CLUB SUCCESSFULLY RECERTIFIES ITS RFU ACCREDITATION

“We now have over 600 clubs accredited under the new RFU Accreditation Scheme that was launched in 2012. We had to ensure that the new system was simpler for clubs than the previous Seal of Approval procedure, which ended with the launch of the new RFU Acc” Dave Stubley, Club Management & Volunteer Manager:

Club rugby lies at the heart of rugby in England. It is where the game is played in huge numbers and it is the environment that the RFU Development Department is committed to supporting by ‘strengthening clubs and growing the game in the communities around them’.

Part of this commitment is to introduce a new Club Accreditation scheme that will help all club sections to become stronger, more effective, more efficient and more enjoyable places in which to play rugby. Unlike other accreditation schemes, this one provides a framework for a club to show what it is doing, how it does it, and where it can improve.

The RFU hopes that clubs will be both challenged by the process and enjoy it. It will allow clubs to exhibit all that is good about rugby in their adult sections, mini and youth, women and girls and touch rugby, while demonstrating that this is all achieved in a friendly, welcoming environment.

The Club Accreditation scheme is based upon the six Key Drivers identified as crucial to a strong club:

• Retaining & Developing Players
• Recruiting New Players
• Recruiting & Retaining High Quality Coaches, Volunteers & Referees
• Effective & Efficient Facilities
• Effective & Efficient Management and Governance
• Integration with the Local Community

Each of these Key Drivers, together with the Core Values of the game, is represented within the Club Accreditation scheme and together they represent the component parts of a strong, sustainable club.

Club Accreditation brings many advantages for Winchester, including the Sport England Clubmark for our mini and youth section. It will gives the club credibility with local authorities and educational establishments and confer the status of the RFU brand to attract potential sponsors.

We will also have the opportunity to celebrate our accreditation locally with our RDO Kieran Spencer and Hampshire RFU on our Community day on 5th September.

The RFU will also publish the list of accredited clubs bi-monthly throughout the year in Touchline and on rfu.com.

A Way of Life

Winchester will be expected to undertake an annual self review as part of the accreditation process with a more formal review with our RFU RDO every two years. This process will form part of the club’s annual development planning process.

Updated 11:15 - 2 Sep 2019 by Brian Challis