CELEBRATING 60 YEARS 1964 - 2024
SEASON
Welcome to Southwold Rugby Football Club for the 2024/25 season. It is with a great deal of pride and pleasure that I am here for the second year as your president. We have so much to look forward to in the season ahead as we mark the Clubs 60th Anniversary – we look forward to sharing our with celebratory plans with you all as the season unfolds.
Last year was a successful year for Southwold RFC with the 1st team finishing a creditable 5th place in a very competitive league, the ladies finished a very good 4th place. The colts enjoyed a great season playing a total of 21 games against 13 different teams. The colts supplied quite as number of players for the 2nd team, which is a stepping stone for them to gain 1st team selection. Our youth teams had a mostly successful season. The U13s struggled for player numbers but most groups playing well and showing promise for next year, some going up to the colts level which is a big step for them. Our minis section has good numbers in most year groups and this speaks well for the future of our club.
My enormous thanks to the sections’ chairmen and coaches for all our teams for the outstanding work they are doing. They are all volunteers and show great commitment to their teams and the club.
We have a fantastic club here at Southwold, wonderfully supported by our sponsors, V.P Members and friends that make our lunches and clubhouse atmosphere so vibrant.
We have our 120 Club draw each month, so you could come to our lunches, have a good time and return home with more money than when you came.
Finally, my thanks to the committee and execs for all, and I mean all the work they do to make this club the success it is. The fixture list is in this booklet, all home games have a pre-match lunch, please come along and enjoy good food, good company and support our club.
Yours sincerely,
Jimmy Butler, President
CLUB OFFICERS
President:
Jimmy Butler - 07778 045978 president@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Chairman:
John Winter - 07765 575551 chairman@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Vice Chairman:
Adam Smith - 07765 575551 toungetwister26@hotmail.com
Director of Rugby:
Jim Keeble - 07534 096457 dor@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Hon. Secretary:
Helen Walker - 07557 784927 secretary@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Hon. Treasurer:
Sarah Bowden - 07951 933905 bookkeeping@southwoldrfc.co.uk
1st XV Head Coach & Senior Men’s Head Coach:
Mark Grigg - 07540 062399 headcoach@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Club Captain: Callum Hurn - 07752 334969 hurn9@hotmail.com
1st XV Captain: Luke Wade - 07926 431675
1st XV Vice Captain: Sherard Block - 07522 514294
2nd XV Captain:
Ed Chapman ed.chapman15@outlook.com
2nd XV Vice Captain: Nathan Hunt – 07900 734124
Senior Fixture Secretary:
David Grigg - 07941 017760 fixtures@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Senior Men’s Membership Secretary:
Anna Jordan-Smith - 077882 66654 anna@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Women’s XV Captain:
Abi Pipes - 07519 123532
Women’s Fixture Secretary:
Michaela Scarle - 07761 447575 michaela.scarle@gmail.com
Women’s XV Coaching Team:
Luke Hammond - 07912 554630
Ben Copling - 07734 215589
Colts & U21s Manager: Bruce Colman - 07983 178648
Youth Section Co-ordinator:
Alex Ogilvie - 07756 121408 southwoldrfcyouth@gmail.com
Youth Fixture Secretary:
Alex Ogilvie - 07756 121408 southwoldrfcyouth@gmail.com
