Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth Conference Update 2017 SCOTTISH RUGBY Schools & Youth Conference Update February 2017 1
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Introduction Schools & Youth Conference Update February 2017 With the review of the 2016 Conference competitions now complete this update aims to share some of the information gathered through analysis and feedback, and confirm the structure for next season s competitions which has recently been approved by Scottish Rugby s Council. We are pleased to report the second season of the Conference programme has built on the solid start delivered during the 2015/16 season. The statistics and feedback tell a very encouraging story with the new tiered Conference structures enabling more boys and girls to take part in regular competitive fixtures than ever before. We fully appreciate this has only been possible due to all the hard work undertaken by staff and volunteers across the schools and youth game and for this we extend a huge Thank-you!. Despite the success of the last two seasons we are fully aware this is only a good start and there will always be plenty of work ahead if we are to continue developing the schools and youth game, that will in turn help provide sustainability across the wider domestic rugby landscape. One of the main reasons for establishing the Conference structure was to provide a framework which allows clubs and schools to work together to grow the game and improve the standard of play, through the creation of environments for growth across their age group programmes, where the focus and emphasis is firmly on the player development process. Working together we have no doubt we can deliver against this aim which will ultimately provide the long term impacts that we hope to achieve. SCOTTISH RUGBY Schools & Youth Conference Update February 2017 3
What is Conference Rugby? The Schools and Youth Conferences are for club and school teams in the S1 (U13) to under-18 age groups. The competitions strive to continually improve the playing environment provided by grouping clubs and schools within conferences based on the development structures adopted and the volume of teams they operate. Fixture programmes are co-ordinated by Scottish Rugby and its development network guaranteeing blocks of fixtures across all age groups with compatible clubs or schools throughout the autumn phase of the season. In Tiers 1-3 fixtures are structured in a way that allows schools, clubs or communities to compete across all age groups on the same day or weekend. Competition points are awarded to each match allowing every team to contribute to their club, school or community s success in the overall Conference table. Tier 4 is the entry level of the structure with clubs and schools organised on a local or regional basis to play in appropriate age group specific or conference style competitions. Conference Principles More players playing more competitive rugby more often (Two players playing once not one player playing twice) Player welfare at the forefront of all that we do (Two players playing once not one player playing twice) Clubs and Schools working together to grow the game and improve the standards of play Emphasis based on the long term player development process 4 LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT ACHIEVEMENT ENJOYMENT RESPECT
Conference Rugby By Numbers This season s conference structures for youth & schools kicked off on 27 August, coming to a conclusion in mid-december. These statistics represent a summary of progress compared to season 2015-16. Participating Institutions 93 156 26 Clubs Schools (state) Schools (Independent) 14% increase in 2016-17 Conference Structure 12 T1-T3 Conferences 27 T4 Conferences 14% increase in 2016-17 Fixtures Played 2,957 scheduled 2,268 played 77% Fulfilment in 2016-17 6% Overall increase in fixture fulfilment 20% Overall increase in fixtures completed SCOTTISH RUGBY Schools & Youth Conference Update February 2017 5
Tier 1-3 Fixture Fulfilment Information 7% 4% 14% All Tiers 1-3 81% 74% 6% Tier 1-3 fixture fulfilment rate Full Match Development Match Cancelled (weather related) Unfulfilled (lack of players) Additional Insight Development Matches allowed games to go ahead when one of the teams could not field the minimum number of players required. Through the end of the conference survey, 61% of the Directors/Heads of (Youth) Rugby said these matches were always beneficial and 30% said sometimes beneficial. Tier 4 Fixtures Fulfilled 2015/16 588 games played 2016/17 731 games played 5% Tier 4 increase in fixture fulfilment Tier 4 Games Player by Region 2016-17 300 200 100 0 Glasgow North Glasgow South East Caledonia Club School 6 LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT ACHIEVEMENT ENJOYMENT RESPECT
