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Eastern Counties Rugby Union
Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Community Rugby

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Community Rugby

Building rugby across the eastern counties

ECRU is dedicated to growing rugby at the grassroots level across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk, encompassing school programs, local clubs, and community-driven initiatives that form the heart of rugby union in our region.

Key Contacts

Competitions Lead

Mark Ballman
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Player Pathway Lead

Darren Wright
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Eastern Counties Schools Rugby Union

Schools Rugby

Governed through the Eastern Counties Schools Rugby Union (ECSRU), school-level rugby is nurtured through strategic collaboration with sub-county unions:

Memberships

Affiliation Benefits:

Membership is required by all schools that wish to compete in any competitions either run by the local schools union or any national competition run by the English Rugby Football Schools Union.

You pay one membership for the year and it gives you access to the following benefits:

    • Comprehensive insurance for players, teachers and schools.
    • Allows you to enter into the variety of competitions from U11-U18 level.
    • Automatic affiliation to Eastern Counties Schools, English Rugby Football Schools Union and your local sub-county union (Suffolk, Norfolk or Cambridgeshire).
    • International ticket allocation for your school.
    • The regular Touchline magazine.
    • Teacher training and coach education programmes.
Becoming a Member:

To become a member please click on the 'Become a Member' button below and complete the online form, following the instructions on the form.

Become A Member
Make a Payment

To make a payment please click on the sub county button relevant to you.

Pay HereNorfolk Schools
Pay HereSuffolk Schools
Pay HereCambridgeshire Schools
Player-Centered

Local Clubs & Partnerships

Our community is shaped by a network of affiliated clubs, from grassroots to senior levels:

Club Support and Development

Clubs like Bury St Edmunds, Shelford, Diss, North Walsham, and Colchester not only field senior and minis/youth teams but also serve as community hubs fostering player development and local engagement.

Opportunities to Get Involved

ECRU invites young match officials, players, coaches, and volunteers to contribute to the development and management of youth rugby. This open invitation strengthens the sport’s grassroots foundation.
Supporting Community Growth

Rugby Growth & Development

ECRU’s Development Team actively supports clubs and schools in cultivating rugby communities:

Strengthening Clubs:

Efforts include strategic club support, funding advice, and promoting inclusive playing opportunities.

Community Engagement:

ECRU supports social rugby formats (e.g. walking rugby, mixed ability programs) and outreach initiatives to foster participation across all ages and abilities.
Role Description Template

Club Fixture Secretary

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Organise matches and fixtures so players have regular games to enjoy.

Be the link between your club and others in the region.

The role

Working with coaches, team managers, and opposition clubs, you will:

Arrange fixtures for the season for all relevant teams.

Keep track of cancellations, rearrangements, and changes.

Coordinate pitch availability and referees as needed.

Communicate clearly with players, parents, and opposition teams.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Organised and good at scheduling.

A clear and friendly communicator.

Able to stay calm when plans change (as they often do!).

What you’ll get out of it:

Gain event and logistics management experience.

Build relationships with other clubs and coordinators.

Help keep rugby accessible and fun for all players.

Role Description Template

Club Safeguarding Officer

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Help create a safe and inclusive environment for all players, especially children and vulnerable adults.

Act as the club’s lead on safeguarding and welfare matters.

The role

Working with coaches, parents, and the committee, you will:

Ensure safeguarding policies are in place and followed.

Be the point of contact for welfare concerns or reports.

Support DBS checks and safeguarding training for volunteers.

Promote awareness of safeguarding through visible presence and communication.

Liaise with the Constituent Body Safeguarding Manager and the RFU Safeguarding team when necessary.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Approachable, trustworthy, and a good listener.

Knowledgeable (or willing to learn) about safeguarding procedures.

Calm and able to deal with sensitive issues appropriately.

What you’ll get out of it:

Play a vital role in keeping rugby safe and inclusive.

Learn safeguarding practices valued in many sectors.

Make a meaningful difference to young people’s experience of rugby.

Role Description Template

Club Secretary

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Be the key point of contact for club correspondence and administration.

Keep the club running behind the scenes.

Ensure important communications are managed efficiently.

The role

Working with the committee and club volunteers, you will:

Organise and minute committee meetings and the AGM.

Manage club correspondence and liaise with the Constituent Body and RFU.

Maintain up-to-date records of club membership.

Ensure key deadlines (affiliations, registrations, safeguarding, etc.) are met.

Support the Chairperson and Treasurer with administrative tasks.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Organised and detail-oriented.

Good at writing and managing communications.

Friendly, approachable, and discreet when needed.

What you’ll get out of it:

Gain valuable administrative and communication experience.

Play an essential role in your club’s operations.

Develop skills useful in the workplace or other voluntary positions.

Role Description Template

Club Treasurer

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Manage the club’s finances

Keeping everything running smoothly.

Help the club plan & budget

For current and future development.

Ensure transparency in all financial matters.

