OPRFC Academy

Mini, Junior & Youth Rugby


The Community Rugby Active Sports Seal of Approval
RFU Community Rugby has introduced the Active Sports Seal of Approval accreditation programme as a method of examining, maintaining and improving the provision of rugby in the youth section of an Active Sports rugby club. Building upon current good practice, the accreditation aims to recognise the effort and achievement of those clubs that reach, maintain and improve on the required standard of a club committed to the Active Sports programme. Community Rugby has worked with Sport England to integrate the Active Sports Seal of Approval accreditation with the Sport England Clubmark scheme to ensure that the safe, effective, child-friendly club standards are met. Any club awarded the Community Rugby Seal of approval would already have achieved Clubmark accreditation.

Our Commitment
Old Patesians RFC is committed to the attainment of Active Sports Seal of Approval accreditation. Building on our current good practice we will strive to improve the provision of rugby for players in a safe, effective and child-friendly club environment. We recognise that this is one of the key steps that we must take in order to further the development of the club, and to achieve our objective of becoming the leading club in the South West for the provision of rugby for young people.

If you wish to find out more information about the Seal of Approval and Old Patesians RFC, please contact the club’s Seal of Approval Co-ordinator (Mike Angell) or any of the Club’s Mini & Junior Committee. please go to the Mini & Junior contacts page.

Qualifying for the Award
The Community Rugby Active Sports Seal of Approval and the Sport England Clubmark accreditation scheme are based upon a three-year award system in which a club will be assessed on its ability to provide a safe, effective, child-friendly club environment. A club will qualify in the first year by the completion of the assessment file and the writing of a 12-month youth section Development Plan. By implementing the first year development plan and having the second year plan approved, a club will qualify for Year II status. The same process in year three will lead to Year III status. The Award will be indicative of the quality of provision a club offers, and its commitment to the continued development of young rugby players. A club will receive certification to confirm accreditation, both from Community Rugby and Sport England.