The information page

safeguarding, wellbeing, new members, membership, age grade rugby, rules & regulations, documents & polices

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and, at Wymondham, we take this responsibility – for the welfare and wellbeing of all children and adults – very seriously. We want the Rugby environment to be a safe and happy one, whatever the players’ ability or gender.

We all know that Rugby is a great game, it builds confidence and character, and introduces values that will help throughout life. It should be fun, allowing friendships to be forged and team spirit to flourish. The RFU’s core values of Teamwork, Discipline, Respect, Enjoyment and Sportsmanship are important – not only for children playing Rugby, but for the adults involved in the game, too.

However, if you ever have any concerns, no matter how trivial you may think they may be, please contact either Sally Lloyd, the Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO), or Lisa Coates, our Assistant CSO, immediately.

Email safeguarding@wymondhamrfc.com or phone 07513 580746

Your concerns will be taken seriously and treated sensitively in absolute confidence.

If necessary, concerns will be reported to the appropriate authority, in accordance with the RFU Safeguarding Policy, RFU Regulations and the Club’s Safeguarding Policy. Details of which can be found published below.

 

Wellbeing

In the wake of the announcement of lockdown 2.0, it is natural that many of us will be struggling with stress, anxiety, low mood or a host of other difficult emotions.

As a rugby club, we want to support each other, and we encourage each of you to reach out to someone you know to ask them how they are doing – and if they say that they are doing 'fine' then ask again.

We have put together a wellbeing checklist with some questions to ask yourself or others to keep track of how you are feeling, as well as a list of resources or support that you can access if this feels necessary. But above all, remember that we are all facing the same storm, even if we are in slightly different boats; if yours feels stable then reach out and see if someone else’s boat is sinking.

Membership

Wymondham RFC is a members’ club and membership is open all.

Membership subscription fees

The principal membership subscription fees for the season 2020/21 with Voting Rights and access to International Tickets:

  • Vice President £110

  • Senior Player £150

  • Senior Player (student or unwaged) £75

  • Touch £120

  • FamilyPlus £220

  • FamilyOne £120

  • FamilyGirl £75

  • Associated Membership £60

Without Voting Rights or access to International Tickets:

  • Social £30

  • Archers £30

See below, for the complete list of membership categories and greater detail of each category’s benefits.

How do I pay my or my family’s membership subscription fees?

All membership subscription fees should be paid online via the RFU Game Management System (GMS) portal – which all sounds a rather fearsome, but Shay Good, the club’s Membership Secretary, will email you at the beginning of the season (or shortly after you join the club) with a link, and clear instructions.

Payments may be made as one single payment of the whole amount, or in equal monthly payments spread over several months, except for Social Membership and Archers’ Membership fees, which must be paid as one single payment.

What if I cannot afford my or my children’s membership fees?

Financial hardship is not a bar to membership, and the club has long had a policy of supporting those members for whom financial hardship would otherwise prevent them, or their children, from playing rugby – and applies equally to existing and potential members. Likewise we will help with kit if we can.

Shay Good, the club’s Membership Secretary, deals with all requests for financial assistance, and only he deals with it – assuring you of complete confidentiality.

Click here if you need to email Shay.

Extract from the Rules & Regulations of the club

No player may play for the club without first being correctly registered as a player with the RFU and may not play or train with or at the club without having paid his or her membership subscription fees by either the later of 31 October or within 42 days of registering to join the club.

NB. For the avoidance of doubt, the term ‘paid’, in its ordinary sense, shall include the commencement of a monthly payment plan.

Categories of membership

Vice President: single membership, open to all | Senior Player: single adult male or female player membership, open to all | Senior Player (student or unwaged): as before, but either in full-time education or unemployed | Touch: single, open to all over the age of 14 and not a member in any other category | FamilyPlus: multiple membership, up to two parents or guardians, each with voting rights, plus two or more age grade players | FamilyOne: as FamilyPlus, but with one age grade player | FamilyGirl: as FamilyOne, but specifically with one youth age grade female player | Social Member: single membership, open to all (no voting rights and no access to International Tickets) | Archers: as Social Membership, but only open to members of Wymondham Archery Club

Additionally, there are two further categories of membership, Honorary Life Membership and Red Lion Membership, both of which are in the gift of the club.

The Half Game Rule

Other than set out in Regulation 15.12.2, all clubs, teams, schools and colleges must ensure that each player selected in every match day squad plays at least half of the Available Playing Time. This requirement is mandatory across the entire age grade game and in respect of all contact and non-contact age grade matches, including 7 a-side matches and festivals/tournament matches.

In respect of the U18 Academy Competition only, all clubs must ensure that each player selected in every match day squad plays at least 20% of the Available Playing Time. 15.12.3 ‘Available Playing Time’ means the total amount of time allocated to a particular match (or matches) by RFU Regulations, any competition specific regulations or by the coaches of the playing teams (in circumstances where those coaches have agreed to play a shortened match). Any stoppages that may occur during a match are not to be taken into account when calculating the Available Playing Time. For example, where a match is 70 minutes long, the Available Playing Time is 70 minutes and each player must receive a minimum of 35 minutes playing time under the Half Game Rule. Where a team is participating in multiple matches in one day, the Total Available Playing Time will be the total number of minutes allocated to all matches played by the team on that day; and in all cases (a) includes playing time spent off the pitch due to a temporary injury or yellow card and (b) excludes playing time that would have been available had a match not be abandoned or shortened due to bona fide reasons or in accordance with Regulation 15.11.3. 15.12.4 Regulation 15.12.1 will not apply in the event that a player is permanently removed from the match: (a) due to an injury incurred during the match; (b) as a result of a bona fide risk of injury; or (c) as a result of a red card or in the event of the referee requesting that a player be permanently removed from the match.