HQ News
MEET THE TEAM AT RHINO RUGBY
If you and your clubmates are coming down to watch England play Australia, Argentina or New Zealand in November or the Baa Baas against the All Blacks on December 5th then join Rhino for a chat and a drink before the game, check out their factory shop for bargains, including Lions memorabilia, and buy on the spot? Rhino Rugby is a close neighbour of England Rugby as well its Official Supplier of scrummaging machines, contact and training equipment – their full product offering, including the Andrew Sheridan Strongman Range of strength and conditioning equipment and mobile floodlighting, will be on display on these match days and the Rhino team will be there to answer any questions. A good way to mix business with pleasure on your trip to Twickenham. Rhino are based at 7 Power Road, W4 5PY at the junction of the A4 and the North Circular – open 10am til 1pm on the days of all the above games, with parking available. Give notice if you can on sales@rhinorugby.com or 0208 995 5965 or just call in on the day. Further details are also available on the Rhino Rugby Facebook page.
England Operations Manager
Gavin Dovey has become the new England Team Operations Manager, taking over from Rob Burgess, who has returned to Gloucester Rugby as Head of Rugby Operations. Dovey, 27, will be responsible for planning and implementing all of the England squad’s logistics, administration and travel. He has spent the last three years working at Twickenham as the RFU’s Anti-Doping Officer. Dovey’s anti-doping role goes to Simon Bowden, who joins the RFU having worked for UK Sport on their governing body support programme and anti-doping management.
Xafinity sponsor home of England rugby legends
The RFU has announced that Xafinity, one of the UK’s leading specialist providers of pension, employee benefits and payments expertise will be sole sponsor of The England Rugby Internationals Club (ERIC) at Twickenham Stadium for the next four seasons. The England Rugby Internationals Club (ERIC) at Twickenham Stadium – its walls lined with pictures of some of the 450 who have worn the England shirt – provides a unique entertaining opportunity for Xafinity’s clients and staff. Xafinity’s sponsorship of the ERIC Room is an association which brings them closer to rugby union’s core values of teamwork, discipline, respect, sportsmanship and enjoyment – values which are never far away in their business environment. Bill Treadwell, England and Wasps hooker in the 1960s and now Honorary Secretary of the ERIC, as well as being the RFU’s dental surgeon said,“We are delighted to be associated with Xafinity. The ERIC Room has a unique atmosphere, with up to 300 former players and guests meeting up at Test matches and inviting guests who have played international rugby across the globe.” Paul Bingham, Managing Director of Xafinity Paymaster said,“It’s an honour to be sponsoring this prestigious ‘club’ of former England internationals. We’re greatly looking forward to the next four years of our association with England Rugby as we host clients and staff in this totally unique environment steeped in rugby history.” Xafinity’s sponsorship will also allow the ERIC to continue to help charity organisations like the Wooden Spoon, inviting disabled and disadvantaged children for lunch at events like the Emirates Airline London Sevens and the Middlesex Sevens.
Countdown to Nomura Varsity Match
Jessica Chambers
The countdown has begun as Oxford prepare to take on Cambridge in this year’s Nomura Varsity Match at Twickenham Stadium (December 10, 2.00pm). With Cambridge currently leading Oxford by 60 wins to 53 and 14 matches drawn, Oxford have all to play for as they aim to win for a second successive year and settle a 128 year feud in 80 minutes. The annual Varsity Match, sponsored by Nomura, the pre-eminent Asian-based investment bank, is always fiercely competitive and this year is no exception with Australian international (52 caps) Dan Vickerman leading for Cambridge and former England U16 hooker Dan Rosen taking charge of Oxford. Tickets start from £20.00 (£10.00 for students with a valid NUS card) available online from varsitymatch.org or by calling Ticketmaster on 0844 847 2492.
Blackmarket Tackled
Dave Barton
The Rugby Football Union has imposed sanctions on 41 clubs, constituent bodies, schools and individuals found to have contravened the 2009 RBS 6 Nations ticket terms and conditions for matches at Twickenham Stadium. The measures form part of the Union’s continued strategic plan objective to reduce the number of tickets sold on the black market and brings the number of sanctions handed out in the past two years to 211, ranging from a suspended 10 per cent reduction in entitlement to a four year total ticket ban. RFU Business Operations Director Paul Vaughan said: “The fact that we have now imposed over 200 sanctions shows our commitment to reducing the number of tickets reaching the black market. We remain determined to take action against those who breach our ticketing terms and conditions by reselling them to unauthorised operators or even advertising tickets for resale.” The RFU’s ticket terms and conditions allow member clubs to sell allocated tickets on to official licensed operators only (see notes to desks). The sanctions, applicable from September 1, for misuse (including sale on auction websites like eBay or other ticket exchanges) are decided on an individual basis and are judged against the severity of the case in terms of the number of tickets, how they got onto the black market, the steps taken by the club to prevent misuse and whether or not they have offended before.
