This season it is really really important that all players (both Mini and Juniors and Open Age) all register, pay their membership and affiliate to their chosen Club!

Membership forms have been posted (retro we know) and we’ve posted lots of information and step by step guides as to how to register and pay your membership (and your subscriptions if you want to) via the RFU’s Game Management System on both social media and our website (follow the link: https://www.orrellrugbyunion.com/a/memberships-2021-paying-your-membership-via-the-rfus-game-management-system-gms-62552.html.

As you know, the Game Management System (GMS) is the RFU's / England Rugby's central database through which players (and club members) are registered, pay their club membership subscriptions, coaches and referees are registered and their training records maintained, fixtures are arranged, results recorded and much, much more.

This season, the RFU has also introduced the “Player Affiliation” scheme, whereby all players (open age and age grade) are asked to register and pay their membership and subscription via GMS.

This is really important as it not only allows all players to own and manage their own data held by the Club, which will be covered by the General Data Protection Regulations, but it will also have an impact on the Electronic Match Cards because if any of the Club’s players are not registered, then the match card cannot be completed on match days.

Registering, paying membership and subscriptions also has a positive impact (and not just for the above) but it also helps the Club’s volunteers in keeping everyone's information up to date, and allows them to focus on the other aspects of keeping the Club going. Plus, it also ensures that we always have up to date contact details for you all – you know how we like to keep in touch. Payment options are still the same, pay in full or monthly Direct Debit instalments*

By doing this, individual players (and parents) will help the Club’s volunteers in keeping everyone's information up to date, allowing them to focus on the other aspects of Club Management. Plus, it also ensures that we always have up to date contact details for you all. In addition, Age Grade Players can be affiliated at multiple clubs. This reduces the need to de-affiliate (de-register) and transfer players. Please note, this doesn’t apply in the adult game. Regulations still require adult players to be affiliated at one club at a time.

To register and pay your membership/subscriptions, please follow this link: https://gms.rfu.com/GMS/Account/Login (and click the box “Create Account”).

There are full details and a step by step guide on our website: https://www.orrellrugbyunion.com/a/memberships-2021-paying-your-membership-via-the-rfus-game-management-system-gms-62552.html?page=6 and an excellent step by step guide for Age Grade Affiliation from the RFU here: https://help.rfu.com/support/solutions/articles/15000031980-renew-age-grade-child-affiliation-process

Thank you for your co-operation and help in keeping our future black and amber.

*Please note that payment for membership can still be made through cash/card/bank transfer plus your membership form to the Club Membership Secretary. Whilst the Club preference is for player membership & subscription to be made via the GMS route; parents or players can still set up their own Direct Debit via their own bank if they wish. There is also the option to pay via Direct Debit via the GMS system as well. See the Step-by-Step Guide for more details.