The Rolling Stones are to play Twickenham Stadium on Tuesday 19 June.

The band are back on home turf with a number of massive UK concerts in May and June and others confirmed for Ireland, France, Germany, Czech Republic and Poland.

Part two of the ‘STONES – NO FILTER’ tour, sponsored by Jeep®, sponsor of The Rolling Stones European tours since 2014, sees Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood follow their hugely successful sold out European trek in the autumn of last year.

The Rolling Stones will treat fans to a set list packed full of classics such as ‘Satisfaction’, ‘Paint It Black’, ‘Tumbling Dice’ and ‘Brown Sugar’ but each night they will include a couple of unexpected tracks as well as randomly selected surprises from their

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Prince Harry joined 10,000 supporters from clubs and schools to watch the England senior squad take part in an open-training session at Twickenham Stadium last month (February).

In his role as Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Prince Harry met people involved in charities connected to England Rugby's Try for Change programme.

Supporters from grassroots clubs and schools from all over England, alongside the stadium’s local residents, were at the special session to watch England prepare for their NatWest 6 Nations game against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Fans were guided through the rugby session by England team manager Richard Hill, while the players also met Prince Harry on the pitch following the end of the session, as well as signing autographs for fans in the crowd.

England defence coach Paul Gustard said: “Today’s been a great training opportunity in front of 10,000 people. Prince Harry was brilliant. It’s awesome that he supports rugby in general but his support for our national team is superb.”

Yoshio Tazaki from Manchester Spartans RUFC, whose players were given a special coaching session on the pitch by Danny Care, Joe Launchbury and Sam Underhill after England’s training, said: “It’s been an absolutely outstanding opportunity for our lucky Try for Change participants. Surprising two players that Prince Harry was about to meet them, Jonny Wilkinson chatting and giving advice about the game, then sitting behind

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The inaugural Tyrrells Premier 15s final will be held at West London club, Ealing Trailfinders, K.O. 3pm on 29th April (Live Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix).

The top four teams in the competition will progress to semi-final play-offs, played over two legs on the weekends of the 7th/8th April and 14th/15th April.

aegpresents.co.uk axs.com ticketmaster.co.uk

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formidable arsenal of songs. As always, they will bring a spectacular production and state of the art stage design.

“It’s such a joy to play with this band there’s no stopping us, we’re only just getting started really,” said Richards.

Jagger added: ‘‘This part of the ‘No Filter’ tour is really special for the Stones.We are looking forward to getting back onstage in the summer and playing to fans in the UK and Ireland. It’s always exhilarating going to cities we haven’t played for quite a while and also some new venues for us.

“When I look out at the sea of people when we play all I can see is smiles,” said Wood. “It’s heart-warming and I’m glad we make people happy. Music makes me happy, and it makes them happy…it’s infectious.”

The Rolling Stones last played in the UK in the summer of 2013 with their unforgettable Glastonbury headline show on the Pyramid Stage, followed by two sensational shows in London’s Hyde Park where they played to a sold-out crowd of 65,000 fans.

For all information visit www.rollingstones.com

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Prince Harry watching the England players train. Seeing some Manchester Village Spartans out on the Twickenham grass playing with these amazing England rugby players encouraging them and giving them hints and tips – it’s just been a truly amazing experience.”

Tazaki added: “Prince Harry is such a nice, kind, passionate and down-to-earth rugby fan. He was very interested to hear that

we are one of the world’s first LGBT rugby clubs. He was talking about the inclusivity of the game and that he was really pleased to hear that through our efforts we’re growing the game and getting people who may not have played before into the game and benefitting from everything that rugby can give to you.”

For more information on Try for Change visit www.englandrugby.com/tryforchange

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In addition to the Tyrrells Premier 15s final, the National Girls U15 and U18 Cup finals will be played earlier in the day, kicking off at 11am and 12:45pm respectively.

Tyrrells Premier 15s kicked off on 16th September 2017, with 10 teams competing to take home the inaugural title. The competition operated in a league format with home and away fixtures.

Clubs involved in the competition will benefit directly over the next three years from the RFU’s £2.4m investment. Each club is required to deliver against agreed minimum standards and provide high-quality coaching, facilities, training environments and community engagement plans.

RFU Head of Women’s Performance, Nicky Ponsford said: “The Tyrrells Premier 15s inaugural season has been an overwhelming success for the development of the women’s game in England. We are committed to building a sustainable future for women’s rugby and to do this it was vital that we invested in the foundations of the game at club level.

“Through the Tyrrells Premier 15s we are now closing the gap between club level and

international level and growing the pool of players available for international selection. We have seen a number of success stories with new players being identified through the competition and going on to represent their country at elite level.”

“The Tyrrells Premier 15s final will be a landmark day not only for the competition but for women’s rugby in England, as the first club takes home the inaugural Tyrrells Premier 15s title.”

Tyrrells' Marketing Director, Adam Draper, said: “We're incredibly proud to sponsor the inaugural elite women’s rugby competition, Tyrrells Premier 15s. The partnership between Tyrrells and the RFU is a union of two much loved and iconic English brands, working together to inspire more women to take part in rugby.

“It's been a very successful first year and we hope that, with our support, the Tyrrells Premier 15s will continue to help the RFU increase participation and interest in the women’s game, as well as continue to strengthen and grow the England Women’s rugby team.”

Tickets are on sale, with under 16s free. For more information visit Englandrugby.com/tickets

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Pupils from the latest state secondary schools to join the RFU’s CBRE All Schools programme were flag bearers at the NatWest 6 Nations England v Wales match, lining the two ends of the pitch as the players ran out for the anthems.

CBRE All Schools has now established rugby in an additional 600 schools, impacting some 340,000 children by making school life happier and healthier, reducing anti-social behaviour, enhancing learning and increasing students’ self-esteem. The aim is to take rugby into 750 state secondary schools by 2019.

A bespoke kit design workshop, delivered by official partner Canterbury and run in conjunction with the RFU saw pupils earlier design their own kit.

Playing the curtain raiser and forming the guard of honour at the match were two schools in their third year of the CBRE All

Schools programme, Bilton School and Harris C of E Academy.

England’s Ellis Genge and Harriet Millar-Mills were ambassadors for the day and said Ellis: “Some of these kids would never have had the chance to come to Twickenham so it’s a wonderful opportunity.”

Harriet added: “It’s fantastic to meet all of the pupils and just see what it means to all of them to be here.”

Nic Joice, aged 11 from Up Holland High School, Orrell, Wigan, loved the day. He said: “It’s really cool to be here at Twickenham. I helped design the kit so to be able to come and represent my school is really special. The school is really excited to be getting a new kit and everyone is proud of our design. We have red stripes and flames as well.”

