Tens: An note from Gloucester Girls Rugby Trust

In response to the debate (see post-but-one below) GGRT have sent me a letter detailing the background to the Welsh club exclusion and related matters:

GGRCTF offered to run the National 10's to help eradicate negative press of the game due to cancellation of it. We had the experience, inspiration, vision, belief and energy.

We advertised.

The Wales RFU Women’s RDO called - August to see if she could encourage her Welsh clubs to enter having already played some teams and secured a good relationship with Team Managers. Fantastic I said - great for the players!

We received 42 team entries.

RFUW responded having heard about the event to not call it "National". To pacify and encourage good relations, we amended the name to "Gloucester City 10's".  We had offered to run it on behalf of RFUW bearing in mind most of our club trustees already "served" and had served (one having been a RPM) as volunteers on other programmes for RFUW, this could have overcome "national" issues. No gratitude or reply to this offer was received. We could not stop press releases already released reference "National".

RFU responded sending the "permission to run a leisure event" application form. This was sent to us by RFU Leisure Events Team. RFU declined to sanction due to RFUW.

I met with RFU Director & RFUW MD on 18/12/08. One month on, the 2nd application was eventually accepted, with new edicts.

To be accused by RFUW to my fellow RFUW affiliated club Trustees "for raising expectations out of RFU/RFUW control", is just unbelievable. How can inviting kids to an event to play in passing a bit of rubber with air in it, be considered raising expectations. 

As an ethical organisation, we try not to practice exclusion. Where kids come from is not a consideration for us(as long as their Union has authorised it, which as far as I was aware through the phone call, they had, and due to the influx of entries post phone call). The feedback meets with our expectations.

There was no mutual agreement to call the event local - we were just told to call it local or not have the event sanctioned. We opted to not let players down, but in changing the nature of the game, the goal posts moved to then introduce the edict of "no none RFUW affiliated teams allowed" - including WRFU.

Needless to say, I have spoken to Wales teams and the original associated management and apologised, they understand the problem and are as disappointed for the players, clubs and the game as us. 

In the interests of player retention, we will deliver subject to the following. 

We are aware some clubs have now dropped out due to the delays.  Thus, we will survey all remaining clubs teams (32) to ascertain interest and proceed from their. As time is running out, we may now require additional volunteer resource for officiating, your help will be requested at the same time.

We apologise for any upset or inconvenience caused in offering to deliver this event.

I hope this clarifies the situation.

Kind regards

Lisa Holmyard (formerly Walsh) DMS / RFU Leadership Academy

Chairperson GGRCTF