RFU Club Accreditation Scheme The club undertakes a simple self review of its activities in line with the fifteen statements below. This can be done before you meet with the RDO or you can do this together. Since this is your accreditation, the RDO will simply coach you through the session, asking questions and probing detail in order to elicit information that will strengthen your review. Statement Demonstrates and promotes rugby s core values Has appropriately qualified coaches with recommended coach/player ratios for all teams Has appropriate systems in place to minimise injury and to support injured players Meets the needs of players by providing regular, relevant and enjoyable competition Actively addresses succession planning by recruiting players in targeted areas Club Review The club promotes rugby s core values through the club website www.oldculverhaysians.co.uk, signage displayed throughout the clubhouse and through sponsorship packs given to all new players and members each season. Sponsorship pack document is also listed on our website. We use the current core value headings; however we have created our own statements in line with the clubs ethos and aspirations. We regularly re issue our welcome packs which include the current core values as well as fixture lists and other associated club/playing documents We currently run one senior team with a squad of circa 25 players; our Head coach is RFU Level 2 qualified. We have a number of other suitably qualified coaches within our club; however they remain inactive for large parts of the season. The club regularly encourages these coaches to play a bigger part within in our coaching set up and as part of our club development plan we aim to have 2 appropriate level coaches in 2012/13 followed by a further 2 coaches in the 2013/14 season. Our fledging mini section has one coach who has attended a rugby ready course and within the next six months is aiming to attain RFU Level 1 At every senior game our team has a qualified first aider with the appropriate first aid kit, however to ease the burden on any one volunteer we aim to send up to 5 people on the appropriate first aid course to ensure we have first Aid qualified people, available in all areas of our club. This will include appropriately qualified people in clubhouse management, senior playing and Mini/Juniors Section. This is to be completed by August 2013. There is often informal support for players if they require physiotherapy to help with returning from injury more swiftly and therefore making themselves available to play for Culverhaysians RFC or help with returning to work if the injury has been sustained playing Rugby for Culverhaysians RFC. This year we have been supported by a sports injury therapist and we are currently in negotiations to make this a more formal arrangement from next season. We also provide in our welcome packs details on players own insurance policies and advise on how they can apply for the relevant insurance for injury cover whilst playing Rugby The number of teams at Culverhaysians RFC has diminished over recent seasons; however we feel that our current league status of Somerset 2 North offers our players the relevant and enjoyable competition level. We aim to improve our league position over the next few seasons, and aspire to compete at the top end of the league table rather than losing more games than we are winning, as currently is the case. We have re-established a veteran s side with 2 fixtures played so far this season and aim to play one fixture a month until the end of the season. We also aim to continue to play one fixture a month in the 2013/14 season. Regular Touch rugby sessions throughout the summer have proved to be a great success in bringing former players back into the club who have lost touch. We aim to extend the casual Touch Rugby sessions into a more formal competitive format with other clubs in Bath Our current squad has significantly increased from the 2011/2012 season and this year we have established a very young yet small squad capable of competing in Somerset 2 North. We aim to increase the squad numbers and as part of development plan are targeting 16-25 years olds who maybe on the fringes of other rugby clubs that have not quite fulfilled their potential or those who simply stopped playing rugby but with a wealth of experience and knowledge of the game. Offering low cost rugby, i.e.
Welcomes and encourages new players from all sectors of the local community Provides regular support and training opportunities for volunteers, coaches and referees Regularly recognises and rewards the efforts and achievements of volunteers, coaches and referees Actively addresses succession planning by recruiting new referees, volunteers and coaches subsidised membership and other member benefits and a level of competition (Somerset 2 North) perhaps suitable to those new or returning to the game of Rugby in order for them to remain at the club and increase their overall rugby experience. It also anticipated we can also encourage as a volunteer role a School/college liaison officer and establishing links with 16-18 year olds. At the end of the 2013/14 season we aim to have reformed and established a second team, however playing regular league matches will need to be considered. The season 2012/13 season we have so far used 30 players so we aware that as a club we have the foundations in place to continue to increase our player base. Our membership fees are low at just 45.00 per year. In addition to the standard membership fee for non playing full members, we have introduced a three tiered sponsorship packages aimed at both players and local businesses to support Culverhayians RFC. Take up of these packages have been good but we feel there is still some way to go with only just over half of the squad receiving any form of sponsorship. Our sponsorship packages we believe allow all players to join Culverhaysians RFC regardless of background or financial status. Each player is empowered to seek sponsorship and reduce their membership fees. Our club house offers a relaxed and family atmosphere where all players and their families are made to feel welcome. As part of our family friendly policy we have invested in a childrens area of games, colouring books and other activities to keep families using our club facilities longer than they have done previously. One area where we have seen growth in our club is that of ladies being actively involved in our club. As the good work increases we may have an opportunity to offer some male/female touch rugby sessions over the summer with a view to forming a ladies team. We have sky sports and provide regular events from Discos to Quiz nights Our new committee structure is a clear picture of all roles and responsibilities our volunteers are expected to undertake. In line with our structure each role and responsibility has a formal job description. As in the past, only a few volunteers have taken on the main roles at the club, with our new structure the roles have been broken down to more manageable items and we have found this to be much more effective for the club as well as rewarding for the volunteer. We aim to provide training for our first aiders. It is hoped we can obtain the relevant funding to increase the referees within our club as we have a number of players and members who have expressed interest in attending the referees course on behalf of Culverhaysians RFC This year has seen significant volunteering by the ladies within our club, notably organising a children s Christmas party and operating a cafe at Odd Down playing fields, despite its current poor facilities. Without reward and recognition for our volunteers we will not have an effective and efficient club. As well as paying any out of pocket expenses, we offer access to International match tickets, free kit and are invited to our annual awards presentation evening, Some other suggested ways of rewarding our volunteers would be to introduce a club person of the month award, with each winner awarded a bottle of wine or gift vouchers as a way to say thank you for their hard work. This now requires implementing Culverhaysians RFC are acutely aware we are someway short of volunteers within our club to be as effective as we would like. Over the last we year have proactively encouraged new roles to be taken up within the club. Our Chairman and Secretary act as our Club Volunteering coordinator, but are mindful this needs to be a standalone role in itself. We have found that as more and more ladies volunteer at our club they in turn encourage further fringe members to participate and volunteer at the club. We aim to increase our referees within the club and to target players perhaps nearing the end of their playing careers to take up any available roles.
