MINIS & JUNIORS SECTION WELCOME HANDBOOK Abingdon RFC Minis & Juniors Welcome Handbook Page 1
Dear Parents / Guardians and Children, On behalf of the Abingdon Rugby Football club we would like to welcome you to the Mini and Junior sections, and provide you with some information about our club and our activities. Our aim is to provide a first-class facility and environment where children are encouraged to play and enjoy their sport. It is important to us that our club is your club, and that it can be enjoyed by the whole family. Our philosophy is to enjoy winning, but, not at all costs. The emphasis during training is on having fun and learning new skills. Children will get the chance to play a competitive sport and meet new friends. We pride ourselves on embodying the traditional rugby values of fair play, friendliness and hospitality. The club provides opportunities for rugby for children in both the Mini s (U6 to U12 section and Juniors (U13 to U18) to receive coaching and take part in rugby festivals and competitions. All coaching is provided by qualified coaches, who are RFU trained and have been screened for their suitability for working with young people. Several of the coaches are current players with the Abingdon RFC senior teams. Parents and guardians are expected to make arrangements for children in the Minis and Juniors to travel to and from training sessions and matches. We appreciate it if children can arrive promptly and that a suitable responsible adult is present at all times. If you cannot stay, then you can nominate another parent, with their agreement, in your place. To help you through the mornings the clubhouse offers hot and cold refreshments. We welcome parents and guardians to the club for all training and playing sessions, and value your support. As a club run by volunteers we are keen to try and involve parents in the club, and if you feel able to help in any capacity at all for example with training, team management, kitchen duties or general administration please talk to your age group coach. Information regarding the club s Child Protection Policy and the Code of Conduct expected of club officials, players and parents is published in the clubhouse. We would appreciate it if you could read these carefully as Abingdon RFC is committed to providing a safe effective environment for children to play rugby. Yours in Rugby Graham McDonough Junior & Minis Chairman Abingdon RFC Minis & Juniors Welcome Handbook Page 2
ABINGDON RFC INTRODUCTION Welcome to Abingdon Rugby Football Club. Abingdon RFC was officially formed at the Queens Hotel on 27th February 1931and was very soon established as a major force in the Home Counties. During the 30 s the club was based at the Queens Hotel and games were played on the Council owned recreation ground at Caldecott Road. Immediately after the Second World War the club moved to outside the RAF camp (now Dalton Barracks) which offered on-site changing facilities and later a pitch inside the camp. The games would often continue as Beverly Bombers rolled up and down the adjacent runways. At the start of the Suez Crisis in 1956 play temporarily returned to the Caldecott Road site because of security risks. Throughout its long history Abingdon has contributed much to the game with members representing the county, progressing to first-class level and also on to international status in the Five Nations Tournament. The Abingdon Sevens traditionally opens the Home Counties playing season and has attracted sides from throughout the Country and beyond. Initiated in 1956 as a one-off tournament to celebrate the town s 400th anniversary of receiving a Royal Charter, it proved so successful that the competition has been held on an annual basis ever since then and we therefore claim to host the longest running club Sevens in England. Several years ago it was decided to introduce the youngsters of Abingdon to Club Rugby. From humble beginnings the Youth Section has grown to 200 playing members from the ages of 6 to 18. Abingdon RFC is justifiably proud of its past and the role it currently plays providing opportunity at grass-roots level in a sport which has seen many recent changes. We look to the future with confidence as we build on the successes of the past. MINI S & JUNIORS RUGBY (U6S - U18S) Mini s rugby is designed to introduce children to the basics of the game in a safe environment, in line with their physical abilities and at their own pace letting them run, chase, throw, catch and learn teamwork. Boys and girls play together and on an equal footing throughout the Mini s until U11s. Under 6s, 7s & 8s These age groups play non-contact tag rugby. The main aim is to develop the basic skills such as passing backwards, catching a pass, and running into space and of course, scoring tries! The players wear a belt with 2 Velcro tags. A tackle is made when the opposition pull one of the tags off the ball carriers belt and calls Tag! Once the ball carrier has been tagged, they must attempt to stop immediately and pass the ball to a member of their own team before reclaiming their tag and then both players can continue with the game. There is no contact tackling, scrums, lineouts or kicking of the ball. U6s are permitted to train with the U7s, but are not allowed to play games until after their 6th birthday. Under 9s - Under 12s U9 rugby introduces full contact tackles for the first time; also the team size and length of game increases. More of the complexities of rucking, kicking, mauling and scrums are added each subsequent year, the number of players per team increase in size and so do the pitches. Juniors and Colts Rugby (U13s - U18s) As groups progress through U13s to U18s, the players evolve into the 15 a side full contact game, putting into practice the skills and techniques taught through the mini development programme. Abingdon RFC Minis & Juniors Welcome Handbook Page 3
