Congratulations – Trafford MV RFCC has been selected to take part in a survey of Rugby Players commissioned by the RFU as part of the Adult Competition Review.

The purpose of the review is to ensure that the RFU is providing the rugby product that players, administrators, club members and match officials want. The current league structure has been in place for 25 years and this review is designed to ensure that the changes during this time to players’ lifestyles and the environment in which the game operates are reflected.

The purpose of this particular survey is to obtain players’ views on the competition structure and how it might be improved for the benefit of all players in the future. This is a genuinely open process and it is important that we gain honest feedback in order to ensure the competition structure accurately reflects the needs of players. Please be aware that this survey is only intended to represent the views of players. We will be conducting other consultation exercises with other stakeholders, including clubs in the near future.

The survey is being conducted online by FreshMinds, an independent research company selected by the RFU. It is our job to make sure that your views are properly represented and that there is no bias in who is selected to take part.

As the Honorary Club Secretary at one of the selected clubs, we would like to ask you to distribute the survey to your playing members who are over 18. We will send you a link to the online survey at the beginning of August.

In addition to contributing to the future development of the game, players who complete the survey will have the chance to win one of the following prizes:

> 2 x places at the annual RFU prize winners day (watch the England team train at the training camp venue, meet the players and get autographs)

> 4 x tickets to QBE International, England v Fiji

> Nike kit (quantity TBC depending on your requirements)

> 1 x signed England Rugby ball

> 6 bottles of Wolf Blass

We would like to reassure you that we are an independent market research organisation registered under the Data Protection Act to hold confidential information. The data collected will be aggregated and anonymised so that no one will have access to either personal details, or individual comments. There will not be any follow up contact as a result of this survey.

If for any reason, you are not prepared to take part, we would be very grateful if you could let us know so that we can replace you with another club. You can contact us on rugbycompetition@freshminds.co.uk.

If you require further evidence of the genuine nature of this survey please call Claire Purchase at FreshMinds Research on +44 (0) 20 7611 1039 or Isobel Colchester on +44 (0) 20 7611 1041.

The survey is designed to help the RFU determine policy going forward, and by participating, your club will play an important part in this. We would therefore be extremely grateful if you could support us with this process. We are keen to ensure the views of your players are heard!

Yours sincerely,

The FreshMinds Team and John Douglas (RFU Chair of the Review)