MINI MATTERS January 31 st 2016

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1 MINI MATTERS January 31 st 2016 Hello Datchworth Mini Section Coaches, Managers, Players, Parents and Supporters, This weekend we had two teams playing in the Saracens Allan Day Development Cup Festivals on Saturday before an all age group training session back on the University of Hertfordshire 3G pitch on Sunday afternoon. U9 Festival Report from Allianz Park With a really small squad at our age group one would expect us to struggle against the bigger clubs. Having said that we went to Sarries with great expectations of our physically small side. We were not disappointed, and every one of the boys and their parents / grand parents should feel really proud of their performance. We played three matches beating Chess Valley 8-7, losing to a very good Maldon side 3-5 before winning our last game against an extremely physical Medway side 5-3. After the disappointment of losing one game we were rewarded with qualification to the next round as the best runners up. A special mention to Myles who was excellent in both attack and defence, Albie one of our new boys had some great attacking runs. Troy, Tom, Theo, and Oliver there normal committed selfs and everyone else chipping in with some fine tackling and support play. All in all a good day out with some good rugby. well done to all. U10 Festival Report from Allianz Park The U10s arrived at Allianz Park a bit light on match practice but throughout the morning the boys did the Club and their families proud. A tough draw saw the U10s play Verulamians, Tabard and our nemesis Finchley! The boys tried very hard and the first two games saw some of the best rugby we have seen from this group of players! We started with a well earned 1-1 draw with Verulamains, before a 1-3 defeat to Tabard and a 1-5 defeat to Finchley. We are looking forward to getting back out on the training pitch to work on our commitment and speed in the breakdown and our ongoing development of positional plan. Thanks to all of our players and parents for the excellent commitment and support.

2 Allianz Park... Mini Training Summary Sunday 31 st Jan With Datchworth again unplayable on Sunday morning we had to re-arrange at short notice to meet at the University of Hertfordshire 3G pitch on Sunday afternoon. Given the short notice I was delighted to see a good turn out in most age groups. Thanks to everyone who came along and in particular to those who led the Coaching Sessions, Danny, John & Jo, Woody, Jamie, Warren, Matt B, Jason and Graham.. a couple of mud free pictures from the session below! Wednesday 3 rd February Mid-Week Mini Training at Datchworth Mid Week training will hopefully resume on Wednesday 3 rd February. Please come along for a 7:30 start under the lights on the back pitch. We enjoyed a good turnout throughout the first half of the season and let s maintain the commitment through the second half of the season... every Wednesday evening between 7:30 and 8:30 for the Contact playing age-groups, (U9 to U12). Next Weekend Sunday 7 th February Next weekend we are due to play an all age group Mini Fixture Away at Barnet. Given the weather this has not yet been confirmed so arrangements will follow in a separate but I would assume a 10AM meet at Barnet RFC.

3 Car Parking Duty: Next Sunday 7 th February the U18s are on Car Parking Duty at Datchworth. Forthcoming Fixtures & Event: Week Date Datchworth RFC Mini Section 2015/16 Season Parking Duty Feb Scotland V England 6 Nations in Club House 7-Feb Away Fixture Vs Barnet RFC all Mini Section U18 Fri 12- Feb 14-Feb Mini Quiz Night 7:30 in Club House Teams of 10 Away Fixture Vs Cheshunt RFC all Mini Section *** NOW CONFIRMED*** TBC / U12 Italy V England 6 Nations in Club House 21-Feb Home Fixture V Enfield Ignations all Mini Section U11 27-Feb England V Ireland 6 Nations in Club House 28-Feb Home Fixture Vs Welwyn Charles Morris Cup Weekend U10 Fri 4- Mar Mini & Youth Dinner & Brocket Hall 5 th Mar U7 &U8 Saracens Festival Champions Finals Day Vice Presidents Lunch Datchworth Club House 6-Mar Training at Datchworth U9 12-Mar England V Wales 6 Nations in Club House 13-Mar Home Fixture Vs Chess Valley U Dinner & Dance The Rugby Club, (Mini & Youth), Dinner and Dance has now sold out. The event takes place on Friday 4 th March at Brocket Hall. Tickets will be available for collection next weekend on receipt of payment.

4 North Norfolk Holt RFC Tour 2016 ( 8 th to 10 th April 2016) This week we have to confirm our entry into the Holt Festival... if anybody wishes to come along please Nicola ASAP... as thing stand we will be entering teams as below: Currently we have: 1 x U7 Team (7 Players on Tour) 1 x U8 Team (6 teams on Tour) 1 x U9 Team (7 Players on Tour) 1 x U10 Team (13 Players on Tour) 1 x U11 Team (11 Players on Tour) 1 x U12 Team (14 Players on Tour) We will amend our Holt Festival entry and accommodation arrangements as above if anyone else would like to join the Mini Tour please can I ask you to confirm your attendance with your age group Manager and / or Nicola, (mrsnicolahoward@outlook.com) and provide a deposit this week. Deposits of 15 per attendee are now required with the balance being due on or by the 19 th February. The total price this year for a player or parent is 120 per person. The price for a younger sibling, (under the age of 6), is 52 per person. Mini Section - Rugby Club Quiz Night Friday 12 th February We are really keen for a few more to join this event if possible!!!! We are holding a Rugby Club Mini Section Quiz night on Friday 12 th February in the Club House... the quiz will be open to all and we are looking for teams of Woody has agreed to be our quiz master for this event. Perhaps to add a competitive edge the age group teams may wish to form teams; but absolutely any team can enter from any part of the Club! The quiz will aim to start at 8PM with a light meal, (e.g. fish n chips), to be served at the half way point of the quiz. The bar will be open from 7PM. Prizes will be given to the winners and runners up. This is intended to be a fun; fund raising event for the Club... the price per person is 8 per head, ( 80 for a team / table of 10)...this covers quiz entry and a light meal. If you would like to enter a team please me directly: andrewdhoward@outlook.com Ruggerbugs Some of you may be aware of a Rugby Development group called Ruggerbugs... Ruggerbugs provides an early introduction to Rugby type skills for very young children through to 6 year olds. I am pleased to advise that a Ruggerbugs centre is going to open in Datchworth Village hall on Saturday mornings

5 and will have an association with our Rugby Club. If you have or know of people with younger children then you may wish to share the attached flyer with them. Closing Notes Another frustrating week for most of our age groups; I have everything crossed that some dry weather comes along to get things back to normal for us. Hopefully we can train mid-week and hopefully we can visit Barnet next Sunday! Thank you all for your support and patience and in particular thank you to those who came along on Sunday afternoon at short notice. Next Saturday is the start of the 6 Nations. It would be great to see a big Mini Section crowd in the Club House to enjoy the game and a drink or two! I have an England Flag for every Mini Player / Family that comes along!!! Best wishes, Andrew Andrew Howard Chairman Mini Section