5. Rugby

Whilst all the other dimensions are “off the field”, rugby “on the field” is concerned with the actual playing of the game.

Rugby Charter, principles and values

All participants in the game should make themselves aware of the Rugby Charter, its principles and values which are available here https://laws.worldrugby.org/?charter=all

Rugby is valued as a sport for men and women, boys and girls. It builds teamwork, understanding, co- operation and respect for fellow participants. Its cornerstones are, as they always have been:

• The pleasure of participating
• The courage and skill which the game demands
• The love of a team sport that enriches the lives of all involved
• The lifelong friendships forged through a shared interest in the game.

It is because of, not despite, rugby’s intensely physical and athletic characteristics that such great camaraderie exists before and after matches. The long-standing tradition of players from competing teams enjoying each other’s company away from the pitch and in a social context remains at the very core of the game.

Rugby has fully embraced the professional era but has retained the ethos and traditions of the recreational game. In an age in which many traditional sporting qualities are being diluted or even challenged, rugby is rightly proud of its ability to retain high standards of sportsmanship, ethical behaviour and fair play.

This charter helps to reinforce those cherished values.

In 2009 member Unions identified Integrity, Passion, Solidarity, Discipline and Respect as the defining characteristics of Rugby. These are now collectively known as the World Rugby Core Values and are incorporated within the World Rugby Playing Charter, a document which aims to ensure that Rugby maintains its unique character both on and off the field of play.

The Core Values enable participants immediately to understand the character of the Game and what makes it distinctive as a sport which is played by people of all shapes and sizes.

Pillars and functional areas of the game

In order to provide a game of rugby for players, there are a large number of roles which need to be performed, these roles may be provided by the same person, however rugby organisations should be aware of the different roles required at different stages of a player’s development. The following roles are not exhaustive but aim to highlight potential gaps in a rugby organisation’s human resources.

Coaches, Strength and Conditioners, First Aiders, Medics, Managers, Administrators, Volunteers, Match Officials, Judicial Officers, Citing Commissioners, Match Commissioners, Sport Scientists, Trainers, Educators and Ambassadors.

In order to ensure that the game is provided in as safe a manner as possible, all of the above roles require to be staffed by suitably trained personnel. Consequently, your rugby organisation needs to ensure that it has a suitable workforce development strategy in place to recruit, train and retain for each of the roles identified.

Rugby as a sport discipline

Rugby has underlying principles of play and subsequent coachable components within each principle. For further information on the principles of play please visit http://rugbyready.worldrugby.org

There are various formats of the game played by both men and women in various age categories ranging from non-contact versions of the game such as Tag and Touch to contact versions such as Beach Fives and XRugby. The main contact versions of the game are however 7-a-side, 10-a-side and 15 a-side. Laws of all these variations of the game are available here https://laws.worldrugby.org/

Rugby organisations should endeavour to maximise their potential through:

Recruitment and retention

The recruitment and retention of players, coaches and match officials, maintenance of existing numbers and growth of new.

Training and Education

Increasing the knowledge, skills and ability of existing and new coaches, medics, and match officials to ensure the game on offer to the players is as safe as possible.

Competitions

The organisation of appropriate levels of competition depending on age, stage and ability which supports the development of the player. The management and regulation of competition.

Performance

(If appropriate) the creation of participant pathways which will allow participants to reach their fullest potential, whether player, coach or match official.