1.Clubs/Constituent Bodies
(a) Blaydon RFC received a 25% loss of allocation for 1 year.
(b) The following Clubs received a 25% loss of allocation but with 15% suspended for 1 year and the total loss suspended for the second year: This means that if there is no further breach within this one year period, the clubs will not receive a loss of allocation but if any further breach is committed, this loss of allocation will apply together with the further sanction imposed by the RFU for the second breach.
(i) Bristol RFC
(ii) Gloucestershire RFU
(iii) Sedgley Park RUFC
(c) The following Clubs received a 25% loss of allocation but with 10% suspended for 1 year and the total loss suspended for the second year:
(i) Battersea Ironside RFC
(ii) Belper RUFC
(iii) Newbold on Avon RFC
(iv) North Bristol RFC
(v) Oakmeadians RFC
(vi) Skipton RFC
(vii) Southwold RFC
(viii) Topsham RFC
(ix) Twickenham RFC
(d) Camberley RFC received a 10% loss of allocation for 2 years but the second year will be suspended.
(e) The following Clubs received a 10% loss of allocation but suspended for 2 years:
(i) Bedford Swifts RFC
(ii) Bolton RFC
(iii) Bradford & Bingley RUFC
(iv) Bridgnorth RFC
(v) Bury St Edmonds RFC
(vi) Chobham RFC
(vii) Clifton RFC
(viii) Consett & District RFC
(ix) Dunstablians RFC
(x) Durham County RFU
(xi) Grasshoppers RFC
(xii) London Irish RFC
(xiii) Mill Hill RFC
(xiv) Sheffield RFC
(xv) Stow on the Wold RFC
(xvi) Wellingborough RFC
(xvii) Worth Old Boys
2. Schools
(a) Bearwood College received a loss of their allocation for 1 year.
(b) Malbank School received a loss of their allocation, suspended for 2 years.
(c) High Arcal School received a loss of their allocation for 2 years, but with the second year suspended.
(d) Reigate Grammar School received a loss of allocation for 1 year, but suspended for 2 years.
3. Universities
Cambridge University RUFC and the University of Liverpool received a 25% loss of allocation but with 10% suspended for 1 year and the total loss suspended for the second year.
4. Debenture Holders
(a) Mr Laurence Delany received a loss of 2 debentures for 2 years.
(b) Mr James Chapman-Andrews and Mr Matt Prodger both received a loss of 2 debentures for 1 year, but suspended for 2 years.
5. Other
Mr James Haskell received a loss of allocation for three matches and a further loss of allocation until May 10, 2010 which was suspended.
In order to reduce the number of tickets sold on the black market and protect rugby fans from unscrupulous dealers, RFU affiliated clubs may only sell tickets to official operators – Mike Burton Corporate Hospitality Ltd, Events International, Eventmasters, Lucid Events, Tigers Events, Twickenham Experience Ltd and National Sporting Club. These operators pay the RFU royalties that are put back into the sport. Clubs are not allowed to sell tickets to any other operator.
If ticketholders are unable to make it to the match, the returns policy enables them to get a refund if returning their tickets at least 48 hours before a match. These returned tickets are then passed on to genuine supporters via ERSC, the England Rugby Supporters Club.
Press Pack Down
Richard Prescott
The Elite Rugby Department recently gave the media a look at some key elements of their day to day operation. It’s the third time the department, under Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew, has opened its doors to the media and brought a record turnout. “The feedback has been excellent.” said Rob Andrew, who introduced and hosted the day. “The aim was to give the media a broad understanding of what happens in the department and its wide range of activities. We took them through our match day analysis, training and preparation and the psychology expertise we employ for the England U18 and U20 squads.” The media were shown the video analysis system used by coaches and the process of reviewing both their own players and the opposition. Former England international John Hall, now Head of Data Analysis, showed how each part of a player’s game can be studied and reviewed with information then passed on to players in the Senior Elite Player Squad, Saxons, U20s, U18s and Sevens. England Team Manager Martin Johnson also explained the data’s usefulness as part of preparations for the Investec Challenge internationals in November. Head of Elite Player Development and England Saxons Head Coach Stuart Lancaster, England Fitness Coach Paul Stridgeon and Simon Worsnop (National Academy Fitness Coach) took the press through some training and fitness programmes with several volunteers involved in a short, sharp and totally exhausting series of exercises designed to improve speed and power. The sets included squats, wrestling drills and power running on a treadmill. The press then met Matt Thombs the sports psychologist who has worked with England U18s and U20s. England U18s were unbeaten on their recent South Africa tour and throughout the 2008/09 season and the U20s reached their second successive IRB Junior World Championship final in June. Matt explained that his work was aimed at helping players’ mental toughness and leadership via gaining an insight into their personality and profile. All Elite Department staff took part in an informal Q&A and two lucky England Rugby Supporters Club competition winners met Martin Johnson and Rob Andrew.
