Middlesex Rugby Development Partnership

The Middlesex Rugby Development Partnership (MRDP) is responsible for the full gamut of rugby from 7 year olds up to the 19-24 student activities within the County.

At the heart of the MRDP vision is ‘the player’, and its mission is to ensure that the young player who starts out on his rugby journey, develops along the way those technical tactical, physical and psychological skills, that are required for the modern game. We also want everybody who is involved rugby through the MRDP to become infused with the core values, principles and ethos of the game, and learn how to engender its competitive spirit whilst maintaining respect for opponents, and most importantly learn how to appreciate how the rugby journey can sustain us all for the duration of our lives.

The structure and principles of the MRDP were set out seven years ago by its pioneer Nigel Orton in consultation with Middlesex Rugby and the RFU. The County, through its management policy, annual action plans and five year strategic plans, considers carefully all initiatives and monitors the progress and outcomes of RDP activity. Through its current chairman, Dr Geoff Boxer, and the chairmen of each of its sub-committees, the partnership continually seeks to improve and develop the relationships of the many stakeholders.

Managing youth rugby in Middlesex

The MRDP works within the RFU Rugby Development Partnership (RDP) which manages all aspects of rugby throughout the RFU constituent bodies for schools, students and youth players.

The MRDP is comprised of sub-committees who organise and control activities for players from 7 to 24 years of age and within those age groups, the MRDP looks after the interests of:

●   Players and their families
●   Coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers
●   Schools and their Directors of Sport/Rugby
●   Clubs with mini and youth sections
●   The Middlesex age-grade representative squads (Club Middlesex)
     and its managers and coaches
●   Middlesex School of Rugby (SoR) and its manager and
     coaching co-ordinator/educator
●   The Premiership club (London Wasps) who help support and
     develop initiatives within the Middlesex SoR
●   Institutes of Higher Education (IHE) and further education
     (FE) colleges
●   Welfare and safeguarding officers

MRDP Structure

MRDP Executive Committee

Chairman: Geoff Boxer
Secretary: Brian East
Treasurer: J Wilson (LSRFU Rep)
Coaching & School of Rugby Chairman: Bob Lawless
RFUW: Clare Cooper
RFU Regional Rugby Manager Jo Martin
RFU Representative: Chris Cuthbertson
Middlesex Schools Union: Shane Davey
Girls' Rugby: Neil Fretwell
Welfare & Safeguarding: Siobhan Schofield
Age-Group Chairmen: David Garvey, Ian Middleton, Russell Price

Middlesex Schools' RFU

Hon President: Paul Astbury
Chairman: Shane Davey
Secretary: Lee Linale
Treasurer: John Wilson
Schools' Cup Competition Organiser: Shane Davey

Committee Members: Mark Adams, Jesse Coulson, Nigel Orton
 

7-12 Minis Rugby Committee

The main concern is that enjoyment is a high priority and that festivals for club teams, and not leagues (with all its emphasis on a winning mentality), are the main focus, with emphasis placed on a winning mentality.

Chairman: Kevin Day
Committee Members: Club Mini Representatives
 

13-18 Youth Rugby Committee

Balances the many requirements that clubs, schools and County have, with protection of players’ interests being important and managing the demands on them and their parents/families. It is also concerned with helping players achieve their aspirations and goals.

Chairman: Russell Price
Youth League Organisers: Ged Elliott, Ken MacRae

Committee Members: Club Youth Representatives, Representatives from London Wasps Academy and RFUW
 

19-24 Student Rugby Committee

At student level the committee has a eclectic mix of young men and women to consider, who represent the many facets of life and study that students see as both important and exciting, as their academic and working lives begin to coalesce. For students, activity in rugby can be a stepping stone to a career in sport, an outlet for their energy and a way of keeping fit, or merely a vehicle for socialising.
More about student rugby...

Chairman: David Garvey

Committee members: Katie Holland (UEL), Mark Hyndman (RHUL), Ben Stoken (RUSLO), Jamie Traxon (RUSLO)

Welfare Committee

Safeguarding Manager: Siobhan Schofield
Schools & Youth Disciplinary Secretary: Caron Evan-Evans 

RFU Rugby Development Officers

The role of the Rugby Development Officer (RDO) has expanded to cover the whole game including adult rugby, volunteer development, academy liaison, coaching, player development and partnership working with a number of agencies.

Regional Rugby Manager (RRM): Jo Martin

Rugby Development Officers (RDOs): Ronnie Barry, Phil Duffy, Simon Horner

Rugby Inclusion Officer (RIOs):  Pete Ward

Community Rugby Coaches (CRCs): Dan Leek, James Cooper, Martin Crossan, Rory Greenslade-Jones, James Platt

Student Liaison Officer (RUSLO): Jamie Traxon