Youth & Colts Membership Secretary:
Lynette Culverwell - 07917 681590 youthmembership@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Minis Chair:
Chantal Theobald - 07725 121008 southwoldrfcminis@gmail.com
Minis Fixture Secretary:
Sian Carass - 07500 833604 srfcminisfixtures@gmail.com
Minis Membership Secretary:
Donna Smeed - 07735 098921 minismembership@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Membership Co-ordinator:
Linda Cayley - 07977 456717 linda@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Pavilion Manager:
Paul Ireland - 07737 853425 pavilion@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Clubhouse Shop:
Sophie Morphey - 07760 181940 sophiemorphey@icloud.com
Bar Manager:
Nicola Turner - 07596 911102
Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO):
Chloe Thickitt - 07899 725101 chloethickittsrfc@gmail.com
Club Grounds Staff:
Sam Nunn and Victoria Sweet - 07887 765420
Grounds Manager:
Adam Smith - 07920 792860 toungetwister26@hotmail.com
Disciplinary Officer: Nigel Webb – 07711 033512
Webmaster:
Linda Cayley - 07977 456717
linda@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Youth Referee Co-ordinator:
Peter Medhurst - quins.13@btinternet.com
International Tickets Secretary:
Sarah Wickham - 07781 063297 ticketadmin@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Funding Coordinator:
Martyn Burnside - 07501 088546
Health & Safety:
Peter Medhurst - quins.13@btinternet.com
Photographer/Press & Media Officer:
Linda Cayley - 07977 456717
linda@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Social/Events Managers:
Anna Jordan-Smith - 07788 266654 events@southwoldrfc.co.uk
Community Liaison Officer:
Steve Marshlain - 01502 724662
General Club Committee:
• Abi Pipes
• Adam Smith
• Alex Ogilvie
• Bruce Colman
• Chantal Theobald
• Chloe Thickitt
• Helen Walker
• Jim Keeble
• Jimmy Butler
• John Winter
• Linda Cayley
• Nigel Webb
• Sarah Bowden
• Sean Cashman
HON. LIFE MEMBERS & VPS
Hon Life Members:
Anthony. P
Atkins. M
Button. C
Button. L
Felton. R
Kelk. T
Ladd. J Marshlain. A
Life Vice-Presidents:
Adam. M
Atkins. C
Bailey. R Baker. M
Ball. C
Barnes. B Baxter. S
Beavan. D
Block. G Buckley. J
Butler. J Carman. J Cashman. S Chapman. D
Vice Presidents:
Bohncke. A
Bolton. G Bond. T Bowden. K Cashman. C
Cashman. J
Cayley. K Camp. D
Cawcutt. J
Cockrane. A Colman. B
Chipperfield. O Churchyard. T Cripps. D Cross. M
Dyson. A Fairs. S Fairs. A Fearn. G Fogerty. R Fraser. N
Fuller. J Fuller. M
Fuller. M
Hadgraft. J Harrod. S
Colman. T
Cox. A Cox. T Crown. D
Dean. P Dereham. R Dodd. P Ferguson. I Flood. O Fuller. A Dent. C
Marshlain. S Nicholson. C Scarle. R
Segrave-Daly. B Stephenson. R Temple. R Vaughan. D Winter. J
Haynes. P Hewitson. D
Hume. C Hume. M
Ireland. P Jinks. G Kinsella. K Larter. W Laws. D Lewis. L
Mattocks. R Miller. T Palmer. M Parker. D Pooley. A
Remblance. G Saunders. M
Scilly. J Scott. L
Shiers. S Stephenson. R Sutton. B Taylor. J Temple. P Trett. R Watson. D Webster. M Webb. N Wickham. S Wright. R
Duffy. M Gowing. J Harvey. D Hirst. J Holder. T Howard. M Kelk. R King. S Kirk. D Leach. J McFarlane. I
Middleditch. R Morton. E McDaniel. R Remblance. G
Scarle. R Ripkin. D Richardson. E Temple. R Whiting. B Woodruff. J
MEN’S 1ST XV PAST CAPTAINS
1964-66 P H. Kemsley
1966-67 B R. Barnes
1967-68 B. Carter
1968-71 R. Middleditch
1971-74 R. Stephenson
1974-75 A E. Rumsey
1975-76 M. Webster
1976-78 C J. Button
1978-80 R W. Benford
1980-81 A K. Lampert
1981-83 T. Holden
1983-86 R W. Benford
1986-87 N. Webb
1987-89 R D. Temple