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England Rugby’s social channels hit an all-time high surrounding the NatWest 6 Nations England v Wales match.

Fans were keen to view all the news, updates, features and Insta Stories, with 9.4m video views, against 9.3m for last season’s corresponding Six Nations encounter.

The new England Rugby Podcast with O2 Inside Line featured as high as number two in the Sports Charts and Sam Underhill’s legendary try-saving tackle video had over a million views.

There were 11 live videos across the week, nine on match day covering both England and England Women. It was England Rugby’s best match week for impressions, reach and video views on Instagram – a win-win situation!

Don’t miss out on the action – follow EnglandRugby on Instagram, @Englandrugby on Twitter and on Facebook.com/officialenglandrugby

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England Women’s Sevens star Jess Breach discovered rugby at Chichester Rugby Club and was there to welcome newcomers when the club hosted a training session to encourage girls from the local area to come along and play rugby.

Despite cold and muddy conditions, 17 girls from local schools enjoyed developing their playing skills. Jess was impressed by their passion for the game and their obvious prtential, despite some playing for the very first time.

Rosie Freeman, an under 13, said, “I had a really good time at the training session and it was

great to meet Jess, she was really inspiring. It’s brilliant to have somewhere to start playing outside our school team, Jess gave us lots of advice about how to improve our skills, I’m looking forward to the next session’.

Matilde Agosti, from the same age group, added, “I had a great time, the atmosphere was really good, especially as Jess was there.”

Chichester Rugby Club are keen to develop girls rugby in the local area, and are inviting girls of all ages and abilities to come to Oaklands Park each Sunday from 10am.

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A number of Global Law Trials have been introduced by World Rugby since the beginning of the season and applied to all games at all levels in England since 1 August 2017.

These Global Law Trials are designed to support player welfare and make the Laws simpler to play and watch. The 17 variations can be grouped around some key themes:

Time – how the game is ended after a penalty kick

Tackle/ruck – what the tackler must do and how a ruck can be formed

Advantage – where multiple infringements have occurred giving the non-offending team the choice of which they feel is the most advantageous to them

Touch, in goal and mark – putting the emphasis on where the ball is when it is played

The RFU is reviewing their effect and wants you to help shape the game of the future by responding to a survey, which also gives you the chance to win one of five pairs of tickets for an England autumn international, please visit Global Trials Survey and give us your thoughts.

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The recent Dorset v Wilts Under 18 Cup Final, hosted by Blandford RFC was closely contested with Wimborne RFC defending their line to emerge as 16-12 winners over Trowbridge. The team of three officials were excellent, the referee being Adam Wookey already on the National Panel at 24 and his Assistants Ben Simpson aged 17 and Spencer Pearce aged 14, pictured after the game before being presented with a whistle each inscribed to mark the occasion.

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Guns thundered over the ancient capital of the North as the British Army celebrated the 66th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Her Majesty The Queen.

Her Majesty’s accession was marked with the firing of a 21-gun salute in York’s Museum Gardens hosted by 4th Infantry Brigade and HQ North East. The Band of The King’s Division, led by Major Stewart Halliday, performed a marching display through the city before arriving at the Museum Gardens.

At the stroke of noon The Saluting Troop from 88 Arracan Battery, 4 Regiment Royal Artillery, started firing 21 rounds at 10-second intervals from three 105 mm light guns. As the final shots echoed along the banks of the River Ouse, the National Anthem was played.

Guests at the event included the Inspecting Officer, England’s Tamara Taylor, who said, “It is a real honour to be invited to be the

The need to better support transition in the game from age grade to adult rugby, an integral part of the RFU Strategic Plan, led to a recent Under 19 Commission being set up and the ensuing report, which has been approved by the Community Game Board and endorsed by the RFU Council.

Both RFU data and Sport England’s Active People Survey suggest that the transition from age 14 to 19 into adult rugby creates significant challenges, both because transition into the adult game is complex and because of broader societal factors regarding how today’s young people spend their leisure time.

The RFU’s recent Age Grade and Adult Competition Reviews highlighted the need to focus on transition to adult rugby and the need for a clearer and coordinated programme in the 16-19+ age groups to help reduce the drop-off.

Male 17-year-old rugby players can currently play 15-a-side rugby in four different age groups: Under 17, Under 18 (with U18s), Under 19 (with U17s and 18s) and adult rugby (all ages above U16). While offering choice this provides no clear pathway into the adult game.

Said Commission Chair and RFU Council member for Yorkshire, Ted Atkinson: “Keeping more players in the game as they move from age grade to adult rugby is essential to ensure the future health of our sport. To understand and respond positively to the issues involved, the RFU established the Commission to explore the landscape and identify the key areas for appropriate action, which I very much hope that the game will embrace.”

Said Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger: “We are very grateful to the members of the Commission, who brought vast expertise and knowledge to bear and gave up their time to contribute to this important piece of work.”

Having considered research, data, opinion, trends and views, the Commission recommended that the following areas are looked at in more detail. This is being progressed through a series of working groups and will be overseen by the Community Game Board.

• The half game rule, successfully pioneered in New Zealand and now implemented in Wales, to be introduced for all rugby up to and including U19 from the 2018/19 season to guarantee players in a match day squad at least half a game of rugby.

• The Commission believes that there is significant merit in delaying the ability to play adult rugby until the date of a player’s 18th birthday and recommends that a task group considers this further.

• Over playing, both in the overall amount of rugby and in intensity, is a concern affecting a growing number of young players. The Commission has noted that is particularly prevalent in U15 and U16 players and recommends that further work be undertaken to define playing and rest times for age grade players, up to and including, U19.

• The importance of a varied playing offer across the U14-U19 age groups should not be under-estimated. Further work is necessary to ensure that all rugby providers

inspecting officer at the Royal Salute in York. My family have strong military connections with my great grandad serving as a Bugle Major in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, working in India and Burma from 1922-1941. My grandfather was a pilot in the war, retiring from the RAF in 1967 and my uncle and his two sons were also in the RAF and army respectively. I know they would be and are all extremely proud of me being asked to carry out this role today.”

are supported in ensuring more choice for players – in formats and in when rugby is scheduled. This should include 15s, 7s, XRugby and touch rugby.

• Improving the tracking of players from U14 through to adult rugby will help to identify players at risk of over playing and those dropping out so that this can be monitored more effectively. The Commission recommends that Electronic Match Cards be mandatory for all age grade club rugby from season 2019/20 and that further work should explore the expansion of the existing club age grade player registration system into educational establishments.

• With drop out of players significant in this age group, the Commission recommends that the current work being undertaken by the RFU on player tracking is given the highest priority, and is adopted with urgency, so that players are monitored passing through the latter stages of age grade rugby into the adult game.

