The benefits of Life Membership are as follows:

• Presentation of the award at the Sussex RFU Annual General Meeting

• An invitation to every County event

• The cessation of all fees associated with Sussex Rugby

Nomination Process for Life Membership

1. Nominations for Life Membership of SRFU can be made by any member of SRFU, who commits to acting as nomination sponsor.

2. The sponsor must raise the nomination before the Board of SRFU at least two Board Meetings before the AGM.  

3. Clubs affiliated to SRFU can also put forward nominations to a Board member, who becomes sponsor of the recommendation, to comply with the same timeline as (2). 

4. Nominations are considered by the Life Membership Committee (LMC) which consists of current life members and is chaired by the President, or Past President of SRFU.

5. The LMC must consist of a minimum of three people including the Chair. 

6. It is the responsibility of The Chair to call the LMC meeting in time to include their decision on the agenda at the County AGM as (2).  

7. The decision of the LMC is binding. 

8. Due to the significance of Life Membership no more than two life memberships should be awarded in any one year.  

9. The sponsor cannot sit on the LMC to consider the proposal. 

10. The Chair of the LMC cannot preside over a nomination for himself or herself. 

11. The role of the sponsor is to present evidence to the LMC to support the nomination.  

12. The LMC should consider the nomination based on the evidence supplied on the following areas of service to Sussex RFU:

• Rugby Leadership role within the County. 

• Lasting contribution to the development and future of rugby in Sussex

• Administration and dedication to the process of developing and sustaining rugby in Sussex

• Overall contribution (including fund-raising, volunteering, supporting others and expanding the game in general-plus any other areas which the Committee might consider relevant) 

The nominee must have made an outstanding contribution in one of these areas and at least some contribution in two of the other three areas, for a period in excess of 20 years or a further contribution and timescale deemed appropriate at the discretion of the LMC.  

Where Life Membership is not considered appropriate Sussex RFU provide other significant recognition options for volunteers and supporters of the game in the county

Sussex RFU is kindly supported by a number of Patrons. Patrons demonstrate an interest in the game and support for all aspects of the work undertaken by Sussex RFU. They play an important role supporting and potentially influencing the game within Sussex

Being a Patron entitles you to a number of privileges in return for an annual donation. Currently these extend to:

• Being invited to attend home County XV fixtures (free of charge), Annual General Meetings (without a vote) and major County events (e.g. cup finals).
• Patrons will receive recognition of their status.
• Patrons providing a donation of at least £50 per annum avail themselves of the right to apply for International Tickets from Sussex RFU’s allocation and for tickets to access the “CB Bar” at Twickenham.

Patrons do not have any voting rights within the structure of Sussex RFU but will be kept informed regularly upon the developments and progress of Sussex RFU activities

How to become a Patron

Anyone may become a Patron of the Sussex RFU, provided they pay a subscription fee to Sussex RFU determined annually by the Board.

Please contact the Sussex RFU Administrator, Marylyn Rankin (marylyn@virtualpasupport.co.uk) for further details.