Staffordshire Rugby

RFU PITCH & RETURN TO RUGBY GUIDANCE
Following the decision to delay the start of the competitive community rugby season by two weeks, the RFU has issued additional guidance to help clubs prepare safely for the weeks ahead.

The guidance covers:
• Assessing pitch safety and playing conditions
• Preparing players and rebuilding game fitness ahead of competitive rugby
• Age Grade Rugby guidance
• Advice for Clubs, Coaches, Referees and Volunteers

RFU community competitions below the Men’s National Leagues and Women’s PWR will now begin from the week commencing 21 September.

Staffordshire Rugby will be communicating directly with those clubs involved in Boys, Girls, Womens & Mens Competitions and Merit Leagues and the respective start dates.

👉 Please read the guidance and share it with those involved in rugby at your club.
VIEW THE RFU GUIDANCE:
https://help.rfu.com/support/solutions/folders/103000653120

Staffordshire Rugby is pleased to welcome the creation of the new Midlands West Regional Growth Partnership Board, bringing together Staffordshire, North Midlands RFU and Warwickshire.

Congratulations to Monica Shafaq on her appointment as Chair.

The Board will work alongside the three Constituent Bodies and the RFU to help open new doors, build new partnerships and create opportunities to grow the game across our region.

For more information: https://share.articulate.com/uN85qV--Pr3OMSbAGcH7C #/lessons/53asFANtivsUxIdeC7D39zUZHo-UYqt_

We look forward to playing our part.

More ways to play. More people playing rugby.

share.articulate.com

A fantastic achievement for Stafford RUFC Mixed Ability Rugby, the Stafford Marvels, who have finished second in the 2025/26 Ability Rugby International Championship.
The Championship brought together 238 Mixed Ability groups, clubs and teams, involving players with and without disabilities, with Stafford finishing behind the Llanelli Warriors
Mixed Ability Rugby is built around a simple principle: if you want to play rugby, there should be a place for you in the game.
Players with and without disabilities play alongside one another as equal members of the team – giving some the opportunity to play rugby they might never have thought possible, and others a different way to stay in the game longer.
The success at Stafford continues to grow, with the Stafford Marbelles Women’s Mixed Ability team starting last season and playing one of their early fixtures against the newly formed Vixens Ladies.
Congratulations to everyone involved at Stafford Rugby.

Could your club be the next to start a Mixed Ability team?

MORE WAYS TO PLAY. MORE PEOPLE PLAYING RUGBY

🏉 STAFFORDSHIRE GIRLS PLAYER PATHWAY

Staffordshire Rugby are looking for a Girls Player Pathway Coach with a Strength & Conditioning Focus.

A great opportunity to support the development of talented young female players across the U16 PDG & U18 County Pathway.

💪 S&C / physical development focus
🤝 Work as part of the pathway coaching team
📅 September 2026 – end of season
🚗 Voluntary role – expenses & mileage covered

Full details: https://staffsrfu.com/9711-2/

📩 Interested? Email [email protected]

Applications close Monday 31st August 2026.

Please share with anyone who may be interested.

Commiserations to Staffordshire Quantums who narrowly lost out in the Midlands Division One Rugby League Grand Final on Saturday 28-30 to Peterborough. The team consists of players from rugby union clubs across Staffordshire including: Rugeley Rugby Club, , Trentham Rugby Union Football Club, RUFC , Barton under Needwood RUFC, Stoke on Trent RUFC 3rd/ Social Team, Cannock Rugby Club, St Leonards RUFC Group &

IMPORTANT RFU NOTICE FOR ALL CLUBS:

Link:

https://www.englandrugby.com/follow/news-and-media/statement-start-competitive-community-rugby-season

Congratulations to Will and Xavier @ and Harrison @ Barton under Needwood RUFC, who have been selected to play for England & Ireland Touch Rugby competing at the European Championship.

The season start is almost upon us, so a great time to catch on the latest RFU updates & news in the Community Game update. Everything from registering players, drought guidance, regulation changes and how to benefit from the new England RFU Learning app.

Community Game Update 11/08/26 Stay up to date on the latest community activity: [https://www.instagram.com/communityrugby/] For further support please visit Community Rugby Help [https://help.rfu.com/support/home

Staffordshire Rugby is looking for an experienced, approachable and committed individual to become our CB Safeguarding Lead.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, but strong leadership and support are essential. Our CB Safeguarding Lead will work with and support Club Safeguarding Officers across Staffordshire, helping clubs embed good safeguarding practice and ensuring children and adults can enjoy rugby in a safe, positive and welcoming environment.

The role will also work closely with the RFU Safeguarding Team and form part of the Staffordshire Rugby Management Team.

If you have safeguarding knowledge, sound judgement and strong communication skills, and would like to make a real difference to rugby across Staffordshire, we'd love to hear from you.

To register your interest click the link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/cEav1FVmyP

Congratulations to Barton under Needwood RUFC on a fantastic 2025/26 season. Staffordshire Rugby Chair Shaun Godfrey was delighted to present the 1XV with their RFU Counties 3 Midlands West (North) Champions shield and congratulate captain Charlie George and the whole squad on a thoroughly deserved achievement. Another great Staffordshire success – congratulations to everyone at Barton!