The Army Rugby Union Assurance and Safety Policy

Please note as at 23/01/2025 this page information and links are currently under review and will be updated in due course.

General

The Army Rugby Union (ARU) is a Category 1, Risk to Life (RtL) sport sitting within and under the control and direction of Army Sport. The Assurance and Safety of every team (Representative, Corps or Unit) playing rugby union within the Army falls into two categories of direction; to comply with the relevant regulations, guidance of its governing body (RFU) and that of the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

As a National Constituent Body (NCB) of the National Governing Body (NGB) the Rugby Football Union (RFU) itself is regulated by World Rugby (WR) and the ARU must adhere to the guidance of playing rugby union that is stipulated by our governing body the RFU and its governing body WR.

The ARU has a comprehensive assurance process, the following documents should be read and adhered to;

Welfare

The RFU has a comprehensive welfare section on their website – Player Welfare | Rugby Football Union

The RugbySafe Essential Guides provide information on player welfare and safety related topics and frequently asked questions.

Please Note:  Any advice provided by the RFU in relation to specific injuries, illnesses or disabilities is only general advice and it should not be used as a substitute for the individual advice patients receive when they consult their own doctor. Individuals are advised to consult their own General Practitioner or Hospital Consultant for specific advice on their condition and/or fitness to train for or play rugby.

The following is a list of useful Rugby Safe documents available from the RFU; It includes essential direction and guidance on:

Being Rugby Safe

Safety Checklist

Rugby Safe Essential Guides including clothing and equipment, first aid provision, medical conditions, useful forms and templates and useful links.

First Aid Provision and Injury Reporting

The First Aid Provision and Injury Reporting page of the England Rugby website provides resources include the downloadable RFU reportable event form and the Proactive incident reporting tool.

It also provide information for clubs and other rugby activity organisers on recommended pitch-side first aid/immediate care provision for training and matches as well as guidance on creating a Medical Emergency Action Plan and AED provision.

Resources:

Introduction to first aid and immediate care provision

Pitchside First Aid & Immediate Care Provision for Training & Matches

Emergency First Aider & Immediate Care Practitioner Role Information

Emergency First Aid & Immediate Care Training

Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union CPD Module 1

Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union CPD Module 2

Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union CPD Module 3

Healthcare Professional and Allied Healthcare Professional Information

Reportable Injury Event Protocol

Reportable Injury Event Form

Referee Reportable Injury Event Form

Howden Risk Assessment Tool

Medical Emergency Action Plan

Affiliation and Game Level

All teams that wish to play rugby union in the Army must affiliate to the ARU. The process is very simple and all the relevant information and paperwork to submit can be found on the Affiliation page. 

As part of the affiliation process the team / unit must confirm that they have the following qualified people to train and facilitate a rugby union match:

a) A qualified coach. This must be a minimum level 2 coach (qualified to coach Adults) who has completed a NGB level two coaching qualification. The RFU link is here.

b) It should ideally also have an individual that has completed an NGB ‘pitch side first aid’ course.

c) The level of medical cover required at a rugby union match is dependent on the ‘level’ of the game. As a guide an RFU Premiership game is classified as level 1, Championship as level 2, National 1 as level 3 and National 2 as level 4. The ‘level’ number increases as the ‘level’ of game decreases. The NGB player safety and well being programme can be viewed here – RFU Welfare

d) Army Rugby Union matches are normally classified at the following levels:

Inter Services:

I. Senior Men – Level 2/3/4.

II. Senior Women – Level 5/6.

III. U23 – Level 5/6

IV. Masters – Level 6/7.

V. Sevens – dependent on competition – between level 2/5.

 

Other representative fixtures:

(dependent on fixtures) are generally levels below those for inter service unless playing a National team or other National service teams.

 

Corps Matches:

I. Merit 1 League. Level 5/6.

II. Merit 2 League. Level 7/8.

III. Women’s League – Level 8/9.

 

Inter Unit Matches:

I. Premiership. Level 6/7/8.

II. Championship. Level 9/10 and below.

III. Friendly fixture – Level 9 and below.

 

Any team that is unsure of what level of medical cover they should have as a minimum should contact the ARU Operations Officer on 94222 7080 or email

Prior to any ARU affiliated team playing a rugby union match they must complete a Risk Assessment.