Conference Survey Heads/Directors of Youth Rugby Conference Fixtures Overall satisfaction rating for the Conference fixture programme? Conference Responses ALL 62 Tier 3 Clubs 9 Borders Town 4 Tier 1-3 Schools 28 Tier 4 Schools & Clubs Girl s President s Conference Players 17 4 76% players 72% Heads/Directors of Youth Rugby How do you rate the quality (competitiveness/equal matching) of fixtures? Conference Responses ALL 734 Tier 1-2 Schools 234 Tier 3 Schools & Clubs Tier 4 Schools & Clubs Girl s President s Conference 367 74 59 73% players 70% Heads/Directors of Youth Rugby How do you feel about the number of fixtures provided by your conference? Directors of Youth Rugby (clubs) and Heads of Rugby (schools) were asked to complete an online survey on behalf of their club or school. They were also asked to promote a player specific survey to all youth (S1(u13) u18) players involved in their programme. The online surveys were issued to all schools and clubs involved across the 4 tiers of the conference structure. Positive Engagement There was a very positive response to the online surveys, particularly from the players with over 700 boys and girls submitting feedback. This compares to just over 300 player responses received at the end of the 2015/16 conference competitions. 73% players Additional insight and comments 68% Heads/Directors of Youth Rugby Positive feedback about competitiveness of fixtures reinforce statistics provided by analysis of points deficits within Tier 1-3 fixtures (32% <14 points, 31% 15-29 points). Although the majority are happy with the number of conference fixtures there is a contingent that would like more. A desire for more fixtures was also evident from the comments received to survey questions that looked at Creating the Right Environment. SCOTTISH RUGBY Schools & Youth Conference Update February 2017 7
Player Welfare The online survey also gathered valuable feedback about perceptions held around the awareness and understanding for player welfare, and how we can continue to build the right environment for development. These aspects relate directly back to the wider aims of the Conference programme, namely the creation of environments for growth and an emphasis on the player development process. What the Heads and Directors of Youth Rugby said about awareness and understanding. Scottish Rugby s Player Welfare policies and guidelines 60% Coaches 16% Parents 31% Players % =said it was good or better. Signs of Concussion Return to play protocol following concussion 38% 36% Players Parents 83% % =said it was good or better. Coaches 85% Coaches 40% Players 26% Parents % =said it was good or better. 31% of players said they are not aware of any player welfare policies. 30% of Heads and Directors of Youth Rugby said we still have an issue of boys playing twice in a weekend. 25% of U16 players said they ve played for both a club and school in the same weekend. Additional insight and comments Feedback suggests coaches are reasonably well informed with regards to issues surrounding player welfare but there is a perception that players and parents are not so well educated. Analysis of serious injury reports show a spike in injuries in the U15 and U16 year groups. Despite the introduction of precautionary guidelines about game time in a weekend feedback suggests this is not being followed across the board Addressing the perceived safety risks associated with our sport is a priority for Scottish rugby and it is imperative that we place Player Welfare at the forefront of everything that we do. We all have a role to play in raising the awareness and understanding of Player Welfare policies ensuring these are followed without exception. 8 LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT ACHIEVEMENT ENJOYMENT RESPECT
Creating the Right Environment What the Heads and Directors of Youth Rugby are saying Changes to their rugby programmes since the Conferences were established for season 2015/16. 75% increased engagement with Coach Education CPD 65% Increased or improved Strength & Conditioning offering 65% increased or improved specialist skills offering 59% increased financial investment in equipment or other resources 52% increased number of training sessions 40% increased number of UKCC Level 2 coaches Things they currently d0, or would like to improve on to create the right environment? Focus / Approach Development and performance, not results game time for all Fun or enjoyment Values inclusion, respect, discipline, team work Player centred approach that develops person not just the player Rugby culture embedded in school Practical elements Coaching team paid dev/coaching staff, volunteers, specialists Coach education and development More training including more S&C and specialist skills Set goals and standards involving players in the process to promote ownership Communication players, parents, coaches, team meetings Regular competitive fixtures supporting game time for all approach Link between school (or youth section) to senior club More time for rugby in curriculum What can Scottish Rugby do? Share best practice Funding maintain or increase for development/coaching staff and equipment Referee development increase numbers and improve standards Invest in facilities Better links between clubs/schools and professional teams More direct communication with clubs and schools Rugby culture embedded in school Regular competitive fixtures, supporting Game Time For All approach SCOTTISH RUGBY Schools & Youth Conference Update February 2017 9