The role

Working with the committee and club volunteers, you will:

Keep accurate financial records of the club’s income and expenditure.

Prepare reports for the committee and members.

Manage the club bank account and payments.

Oversee fundraising, sponsorship, and grant applications where needed.

Ensure affiliation and insurance fees are paid.

Help set annual budgets for teams, events, and maintenance.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Comfortable with numbers and basic accounting.

Trustworthy and methodical.

Able to communicate financial information clearly to others.

What you’ll get out of it:

Develop budgeting and financial management skills.

Play a crucial role in sustaining your club’s future.

Gain experience valued by employers and voluntary organisations.

Role Description Template

Club Chairperson

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Provide leadership & direction

For the club as a whole.

Be the public face of the club

At events, meetings, and functions.

Foster a positive, inclusive, and respectful club culture

The role

Working with the committee and club volunteers, you will:

Chair committee meetings and the AGM, ensuring everyone has a voice

Help set the club’s goals and ensure plans are in place to meet them.

Support other committee members in their roles.

Act as a decision-maker in the club’s best interests, particularly on key issues.

Represent the club at Constituent Body or RFU meetings where required.

Lead on resolving conflicts and ensure the club operates fairly and transparently.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

A good communicator & confident in leading discussions.

Organised, approachable, and impartial.

Passionate about rugby and the community.

What you’ll get out of it:

Be a central part of the club’s future success.

Develop leadership and management skills.

Build valuable experience for work or other voluntary positions.

Make a real difference to rugby in your community.

Role Description Template

Club Volunteer Coordinator (CVC)

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Encourage other people to get involved in helping out

With an enthusiastic and friendly perpective

Be the first point of contact for new volunteers

Introducing them around the club & ensuring they understand what they are required to do.

Make sure everyone feels welcome and valued.

The role

Working with the other volunteers in your club, you will:

Plan how many volunteers you need every year

– remember to include special events, as well as the week-in-week-out running of the club

Consider the best places to find new volunteers

– remember to make sure your advertising and appointment's are as open as possible

Understand the reasons people get involved

- use this knowledge to attract more like-minded people.

Ensure well-fitting roles for volunteers

- giving people roles they enjoy will mean they are more likely to continue

Support, encourage & thank volunteers regularly

- recognise & reward success: nominating volunteers for club, Constituent Body, RFU or external awards & ensure volunteers get the training they need to do a great job

Create a succession plan

- so you always have volunteers ready and willing to step up or provide cover for key roles
Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Welcoming & easy to approach

A good listener & communicator

Confident, well-organised & happy to delegate

Enthusiastic & motivating

What you’ll get out of it:

This is a very social role. You’ll provide an important service to the club and community, and for a small investment of time you’ll :

Meet all kinds of people

Do something distinctive & worthwhile

Become more attractive to potential employers

Build transferable organisational & communication skills

Get Started

How To Book?

Go to Course finder (RFU)
  1. Go to the RFU Course Finder: Click the button above to visit gms.rfu.com/GMS/coursefinder.

  2. Search for a Course:

    • By Course Type: Select the ‘Coaching’ type of course.

    • By Location: Enter your town or postcode to find nearby courses.

    • By Date: Choose a date range to see courses available during that period.

  3. Select a Course: Click on a course title to view details, including description, dates, times, location, and prerequisites.​

Next Step...

Depending on your situation...

  1. Click “Book”: On the course page, click the “Book” button.

  2. Log In:

    • Username: Enter your email address or username.

    • Password: Enter your password.

    • Click “Log In”.

  3. Add to Basket: Click the basket icon to add the course.

  4. Checkout:

    • Review Your Basket: Ensure the correct course is listed.

    • Click “Checkout”.

  5. Payment:

    • Enter Payment Details: Provide your card information.

    • Confirm Billing Address: Ensure your address is correct.

    • Click “Pay Now”.

  6. Confirmation: You’ll receive a confirmation email with course details.

  1. Click “Book”: On the course page, click the “Book” button.

  2. Create an Account:

    • Click “Create Account”.

    • Fill in Personal Details: Name, email, date of birth, etc.

    • Set a Password: Choose a memorable password.

    • Click “Submit”.

  3. Verify Email: Check your inbox for a verification email and follow the instructions.

  4. Log In: Use your new credentials to log in.

  5. Proceed to Booking: Follow steps 3 to 6 from Scenario 1.

  1. Click “Book”: On the course page, click the “Book” button.

  2. Click “Forgot Password?”: Located below the login fields.

  3. Enter Email: Provide the email associated with your account.

  4. Check Email: You’ll receive a link to reset your password.

  5. Reset Password:

    • Click the Link: In the email.

    • Enter New Password: Choose a new password.

    • Confirm Password: Re-enter the new password.

    • Click “Submit”.

  6. Log In: Use your new password to log in.

  7. Proceed to Booking: Follow steps 3 to 6 from Scenario 1.​