RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

The Royal Navy Rugby Union seeks to appoint to the Director of Community Rugby position on its Executive Committee. This is a voluntary position.

The RNRU, as well as being a part of the Royal Navy, is a Constituent Body (CB) of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and a registered charity. It is charged with the management, administration and development of the game of Rugby Union within the RN, in accordance with Service regulations and traditions, as well as in compliance with the requirements of the RFU and regulatory framework for charities.

Our Vision is: To be fun, relevant and successful, inspiring players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and spectators to enjoy rugby at all levels from mess deck to international, wherever the RN goes, reflecting all that is best in the Service.

RN Community Rugby

Community Rugby in the RN encompasses all those personnel of the Royal Navy (RN and RM) who play, coach or support the sport in their capacity as members of the Service, other than those playing at the representative levels of RN (Senior XV, Women, U23s, Sharks and Mariners) and United Kingdom Armed Forces (UKAF).

This, the “grass roots” of rugby in the RN, is at the heart of the RNRU Vision: through our support for the Physical Development Agenda of the RN; through our member clubs; and through our coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators, we seek to develop, broaden, and strengthen participation in the sport of Rugby Union in the Royal Navy.

At the same time, rugby is a tool that the RN can use to positive effect in developing and building relationships with the communities with which we engage: be they those around permanent RN & RM bases/establishments, or those with whom we enjoy interaction whilst deployed.

RNRU Director of Community Rugby

The role:

• A voting member of the RNRU Executive Committee.
• Igniting and sustaining curiosity, desire and passion for rugby
• Co-ordination of the structures of, and people involved in, grass roots rugby in the RN through leadership of the Community Rugby Development Committee.
• Liaison with Devonport Services RFC and United Services Portsmouth RFC, including oversight of their RFU Club accreditation process.
• Working with the Rugby Development Officer (RDO) and the Sports Development Officer (SDO) and wider Executive Cttee that;
  • Provides a balanced season with appropriate opposition and development for all levels of participation.
  • Programmes, co-ordinates and delivers of all RN community rugby union competitions, leagues and tournaments.
  • Recognising and rewarding an individual’s contribution to RN rugby.

• Provides appropriate structures and opportunities to support and develop players, coaches and other staff, to be the best they can be, both in their own right, and in full recognition that Community Rugby is the breeding-ground for RN representative rugby.
• Provides improved quality of experience for players, coaches and support teams, and wherever possible for the spectators of Community Rugby.

The person:

• Committed to Navy Rugby, and capable of supporting the RNRU through successful performance of the role of Director of Community Rugby.
• Ideally, but not exclusively, a serving member of the RN (including RM) or the RNR/RMR.
• Able to lead the delivery of a co-ordinated programme of grass roots rugby activity and development that is consistent with the requirements of the Service and coherent with the strategy of the RFU and RNRU for broadening participation in the game.
• Willing and able to liaise widely across the Naval Service (in person as well as by other means) in pursuit of the Community Rugby agenda.

The selection process

• Closing date for applications is 15 Jan 21.
• Applications should be sent to The Secretary, RNRU at alan.church471@mod.gov.uk
• Applications should include sufficient detail to explain an individual’s suitability for the role (CVs and covering letters are encouraged).
• Written applications will be considered by a panel formed from members of the Executive Committee of the RNRU; candidates may be invited to interview to constitute a second round of the selection process if deemed appropriate by the panel.
• It is intended to make an appointment not later than 26 Feb 21.