• With brand affiliation increasingly important for young people, the Commission recommends the development of two clear brand campaigns, one looking more closely at what U17/U18/U19 rugby is called and how it is promoted to aid retention, and one looking at how to attract more U14 –U19s into rugby. The latter should be modelled closely on recent successful RFU campaigns, such as Inner Warrior.

• With young people having increased choice about where they spend their time and spending increasing time on mobile devices, access to Wi-Fi is important. The Commission recommends that greater support be provided to all rugby clubs to improve Wi-Fi access/connectivity, with the target of all clubs being fully Wi-Fi accessible by September, 2019. Consideration should also be given to rolling out social media training for club officials, where required.

• A young player’s interaction with adults in the game is critical in keeping them involved – a positive experience can retain, a negative one put them off for life. The Commission recommends that a task group further considers how to encourage and support more coaches and match officials, including parent-coaches, in better understanding modern day young players’ needs and the importance of their role in transitioning players to adult rugby. It further recommends that work is undertaken to provide examples of how clubs can focus on player transition as a measure of success and how they can create and establish a player transition mind set across all club members.

• To further support the delivery of the RFU’s existing male 15-a-side strategy, the Commission recommends further work to consider what measures would incentivise clubs to run teams up to and including U19 and to ultimately position the U18/U19s as their most important team.

To read the full Commission Report click here

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Featuring on englandrugby.com and in Touchline, these stories celebrate achievements of those involved in the grassroots game.Let us know about your remarkable people by emailing: JoeOgden@rfu.com

‘Intrepidus’ is a fitting motto for Kensington Aldridge Academy. Latin for ‘fearless and unshaken’, in the last year the pupils and staff at KAA have come to embody its meaning.

Opened in 2014 and based at the foot of Grenfell Tower, the fire last year saw the entire school relocated to a temporary site a mile away.

Eight months on and it’s hard not to be inspired by the way everyone at the school has responded, and on a cold Monday night after school in February one of the amazing projects to have come out of the relocation is on display.

“We decided to introduce rugby in September as part of an effort to give the kids a variety of new sports to try,” says KAA’s Head of PE Louise Thompson, as 30 students ranging from year seven to 11 are led in a training session by England Sevens player Charlie Hayter and his Academy teammates.

“The year 10 boys were the first to give it a go and loved it and since then the girls have really got into it too. We’re now spreading it across the entire school and building up to our first competitive matches.”

Hayter got in touch with Thompson after hearing about the school and offered to come in and coach the new rugby recruits.

“Sport is a great vehicle to help support children through difficult periods and to see so many pupils playing and enjoying rugby for the first time is fantastic,” he says.

The enthusiasm for rugby at KAA is epitomised by 11-year-old year seven pupil Ahmed Bashir who proudly introduces himself as the vice-captain of the rugby team.

“I’d never played rugby before, I didn’t know anything about it. I had only heard of the word,” says Bashir. “My teacher said I should go along and I love it now.”

Asked what his favourite thing about the sport is, Bashir takes some time to think. “The cooperation,” comes his reply, “I like working together as a team.”

Cooperation has been the key word in helping get the sport off the ground at KAA.The duo of Thompson and her colleague Thomas Walshe have been the driving force behind rugby’s

introduction and both are clearly grateful for Hayter paying a visit to coach as well as donating kit and equipment.

“It has been great to have Charlie and all the players here,” said Thompson.”The kids absolutely loved their session and I think it’s really important for them to meet role models like these players.”

If the enthusiasm and energy shown on a winter's night in February is anything to go by KAA are at the start of a very special rugby journey.

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Will, James and John Addyman recently ran out together for Keswick Rugby Club second team, the brothers making it a really memorable day for mum Sue and family and friends.

With 17-year-old Will making his senior rugby debut and Jon playing while on leave from the Army, James was back on the pitch after surgery to remove his right arm and shoulder joint due to an aggressive form of cancer.

A former Keswick first team and Cumbria player, James usually plays number 8 and for this special match the 22 year old came on for half an hour of the Cumbria Shield League game against Workington Steelers.

Keswick won 29-14, and James was happy with how it went. “It was good to play with my brothers,” he said. “I wasn’t sure it would happen. Catching the ball was a bit hard, but my tackling was OK. I played because it was Will’s first senior game and John had come home from Belfast for the weekend to play, but I won’t be playing regularly yet.”

James, who lives at the family farm at Asby, near Rowrah, West Cumbria, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, last June and learned that he would have to lose an arm and shoulder joint.

“I took it pretty well, really. You’ve just got to get on with it. I still need some surgery but the chemotherapy finished in January and I’ve been training quite a lot since Christmas. I’ve been rugby training at Keswick and going to the gym locally,” he said.

Will, who plays for Keswick juniors, was making his senior rugby debut, while John, aged 25, returned from the Army, where he plays rugby, to take part.

Keswick Rugby Club chairman Trevor Keough said: “It was impressive to watch all three brothers playing together, but more so to see James tackling, rucking and scrummaging and Will putting in a near man of the match performance in the back row of the scrum.”

Keswick School and former Keswick RFC coach Alan Gray began working with James when he was in Year 7.

“Right from the start James was an X-factor player,” said Alan. “When they were under-17s we had a really good run in the national RFU knockout plate competition, and drew at West Park Leeds to go through to the semi-finals. James was regularly man of the match.”

James left Keswick to play at Carlisle for two seasons and then went to Australia. He was also a Cumbria player and had North under-18 trials.

“James is probably one of the best innovators I ever coached,” said Alan. “Playing with one arm will not represent the handicap for him that it would for some people. All he will be bothered about is doing the best job he can— he is an awesome player.”

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2 0 1 6 - 1 7 A N T I - D O P I N G R E P O R TThe 2016/17 anti-doping annual report for rugby in England on behalf of the RFU anti-doping advisory group marks the seventh year rugby’s anti-doping programme has published its findings.

There were no anti-doping violations within the professional game in England for the 2016/17 season.

Phil Winstanley, Rugby Director at Premiership Rugby, said: “We take our responsibility towards anti-doping very seriously and I’m delighted to see that the report yet again has returned a clean bill of health. Our support for education and our support for UKAD’s testing programme ensures that we can demonstrate a clean Premiership competition and that our players are committed to a drug free culture”.

Richard Bryan, Rugby Director at the Rugby Players Association, said: “The Rugby Players Association and our members are fully supportive of all efforts to ensure rugby is, and remains, a clean sport. Protecting the integrity of our game is of paramount importance and we are encouraged to see that there were no doping violations in 2016/17. We must remain vigilant and ensure that robust testing and education continue to be at the forefront of our efforts.”

England Women Under 20s ran in eight tries in an emphatic 44-0 win over the Army at the Army Rugby Stadium in Aldershot, their biggest win since they began playing them in 2015.

