RFU Scrum Factory launched at Marsh
Marsh recently hosted the launch of the Rugby Football Union’s Scrum Factory programme at its offices in the City of London. The world’s leading insurance broker and risk adviser is supporting key programmes for grassroots rugby in England, including the Scrum Factory, which aims to recruit and train front row players together with developing all players in the scrum.
Martin Rayfield, Executive Director, Marsh UK, said: “As official insurance broker to the RFU we are delighted to strengthen further our excellent relationship with the Union in this way. We particularly welcome the opportunity to support programmes for grassroots rugby, of which the Scrum Factory is a part, as well as the RFU's 2000 member clubs.”
Gary Henderson, the RFU's Head of Coach and Player Development, said: “The Scrum Factory is about recruitment and retention of players, underpinned by coaching development. The truly competitive scrum is unique to rugby union and we need to train people who can play in the front row safely and regularly. The Scrum Factory is an over-arching programme that's supported by continuous personal development for coaches.
“There are always enough young players and as a game we're very good at recruiting young people, but the challenge is to retain them and a lot of that boils down to good coaching and appropriate competitions. With that in mind the RFU has developed a number of short courses, over two or three hours which complement our normal qualification structure and are designed for coaches who may want to develop their own knowledge of scrum or lineout play. We are extremely thankful that Marsh are supporting this important programme.”
England Scrummage Coach, Graham Rowntree, said: “Props and hookers are vital to every team and to play in those positions requires a huge amount of skill and technique. Marsh's support of The Scrum Factory enables us to extend the coaching of those techniques up and down the country and recruit more players into the front row which, for me, is great news.
“I was lucky enough to have had some very talented coaches throughout my playing career and without those guys I wouldn't be here today. I'm sure the players involved in The Scrum Factory will find the expert coaching just as beneficial.”
Marsh's association with the RFU also includes the RFU's Emergency First Aid Course, Concussion Awareness Programme, Injury Surveillance Project and Leadership Academy.
The programmes:
Scrum Factory
The scrum is unique to rugby union, as are the players who play in it. The sport needs continually to produce capable and skilled players particularly in the front row and second row to participate safely in the scrum. By developing the numbers of front row players, we will also ensure fewer games are cancelled. The Scrum Factory is a coach and player development programme running nationwide and incorporating some of the best known ‘scrummagers' in the country. A new scrum coaching DVD resource will be developed to run alongside the programme.
RFU's Emergency First Aid Course
To provide a safe environment in which the game can be enjoyed by all, the course is open to clubs to encourage members, coaches and volunteers to attend a first aid training course so they can respond to basic first aid situations with confidence. This unique first aid qualification ensures that a nominated individual can take charge of any first aid need and incident, calling in the emergency services when required.
Concussion Awareness
To raise awareness of the dangers associated with concussion via an education programme for coaches, players and parents of youth players.
Injury Surveillance
In association with the Sport and Exercise Science Research Group at the University of Bath, the project is funded by the RFU Injured Players Foundation and is designed to monitor trends in injury over time, gain the necessary insight into the possible causes and patterns of injury to enable more detailed research into these and to enable implementation of measures to prevent injury. The study, now in its second season of full data capture, records physiotherapist interactions with players on match days from 89 grassroots clubs in England.
Leadership Academy
The RFU Leadership Academy aims to identify, support and develop the next generation of talented, enthusiastic and skilled leaders for clubs, referee societies and constituent bodies. It complements existing club and constituent body succession plans by helping potential leaders develop the skills and confidence to step up to the next level of leadership. The programme seeks to use best practice in leadership development in the context of the voluntary rugby environment including facilitating networking opportunities to allow participants to share experiences and solutions on similar rugby issues.
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