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UPDATED - Proposed RFU Law Changes on Tackling and Changes to the GMS System

UPDATED - Proposed RFU Law Changes on Tackling and Changes to the GMS System

Newark - ADMIN ONLY RUFC - WEB SITE2 Feb 2023 - 10:04
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Update from the Clubs Board

Further to the message (below) from the Board publised earlier the RFU have issued the following statement

Issued by Rugby Football Union

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.

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.

*Rationale and evidence paper

*Tackle height science presentation

Ends

Dear Newark Rugby Club Members,

Following a Club Board Meeting, we want to update the club membership on how we propose to respond to the recent announcements regarding changes to the tackle laws and the expanded requirement to fully utilise the Game Management System (GMS) at all levels.

Firstly, the RFU announcement on tackle law changes came out of the blue. Various trials have been and continue to be held around the world but we were unaware that the RFU would act unilaterally and change the laws relating to tackle height.

Like many clubs, we have been extremely disappointed with the way the RFU chose to make the announcement about important law changes in our game.
Their announcement was not supported with any evidence or information to justify the reasons for the change and we have been left to speculate on the reasons.
There has been a significant backlash from passionate rugby people who fear for the future of the game they love.

We all know that concussion has become a significant topic of conversation around the world and most of us would support well-thought out and well-tested changes that would have positive impacts on injury levels.
That said, we need the detail to be able to make our own informed decisions. On important decisions like this, the RFU expecting blind trust is not acceptable.

We will be writing to the NLD Chairman and NLD’s RFU Council Member to express our concerns at the way this whole issue has been handled by the RFU.
We are also very concerned that the NLD voted in favour of the changes at the RFU Council Meeting without any referral to the NLD Clubs to solicit their opinions on what would be a very important law change.

Secondly, and just as surprising, are the RFU’s proposed changes to the GMS. We believe that the requirement for all senior players at all levels to be registered before they are allowed to play at any level will impose additional administration time on the club when finding volunteers is already very tough but, more importantly, we believe it will have a negative impact on the number of senior players who choose to continue playing.

Despite being disappointed at the RFU process and communication thus far, we will reserve making our full judgement on the changes until we have been presented with the supporting evidence and full reasons for the change.

We continue to strive and act in the best interest of our club community and, whatever changes are eventually adopted, we will ensure they are fully implemented at our club for your benefit.

John Clark
On behalf of the Board, 27th January 2023

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For your benefit, this is the EARLIER RFU public statement:

"We recognise the change is challenging and the community game has understandably provided significant feedback on the change.
However, the large body of scientific evidence strongly indicates that it will reduce the incidence of head injuries in the community game and, given the French experience of it over the past few seasons, suggests it is a more exciting game to play and watch.
There will be further discussion with council members during the next few days before further details on the intent and details around the changes are published to the wider game.
We consider the decision to reduce the tackle height to be the start of the process, to allow for a period of engagement in the coming weeks with groups of coaches, players and referees, drawn from across the country and from all levels of the game, including the men’s, women’s and age grade game, over the detail, intent and implications of the law change, before finalising it.”

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