In their first match of 2018, Jo Yapp's side had to withstand driving rain and wind throughout the game which made playing conditions difficult. It was only the seventh minute when wing Brooke Clarke broke away and sprinted around the outside, with centre Phoebe Murray's powerful run shortly after seeing her score on her debut.

Clarke's second was set up by scrum half Tazmin Bricknell, before prop Ellena Perry spotted a gap in the defence to power through. Fly half Helena Rowland's well weighted grubber allowed wing Lilian Stoeger-Goddard, another debutant, to dot down as she gathered the wet ball smartly.

Worcester Valkyries wing Clarke got her hat-trick after 31 minutes, leaving England leading 30-0 at the break.

Despite the difficult playing conditions, another midfield break saw Murray slide over for her second of the match. Michaella Roberts grabbed the final try when the ball was zipped through hands and she sprinted in for a 30 metre finish.

England Women Under 20s head coach Jo Yapp handed 13 players their England U20 debuts on the night, including six players from the start in Lillian Stoegar-Goddard, Phoebe Murray, Helena Rowland, Tazmin Bricknell, Tabitha Copson and Sarah Beckett. Hannah Botterman, Akina Gondwe, Connie Powell, Rianna Manson, Cara Brincat, Emma Hardy and Lizzie Adam also came on as replacements to make their first appearances at this level.

Said Yapp: “We are really proud of the girls as those were difficult conditions to play in and in the first half we looked after the ball and tactically we put it in the right places. We were really happy to not allow Army to cross, that was our goal at half-time, we wanted to keep them at nil and the girls did that. There are lots of things to work on but on the whole it's a really positive start.”

The match preceded their memorable first ever win in France against France Women Under 20s with a 27-20 victory in Lille. on 24th February.

A return match takes place at Basingstoke RFC, 17th March 2018, KO 7:30pm

Visit www.basingstokerfc.com for details.

In Community RugbyA small number of violations, coupled with other anecdotal concerns from within the game, identified that the school-aged population was a potential area of vulnerability for uninformed use of nutritional supplements and showed a potential vulnerability to future doping practices.

Stephen Watkins (right) RFU Anti-Doping & Illicit Drugs Programme Manager said: “The latest findings from our joint research project with Leeds Beckett University show a lack of awareness in age-grade players, particularly around the use of supplements, raising the risk of vulnerability to doping.

“This, and wider concerns about low awareness around doping and its impact, led us to develop a strategy for anti-doping in the community game to be introduced during the 2017/18 season and increasing our focus on improving awareness, enhancing education and increasing testing within the community game.”

Pat Myhill – Director of Operations, UK Anti-Doping said: “UKAD has a strong and positive relationship with the RFU and I commend the pro-active approach that the RFU takes

to educate, detect and deter doping. In particular the recently developed strategy for community rugby builds on this approach. As we look to the future it is important that we continue to work together to deliver effective interventions and tackle doping for the benefit of our athletes and the sport as a whole.”

Full the full report click here

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Ben Smoldon, wife Claire, and eight-year-old twin sons Toby and Oliver had just met Prince Harry before watching England beat Wales from the wheelchair terrace of the RFU’s Injured Players Foundation hospitality box at Twickenham.

The boys were nipping inside every now and then for hot chocolate to warm up, watching the big screen in case they missed a magic moment. Both play rugby for their school and local club and Oliver says the very best thing about rugby is “scoring tries!”

Ben was 17 and playing for Sutton Coldfield RFC in 1991 when he suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury. His father Roger had always encouraged him to lead as full a life as possible and now not only is Ben kept pretty busy with two lively sons but he also volunteers for the IPF, as well as being a client.

“I go to visit newly injured players to see how they are doing, what the charity can do to help them, whether it’s funding, courses, getting involved in skiing or Battleback. I make sure we are keeping in touch, that they feel supported, have a point of contact.”

Ben talks about the difference the IPF has made for him, his adapted motor vehicle, the equipment that makes family life work, like his hoist, but especially “the emotional support.”

The IPF are the first civilian organisation to use the soldiers recovery Battleback Centre at Lilleshall National Sports Centre in partnership with Leeds Beckett University and the Royal British Legion. The IPF run a residential weekend once a year for injured players to experience different activities like climbing and archery, reflect in supported groups and socialise.

“I went to the Battleback Centre and didn’t really know what to expect. There were a group of us from the IPF and the activities were great . But it was the one to one mentoring with the staff from Leeds Beckett University that made such a difference, gave me real emotional insight. I came back home invigorated.”

I wonder if he’s often asked how he feels about his sons playing rugby.

“Oh, yes, people ask me that regularly and what I say is that the game is a lot safer than when I played. If ever I felt it was too dangerous they wouldn’t be playing.

“What it gives the boys is fun and the kind of respect and moral values that will last for life. I was brought up in a rugby family and I know the difference those rugby values make from the kind of support I’ve had since my injury from the whole rugby community.”

I P F C L I E N T, V O L U N T E E R A N DR U G B Y D A D

F RO M A C H I L LY T W I C K E N H A M T O T H E F L O R I D A S U N

Players from Kenilworth RFC’s first and ladies’ teams recently joined volunteers from Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, to build a children's play area at Calthorpe Academy, a school for children with complex learning needs in Birmingham.

The project was facilitated by ex-military coaches and mentors from Fusion Community Initiatives and created a wonderful new facility for school pupils, with many volunteers taking on new challenges while working alongside people they had not met before.

Chris McCartney, Assistant Head at Calthorpe Academy, said: “We’re really thankful to all our volunteers. Their hard work has opened up an otherwise no-go zone for pupils and delivered an amazing outdoor space for personal development through play. We now have a lovely walkway and outdoor classroom in our small wooded area; not bad for inner city Birmingham!”

C H I L D R E N G E T P L AY A R E A T H A N K S T O K E N I LW O R T H

& W O O D E N S P O O N

In 1993 Stuart Birt was away from home dealing with a fire at his firm’s factory when someone called him to say his 18-year-old son had been airlifted to Stoke Mandeville Hospital from an inter-house rugby match at school.

“It was quite literally the worst weekend of my life,” he recalls. “Andrew was in intensive care for three weeks and they were saying it was touch and go.”

But Andrew pulled through and, in the days before the RFU’s Injured Player Foundation, their forerunner SPIRE “were very supportive. SPIRE and Stowe School and the rugby community made all the difference.

“There was a match at Stowe where Lawrence Dallaglio played in an International XV against the Headmaster’s XV. Will Carling and Gavin Hastings also gave their support to fundraising by Andrew’s school friends. Andrew was on TV a couple of times,” says Stuart.

Andrew remembers little about the injury. “I think basically it was a bad tackle. I was ten months in Stoke Mandeville and the youngest on my ward. Then Stowe School created a temporary building where I lived with two of my school friends and I had a carer at night.”

