Project Trafalgar puts rugby union out in front, Touchline - May 2006 Issue 79
The most modern administration system in British sport is being implemented by the RFU. Project Trafalgar is a game-wide internet-based tool to help run rugby at all levels, with the details of more than one million coaches, referees, players and volunteers held on a single system.
The project has taken three years to develop by First Sports International, a leading provider of sports software technology solutions, and will be fully operational for the RFU and Rugby Football Union for Women by the start of next season in August.
Nick Bunting, RFU Head of Planning, Funding and Resources, said, "Project Trafalgar will put rugby union at the cutting edge of sports administration for a national governing body.
"We are replacing the plethora of current ageing IT systems with a single system. This will reduce the time taken to enter information, eliminate lots of different databases, and provides a more secure one that is regularly backed up. The system will not only be integral to the daily running of the sport but it will provide robust data about the health of the game, such as the number of qualified referees and coaches. We will use the information to see if the standards are improving and to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of programmes."
Users, from youth player registrars to club coaching co-ordinators, will be able to access and update information - known as a Rugby Passport - using a secure log-in. Access will be restricted so that only the person with the authority and valid CRB checks can update the information relevant to their role.
Bob Morrison, administrator for league rugby in the south west, added, "We register about 10,000 players every season and this new system has made it so much easier. For a start it’s internet-based so we are not having to dial up to a central computer and once a player is registered at youth level we are not having to duplicate their details. The next phase will be for league secretaries to be able to access the database and ultimately clubs, obviously with controlled access."
Clare Sharpe, Youth Registrar for Northumberland Rugby Union, said, "I input about 700 registrations a year for the 17 clubs in Northumberland who have junior sections and it’s made things so much easier. Players are categorised by age groups, gender, clubs and schools so you are not having to trawl through hundreds of names. I can now e-mail every youth coach an up to date list of all their players and any queries or amendments can be dealt with very quickly."
