Thank you to everyone who contributed to the independent review of our current system (GMS) and provided feedback on clubs’ needs and priorities from a digital Platform for Rugby to help them run the game.

Having been appointed to conduct the review, Deloitte consulted with 1,200 Community Game representatives from different regions and roles, including players, coaches, parents, match officials and club administrators.

The RFU has listened to Deloitte’s recommendations and understands the importance of putting the user at the heart of decision-making as we develop a Platform for Rugby that supports the wide variety of roles within the game.

The 2021/2022 season has seen the most significant system usage ever, with over a quarter of a million users logging in. Recommendations to simplify processes and make navigation more intuitive will be prioritised, as per your feedback, so the system works for the user. We are aware of the shortfalls of the existing Game Management System (GMS) but are confident having listened to Deloitte's recommendations that it can be reconfigured to deliver what you, the users, have told us you need from it.

Our ambition is for you to WANT to use the Platform for Rugby because:

a. It works and is simple to use
b. It will help you perform your role and therefore make your life easier
c. It will benefit clubs in the long-term by being able to use accurate data effectively to engage players and, ultimately, get more players on pitches

PLATFORM FOR RUGBY RECOMMENDATIONS

Placing the user at the front of any changes, Deloitte's recommendations have been broken down into four key areas. A synopsis is below, with more detailed information and a timeline within the presentation HERE. A video explaining the review recommendations and questions posed by Constituent Body (CB) members is below.
Video

The Platform for Rugby model will be brought to life through a phased, multi-year plan.

Technology:
A significant upgrade is planned, which will naturally take time. It is important to get the technology and processes right now to avoid disruption further down the line. Users will not notice a major system overhaul next season as 2022/23 will be about setting foundations, simplifying processes, and testing new technology before implementing it in 2023/24. The plan is to create a single rugby sign-on and personalised user portals, increase functionality and improve notifications. The ambition going forward is to create a digital rugby marketplace to give users more choice and flexibility, being able to integrate 3rd party platforms such as Pitchero, Spond and Teamer into a streamlined and improved version of GMS that will deliver key components such as compliance, competition management etc.

Ways of working:
Reduce the amount of time volunteers need to spend on the Platform for Rugby by reducing mandatory tasks and streamlining processes required to run the game. This in turn will decrease complex technology and make the user journey more intuitive and less clunky.

Data:
Continue to drive the affiliation process, building on the 145,000 age-grade players affiliated to date. Ensure players have the right tools to manage their data and support clubs to hold quality data in the system annually ahead of 3rd party introduction.

Communication and Engagement:
In the short-term, improve key areas that game representatives have identified. The RFU will increase training, support, communication, and engagement and create a Platform for Rugby educator workforce to support users. Give advance notice before changes are implemented. Create five new Platform for Rugby user groups of representatives from different regions, roles, and experience levels. If you would like to express an interest in joining one of the new Players, Coaches and Match Officials, Team & Match Management, Club Management and CB and Council groups CLICK HERE.

Next steps
Please share these documents and video with club members to help them understand the digital journey we are about to undertake. We will need your help to make this journey, and any feedback at this point would be very much welcomed to all RFU Staff.

Between now and the 2022/23 season, we will provide further detail on plans, training and any quick improvements users can expect to see, alongside FAQs. You will be able to find this on our Updates & Support page

These changes are in response to club feedback to create a system that works for everyone. We understand frustrations from the past. It is our intention to resolve these and to prevent them from re-occurring in the future. We hope you’ll join us in supporting this plan as we work together to make it simpler to play, coach, officiate, run, and support rugby union in England.

We will share this information again after Easter to ensure clubs have had chance to view the plan and recommendations.
-----------------------------------------------
We wait with bated breath!