Rugby Union
A physical, full-contact team sport played with an oval ball. Players aim to carry, pass, or kick the ball over the opponent's try line while adhering to rules on tackles and rucks.
Many colleges have male and female rugby teams playing regular, competitive matches against other colleges.
AoC Sport, in partnership with The RFU and England Colleges RFU, provides colleges with accessible competitions for all levels, from regional festivals to national championships.
There are a range of opportunities provided to support colleges to grow and sustain their rugby programmes. including the Kit Bag Resources created to support colleges in setting up and developing their rugby union offer.
ENGLAND COLLEGES RFU (ECRFU)
The England Colleges Rugby Football Union (ECRFU) is the colleges arm of the RFU with around 100 member colleges.
The ECRFU Regional Representatives play a key role in strengthening relationships between the sector, rugby clubs, and the rest of the game.
If you have information to share with ECRFU or would like to become more involved with rugby development in your regional college network, please contact your closest ECRFU Regional Representative.
Email colleges@rfu.com to find out your local ECRFU representative.
Rugby Ambassadors
As part of the AoC Sport Student Leadership Programme England Rugby Ambassadors inspire others to participate along with supporting the planning, delivery and reporting of new rugby opportunities.
T1 Rugby
T1 Rugby is a non-contact format of rugby. It can be played anywhere (you only need a ball to get started), can be mixed gender and is easy to introduce and deliver. It’s: easy to adapt and is suitable for any group of players. It looks and feels more like the game of rugby union, with the same tactical problems and rugby specific skills. suitable for all shapes and sizes – a key selling point of rugby union. a great way to introduce people to the contact game if they want or is a game in its own right. T1 Rugby gets players active and is a great way to make friends, develop social skills and give opportunities to become a leader, or even referee. England Rugby has a suite of physical and online resources as well as access to playing opportunities such as our T1 Rugby series, to help you get started.
T1 Rugby Series
T1 Rugby Series is a fun, inclusive national programme, open to every school and college in England, to provide opportunity for teams to play at Allianz Stadium.
T1 Rugby Series is the evolution from Touch to Twickenham which introduced 400 schools to non-contact rugby, with 60% of those taking part new to rugby and 50% female participants.
It is player centered, inclusive, and drives participation. It’s the same activity as before; just a slightly different game with slightly different rules.
This season we continue to evolve so every school, regardless of playing experience, can take part.
What do I need to know?
- Open to teams at Year 12/13
- Parallel events for brand new and for those with previous rugby experience
- Eight-a-side teams with a minimum of four girls on the pitch at a time
- Local and regional events, leading to the finals day in Worcester, with successful teams progressing to play at Allianz Stadium
- Playing to T1 Rugby rules, which will be adapted for brand new teams.
To find out more information on the T1 Rugby Series please view our event manual.