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After a huge, and very comprehensive study, the RFU has published its report into the future of Club compeitions in England. A copy of the entire report can be downloaded via this link. Minety RFC will put its thoughts on the structure in due course, but in the meantime, here is the RFU’s introduction: “This plan recognises the significant opportunity for rugby to develop an optimal playing offer and structure that protects the future health of the Game for adult men. It aims to meet the needs of current and future players, balancing quality of experience and player welfare needs with less travel, whist at the same time protecting the sustainability of clubs. It sets out a series of proposals for the adult male competition structure of the English Club Championship from Level 3 (National One) downwards based on the work of the Future Competitions Structure (FCS) group, which is a task group of the RFU Community Game Board. This work follows on from collection of extensive evidence and engagement with the Game over a number of months, which has provided critical insight into the challenges identified. Over the last ten years, whilst rugby union generally continues to buck the downward participation trend seen in some other team sports, there is an accepted view from all available evidence that it is the female and age grade sectors of the Game that are supporting this. In the male game whilst the playing pool continues to grow, players are playing less often, and have different wants and needs, which is set against relatively little change in the way competitive rugby is delivered. Generally more players are required to fulfil a 1st XV league season, which can have a corresponding negative effect on Lower XVs and the club. Whilst it is recognised that different levels of the community game and regions have different challenges and opportunities, the general question as to whether the competitive structure we have is the best one to ensure the future health of the Game, has raised its head in Club and Constituent Body forums throughout the last few years. Whilst being mindful of the current challenges that may come with COVID-19, this plan recommends that now is the right time for change and to put these proposals to the Game in this document for further feedback and for implementation in season 2021/22.”

Minety have been given a Bye in the first round of the Cup and have been drawn against Sutton Benger in the quarter final. The match will be played at Minety and will run alongside the league match between the two teams. If, at the end of the match, the scores are tied, a draw will be recorded in the league table and records and extra time will be played to decide who will move into the Vase semi final. The league has issued the following statement: “At the moment there is considerable uncertainty about how the season will pan out but you should be aware by now of the provisional plan put in place by the RFU for league rugby which has divided leagues into local “conferences” playing home and away before the teams in the other half of the league are played. Broadly our draws for Dorset & Wilts knock outs for 2020-21 reflect localities, North in the top half and Central/South in the bottom half leading to North v South finals. If a Cup game is also a league fixture in the event of the points being equal at full time then extra time is played only in respect of the Cup tie. The number of replacements in any Cup tie except the Final will be limited to 3 in order to fit with league regulation. Unlimited de-regulation does not apply. League matches take precedence over D&W cup games. “1st XVs. Where possible early rounds of our knock outs are to be decided on the first league fixture in the conference or subsequent league fixture between 2 teams at whichever venue the league fixture is assigned to be played. Since the RFU 1st XV knock outs (Intermediate Cup, Senior & Junior Vase) are not taking place this means it should be possible to find the opportunity to play semi-finals and finals between teams in different conferences or leagues before the end of the season. This may be extended into May. 27.”

We have published the list of fixtures for Minety 1st XV (the 2nd XV will be operating in a “Merit Table” – more information on that to follow) tentatively. In essence, with the current situation progressing, no one can be sure when we will be given the “green light” to return to competitive rugby. At best, the earliest the league is suggesting the 26th September, but it could quite likely be December, January or even not at all this season. To try and produce a fixture list with no guaranteed start date is quite a feat, but they have managed it like this. The 12 teams in the league have been divided, roughly geographically, into 2 “conferences”. Teams in Minety’s “conference” are: Calne, Swindon II, Sutton Benger, Marlborough II and Royal Wootton Bassett II. When the league is given the go ahead to start, it will begin with home and away fixtures against these teams. If there is adequate time left after the first set of fixtures are complete then we compete either home or away against teams from the other “conference”. Those teams are: Chippenham II, Swindon II, Trowbridge II, Frome II, Warminster, Melksham and Westbury. If, at the conclusion of these fixtures, there is still adequate time left, we will reverse the fixtures in the last section and the league will have been completed in full. All clear? (Heading off to a darkened room for an hour or so!)