From there Andrew did an HND in business studies at a Watford College before his family moved to Northamptonshire and he studied multi-media at Northampton University while living at home.

He remains a big rugby fan and, in the year England won the Rugby World Cup, he bought a holiday home in Florida. Says dad Stuart, “It’s great because guys like Andrew often feel the cold as they have trouble controlling their body temperature, so he can sit in the sun by the pool. But he’s so successful at renting it out we get less and less time there!”

Not only does Andrew rent out his own home, he has created “a few websites” and helps other homeowners rent their Florida

homes out too, as well as giving advice on accessibility and creating a fact sheet on flying when you are in a wheelchair.

He has just watched England beat Wales from the terrace of the RFU Injured Players box and says: “Coming here with my dad and getting together with the other guys is really great.

“The IPF makes a big difference. They funded my current vehicle, which gives me independence, built my bathroom and recently paid for a new motor for my wheelchair. “

His dad adds: “Andrew has always been positive. Because he was showing no signs of stress, at one stage we arranged a psychologist to talk to him. After two or three sessions they said he wasn’t bottling it all up, he accepted that was his life.

“Having Andrew living with us has been brilliant but knowing the charity is there for him and for us certainly helps.”

Kenilworth RFC's Jai Purewal commented: “Our rugby club has a long tradition of charity and community support, not just in Kenilworth but also further afield, and is a Wooden Spoon Partner Rugby Club. We are very grateful to our members, sponsors and supporters for all of their support. This has been challenging but very rewarding and we have left a lasting legacy from our efforts for the benefit of pupils now and in the future.”

The event was also attended by former Leicester Tigers and England legend, Tim Stimpson, who added: “This has been great for me because I am an ambassador for Wooden Spoon and a while back I helped bring Kenilworth RFC on as a partner club. It’s great to catch up with Jai and others while doing great things for those who need our help.”

7T O U C H L I N E – M A R C H 2 0 1 8

Halifax RUFC held the year’s initial Yorkshire Women’s Rugby Development Festival last month (February). The first in recent times at the club, the event saw more than 70 women travel to Ovenden Park from across the county to take part in games designed to build confidence and give a taste of full contact rugby.

The Development Festival allowed players to form teams, especially valuable for new set ups lacking the squad numbers to take part in more formal matches. North Ribblesdale, Rotherham and Halifax joined to form Ribb-Rother-Fax, Hornsea and Driffield formed East Yorkshire and Leeds Uni joined Leeds Medics and Dentist to form Leeds Universities. This allowed the players to take part in full contact 15s.

For many this was their first taste of 15-a-side rugby and each team played the others, with local Community Rugby Coaches Calum Harris and Andy Fradgley acting as referees and also guiding the teams through the games.

The Yorkshire weather meant the start was delayed by a bit of a blizzard. Bright sunshine was followed by snow, then more sunshine as the teams fought it out on the pitch with vocal support from spectators sheltering in the stand.

Development Festivals are part of the Yorkshire RFU’s plan to provide valuable game time for developing players and

teams, recognising the rapid growth in players and the RFU’s strategy to grow the women’s and girls’ game.

Halifax RUFC Chairman Darren Emmerson said: “We were delighted to host the RFU Ladies Development Festival and are looking forward to working in partnership with our local development officers at future events. The weather at times was blizzard-like but we made sure there was a warm welcome in the clubhouse for all the visitors.”

All the teams have agreed to meet again to continue their progress, with Halifax Ladies looking to meet with smaller teams to help them with their development.

Halifax Ladies actively recruit new players as they look to grow their squad to create a formal development side. New players are always welcome at training on Thursday nights at 7:30pm at Ovenden Park.

N a t h a n M i d d l e t o n

James Gray is no ordinary 15 year old, the Sedbergh School student is already set on becoming one of our top referees and taking his first steps with the help of the RFU.

His referee ambitions came following a spinal injury sustained at 11 which stopped him playing rugby.

“I love the sport,” he said. “When it was clear I wasn’t going to play again I wanted to stay involved. I wanted to stay fit, stay active and I chose reffing over coaching because I like the fact you are still on the pitch.”

While in hospital James researched the work of the RFU Injured Players Foundation [IPF], which provides immediate and lifelong support for every rugby player in England sustaining a catastrophic spinal cord or traumatic brain injury while playing rugby. The Foundation also aims to prevent future injuries through research and education.

In his second season with Durham County Refereeing Society, James has taken charge of a variety of sevens tournaments, local club U18 matches, as well as school second XV games as he can’t take charge of senior rugby until he is over 17.

“At the moment I’m just getting as much experience as I can and I’m working with my coach on a plan that will set my own targets. Following my accident when I was recovering and I didn’t have much to do, it got me thinking ‘if it had been any worse the IPF would’ve helped me’ so what could I do to help people that do need their help?”

James decided to raise money for the charity. He did a sponsored mile within a month of being able to exercise again, then took on a three-day coast to coast cycle ride from Whitehaven to Sunderland and raised an astonishing £35,000 for the IPF over the two events.

“The coast to coast was with family,” he said. “My little brother did it with me on an electric bike and friends joined us at various stages. We cycled past the Stadium of Light getting to Sunderland, it was a good feeling. It was such a sense of satisfaction that I’d done it and been able to help others.”

Recently James spent the day with the Premiership’s all-time record holder for the most matches officiated, Wayne Barnes. He went behind the scenes at the Twickenham Stoop to see how Barnes officiated an Aviva Premiership match between Harlequins and Wasps.

He took in the stud inspection in team’s changing rooms, Barnes’ pre-match chat to the front-row and scrum halves, then watched the match unfold with his dad, with a ref link to hear what was going on in the middle and was part of the post-match debrief in the players’ lounge.

“It was good to see how Wayne approached the game before and after and there’s a number of things I’ve taken from that, that I’ll use, the way Wayne spoke to players in the changing room and how relaxed he was in the environment.”

James has, at times, taken charge of some of his friends.

“I do the second XV games at Sedbergh sometimes. My brother, who’s 17, plays for them and I’ve sent him off the field with a yellow card for a tackle. I didn’t actually realise it was him at first. I called over the player and captain and then I went ‘oh right it’s you’.

“My friends are supportive. There’s obviously a bit of taking the mick off the pitch but I give it back. I do the odd Under 16 game and they are my year. I’ve yellow carded a mate and he wasn’t too happy about it, but looking back on the video it was justified, so I was happy with my decision,” he says with a smile.

J A M E S L E A R N I N GF RO M WAY N EJack Simons and Harry Price are 18 year olds

who love rugby and their Aylesbury club. Both play senior rugby there and help to keep the ground maintained as well as helping to coach the under sevens, eights and nines.

