INTERNATIONAL TICKET ALLOCATIONS 2009/2010
For a number of years the allocation of Twickenham tickets to clubs for Grade “A” games remained broadly unchanged. Grade “A” games are matches against South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and any of the Six Nations games. In the spring of 2008 a decision was made by the Rugby Football Union to review the process as it was felt that there had been changes to clubs, both positive and negative, which were probably not properly reflected in their respective ticket allocations. Accordingly, Grade “A” allocations for season 2008/2009 were re-assessed against documented changes in clubs that had occurred in the previous years. These allocations showed a major change in the game, particularly in regard to mini/midi rugby and club social membership. Concern was expressed by some clubs regarding this and the Chief Executive Officer, Francis Baron, promised at the 2008 RFU AGM that a full review would take place. That review has now been completed and a number of changes will take place. The Management Board, the International Ticket Policy Sub-Committee, the Professional Staff at Twickenham and the RFU Council have all been consulted on the subject and have all had the opportunity to make suggestions and offer advice.
On 14 November 2008 the RFU Council agreed a new policy in regard to the allocation of International Tickets to Member Clubs at Level Three and below for the season 2009/2010. The principle of awarding points to clubs against a set criterion remains much the same as it has in the past. The total number of points awarded to each club is then used to apportion the number of tickets allocated to each club which, with one minor adjustment, is how the Guaranteed Minimum Ticket Allocation for each club is established.
The allocations are based on four main strands, league status, the number of teams run, the number of registered mini/midi players and a number of key roles recorded on RugbyFirst. It is important that the relevant data is collected at a specific time so that all clubs are being compared on a truly level playing field. That time is midnight on Sunday 4 January 2009. All qualifying information will be applied at that specific time.
LEAGUE STATUS
For the first time the league position of a club will have a small effect on the ticket allocations for clubs, which is the minor adjustment referred to above. Clubs will receive a basic allocation as follows:
· Level Three - 12 tickets
· Level Four - 8 tickets
· Levels Five Six and Seven - 4 tickets
· All other Section One clubs will receive a basic allocation of 2 tickets
As the point of data capture is 4 January 2009, promotion or relegation at the end of season 2008/2009 will have no effect on a club’s ticket allocation in the season 2009/2010.
TEAMS
The following points will be awarded to a club for each team, male & female:
· Adult – 30 points per team
· Under 19 & Under 18 – 25 points per team
· Under 17 & Under 16 – 20 points per team
· Under 15, Under 14 & Under 13 – 10 points per team
Where a team such as the club’s first team plays in the National League structure, it is clear that this constitutes a team. However, there are some clubs where the lower teams are sometimes infrequent performers and consequently it is necessary to define what actually constitutes a team. Consideration has also been given to teams that for whatever reason do not play much rugby before Christmas, but play the bulk of their games in the New Year.
An adult team is defined as one which has in the season 2008/2009 played six qualifying games of rugby against teams from other Section One clubs by Sunday 4 January 2009. Scheduled games cancelled by the opposition or by the weather or by any other reason beyond the control of the team concerned will count as a fixture unless an alternative fixture is arranged and played. Teams that have not played six games by Sunday 4 January 2009 but which can show that they played 12 qualifying games as defined above in the season 2007/2008 will count as a team. A similar definition will apply to all age grade teams except that the qualifying criterion is to have played four qualifying games by 4 January 2009 or where this has not been achieved eight games in the season 2007/2008 will suffice.
Registered Mini/Midi Rugby Players
Each registered mini/midi player, will qualify for a quarter of a point. The maximum number of mini/midi players that can qualify is 300 so the maximum number of points that can be awarded in this group is 75.
For the avoidance of doubt, this refers to Under 7, Under 8, Under 9, Under 10, Under 11 and Under 12 players as defined in Regulation 6.1.2 on page 440 of the RFU Handbook 2008/2009. Regulation 5.1 on the same page also clearly obligates clubs to register mini/midi players on RugbyFirst. Accordingly, players not registered on RugbyFirst at midnight on 4 January 2009 will not qualify.
Key Roles & Responsibilities
Each club will be awarded three points for each of the following “Golden Roles” recorded on RugbyFirst at midnight 4 January 2009.
· Honorary Secretary
· Chairman
· Honorary Treasurer
· Fixture Secretary
· International Ticket Contact
· Discipline Officer
· Welfare Officer
· Coaching Co-ordinator
· Volunteer Co-ordinator
Where more than one person is shown carrying out one of these functions, a club will only receive three points. One individual can carry out more than one of the above functions and the three points will be awarded for each function.
Clubs will also be awarded points for the number of RFU qualified referees, coaches and first aiders.
Referees
A club will be awarded one point for every referee recorded as being a member of their club on RugbyFirst, who has achieved Entry Level One or higher and who is shown in the role of referee on the club’s RugbyFirst pages.
Active referees who have obtained another RFU qualification such as the old “C” grade qualification or the Entry Level Referee Award can be added to a club’s RugbyFirst pages provided that they are active referees, having refereed six games of rugby in the season 2008/2009 by the 4 January 2009 and provided they are shown in the role of referee on the club’s RugbyFirst pages. This can be arranged by the individual concerned telephoning Lindsay Piper at Twickenham on 020 8831 6637 during office hours so that the information can be loaded on to RugbyFirst.
First Aiders
A club will be awarded one point for every RFU qualified first aider recorded as being a member of their club on RugbyFirst, who is shown in the role of first aider on the club’s RugbyFirst pages.. The RFU first aid courses contain aspects of pitch side trauma and are specifically tailored to meet the needs of rugby players. Accordingly, only attendees at an RFU first aid course will qualify in this category.
Coaches
A club will be awarded points for every coach recorded as being a member of their club on RugbyFirst and who is shown in the role of coach on the club’s RugbyFirst pages as follows:
· RFU UKCC Level One – 1 point
· RFU UKCC Level Two – 2 points
· RFU UKCC Level Three – 4 points
· RFU Levels Four & Five – 8 points
· Pre - 2000 qualifications – 1 point
Active coaches who have obtained another RFU qualification such as the old Preliminary or Intermediate Awards can be added to a club’s RugbyFirst pages provided that they are active coaches at the club and provided they are shown in the role of coach on the club’s RugbyFirst pages. This can be arranged by the individual concerned telephoning Judy Weavers at Twickenham on 020 8831 6509 during office hours so that the information can be loaded on to RugbyFirst.
Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the data currently held on RugbyFirst about your club. The data capture for the allocation of tickets will be 4 January 2009, it is your responsibility to check this information corresponds with how your club will stand on 4 January 2009. If you do not agree with the details shown on the printout, please either update RugbyFirst yourself or amend the form in ink, sign and return it to The Ticket Office, Rugby Football Union, Rugby Road, Twickenham TW1 1DS by Friday 19 December 2008 at the latest.
Where there is a dispute, a lack of information or an apparent discrepancy with information held on RugbyFirst, the data will be verified by the RDO team during January 2009. If after this a club is still dissatisfied with their allocation, an appeal process will be set up through the International Ticket Policy Sub-Committee.
The allocation of international match tickets to clubs is a very emotive subject and every effort has been made to ensure that the policy is fair and the transparency of the process in this detailed way is of benefit to the membership.
Patricia Murphy
Ticket Office Manager
December 2008
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