D&W1N = Dorset & Wilts Division 1 North Kick off times: 3pm (2.30pm between 30th October and 26th March) nb. December & January 2pm kick off. Minety score is given first. “Con” = Conceded. “HWO” / “AWO” = Home / Away Walkover. “P” = PostponedDateLeague / Cup1st XVH/AResultScore League / Cup2nd XVH/AResultScore26th SeptD&W1NRoyal Wootton Bassett IIA 3rd OctD&W1N/CupSutton BengerH 10th OctD&W1NSwindon IIA 17th OctD&W1NMarlborough IIH 24th OctD&W1NCalneA 31st OctD&W1NSutton BengerA 7th Nov 14th NovD&W1NSwindon IIH 21st NovD&W1NMarlborough IIA 28th NovD&W1NCalneH 5th DecD&W1NRoyal Wootton Bassett IIH Week 11 Melksham A Week 12 Frome IIH Week 13 Chippenham IIA Week 14 WestburyH Week 15 WarminsterA Week 16 Trowbridge IIH Week 17 Frome IIA Week 18 MelkshamH Week 19 WestburyA Week 20 Chippenham IIH Week 21 Trowbridge IIA Week 22 WarminsterH

Today the RFU has confirmed that their action plan to commence a safe and phased return to grassroots rugby activity has been approved by the Government. The RFU’s “Return to Rugby Roadmap” (posted below) as been updated to show a move from Stage B to Stage C.

The first meeting of the newly elected committee will be held tomorrow night (Wednesday 5th August) in the clubhouse at Minety, starting at 7pm. We hope to be able to publish an agenda later today (Tuesday). For your diaries, the committee will meet on the following dates this year and next: Wednesday 2nd September, Wednesday 7th October, Wednesday 4th November, Wednesday 2nd December, Wednesday 6th January, Wednesday 3rd February, Wednesday 3rd March, Wednesday 7th April, Wednesday 5th May and Wednesday 2nd June. AGENDA COMMITTEE MEETING WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5TH 2020 7PM 1. COMMITTEE i Proposal to elect the following to Committee as per article 28 of the articles of association of Minety Rugby Club (AG) Tom Claxton – Treasurer Del Murray – Press / Publicity officer Fundraising / sponsorship officer ii Proposal to award complimentary memberships to Andrew O’Dell and Graham Cooke (AG) iii Proposal to elect the following to committee as per article 28 of the articles of association of Minety Rugby Club (AG) Andrew O’Dell – MPFA representative iv Proposal to give thanks to outgoing committee members (AG) v Andy Brown has agreed to remain as club referee coordinator 2. FINANCE i Proposal to commission an audit of the club’s accounts (AG) ii Proposal to amalgamate the club’s 3 accounts into 1 (TC) iii Proposal to produce a list of paying players, a balance sheet and a printout of the club accounts at each monthly meeting (TC) iv update of fundraising activities (DM) 3. COVID i Player recruitment/ retention ii training and matches (AG) iii membership subscriptions iv sports therapist (AG) v social gathering policy (PM, AOD) 4. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT i Playing kit and merchandise update (BS, DM) ii Pitches update (AOD, PM) iii Help for groundsman John Butler (BS) iv Match day food (BS) v Prposal to purchase some strength and conditioning equipment (AG) vi Training/Playing equipment update vii Proposal to buy and award 50 and 100 cap ties to qualifying players (TC) 5. COACHING AND PLAYING i Coaches report (AG) ii Proposal to have 2 training sessions per week (BS) iii preseason games (AG, BS) iv Organise player help for coaching junior teams (BS) 6. SOCIAL i Proposal to have a steak night after RWB away game (JT) ii Social events update (JT) iii Social Media drive update (JT) iV Minety RFC 50th year anniversary celebrations 2021 (AG) 7. SAFEGUARDING i Match Day Crowd Barriers (AG) ii Ambulance access to top fields (AOD) 8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND 2020 7PM

TRAINING There has been a return to training under Covid regulations at Minety Playing fields on Tuesday evenings 6.30-8pm. Groups of 6 players train together, taking part in socially distanced activities, which have been concentrated on strength and conditioning. Special thanks must go to Dave Cooke for organising the sessions. Hopefully regulations will be eased in the near future which will allow more rugby to be played. New and returning players are always welcome The annual Minety Rugby Club golf day took place on Saturday 25th July at Oaksey Park Golf Club. The competition was in the format of a 2 ball Texas scramble, played for the Minety trophy which was crafted by Duncan Simpson. 19 players, past and present, took part. The day was plagued by persistent and heavy rain and eventually everyone decided that the bar was a happier place to be and consequently only the scores over the 1st 9 holes were counted. . Winners were Andrew and Charles Grayson. Many thanks to James Stuart for organising. COMMITTEE Committee meetings will be held on the 1st Wednesday of each month beginning at 7pm. Thank you to all the retiring members of the committee, and welcome to the new. All members of the club are welcome to attend meetings. Anyone who would like to get involved please email chairman Andy Grayson andrew.grayson@live.co.uk The new tractor has arrived, much to J B’s pleasure. This was purchased jointly by the rugby club with the MPFA and will I am sure make the job of pitch cutting much easier. CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Matt and Kerry Roberts and to Ben Collins & Ali Freeman. Both couples have recently had baby girls. Congratulations to new club captain Ben Scott on his marriage to Lorna. Andy Grayson Minety RFC Chairman

