Player Welfare Courses
Along with the other England Rugby courses for coaches, referees and volunteers, there are a number of player welfare specific courses. They’re accessible for all and relevant for people with different roles. They aim to help you build understanding of your responsibilities and develop your knowledge of different player welfare topics.
HEADCASE Concussion Awareness eLearning Modules
In this course you will learn what concussion is, how it looks and how it feels. You will look at concussion prevention strategies, best practice concussion management and why it is important that this is followed.
There are six different versions of the HEADCASE eLearning modules based on your primary role in rugby union:
Coaches and Teachers of Age Grade Players
Parents and Guardians of Age Grade Players
Age Grade Players (U13 – U18)
Coaches of Adult Players
Adult Players
Match Officials
Recommend Minimum Age: 16 years old except for, Age Grade Players: 12 years old and Match Officials: 14 years old
Duration: 30 mins
When: All Year
Cost: Free
Click here to access the HEADCASE eLearning modules via the Game Management System
Activate – Injury Prevention Programme eLearning Module
This eLearning course explains what Activate is, how it can used within training sessions and as part of match-day preparations to improve a players ability to deal with the game’s physical demands, reducing the risk of concussion and other injuries, meaning more players available.
Minimum Age: 14
Duration: 30 mins
When: All Year
Cost: Free
First Aid in Rugby Union CPD Course
The First Aid in Rugby Union CPD modules are designed to give qualified First Aiders a refresher of the skills and information provided in their full three-yearly course.
(This course is not intended to replace a full Level 3 First Aid course but to support the skills of those who have a current qualification as a first aider.)
Module One: To access the course click here
Module Two: To access the course click here
Module Three: To access the course click here
PHICIS Level 2 Course
The RFU’s Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) Level 2 course is a rugby union specific course that covers the immediate care training needs of healthcare professionals working within rugby.
It is aimed at those HCPs/Allied HCPs working in the community game (Level 3 league teams and below and CB representative rugby). Level 2 accreditation lasts for two years.
To book on a PHICIS course click here
PHICIS Level 2 Course Dates 2025/26
For enquiries or questions: phicis@rfu.com
PHICIS Level 3 Course
The RFU’s Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) Level 3 course is a requirement for those HCPs/Allied HCPs working within professional rugby, including the Premiership, the Championship and with national teams.
The PHICIS Level 3 course is valid for 2 years and an example of the PHICIS Level 3 training cycle is:
| 1st August 2023 – 31st July 2024 | 1st August 2024 – 31st July 2025 | 1st August 2025 – 31st July 2026 | 1st August 2026 – 31st July 2027 |
| 2-day course Book at RFU |
In-house assessment | 2-day course Book at RFU |
In-house assessment |
PGB Medical Minimum Standards for the Premiership and Championship require candidates during the interim season to undertake in-house training consisting of simulation practice and assessment with a PHICIS instructor.
If you are not working in elite rugby you do not need to complete the in-house assessment.
Whilst in rugby union we accept the completion of a course or in-house assessment at any point ‘in-season’ as valid, please be aware that some sports governing bodies do take expiry of the qualification from exact course dates.
To check availability of PHICIS Level 3 course places and/or to book a place visit the England Rugby Course Booking Page.
For more information please contact phicis@rfu.com