What the Players are saying What can their school, club or Scottish Rugby do to make rugby more enjoyable, or improve the Conference competitions? Training Increase number of sessions More specific and tailored sessions i.e. development of specialist skills, recovery, focus on weaknesses Introduce more games into training More engaging fitness sessions and more opportunities for S&C Increase focus on having fun Guest coaching/mentoring from professional or adult 1st XV players/ coaches More coaches and better coaches Video analysis Fixtures, Competition & Season Structure Increase number of fixtures within Conferences and/or more competitions e.g. 7s for 2nd half of the season More competitive matches / reduce mismatches Promotion/relegation in Conferences Clubs v schools Improve standard of referees Finals events or play-offs for the Conferences provides big game experience, raising profile and making conferences feel more important Play rugby at different time of the year (Summer rugby) Facilities Better pitches including more 4G Improve or increase provision of floodlights, indoor facilities, equipment Culture Team bonding through social activities and tours More engagement with professional teams Include players more with session planning Raise participation More rugby in schools Spread the word and attract more people to the game More coaches and better coaches Introduce more games into training 10 LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT ACHIEVEMENT ENJOYMENT RESPECT
2017/18 Conference Programme The review of this season s conference competitions resulted in a number of recommendations that have been approved by the National Schools and Youth Forum and Scottish Rugby s Council. Maintain tiered structure and Whole Club/School/Town approach. Make small changes to composition of Tier 1-3 Conferences as outlined below. Conference structures to be reviewed after season 2017/18. Thoroughly assess readiness of clubs and schools before admitting to any Tier 1-3 Conference, or moving to a higher level Conference. The Conference Principles and Criteria must be central to this process. Continue to work with Tier 4 clubs and schools to ensure appropriate competitions are in place and pathways available for those with aspirations to progress. Introduce one minor change to Rules of Competition on trial basis within Tier 1-2 School Conferences; competition points to be awarded for win/draw/loss in S1(U13) A team matches, rather than points for participation only. Schools & Youth Competitions Committee to review rules to tidy up any anomalies identified this season and combine conference rules into one document. Facilitate meetings to allow clubs and schools to develop more competitive fixture programmes for 2nd half of the season. Maintain player welfare guidelines with regards to game time in a weekend i.e. 90 mins/ weekend for U13-U15, 1 game/weekend for U16/U18. Guidelines to be reiterated and increased monitoring to be introduced. Begin planning for season 2018/19 immediately to clarify development objectives for the conference structure with clubs, schools and Schools & Youth advisory groups. Implementation of the above will start immediately and fixtures for Tier 1-3 Conferences will be released to clubs and schools very shortly. The national schools and youth fixtures meeting shall take place at BT Murrayfield on Wednesday 1 March. If you would like to attend please email Sam Parlane (sam.parlane@sru.org.uk) to confirm your place. The regional Schools and Youth Development Managers will also be in touch over the coming months to coordinate planning meetings for next season s Tier 4 competitions and fixture programmes. SCOTTISH RUGBY Schools & Youth Conference Update February 2017 11
Conference Structure 2017/18 Tiers 1-3 Club Youth Conferences President's (8 clubs) Green (11 clubs) Red (6 clubs, 1 school) Format Home and away; 14 rounds - 14 fixtures per club Home or away followed by placing matches; 14 rounds - 12-13 fixtures per club Home and away; 14 rounds, 12 fixtures and 2 off weekends per club. Ayr Allan Glen's Dundee Rugby Biggar Cartha Queen s Park Dunfermline Boroughmuir Cumnock Ellon Currie Dalziel Gordonstoun School Clubs (25 clubs, 1 school) Hamilton Dumfries Saints Granite City Highland East Kilbride Mackie Stirling County GHA Perthshire West of Scotland Glasgow Hawks Greenock Wanderers Livingston Whitecraigs Schools Conferences Format Red (6 Schools) Blue (6 Schools) White (6 Schools) Home or away; 5 rounds - 5 fixtures per school Dollar Academy Bell Baxter George Heriot's School George Watson's College Fettes College Glasgow Academy Schools Tier 1 & 2 (18 schools) Merchiston Castle School Glenalmond College High School of Glasgow Stewart's Melville College High School of Dundee Hutchesons Grammar School Strathallan School Loretto School Kelvinside Academy The Edinburgh Academy Robert Gordon's College St Aloysius' College 12 LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT ACHIEVEMENT ENJOYMENT RESPECT
