The communicator ! The official magazine of North Midlands RFU and its Clubs & Supporters. Volume Two : Edition One August 2013 Welcome from the Editor. [email protected] In a recent survey of its member clubs North Midlands received undisputable evidence that the quality of communication between the Constituent Body( County) and these Clubs was poor and unacceptable. Within the consultation for the Constitutional Review currently being led by the new President Charlie Hemmings (Pershore) the issue of communication will be fully discussed and implemented. The new Secretary Rob Bray (Droitwich) is already introducing measures to improve the administration of the County and hopefully the new Handbook will have up to date contact information on County and Clubs’ contacts. One immediate step is to re-introduce this magazine and open it up to all North Midlands people to share information , have your say, seek advice and hear of the great work throughout the County. This is the pilot issue and the intention is for a better presentation in future however the content is the key to its success and that will rely on YOU. All copy and constructive criticism ( or even praise !) is welcome please ensure we have plenty from you for the October/November edition.. North Midlands Rugby Football Union Limited. 2013 -14. President Charlie Hemmings. The County have entered another two year cycle and new President Charlie Hemmings has his own agenda for taking us forward during his stewardship and beyond. He shares his initial thoughts with our readers :- “I regard my election as President of North Midlands to be most humbling and an honour for which I feel extremely privileged. I hope I am able to deliver to my own self-imposed high standards and expectations where promotion, enjoyment and success of Rugby is at the heart of everything we do. The re-emergence of the The Communicator thanks to Peter Grace ,is what it says on the tin ! I am mindful that despite our best efforts communication between , North Midlands ,the three Domestic Unions and our Clubs is a considerable failing and it is evident there is a clear lack of understanding of the work undertaken to support and strengthen the Game in our County. This quarterly publication is intended as a two way conduit for good and bad news so please feel free to contribute to our next issue .It is early days and if your issue requires immediate action make contact with me, the functional Chair or your respective Domestic Union Representative to try to resolve your challenges. At the start of the new season I hope all North Midlands Clubs achieve their aspirations and I look forward to meeting many of you on my travels around the County. Charlie “ So there you are from the horse’s mouth. All of us who have worked with Charlie are aware of his tremendous drive and work rate and his commitment to North Midlands so prepare to be led ! I am sure that Charlie will respect the freedom of the “press” and The Communicator will consult the President and the officers on all matters however contact on the magazine content should come to the Editor( & anyone else appropriate ) please. The communicator 2. County Meetings. The first monthly Management Committee Meeting met on 5 August with a wide based agenda. In addition to the President and Secretary there were two new officers :- Michael Clarke (Worcester) Chair of Community Rugby. David Thomas (Tomo) ( Luctonians) Chair of Playing. The Communicator invited the various Committee Chairs to make their own brief contribution to this preseason issue and some are seen below. On Monday 2 September the Financial GM will be held at Dudley Kingswinford at 8.30 pm on the same night as the Full Committee. County CB finance is increasingly more relevant to our Clubs. The Secretary’s Role by Rob Bray. “ In my role as Secretary I am seeking to be the central point of communication, a very key word and action. It is therefore essential I am made aware immediately of changes to any individual or club contact. These fundamental details are essential for prompt distribution of material , courses ,events and policy changes. I will be responsible for the arrangements for organising of , recording of and distribution of Committee Meeting minutes and agenda. I shall be overseeing and where appropriate updating areas of the North Midlands RFU website. Fundamentally I shall endeavour to be the active individual hub for the Constituent Body.” Any one in any doubt by now that we want to COMMUNICATE !? Good luck Rob that is a lot of “endeavour”. COLIN MAJOR In recent months we, his committee colleagues and others have been very concerned that the normally robust Colin has been struggling with ill health. As a result of this he advised us that sadly he did not wish to succeed to Senior Vice President and then to County President in 2015/16 . However The Communicator brings reassuring news, for although Colin has retired from all of his North Midlands’ positions after 30 years leading the County youth development, recent tests showed his “ health to be excellent” and he will be able to continue with his work on the RFU Player Development Committee and as Chairman of Midlands Player Development. We are delighted to report that Colin has been nominated for Life Membership of the County which is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a servant of the Union. Proposed by the President and supported unanimously by the Management Committee the confirmation at the FGM is a formality. Thank you Colin. Michael Sampson speaks for us in an email to Colin “…your contribution to North Midlands youth rugby over the 30 years that I have been involved has been immense and I will personally greatly miss your input… Thanks on behalf of all the Ellesmere/Shropshire/North Midlands boys whose representative rugby playing days have been enhanced by your hard work and dedication over the years” AND SO SAY ALL OF US who know how much other work Colin has done on so many fronts including Community Rugby. The communicator 3. Community Rugby . Mike Clarke is new in post and is anxious to gain knowledge of our Clubs as soon is possible His is a key role including overviewing Funding & Facilities (Peter Grace: Five Ways OE), Safeguarding & Welfare and Volunteers ( Both Judith Phelps : Telford ), Club Development and Accreditation.(RDOs). He recently asked you clubs for nominations of your members for the RFU Leadership Academy held in the County this season. It is a great opportunity for aspiring administrators & leaders. Please email [email protected] as soon as you receive this magazine. Competitions by Chair Nigel Banwell.(Upton on Severn) . “Everything seems to be in position for the fast approaching start of the 2013-14 season. Leagues are sorted , clubs informed and fixtures can be found on the RFU website. The first round of the National and County Cups have been made and are on the websites. Bill Worth (Yardley) and John Atkin are remodelling the Reserve Team leagues which could follow the RFU format for their future 2nd XV league Review. I live in hope that the coming season will be less inclement and we can keep match disruption to a minimum. Good luck to all clubs for successful league and cup seasons and avoid relegation !” Referring to the RFU Competitions Review our Immediate Past President Paul Kaminski (Whitchurch) is a member of the RFU Review Group and advises that any changes to leagues/cups are likely to be introduced in 2015-16 but does not rule out 2014-15 as a possibility ! League rugby seems likely to be status quo or a decrease in numbers . This Review will effect all of our Clubs. Discipline by Secretary Peter Jordan (Warley). Chair is Dai Scard ( Birmingham & Solihull). “ 1. The IRB have decreed that there is no longer a “presumption of innocence”.Any player sent off is now SUSPENDED UNTIL THE CASE IS HEARD”. 2.It is now imperative that clubs contact Peter Jordan on 07710 016192 to confirm the sending off and agree an early date and advise if the case is contested. 3. Clubs and players need to make themselves available at short notice. 4. Because there will be more hearings with fewer cases the fee goes up to £20. 5. North Midlands continue to operate a policy of deterrent sentences for abuse of referees on top of the sentencing guidelines. Please make sure that your players are reminded of this. Have an enjoyable season. !” The best way to enjoy your season is to avoid meeting up with Peter & Dai. However they are the best in the business and if you do have a problem pick the phone up to Peter straight away. He is quite charming honestly ! Finance. Roger Parsons ( Edwardians) does not like to go on at clubs. However he will want your 2013/14 subscription promptly and he does need a copy of your annual accounts . Many clubs do not submit these and it is a rule of the RFU that you do – some day clubs will get penalised for not complying but more importantly they are very good health check for the CB who have a responsibility to every club. He is very knowledgeable on club incorporation - try him. THE COMMUNICATOR 4. My aspirations for 2013/14 by Dave Thomas Chairman of Playing. “To take the senior team to Twickenham for a successive season and win this time by playing expansive attractive rugby but with a pragmatic approach now that we are at a level where we should rightly be.