Dear Members,

You may or may not be aware that discussions continue around the future of England Rugby, and we would like to keep you informed while staying focused on what matters most to your Committee; namely, our players and members, and our community and our Club.

At the heart of the discussions, there is a divide on how best to shape the future of the sport. 

The England RFU, our governing body, believes in reform and has set out proposals aimed at strengthening the structure of the RFU, with a focus on long-term sustainability, high-performance pathways, and financial stability. 

The Whole Game Union, meanwhile, is a group advocating for a greater role for grassroots clubs in shaping these changes and ensuring community rugby remains well-supported.

There is more information on the views of each of the two ‘camps’ below.

Upcoming Vote

On 27 March, an RFU Special General Meeting (SGM) will take place, where your Club will have a vote on the key issues being debated. 

We would like to gather any strong views of our members on these developments before the vote takes place. If you have views, please share them with us ahead of the SGM, by reaching out to Nick Pearce, Hon. Club Secretary or speaking with us at the Club before 20 March 2025.

For now, and into the future, our focus remains on playing, developing, and enjoying rugby, as we celebrate together 100 years of Sevenoaks Rugby.

Further Information:

RFU Official Statement:

https://www.englandrugby.com/follow/news-media/message-sir-bill-beaumont-and-rfu-board

Whole Game Union article:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/feb/17/grassroots-rugby-six-nations-rfu-calcutta-cup-england-scotland

Yours in rugby,

Your Committee

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