Date of Issue:
21 September 2022 |
|
| In this week's Club Communications we bring you news on the appointment of Professor Lorne Crerar CBE as the Interm Chair of Scottish Rugby Union, plus an update on the Men's National Division 4 league. In addition, you'll find important operational reminders regarding player welfare, Player Payment Declaration Forms, and we bring you information on how to access the new Clean Sport anti-doping education module. |
| Professor Lorne Crerar CBE to become Interim Chair of Scottish Rugby Union |
Professor Lorne Crerar CBE will become the Interim Chair of the new Scottish Rugby Union (A Company Limited by Guarantee), as part of the governance reforms presented in June 2022, if the final documentation implementing those reforms is approved at a Special General Meeting next week.
Professor Crerar was appointed as the independent chair of the Standing Committee on Governance (SCOG) of the Scottish Rugby Union Council in January 2022, succeeding Gavin MacColl KC, and completed an on-going review of the governance of Scottish Rugby in May of this year.
A Special General Meeting, scheduled for 28 September, will see a motion presented to the Union’s members to approve documentation for the new governance structure, based on the Standing Committee’s recommendations.
These were initially approved by an overwhelming majority of the members of Scottish Rugby Union, primarily the clubs, at a previous Special General Meeting in June. As part of the new governance structure, the new company, limited by guarantee, will own the organisation’s main operating vehicle and oversee its activities, and will also provide a reporting function to the organisation’s members.
As Interim Chair, Professor Crerar will work alongside seven other “Custodians” who will make up the new company’s board. If the motion is passed, he will be in post from 1st November 2022, for a period of 12 months.
Scottish Rugby President, Colin Rigby said: “It gives me great pleasure in informing the membership of Lorne’s proposed appointment, which will bring clarity around the transition to the proposed new governance structure and its future implementation, if passed by the membership on 28 September.
“Lorne’s long history in governance and leadership coupled with his experience in rugby union makes him an ideal person for this role. I look forward to working closely with Lorne to make a positive impact for all stakeholders, including clubs, our people and society.”
Professor Lorne Crerar CBE said: “As Interim Chair, it is an immense privilege to be asked to take on this role and responsibility. This is a crucial period for our game, which requires everyone involved to be working together, collaboratively and constructively, as we continue to deliver positive changes in a thoughtful and beneficial way for all.
“I have been very fortunate that rugby has provided me with many opportunities, which have helped shape my outlook on life and work. I am looking forward to working with my fellow Custodians, and the rugby community.” |
| Scottish Rugby launches state school strategy to increase youth participation |
Scottish Rugby has today published its strategic approach to support rugby communities deliver a thriving and vibrant state school game over the next six-years.
Led by the Rugby Development department, the strategy aims to increase the volume of rugby activity for school pupils in Scotland, with greater diversity of players, whilst also improving the quality of game play. The strategy also aims to provide stronger links to clubs in both player and volunteer retention.
To find out more, click HERE. |
| Men's National Division 4 update |
Scottish Rugby has confirmed the National Competition Rules (NCRs) for National League Division 4 which will be implemented into the men’s competition for Season 2023/24. The agreed NCRs listed below have been viewed by Board and Council.
The additional National league was proposed by Orkney at Scottish Rugby’s Annual General Meeting Part 1 in August and received backing from clubs via vote.From next season, the National competition structure will include one Premiership of ten teams and four National Leagues of ten teams, in contrast to this season’s structure which includes one Premiership of ten teams and three National Leagues of 12 teams.
In order to achieve the structure voted for at AGM Part 1, the Championship Committee met to determine how the positions in National League Division 4 would be decided.
Their decision is:
- The Teams finishing in seventh to twelfth places in National League Division 3 shall be relegated to National League Division 4.
- The Team finishing in first place in each of the Regional Division 1 Leagues shall be promoted to National League Division 4.The three teams finishing in second place in each of the Regional Division 1 Leagues shall play in a Play-Off Semi-Final with one team receiving a bye to the Final (to be drawn by the Championship Committee). The winner of the Semi-Final shall progress to the Final and the winner of the Final shall be promoted to National League Division 4.
|
|
|
|
| Player Payment Declaration - deadline tomorrow! |
|
All players coming in from another Union (even the RFU, WRU or IRFU) require International Clearance before they can play.
If your club has any players coming in for the new season, please allow sufficient time to ensure that the Clearance process can be completed prior to the player’s first game.
To read more about the Incoming Player Clearance process please click HERE. |
|
Member clubs have just ONE day left to submit their signed Annual Declaration Form, in accordance with SDR 4.1.
Alongside a signed copy of the Annual Declaration Form, all member clubs providing player benefits must also provide an Annual Listing of Player Benefits.
The Declaration and Player Listing Forms for season 2021/22 cover the period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.
The forms for this MUST be submitted by 21 September and should be submitted by ALL members clubs by tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September.
For more information and to view the forms, click HERE. |
|
| Clean Sport anti-doping education module |
Within Scottish Rugby we take Clean Sport very serious with all our players and staff promoting the Clean Sport values.
To continue promoting the Clean Sport message, Scottish Rugby in collaboration with World Rugby has launched a Clean Sport anti-doping education module.
The module will provide all players and their support staff within our clubs and schools with a way of educating themselves on the key topic within anti-doping and help protect themselves from making a bad decision.
We would advise everyone within our schools and clubs to head over to the SCRUMS, click on ‘Browse Courses’ in the E-Learning section, and click on the ‘Clean Sport’ icon to complete the module and help promote Clean Sport within Scottish rugby. |
| Welfare Reminder: If In Doubt, Sit Them Out |
Concussion is a brain injury, which is serious. Any player with concussion or suspected concussion must be immediately removed from the field of play and may only return to play/training in accordance with the Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) process.
There is no Head Injury Assessment (HIA) within the community game.
Watch Scottish Rugby’s concussion awareness video here - https://youtu.be/Fct510gzQ5o Download the Scottish Rugby concussion policy here - https://www.scottishrugby.org/rules-and-regulations/player-welfare/medical/concussion |
| Six Nations Touring Fixtures |
Scottish Rugby's Competitions team wish to remind clubs, that those seeking dispensation not to be allocated a competition fixture due to a traditional Six Nations tour match, should please contact their relevant Competitions Committee with full details of their request, as soon as possible.
Requests must be submitted by Sunday 30 October 2022.
As a reminder, Scottish Rugby competition fixtures cannot be scheduled to Scotland’ Home Six Nations Saturday match dates, unless the two teams involved request to play, and so there is no need to seek dispensation for the weekend of February 11 2023 and March 18 2023.
Please also note permission to tour, or permission to host a touring team, would also be required through the link below. |
This message has been sent to email@n.scottishrugby.org because this email address is associated with an active role at your rugby club.
PLEASE DO NOT UNSUBSCRIBE
If you are no longer the relevant person to receive these emails – or if you have been forwarded the email by your club – please do not unsubscribe, as it will result in your club not being sent important information in the future. Instead, please ask your Club/School to update the contact details on SCRUMS or, alternatively, email your contact at Scottish Rugby. |
|
|
|