Now, they have been told “You’re hired!” under the Rugby Club Apprenticeship Scheme, a flagship RFU initiative to encourage young people into rugby club management, potentially leading to a career in rugby or, more generally sports club management. The scheme is fully supported by the Government and is being professionally managed by a training company engaged by the RFU.

Said Aylesbuty RFC chairman Paul Milham: “We are committed to giving Harry and Jack a wide range of experience including: bar and cellar management, event management, grounds maintenance, catering and food preparation, as well as rugby opportunities like coaching, refereeing and rugby administration. These will all be supported by the necessary training, with a wide range of formal qualifications available. They will also be able to continue to pursue formal academic qualifications supported by the training company.

“Our apprenticeships were advertised nationally, generating a large number of applicants. We were particularly delighted to

YO U ’ R E H I R E D !

give the roles to Harry and Jack and offer this opportunity to two of our own.”

Said RFU Rugby Development Officer Tim Holmes: “Aylesbury continues to be an innovative club, driving ground-breaking RFU programmes. Their apprenticeships, together with excellent use of their artificial grass pitches, are testament to their strength as a community rugby club and to the confidence that the RFU has in their ability to drive important initiatives that will make a difference to the game.

With a combined age of 160, three Aylesbury club committee members, whose nearest and dearest waited with the painkillers, took to the pitch in a third team encounter against Gosford All Blacks, Oxford. The oldest, Derek Spence, Secretary, managed over an hour at flanker; Paul Milham, Chairman, put in a cameo performance in replacing Spence at blindside and Simon Winman, Director of Rugby, limped off after captaining for the full 80 minutes. Rugby was the victor in an entertaining game narrowly lost by the ancients.

D O W N B U T N O T O U T

WA R M W E L C O M E I NH A L I FA X S N O W S T O R M

M I T S U B I S H I M O T O R SE X E T E R 7 S

C h a r l o t t e M a r s h a l l

Run in partnership with Exeter City Council, this is the fourth year of the Mitsubishi Motors Exeter 7s, an event that attracts crowds from across the country to watch world-class rugby sevens across a two-day tournament.

This year’s instalment has added significance as it’s the last time fans can watch England Sevens in action before many of them compete in the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco just two weeks later.

As the penultimate stage of the Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series, the Mitsubishi Motors Exeter 7s will follow Russia (19 May - 20 May) and France (30- 1 July), as well as all 10 tournaments on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

“There is something very special about playing in a home tournament,” said Head of England Sevens Simon Amor. “The guys are fortunate to play in tournaments all around the world, but when it comes to the amount of support they get when playing in places like Exeter and London it really does make all the difference.

“This event is at a pivotal time in our season and the team will want to make England proud one last time before heading to San Francisco.” To buy tickets visit click here

8 T O U C H L I N E – M A R C H 2 0 1 8

N a t h a n M i d d l e t o n

Richie McCaw. Brian O’Driscoll. George Gregan, the only three players in history to have played more international matches than Rochelle ‘Rocky’ Clark when she ran onto the field against Scotland last month (February).

The 36 year old made her 135th outing at international level off the bench during England Women’s Six Nations match against Scotland, overtaking Wales prop Gethin Jenkins to go outright fourth on the all-time list.

In doings so, she became the most capped prop and front row forward in the history of the game.

“Gethin Jenkins has always been an idol of mine and to get anywhere near him and surpass him is an honour,” she said.”It’s nice to be talking about a milestone but it’s not something you set out to do, but I’m very pleased and honoured to pull the shirt on.”

A veteran of four World Cups – winner of one – and with eight Six Nations titles to her name, there is not much that Rocky has not won during her 15-year career with the Red Roses – so what still motivates her?

“I’m still as hungry as I was at the age of 25 charging around a field. I’m still loving it every time I get the opportunity,” she explained. “Obviously it gets a little bit harder the older you get and I’ve definitely changed how I play as I’m a bit slower and you change your tactics, you understand the game a hell of a lot better rather than just chasing around like a headless chicken.

“It’s about having the hunger. As soon as the hunger goes you’ve got to ask yourself whether it is time to call it a day but certainly at the moment I’m still loving it every second.”

Rocky made her England debut as a replacement against Canada in 2003, so what is her advice to staying at the top over a 15-year Test career?

“I’ve definitely got stronger and paid particular attention in the last year to my leg strength and conditioning and that seems to have made a real difference to me and what I achieve on the park with my leg drive and scrummaging.”

Awarded an MBE for Services to Rugby in the 2015 New Year’s Honours List, she says the drive to wear the number one shirt remains as high as ever.

“I still strive to start every game and I think that pushes the other props as well that I’m not just settling for a bench spot,” she added.”I understand the importance of rotation with all the talent we have in the system coming through and them playing at a high standard pushes me to be the best I can be as I still want to be competitive.”

Said England fly half Katy Daley-Mclean: “You talk about inspirations in the game, but she actually is. You look at the position she plays, it’s such an awful position to get up and do regularly. She doesn’t settle to think ‘I’ve got over 130 caps now’ she is one of the hardest workers in the squad by far. All of those attributes mean if you’re young and want a hero then that is your girl, as all the bits that make her brilliant, getting up and working hard and repeating it over 20 years is phenomenal.”

Tribute to Rocky video

RO C K Y B E C O M E S RU G BY ’S M O S T C A P P E D FO RWA R D

On Saturday 31st March Sidcup RFC will field a team of Dami’s academy squad members against his old school team Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School. The squads extend to 26 or 27 as so many want to support the family of Oluwadamilola Odeyingbo, and remember their popular 18-year-old team mate Dami, who lost his life in January.

Dami had played for the school and for Sidcup since the age of 12. While mourning the death of their friend the young players want to celebrate his life and the memories they shared with him and make this event a day he and his family would be proud of. They also want to raise money to cover the cost of Dami’s funeral .

The match programme says: “Players on both sides know how strong the bond between team mates can be. It is unique and it is a bond that lasts a lifetime.”

Talking of Dami’s “incredible talent” it adds: “Dami could change a game in an instant with one moment of brilliance. However, that’s not the main reason we all enjoyed having Dami as a team mate. His role off the pitch was just as significant. His sense of humour lit up the changing room, his smile and upbeat energy would lift any low spirits and he gave his all when asked.”

Remembering Dami players contributed their thoughts. Harry Jones wrote: “Dami was the

best and most talented rugby player I have had the privilege to play alongside. He was as great to be around off the pitch as he was on the pitch by never failing to put a smile on everyone’s face. Rest in peace mate.”

Joss Barber adds: “I’ll never forget the time Dami got over half the opposition at sevens, and handed me the ball under the posts so I could make 100 points for the season, which really summed him up as a person, talented and selfless. I’ll miss you dearly mate.”