Has secured regular access to appropriate facilities to meet players needs Operates a disciplinary process to deal with contraventions of RFU regulations Manages club finances effectively and files annual figures to meet current RFU regulations Maintains and operates a health and safety policy and practices complying with statutory requirements Has a transparent constitution incorporating an equity policy in line with RFU regulations Has a clear understanding of the local community and ensures that rugby makes a positive contribution to its wellbeing Our Clubhouse in Old Fosse road is owned outright by Old Culverhaysians RFC Ltd. This is in terms is a new building (35 years) and provides an adequate, comfortable and friendly facility, with a bar serving reasonably priced drinks and food. We have invested in Sky sports with all sports channels, as well as free WI FI available in the clubhouses to all members and guests. We have a large car park for around 30 cars. It is anticipated that in order to increase revenue and to attract and retain more players we aim to refurbish our clubhouse in the next 2 years in particular the need for a disability compliant toilet facility. Our clubhouse also has a large gym facility for each player to use if they wish offering a good range of free weights and running machines etc. We do not have permission to expand at Old Fosse road and therefore play all our matches at the Odd Down playing fields. We have secured a yearly licence agreement with BANES to use this facility of circa 3500 per year, however both the pitches and changing rooms are in poor condition and has and will prevent further growth of our club. At Odd Down the club has a good range of training kit i.e. tackle bags, rucking bags and scrum machine stored securely in a large container. We provide a large floodlit area at odd down for training, in which we fully financed the installation of these lights in 2010. Our development plan includes as part of the redevelopment of the Odd Down facility appropriate access to meet our players and club needs for growth and sustainability. Disciplinary process in place to deal with contraventions by any member (not just players). The club ensure the codes of conduct and behavioural expectations are publicised and adhered to. All info is displayed to membership on website. We run and manage our accounts in a professional and prudent manner and file annual figures to meet current RFU regulations. Recently we have re aligned how our accounts are managed, removing the need of a paid accountancy company to a more improved simplified in house accounting process. This provides the clubs management committee with increased visibility of operating and trading income/expenditure We comply with all health and safety policy and practices. A copy of valid public and employer s liability insurance is displayed at the clubhouse. Culverhaysians RFC is constituted as an Industrial and Provident Society and is registered as a CASC (Community Amateur Sports Club) As part of the whole club development plan, plans are being developed for wider engagement with the local community and sporting bodies. Our club is situated in a densely populated area of Bath. Most of our members are from the local area and we provide a facility and club environment for the local community to contribute and improve their well being. Additional Mini & Youth Statements Has an RFU trained Safeguarding Officer who follows RFU CRB requirements and ensures the club has a safeguarding policy The club Safeguarding Officer has been on relevant courses and is currently implementing a safeguarding policy. A handbook is issued to parents stating policy as well as the handbook available on the website Provides an appropriate number of coaches and volunteers who have undertaken safeguarding training in line with RFU recommendations and size of the club Manages an up to date record of Currently we are growing our mini section and have up to 10 children. Our head coach has attended the Rugby ready course and aims to attain Level 1 within six months ready for the 2013/14 season The club maintains a complete membership record containing all relevant details using a
parent/carer contact details Provides coaches / managers with relevant up to date medical information of all players secure excel database only accessed by the club safeguarding officer. All members disclose any relevant medical issues on the membership form. That data is provided to coaches and first aiders that will be responsible for that particular child/young adult. Meets the needs of parents/carers by providing regular and appropriate communication utilising modern methods of communication Operates a pricing policy that allows all members who wish to play with an opportunity to do so, ensuring families are catered for appropriately The club maintains correspondence with members and parents/carers using email, the club website, and text message. The club also has a facebook page; www.facebook.com/oldculverhaysiansrfc and a twitter account; @Culverhaysians The club has a very affordable family membership at just 20.00 per year which also includes a playing shirt for the child and family membership to Old Culverhaysians RFC. This we believe to be very competitive and accessible for most if not all families Additional Women & Girls Statements Manages an up to date records of female player registrations complying with statutory requirements of the RFU Meets the needs of female players by providing regular, relevant and enjoyable competition whilst also signposting those talented players towards the player development pathway Has appropriately qualified coaches with recommended coach/player ratios for all female teams Has secured regular access to appropriate facilities to meet female players needs Key Actions Plan: 1) Increase the number of First Aid Qualified members within the club. Summer 2013 2) Increase the number of qualified referees Summer 2013 3) Clubhouse and Carpark refurbishment Summer 2015 4)
Club Name Club Contact Name Old Culverhaysians RFC Wayne Miller I confirm that the club named above has provided all the necessary evidence and an appropriate Key Actions Plan for RFU Club Accreditation Date Signature RDO Name I confirm that the club has undertaken the RFU Club Accreditation Date sent to Twickenham Signature The England Rose is an official trademark of the Rugby Football Union and is the subject of extensive trade mark registration worldwide. Rugby Football Union (RFU), the national governing body of the game in England. Copyright Rugby Football Union. Published in 2012.