TOUCHLINE The Official Newspaper of The RFU October 2013 Issue 161 POSTS IN THE PARKS MARK TWO YEARS TO RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 PAULA ROWE To the bemusement of shoppers and office workers in Exeter City Centre and snowboarders and skiers at Milton Keynes’ SnoZone, rugby posts recently appeared across the country launching the RFU’s Posts in the Parks initiative. Installing specially designed rugby posts in parks and open spaces in the ten RWC2015 English host cities provided visible symbols of the RFU’s commitment to broadening the appeal of rugby and to reaching out to new audiences and new areas. From Newcastle to Gloucester and Birmingham to London, the posts will raise people’s awareness of rugby, get the nation behind the tournament and help them feel a real connection to the sport in the build up to RWC2015. The aim is to inspire everyone to be active, have fun and get involved, to give in to the urge to try a Jonny Wilkinson drop goal or their own version of the Ash Splash. Roundhay Park, a 700-acre park perhaps more famous for staging concerts by the likes of the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen, was a location chosen by Leeds City Council to remind passers by that the World Cup is not only arriving on these shores in two years’ time, but that it is arriving in Leeds. This story has been repeated across the country as the countdown to the tournament begins. Posts in the Parks is only one step on the journey to get people thinking about rugby and to make the most of the opportunities that hosting the Rugby World Cup brings. From building capacity by getting more school children playing rugby to improving facilities in rugby clubs, to increasing the quantity and quality of coaches, or inspiring participation by encouraging players to return to the game, the RFU’s Lead up and Legacy plans are on track and making good progress. Speaking at the national launch last month (September), Ian Ritchie, RFU Chief Executive said: “When we launched our legacy vision last year, we talked about inspiring people and bringing rugby Continued on page 2… CANTERBURY CELEBRATES GAME’S UNSUNG HEROES NICOLA MARSHALL Canterbury and England Rugby recently unveiled the new England home kit, which will be worn by the England squad during all of the QBE Internationals, as well as next year’s RBS 6 Nations. The launch was held at Bruntcliffe School, in Leeds, selected to host the event thanks to its participation in All Schools, the RFU’s programme to get more state secondary schools playing rugby. It was chosen from the 100 schools taking part in the programme’s first year after demonstrating how rugby’s core values have been embraced by its pupils as part of an RFU competition. Canterbury’s new campaign for the 2013/14 England Rugby home kit celebrates the unsung heroes of the game by naming its Ultimate XV. Marking a continuation of its ‘England Is All’ campaign, which honours the contribution of the entire rugby family from grassroots to elite level, the Ultimate XV sees fans, coaches and volunteers from all levels of the game joining the England line-up, posing together for an iconic team photograph with a difference. Joining England players such as Chris Robshaw and Canterbury ambassador Geoff Parling in the line-up is Jane Everett, who from the age of 19 has fully embraced rugby. Having played for Wasps Ladies she was also a member of the England squad that won the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1994. Jane has since helped start St Albans Ladies RFC (now OA Saints Ladies), and coaches many levels, taking great pride in passing on the core values to the next generation. Sophie Goldschmidt, Chief Commercial Officer said: “We’re delighted to work with Canterbury to celebrate the contribution of those involved in rugby at all levels, be it fans, community players, volunteers, staff, right up to the England team. We’ve continued the ‘England Is All’ campaign into RUCKLEY PUTS the new season celebrating unsung heroes from the game and their contribution as a vital part of the wider England team.” Chris Stephenson, CEO of Canterbury, said: “Canterbury, as a rugby specialist brand, brings KIDS FIRST an unrivalled passion for the game to the table, and ‘England Is All’ is our way of honouring the VERITY WILLIAMS contributions of everybody in the game, from grassroots players, volunteers, fans, all the way up to The RFU recently made a most unusual appointment as the England players and coaches. Ruckley, the animated English bull dog, was unleashed as Continued on page 2… the official ambassador for children’s rugby. Ruckley, presented at a Twickenham Stadium press conference and cheered by a bunch of youngsters as well as England Forwards Coach Graham Rowntree and England prop Alex Corbisiero, embodies