The new season is set to start as normal for the whole community game with the RFU announcement that clubs can re-instate scrums and mauls in training from Monday 19 July and in matches from Saturday 7 August. The new season is set to start as normal for the whole community game.

Clubs and players will be able to return to full contact rugby. As always, player welfare is the main priority and the return to scrums and mauls will be managed as safely as possible in accordance with the step-by-step plan published by the RFU.

 

The Adult Game

When can clubs return to full contact rugby? (10s and 15-a-side)

We have carefully considered the preparation period required after a long lay-off. We have taken advice from medics, coaches, directors of rugby and players within the community game to create the below pathway:

Adult Rugby

The updated rugby roadmap for adult rugby is here.

Monday 19 July

Scrums and mauls can be re-instated in training only.

A minimum 3-week preparation period of training sessions follows ahead of match play.

Coaches are reminded that they are responsible for working with all players to assess their physical readiness and technical competence before returning to scrummaging. Players may be at different levels of fitness and conditioning. See below guidance for returning to scrummaging safely.

Coaches must be satisfied that players have undertaken sufficient technical preparation, skill refinement and reconditioning work before returning to full contact match play.

Internal training games are allowed between Monday 19 July and Saturday 7 August. Training games should include an incremental approach to scrummaging and coaches should rotate players every 20 minutes. Clubs should not return to match intensity full contact 15 a-side training games immediately.

Saturday 7 August

Full contact 15-a-side and 10-a-side rugby matches, with scrums and mauls, may resume against other clubs from, and not before, Saturday 7 August.

It is the choice of clubs and players whether they wish to compete in full contact matches from Saturday 7 August. There is no pressure to do so.

Teams that do not yet feel ready for full contact 15s have the option of playing 7s, 10s, XRugby or 15-a-side rugby with uncontested scrums.

Saturday 4 September

Full contact 15-a-side league rugby commences for Men’s Levels 3 and 4, and for 14-team men’s leagues in Levels 5 and below.

Saturday 18 September

Full contact 15-a-side league rugby commences for 12 and 10 league men’s teams in London & SE.

Saturday 25 September

Full contact 15-a-side league rugby commences for 12 and 10 league men’s teams in North, Midlands & SW.

25/26 September

Full contact 15-a-side- rugby commences for majority of women’s competitions.

 

Youth Rugby

The Age Grade Summer Activity Framework remains in place for the June to August off-season period.

After the disruptions of the pandemic, this enables players to continue to re-engage with rugby throughout the summer months if they wish, and to safely build their readiness to play full contact rugby from Saturday 4 September.

To support this, the Summer Activity Framework already includes provision for friendly matches to be played under adapted contact laws during August. These can start from 7 August, following a period of development in training sessions from Monday 19 July.

This enables scrums and mauls to be reintroduced in a controlled way in friendlies and helps players who have not yet played them, particularly at U14-U16, the chance to experience these key elements of full contact rugby.

More detailed communication will follow on adapted contact laws for Age Grade friendlies.

Monday 19 July

From Monday 19 July, scrum and maul progressions can be included in the defined training times shown in the framework.

XRugby can continue to be played through the rest of July in friendlies (without scrum or mauls).

Saturday 7 August – Saturday 4 September

Adapted contact laws may begin in Age Grade friendlies from Saturday 7 August.

XRugby and non-contact can also continue in friendly matches.

Saturday 4 September

Full contact 15-a-side matches permitted.

Timings for RFU national age grade competitions remain as previously communicated:

W/c 13 Sept – U18s Schools Cup
W/c 27 Sept – U15s Schools Cup
W/c 4 Oct – U18 Boys Age Grade Cup
W/c 11 Oct- U18s/U15s Girls Age Grade Cup

Hammers Ladies would like to enhance their current coaching set up by recruiting a Backs Coach to help deliver the teams’ objective of securing promotion to Championship South for our 1^st XV and supporting our 2^nd XV in their progress up the leagues.

 

Who are we?

Hammersmith & Fulham Ladies were formed in 2003 and have grown to become an experienced squad with a first team who were Championship South East 2 winners in the 2019/20 season, and a 2^nd XV who in their first full season topped their Inner Warrior League. The squad is a part of Hammersmith & Fulham RFC (‘the Hammers’) which is one of London’s largest and most successful amateur Rugby clubs, with an ethos of playing high-level rugby, an inclusive and welcoming culture and a renowned social scene.

Hammersmith and Fulham Ladies RFC is more than just a Rugby club, it’s a home, and we’re looking for a passionate, self-motivated and enthusiastic Backs Coach to be part of it.

 

Who are we looking for?

 Backed by the established coaching team of Paul Phillips and Andy Barrington, our Ladies squads are ready to take on their new challenges. Whether it is our 1st XV aiming to defend their league title and obtain promotion to Championship South or our 2nd XV looking to flourish in National Challenge 2, we are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Backs Coach to join us for the 2020-21 season and beyond. Working in conjunction with the current coaching team and supported by the Captains of the Ladies teams, as well as the Ladies Committee, we would look to the Backs Coach to support the creation of a challenging and supporting environment for both experienced and new players.

They would be expected to:

• Contribute to the planning and delivering of training sessions twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7.30-9pm) during the season (August to April), availability for pre-season/summer training can be discussed
• Assist the Head Coach with match day squad selection
• Support the squad on match days (Sundays), both home and away

The ideal coach would have:

• Minimum of Level 2 coaching qualification, though those with RFU Rugby Ready and CPD Scrum Factory will be considered
• Experience as a backs coach
• Experience of coaching women’s rugby
• Have a genuine interest in being a part of the squad and a passion for player development and to help progress and promote women’s rugby

Where are we?

From our home base in Fulham’s Hurlingham Park, we are very close to some of London’s most vibrant and youthful suburbs and nightlife locations and are well-served by public transport. Applicants who work in London will find us especially convenient.

 

Position:          Backs Coach

Section:            Ladies

Contract Type: Voluntary

 

If you are an energetic, ambitious coach with a love of rugby and are looking for a friendly club with an ethos of success we want to hear from you.

For more information please contact our Ladies Director, Sophie Tauchert by 30September 2020

Email: hfrfcladiesdirector@gmail.com

The RFU has announced that its Return to Community Rugby Roadmap has been updated from Stage C to STAGE D which means that clubs are now able to recommence a small amount of contact rugby – limited to no more than 15 minutes per 75 minute session.

Clubs must continue to follow government Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidelines, along with any local government lockdown restrictions that may be introduced.

The RFU has produced detailed guidance for Clubs which is available on the England Rugby website www.englandrugby.com/dxdam/04/047966b8-78b5-42a6-b106-81c5899443f0/Restarting-competitive-grassroots_VF.pdf

The return will initially be through non-contact rugby focused on Ready4Rugby, a specifically designed new non-contact game, enabling two teams of up to 10 players to engage in training and match activity in their own club environment. Subject to satisfactory operation through August the RFU hope to be able to move to inter-club Ready4Rugby in September.

Further details about Ready4Rugby can be found on the England Rugby website www.englandrugby.com/participation/playing/game-on/ready-4-rugby

Andrew Barrington will continue to ensure that Hammersmith & Fulham RFC remains compliant with the RFU and Government guidelines and will advise on changes to adult training in due course.