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Eastern Counties Rugby Union
Eastern Counties Rugby Union

EC History

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History

Our Roots

The Eastern Counties Rugby Union (ECRU) has a rich history that reflects the evolution and growth of rugby in the eastern region of England.

Formation of ECRU

1890

The Eastern Counties Rugby Union (ECRU) was founded to oversee and develop rugby in Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk. It provided structure and governance for clubs in the region.

County Championship Finalists

1948

Eastern Counties reached the County Championship final for the first time, finishing as runners-up.

Cambridgeshire Joins ECRU

1952

Cambridgeshire was officially incorporated into the Eastern Counties Rugby Union, expanding the union’s reach and influence.

County Championship Runners-up

1975

The ECRU men’s senior team again made it to the County Championship final, securing their place among the top county teams in England.

Creation of Eastern counties 1 league

1987

ECRU established the Eastern Counties 1 league to provide a structured competition for clubs in the region, adapting over time to changes in English rugby.

Hosting Argentina National Team

1990

Eastern Counties had the honor of playing against Argentina during their British Isles tour. The match, held in Cambridge on October 30, saw Eastern Counties fall 15-28 to the visitors.

Essex RFU Becomes Independent

2003

Essex RFU split from ECRU, forming its own governing body and leaving ECRU to oversee Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk.

Administrative Changes

2021

Lisa Greetham, ECRU’s long-serving Admin Manager, retired after more than two decades of service, marking the end of an era in the union’s operations.

Looking forward

Today & Beyond

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 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.

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.

Eastern Counties Crest

The ECRU Raven

The history of the Eastern Counties Rugby Union (ECRU) is enriched by the story behind its emblem—the Raven. Adopted in 1926, the Raven symbolizes the region's deep-rooted connection to its Viking heritage.​

When ECRU was established in 1890, there was no official crest; initially, the Essex crest of Three Falchions was used, reflecting the predominance of Essex players.

However, as Suffolk and Norfolk became more involved in the union’s administration between the World Wars, the need for a unifying emblem emerged. After extensive research, it was observed that the Eastern Counties region closely aligned with the historic Danelaw—the area east of a line from the Wash to the River Thames, settled by Vikings following the Treaty of Wedmore in 879. The Vikings’ emblem, “Laud Eyra,” the Raven, was thus chosen to represent ECRU.

The new Raven Crest was officially adopted at the Annual General Meeting on October 14, 1926, and first appeared on the fixture card for the 1927-28 season.​

The initial Raven design was contributed by Mrs. Holcombe Ingleby of Sedgeford Hall, Norfolk.

Her husband had inherited land in Ilford through his mother, a Valentine. Mrs. Ingleby provided a lifelike drawing of a raven, which, with minor modifications for textile production, became the basis for the Eastern Counties’ heraldic bird.​

The Danelaw refers to the region of England under Viking control following the Treaty of Wedmore.

This area included present-day Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk, among others. In Norse mythology, the Raven holds significant importance, often associated with the god Odin, who was accompanied by two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, symbolizing thought and memory. The choice of the Raven as ECRU’s emblem reflects this rich cultural heritage.​

This emblem serves as a reminder of the region’s historical ties and the enduring legacy of the sport within the Eastern Counties.​

Role Description Template

Club Fixture Secretary

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Organise matches and fixtures so players have regular games to enjoy.

Be the link between your club and others in the region.

The role

Working with coaches, team managers, and opposition clubs, you will:

Arrange fixtures for the season for all relevant teams.

Keep track of cancellations, rearrangements, and changes.

Coordinate pitch availability and referees as needed.

Communicate clearly with players, parents, and opposition teams.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Organised and good at scheduling.

A clear and friendly communicator.

Able to stay calm when plans change (as they often do!).

What you’ll get out of it:

Gain event and logistics management experience.

Build relationships with other clubs and coordinators.

Help keep rugby accessible and fun for all players.

Role Description Template

Club Safeguarding Officer

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Help create a safe and inclusive environment for all players, especially children and vulnerable adults.

Act as the club’s lead on safeguarding and welfare matters.

The role

Working with coaches, parents, and the committee, you will:

Ensure safeguarding policies are in place and followed.

Be the point of contact for welfare concerns or reports.

Support DBS checks and safeguarding training for volunteers.

Promote awareness of safeguarding through visible presence and communication.

Liaise with the Constituent Body Safeguarding Manager and the RFU Safeguarding team when necessary.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Approachable, trustworthy, and a good listener.

Knowledgeable (or willing to learn) about safeguarding procedures.

Calm and able to deal with sensitive issues appropriately.

What you’ll get out of it:

Play a vital role in keeping rugby safe and inclusive.

Learn safeguarding practices valued in many sectors.

Make a meaningful difference to young people’s experience of rugby.

Role Description Template

Club Secretary

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Be the key point of contact for club correspondence and administration.

Keep the club running behind the scenes.

Ensure important communications are managed efficiently.

The role

Working with the committee and club volunteers, you will:

Organise and minute committee meetings and the AGM.

Manage club correspondence and liaise with the Constituent Body and RFU.

Maintain up-to-date records of club membership.

Ensure key deadlines (affiliations, registrations, safeguarding, etc.) are met.

Support the Chairperson and Treasurer with administrative tasks.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Organised and detail-oriented.