For further information or to help with fundraising contact: damisday@ sidcuprfc.co.uk or visit Dami’s fund raising page www.gofundme.com/fundraisingfordami

DA M I ’S G A M E

9T O U C H L I N E – M A R C H 2 0 1 8

When ten-year-old Georgia Ghaut ran out of the Twickenham tunnel as an England mascot before the team beat Wales in their RBS 6 Nations game, she was following in the footsteps of her brother Luis.

Luis, at 13, led out his heroes Northampton Saints before their first ever Premiership final victory at Twickenham in 2014. Having been diagnosed with a rare bone cancer, osteosarcoma, which proved terminal, his courage and positive attitude inspired the team and he rode with them on their celebratory trophy bus tour. Georgia got a big hug from Guinness Match Day Pundit Alex Corbisiero, one of Luis’ biggest fans.

His family’s campaign Lu15, aimed to raise awareness about osteosarcoma and his mum Joanne is running the London Marathon next month (April) for Sarcoma UK to raise much needed funds for sarcoma research in the hope that one day there will be a cure.

The mascot team were wished good luck by RFU Patron Prince Harry before running out onto the pitch. Other mascots were Mylo Isaac, aged nine, who plays for Rushden and Higham RUFC and Riseley Primary School. His older brother Ellis plays for Northampton Saints Academy and has always encouraged Mylo, who is also a fantastic foster brother to other youngsters.

Alongside them was eight-year-old Ronnie Amestoy, whose additional needs have never deterred him from his great love of rugby or playing for Winscombe RFC in Somerset and Weare School.

Carrying out the match ball with referee Jerome Garces was Try for Change mascot George Vuk Drake who lives in Smerderevo in Serbia.

To support Luis’ family’s fundraising and Joanne’s marathon effort, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/teamluis-joandandreaforsarcoma or text to: 70070LUIS80 (space) £ your donation i.e. LUIS80 £5

M A S C O T S ’ M E M O R A B L E DAY

10 T O U C H L I N E – M A R C H 2 0 1 8

F O R C H R I S T Y

Christy Jordan loved all sports but his first love was rugby and he played for Beccehamians from the age of five, loving every minute.

Christy was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour on Christmas Eve 2015 and was treated at The Royal Marsden Hospital Sutton, where he was visited by Harlequins Chris Robshaw and Andrew Fenby from London Irish. Lawrence Dallaglio and Jonny Wilkinson sent video messages of support during Christy’s treatment

The rugby family took Christy to their heart. He was England mascot for the Six Nations England v Wales match at Twickenham in 2016 , London Irish mascot for their St Patrick’s Day game that year and, with his family, spent a day with the England team at Pennyhill Park, joining them for lunch and watching them train alongside Prince Harry

Christy lost his life on 10th May last year, two weeks short of his 11th birthday. His spirit and his story has inspired many involved in rugby and his club are hosting The Christy Jordan Memorial Festival on 11th & 18th March to help his family raise funds for research into paediatric brain tumours via The Brain Tumour Charity.

Said Daniel Kemp, Beccehamians U12s Head Coach: “Christy was a truly amazing boy, who embraced life, had limitless energy and embodied rugby’s core values. We were

all privileged and fortunate to share some very happy and enjoyable times together. Recognising his excellent attributes from the outset, Christy was named the U7s Coaches’ Player of the Year in our first season 2012/13.

“We are honoured that the Jordan family have allowed us to name our annual mini rugby spring festival in loving memory of such a wonderful boy, with the focus on charitable fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity.”

On the day of Christy’s funeral the family wanted to drive past the club and with hundreds wanting to support them, the police closed the road while they drove past, pausing outside the club for five minutes’ applause. The club raised £1,300 that morning for the Brain Tumour charity.

The Christy Jordan Memorial festival will give the family, who are planning to attend with representatives from the Brain Tumour Charity over both weekends, an opportunity to focus on fundraising specifically for paediatric brain tumours, which account for only 1% of general cancer funding research.

A fantastic £7,000 has already been raised, with a target of £10,000 to include the festival weekends.

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/christyjordan

S e a n E l l i s

11T O U C H L I N E – M A R C H 2 0 1 8

T R Y F O R C H A N G EN E W P R O J E C T S

V e r i t y W i l l i a m s

England Rugby and Sport Relief have announced the six latest projects to be awarded Try for Change grants. Aimed at supporting charities, community groups and grassroots rugby clubs in England, the grants offer projects up to £100,000 for work delivered over two to three years to improve lives through rugby.

The six successful projects join the Try for Change portfolio alongside the 11 that received a small grant in the first round of funding last year. They are located across England and use rugby and its core values as a tool to greatly improve and support the lives of marginalised and disadvantaged people.

The six projects awarded a large grant are:

International Mixed Ability Sports (IMAS)The project will introduce mixed ability rugby to 20 rugby clubs in Yorkshire and the Midlands. Mixed ability rugby sees players with and without disabilities play full-contact rugby as equal team members. This enables people with disabilities to take part in opportunities they would not otherwise be able to access, benefiting their physical and mental health. The programme aims to increased social integration between disabled and non-disabled participants and change perceptions within clubs and communities.

Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) – Kicking Crime into Touch This project will engage young people from Trafford, Salford and Manchester, who are in the criminal justice system. Young people will take part in a 16 week rugby programme delivered by MMU’s rugby union club to improve their physical health and develop their discipline skills, teamwork and resilience. The project will support young people to transfer these rugby values to other areas of their lives.

The National Literacy Trust – Rugby Reading ChampionsRugby Reading Champions is a literacy programme for children aged 9-13 delivered by rugby coaches. It uses the motivational power of rugby union, players and coaches as role models to inspire children and young people to read more and to improve their literacy skills. National Literacy Trust will work with

over 500 young people over two years. The programme will be designed and delivered in partnership with Leicester Tigers.

Sharks Community Trust – Team TalkSharks Team Talk will use rugby as a basis for tackling loneliness, social isolation and dementia among people aged 60 plus. The project will run weekly walking rugby and social activities in four different rugby clubs across Greater Manchester (Trafford, Rochdale, Manchester and Eccles) supporting older people to engage in physical, social and volunteering activities. Participants will also be invited to group social activities, such as attending Sale Sharks games. The project will support participants to improve their health and wellbeing and use local rugby clubs to develop long-term social and physical networks.

StonewallStonewall will work with coaches, players and fans to create LGBT-inclusive environments at grassroots clubs throughout England. Through a series of capacity-building programmes, Stonewall will empower participants to increase LGBT-inclusion in rugby, stand up for LGBT rights and create wider societal change for LGBT people in their local community.

