Make a difference by joining the RFU’s National Youth Council

24 Mar 2025 | 3 min |

Make a difference by joining the RFU’s National Youth Council

For rugby union to thrive across England, it’s essential to listen to and act on the views of young people involved in the sport. The RFU’s National Youth Council (NYC) is recruiting four additional volunteers for next season to help shape the game’s future.

The NYC gives young people a voice in rugby’s decision-making process while providing meaningful opportunities to develop skills and expand their networks.

Members, aged 18 to 25*, contribute their perspectives on the game and actively participate in RFU sub-committees and working groups. They also help identify and develop projects that leave a lasting impact on the growth of rugby and youth representation.

This season, the NYC has worked with several Constituent Bodies to increase youth representation at the local level and attended RFU Council meetings, where they’ve had the opportunity to address key issues and influence the development of rugby.

Benjamin Furrer, Chair of the NYC, said: “The NYC has been a fantastic experience seeing different opinions and experiences come together. Chairing has helped me develop valuable leadership and communication skills which can be applied outside the NYC. It has also provided an insight into how a National Governing Body operates and seeing rugby from a different perspective.”

For the upcoming season, members will have opportunities to join the Game Development Sub-Committee or the Game Leadership Inclusion & Diversity Working Group. Additionally, there will be chances to lead on initiatives, such as creating new opportunities for young people in rugby and developing a social media strategy to raise awareness of the NYC. These roles provide a unique opportunity to contribute to the game’s growth while also enhancing your CV.

The NYC is looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in rugby. Ideal candidates will be creative, driven, and eager to take forward ideas and projects that influence change and leave a lasting legacy.

As an NYC member, you’ll take your volunteering to the next level by developing both personal and professional skills while working as part of a team.

What’s involved?

The role offers opportunities to:

Develop valuable skills
Work with a mentor
Shape the future of rugby

The NYC meets six times a year, with a mix of virtual and in-person meetings, alongside ongoing projects and sub-committee work. Members are expected to attend meetings and play an active role in project development and delivery.

All NYC roles are voluntary, but out-of-pocket expenses will be covered.

Interested?

If you or someone you know is passionate about rugby and providing a youth perspective, you can apply online.

Apply now

*As the term for the National Youth Council is two seasons, applicants should be aged 18-24 as of 1 September 2025.

At England Rugby, one of our core objectives is to ensure rugby union reflects the diversity of society. We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups to help us represent the game’s participants and benefit from diverse lived experiences.

Read the full role profiles for more information and for any questions, contact Stephanie Allmark, Volunteer Manager, at stephanieallmark@RFU.com.