Good at writing and managing communications.

Friendly, approachable, and discreet when needed.

What you’ll get out of it:

Gain valuable administrative and communication experience.

Play an essential role in your club’s operations.

Develop skills useful in the workplace or other voluntary positions.

Role Description Template

Club Treasurer

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Manage the club’s finances

Keeping everything running smoothly.

Help the club plan & budget

For current and future development.

Ensure transparency in all financial matters.

The role

Working with the committee and club volunteers, you will:

Keep accurate financial records of the club’s income and expenditure.

Prepare reports for the committee and members.

Manage the club bank account and payments.

Oversee fundraising, sponsorship, and grant applications where needed.

Ensure affiliation and insurance fees are paid.

Help set annual budgets for teams, events, and maintenance.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Comfortable with numbers and basic accounting.

Trustworthy and methodical.

Able to communicate financial information clearly to others.

What you’ll get out of it:

Develop budgeting and financial management skills.

Play a crucial role in sustaining your club’s future.

Gain experience valued by employers and voluntary organisations.

Role Description Template

Club Chairperson

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Provide leadership & direction

For the club as a whole.

Be the public face of the club

At events, meetings, and functions.

Foster a positive, inclusive, and respectful club culture

The role

Working with the committee and club volunteers, you will:

Chair committee meetings and the AGM, ensuring everyone has a voice

Help set the club’s goals and ensure plans are in place to meet them.

Support other committee members in their roles.

Act as a decision-maker in the club’s best interests, particularly on key issues.

Represent the club at Constituent Body or RFU meetings where required.

Lead on resolving conflicts and ensure the club operates fairly and transparently.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

A good communicator & confident in leading discussions.

Organised, approachable, and impartial.

Passionate about rugby and the community.

What you’ll get out of it:

Be a central part of the club’s future success.

Develop leadership and management skills.

Build valuable experience for work or other voluntary positions.

Make a real difference to rugby in your community.

Role Description Template

Club Volunteer Coordinator (CVC)

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Encourage other people to get involved in helping out

With an enthusiastic and friendly perpective

Be the first point of contact for new volunteers

Introducing them around the club & ensuring they understand what they are required to do.

Make sure everyone feels welcome and valued.

The role

Working with the other volunteers in your club, you will:

Plan how many volunteers you need every year

– remember to include special events, as well as the week-in-week-out running of the club

Consider the best places to find new volunteers

– remember to make sure your advertising and appointment's are as open as possible

Understand the reasons people get involved

- use this knowledge to attract more like-minded people.

Ensure well-fitting roles for volunteers

- giving people roles they enjoy will mean they are more likely to continue

Support, encourage & thank volunteers regularly

- recognise & reward success: nominating volunteers for club, Constituent Body, RFU or external awards & ensure volunteers get the training they need to do a great job

Create a succession plan

- so you always have volunteers ready and willing to step up or provide cover for key roles
Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Welcoming & easy to approach

A good listener & communicator

Confident, well-organised & happy to delegate

Enthusiastic & motivating

What you’ll get out of it:

This is a very social role. You’ll provide an important service to the club and community, and for a small investment of time you’ll :

Meet all kinds of people

Do something distinctive & worthwhile

Become more attractive to potential employers

Build transferable organisational & communication skills

Get Started

How To Book?

Go to Course finder (RFU)
  1. Go to the RFU Course Finder: Click the button above to visit gms.rfu.com/GMS/coursefinder.

  2. Search for a Course:

    • By Course Type: Select the ‘Coaching’ type of course.

    • By Location: Enter your town or postcode to find nearby courses.

    • By Date: Choose a date range to see courses available during that period.

  3. Select a Course: Click on a course title to view details, including description, dates, times, location, and prerequisites.​

Next Step...

Depending on your situation...

  1. Click “Book”: On the course page, click the “Book” button.

  2. Log In:

    • Username: Enter your email address or username.

    • Password: Enter your password.

    • Click “Log In”.

  3. Add to Basket: Click the basket icon to add the course.

  4. Checkout:

    • Review Your Basket: Ensure the correct course is listed.

    • Click “Checkout”.

  5. Payment:

    • Enter Payment Details: Provide your card information.

    • Confirm Billing Address: Ensure your address is correct.

    • Click “Pay Now”.

  6. Confirmation: You’ll receive a confirmation email with course details.

  1. Click “Book”: On the course page, click the “Book” button.

  2. Create an Account:

    • Click “Create Account”.

    • Fill in Personal Details: Name, email, date of birth, etc.

    • Set a Password: Choose a memorable password.

    • Click “Submit”.

  3. Verify Email: Check your inbox for a verification email and follow the instructions.

  4. Log In: Use your new credentials to log in.

  5. Proceed to Booking: Follow steps 3 to 6 from Scenario 1.

  1. Click “Book”: On the course page, click the “Book” button.

  2. Click “Forgot Password?”: Located below the login fields.

  3. Enter Email: Provide the email associated with your account.

  4. Check Email: You’ll receive a link to reset your password.

  5. Reset Password:

    • Click the Link: In the email.

    • Enter New Password: Choose a new password.

    • Confirm Password: Re-enter the new password.

    • Click “Submit”.

  6. Log In: Use your new password to log in.

  7. Proceed to Booking: Follow steps 3 to 6 from Scenario 1.​