New RFU Online
The Rugby Football Union’s website, rfu.com is being relaunched on 24th September 2009 with a totally new design and significantly enhanced features such as audio and video playback. The site also has a dynamic results service, extensive fixtures listings and a host of other services which aim to help the entire game at every level and to make using rfu.com easier and faster.
The long term goal is to make the redesigned site the destination site for all rugby players, coaches, referees, volunteers and supporters in England. Following extensive feedback the new site offers:
· Greater ease of use, based on tests on participants within the game
· Improved functionality
· Faster publication of results
· Improved content
· Improved accessibility to content through mobile devices
· Greater accessibility for people with disabilities
· A better online shop front for rugby, to encourage new participants and broader supporter audiences
· Improved club finder to encourage those new to the game to get involved
Work began some 18 months ago to provide an up to date website to support the growth of the game and the objectives of the RFU. Comprehensive user group testing was carried out to ensure that the new site serves the needs of the entire game and regular visitors to rfu.com will find many improvements, while all users’ favourite facts, documents and advice are still there. Frequently used shortcuts like rfu.com/coach will still work but should any individual bookmarks not work, using the search functionality with the relevant topic will soon find the information.
To address the frequent criticism that the RFU’s web presence was disjointed and lacked clarity, all streams of RFU activity have been brought together in a single website. By labelling categories according to the way that online test users used the site, a single, clear location for all information about rugby union in England has been created. The new site also separates content relating to direct personal participation in rugby and club and CB management.
Said Kate Saunders, the RFU’s Digital Media Manager, “It might take a little getting used to but we are confident that the new design will help everyone to find the content they need faster. We are grateful to everyone who has helped us to revolutionise the site and offer major new applications that will help underpin the growth of the game. We are the fastest growing major sport in England and we needed a website that reflected that.
“By working with users and frequently testing the new site during development, we have a design that makes browsing for information easier and more logical and which has improved user experience. We have built the site from the outside in to reflect what users want not the inside out based around how the RFU is organised.”
Please visit the new rfu.com and pass on the good news. Should you have any questions or wish to give feedback about the new site, for the fastest possible response please contact webmaster@therfu.com
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