There are some key issues relating to scrummaging and lineouts that are not permitted at the youngest age groups and some that remain out of play until adult rugby only. Abingdon RFC is committed to developing players to reach their full capability and we ensure our coaches are of the highest standard possible. Mini s & Juniors age group table Age on 1st Sept School Year Rugby Age Group 5 R/1 U6s 6 2 U7s 7 3 U8s 8 4 U9s 9 5 U10s 10 6 U11s 11 7 U12s 12 8 U13s 13 9 U14s 14 10 U15s 15 11 U16s 16 12 U17s 17 13 U18s THE PLAYING SEASON The playing season run from the 1 st Sunday in September through to the 2 nd Sunday in May. There will be training or fixtures every Sunday morning between (weather and pitch conditions permitting) except for Christmas and Easter. The fixtures and weekend training schedules are arranged and published in advance on the club s notice board and website. Short notice changes will be advised by the coaches. Sunday coaching sessions Mini s coaching is on Sunday mornings between 10.30 am and 12.00 pm (Coaches may choose to start a little earlier for the older groups, so please check with your age groups lead coach), with lots of breaks built in. Coaching involves rugby handling skills, moves, non-contact games and contact games for the older groups. Parents are required to stay on the site during training; refreshments are available in the club house. Juniors coaching is on Sunday mornings between 10.00 am and 12.00pm, with age groups occasionally combining for practice matches. This will be at the discretion of the coaches concerned who will always bear in mind the RFU regulations and the safety of the children safety will always be our paramount concern. Parents must ensure that either they, or a suitable responsible adult is present at all times. Abingdon RFC Minis & Juniors Welcome Handbook Page 4
Sunday fixtures All age groups play club fixtures and rugby festivals against other clubs in the Oxon, Buck & Berks counties. The weekly fixtures are arranged by the mini s fixture secretary at a county fixture meeting or between individual clubs. There are also festivals for the younger teams and competitive tournaments for the older teams, usually at each end of the season. Information for these will be published on the fixtures list and club s website. Parents should ensure that they know whether there is a match or training on any given date. Also if your child has been notified of a game and then becomes unavailable, you should let the coaches or team manager know as soon as possible so that team selections can be made or adjusted accordingly. Kit The Club shop has a range of club kit, shirts, shorts, socks, etc. There is also a range of adult sizes available so that you can show your support for your players! Each player should have a playing shirt, boots, shorts, socks and mouth guard. Some of the teams have items of sponsored kit supplied for fixtures. If you or your company would like to sponsor a team, or the Club, please speak to your team s coach. Mouth guards The wearing of mouth guards is compulsory from under 9 upwards, although we strongly recommend gum shields at all ages. There are a range of products available from boil and bite to orthodontic mouth guards which are fitted to the wearer personally. Winter Clothing it is essential that parents ensure that players have proper winter clothing with them every Sunday (even our spring can be cold and wet!) There is always a degree of standing around, especially at Festivals. All players should be aware that muddy kit and boots are not allowed in the Club house, so, it would be a good idea to have a kit bag and some clean clothes to change in to. REGISTRATION, SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MEDICAL CONSENT Registration. All players are required to be registered with both the Club and RFU; the Club will inform the RFU of all registered players. Registration forms will be available from the coaches and from the club s website. However, at the beginning of the season we hold an annual registration session on the first two Sundays of the season, where members are also required to pay a club membership fee. Membership. Abingdon Rugby Football Club Ltd membership follows the season start dates September to August. All Under 18s must have parental consent as stated on the youth registration form. The cost of club membership is reviewed annually and is displayed on the top of each season s registration form. Membership fees go into funding and improving the club s facilities, such as club house, pitch maintenance, floodlights, etc. All membership fees can be paid as a one off payment by cheque, cash, credit card or BACS transfer. It s important that all children and parents are resisted with the club at the beginning of the season, Abingdon RFC Minis & Juniors Welcome Handbook Page 5