1989-92 R. Dawson
1992-93 R D. Temple
1993-94 N. Webb
1994-95 S. Cashman
1995-96 R. Kelk
1996-97 A. Fuller / D. Harris
1997-98 D. Harris
1998-00 R. McDaniel
2000-01 P A. Currie
2001-02 J R. Winter
2002-04 P J. Anthony
2004-05 S. Smith
2005-06 B. Copling
2006-09 A. Smith
2009-10 C. Withey
2010-11 D. Harvey
2011-13 A. Butler / A. Smith
2013-16 S. Webb
2016-18 J. Hall
2018-19 S. Webb
2019-21 C. Aldous / C. Duruk
2021-22 J. Hall
2022- L. Wade
WOMEN’S 1ST XV PAST CAPTAINS
1998-99 P A. Cox
1999-00 M L. Scarle
2000-02 P A. Cox
2002-03 M L. Scarle
2003-04 M L. Scarle / K A. Smy
2004-05 K A. Smy / S L. Doddington
2005-06 S L. Doddington
2006-07 J A. Stanton
2007-08 M L. Easter
2008-10 E L. Cox
2010-11 L J. Marjoram
2011-12 J I. Gallant
2012-13 L J. Calver
2013-14 J I. Gallant
2014-15 A H. Gregory
2015-16 L J. Calver
2016-17 L J. Marjoram
2017-18 R L. Lees
2019-22 J I. Gallant
2022-23 A R. McKay
2023-24 A. Pipes / A. Scarle
2024- A. Pipes
CHAIRMEN
1966-67 Lt.Col R W. Sankey
1967-70 D. Mullock
1970-73 G. Page
1973-76 P H. Middleditch
1976-77 J. Bunbury
1977-80 G. Pugh
1980-81 A. Stead
1981-84 B. Howell
1984-87 T. North
1987-88 R. Middleditch
1989-92 S. Marshlain
1992-01 D. Bevan
2001-03 R. Stephenson
2003-11 J. Winter
2011-16 D S. Fossett
2016-19 D. Vaughan
2019-22 M. Fuller
2022- J. Winter
PRESIDENTS
• Lord Prior
• B. Gadney
• Rev. T C. Hollingdale
• D W. Mullock
• A P. Kelk
• B A. Morgan
• R J M. Stephenson
• C J. Button
• P. Booley
• R. Temple
• S J. Marshlain
• D S. Fossett
• S. Wickham
• C. Shiers
• S. Cashman
• J. Butler
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sep 21
Club Lunch (Diss), Sponsored by Tobin Plant
29 Mini’s Festival
Oct 12
26
Club Lunch (Bury St. Ed. 2nd XV) Spons. by Denbury Homes
Club Lunch (Newmarket) Sponsored by Rouse Forestry
Nov 02 Autumn Internationals: England vs New Zealand
09 Autumn Internationals: England vs Australia
16
Club Lunch (Ipswich), Sponsored by Novum
16 Autumn Internationals: England vs South Africa
22 Autumn Internationals: England vs Japan
Dec 07
14
Club Lunch (Cantabs)
Club Lunch (North Walsham), Sponsored by M.S. Oakes
15 Mini’s Christmas Fun Day
26 Overs & Unders Boxing Day Match
26 Parents vs Children
Jan ‘25 04 Sponsors’ 60th Anniversary Lunch (Norwich)
18 Club Lunch (Colchester)
Feb 01 6 Nations 2025: Ireland vs England
08 6 Nations 2025: England vs France
15
Club Lunch (Shelford 2nd XV)
22 6 Nations 2025: England vs Scotland
Mar 08
Club Lunch (Ely), Sponsored by Lovewell Blake
09 6 Nations 2025: England vs Italy
15 6 Nations 2025: Wales vs England
29 60th Anniversary Celebration
Apr 17 Quiz Night
27 Mini’s Presentation Day
TBC Pony Moore Cup
May 23 European Challenge Cup Final
24 European Champions Cup Final
Jun 14 Gallagher Premiership Final
SOUTHWOLD 1ST XV
SOUTHWOLD 2ND XV
SOUTHWOLD UNDER 21S
SOUTHWOLD WOMEN’S XV
CODE OF CONDUCT
SPECTATOR & PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT:
• Show respect for officials and other players
• Encourage in your support
• Be courteous to all
• Applaud good play from both teams
• Verbally support in a proactive manner
• Remember victory is not everything
• Children are playing for their own enjoyment
• Enjoy the day and transmit that enthusiasm to the players
• Do not use the club website or social networks to criticise players, teams or officials
• Do not do anything which is likely to offend by way of insult, humiliation or discrimination
• Do not force your child to play
• Do not stray on to the pitch at any time
• Do not verbally abuse match officials - they are volunteers!
