National Conference for Heads of Rugby in Schools

Tuesday 17 November at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

National Conference for Heads of Rugby in Schools - 17 November 2026
Dates & Venues

    The landscape of both schools and Rugby are changing rapidly.  An estimated 100,000 boys and a growing number of girls are playing the game in schools, making it one of the biggest participation sports in the sector.  The issues faced by Heads of Rugby in maintaining this playing population, and ensuring standards of coaching and competition within a safe and inclusive framework, continue to present challenges.  This annual conference is supported by RFU, enabling it to be held at the national stadium: it is the UK’s largest gathering of Rugby leaders in schools.

    Much is happening at a national level, and schools have never had a better opportunity to influence this.  A Review of Regulation 15 is ongoing, which will shape the future of combining age grades, and also of the sevens season.   The RFU is also introducing new training requirements for school coaches, through an online platform, which will be available for the 2026/7 season.  Details of what schools must, might and may do will be presented.

    This is the UK’s most significant annual event for the leaders of the school game. It will enable delegates to return to their schools confident that their programmes are in line with national requirements and recommendations.

    Programme
    9.30am

    Conference Assembles. Refreshments

    10.00am
    National Rugby Leadership in HMC Schools
    Guy Ayling
    Principal Mount Kelly, Rugby Lead on HMC Sport Committee
    10.30am
    Why I want Rugby in my School
    John Green,  Headmaster, Seaford College 2013-26
    11.00am 
    RFU Council and Schools Rugby
    Nick Buoy
    RFU Council Representative for England Rugby Schools
    11.15am

    Refreshment Break

    11.30am
    Maintaining a Safe Playing and Training Environment
    Dr Sam Barke
    Head of Sports Medicine, Meloria Medical Group
    12.00pm
    Competitions Updates, Plans and Feedback
    RFU National Competitions and Rosslyn Park National Schools’ Sevens
    12.30pm
    What School Rugby did for Me
    Alex Goode
    Saracens and England
    1.00pm

    Lunch

    2.00pm
    Regulation 15 Review Update
    Mark Saltmarsh
    RFU Player Pipeline Manager
    2.30pm
    National Schools Rugby Leadership Programme: Next Steps
    Neil Rollings
    Project Leader 
    3.00pm
    Regional Schools Networks
    John Mallett
    National Networks Leader
    3.30pm

    Conference Disperses

    Booking form
    In association with
    Prices

    1 place £239
    2 places £379 

    All prices exclude VAT

    Don’t forget schools can now reclaim the VAT on all our courses

    Price includes catering and resources. In the event of you needing to cancel a place, please note we require fourteen days' notice.

    Updated 25 June 2026

    Categories Rugby