Seal of Approval presentations
On Saturday 20 January Eastern Counties Rugby Union presented Clubs with RFU Seal of Approval certificates and wall plaques. The Seal of Approval is awarded to Clubs that are able to demonstrate that they have met stringent targets in providing top quality rugby coaching for its youth players in a safe environment with properly trained coaches and volunteers.
The event took place at Cambridge RFC’s impressive £300k clubhouse extension, built with the help of funding from the Rugby Football Foundation, before the home side took on and beat North East club Westoe in the fourth round of the EDF National Trophy.
Eleven Eastern Counties clubs have gained the RFU accreditation so far, and following a reorganisation of responsibilities more clubs will soon follow. Andrew Sarek, Community Rugby Chairman for Eastern Counties Rugby Union, organised the presentations and explained: "It is important that as many Clubs as possible have the RFU's Seal of Approval, so we have made more resources available to help clubs get the accreditation. An important part of the process is for Clubs to have a Development Plan showing how they are going to maintain and improve upon the standards they have set, so that parents and children know that they will be coached in a safe and friendly environment by trained, competent coaches."
At Cambridge the presentations were made in front of 170 guests by RFU Junior Vice-President Brian Williams. "With the Rugby World Cup starting in France in September the game's profile will be very high." said Williams. "Clubs must be prepared for the inevitable increase in the numbers of boys and girls who want to play Rugby and those with the Seal of Approval will be best placed to cope with the higher demand."
Presentations were made to: Colchester, Cambridge, West Norfolk, Wymondham, Bury St Edmunds, Diss, Ely, Ipswich, North Walsham, Shelford and Swaffham. Andrew Sarek confirmed that another five clubs were expected to be accredited by the time the Rugby World Cup kicks off in the Autumn.
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