• Do not verbally abuse players or other spectators
• Do not use bad language
• Do not threaten or intimidate
• Do not become involved in physical aggression
PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT:
• Play to win - but not at all cost
• Win with dignity, lose with grace
• Observe the Laws and regulations of the game
• Respect opponents, referees and all participants
• Reject cheating, racism, homophobia, violence and drugs
• Value volunteers and paid officials alike
• Enjoy the game
COLTS (U17s & U18s)
Sep
Team Manager: Bruce Colman
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS 1964 - 2024
As we mark 60 years of Southwold Rugby Club, the next few pages shows a collection of photos from the clubs past. A tribute to the unforgettable moments that have shaped our club's rich history.
Here’s to six decades of memories, and many more to come!
SRFC 2nd XV 1978/79
(Back L to R): ?, Dominic, R. Newey, J. Green, Baldry, Ian, ?, R. Patrick. (Front L to R): D. Andrews, M. Brewster, S. Marshlaine, T. Bond, M. Craze, Gregory, I. Howlett
Thursday 3rd April, 1969. (Back L to R): M. Turpin, I. Forbes, B. Count, T. Bond, P. Fishwick, R. Lovett, D. Cousins, E. Cox. (Front L to R): J. Cousins, B. Segrave-Daly, R. Saunders, R. Middleditch (Captain), G. Button, M. Briggs, K. Hook
SRFC Dutch Tour 1980. Southwold vs Eindhoven RFC 1st XV (Division 1 Champions). Southwold 12. Eindhoven 5. (Back L to R): Dominic 15, 10, A. Rumsey 5, R. Stephenson 4, T. North 12, T. Bond 6, M. Smith 7, A. Lampert 3, C. Duckworth Substitute. (Front L to R): J. Murray 2, N. Podolski 13, C. Button Substitute, R. Benford 1, R. Middleditch 9, R. Bassam 11, 14. (K. Anstey 8 played but was using the bathroom when picture was taken).
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YOUTH / MINIS TEAM MANAGERS
U6s:
Coach: Sam Webb - 07795 625205 samwebb88@gmail.com
Admin & + First Aider: Emily Morphey - 07917 711452 emilyhallevn@hotmail.co.uk
U7s:
Coach:Michael Ward - 07990 286518 readaman3@gmail.com
Admin & + First Aider: Emily Morphey - 07917 711452 emilyhallevn@hotmail.co.uk
U8s:
Coach: James Bromley - 07776 148180 james@bromleyhomesltd.co.uk
Coach: Ben Whiting - 07748 301886 ben_whiting@hotmail.com
Admin: Emily Morphey - 07917 711452 emilyhallevn@hotmail.co.uk
+ First Aider: Ben Whiting - 07748 301886 ben_whiting@hotmail.com
U9s:
Coach: Jake Morphey - 07917 818864 jakemorph196@hotmail.co.uk
Admin: Emily Morphey - 07917 711452 emilyhallevn@hotmail.co.uk
+ First Aider: Sarah Scrivener - 07900 673644
U10s:
Coach: Piers Curry - 07858 401558
Assisting: Richard Thickitt - 07826 846172 richardthickitt@sky.com
Admin: Laura Parsons-Mann - 07999 403928 laurap_02@hotmail.com
+ First Aider: Daniel Morphey - 07904 535333
U11s:
Coach: Danny Gibson - 07770 405137 danielpetergibson5@gmail.com
Coach: Mark Souter - 07854 972107 marksouter82@gmail.com
Assisting: Ally Butler - 07881 900437 alastair@freerangepork.co.uk
Admin: Natalie Butler - 07818 420736 natalie@nataliebutlercoaching.com
+ First Aider: Connor Smith - 07737 409688
U12s:
Coach: James Strachan - 07770 405137 jdstrachan@hotmail.co.uk
Coach: Michael Connell-Smith - 07766 830042 mconnell-smith@hotmail.co.uk
Assisting: Ben McFarland - 07581 238642 benmcf@hotmail.co.uk
Admin: Philippa McFarland - 07890 120219 philippamcf@gmail.com
+ First Aider: Emma Strachan - 07770 405137 emcoop23@hotmail.co.uk
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SOUTHWOLD RUGBY MINIS FIXTURES
ADDRESS & FEES
Club Headquarters:
The William Godell Pavilion, The Common, Southwold, IP18 6TB
