TOUCHLINE The Official Newspaper of The RFU March 2017 Issue 199 PRINCE HARRY JOINS 12,000 FANS TO WATCH ENGLAND 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 Twickenham to watch England prepare for their RBS 6 Nations game against Italy. 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 SUPER RUGBY CLUBS TURIA TELLWRIGHT MITSUBISHI MOTORS The Rugby Football 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: • Bristol Ladies Rugby Ltd • Darlington Mowden Park Sharks • Firwood Waterloo Ladies • Harlequin FC • Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s RFC • Loughborough Students (Lightning) An astonishing number of rugby volunteers have been • Richmond FC nominated for the inaugural Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer • Saracens Women of the Year Awards, which recognises volunteers or their • Wasps FC Ladies dedication to the game. • Worcester Warriors 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, Simon Amor 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 Midlands, 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 Rugby World Cup in 2014 and Great Britain playing in the first sevens competition of the Olympic Games last year in Rio. This season 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 Nigel Melville 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.