An example of a ‘rugby risk assessment’ can be found here – ARU Generic Risk Assessment Example this document is currently under review for update – 23/01/2025

This example risk assessment must be used as a basis for other RAs but does not replace it. There will be geographic, climatic and situational differences at events/matches which must be taken into account.

The signature authorising the RA must be trained on Safety Risk Management in order to be competent.

RAs are the start point and active, however a dynamic risk assessment must complement the existing RA on the day of activity.

Both RA documents (generic and dynamic) must be fully completed and passed to the individual responsible for endorsement of ‘unit’ risk assessments prior to and training or match being played.

Before a match is played the ‘unit rugby officer’ (or his / her deputy) should complete the pre match ground safety assessment found here. This should also confirm that a suitably qualified referee has been appointed to the game by either the Army Rugby Union Referee Society (ARURS) or the United Kingdom Armed Forces Rugby Union Referee Society (UKAFRURS).

Injury Reporting

Injury Reporting. Reportable Injury Events.

These are defined as:

  • An injury which results in the player being admitted to a hospital (this does not include those that attend an Accident or Emergency Department and are allowed home from there).
  • Deaths which occur during or within six hours of a game finishing.
  • Clubs are also required to report injuries in which artificial grass pitches or equipment such as sports goggles are involved.

Reportable Injury Event Protocol – MoD.

The Activity Lead (Rugby Officer / Team Manager) is to ensure that the single Service point of contact (Risk Holder – Chair Person and Operations Manager) and the injured individual’s parent Unit and Chain of Command have been informed at the earliest opportunity.

Incident reporting should be conducted in line with – AGAI 5 Vol 1 Ch 5 Sport

Reportable Injury Event Protocol – RFU.

In the event of a serious injury which fulfils one of the above definitions, after providing immediate first aid and arranging transport by ambulance to hospital, the following protocol is to be followed:

  • A club representative must phone the RFU Injury Reporting Helpline 0800 298 0102, or email SportsInjuriesAdmin@rfu.com as soon as the seriousness of the player’s condition is confirmed and certainly within 48 hours of the game or training session.
  • In the event of a potentially catastrophic injury or fatality the RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF) will be notified and will get in touch with the club and/or player (or their family) to confirm the injury and any immediate welfare needs.
  • You must complete and return an RFU Reportable Injury Event Form
  • ‘MySafety’ previously DURALS (Defence Unified Reporting &Lessons System) has replaced the AF510 process for the reporting of sport injuries across all three single services.  The reporting of accidents via ‘MySafety’ sits with the Activity Lead who will be managing the risk on behalf of the activity owner iaw ACSO 1200.
  • Record witness statements. Where a potential insurance or personal injury   claim may arise, clubs and schools are advised to retain on file witness statements. These statements must confine themselves to the facts and not include opinion, hearsay or apportion or infer blame. They must be signed and dated by the person making them.

Reportable Injury Events – RFU – Referee Reports.

  • Following a reportable injury, the referee should also complete Referee Reportable Injury Event Form
  • For information and support on how to deal with a serious injury is available: Reportable Injury Event Protocol
  • The RFU recommends that all clubs and organisations running a rugby activity keep a record any incidents both on and off the pitch.
  • On the pitch it is good practice to provide first aiders with a book in which to record incidents which required their attendance.

Useful Contacts: Sports Injuries Administrator (SIA): Tel: 0800 298 0102

Email: SportsInjuriesAdmin@rfu.com

Concussion

RFU HEADCASE

The RFU’s HEADCASE programme aims to increase understanding and provide information on concussion and other related topics, including how to prevent and manage suspected concussions. It is recognised as one of the UK’s leading concussion awareness and education resources.

Following the publication of the Government’s UK Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport, the HEADCASE resources have been given a new look and updated to align with these guidelines.

Please take the time to read and look through with the new HEADCASE resources to become familiar with the new concussion guidance.

Headcase Extended Guidelines

Headcase Graduated Return to Activity and Sport

Headcase Essential Guide

Headcase e-Learning

Headcase Poster

Latest Concussion in Rugby Research

Concussion Recognition Tool (Everyone)

Concussion Recognition Tool (Adults Only)

UK Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport

 

Other information can be found at:

World Rugby Concussion Policies and Education:

Laws
Regulations relating to concussion
Guidance and Education

NHS:

NHS Concussion & Head Injury Guidance