Question 1

1.0 How does the GMS process work for university administrators and players?

Accepted Answer

Follow the step-by-step guidance here.

Question 2

1.1 Who can join the SRFU as a Member?

Accepted Answer

Membership is open to English Higher Education Institutions that are registered with the Office for Students and have affiliated University Rugby Club(s) where the responsibility for rugby union is delegated to one of the following areas of a HEI:
Students’ Union 
Athletic Union 
University Sports Department

Question 3

1.2.1 Higher Education Institution Responsibilities

Accepted Answer

HEI Rugby Club(s) should be an affiliated student group(s) of a Higher Education Institution where the delegated responsibility sits with one identified areas of the institution in section 1.1.  HEI’s can have more than one Rugby Club member to represent different facets of the respective university:Main CampusMedics/other facultySatellite CampusMembership to the SRFU is predicated on meeting the following criteria: Facilities: The institution provides access to suitable facilities for training and any BUCS, LUSL or NAMS competitions which they have entered which require them to host fixtures. Key Contacts: Have at least one staff member assigned as a central point of contact for discipline matter who has the capacity to follow up on student conduct matters. Any central point(s) of contact must also be registered as a ‘staff contact’ on both GMS and the SRFU annual registration and will be acknowledged by SRFU as responsible for all Rugby Union matters relating to the institution, for example Discipline, Ticket disputes and Grant Applications.  SRFU cannot be held responsible where an institution has failed to keep their details up to date on GMS.  Insurance: Institutions are responsible for the provision of appropriate insurance cover for their representative teams in all rugby competitions. By entering any BUCS, LUSL or NAMS competitions an institution is agreeing to this requirement and indicating they are insured with an active policy. Player Safety: Support the Rugby Club meet the requirements linked to Regulation 9 click here and any related Minimum Operating Standards set by the RFU. Rugby Union Activity Return: Complete the annual activity return for rugby at your institution (number of teams, fixtures, leagues played in, participation rugby programmes)

Question 4

1.2.2 Student Rugby Club Responsibilities

Accepted Answer

Number of fixtures:To gain and maintain membership the member club must complete a minimum of 8 competitive fixtures at a first-team level (Men’s or Women’s). Note your clubs will need to play 12 fixtures to qualify for RFU voting membership.  Game Management System:The Rugby Club must:I.	Complete the golden roles on your institution profile. This must include Main Rugby contact, Rugbysafe contact and Hon Sec II.	Complete the Rugbysafe & Player welfare tab under organisation profile III.	Adhere to RFU Regulation 13, ensure all university rugby players are registered to play. Comply with RFU Regulation 9:Work with your institution to ensure the Club complies with Regulation 9.Headcase:Commit to all players and support staff/volunteers completing the HEADCASE module. Also be able to provide evidence of completion if requested.

Question 5

1.3 Applying to become a new member

Accepted Answer

The application process to become a new member will require approval from the Trustee Board with the completion of a membership application form. Once all requirements of membership are met, the new member will be voted in by an existing member vote at the next AGM. Where an application is made mid-season, the new member may be provisionally approved by the Trustee Board pending a formal vote at the next AGM

Question 6

1.4 Existing Members

Accepted Answer

All HEIs are required to confirm their membership(s) annually with the SRFU by completing the membership process outlined above. In turn, the SRFU will confirm with the RFU Governance committee which members meet the criteria of full RFU voting or non-voting membership.

Question 7

1.5 SRFU Member Representation

Accepted Answer

In accordance with the Articles of Association, each member is required to declare two member representatives each year. 
 
One representative must be a Student Rugby Club(s) Committee member or nominee 
One representative must be a member of staff from the sports department, students’ union or athletic union.
Member representatives must be confirmed annually - failure to do so will lead to suspension of the Member until the representatives are declared. SRFU cannot be held responsible where an institution has failed to keep their details up to date.

Question 8

1.6 SRFU Membership Fee

Accepted Answer

The cost to register with the SRFU is currently free of charge.

Question 9

1.7 SRFU Membership Benefits

Accepted Answer

Eligible to enter BUCS, LUSL or NAMS domestic competitions
Permission to tour/complete fixtures abroad
Access to SRFU Grant development funding 
Access to RFU Rugby development funding opportunities
Access to university specific rugby club development resources including conference and online seminar support 
Student leadership and development opportunities.
Entry into England Rugby Ticket Ballot (RFU Voting Club Members)
RFU and University specific communications throughout the season

Question 10

1.8 How long does membership last and how is it renewed?

Accepted Answer

Membership to the SRFU is annual and needs to be renewed every season. The date for registration will vary each season and be communicated on an annual basis. University Rugby Clubs are unable to participate in BUCS, LUSL or NAMS competitions (XV & 7s) until membership is complete.

Question 11

1.9 Suspension or Termination of SRFU Membership

Accepted Answer

A HEI Rugby Club(s) shall be liable to suspension or termination of its membership or privileges as the SRFU Governance Committee may determine if it should fail to satisfy the criteria and conditions of membership set out above, or fails to provide evidence to the satisfaction of the SRFU Governance Committee that it meets the criteria and conditions of membership set out above.

Question 12

1.10 Member misconduct or bring the game into disrepute

Accepted Answer

Both the HEI  and club(s) shall be responsible for ensuring that its student-athletes, officials and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers conduct themselves in an orderly fashion whilst attending or taking part in Rugby Union activity on and off the field of play. They shall also be responsible for ensuring that its student-athletes, officials and all persons purporting to be its representatives do not conduct themselves in a way, or print/have published any material, which will bring the game into disrepute, including on social media platforms.

Question 13

1.11 Non-Voting membership

Accepted Answer

Non-voting membership is open to Student Rugby Clubs that are play in RFU Community Leagues as their primary competition. These clubs are still required to meet reg 1.1.

Question 14

1.12 Who cannot become a member of the SRFU?

Accepted Answer

Other education related institution (College & Schools) and non-student Rugby Clubs.
 
Student Groups that are not recognised by their institution under reg 1.1. For instance, a collective of students from a satellite campus who form a team and enter local RFU merit leagues or play in university intramural leagues.

STUDENTS' RFU MEMBERSHIP 2026-27

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

1.0 How does the GMS process work for university administrators and players?

1.1 Who can join the SRFU as a Member?

1.2.1 Higher Education Institution Responsibilities

1.2.2 Student Rugby Club Responsibilities

1.3 Applying to become a new member

1.4 Existing Members

1.5 SRFU Member Representation

1.6 SRFU Membership Fee

1.7 SRFU Membership Benefits

1.8 How long does membership last and how is it renewed?

1.9 Suspension or Termination of SRFU Membership

1.10 Member misconduct or bring the game into disrepute

1.11 Non-Voting membership

1.12 Who cannot become a member of the SRFU?

FAQs

What is the Students’ RFU?

Who can join the SRFU as a Member?

What is the cost to become an SRFU member?

Why do we need to join the Students’ RFU?

What benefits do I receive as a member?

Why is membership of the SRFU now linked to eligibility to play in BUCS/LUSL/NAMS?

Our university operates separate Men’s and Women’s Clubs, how does affiliation to the SRFU work for us?"

Our university operates separate clubs for different campuses - how does affiliation to the SRFU work for this?

Our university has separate clubs for the medical school/dentist school/engineers - how does affiliation SRFU work for this?

We are a student rugby club without affiliation to the university, how does our membership work for us?"

What is the difference between being affiliated to the SRFU and the RFU?

Can/should we also affiliate with their County CB, for example Gloucestershire RFU?"

C O N T A C T U S