rugby’s core values and wears the England shirt with huge pride. He stars in his own short film, created by renowned animators Sunrise. Continued on page 2… TOUCHLINE – OCTOBER 2013 1 Continued from page 1… Continued from page 1… POSTS IN THE CANTERBURY CELEBRATES GAME’S UNSUNG HEROES PARKS MARK TWO YEARS TO RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 to more people across the country. Over the past year we have put in place realistic plans and additional investment to ensure that we build a lasting legacy for the game. We want more people playing, coaching, refereeing and volunteering, watching and talking about rugby – and we are on our way to delivering that vision.” Lawrence Dallaglio, a key member of England’s 2003 World Cup winning side is an Ambassador for England 2015 and said: “Two years out from the tournament and we are already seeing the impact of Rugby World Cup 2015 being hosted in England. Posts in the Parks is a great concept – to see 100 rugby posts going up in parks all across the country is a real opportunity to raise interest and awareness of the game. For the RFU to have a legacy programme in place now means that more people can have access to rugby – not only in the lead-up and during the tournament, but long afterwards.” For all who want to know more about RWC2015, join The Front Row “We believe that all of these people are an invaluable part of the England team, and the Ultimate XV is designed to show how the wider rugby www.rugbyworldcup.com/frontrow family stand, quite literally, as equals with the England players in this unique and iconic team line-up.” Combining the heritage and traditions of England Rugby dating back to 1871, with a modern design aesthetic, the new kit retains the classic Continued from page 1… colour combination of white shirts, white shorts and midnight blue socks. RUCKLEY PUTS KIDS HAVE YOUR SAY ON MINI FIRST AND YOUTH RUGBY Rowntree said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ruckley to the England set up. We’re certain he will help lots of children fall in love with the game.” As well as helping make the sport more engaging and easier to understand for young fans, Ruckley’s first job is to help explain and promote Kids First Rugby, a new approach to the way mini rugby is played. Gary Townsend, Player Development Manager, RFU said: “Our Kids First approach aims to keep more players in the game. The focus is on the child and providing a bite- sized, manageable programme so players of all abilities can develop at their own pace. Kids First Rugby also manages the transition through the introduction of contact, a vital factor in retaining young players into the future.” The new rules for playing rugby under the Kids First approach became mandatory at all rugby clubs in England at Under 7s, Under 8s and Under 9s after being successfully trialled in Durham, Hampshire and Warwickshire. It is PAULA ROWE based on research by Exeter University which Members of rugby clubs, schools and colleges, New Rules of Play work practically, to propose and training programmes, with a competition the RFU commissioned to identify how to their volunteers and supporters from across the and get feedback on what competition format framework being finalised in early 2014. improve the skills levels of young players and country are all invited to join the debate on the best recruits and retains players, and to hear The RFU is committed to ensuring that more retain them into the adult game. future development of Mini and Youth rugby the challenges and solutions that more players young people start, remain and choose a lifelong England prop Alex Corbisiero, who brought through a series of RFU roadshows being held wanting to play will create for the people- friendship with rugby union, strengthening Ruckley into the press conference, said over the coming weeks. resource in rugby clubs, schools and colleges. clubs and growing the game in the communities “Ruckley’s an inspiration to have around the A series of consultation meetings will be The meetings will provide opportunities for as around them as a result. place. We’re sure his boundless energy will rub taking place to engage with organisers, teachers, wide a cross-section as possible from the game For more information and a full list of the off on all those children thinking of taking coaches, referees and parents and obtain their to hear the main options being considered, to roadshow meetings, go to up rugby.” thoughts on the principles of the game from ask questions and to express their views. www.rfu.com/myrugbyblueprint Children can keep up to date with Ruckley’s age seven to eighteen, and how this could look Following the consultation process, any For anyone unable to attend a meeting, there is adventures and watch his first video at in practise.