as we use this contact details on this form to keep all parents up to date with club news and events. Note: The club is run by volunteers and none of the club officers or coaches are paid for their services. So all monies paid, or raised through fund raising, go towards the club s maintenance and improvement programmes. Medical Consent As part of the membership process, all players are required to complete a medical form. A new form must be completed every season to provide the manager and coaching staff with up to date information on the player s medical and behavioural conditions, and give consent to obtain medical assistance should the players be injured or taken ill. You will also be required to provide details of the child s current school as part of the safeguarding/ child protection policy. RFU registration is only required once, unless the school or address change and a player must be de registered if s/he decides to leave the club. You will need to supply 2 passport photos. Please note that if subscriptions are not paid then a player is not considered a member and will be refused access to the Club, as s/he will NOT be covered by the Club s insurance and therefore cannot play as a matter of RFU regulations and Club policy. COACHES AND VOLUNTEERS Abingdon RFC has RFU qualified coaches working with each age groups, and we encourage all coaches to continue their knowledge through attending RFU CPD s. Coaches are DBS checked through the RFU, to ensure their suitability for working with young people. All of our coaches are an enthusiastic and dedicated group of volunteers, who spend many hours each week preparing and delivering sessions for the teams. If you re interested in helping out with the teams, either coaching, team s management, or first aid, then please contact your age group lead coach. Each team has a nominated first aider, who carries a fully stocked first aid kit. The club provides a sports injury first aid course for all nominate first aiders. CODES OF CONDUCTS Commitment from parents and players is required and we ask that players attend all sessions, as far as possible. We like all parents to get to know their age groups managing and coaching team and let them know if their child will be absent on any Sunday; coaches cannot prepare training plans or the team properly for matches if only half the players turn up for sessions. When the team comes off the field, we want our children to be able to say that was fun, we want to come back. Players are encouraged to support each other (even when mistakes are made), to applaud opponents and to play with passion. This approach applies to all players, parents, coaches and spectators alike. This is why we have codes of conduct, based on RFU guidelines and which parents can interpret as Club policy. We ask that you become familiar with them and lead by example in your conduct. Player Code of Conduct Play for fun not just to please your parents and coaches. Play to the Rules. Don t Cheat. Abingdon RFC Minis & Juniors Welcome Handbook Page 6
Don t argue with the referee. Referees will not change their decision and they might penalise you or your team for doing so. Remember that the referee is a volunteer and that the game cannot happen without them! Control your temper and your mouth. Lose your head and your team loses a player. Never give up. Always give your best. The game is not over until the final whistle. Be a good sport. Recognise good rugby and learn from it, even if it comes from the other side. Improve your skills. Work hard at training if you play better, your team will do better. Don t be selfish. Co-operate with your team. Teams win, not individuals. Don t show off even when you ve scored. Be a team player encourage your team mates, play by example DON T put them down. Remember the opposition wear different colour shirts! Parent & Spectators Code of Conduct Never force a child to play rugby, always remember children should play for their enjoyment not yours. Applaud good play, from both sides children learn best by example. Have respect for the decisions made by the match officials by not publicly questioning the referee. Don t get into arguments with opposition parents it can lead to bad feelings between clubs and lost fixtures. Never go onto the field of play stay off the pitch- otherwise you may face Club/RFU discipline. Never shout at a player for making a mistake. Never ridicule a player regardless of the team they play for. Teach your child that victory isn t everything playing as well as you can is the most important thing. There is no disgrace in defeat if you have tried your best. Rugby It s only a game! Recognise the value and importance of all officials - managers, coaches and referees: they are someone s Mum/ Dad and give their time so you can enjoy rugby. They give their time and resources freely to provide rugby for your child. Please encourage your child to listen and follow the coaching sessions. Parents must ensure that a child s presence has been entered onto the team manager s weekly attendance register. Parents must let the manager know if their child is leaving early/ being collected by another adult. In the Minis, parent must stay for the training session or game. This is both beneficial for the child and the Club Officials. If you are unable to stay, you must ensure that you have nominated a suitable adult to be responsible for your child and that this has been noted on the manager s register. The coach or manager is not suitable for this role. Volunteer Code of Conduct Volunteering can be a rich and satisfying experience; it is also a tremendous responsibility. Good volunteering requires the ability to get the best out of all the players and to support their enjoyment of the game. Children come first - winning come second. Keep winning and losing in perspective. Treat each child as an individual- children have different strengths and need individual support. Be reasonable in your demands on a young player s time, energy and enthusiasm. Remember they may have other competing interests and education needs. Remember to reward effort as well as achievement. Abingdon RFC Minis & Juniors Welcome Handbook Page 7
