Coronavirus (Covid-19) update
Return to Rugby Update
This week’s headlines include:
1. Monday 29 March - Return to Rugby Update
2. School of Hard Knocks - helping people back into employment
3. VAT: Partial exemption for rugby clubs impacted by Covid-19
4. Lockdown rugby activity - back row focus and Red Roses home workout
5. Mental Wellbeing and Know Your Lease webinars
6. Share your ideas
Return to Rugby Update
We are close to revising the rugby roadmap for both age grade and adult rugby ahead of an anticipated return to activity from Monday 29 March. We are optimistic that clubs should be also able to plan Ready4Rugby and limited contact training and Ready4Rugby matches from Monday 29 March, with amended law fixtures from week commencing Monday 26 April. We hope to make a more comprehensive announcement this Friday.
School of Hard Knocks – Back in the Game
In partnership with School of Hard Knocks, we are looking to support individuals in the rugby community who are currently out of work to get Back in the Game. Places are limited to 15 people. Applications close on Friday 5 March.
Requirements
• Be free the week of Monday 22 March.
• Available between 9.30am to 12pm each day
• Have internet connection via laptop, tablet or mobile phone.
This free course is open to all members of the rugby community – players, coaches, match officials, volunteers and parents – if you are connected to a club, you can get involved.
VAT: Partial Exemption for Rugby Clubs impacted by Covid-19
Many clubs are faced with a VAT recovery problem and are urged to review their position ASAP. Covid-related closure has reduced income that clubs are generating. This is important for VAT recovery as most clubs base their VAT recovery percentage on incomes generated in the year.
Taxable incomes such as bar, catering and sponsorship have decreased, while exempt income has largely remained at the same level. Hence taxable income represents a far smaller percentage of the total income this year and is harsh on clubs that have incurred extraordinary expenditure on facility improvement works.
HMRC Partial Exemption Special Method (PESM) forms are available online (via HMRC) or by using the link below. Should any club require assistance completing these forms, this can be offered at greatly reduced RFU negotiated rates via Russell Moore (07710329327 or russellmoore@sportsvat.co.uk) and can also be found in the document below.
Lockdown Rugby Activity
This week on our inspired to play page, England Men’s internationals Will Stuart and Charlie Ewels joined Thurrock RFC for a social rugby chat.
For our position specific focus Tom Curry and Billy Vunipola discuss back row play.
On our Inner Warrior page, Red Roses stars Zoe Harrison, Shaunagh Brown and Megan Jones have been leading home workouts to help keep you fit from your living room in lockdown.
This content has been produced in support of the community game to keep players connected to rugby while unable to play.
Webinars and on-demand videos
We have our previous Coaching, Refereeing, and Club webinars on-demand alongside those below that are coming up.
Know Your Lease: Tenure, Tactics & Telecoms for Rugby Clubs - Thursday 11 March – 7 pm
In these challenging times, understanding your lease, security of tenure and the impact it can have on receiving grants and funding is more important than ever before.
Register today
Introducing the Mental Wellbeing for Players webinar – Thursday 18 March – 7pm
We welcome rugby players of all ages to a healthy discussion about mental wellbeing, creating kinder cultures and the importance of looking out for each other. Guest speaker, David Beeney, who has years of experience talking about (and not talking about) mental health is joined by former England Rugby captain Dylan Hartley. We put player welfare at the heart of the game in order to keep the community healthy with help from our trusted healthcare partner Simplyhealth.
Register Today
Share your ideas
Please let us know if there are any further resources or specific support that clubs and CBs could benefit from during lockdown, by contacting ClubSupport@RFU.com or emailing ChrisDodd@rfu.com.
We continue to highlight the wonderful activities of our clubs and their teams on our England Rugby channels. Please share your stories and videos with ChrisDodd@rfu.com or PatriciaMowbray@rfu.com.
Teamwork Respect Enjoyment Discipline Sportsmanship