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Cornwall winners celebrated

Clubs across Cornwall met at St Austell Brewery on Friday night (12th April) to celebrate the successes of the 2023/24 season alongside sponsors Tribute. 

Despite the unhelpful weather the season was largely completed on time in the Duchy. 

In  Counties Tribute Cornwall Two, Redruth II won the league with a 100 percent win record and dropped only three try bonus points.

Redruth II receive their award from SW secretary Mike Gee

In Counties Tribute Cornwall Three, Hayle finished Champions in a close race with Wadebridge Camels II

Each year the brewery also sponsors a "You've Earned it" award - which this year went to Camborne School of Mines.   Despite only winning one of their 22 league games, they kept going and battled through adversity to complete the season.

The evening also provided an opportunity for one of a number of presentations to mark the retirement of long serving SW League Co-ordinating Secretary Mike Gee.  He is standing down at the end of the this season after doing the job since 1995.  He first joined the SW Committee in 1987 - the year the leagues were formed.   His contribution to rugby in the county and the wider South West was acknowledged by Cornwall RFU President Andy Reed.

A raffle on the night also raised over £100 for the St Austell Brewery charity

14 Apr 24 

End of season - 2023/24

Adverse weather conditions during the winter months have left some teams with games to play that may take them beyond the scheduled end of season date of the 6th April.

The RFU Adult Competitions Management Committee, in conjunction with organising committees for the Mens RFU Leagues, met earlier this this week to agree a process for managing the situation.

With the Men’s Papa Johns Community Cup starting after the league season the Committee are focussed on causing minimal impact for clubs competing in the Cup, whilst also trying not to negatively impact completion of the league season.

The following conditions will be applied for the remainder of the season:

1. Teams not competing in the Men’s Papa Johns Community Cup are able to play league matches after the league completion date of the 6th April. Your organising committee will schedule matches accordingly, which will appear in your fixture list on the RFU website.

2. Teams will be given the opportunity to play on Easter Weekend, which was previously a break weekend in the season. If the fixture is not played on this weekend organising committees reserve the right to allow fixtures to be played after the 6th April. If this isn’t possible any outstanding fixtures will be determined by an approved methodology.

3. If a team withdraws from the Papa Johns Community Cup, they can play league fixtures that may affect promotion/relegation after the deadline.

Understandably, these conditions will not suit all teams, but after exploring the potential the options, the Committee believe this is the most equitable process to conclude the season.

Terry Burwell – Chair of RFU Adult Competition Management Sub-Committee (ACMSC)

Paul O’Leary – RFU National Competitions Manager

12 Mar 24

Job Vacancy - SW League Co-Ordinating Secretary

Due to a well-earned retirement, the South West ROC is inviting applications for the role of Co-Ordinating Secretary to replace the current post holder.

We are looking for someone with the following attributes:

• The ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders (Clubs, CB’s & RFU)

• Have a good grasp of RFU Competition regulations

• Be approachable and yet able to make decisions

• Good teamwork ethic

• Have practical knowledge of IT

If you would be interested in talking some more about the role and to find out what commitment is required , or would like to apply, please contact the South West ROC Admin Office on admin@swrugby.co.uk.

Closing date for applications is Friday 19th April 2024.

12 Mar 24

Tribute Team of the Month - December 2023

Berkshire Berkshire Shire Hall
Buckinghamshire Risborough
Cornwall Redruth Albany
Devon Totnes
Dorset & Wilts Lytchett Minster
Gloucestershire Gloucester Old Boys
Oxfordshire Wallingford II
Somerset Avon

Totnes celebrating their award.

Jonathan Dance - 1947-2024

The South West has been shocked to learn of the sudden death of Jonathan Dance on the 18th January 2024.

Jon, who was 76, had been on the SW Committee since 1995 and was on the RFU Council for 20 years having joined in 1994.  He was RFU President in 2014-15 - the season England staged the World Cup. A solicitor by profession, he was the RFU's Legal Officer for two seasons and also served on the board of the International Rugby Board (now World Rugby).

As a player he lined up for Grasshoppers, Bracknell and Berkshire.  After hanging up his boots, he joined the committee of Bracknell in 1972 and served in various roles including chairman and president.

The SW sends its condolences to his wife Mary and family. 

18 Jan 24

Tribute Team of the Month - November 2023

Berkshire Windsor
Buckinghamshire Beaconsfield
Cornwall Saltash
Devon Sidmouth
Dorset & Wilts Swanage & Wareham II
Gloucestershire Yate
Oxfordshire Littlemore
Somerset Wyvern

Windsor receiving their award.

Tribute Team of the Month - October 2023

Berkshire Reading Abbey
Buckinghamshire Amersham & Chiltern II
Cornwall Wadebridge Camels
Devon North Tawton
Dorset & Wilts Sutton Benger
Gloucestershire Bream
Oxfordshire Didcot
Somerset Tor

Bream celebrate receiving their award.

Tribute Team of the Month - September 2023

Berkshire Tadley
Buckinghamshire High Wycombe
Cornwall Hayle
Devon Plymstock Albion Oaks
Dorset & Wilts Melksham
Gloucestershire Lydney II
Oxfordshire Faringdon
Somerset Taunton II

Taunton receive their award from League Secretary Nick Robins.

Travel Funding - 2023-24

The Community Game Board (CGB) have reviewed travel grants ahead of the 2023-24 season.

Several options were considered, but the preferred option will prioritise funding for teams travelling to and from the mainland, as well as those travelling significant cumulative distances on the mainland at Regional 1 and below in the Men’s game and Championship 1 and below in the Women’s game.

For onshore mainland travel grants, teams who meet certain cumulative long distance mileage thresholds will be funded on a sliding scale.

Unlike the last 2 years, there will be no application process in place for these grants. Teams who have qualified for travel grants will be notified this week (10-15 July).

12 Jul 23

South West Fixtures 2023-24 released

The fixtures for the new season have now been released and can be viewed here.

Please note the details in the latest newsletter and don't forget to confirm your NLC details as requested.

12 Jun 23

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