Tackle Height – Update January 27 2023
Update January 27th
Link: https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/rfu-statement-tackle-height
The RFU Board, Council and executive staff apologise for the anger and concern that has been created among the rugby community by announcing the decision to lower the tackle height from next season.
Rationale & evidence paper
Tackle height science presentation
In our desire to act quickly to reduce head impacts and concussions in the community game, which represents 99% of the rugby playing population in England, we have upset many of you who are the champions, volunteers, and ambassadors of our game. We fully acknowledge we got the engagement wrong, and we are truly sorry.
In making our decision we were aware that France have lowered the tackle height, New Zealand will be doing so and World Rugby supports this approach.
We, like the French, used the term “waist and below”; this has caused misunderstanding and confusion. We would now like the game to help us define how we describe a lower tackle height to reflect what the research is telling us in a way that is understood by all. Consequently, the risk of head injuries should be reduced if tackling below that optimum height. We will now begin a series of forums and workshops with players, coaches, match officials and volunteers, to explain and develop the details of the domestic law variation.
A large body of scientific evidence demonstrates the risk of head injury and concussion for players can be reduced by lowering the tackle height to prevent head on head contact. However, we also accept that the rugby community has other concerns that this change may bring and we need to listen, understand and respond to those concerns. We will start inviting players, coaches, match officials and volunteers to these forums from early next week, so that we can all work together.
Community Game update:
1. ACTION REQUIRED
RFU Council approves lowering of the tackle height across community rugby in England from 2023/24
To support player welfare, the RFU Council agreed on Monday 16th January to lower the height of the tackle across the community game(Adult & Age Grade) from 1st July 2023. Find out more information about the law change and what to expect, including training support in this piece.
Additional Letter from Mike Priestley
Dear Colleagues
You will no doubt have seen the media reports about RFU Council voting to support a Law Change to lower the tackle height in the Community Game. We of course were aware of this direction of travel and fully supportive of it through GDSC, Governance and CGB and we released a statement to that effect. Our Council Rep has been actively involved in the process from the start and will remain so.
We will discuss this in more detail at our RFRU Board meeting next week and will be able to engage further with our professional game colleagues to understand the timeline for rollout of training materials and any associated collateral.
Equally we are interested in the additional consequences of this introduction in terms of officiating the game. Clearly this is founded on the absolute principle of improving participant safety so it’s introduction is welcomed.
We will keep you updated and come back to you with more detail as soon as possible.
Best wishes,
Mike Priestley
Chair RFRU
Back to Community Update
Mandatory Player Registration 2023/24
From next season, all players, in all formats of the game (including non-contact), will be required to register to play rugby within RFU member clubs annually. More information on the benefits and next steps in this piece.
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The new year signals the restart of Age Grade Rugby in clubs, schools and colleges. This article contains reminders and actions for a few key elements to get your rugby back underway for the second half of the season.
2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST
Rugby World Cup 2025 Impact Programme – Facility fund closes 31st January
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Club Rugby Support Fund 2022/23
The Community Rugby Support Fund for 2022/23 is now live. As with last year, the purpose of this fund is to support voting member clubs, CBs and referee societies who are in greatest financial need. The claim window closes on 19th February.
Every Game Matters For A Chance To Play At Twickenham
As part of the RFU’s #PlayTogetherStayTogether campaign, every team participating in a men’s merit table/league or women’s national challenge league (including the Allianz Inner Warrior Series) now has the chance to play at Twickenham Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, 1 May, 2023. More details can be found in this piece.
Honda Volunteer of The Year Nominations Now Open
The Honda Volunteer of The Year Awards 2023 nominations are now open for the three categories; Game For All, Unsung Hero and Challenging Spirit. Nominate your amazing volunteers before Friday 24th February.
The National Rugby Survey
The National Rugby Survey 2023 will be live between 20 January until 17 February and will be shared via email and social media. The survey is targeted at anyone who has been involved with community rugby in the 2022/23 season in some way.
3. FOR AWARENESS
RFU Leagues & Papa Johns Community Cup update
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Submission Of Payment Of Player Declarations
Declarations of payment of players are due to be submitted between 1 March and 30 June 2023. Find out more in this piece.
Divisional U18s Programme returns in 2023
The RFU has confirmed the Divisional U18s programme – a culmination of matches played between the 28 Constituent Bodies – will return in 2023, providing a higher level of representative rugby and development opportunities for players, coaches and management.