Rugby Football Union - Rugby Landscape

Rugby Landscape


	John Owen "Competitions are the lifeblood of the sport"

September 24, 2008

Building a sustainable game for the future - Have your say!

The consequential impact of the termination of the sponsorship agreement in relation to the EDF Anglo Welsh Cup and the National Cups together with the likely changes to FDR at the end of the 2008/09 season will require modifications to the existing competition structure for levels 3 and below. It is an opportunity for our clubs to consider their playing structure to ensure it delivers club sustainability and a competitive playing environment. It is imperative therefore that the RFU develops proposals in consultation with its member clubs that could take effect from the start of season 2009/10 or other agreed start date.

The RFU Management Board appointed John Owen, Senior Vice-President, to chair a Task Group that would investigate the fundamental issues and prepare a report and recommendations for the RFU Council for possible implementation in season 2009-10.

Representatives from a broad spectrum of the game were invited to attend a Stakeholder Forum at the Capgemini ASE (Accelerated Solutions Environment) in Woking on the 6th/7th September 2008. They played a full part in the ASE process, enabling some key recommendations to be presented to clubs at a series of Roadshows in September and early October 2008. To assist their decision making, delegates received details of the online survey from which over 7500 responses were analysed.

These can be summarised as follows:

Levels 3 & 4 National 2, 3N & 3S to increase from 14 to 16 clubs.
Likely to become National 1 and National 2 North and South.
Levels 5 & 6 to increase from 12 to 14 clubs
Level 5 to be regarded as National Clubs e.g. National 3 London. There will be some flexibility at level 6 if any particular league or division wishes to remain at 12 clubs, although they should bear in mind the likely loss of cup fixtures.
Demise of the National Trophy and Intermediate Cup
To be replaced by an end of season mini KO of 4-8 clubs at the top of the leagues to produce a Level 5 Champion Club, a Level 6 Champion club with the finals at Twickenham. This may be extended to include a Level 4 champion club.
Level 7 and below remains largely unchanged with more local autonomy regarding league sizes.
National Senior Vase (levels 7 & 8) and Junior Vase (Level 9 & below) to continue.

The rationale behind these changes is to put in place a league programme and structured season that will deliver regular ‘home’ matches for clubs at Levels 3-6. This is important for clubs’ sustainability, quality of competitions and player retention.

At Level 7 and below, the same issues arise but it is felt that a solution that ensures ‘local solutions meet local needs’ is more sustainable. Clubs will be encouraged to work with their Divisional Organizing Committees to bring about the best solutions, ideally for implementation in Season 2009/10.

It is intended to put these recommendations before the RFU Management Board on 29 October and RFU Council for approval on 14h November 2008.

Said John Owen, “I am most grateful to everyone who has contributed to this process. Competitions are the lifeblood of the sport and it is in everyone’s interest that we deliver an agreed final competitions structure as soon as possible.”

A full presentation to the game has been given on the Rugby Landscape roadshow.

You are encouraged to view view the Roadshow presentation by clicking here and then submitting your comments to rugbylandscape@therfu.com