Street LeagueStreet League will increase the number of opportunities for unemployed young people, aged 16 to 24 from disadvantaged communities in London, to progress into sustainable employment, education and training using the power of rugby. It will launch a new rugby programme building upon its award-winning and proven employability and sport model. The aim is to work with over 100 young people over a two year period.

Dominic Proctor, RFU Chair of Try for Change and RFU Board Member said: “It’s great to see a range of projects being awarded grants at our second round of funding. Each and every project selected has shown significant commitment to improving lives through rugby over a sustained period. We look forward to seeing how they develop their plans and the impact they will have over the next few years to leave a lasting impact in local communities across the country.”

Lisa Bedding, Senior Investment Partner, Sport for Change said: “We had a number of high quality applications for this round of funding, but the six that have been awarded grants really stood out. We were impressed with their proposals and are confident each project will benefit the local communities in which they are operating.”

Sport Relief 2018 takes place from 17 to 23 March and Twickenham Stadium joins the campaign with activity at the NatWest 6 Nations match between England and Ireland on 17 March.

Rugby clubs, schools, colleges, universities and individuals can get involved as a team, a player or rugby supporter this Sport Relief and raise money for Try for Change. Anyone wanting to get involved can download a fundraising pack here

12 T O U C H L I N E – M A R C H 2 0 1 8

Editorial input with pictures to: Touchline Editor, Patricia Mowbray

Email: patriciamowbray@rfu.com Direct Line: 0208 831 6514Correspondence 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: gameinvestment@therfu.com Tel: 0208 831 6762Touchline is published by The 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.comPhotography 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.

THE RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING WHO GENEROUSLY SUPPORT THE GAME

T O U C HL INE

E N G L A N D R U G B YPA R T N E R S W I T H

W O M E N ’S S P O R T T R U S TO N O N S I D E C A M PA I G N

E l i z a b e t h B o x

England Rugby is partnering with the Women’s Sport Trust for their Onside campaign. The campaign is seed funded by Sport England and aims to engage men and boys to be role models in speaking up and taking action to support women and girls in sport.

England Rugby also announced that over 30,000 women and girls are now regularly playing club rugby, double the number playing just four years ago, and England Rugby will work with the Women’s Sport Trust and Onside to use the support of the rugby community, particularly male players, to encourage support for women across the game.

RFU Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Brown, said: “We’re delighted to partner with the Women’s Sport Trust on the Onside campaign, and to get more men involved in championing women’s rugby. From the success of the Red Roses to the growing participation of women and girls in the grassroots game, women are integral to our sport and, ultimately, great rugby is great rugby to be enjoyed by all.”

Women’s Sport Trust Co-Founder and Joint CEO, Tammy Parlour, added “In recent years, England Rugby has taken significant steps to support the development of the women’s game. We are excited to partner with them on the Onside campaign to build on this, getting more men involved in championing women’s rugby, at every level. We hope to see more

male players, coaches, support staff and senior leaders publicly supporting the women’s game.”

Increasing women and girls’ participation in rugby is integral to the RFU’s overarching Strategic Plan and funding agreement with Sport England, and a new, four-year women and girls action plan to drive participation was launched in November 2017. The goals of the Onside campaign are closely linked with this and are:

• To engage men and boys as role models, actively and visibly supporting women’s sport.

• To increase the audience for women’s sport – including growth for particular teams, clubs, sports and brands.

• To generate positive messages that indirectly encourage women/girls to engage with sport.

• To drive more sponsorship into women’s sport through increased attention.

• To increase the media coverage of women’s sport through increased attention.

The Onside campaign will be driven in partnership by England Rugby and the Women’s Sport Trust, via their networks, influencers, digital, social and CRM channels. Men and women, players and fans alike are encouraged to join the conversation using the hashtag – #Onside.

Eastern Counties’ new formula at Under 13s, which replaces their county cup programme, is providing competitive enjoyment, with all teams meeting similar standards of opposition and hundreds of young players developing their skills and their game.

Each county (Cambs, Norfolk & Suffolk) held two festivals, involving all their U13 teams. The first was semi-seeded, with all teams playing four 15-minute one way matches, the second was seeded so that teams played opposition of a similar standard, without any overall winners.

All teams were then nominated to one of five final tiered all county festivals across Eastern Counties, providing playing opportunities for all U13 players to develop their skills at an appropriate level, and against teams from the other counties.

No less than 32 teams from 25 different clubs and around 600 boys were involved, with matches in five different venues. B teams were allowed to enter, two clubs combined forces, a couple of clubs were short and others willingly loaned players.

Four of the ten referees were teenagers. There were no cups to play for, and each team played four others of a similar standard. Eastern Counties having worked with the RFU in piloting a half game for all at U13s this season, referees stopped games half way through to allow coaches to make replacements.

This formula also gave some smaller clubs, Thurston, Mistley & Newmarket the opportunity of hosting a county event for the first time.

Tier 1 – at Thurston – Bury, Ipswich, Southwold, Shelford, Cambridge, Norwich, Wymondham

Tier 2 – at Stowmarket – Stowmarket, Sudbury, Colchester, Holt, Beccles, Saffron Walden

Tier 3 – at Diss – Hadleigh, Ipswich B, Diss, N Walsham, Ely, Wisbech

Tier 4 – at Mistley – Woodbridge, Mistley, Swaffham, Wymondham B, Shelford B, Cambridge B

Tier 5 – at Newmarket – Bury B, Mersea Island, StowCol B, Crusaders, Norwich B, West Norfolk, Newmarket

Said Jamie Warner of Stowmarket: “Some cracking rugby played in the best spirit; a fantastic festival to develop our exciting youth rugby.”

David Regester, Director of Youth Rugby at Norwich added: “Good to see so many playing the game across the area”.

E A S T E R N C O U N T I E SG I V E G R E AT E X P E R I E N C E

T O A L L U 1 3 S

And Graham Smith from Swaffham said: “Playing against so many different sides was a great experience and not having a winner helped encourage coaches to play all of their squad throughout.”

Paul Brindley from Bury had 38 boys playing at two venues at the appropriate level of competition and said: “All of the Bury boys had a great experience and development opportunity”.

Mark Campbell of Shelford agreed: “Both our sides were in tiers where they had competitive games, which is superb”.

Ross Cowie, Chairman of Eastern Counties Club & Player Development explained: “The programme took much organisation, but it was a joy to see so many boys playing in the right environment. This was the second year that we have run this programme and it’s a winning formula. Our aim was to provide rugby for all U13s playing club rugby in the CB, and for them to enjoy rugby at their own level, and to contribute to their development.

“Coaches are now buying into player development rather than winning at all costs, and with around 600 12 and 13 year olds playing, this must provide a great platform for youth rugby in the CB, and for the onward individual development of these youngsters. A huge thanks to all those who have helped make the festival such a success”.