EFARU - Rugby First Aid Courses
Rugby Union's First Line of Defence.
6 or more we'll come to your door
This one-day Emergency First Aid Rugby Union course, provides comprehensive training in essential first aid skills, tailored specifically for the rugby union environment.
As a participant, you will learn how to assess and manage common rugby-related injuries, including concussions, fractures, and spinal injuries.
Upon successful completion, you will receive a fully recognised First Aid qualification, valid for three years.
The course follows the nationally recognised Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work curriculum, with additional emphasis on rugby-specific scenarios drawn from pitch, pitch-side, and clubhouse situations. In addition to standard first aid content, the course provides detailed coverage of:
- Spinal injuries
- Fractures, dislocations, and musculoskeletal trauma
- Life-threatening bleeding
- Cardiac emergencies (including AED use)
- Stroke and other critical medical conditions such as anaphylaxis.
- Concussion, head injuries, and return-to-play guidance.
Listen here
Theres a lot to get through
Theres an awful lot to cover on the day, so we ask attendees to undertake 3 courses in preparation for the day, Theyre all free, and more inof is just a button click away.
Course detials - tap the options to see more
£55.00 per person.
We’ve decided for the 2025-2026 seaon to keep the cost the same as the RFU price was, to allow you and your club to keep to any planned budgets you have.
We can run courses for you on weekday evenings and weekends, both Saturdays and Sundays.
The full-day course usually runs 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The 2 evening course usually runs 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
All times are negotiable.
We require about 1 hour before and after to get setup and packed away.
A room large enough to undertake the practical aspects of the course, usually the bar area or hall area.
We bring everything with us, however if you have a large screen TV we can connect to its a little easier.
Max 12 attendees to 1 tutor, we are happy to run up to 24 attendees with 2 tutors, as long as your club or venue has the space.
Due to the practical nature of the course the miniumum numbers required to run are 6.
We offer a voucher system so clubs or county can block-purchase places or a full courses in advance. It’s straightforward — just let us know your requirements and we’ll handle the rest.
Book with the link we send to your club, directly through us — no RFU or GMS portal needed.
We send you the link that your attendees click and its as easy as that.
Pay through our secure online payment system. If you want ot pay on the day all we need is your name and an email to book you onto the course.
Last minute turn up, on the day turn ups, if there are spaces available, happy to have you there, you can even turn up and pay on the day.
No need to have a GMS account to log in book or pay.
The minnmum age to be able to attend is 14 years old.
NOTE
For RFU first aider registration on GMS, they must be 18 years old or above.
We’re based in the South East and happy to travel across London and the Home Counties:
Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Middlesex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire.
The course is worth 8 UCAS points nationally, making it an excellent addition for students applying to university, college, or further education. So a great way to help support your academy and colts squads.
This first aid course can count towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), but it depends on how it is framed and which section you want it to contribute to.
Skills Section: This first aid course is most often used here. Learning and practicing first aid is considered a practical skill, especially if the course is run over several sessions or includes ongoing practice and development rather than just a one-off certificate.
Volunteering Section: If, after your training, you regularly volunteer to use your first aid skills (e.g., with St John Ambulance, at sports clubs, or community events), that can count as your Volunteering activity.
Expedition Section: At least one person per DofE expedition team must hold an appropriate first aid qualification. So while the training itself doesn’t tick off the Expedition requirement, it’s very useful and sometimes required to participate safely.
The key rule for DofE is that activities should be sustained over a set period (usually 3–6 months depending on the level: Bronze, Silver, or Gold). This first aid course alone would not usually meet that requirement, but if you combine it with ongoing practice, volunteering, or extended learning, it will.
Yes, all of the first aid courses we deliver are fully accredited by Highfield Qualifications, a nationally recognised awarding body, and recognised by the RFU and all workplace environments.
There are 2 assessments, practical on-course assessments undertaken by the tutor, and a multie choice paper, with a 70% pasasmark, 11/15 correct answers.
Ready to book?
Let us know a few dates that work for you and we’ll confirm availability. We run courses seven days a week, including weekends and evenings.
About me
I’ve been delivering rugby-specific first aid training since EFARU was first introduced and have played and worked extensively across the game supporting player welfare. I am currently the Lead Tutor for RFU Area 2, and have served as Senior Tutor for Kent and Area 2 (London and the home counties) for over eight years.
I have over 30 years experience working in healthcare, 18 years’ experience teaching first aid, and more than 15 years providing pitch-side medical cover across grassroots levels of rugby, including the youth and adult environments. My practical experience informs how I teach — ensuring every course is relevant, up to date, and deeply rooted in the realities of rugby.
I continue to provide professional, accredited, and flexible training that’s aligned with the needs of clubs, schools, coaches, and medical professionals involved in the game.