when he spent Bank met my parents, and I have always been “As soon as I met up with them I was invited traumatic brain injury while playing the game six months in Stoke Mandeville Hospital the helped in the work environment,” said Steve. to watch England play France at Twickenham and aims to prevent future injuries through charity was not there to spring into action as “I had never come across the IPF. Of course, and was really excited to come with my stepson research and education. they would now. they didn’t exist when I was injured and I just got George, who’s come up from Brighton University. Discover more at www.rfuipf.org.uk Steve, whose spinal injury then saw him spend on with it. Now my mobility has got worse over “Now I am talking to the charity about my three months at home before returning to work, recent years and I started to avoid doing things needs. They’ve been really helpful and I feel that NEWBURY LADIES RECRUIT THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA Newbury RFC’s ladies section has alongside those who have never gone from just managing to field before picked up a rugby ball, a 15 to having a full bench and there’s a great team spirit. And selection options, having gained there are plans to hold a pitch up ten new players this season alone. and play event early next season Take a bow social media to recruit more players. secretary Milly Taylor, who has Newbury Chairman Hywell upped the profile with revamped Price-Richards said: “As our social media and advertising what ladies section goes from strength they do, gaining more exposure to strength, their influence is through local newspapers. spreading throughout the club, Sponsor Johnny Stokes of JWS with our girls sections expanding. Fitness and Wellbeing has helped Next season we will have an to spread the word too, together independent club for the younger with other partners Herongate players and hopefully this will Leisure and Scofell Landscapes. grow rapidly and make us a The social media campaign force in the girls’ game, which relied on Facebook Live at pre- will eventually feed into our season training. This featured the ladies section. fun and social side of the team “The ladies section works very and fitness work showing that hard to improve not only their rugby is for everyone, whatever standards of play but also the their goals. social input into the whole club. Most of the new players They regularly support the senior followed the team on social media teams and in turn the senior before joining and says Milly: players support the ladies, who “I think the fact people can get are great fun and produce some a real insight before they join thrilling rugby, which is easily as encourages them to show up. The enjoyable as watching the Blues. aim of our social media is to illustrate all the job. There are now plans for the girls to play a the Berkshire Cup in 2014 and 2015 and The ladies are now well represented on the different sides of the club, so that people know curtain raiser before a ladies’ game, to continue progressing for the first time to the Quarter Final committee and I can see a very bright future!” what they’re going to experience before they bringing both groups closer together. of the National Junior Cup this season. The girls’ One new player Alice Hill said: “As a sports come along.” A healthy relationship is also being established section has provided an England U18 Sevens coaching student I wanted to try something new The girls’ section regularly has over 20 girls between the senior men’s and senior ladies’ player, Carys Cox, and a South West England while at university and I’ve ended up choosing training every week, with the ladies team coaches, with guest coaching sessions and U18, Cara Brincat. rugby over football which I played for more than sometimes helping with coaching. Malcolm improved coaching standards, thanks to With senior players who play for the Army, 10 years. The coaching is great and the team is Darvell, who leads the girls section, is also backs Newbury RFC Head Coach Lee Goodall. have played internationally, at Premiership and very hard working and determined.” coach for the ladies section, and does a fantastic Recent successes include the ladies winning Championship level, encouraging and playing

6 TOUCHLINE – MARCH 2017 CBRE ALL SCHOOLS ON TWICKENHAM TURF GREAT EXPERIENCE

Last month (February) saw some fantastic CBRE All Schools events across North Warwickshire and . Pinley RFC ran a Match Day Experience Day for new and existing junior players, with CBRE All Schools pupils and club junior players invited down to train groups prior to having lunch and then watching the first team play in the afternoon. It was a great day for all. Pinley RFC gained nine new junior players from the day and the 1st team beat top of the table , a game watched by many of the new players and parents. Then 101 Year 7 children enjoyed a CBRE All Schools festival at Nuneaton Old Edwardians RFC to support the development of their new junior section along with Bedworth RFC’s. England Rugby Community Rugby Coach Adam Blackford organising a flexible festival format allowing schools to turn up at any time between 2pm and 5pm and play as many games as they liked. The same week saw 32 players take part in a CBRE All Schools Year 11 fixture, Stoke Park playing their first game of the season at this age group in support of Pinley RFC U17s recruitment. Club coaches were on hand to support the coaching of each side and promote the next Pinley RFC Club Experience Day in April. Copsewood RFC for provided the floodlit facility free of charge for Pinley RFC to make sure the game took place. ENGLAND WOMEN U20S LEARNING FROM DEFEAT