Annual playing membership fees:
Senior Playing Membership: £160
Ladies Playing Membership: £130
The club has a NO PAY - NO PLAY policy. (Fees include kit, coaching, match fees and food, minibuses etc.)
Country Member (Adult players living outside Eastern Counties): £25
Adult concessions for unemployed and full time students.
Colts membership - Under 17/18*: £130
Youth membership - Under 13,14,15 and 16*: £130
Minis membership - Under 6,7,8,9,10,11 and 12*: £130 (includes a shirt)
£100 for second child
£80 for third child.
(Junior membership fees include shorts**, socks (annually), match fees, food and match day medical support)
Family Membership - Adult player/VP and two Juniors: £250
Vice President - 1 year membership: £75
Vice President - 10 year membership: £400
Senior Player Sponsorship - per season: £200
We are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity and fairness for ALL in rugby, so if the cost of your or your child’s membership may affect your decision to join the club, then please contact your Team Manager. Be assured that all conversations will be treated in the strictest confidence.
* Age grade registration 1st Sunday in September
** Provided upon first-time membership and thereafter, bi-annually
SOUTHWOLD RUGBY CLUB RULES
1. The full name of the Club is “Southwold Rugby Football Club”.
2. The Club shall be affiliated to The Rugby Football Union, the Eastern Counties Rugby Union and The Suffolk Rugby Union. The playing laws to be those of The Rugby Football Union.
3. Southwold Rugby Football Club is a Limited Company registered at Companies House – Company Number 7099664.
4. The rules of Southwold Rugby Football Club are subject to the ‘Articles of Association’ of Southwold RFC Ltd. as an approved company limited by guarantee, and are complementary to them.
5. Directors of Southwold Rugby Football Club Ltd. shall be the Club President, Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer & Chairman of the Pavilion Sub-Committee.
6. Directors will delegate the day-to-day management of Southwold RFC Ltd to the Executive Committee of Southwold RFC.
7. The day-to-day management of the Club shall be the responsibility of an Executive Committee.
8. All Directors & Officers of the Club to be elected at The Annual General Meeting (of which 14 days notice must be given).
9. The President shall be elected at The AGM. The President shall receive the papers for and be entitled to attend, Committee Meetings. The President to Chair the AGM and General Meetings.
10. An independent examiner of club accounts shall be appointed at the AGM each year.
11. Nominations for all officers to be made in writing seven days prior to the AGM, proposed and seconded (with the consent of the nominee) and sent to The Secretary.
12. The Committee has the power to appoint Vice-Presidents and Captains.
13. A General Meeting of The Club may be called at any time by The Committee or by 10 members making a written request to The Club Secretary not less than four weeks before such a meeting, stating the reason for which it is summoned.
14. Alterations to these rules shall be made at the AGM or General Meeting. Proposed alterations shall be submitted in writing to The Club Secretary not less than four weeks before such a meeting.
15. The Committee shall have the power to fix subscriptions for all members and Match Fees. The period of membership covered by the Annual Subscription is 1st August to 31st July and until paid up, the privileges of membership do not apply.
