Wiltshire Youth Forum 16 May 2016 - Devizes RFC Present : Chris Jones Forum Chairman & Devizes RFC Justin Cliff Forum Secretary & Royal Wootton Bassett RFC Dave Wookey ~ Dorset & Wilts RFU Andy Smith ~ Devizes RFC Derek Tucker ~ Trowbridge RFC Julian Phelps ~ Westbury RFC Ron Jones ~ Dorset & Wilts RFU Matt Stephen ~ Chippenham RFC Wendy Ewart ~ Corsham RFC Will Owen ~ Devizes RFC Alex Burns ~ Bradford on Avon / Melksham RFC Alan Low ~ RDO RFU Apologies: Keith Humphries Royal Wootton Bassett RFC Richard Bourne Salisbury RFC & CB Council Topper Brown ~ Chippenham RFC Nick Elbourne ~ Chair Dorset Youth Forum Pete McAllister ~ Minety RFC Matters Arising From Previous Meeting Bio Banding ~ Chris Jones advised the RFU are set to release a communication shortly Agenda Wooden Spoon ~ Gareth John Chairman from Wooden Spoon provided an overview of the charity s aims and their desire to integrate with clubs mini/junior sections throughout the county. He thanked those clubs who hosted and participated in last years U12 Floodlit Festival and commented that bar one isolated incident the festival was played in the correct spirit. For the coming season 16/17 subject to relevant permission being granted by Dave Wookey it is anticipated that U9 & U12 age groups will be involved All clubs have been approached with 6 clubs Royal Wootton Bassett, Supermarine, Chippenham, Trowbridge, Devizes & Melksham agreeing to host Floodlit Festivals. Actions: Alan Low to provide lists of newly qualified referees to be approached Alan Low to approach Dave Wookey for formal approval for Festival to meet AGCR requirements
AGCR A lengthy discussion ensued. Alan Low advised that final communications on the latest AGCR were unlikely to be received prior to August 2016 It was explained that schools and clubs were now to play to the same regulations ~ Action ALL to advise Alan Low if we come across any misinterpretation Action : Alan Low will provide clubs and schools with dates of Teacher Education Days (3 in Wiltshire 2 in Dorset) circa July 2016 Action: Alan Low to provide a communication that clubs can send to their school contacts advising of Teacher Education Days Kids First It is the Forum and RFU recommendation that clubs sign up to the RFU Kids First Programne Action : Justin Cliff to ensure communication is sent to all Mini/Junior Chairs in the county advising them of scheme and recommendation Girls Rugby Discussion held around Girls Rugby as an area of growth and whilst all agreed this was an area of great growth. A lot of time had been invested in clubs recently to get viable sections going (BoA, Devizes) alongside Supermarine Chippenham and Melksham. If the groups are created with small numbers then they will become un-viable in a short period of time it is better to invest in a few for now until we can get greater numbers. Touch Rugby It was agreed that Touch Rugby should be considered as a community offering with families, ladies and people of all ages taking part. It was stressed it should not be used as a continuation of rugby training as young players should be encouraged to take a break from rugby during the summer Full rugby training is not permitted during the off season
Midweek Training It would appear that there is an inconsistent approach to mid week training at mini/midi age groups ~ some clubs advising that mid week training was taking place at U9/10 age groups. Concerns were raised surrounding player/coach burn out and also the matter of pitch maintenance needed to be considered It was agreed that a Forum recommendation / guidance be provided Action: Wendy Ewart/ Julian Phelps / Will Owen to form Sub Committee and report back to the Forum with recommendation Player Transfers Chris Jones advised that the matter of player transfers should still be monitored The major concern being instances where players moved because of poor quality training or welfare areas. It was agreed that it was in all clubs best interests that players were not actively approached to transfer as this can have a particularly negative effect on smaller clubs Those clubs with small squad sides are encouraged to join other similar clubs so as to ensure players enjoy playing The Forum will be the place where any concerns over player transfers are raised and discussed MIDI Competitions Matthew Stephen provided an overview of this years U11/12 competitions and thanked all host clubs and reported no negative feedback or incidents Next Year will see the same Festival structure however this will involve U12/13 Age groups Wiltshire U12 Festival 26 Feb (Trowbridge RFC) Wiltshire U13 Festival 12 Mar ( Melksham RFC) Dorset & Wilts Final 2 Apr ( North Dorset RFC) U14 Competition Graham Leveredge is to manage this competition which will follow a geographic pool stage and then tiered cup, plate stages) Action : ALL Clubs to return entry forms to Graham ASAP
U15/U16 Competitions Dave Wookey advised that these will run along the same format as this season Dave advised this years format had been successfully implemented with only one incident where the regulations surrounding the number of DPP players had not been adhered to. All clubs seem to have ensured that all fit and available registered GMS participated in at least one match U14/18 Competitions Submission/ Payment Dave has asked that entries be submitted ASAP however he has reminded all clubs that they will be invoiced for all entries and not to make payment until they have been involved please DPP/ CB Age Group Squads St John to be invited to the next Forum meeting Some attendees questioned under the new AGCR whether there would be an U13DPP Safeguarding Audits Next Season Calne,Colerne, Melksham, Minety, Pewsey Vale, Swindon, Westbury are to be audited RFU Training Officer A new RFU Training Officer has been appointed Action : Club Coaching Coordinators are asked to approach Alan Low with their CPD and training requirements for next season Action: All Club Coaching Coordinators are asked to support all CPD offerings not just those surrounding Scrum Factory/ Rugby Reading Action : u14/15 Coaching Course for Coaches on Line Outs ~ Alan Low to confirm 21 or 22 August at Devizes RFC - for both players and coaches for line-out and skills
Wiltshire Club Conference This years Wiltshire Club Conference to take place at Devizes RFC 11th June