You may have been made aware that there have been issues regarding the election of the role of treasurer at Minety RFC at the recent Annual General Meeting. The successful candidate was subsequently discovered to be ineligible to stand as a candidate for that role under the rules of the club as described on the club’s Articles of Association (Page 21). The committee has therefore decided to reopen nominations for the role of Club Treasurer. Nominations for the role should be made to me at andrew.grayson@live.co.uk and should be accompanied by the name of a proposer and a seconder, who must be current club members. The nominee must be a current member of Minety Rugby Football Club with 2 years continuous membership. Closing date for nominees will be 12pm on Friday July 31st Andrew Grayson Chairman MRFC

At the AGM of the club, held last week, the new club committee was voted in. Details of who is doing what can be found on the Club Contacts Page. The main changes include Andy Grayson stepping up to become Club Chairman and also taking back control of club coaching, Kieran Tillotson taking on the roles of both Fixture Secretary and 1st XV vice captain, Ben Scott becoming the 1st XV captain and a group led by David Cooke taking over the Social Secretary duties. We wish all of the committee the best of luck in these very trying times.

Former Scotland Rugby captain and Minety stalwart, Mike Biggar is one step closer to raising £75,000 thanks to a funding boost from a leading regional housebuilder. Mike, 70, from Malmesbury, has limited mobility after a near fatal car crash in 1992 and was inspired by Captain Tom Moore to walk to raise money for the NHS. He was awarded the money by Persimmon Homes Wessex after applying to the firm’s Community Champions scheme. The initiative gives away up to £2,000 every month to local good causes. Mr Biggar finds it extremely difficult to walk and uses a wheelchair, after suffering extreme brain damage in the crash. Persimmon’s £1,000 donation has helped Mr Biggar raise more than £74,000, and his efforts to raise funds have hit the headlines. His wife, Ali, said: “It’s lovely to have the support of Persimmon Homes Wessex. “Walking just three or four steps a day is a huge effort for him, so we’re proud of him trying to accomplish this. “He is now onto his next goal and hopes to reach 2,000 steps and raise £100k.” Mike has walked more than 1,000 steps and continues to raise funds for the NHS Charities Together. His family and friends have also been out raising funds, with his godson Ben completing a sponsored run to raise awareness and funds. Pauline Fletcher, sales and marketing director for Persimmon Homes Wessex, said: “It has been fantastic to see the community out supporting Mike’s fundraising efforts. “We were so inspired by his story and honoured to be able to support him and the NHS through our Community Champions initiative.” (Article shamelessly lifted from the excellent “Wilts & Gloucestershire Standard”)

All those attending are asked to read the instructions for the use of the club house in the previous post on this site and to note that the Marquee is now designated as a Non Smoking area. The club advises that all those attending should allow time to sign in at the club house, as per the instructions below. There are still a number of committee roles vacant – please check out the Committee page on the website.

The MPFA are happy to announce that we will be opening the bar tomorrow, Saturday 4 July. We are working hard to put certain practices into play, to ensure that social distancing rules are followed. We will be introducing the following measures, which must be followed… – Initially reduced opening hours. Saturdays only 1600 – 2200. – Specific entrance points for bar access, ladies toilets and gents toilets. Signage will be available to guide you. – One way systems, when using the bar, and when needing to access the toilets. Signage will be available. – No drinking at the bar, or in the bar area. All drinks are to be consumed in the marque, or outside (seating/tables will be made available). – A no children in the bar area rule (they’re more than welcome in the marque, and playing fields). – Signing in book for all clubhouse visitors, as we need to record the details of people that use our facilities. Note that refusal to sign = refusal to serve. – No cash payments. Card only please. – If the weather takes a turn for the worse we do reserve the rights to close the club at short notice. Please note if you are unable to follow these rules you will be asked to leave the premises! Apologies for the long list of rules, in what should be a relaxed environment, however your health, and our staff’s health is of paramount importance to us, and we do need to evidence we are doing everything we can to minimise risk. Thank you in advance for your co-operation! We hope to see you tomorrow, but please if you’re not feeling well, or have any covid related symptoms, wait until they’ve passed before visiting us! MPFA