Schools Conferences Green (5 schools) Purple (5 Schools) Orange (5 Schools) Black (10 Schools) Format Schools (25) Home and away; 10 rounds, 8 fixtures and 2 'off' weekends per school. George Watson's College 'B' North Berwick High School Preston Lodge High School Stewart's Melville College 'B' Dunbar Grammar School Knox/Haddington Lasswade High School Berwick Rugby Boroughmuir High School Musselburgh Grammar School Home or away; 9 rounds, 9 fixtures per school. Balfron/Strathendrick Carrick Academy Jordanhill School Linlithgow Academy Penicuik/Beeslack Lenzie Academy The Royal High School Trinity Academy Ross High School Lomond/Helensburgh Marr College Morrison's Academy Queen Victoria School St Columba's Kilmacolm Ayr/Wellington Borders Town Conference Towns Clubs Schools Duns RFC Berwickshire and Eyemouth High Schools Gala RFC, Red Triangle, Wanderers Galashiels Academy Hawick RFC, Wanderers, PSA, Albion Hawick High School Jedburgh Forrest RFC, Thistle Jedburgh Grammar School Kelso RFC, Harlequins Kelso High School Melrose RFC Earlston High School Peebles RFC Peebles High School Selkirk RFC, Youth Selkirk High School Girls President s Conference Clubs Ayr Biggar Caithness Hillhead Jordanhill Murrayfield Wanderers Stirling County SCOTTISH RUGBY Schools & Youth Conference Update February 2017 13
Congratulations to all 2016 Conference Winners School Conferences Red Conference Merchiston Castle School Blue Conference Fettes College White Conference High School of Glasgow Green Conference Stewart s Melville College Purple Conference Linlithgow Academy Black Conference Carrick Academy Club Conferences President s Conference Stirling County Red Conference Mackie Green Conference Hamilton Brown Conference Allan Glen s Border Conference Melrose/Earlston Girls President s Conference Biggar and Stirling County 14 LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT ACHIEVEMENT ENJOYMENT RESPECT
Conference Testimonials Stirling County RFC: Stewart Milne, Stirling County Academy Manager: We are delighted with the progress this season and the consistency of the conference structure has allowed us to build from last year. Our ability to put teams out at U18, U15/16 and S1/2 into the Caledonia conferences has been fundamental to developing our players, giving all our players the opportunity to play each weekend. With the success of our girls teams in their newly formed President s Conference, as well as the boy s President s Conference, it has been an excellent conference season for SCRFC. Our committee have put a huge amount into building the support systems within the club and we are confident in going from strength to strength. As a club we are incredibly fortunate to have a fantastic volunteer base and are incredibly grateful to all of those who s hard work and dedication make rugby happen! Linlithgow Academy: Karen Jarvis, Linlithgow Academy Head Teacher: The Conference programme has been massive to the school, a major improvement for everyone involved across the age groups. We ve noticed a real difference at training with pupils commitment improving both on and off the pitch and we performed very well to win the Schools Purple Conference this season. Carrick Academy: Shona Stevens, Carrick Academy Head Teacher: If you look at rugby from the start at Carrick, you will see how our young people have achieved through the sport and through the development of the conference structure. The ethos within the school has improved and pupils are more motivated, more committed and have a real sense of identity when turning out for Carrick Academy rugby. Gordon Brown, Head of Rugby: It has provided an extra purpose to our rugby teams at Carrick Academy with a whole school points total enabling every side to feel they are contributing to the overall success. The conferences have given us extra focus, as it s not always about winning, it s about fielding players across the age-groups and developing participation in rugby within schools and the wider community. St Andrew s RC Secondary: Des McLean, St Andrew s Deputy Head: The added value of playing rugby at St Andrew s through the Scottish Rugby conference structure is that it improves our school ethos. They are not all angels at the school but the rugby programme is really worthwhile for the pupils and has a knock-on effect in the classroom, improving resilience, teamwork, behaviour and it is evident from the School of Rugby that pupils are real ambassadors for St Andrew s. SCOTTISH RUGBY Schools & Youth Conference Update February 2017 15
Preston Lodge: Chris Thomas, Head of Rugby at Preston Lodge High School: The Conference structure has enhanced our traditional fixture list and given our players genuine focus for greater challenges, combined with our player numbers dramatically increasing, this is by far our most enjoyable rugby season for decades. Mackie Academy: Keith Stewart, Fixtures Secretary at Mackie Academy: The conferences have made fixture organisation much easier and provided our youth section with a more cohesive feel, as we all take an interest in other year groups as well as our own. Merchiston Castle School: Rob Moffat, former Director of Rugby: It s not just a school having two or three teams, the involvement of five teams across the board makes the conferences a special competition and increases involvement within the sport across all ages. There are now more teams coming through across schools and clubs and the interest has really grown over the last two years. 16 LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT ACHIEVEMENT ENJOYMENT RESPECT
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