Age Grade Cluster Registration Form

A Cluster (or local partnership) is a short-term arrangement, between two or more clubs, schools or colleges, to aid the growth and development of the players and teams involved as set out in Regulation 15.13.1.

Players from different clubs, schools and colleges can cluster together in their age grades to train and play when they start out – this is at the development level, where increasing participation is the priority, with a view to creating independent teams through a clear action plan. Games should be about enjoyment and player development, where players have the opportunity to play with and against different teams and try playing different positions.

Clubs, schools or colleges clustering on more than three occasions in a season must register with the RFU and their CB via this Cluster Registration Form. If teams involved in a Cluster are members of separate Constituent Bodies, they must register with each Constituent Body with which a participant Team in the Cluster is a member.

Examples on how best to register Clusters, including those with teams from separate Constituent Bodies, are listed below:

Example 1 – Teams A and B are from Devon.

• Form 1 would list Team A as Club 1 and Team B as Club 2. Once completed, form will be automatically sent to Devon’s POOAG contacts. Only one form is required to be submitted as both Club 1 and Club 2 are from the same CB.

Example 2 – Team A is from Devon, Team B is Somerset.

• Form 1 would list Team A as Club 1, Team B as Club 2. Once completed, form will be automatically sent to Devon’s designated POOAG contacts. A second form will be required for Team B.
• Form 2 should list Team B as Club 1, Team A as Club 2 with the completed form to be automatically sent to Somerset’s POOAG contacts.

Example 3 – Teams A and B are from Devon; Team C is Somerset.

• Form 1 would list Team A as Club 1, Team B as Club 2, and Team C as Club 3. Once completed, form will be automatically sent to Devon’s POOAG contacts. Only one submission is required for Teams A and B as they are both in the same CB. A second form will be required for Team C.
• Form 2 should list Team C as Club 1, Team A as Club 2 and Team B as Club 3, with the completed form to be automatically sent to Somerset’s POOAG contacts.

Please read our Cluster Guidance here; along with Regulation 15 and Regulation 21 in detail before completing.

This is not an approval process, but to inform us of the clubs and personnel involved in the cluster and to safeguard appropriate regulations and guidance are complied with, ensuring the welfare and safety of all individuals involved.