Players develop at different rates of pace, avoid over playing the talented player by using a squad system. Those less talented need and deserve equal time. The less capable player now may well be a future 1st XV player. Encourage the children to play for fun and enjoyment. Never ridicule or yell at the children for making mistakes or losing a game - mistakes and losing are valuable lifetime lessons. People react far better to positive feedback as opposed to criticism - always try to stress the positive. It s difficult playing the game without opposition and match officials, teach respect for the other participants. We want our players to say, 'our Coach was brilliant, he listened to what we had to say, we were taught something new, we want to come back next week'. We look forward to seeing you. SAFEGUARDING & PROTECTING YOUNG PEOPLE Abingdon RFC recognises that everybody has a responsibility for protecting children under the age of 18. If any member, parent, guardian or spectator, has concerns about any child associated with the club, they should discuss them with the club's Safeguarding Officer. Abingdon RFC Welfare Policy is in place and includes all the core elements of the RFU and RFUW recommended Policies and Procedures for the Welfare of Young People in the sport of rugby union. Abingdon RFC has: Appointed Club Welfare Officer(s) who acts as the first point of contact for concerns about the welfare of young people and is listed in the Who s Who Section of this document. Ensures that all officers and committee members are aware of their responsibility in this area and that the club respond to any indication of poor practice or abuse in line with RFU and RFUW Policy. Implement a policy of Best Practice for all adults working with young people as set out in the various Codes of Conduct. Ensure that all relevant members who have regular supervisory contact with children or a management responsibility for those working with young people undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Actively supports and encourages coaches and other volunteers to undertake training to support them in their work with young people All volunteers are expected to follow the guidelines as set by the club s safeguarding Policy and the Rugby Football Union's "RFU Safeguarding Policy Guidance & Procedure. http://www.englandrugby.com/governance/safeguarding/ ABINGDON RFC PHOTOGRAPHIC POLICY Abingdon RFC has adopted the RFU/RFUW Best Practice Guidelines for Photographic images - including those taken by mobile telephone. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) recognises that publicity and pictures of young people enjoying rugby are essential to promote the sport and a healthy lifestyle. To facilitate this, it is therefore essential that the following principles and rules should be observed. Abingdon RFC Minis & Juniors Welcome Handbook Page 8
These Best Practice Guidelines have been developed by the RFU with advice and guidance on the use of images of young people. The whole policy is available at www.rfu.com Abingdon RFC is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for young people. Implicit in this is the commitment to ensure that all publications, resources and media represent participants appropriately and with due respect. By adopting the points outlined in these guidelines we will be putting in place the best possible practice to protect young people wherever photographs or recorded images are taken and stored. The images may be published on the club website. If at any time either the parent/carer or the young person wishes the data to be removed from the website, the Club Safeguarding Officer should be informed. The following rules which will ensure compliance with the policy on photographic images are as follows: 1. Ensure parents/guardian/young person have granted their consent for the taking and publication of photographic images and have signed and returned the Parent/Guardian and Young Person Permission Form. 2. All young people must be appropriately dressed for the activity taking place. 3. Photography or recording should focus on the activity rather than a particular young person and personal details which might make a young person vulnerable, such as their exact address, must never be revealed. 4. Where an individual has achieved success in the game (e.g. when selected for representative side or showing triumph over adversity) permission must be gained from parent/guardian and young person to use photographs/recordings and relevant details. 5. Where possible, to reflect the RFU Equity Policy, photographs/recordings should represent the diverse range of young people participating in rugby. 