Click here to view task group terms of reference

Fill out the Adult Male Competitions Structure survey here - In order to allow further views to be captured the survey will remain open until Friday 6th March - when the next phase of face to face consultation begins.

What work has been carried out?

Included in the work to date has been evidence gathered from desk research, Electronic Matchcards, National Rugby Survey, teams and matches data from the RFU Game Management System, the use of case studies within rugby and from other sports (cricket and hockey), game feedback, surveys, listening panels and using historical and current knowledge from within and outside the task Group.

The Group Work Programme

• The Group has met six times since September 2019
• 12 Listening Panels were held across the country to get direct feedback on specific areas of the Groups work to date including players, coaches/DoRs, club and CB officials and competitions organisers, these were informal insight gathering sessions only and not wide socialization / consultation
• The Group has provided regular progress updates to the RFU Community Game Board and Competitions sub-committees

Why is change needed?

1. Data over the past 3 seasons has shown that players are choosing to play approximately 15 games on average a season (across all levels/regions). However, the majority of leagues require teams to play well in excess of this number. Among other issues this over supply of fixtures leads to:

• Less players are opting to play the majority of games within a season through lifestyle choice, thus;
• More players are needed to complete a 1st XV season
• As more players are needed to complete a 1st XV season pressure is placed on club lower XV’s leading to increased walkovers
• Player burn-out – the season becomes a ‘slog’ of hard league matches and the implications are this could lead to players leaving the game earlier, or less players playing in Vets teams, less volunteers, coaches and administrators.

2. The Group has looked at a number of options for future league structures that meet the current and future needs of players.

3. The key criteria in evaluating any proposed changes to the league structure were categorised, as follows:

• Player welfare
• Time and distance involved in playing fixtures
• Quality of player experience and the integrity of the competition
• Finances and sustainability of participating clubs

4. Initial work has focused on restructuring the leagues by reducing the amount of fixtures required to complete the season, and travel time to/from matches, whilst still providing a full fixture list for clubs.

5. The fixture schedule would create specific gaps in the season for ‘rest’ and not be categorised as ‘reserve’ weekends although it is acknowledged that in exceptional adverse weather conditions the ‘rest’ weekends may be required to play games on.  It is important that the dates allocated assist with player availability and maximise local derby opportunities.