16. All donations and subscriptions to be submitted to The Treasurer who shall be responsible for all financial matters. A sum subject to the discretion of The Treasurer and The Committee may be awarded as a form of honorarium to off set administrative costs of Committee members.
17. Guest players to be permitted to play for the Club (Match Fees may be payable), but after four games under this rule a player shall be liable for Annual Subscriptions.
18. Selection of teams to be entrusted to a Selection Committee.
19. Members to wear team colours (black and gold) on all occasions when playing for The Club.
20. The purchase for The Club and supply of liquor shall be exclusively controlled by The Committee.
21. The permitted hours for the sale of intoxicating liquor shall be as laid down in accordance with the Licensing Regulations in force.
22. No person under the age of 18 years shall be served or permitted to consume intoxicating liquor on The Club premises.
23. There shall be admitted to The Club premises in addition to members, at the discretion of The Committee:
(a) persons who on the day of their admission to Club premises have
played or who have been selected to play or have acted or have been selected to act as reserve players, referees or touch judges, or other officials to any Rugby Football match organised by or sponsored by The Club;
(b) persons who are members of any other Club affiliated to The Rugby Union and with which The Club customarily plays Rugby Football matches;
(c) former playing members of The Club ordinarily resident more than 10 miles from the Club premises;
(d) the guests of such persons as referred to in sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c);
(e) persons attending functions authorised and supervised by The Club for the purposes of raising money for The Club;
(f) persons attending functions authorised and supervised by The Club, but organised by another Club or Organisation who hire the premises for a fee providing that with respect to functions under sub-paragraphs (e) and (f) of this Rule, liquor may not be purchased by persons other than those referred to in sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d), at more than 12 functions in any year. Subject to any conditions that may be imposed by The Licensing Authority, any such persons are referred to in sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this Rule may purchase from The Club intoxicating liquor for consumption by themselves and their guests during the permitted hours.
24. Following a decision at an EGM in 2016, it was agreed to adopt clause 50 of the Articles of Association of SRFC Ltd in the event of a resolution to dissolve the Club.
25. The Committee have the power to deal with anything not provided for in these rules.
26. Any members or associate of Southwold Rugby Football Club caught pilfering from the property or funds of The Club shall be automatically reported to the relevant authorities.
2024/2025 SEASON
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
This policy aims to support the safe and effective use of social media by the club and its members, as well as set standards for the use of social media. These are standards consistent with the values and expectations of the Southwold RFC community. The policy acts as guidance to help protect the reputation of the club, committee, and members.
‘Social Media’ refers to all social networking sites/platforms.
GUIDELINES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA USE:
These guidelines are to help promote a positive attitude to the use of social media, specifically content concerning Southwold RFC. When using social media, members are advised to:
• Respect the rights and confidentiality of others.
• Refrain from making negative comments about players, parents, coaches, managers, referees of Southwold RFC or other clubs.
• Do not impersonate or falsely represent another person.
• Do not bully, intimidate, abuse, harass or threaten others.
• Do not make defamatory comments.
• Do not use offensive or threatening language or resort to personal abuse towards members of Southwold RFC or the wider rugby community.
• Do not post photos or videos that are hateful, threatening, pornographic or incites violence against others.
• Do not post content that harms the reputation and good standing of Southwold RFC or those within its community.
SOUTHWOLD RFC USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA:
As a club, on our official accounts:
• All content will be shared per the above ‘guidelines for social media use’.
• We will use our platforms to promote the sport of rugby, our club itself and the community around us.
• Content will be ultimately controlled by the club’s Social Media Managers.
• At all levels and ages, capturing any images in changing rooms, showers or at any time when players are dressing is never acceptable. Images used on platforms will neither be sexual, of an exploitative nature nor open to misinterpretation or misuse.
Southwold RFC official accounts & Social Media Managers can be found in the full policy on the website.
