Eastern Counties Rugby Union

06/10/2026

It’s great to see Suffolk and North Essex referee society have 5 female referees scheduled to senior fixtures this weekend.

If your interested in picking up the whistle or want to learn more about it reach out to your local referee society or look for a course on RFU GMS course finder 🏉

Suffolk & North Essex RFU Refs
RFU Midlands Club Support

02/10/2026

Is your pitch safe to play on?

Check out the RFU’s guide on assessing the pitch conditions.

🔗- https://rfu.widen.net/s/ltbrfqkgtp/pitch-guidance

30/09/2026

‼️Adults MUST not hold tackle shields🚨

Just a reminder adults must not hold tackle shields for players under 18 🏉

Community Rugby

25/09/2026

📢Volunteer opportunity- ECRU Honorary Treasurer 📢

The Treasurer will lead the financial management and governance of Eastern Counties Rugby Union, overseeing control of budget and expenditure, cash flow, financial reporting and compliance. Working closely with the Executive Committee, clubs and RFU, the successful candidate will help shape funding strategies, identify investment and grant opportunities, and ensure robust financial controls are in place. The role also involves ensuring all RFU and statutory reporting requirements are met.

This is an excellent volunteer opportunity for someone with financial expertise and a passion for rugby to make a lasting impact on the game across Eastern Counties.

Please email an expression of interest and covering letter to [email protected] 📧

For more information or if you have any questions please contact [email protected]

📆please apply by the 16th October

22/09/2026

18/09/2026

Exciting news for community groups across England!

Applications are now open for the next round of the Common Ground Award.

If your local project brings neighbours together, improves community spaces, or helps people from different backgrounds connect, you could be eligible for funding.

Individual applicants can bid for between £20,000 and £50,000, while groups working together can apply for up to £250,000.

Check out the full details and apply here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/community-groups-invited-to-apply-for-funding-to-bring-people-together

18/09/2026

🟠⚫️ 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗞𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗡! 👏🏼

A huge congratulations to our very own Kieran Palmer, who has been accepted onto this season’s 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱! 🏉

The England Rugby AMOA is a competency-based programme designed to further develop active match officials through practical officiating, observations, sport science and supporting others, while working towards a Level 3 Match Officiating qualification.

Running from September through to May, places on the programme are limited, so it’s a fantastic achievement for Kieran to have been selected. 👏🏼

Well deserved, Kieran - congratulations from everyone at NRURS! 🧡🖤

27/08/2026

💜 A HUGE THANK YOU FROM DEREHAM RUGBY CLUB! 💜

We would like to say a massive thank you to Eastern Counties Rugby Union and Breckland Council for their incredibly generous donations to our club! 🏉

Your amazing support means so much to every single one of us and will make a real difference to our players and teams.

We are so excited to start putting our fantastic new kit to good use during training and continuing to grow and develop as a club. 💪🏉

Support like this really does help grassroots rugby thrive, and we are extremely grateful to have such wonderful organisations supporting us.

Thank you from every single one of us here at Dereham Rugby Club! 💜

14/08/2026

After careful consideration and consultation with clubs across England, the RFU has decided to delay the start of the competitive community game season until the week commencing Monday 21 September.

The RFU recognises this will be disappointing for clubs, players and volunteers who have been preparing for the new season, but the decision follows consideration of a range of factors.

🔗https://www.englandrugby.com/follow/news-and-media/statement-start-competitive-community-rugby-season?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZnRzaATsW9hwZG9mAmZkaWQWUMe9jGyhpSXJNYtSPzASsD6XYN5MOGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp461cA-t40iUOtrmOIqSd3UgE-HvlcpbPNPXmZJgIHr0C98pvfxbvMtsWj6f_aem_4w2UmicahRrhw6MjfC7q5w

14/08/2026

📣Eastern Counties Rugby Union Appoints Steve Drawbridge as Joint Chair of Coaching 📣

Steve will join the Eastern Counties Coaching Committee, working alongside current Chair of Coaching Chris Capps-Jenner during a six-month transition period. At the end of this handover, Chris will step down from the coaching role to focus on his responsibilities as Eastern Counties Director of Rugby and Chair of Playing.

Steve brings a wealth of experience to the position, having played a leading role in rugby development across Cambridgeshire as both Chairman and Senior Lead Coach. His extensive knowledge of coach development and grassroots rugby will be a valuable asset as Eastern Counties continues to strengthen its support for coaches and clubs across the region.

Steve Drawbridge said:
“I’m delighted to be starting in this new role at Eastern Counties, I look forward to making a positive contribution towards Coach development across the Three Counties and for the opportunity to put my experience into this role”

During the six-month handover period, Steve will begin introducing a number of new initiatives aimed at enhancing coach development across Eastern Counties. One of his first priorities will be to establish a network of County Coaching Coordinators representing Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. This team will work collaboratively to support local clubs, identify coaching needs and help deliver the coaching strategy across the three counties.

Chris Capps-Jenner said:

“Steve’s appointment is a fantastic addition to the Eastern Counties team. His passion for coach development, combined with his experience and knowledge of the game, will help us continue to build a strong coaching network that supports clubs and coaches at every level. I look forward to working alongside Steve during the handover period and am confident he will take the coaching programme from strength to strength.”

Steve’s appointment reflects Eastern Counties Rugby Union’s ongoing commitment to investing in coaches, supporting clubs and creating positive playing experiences for everyone involved in the game