Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Eastern Counties Rugby Union To govern, promote & develop the quality of Rugby in Eastern Counties whilst maintaining the game’ Eastern Counties was formed in on 28th October 1890.

The governing body for all forms of rugby union played in the East of England. EASTERN COUNTIES is comprised of three separate regions based on the geographical areas of Cambridgeshire Norfolk and Suffolk. Eastern Counties derives its authority from the Rugby Football Union and all three Sub Regions or Sub-Counties have their own separate administrations by which they organise local rugby in compl

iance with the governing body’s requirements. Eastern Counties Rugby Union is responsible for managing rugby on behalf of the Rugby Football Union in the Counties of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Originally it consisted of Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. Cambridgeshire joined in1952 and more recently Essex, about half the total both in area and number of clubs left to seek fortune on their own. The Counties was formed originally as a means of producing a team capable of winning the County Championship a national competition between teams produced by other regions or constituent bodies as they are called. Sadly it never quite achieved that ambition. Eastern Counties have however reached at least one Twickenham final. Now Eastern Counties are concerned with providing the best for their 55 clubs in terms of competition, coaching, facilities, advice and guidance and when available funding, all of which has benefited rugby in the region. Four hundred Patrons, Ten full-time staff and over one hundred volunteers. It operates a school of rugby with a view to developing the elite player. It polices the game through a disciplinary structure and a child welfare officer. It manages the regions funds. It caters for beach rugby, touch rugby, mini rugby, girls’ rugby youth rugby, rugby sevens, rugby tens whilst still focusing on the senior fifteen a side game played hard fast and competitive but in the true spirit of rugby football ECRU operates in partnership with many organisations including Local Authorities Education and Sport Development offices, Eastern Region Sports Development Association, Sport England, professional clubs, private businesses and many more.

27/08/2026

💜 A HUGE THANK YOU FROM DEREHAM RUGBY CLUB! 💜

We would like to say a massive thank you to Eastern Counties Rugby Union and Breckland Council for their incredibly generous donations to our club! 🏉

Your amazing support means so much to every single one of us and will make a real difference to our players and teams.

We are so excited to start putting our fantastic new kit to good use during training and continuing to grow and develop as a club. 💪🏉

Support like this really does help grassroots rugby thrive, and we are extremely grateful to have such wonderful organisations supporting us.

Thank you from every single one of us here at Dereham Rugby Club! 💜

After careful consideration and consultation with clubs across England, the RFU has decided to delay the start of the co...
14/08/2026

After careful consideration and consultation with clubs across England, the RFU has decided to delay the start of the competitive community game season until the week commencing Monday 21 September.

The RFU recognises this will be disappointing for clubs, players and volunteers who have been preparing for the new season, but the decision follows consideration of a range of factors.

🔗https://www.englandrugby.com/follow/news-and-media/statement-start-competitive-community-rugby-season?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZnRzaATsW9hwZG9mAmZkaWQWUMe9jGyhpSXJNYtSPzASsD6XYN5MOGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp461cA-t40iUOtrmOIqSd3UgE-HvlcpbPNPXmZJgIHr0C98pvfxbvMtsWj6f_aem_4w2UmicahRrhw6MjfC7q5w

📣Eastern Counties Rugby Union Appoints Steve Drawbridge as Joint Chair of Coaching 📣 Steve will join the Eastern Countie...
14/08/2026

📣Eastern Counties Rugby Union Appoints Steve Drawbridge as Joint Chair of Coaching 📣

Steve will join the Eastern Counties Coaching Committee, working alongside current Chair of Coaching Chris Capps-Jenner during a six-month transition period. At the end of this handover, Chris will step down from the coaching role to focus on his responsibilities as Eastern Counties Director of Rugby and Chair of Playing.

