The Students’ RFU (SRFU) are seeking to appoint a new volunteer trustee to join its existing Trustee Board and support the organisation deliver it’s aspirations of making student rugby inclusive and easy to access for any student who wishes to be involved in the game.
We are especially interested in hearing from prospective candidates who have an expertise in the university rugby at a strategic level. We’d expect the candidate to have a strong grasp of the university developmental player pathway and participation, alongside the opportunities and challenges the sector faces.
The Students’ Rugby Football Union is a national constituent body of the Rugby Football Union (RFU). The SRFU is the representative body for university rugby union in England with a particular responsibility for the governance, development and growth of the game. We work in close partnership with both the RFU Player Pipeline Team and BUCS to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to the development and delivery of higher education rugby. This is managed through the SRFU Full Committee which this role would Chair with the support of our Operations Manager and SRFU workstream leads.
The SRFU is a charitable company led by a team of committed volunteers and supported by one part-time employee. The trustees have a responsibility for understanding the environment in which the charity is operating and for leading the charity in fulfilling its purposes as effectively as possible with the resources available, ultimately upholding the highest levels of governance.
As part of a wider modernisation project, the trustees have identified that the Board would benefit from a diversity of backgrounds, both in person and in profession. We would specifically benefit from new trustees who are closely connected to the beneficiaries of the organisation (students) or have experience in developing the women’s game. Bringing their skillsets to the Board, the new trustees would help equip the charity to deliver its charitable purposes.
The SRFU is committed to diversity and inclusion amongst its trustees, reflecting the sector which is serves. We welcome applications from those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds and women, as they are under-represented within the SRFU. We are actively looking for people who are passionate about rugby and making a positive difference.
How to apply
For more information or to apply for a trustee role, please send your CV and covering letter, confirming which of the two opportunities you are interested in, via email to Patrick Craig (Hon. Secretary) at p.m.craig@leeds.ac.uk by Friday 23rd June 2023.
About the Students’ RFU
The Students’ Rugby Football Union is a national constituent body of the Rugby Football Union (RFU). The SRFU is the representative body for university rugby union in England with a particular responsibility for the governance, development and growth of the game. It is a charitable company registered at both Companies House (Company Number: 04240029) and with the Charities Commission (Charity Number: 1087986).
The charitable purpose of the Students’ RFU is “the advancement of amateur sport”.
The charitable objects of the Students’ RFU are: “To administer, foster, encourage, extend and control rugby union football (“the game”) for the moral, mental and physical development of students at universities and other institutions of higher education in England”
About the role
As a trustee of the Students’ RFU you will be expected to attend and contribute to the following:
4 trustee board meetings per year (2hrs per meeting). The majority of these will be held online with at least one in person
Chair of the Full Committee meetings 4 per year (2hrs per meeting). These meetings will be held two online/two in person and have administrative support
Involvement in at least one RFU sub-committee / working group
Attendance at the Annual General Meeting
In addition, you may wish to attend the annual development conference and awards programme.
Upon appointment, trustees will be asked to attend a trustee induction which will be conducted online.
Each trustee shall hold office from the end of the annual general meeting following election to the end of the third annual general meeting after election. Trustees will be able to be re-elected for two further terms of three years.
Your responsibilities as a trustee:
As a trustee of the Students’ RFU you will have 7 legal responsibilities and 12 essential duties.
Your legal responsibilities are to;
1. Ensure your charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
2. Comply with your charity’s governing document and the law
3. Act in the charity’s best interests
4. Manage your charity’s resources responsibly
5. Act with reasonable care and skill
6. Ensure your charity is accountable
7. Make decisions as a Trustee Board
Your essential duties are to:
1. Set and maintain vision
2. Develop strategy
3. Establish and monitor policies
4. Ensure compliance with the governing document
5. Ensure accountability
6. Ensure compliance with the law
7. Maintain proper fiscal oversight
8. Respect the role of staff / volunteers
9. Maintain effective board performance
10. Promote the organisation
11. Set up employment procedures
12. Select and support the Chief Executive/Senior organisation leader
As a volunteer for the Students’ RFU, we will ensure that all reasonable expenses are reimbursed including travel, accommodation and subsistence where appropriate.
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