6. Anyone taking photographs or recording at any rugby event must have a valid reason for doing so and seek the permission of the organisers/persons in charge. 7. Anyone taking photographs or recording should make themselves known to the event organisers/persons in charge and be able to identify themselves if requested during the course of the event. 8. All concerns regarding inappropriate or intrusive photography should be reported in confidence to the Club Safeguarding officer Abingdon RFC recognises the need to ensure the welfare and safety of all young people in Rugby Union. As part of our commitment to ensure the safety of young people we will not permit photographs, video or other images including those taken via mobile phones of young people to be taken or used without the consent of the parents/carers and the young person. We will follow the RFU guidance for the use of images of young people, we will take all steps to ensure these images are used solely for the purposes they are intended which is the promotion and celebration of the activities associated with rugby. If you become aware that images are being used inappropriately then please contact the clubs safe guarding officer. AGE GROUP VOLUNTEERS The club is run by volunteers, and as such, each of the age groups need to assist with various activities throughout the season. The activities are outlined as follows: Kitchen Management The Kitchen is managed each year by the U12s. This involves setting up and shutting down the kitchen for each of the home training session or fixtures. Also it involves buying food and stocking Abingdon RFC Minis & Juniors Welcome Handbook Page 9
the fridges and freezers. A more detailed set of information is available from the current U12s. All profits made from the kitchen are split 50/50 between the club and the U12s, so as to provide an opportunity for the U12s to start fund raising for when they hit the juniors (U13s onwards). Weekly Kitchen Duty The Kitchen is managed by the U12 age group, but assisted each home week by the each of the age groups (U6/7 U12). This usually involves 2 to 3 parents between 10:00 and 12:00 helping out in the kitchen cooking and serving food. This is usually divided into 30 min slots and parents rotate through each doing their 30 mins. Details of the age group responsible each week is displayed on the fixture list. Halloween & Christmas Party Each year the club holds a Halloween and Christmas party for all of the mini s age groups. These parties are hosted in the clubhouse and organised by the U10s. Decorations and Grotto items are stored in the club s storeroom and can be used. Usually gifts are provided by the parent for each of their children and given out as part of the events. 100 CLUB The 100 Club is our very own monthly lottery, with one third of all proceeds making up cash prizes & the other two thirds going used for the upkeep and maintenance of the Club pitches. All club members over the age of 18 are encouraged to join the 100 club, and membership costs 60 per year, paid either by cheque or by standing order at 5 per month. So, please help us to raise much needed funds for your rugby club along with the chance for you to win a cash prize. Remember the more that join the bigger the prize and the more money raised for your club. Please contact the Club Treasurer for more details. COMMUNICATIONS The clubs main form of communication with you will be via the Abingdon RFU website. Please ensure you register on the website, when you ve completed your membership. http://www.abingdonrufc.co.uk/ The Mini & Juniors have a newsletter The Tag & Tackle that is published approximately every 2 months, highlighting news and stories from all the age groups. If you have any stories or news for the newsletter you can drop the editor an email at tagandtackle@abingdonrfc.co.uk Abingdon RFC Minis & Juniors Welcome Handbook Page 10
ABINGDON RUFC INFORMATION WHO'S WHO IN THE CLUB Role Name Contact Club President Neil Crossley neil.crossley@o2.co.uk Club Chairman Pat Sweeney patrick.sweeney@dhl.com Junior Chairman Graham McDonough graham.mcdonough@gmcomms.co.uk Seniors Head Coach Simon North mobile@masonsneedlecraft.co.uk Club Secretary Tracey Hedges traceyh.3105@sky.com Club Coaching Coordinator Matt Turner mattturner@btconnect.com Bar / Club Steward Steph Holland stephyholland@msn.com Club Treasurer David Lushington david.lushington@btinternet.com Mini / Juniors Membership secretary (DBS Checks) Nigel Peck Donna Peck nigel.peck@btinternet.com donna.peck@hotmail.co.uk Mini Fixtures Secretary Paul Nangle paul-nangle7@hotmail.co.uk Welfare Officer Carole Lushington carole.lushington@btinternet.com ABINGDON RFC ADDRESS / CONTACTS ABINGDON Rugby Union Football Club Southern Sports Park, Lambrick Way Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 5TJ Telephone 01235 553810 www.abingdonrufc.co.uk Abingdon RFC Minis & Juniors Welcome Handbook Page 11
TEAM STRIP Abingdon Mini Teams play in Green and Gold shirts, Black shorts and Green/gold socks. Team strip (Shirts, Shorts, socks, ties) can be purchased from the club s shop, or from the club s bar. Abingdon RFC Minis & Juniors Welcome Handbook Page 12
ABINGDON RUFC PITCH LOCATIONS Match Day & Training Day Car Parking U6/7 Pitch U8 Pitch U9 Pitch Training Pitch U10 Pitch Junior / Colt Pitches U11 Pitch U12 Pitch Abingdon RFC Minis & Juniors Welcome Handbook Page 13