Boys from two CBRE All Schools played a curtain raiser on Twickenham’s hallowed turf before England took on Italy. City Academy Norwich took part in no rugby and had no rugby playing facilities or club links before getting involved with CBRE All Schools 18 months ago. The school have now installed a rugby pitch onsite with the support of the RFU and Eastern Counties . This has been used to host school fixtures and games for Crusaders RFC, a growing rugby club who now have U13 and U14s sides. They have even picked up a new coach, a father of a pupil from the Academy. Chantry Academy, an improving school with a high percentage of pupil premium students, had limited take up for extra-curricular sports before introducing the All Schools programme but this year they have fielded three teams across three year groups, all performing well. Being supplied with boots, gum shields and kit has also made a difference as many pupils didn’t own boots, making quality rugby out of the question. Now teachers are also impressed with the way behaviour has improved due to pupils’ involvement in extra-curricular rugby and positions of responsibility within the squad. SOUTH WEST

STUDENT TURIA TELLWRIGHT England Women U20 were defeated 7-17 by France Women U20 at Esher RFC last month (February). REFEREES England’s points came from a first-half try from No.8 Zoe Aldcroft, following up her player-of-the- The launch of the South West Student Referee Programme last month (February) involved six match performance against Army Women earlier in February, which was converted by Zoe Harrison. universities in Gloucester, Bristol and Bath and saw 17 students enjoying an evening which included France U20 scored tries through captain Fiona Lecat, No.8 Lucie Vinacua and full back Charlotte tasty treats like free food and stash. Torres Duxan. Attending were students who had already completed the ‘Refereeing the 15-a-side Game’ course, and England Women U20 head coach Jo Yapp said: “The scoreline probably didn’t reflect the game others keen to take the course and get involved. overall but France took their opportunities and we didn’t. Unfortunately, we weren’t clinical enough Supported by the local delivery teams and University Rugby Development Officer Mike Panoho, on the day. Part of our programme is to see whether the players can pick themselves up from these the programme is building on the existing scheme at the University of Gloucester and local Referee sort of defeats so it will be a real test of their character. Society work. “They did fight hard and we can’t fault their effort but there are certain parts of our game plan that It’s hoped that it will expand and grow, recruiting, training, supporting and developing student we really need to have a look at. We’ll learn an awful lot from this experience.” referees, who will in turn support England Rugby’s local delivery teams’ work, as well as refereeing the The game was the first of two matches against France Women U20s with the second on Friday 17 student game in their universities. March at Stade Guy Boniface, Mont-de-Marsan (KO 7pm).