We strongly advise against club members creating other Southwold RFC related accounts (e.g. accounts for individual age groups). This is due to the impact unofficial accounts could have on the reputation of the club and our official accounts.
Only official Southwold RFC accounts are authorised to use the club logo on social media profiles.
SAFEGUARDING CONCERNING SOCIAL MEDIA USE:
As a club:
• We will not share any details disclosing personal information about a child to anyone via social media. This includes a child’s full name, address, or any information that makes a child identifiable or puts them at risk.
• We will never use the full names on our social media platforms of those who are under the age of 18, first names or nicknames only.
• If it is necessary to name a child, we will have written parental consent and have informed the parents as to how the information will be used.
• For players under the age of 18, parental consent for photographs (taken whilst a child is at home or away fixtures) will be gained via confirmation on membership forms at the beginning of each season.
• Permission for the use of photos/videos to be used on social media platforms will be gained in the same way.
• Those who are not permitted to be shared on social media platforms or be photographed will be identified and known to the club Safeguarding Officer, Social Media Managers and relevant committee members.
• No identifying information of children will be provided alongside images or videos.
• Children will be appropriately dressed when being photographed.
• Parents will be made aware if a video is being taken to be used as a coaching aid.
• It is not an offence to take photographs in a public place. On privately owned or leased land, it is the owner who may regulate whether pictures may be taken.
Southwold RFC matches and Sunday training take place on Southwold Common, IP18 6TB, this is common land and therefore open to the public.
• Parents should be aware that they may be asked to register their intention to take photographs.
MOBILE AND ONLINE COMMUNICATION WITH CHILDREN:
Based on RFU guidance and the club’s safeguarding policy, these rules cover how adults connected with that club should communicate with children.
Southwold RFC Coaches/Team Managers who have undergone DBS checks are permitted to create group chats (age permitting) on suitable communication platforms to communicate team news, updates, and information, parents will be included within these.
• Volunteers should not communicate with individual children by text or online at any time, on any matter, unless there is an immediate risk to the welfare of that child which can be lessened by such contact.
• When communicating by phone, where possible volunteers should speak to the parent of a child.
• If a club needs to communicate club-related information to children by email (such as training or match details), it should use email groups
comprising email addresses given by parents.
• Volunteers shouldn't communicate by email on a one-to-one basis with a child; if replying to an email from a child the parent should be copied into the response
• Volunteers should not communicate with children through social networking sites such as Facebook or Instagram. Coaches should not be “friends” with the children they coach.
It is more than likely that children in your club, those old enough to be on social media, will set up group chats to message each other privately. Whilst we do not want to prohibit children from communicating with their peers, we advise children to be aware of social media and the dangers it can present. The club recommends:
• You never share anything online that you would not want to be released to the public, even within a private group chat. Once an image is put online, whether via social media posts or shared in a private group chat, it is very hard to retrieve it.
• Do not engage in abusive or bullying behaviour towards another person in or out of the group chat.
• Do not share images of an inappropriate or sexual nature, whether of yourself or others.
Southwold RFC makes it clear that if children are engaging in group chats while being part of the club, these group chats are not an extension or representation of the club.
Southwold RFC holds no responsibility for club members who are using social media platforms whilst under the age limit stated by a platform’s terms and conditions. On WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat and Twitter, the age limit is 13 years old.
SUMMARY: Any incidents will be investigated where appropriate and dealt with on a case-by-case basis in line with RFU regulations. The club will take appropriate action against all members of Southwold RFC if they are involved in an incident as deemed necessary by the committee.
The club will utilise its official social media accounts to promote Southwold RFC and the community positively and productively.
Southwold RFC advises that all members involved in and around the club use social media concerning Southwold RFC positively and respectfully.
Share your achievements, be gracious in defeat, celebrate club successes, and build positive connections within your club and wider rugby community.
RFU policies have been used as the base for this and adopted under the club constitution. As well as its social media policy, the club will also utilise the RFU and ECRU policies regarding social media and safeguarding.
REVIEWED AND UPDATED: August 2024.
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