Match Official Development Distribution List: RFRU Secretary Referee Society Secretaries Federation Secretaries Area Training Managers Match Official Panel Managers Introduction: Welcome to the 2 nd Match Official Development Send Out for the 2016-17 season, which is being distributed to coincide with the first RFRU Council Meeting and Conference, to be held on Sunday 6 th November 2016, themed on; The Changing Rugby Landscape, Winning the Future This is an exciting time for colleagues from around the country, to hear about the progress being made against the recommendations of the Match Official s Blueprint, but also from key speakers on the developments both inside and outside of our game. It also enables delegates to represent local views whilst engaging on a national basis, to share insights and seek opportunities for the benefit of the whole game, meaning, more rugby played more often by more people. During the past month we have been busy delivering the revised match official cpd offer, both in societies and clubs, focusing on the tackle to complement the delivery of Rugby Aware presentations around the country. To book a session contact your Area Training Manager or Match Official Development Officer. Our latest Whistle-Stop video on the tackle can be viewed at; Whistle-Stop Refereeing the Tackle The information in this send out is provided for you to please action, distribute or circulate to all match officials and the wider rugby community. Contact us at: matchofficials@rfu.com Yours in ref ing, Michael Michael D Patz RFU Match Official Development Manager
Friday 4 th November 2016 - Update No. 2/16-17 1 For Action World Rugby Clarifications in Law To: Secretaries / Chief Executive Officers of Unions and Regional Associations in Membership of World Rugby From: David Carrigy Head of Development & International Relations Re: World Rugby Executive Committee Decision At its Meeting held on October 3, 2016, the World Rugby Executive Committee acting in accordance with Bye-Law 12 agreed the following: Notice of Alterations to World Rugby Laws of the Game (1) Remove Law 3.12 (c) from the Laws of the Game Unless the temporary replacement becomes permanent, the temporary replacement is prohibited from taking penalty kicks at goal or conversion kicks. 1.1 Revised - Law 3.12 Temporary replacement - Head Injury Assessment If, at any point during a match, a player is concussed or has suspected concussion, that player must be immediately and permanently removed from the field of play. This is known as Recognise and Remove. In elite adult matches only, which have been approved in advance by World Rugby (pursuant to Regulations 10.1.4 and 10.1.5) for use of the Head Injury Assessment and this temporary replacement procedure, a player who is to have a Head Injury Assessment : Must leave the field of play; and Shall be temporarily replaced (even if all of the substitutes/replacements have been used). This is to allow for the assessment of a player where it is not immediately apparent if the player has concussion or suspected concussion and should be permanently removed from the field of play. Where such a player has been temporarily replaced: (a) If that player is not presented to a match official on the touchline within ten minutes (actual time) of leaving the field of play to undergo the Head Injury Assessment, the replacement will automatically become permanent and the replaced player is not allowed to return to the field of play. (b) If the temporary replacement takes place within the ten minutes before half-time, the replacement shall become permanent unless the replaced player returns to the field of play immediately at the start of the second-half. (c) The temporary replacement can be temporarily replaced if the player requires a Head Injury Assessment (even if all of the replacements have been used). (d) If the temporary replacement is ordered off the field for foul play, the replaced player shall not be allowed to return to the field of play, except in accordance with Law 3.5 (The Front Row Replacements and Substitutions) and Law 3.14 (Substituted Players Rejoining The Match), and only if the player has been medically cleared to do so and is presented to a match official on the touchline within ten minutes (actual time) of leaving the field of play to
undergo the Head Injury Assessment. (e) If the temporary replacement is cautioned and temporarily suspended, the replaced player is not permitted to return to the field of play until after the period of suspension, except in accordance with Law 3.5 (The Front Row Replacements and Substitutions) and Law 3.14 (Substituted Players Rejoining The Match), and only if the player has been medically cleared to do so and is presented to a match official on the touchline within ten minutes (actual time) of leaving the field of play to undergo the Head Injury Assessment. Should you have any questions in relation to law clarifications or application, please contact our dedicated e-mail service: Laws@rfu.com For action by - Society Training Officers to factor into training events and publication to all members 2 For Distribution Under 19 Commission The U19 commission has been set up to look at the rugby landscape for players aged 16-19. It will act as a review and listening group and will gather evidence from players and practitioners involved in the game to identify a set of key ingredients that must be implemented to take the 16 year old male player through to adult rugby. It will take evidence from those in the field, from other sports and experts in this area to help analyse the landscape. We are planning a series of events over the season that will be run as focus groups, consulting with different groups of stakeholders in stages: 2.1 Dates October November 2016 December February 2017 March April 2017 Groups to consult Rugby community Players, coaches, referees, clubs, schools, colleges, volunteers etc. External agencies/partners Other NGBs, Youth/Education bodies, Other nations, Non-Sport bodies etc. Rugby bodies Constituent Bodies, School Unions, Competition organisers etc. ACTION: We would like to hear from members of the referees societies during the October November sessions. Please reserve a place by using this link and travel expenses will be paid: Under 19 Focus Group Attendance Link Upcoming events are as follows (please use the following contact email addresses if any problems): Date and Time Location Respond to Tues 8 th November, 6-8pm Streatham Croydon RFC VincentThorne@RFU.com Thurs 10 th November, 6-8pm London (Venue TBC) DeeMurray@RFU.com Tuesday 22 nd November, 6-8pm Bristol (Venue TBC) StephanieGiles@RFU.com Tuesday 22 nd November, 6-8pm Midlands (Venue TBC) VincentThorne@RFU.com For immediate distribution to all members
2.2 Just visit http://www.englandrugby.com/rugbysafe/guides-and-faqs/ for a comprehensive A-Z of downloadable PDFs covering matters such as wearing protective equipment, the RFU Defib (AED) Scheme and first aid provision guidelines. For distribution to all members Injury Reporting 2.3 As part of our commitment to player safety, we have revised the injury report form which is also available on line at; England Rugby Injury Reporting A PDF has been included as an attachment to the e mail containing the send out. For distribution to all members 3 For Information 3.1 Club Benefits Guide For the information of all members
Perkins Slade Insurance 3.2 Perkins Slade are now the RFU brokers of Club Liability insurance: They are here to help members, clubs and staff work together to minimise risk and make sure rugby is safe - on and off the pitch - for everyone. Further information can be found here: England Rugby Insurance Hub For the information of all members