Many colleges have male and female rugby teams playing regular, competitive matches against other colleges.
The RFU, in partnership with AoC Sport and England Colleges RFU, provides colleges with accessible competitions for all levels, from regional festivals to national championships.
Local clubs throughout England welcome college learners. To find your nearest one, please use the Club Finder.
Colleges Playing Offers
The benefits that sport and rugby union in particular can have on young people include social connections, confidence, character and physical skills. Rugby helps develop transferable skills within other sports, the classroom and the wider environment.
To help colleges play rugby we have developed playing offers to suit the needs of your learners.
| Resource Document | Video Link |
|---|---|
| College Offers | https://youtu.be/IydZzEQatP0 |
Rugby Union is a game for all and we’d encourage colleges to offer as wide a programme of rugby , including non-contact (The Touch Union), Reduced Contact (X Rugby) and full contact. To find out more on each of these formats please click on the links below:
The Touch Union: PDF, Videos and Training
X Rugby: PDF, Videos and Training
England Rugby Partner Colleges
England Rugby Partner College status will be open to all members of ECRFU, dependent on their ability to meet the minimum operating standards. All successful colleges will be expected to participate, contribute and work in collaboration with the RFU and ECRFU, acting as a flagship college, through promoting best practice, providing high quality player experiences on and off the field and providing a network for development colleges, supporting the growth, sustainability and transition of players through the college years. ECRFU Partner College Framework.
More details on the application process and programme to follow soon.
Training
| Rugby being delivered | Courses / eLearning |
|---|---|
| TAG rugby* | |
| The Touch Union non-contact |
Kids First TAG Rugby course – Face to Face course This face to face course will cover activities and Touch Union laws suitable for staff. |
| XRugby |
Kids First Contact course. This face to face course includes XRugby content XRugby – eLearning All Staff delivering XRugby rugby should have completed Headcase concussion module and either Kids First contact or equivalent. |
| Full contact rugby |
England Rugby Coaching Award course. This face to face course includes XRugby content All Staff delivering contact rugby should have completed Headcase concussion module and ERCA or equivalent |
| Refereeing full contact rugby |
Young Leaders
The England Rugby Young Leaders Award is designed to be delivered by college staff to learners. It can be delivered as a series of 1-hour lessons or as a full day. The resource is suitable for all learners to participate in and is designed to enable all college staff, including non-rugby specialists, to deliver.
Rugby Safe
Player safety and welfare is vitally important for everyone involved with rugby union. Rugby Safe is the RFU’s overarching player safety and welfare programme, putting player welfare at the heart of the game.
England Colleges RFU
The England Colleges Rugby Football Union (ECRFU) is the colleges arm of the RFU with around 100 member colleges.
ECRFU play a key role in the running, support and development of the college game, membership is free and includes the following:
- Entry to England International ticket ballots
- Access to ECRFU funding and equipment grants
- Invitation to ECRFU conferences and events and selected RFU offers
- Development support and resources for college rugby programmes
- The ECRFU termly College Memo for up-to-date tools and guidance
For further details please contact the ECRFU at ECRFUhonsec@rfu.com
School & Rugby Club Links
A club link is an agreement between a college and a local club to work together to develop the very best sport opportunities for young people. Our club link guide provides practical advice on developing a link and working together in the best interests of the player.
Regulations
For the rules of play for each age group and to find regulation around playing up and down, or combining year groups, please visit Regulation 15 and the Age Grade Codes of Practice.
Curriculum Resources
The RFU has created a programme to help education institutions share the values in a classroom setting and work with their learners for their future.
The government's Common Inspection Framework (CIF) personal development, behaviour and welfare education is served by this England Rugby programme.
These lesson plans will develop a learner’s transferable skills and core values which are as essential to the learner’s employability in line with the Ofsted criteria.
Rugby Tours
A college tour can improve team spirit and identity and provides a rare opportunity for everyone to get to know each other better and to establish friendships at home and abroad which can last a lifetime.
The RFU issues general advice, and specific guidelines for schools and colleges on the tours area, together with checklists and information. Click here.
