The Union is run by the 'General Committee'  of representatives from all Clubs, affiliated Societies and Unions, who elect a Management Committee annually,and send a representative to meetings held throughout the Season at various clubs. Sussex R.F.U. is not one of the largest 'Constituent Bodies' making up the Rugby Football Union, but it has a well-earned a name  for its ideas, innovation and contribution on and off the field,to the game of Rugby Football Union in England. Sussex RFU works closely with the sussex Referees Society and the Sussex Schools Union, who provide representatives and Officers for our Committees.

How our Committees work, and what they do

NOTE - proposals due to be presented at the AGM on 16th June, make radical changes to our committee structure. If approved, they will be detailed on this page.

 County Management and County General Committees

THE COUNTY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE consisting of the County Officers, Committee Chairmen and the Regional Rugby Development Manager, meets through the year and formulates proposals and actions for approval by the COUNTY GENERAL COMMITTEE,  to which every Club and Affiliated Society sends a representative. These two committees run the everyday business of the Union, and develop policy for the future development of the Game. They meet through the year, and,  'grass roots' meetings  are held in Clubs in all areas of the County. 

CBRDP Committee
(Constituent Body, Rugby Development Partnership)

Under its Chairman, Martin Eley new committee has overall responsibility for the development of Youth Rugby from the age of 7 to 24. It incorporates, two Youth sub-committees, Junior, 7-18 and Senior,16-24, and, together with representatives from the Community Rugby and Coaching and Player Development Committees, represents all Youth matters on the Management Committee.

Community Rugby Committee

Gary Howorth, chairs this committee, which oversees the work of the County's four new Regional Development Partnerships, each with their own Community Rugby Coach, These are part funded by the RFU, Sussex RFU, Local Authorities and most importantly, the Clubs.  It also deals with Child Welfare and Facilities development issues. Vice-Chairman is David Fisher, who brings his long experience of liaison with Local Authorities interests in Further and Higher education.

Discipline Committee

This Committee, chaired by Frank Edmonds, meets as required, to judge playing disciplinary issues following the sending off of adult players.He is joined by a panel of senior rugby administrators drawn from Clubs. The secretary of the Committee is Kenny Gordon, and a non-voting observer from the Referee's society is also present. Link to Disciplinary page

Coaching and Player Development Committee 

Geraint Jones,  chairs this Committee, which works with the Community Rugby Committee and the CBRDP and RDO to develop the skills of Youth rugby. This Committee has as its aim: "To improve the quality of Coaching and Playing development at all levels of the game in Sussex Rugby."
Amongst its terms of reference are:
  To oversee the delivery of coaching and playing targets in the Sussex Youth Rugby Strategic plan.
  To manage all County and District squads.
  To establish, with the Rugby Development Officer, (RDO) the number and type of Coaching Award courses.
  To implement and review an annual Coach Development Programme for all Coaches and Teachers.
  To identify and support Coaches working towards Level 3 and 4 in Junior and Adult rugby.
  To identify and develop rugby talent at youth levels.
  To advise the RDO Management Group of support required from professional staff.
  To submit annual budgets to Sussex RFU and Sussex Youth Management Group to underpin its activities.
  To oversee the delivery of coaching and playing targets in the Sussex Youth Rugby Strategic plan.
  To manage all County and District squads.
  To establish, with the Rugby Development Officer,  (RDO) the number and type of Coaching Award courses.
  To implement and review an annual Coach Development Programme for all Coaches and Teachers.
  To identify and support Coaches working towards Level 3 and 4 in Junior and Adult rugby.
  To identify and develop rugby talent at youth levels.
  To advise the RDO Management Group of support required from professional staff.
  To submit annual budgets to Sussex RFU and Sussex Youth Management Group to underpin its activities.

Competitions Committee

Chaired by Ken Nichols this Committee is responsible for the administration of all County Competitions for Senior players, that is the three County First XV Sussex Knock-out competitions (Plate, Shield and Trophy) and the three Sussex Junior Knockouts for Second XV's and below, The Salver, Vase and Bowl, and the Womens' Knockout Competition.

The Committee also administers the Sussex Team Leagues -Intermediate, Division Two East and West, and Division Three East and West.
The Committee supplies League Secretaries for the RFU Leagues and a Representative to the 'London Counties Competitions Committee' (currently John Thompson) which administers the London and South-East Division Leagues for the RFU.
The Sussex Fixture Bureau is also administered by this Committee.

Competitions pages

   Representative Rugby Committee

Responsible for the selection and management of the County XV for the RFU County Championship and the preceding warm-up games. If you, or your Club know of a player qualified for Sussex by birth or domicile, who you think may be good enough to be selected, contact the County XV Manager, Gordon Denslow in order to have him considered.

Remember - in today's Rugby, ability is what is important - not what School someone went to or what Club they play for.

County Championship page