I thought it would be helpful to provide you with an update on Seal of Approval. There has been a working group looking at the modernisation of club accreditation and there is a proposal for some radical changes to Seal of approval going before the RFU council in October. The new criteria will be published as soon as approval for the changes are finalised. I am told that the target date for the re-launch is January 2012.  Between now and then it is recommended that clubs focus on 10 core activities in preparation for January.

Please find below a brief list of some of the key criteria which ‘A good rugby club will have in place’,

Each criteria is numbered with an explanation providing reasons for inclusion; 

1. Implement the ‘Code of Rugby’ for all players, coaches, officials, volunteers, members and

spectators

• Ensure the ‘Core Values’ message is delivered to the Whole club
• Provide all members with guidance on expectations of the club/game

2. Have a disciplinary process in place to deal with contraventions of RFU regulations and ‘Code of Rugby’

• This is to help club volunteers so that they are clear about the steps to take to deal

with any unacceptable behaviour

3. Have a minimum of one person trained in First Aid in attendance at all training sessions and

matches with access to appropriate first aid equipment

• To provide basic first aid cover for each member of the club, ensuring any incidents

are dealt with appropriately

4. Produce a set of annual income, expenditure and balance sheet accounts for the whole club

• To ensure that the club finances are in good order, helping to identify and budgetary

requirements / limits for the club

5. Have an open constitution for the whole club, which incorporates and equity policy to

outline the RFU equity policy objectives

• To ensure all clubs are open to any member of their local community

6. Undertake risk assessments in relation to all club activities

• To provide all players, coaches, referees, volunteers and spectators with a safe

environment to enjoy rugby

7. Have a safeguarding policy in place which adheres to the RFU Safeguarding Children and

Vulnerable Adults in Rugby Union Policy and Guidance

• To ensure the club provides a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults to

play rugby

8. Have all adults who are in a regulated activity with children and vulnerable adults undertake

CRB disclosure

• To ensure a safe recruitment process of volunteers and safeguard the children and

vulnerable adults

9. Have a Club Safeguarding Officer who has undertaken RFU training and is registered on RFU

RugbyFirst

• Training requirement for CSO is a regulation of the Rugby Football Union

10. Have appropriate personal indemnity, public liability, buildings, contents, employer, player,

coach, official and medical insurance

• Central RFU insurance may not meet the requirements of all clubs
• Players should consider ‘playing insurance’ as best practise

If you have any questions about these criteria or club specific questions please get in touch with your Rugby Development officer.  These changes will hopefully respond to the feedback from clubs that SOA has always been to bureaucratic and complicated