TOUCHLINE – MARCH 2017 7 MOODY INSPIRING YOUNG LEADERS

Former England captain and and Bath flanker, Lewis Mad Dog Academy at Melksham Oak has enabled him to flourish Moody MBE, has gone back to school with his Mad Dog Sixth Lewis Moody in ways that would not otherwise have been possible.” Form Rugby Programme. Melksham Oak Head Teacher, Stephen Clark, shared another His first Mad Dog Rugby Academy was integrated into success story. “James would admit to being rather disorganised Melksham Oak Community School, in Wiltshire, in 2015, and and this contributed to rather poor academic performance in his now CEO of Mad Dog Sport Ltd, Moody has confirmed a second Year 12 biology. Unfortunately for James, I was one of his teachers! school partnership, to launch in September 2017 at Royal Wootton Once he became fully engaged with his Mad Dog rugby lessons, Bassett Academy. his leadership skills developed, and he started to see the benefits Moody explains: “In our character development programme of the hard work he was putting in. He grew in confidence and, as a coaches focus on the players as individuals, helping to develop teacher, I was able to support and challenge him to deliver a similar them into confident, respectful and considered young leaders, work ethic in his academic lessons. As a result James has exceeded who set high standards within the school community, creating his predicted grade and found something different within him. an aspirational pathway. It is fully integrated into the timetable, “By creating a positive environment for students to enjoy their and the students benefit from healthy lifestyles through a better rugby, enhance their social skills and achieve academically, the understanding of nutrition, fitness and wellbeing which in turn Mad Dog Academy has brought a new and exciting provision to prepares them for life beyond school.” our Sixth Form, while absolutely matching our whole-school ethos. Players enjoy on field training sessions, weekly matches, video Having seen first-hand the difference it is making to our students analysis, nutrition and strength and conditioning lessons, as well and the positive engagement it has had at grass roots level and as one-to-one development and player feedback sessions. They in the community, we are delighted that Royal Wootton Bassett become RFU qualified Level 1 coaches in Year 12 and can also Academy will benefit next year.” extend this to become Level 2 coaches and referees in year 13. Head Teacher of Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, George All players are enrolled on the RFU Young Rugby Ambassador Croxford added: “I am massively excited about this partnership. programme and gain experience coaching the lower school years. The scheme offers a superb opportunity for local sportsmen while The programme also alerts students to job opportunities through being able to complete their academic studies within a supportive work experience linked to sport and local and national business. and successful environment. The Academy is open to 6th form Said Owen Vince, Deputy Head at Melksham Oak School, “The students of all rugby ability, while they study A levels or a Btec. Mad Dog Academy has certainly had an impact. Zac, who joined It uses the power of rugby as a force for good, to encourage and us from another school, without perhaps having achieved the but he has absolutely flourished as a player and a leader. nurture young players to further themselves through education.” grades that he would have liked, or that would have set him up for “In the classroom, he has shown a real commitment to his “It has been great seeing pupils grow and develop into confident post-16 study, has benefitted from our approach, as a school and as education, and his teachers are extremely proud of the efforts that young students, rugby players and leaders of the future, and we a rugby academy. Not only has Zac been able to further his studies he has shown to be as successful as possible come the end of Year can’t wait to take the programme into more academies looking to and put himself into a different bracket in terms of post-18 options, 13. There is no doubt whatsoever that the opportunity to join the fulfil sixth formers’ potential,” said Moody. 2017 DIRECTOR OF RUGBY COURSES The two England Rugby Director of Rugby (DoR) courses are now available to book via the RFU The South Course (at Bisham Abbey) Online Course booking system at a cost of £600 including VAT. Places are limited and the closing booking URL link date for applications is 18th May 2017. The course has been developed by the RFU in partnership with the Ashridge Sport and Business The North course (Shropshire) workshops will be: Initiative to develop and support a generation of dynamic and inspirational leaders for the game. It is Workshop 1 – 10th & 11th July 2017 aimed at those leading rugby programmes in clubs, schools, colleges and universities. Workshop 2 – 2nd and 3rd October 2017 The course will develop leadership and management themes, but set them firmly in an applied rugby context. It will be delivered over four days, taking in four modules. Modules will be delivered in The North Course (at Lilleshall National Sports Centre) two sets of consecutive days, with residential accommodation provided within the cost. booking URL link Over dinner at each overnight stay, there will be chance to listen to and question an experienced Director of Rugby to further develop your learning. It is envisaged that each cohort will become an The South course (Buckinghamshire) workshops will be: ongoing Community of Learning, sharing practice and experience for years to come and the RFU Workshop 1 – 24th & 25th July 2017 intends to help facilitate this. Workshop 2 – 4th & 5th October 2017

