Eastern Counties Rugby Union

On Wednesday evening at an event to recognise sponsors of Colchester Rugby Club and when the Club donated £5000 to rugby focused charities, the Club's President Andy Wadling proudly accepted a plaque from John Phoenix, Chairman of Eastern Counties Rugby Union to acknowledge the Club has reached a further milestone in it's history by maintaining the Rugby Football Union's Accreditation status.

RFU Accreditation recognises the efforts and achievements of volunteers in reaching standards required across the whole range of activities within a rugby club; in planning for the long term sustainability of the club in the local community and the development of rugby union in general.

Clubs are assessed by the RFU and must demonstrate evidence of good practice in areas such as club management, player development and recruitment, sports equity, coaching, refereeing and volunteering.

The Rugby Football Union Club Accreditation scheme aims to help all rugby clubs in England become stronger, more effective, more efficient and more enjoyable places in which to play rugby.

Accreditation earns advantages such as the Sport England Clubmark recognising the excellence of a club’s youth and junior section and promotes increased status and credibility with local authorities, educational establishments and potential sponsors.

Jonathan Pearce, the RFU's Rugby Development Officer says "the Colchester Club has greatly benefited by going through this process. A strategy has now been set out in an action plan that will encourage further development within the Club to follow on from this exciting season". John Phoenix believes "it is significant that the Club has chosen to mark this occasion at an event recognising the importance of sponsorship to the Club. This recognition that the Club must develop from it's local community bodes well for it's future."