VALUE ADDED
Simon Mills
England team manager Martin Johnson and former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio underlined the importance of promoting and protecting rugby’s Core Values in a This is Rugby film launched by the RFU this month. “Anyone who has ever played, supported or been involved with rugby will agree that it has a hugely positive effect on the lives that it touches,” said Johnson. “Its principles cannot be taken for granted. The Core Values that the sport is built on have to be embraced, communicated and lived in everything we say and do. We need to pass them on to the next generation. This is our duty and our responsibility to our sport.” Two years ago the RFU put together a task group to run an extensive consultation exercise. The Core Values project is the first time a sport has set out to define its value system in formal terms. The evidence assessed included written and oral testimonies, focus groups and an online survey. They identified TEAMWORK, RESPECT, ENJOYMENT, DISCIPLINE and SPORTSMANSHIP as the Core Values that underpin rugby union and recommended that their place at the heart of the game be vigorously promoted. Now the RFU, in partnership with Premier Rugby Limited (PRL) and the Professional Rugby Players Association (PRA), will work to promote the Core Values through the This is Rugby campaign to everyone involved in rugby from the England team to the grassroots game. It is supported by the International Rugby Board and closely linked to the IRB Playing Charter, the expression of the sport’s principles made by the game’s global governing body. For more information visit www.rfu.com
Supporters Get Gold Dust
England Rugby Supporters Club members are sending in requests by the thousand for their special ballot to obtain tickets to England international matches at Twickenham. Many were delighted to be able to buy tickets for the Investec Challenge autumn internationals. Said one happy supporter, “We are looking forward to a great day out at the England v Australia match. Yahoo!” Right now ERSC members are able to enter the ballot for the RBS 6 Nations matches against Wales and Ireland. This runs until Friday 13 November. With a mere £39 as the annual membership fee, the possibility of obtaining those gold dust tickets is only one of the advantages that goes with the package. There’s 10% discount for everything bought at the Rugby Store, either online or in store, significant discounts on England Rugby Travel supporters’ trips and exclusive competitions that provide prizes that money can’t buy. One prize that has just been won offers four members a visit to the England team hotel on a training day, getting to chat with members of the England management and watching England train, with the chance to meet players, have pictures taken and autographs signed. So, if you want to buy the perfect present for an England Rugby fan, you couldn’t do better than getting them signed up. All the benefits and details are available at rfu.com/FanZone
RFU welcomes rain tax intervention
Dave Barton
THE RFU welcomed the recent announcement that the government is going to intervene to stop Ofwat’s rain tax and introduce a sensible social water charging regime. Water companies will now be allowed to offer concessionary rates to charities and sports clubs. Thousands of groups including voluntary organisations, places of worship, football clubs and tennis clubs reacted angrily after a new “rainwater tax” introduced in April 2008 left them with crippling bills that forced them to cut back on their activities or face closure. The Scout Association, The Football Association, Lawn Tennis Association, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Rugby Football Union and the Church of England united in a fight against the tax. Nick Bunting, RFU Head of Public Affairs, said: “The news that the government will intervene to stop Ofwat’s rain tax and introduce a sensible social water charging regime will be welcomed by all community rugby clubs across England. We have all become increasingly frustrated by Ofwat’s failure to understand the damage and financial hardship their policies were causing to the clubs. “All the major sports have worked collectively with the government to resolve this matter. We will now be seeking assurances from all of the main political parties for wide ranging cross party support to make sure these measures become law in the Floods and Water Bill. We believe this is vital to protect the future of the rugby clubs which are the life blood of many local communities.” Chris Lilley, Treasurer of Penrith Rugby Club, said: “We fully welcome the news that DEFRA have recognised the contribution that sports clubs make to both their local communities and the health of all participants in sporting activities through this announcement which will remove one of the main financial concerns that we have.”
Best Licensed Sports Property
Pictured receiving the award RFU Licensing and Marketing Manager, Jane Barron
The Licensing Awards 2009 event last month at the Lancaster London Hotel in London saw England Rugby win the Best Licensed Sports Property award and named as runners up in the Best Written, Listening or Learning Range, for the RFU’s Mills & Boon rugby romantic novels series. The Licensing Awards celebrate the industry’s achievements and reward innovation and excellence in licensed product development, retailing treatment of licensed products and licensed properties across the full retail spectrum.