8 TOUCHLINE – MARCH 2017 UNDERGRADS UNDER RFU SUPPORTS CLUB FLOODLIGHTS NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGNS The Rugby Football Union is supporting two interviews are available to view on the RPA’s national mental health campaigns launched new Lift the Weight hub, alongside other Sean Wright by the Rugby Players Association (RPA) and resources, links and advice relating to a range Time for Change. of mental health issues. When University Rugby Development Officer Now CRC Sean is working with colleagues, With statistics showing that one in four Time to Change, the mental health campaign Richard Marelli introduced the GameFinder such as Simon Jones in Staffordshire, whose people will fight mental health problems in run by charities Mind and Rethink Mental programme in Derbyshire, Community Rugby patch covers Keele and Stafford Universities to any given year, the RPA, Mind and Rethink Illness, has launched a five-year campaign ‘In Coach Sean Wright took it up and ran with it. get more Friday night games at Belper RFC. Mental Illness have launched campaigns Your Corner’, encouraging men to be open Supporting university students to forge new The University of Derbyshire 3G pitch is aimed at raising awareness, offering support and supportive to someone they know who is friendships and find teammates in local clubs is completely booked by football but by taking and changing perceptions of how to deal with fighting a mental health problem. very important to Team Derbyshire and to the students to Belper it’s a win-win situation, mental health. “It is important to help remove the stigma new Sport England funding. This is backing to with students getting involved in a rugby club The RPA’s ‘Lift the Weight’ campaign aims surrounding mental health issues which is why increase numbers of students playing club rugby, environment and the club also benefitting from to remove the stigma surrounding mental the RFU is proud to support Lift the Weight and to ensure that they continue playing when Friday night takings in the bar. Club colts can health issues, sharing stories and experiences and Time to Change,” said Ian Ritchie, RFU moving on from education. also get game time, helping their step up into of teammates and peers in order to create a Chief Executive. “We want everyone involved A recent rainy Friday night saw 23 University senior rugby. greater understanding of mental health issues in the game to feel supported, that they are not of Derby students arrive at Belper rugby club for Said Sean, “The approach certainly seems to be within rugby. alone in their struggles and able to speak out a game, several of them having got involved with working and we are now planning more three- The Lift the Weight launch video and about anything that is troubling them.” the club last linked to September. way Friday night games.” HARTPURY WIN & LOOK FOR MORE

DON McDERMOTT With a 17-12 home victory over Loughborough, Hartpury College the knockout stages of the BUCS Championship and the dream final, potentially a home semi-final,” said Barnes. “So effectively a etched their names into BUCS rugby history as winners of the of reaching the final, to be played at Twickenham on Thursday, potentially easier route to Twickenham. All our focus now is going inaugural Super title. 30 March. for that Twickenham appearance. The eight-team league, which has replaced the previous format Barnes pointed out that in previous years, reaching Twickenham “I think it’s a great place to play, certainly for youngsters, and of separate North and South Premier divisions, was a resounding always was the top priority, but with the advent of Super Rugby, the target for us is not just getting to the final, it’s about winning success in the eyes of Hartpury Director of Rugby John Barnes. the league is a prize on its own. it when we get there. We’ve not been there for a few years now and “I think it’s been an outstanding tournament this year. It’s “It’s always been the main thing in BUCS to win at Twickenham, we certainly want to get back there and get that title.” certainly stepped up from the years gone past, with regular but I think having this Super League has given us two titles to The BUCS Championship knockout stages began on week-in, week-out hard competition, and to come out on top after go for. So we’ve got the first, and the boys are already back in Wednesday, 1 March, with the quarter-finals scheduled for fourteen games was an outstanding achievement from the team,” training preparing for their quarter- final. The double is certainly Wednesday 8th March. The top four teams in the Super Rugby said Barnes. something we’re aiming for. league – Hartpury, Loughborough, and Durham – received As Touchline went to press, Hartpury’s focus had shifted to “Winning the league gives you the advantage of a home quarter- byes into the quarter-finals.

TOUCHLINE – MARCH 2017 9 NATWEST SCHOOLS CUP – THE FINAL STAGES From 1,000 teams down to 32, the NatWest Schools Cup U15 Vase is entering its final stages with the winning schools set • Both matches will be played on Saturday, 18 March to be crowned on 28th and 29th March. • Dr Challoner’s Grammar School will play Welland A new structure this season has seen both age groups Park Academy divided into several tiers to create more competition and • Thomas Hardye to meet Bridgewater High School to encourage more teams to enter. Here’s your guide to Key stat: Dr Challoner’s Grammar School are defending the action coming up… their title this year.

