New RFU minimum facility standards for clubs at tiers three and four could see them forced out of the division entirely

Devonport Services are working hard to establish themselves as a stable force in National League rugby, despite maintaining their fully amateur status. New RFU minimum facility standards for clubs at tiers three and four, however, could see them forced out of the division entirely, says club secretary Lt Fraser Pearson RN.

The new standards, which the RFU alerted clubs to at the start of this season, will take effect from the end of the 2027/28 season, meaning any clubs which have not met the standards by then will be either denied promotion to, or relegated from, tiers three and four.

National League Rugby chairman John Inverdale wrote in an email to clubs that these proposals will: “Make for a better sport, greater financial security and potential, and greater opportunity to expand beyond our current support base, which is severely compromised by some of the facilities on offer.”

Pearson, however, argues that it will result in Devonport Services, who have worked so hard to get where they are, and are playing at a level much higher than their budget would suggest, being kicked out of National League rugby altogether - because they don’t have enough parking spaces.

He says that National League Rugby could potentially overrule the minimum facility standards requirements for any club that doesn’t meet them, but this would be done on a case by case basis.

The minimum facility standards to play in tier four now include: a clearly signposted spectator HELP point, free Wi-Fi access, a minimum of three designated media seats, and the biggest issue for Services - a set number of parking spaces.

“You need at least 50 parking spaces. We’ve only got 32.

“That’s to be in the league where we are now. They’re talking about relegating teams who don’t come up to the standard.

“We’re sandwiched between a school and a set of houses. There’s no way of increasing our parking.”

Services’ ascent to the fourth tier - only one division below local rivals Plymouth Albion - has been a steady but somewhat unexpected one. They spent twelve seasons in the seventh tier between 2006-07 and 2017-18, when they finished second and were promoted via the play-offs. Three seasons, plus the cancelled Covid season, were spent in the sixth, before promotion again, to the fifth tier.

It was around this time, Pearson says, that the standards of the club were raised even further, after the arrival of new head coach Ben Russell.

“He made a big difference when he came in. He started opening the eyes of the players, looking at space, and our level of play went up a notch.

“In his first season we came close to the top of Level 5, and then a season after that we got promoted again into Level 4.”

They struggled in their first season in National League rugby, finding themselves relegated again, bottom of the league, and with only four wins all season.

They’d got themselves to the fourth tier through their on-pitch performance, but Pearson believes that the financial gap between divisions is substantial.

“The gap between Level 5 and Level 4 is absolutely massive, because everyone at Level 4 is semi-professional; they’re all getting paid. We can’t afford to do that.”

The following season Services bounced back in ruthless fashion, again finishing top of the division, losing only three games all season, ready for another go at the National League.

Pearson says that the club is having to find other ways to survive in the division this year, without the budget to give players a wage. He says that recruitment is a big part of it.

“We’ve done a little bit of player sharing with Plymouth Albion on loan. We’ve gained some players from them who haven’t made their first team.

“We try to reach out to players that we think would do well at this level. We’ve had a couple this year come over from Saltash as well.

“We’re looking at other clubs in the area to try and recruit players and stay at this level.”

It’s a struggle again, however. Services are 13th from 14, and without a win so far this season. Relegation seems like a possibility again.

And Pearson says that, if they do get relegated this term, it may prove to be their last season in the fourth tier for a long time. No matter their on-pitch performance next season, if they do not meet the minimum facility standards, they will be denied promotion for another attempt at National League Rugby.

For a club that has earned their way up the pyramid through promotion, the prospect of losing their standing over a shortage of parking spaces would prove to be a sad and sudden end to their progress.