From July 1st 2017 the current RFU Coaching Children Rugby Union (Level 1), Coaching the 15 a Side Game (Level 2) will be replaced by a single coaching award, the England Rugby Coaching Award. The current Refereeing the 15 a Side Game (Level 2) course will be replaced by a new refereeing course - the England Rugby Refereeing Award.

The new coaching award will be relevant for coaches working with U9 players and upwards. It is supported by a suite of CPD and Foundation courses to help develop coaches working with players of all ages. The new refereeing award is aimed at those refereeing in the 15 a Side game (U14 and upwards).
The single coaching award will be a Level 2 qualification, which qualifies coaches to lead sessions – the previous Level 1 award qualified participants to assist other coaches. The course content and tasks on the course will be relevant to the age group the coach works with.

The new refereeing award becomes an accredited Level 2 qualification. The OMW Kids First Refereeing Children (Level 1) course will remain.

Participation in Rugby Ready and Scrum Factory will no longer be mandatory pre requisites for attendance on the coaching course.

England Rugby Coaching Award - £150
England Rugby Refereeing Award - £75
Old Mutual Wealth Kids First Refereeing Children - £15
CPD/Foundation Courses - £15
Safeguarding - Play it Safe – £15
Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union - £50
Rugby Union in Secondary Schools - £40

All current coaching qualifications will remain valid. Meaning, if you have a previous level 1 and/or 2 (coaching or refereeing), it is not compulsory for you to take the new courses.

Stephen Wickens
Club coaching co-ordinator and Academy Coach
Camberley RFC, Watchetts Recreational Ground, Park Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 2SR
(http://camberleyrfc.co.uk/club-info/find-us/)