U18 Cup U15 Plate • Allianz Park will host the U18 Cup semi-finals on • St Paul’s School to host St Albans on Wednesday, Saturday, 4 March 15 March • Bishop Wordsworth’s will play Bromsgrove • Sir Thomas Rich’s will play Seaford College • Warwick school will meet Felsted Key stat: St Paul’s have been beaten twice in previous Key stat: Bromsgrove are aiming to reach their third Vase finals successive Twickenham final while Bishop Wordsworth’s played in the first ever final in 1991. Felsted have never U15 Bowl reached this stage of the competition U18 Bowl • Dorothy Stringer to play Beths Grammar School • St Olave’s GS to host Bolton School on Tuesday, 7 March • Kings Priory to meet Pocklington U18 Vase • Woodbridge to host on Wednesday, Key stat: Kings Priory edged past Wootton Upper School U15 • The Perse School to host Trent College 8 March 29-25 in the quarter-finals. • Silcoates to host Royal Latin Key stat: Five years ago Old Swinford Hospital were runners up to • Both matches to be played on Saturday, 4 March Dulwich in the Cup. Finals Days Key stat: Royal Latin won the U15 Vase in 2013 and beat Taunton The finals of the Cup and Vase competitions in both age groups School 28-14 in the quarter-finals. U15 Cup will be played at Twickenham Stadium on Wednesday, 29 March • Wellington will play Whitgift while the Plate and Bowl finals will be staged at U18 Plate • Warwick will take on Ivybridge Community College on Tuesday, 28 March. • Reigate GS will meet Crossley Heath on Tuesday, 28 February Key stat: Ivybridge Community College will play in their first • Lymm HS to host Solihull on Wednesday, 1 March semi-final against Warwick who have reached the final four for the Key stat: Crossley Heath won the Vase in 2005 while Lymm were fifth successive time. Vase winners in 2000 and 2006.

SWINGING LOW COX REFEREES IN THE SIXTIES NATIONAL LEAGUE ONE

Is this where it all began? Joe Stead was a struck 17 year old when he met Paul Robeson at a South East London garden party and Robeson sang Sing Low Sweet Chariot with him. “It was amazing,” said Joe, who joined Old Askeans after playing school rugby and introduced Swing Low to their repertoire of post- match songs in February 1960. “I believe that’s where it all started,” said Joe, now 75. “It had to start somewhere and we sang it in the sixties with all the visiting clubs joining in and then taking it home.” Since singing with Old Askeans, Joe has played at all the major Photo credit: @ppauk credit: Photo folk festivals in Britain and has toured America countless times. His first professional performance came with Ralph McTell in 1965 Last month (February) Sara Cox broke new ground when she panel of referees. The emergence of female referees highlights and he has played at folk festivals and concerts, appeared on TV became the first female match official to referee in National the strength of the RFU’S Professional Game Match Officials and recorded ever since. League One, after in 2015 becoming the first contracted full-time programme, with several involved in RBS 6 Nations duty. Joe, who now lives in Sowerby Bridge, West , plays the female referee in the RFU’s professional match official team. Four contracted assistant referees also recently joined the five string banjo and a specially manufactured cross between a five Having officiated at the Rio Olympics, she took charge of programme: Hamish Smales, a former England Sevens player, string banjo and a mandolin. He has a repertoire of over 100 songs Loughborough Students against Plymouth Albion and said Head Adam Leal, Anthony Woodthorpe and Jack Makepeace. and Swing Low still features among his favourites. of Professional Game Match Officials : “Being “We think they have huge potential as referees but to speed up He is hitting the touring trail again after coping with Hogkin’s involved in National League One is a massive achievement and their development they are coming in as ARs which is a different lymphoma and complications affecting his breathing and still well deserved for the work that Sara puts in during the week and skill set but we’re putting in a training programme for them to loves rugby. for performing so well. develop,” added Spreadbury. You can catch Joe (pictured centre below) in April at Sweeps She has Six Nations appointments, like Claire Hodnett, who Craig Maxwell-Keys has been an assistant referee in the Six Festival, Rochester, in May at the Gloucester Maritime Festival, or has been part of the professional team for three years, and Sara Nations, with Rowan Kitt a TMO. and Matthew in August at the Warwick Folk Festival. also flew out to Las Vegas to referee the women’s sevens. Carley also fulfilled assistant referee duties in the Championship, If you want to know more why not visit his website Said Sara; “I am really enjoying my refereeing and the with JP Doyle and refereeing matches. support and feedback I get as part of the match official team “We always want to raise the bar, every season the challenge is is outstanding. It has certainly helped to develop my skills and to improve,” said Spreadbury. “Standards rise so we have to get performance and to build confidence. And refereeing in National better every year but I think we are in a really healthy position. League One was a tremendous milestone for me.” “We work hard to continually develop consistency and high Another pioneering female match official, Clare Daniels, standards through the weekly review process. The officials became the first ever female fourth official in Premiership Rugby have a full strength and conditioning programme so that history last September and in November, secured another first physically they are in a very good condition. Mentally we have a by being appointed assistant referee for Exeter’s Anglo-Welsh sports psychologist working with us who does group work and Cup clash with . individual work on request. Spreadbury added: “Clare is also progressing really well and we “We try to give everyone as many skills as possible, including would hope in the future that she would be an Assistant Referee French lessons, and work on our technical ability sees the in the Premiership.” England coaches come in and deliver sessions on the set piece to In 2014, Claire Hodnett made history after becoming the allow the referees to understand what players are looking at and first woman official to be appointed to the RFU’s national what they’re trying to achieve.”

