At last week’s RFU meeting the Council voted in favour of changes to Regulation 9, thereby continuing to demonstrate the importance being placed on player welfare. Building on the excellent work and progress already made by many clubs in the 21/22 season, from the start of the 22/23 season, all age grade contact matches and training sessions will require a level of pitch-side first aid that aligns with the RFU’s Pitch-side First Aid & Immediate Care Standards, or that is determined by a club’s specific risk assessment. These changes will come into place for the adult game in 23/24. These updated regulations will both improve the playing experience and also clearly demonstrate to all players (and parents), how the game is prioritising and taking responsibility to support their welfare.
The key points are:
- All clubs and those involved in arranging any rugby activity must complete a risk assessment and ensure there is an appropriate level of immediate care and/or first aid cover, and equipment provided for that rugby activity.
- CBs and those involved in arranging any rugby activity must comply with the First Aid/Immediate care provision standards for any contact activity in the age grade game, unless it has been identified through a risk assessment that a different level of first aid provision is acceptable.
- For the 2022-23 season, the provision level within the adult game remains as per previous guidelines, with the intention to introduce them as standard in the 2023-24 season.
The 2022/23 Community Rugby Pitch side First Aid & Immediate Care Provision Standards and Guidelines can be accessed below.
For more information on related topics including first aid training, first aid roles etc. please visit the RugbySafe online toolkits.
22-23 COMMUNITY RUGBY PITCH-SIDE FIRST AID .pdf