Steve brings a wealth of experience to the position, having played a leading role in rugby development across Cambridgeshire as both Chairman and Senior Lead Coach. His extensive knowledge of coach development and grassroots rugby will be a valuable asset as Eastern Counties continues to strengthen its support for coaches and clubs across the region.

Steve Drawbridge said:
“I’m delighted to be starting in this new role at Eastern Counties, I look forward to making a positive contribution towards Coach development across the Three Counties and for the opportunity to put my experience into this role”

During the six-month handover period, Steve will begin introducing a number of new initiatives aimed at enhancing coach development across Eastern Counties. One of his first priorities will be to establish a network of County Coaching Coordinators representing Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. This team will work collaboratively to support local clubs, identify coaching needs and help deliver the coaching strategy across the three counties.

Chris Capps-Jenner said:

“Steve’s appointment is a fantastic addition to the Eastern Counties team. His passion for coach development, combined with his experience and knowledge of the game, will help us continue to build a strong coaching network that supports clubs and coaches at every level. I look forward to working alongside Steve during the handover period and am confident he will take the coaching programme from strength to strength.”

Steve’s appointment reflects Eastern Counties Rugby Union’s ongoing commitment to investing in coaches, supporting clubs and creating positive playing experiences for everyone involved in the game

England rugby learning courses 2026/27Log in or register to access a brand-new, personalised learning platform for coach...
10/08/2026

England rugby learning courses 2026/27

Log in or register to access a brand-new, personalised learning platform for coaches, match officials and volunteers, with tailored recommendations and a seamless mobile experience. Register now- englandrugbylearning.csod.com 🏉

Upcoming courses within Eastern Counties 🏉🔗All courses are available to book on England Rugby Learning
10/08/2026

Upcoming courses within Eastern Counties 🏉

🔗All courses are available to book on England Rugby Learning

England Rugby Learning is here 🚀Log in or register to access a brand-new, personalised learning platform for coaches, ma...
30/07/2026

England Rugby Learning is here 🚀

Log in or register to access a brand-new, personalised learning platform for coaches, match officials and volunteers, with tailored recommendations and a seamless mobile experience. Register now- englandrugbylearning.csod.com

Eastern Counties 🤝 Midlands East Growth PartnershipIt was great to see 4 of our committee members attending the newly fo...
11/07/2026

Eastern Counties 🤝 Midlands East Growth Partnership

It was great to see 4 of our committee members attending the newly formed Midlands East regional partnership congress last week at Northampton Saints.

There are now 7 newly formed partnerships across the country, and it was great to meet those involved within our area.

It was a great chance to bring people together and begin shaping how we work collectively to grow the game.

We are looking forward to seeing the partnership grow and develop across the season.

Congratulations to one of the youth teams at Woodbridge Rugby Club Woodbridge Rugby Club They won a session at the high ...
16/06/2026

Congratulations to one of the youth teams at Woodbridge Rugby Club Woodbridge Rugby Club

They won a session at the high performance centre of Northampton saints. Northampton Saints 😇

The session was part the our Clubhouse Renovation Project alongside Travis Perkins – the UK’s largest builders’ merchant. It saw more than 50 local rugby clubs enter a competition to win £5,000 worth of building materials to revamp their facilities.

Woodbridge Rugby Club in Suffolk were one of the winners, with one of their junior sides invited for a star-studded training session in Northampton.

They participated in drills, touch rugby and full-contact under the watchful eyes of Furbank, Hendy and Wright, who gave them tips and tricks.

What a great opportunity Travis Perkins ©

🚨 Two weeks to go! 🚨 Clubs are reminded to ensure they have registered for the Eastern Counties Discipline Conference. I...
16/06/2026

🚨 Two weeks to go! 🚨

Clubs are reminded to ensure they have registered for the Eastern Counties Discipline Conference.

If your club has not yet registered attendees, please do so as soon as possible.

If you have not received the original invite, please contact us at:
📧 [email protected]

✅ We encourage all clubs to ensure they are represented at this important session ahead of the new season.

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