10 TOUCHLINE – MARCH 2017 VISITING Charles Crane GRANDFATHER’S TWICKENHAM Families have a tendency to take mothers’ claims with more than a pinch of salt. So it was whenever Lady Bennett, who was 90 last September, declared a family connection with Twickenham having gained a national rugby stadium. A keen rugby fan, Henrietta Bennett, whose maiden name was Crane, loves watching England matches on the TV, especially the Six Nations. She watches the matches and keeps up an email commentary to family, and used to have a poster of above her fireplace. When she continued to insist that her forebears were closely connected with the ground, her family decided at last to take the claim seriously and got in touch with the Museum. Oh yes, they were told, Lady Bennett’s grandfather Charles Arnold Crane was RFU President in 1907-09 and it was he who signed for the purchase, at the princely sum of £5,572. 12s 6d, of the land on which today’s Twickenham Stadium was built. Not one to say “I told you so”, Lady Henrietta merely beamed. But then, invited with her daughter Medina and son-in-law Chris Gilbey to be current President Peter Baines’ guests for the RBS 6 Nations England v Italy encounter, she cast composure aside. “I had never been to Twickenham and when I was invited I was flabbergasted and quite frankly over the moon. Quite honestly I wasn’t aware of my grandfather’s position in all of this but now I have copies of all the documents.” Lady Bennett’s husband of 53 years, Sir Reginald Bennett who died in 2000, was Conservative MP for Gosport and Fareham from 1950 to 1974 and then member for Fareham for a further five years. He was a noted yachtsman, and that sport was all encompassing. “Life was always to do with sailing,” said Lady Bennett. “But I started following rugby and when I saw Jonny Wilkinson on TV in the I fell for him.” “She had a poster of Jonny Wilkinson on her wall,” said her daughter Medina. “She says being at Twickenham is a dream come true and she is particularly excited because her granddaughter’s husband, Giovanni, is watching his home nation Italy on the TV at home!” However, Lady Bennett’s relationship with her nine grandchildren is vastly different to hers with Charles Arnold Crane. “My grandfather didn’t like children. On visits we had to be very, very quiet, sit up and eat our lunch nicely and then he would go to his study, drink port and fall asleep! He was really tetchy and I was very scared of him.” Perhaps, however, the old boy would have approved of Henrietta watching her grandchildren play school rugby. And certainly she was impressed with the stadium built on the land he signed for.

TOUCHLINE – MARCH 2017 11 RED ROSES TO TOUR NEW ZEALAND IN JUNE TURIA TELLWRIGHT

The Red Roses will take part in a three Test tour of New Zealand in June as part of their preparations for the Women’s Rugby World Cup. England kick-off their International Women’s Series campaign against in Wellington on 9 June, before taking on Canada in Christchurch on the 13th and the Black Ferns in Roturua four days later. The 28-player squad will tour from 2-18 June, and head coach Simon Middleton says it is a great opportunity for his squad to test themselves against the best sides in the world. The series finale – at Roturua International Stadium – will be a double-header, as the British & Irish Lions take on the Maori All Blacks at the conclusion of the Red Roses’ clash with the Black Ferns.

BUDE WARRIORS

After an Inner Warrior camp at another club, East Cornwall CRC Neil Smith was asked if he could run a similar event at Bude RFC. A date was put in the diary and one of the women who attended the earlier camp spread the word, encouraging others to come along. Neil arrived at the club to find 30 would be warriors ready and waiting. “They were all ready to unleash their inner warrior. And I can confirm that they all did!” he said. “This bodes well and means there’s a very strong possibility of a new women’s team in Cornwall.”

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.

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