U13s: Researchers in ivory towers to blame?

Thanks to Lisa for pointing me at this - but the girls U13 scheme (and the massive changes to mini rugby that are in the pipeline) seems to stem from some ongoing research at the University of Exeter, funded by RFU, and designed to increase participation in the game.

This mainly affects mini rugby, but the overall philosophy that simplification = more players is so very similar to the RFUW's U13 bombshell that you cannot help but conclude that there is a strong link between the two.

In short, this is the "evidence base" that David Rose et al are using, the "experts" they are listening to (as opposed to the hundreds of coaches and parents to whom they have nothing but closed ears).

Note that this is "ongoing" research - its not remotely completed yet - the link above to the University's press release on the subject was only issued in March. Could I suggest that the researchers may be more open to views from clubs than RFUW are - and that it would be worth including them in any attempts to get either the U13 or mini proposals amended? Dr Mark Wilson would seem to be the main target, probably via this email address: sshs-school-office@exeter.ac.uk.