U16 Guidelines

Squad objective

It is our aim to keep as many lads as possible playing rugby through the junior ages and prepare them for the move into senior rugby, whether at Effingham or elsewhere. The Coaches shall encourage the players to develop their rugby skills both as a team and individually to enable the boys to improve decision making and communication in the game.

 

Season objectives

First and fore most to let the players enjoy their rugby with smiles on their faces – you cannot beat that. In terms of results we would hope to win more than we lose and have a decent run in the leagues.

 

Style of rugby

Collective vision to be established by the lads and implemented.

 

Selection for fixtures

League fixtures: our aim is where possible to put out the strongest possible teams during league matches.

 

Friendlies: treated as squad games.

 

Development games:  We will also be using a number of fixtures as development games to allow those who are not starting in the league games to get decent game time and develop their individual skills. In addition within these development games we will be looking at players in different positions to see how they perform.

 

We hope that this three tier system for this seasons fixtures provide the most enjoyable route for the players.

 

Coaching

The coaching team will support the squad to form and express their team vision, this will be adopted by the coaches and used to guide the seasons training. We intend to provide individual player feedback this season, which should help the players focus on their development. The coaching focus will be on unit skills as opposed to the broader skills which have been taught for the past seasons. We do however recognise that there are players of different abilities and we will look to provide those who are relatively new to the game with the basic skills which will help them develop.

 

Where possible we will look to cross train players into playing in two positions, this will make the team more flexible and ultimately give the players more game time – especially as the squad is heavy with 15 front row forwards and 11 wingers.

 

Player and Parent behaviour

Effingham has adopted a Zero tolerance policy and this will be observed within our squad and during matches as well. Dissent or criticism to officials or players either ours or the opposition will not be tolerated from players or coaches / parents on the sidelines.  A player will be removed from the field of play if he breaks either of these rules irrespective of the score and match situation and/or might not get selected for the next game. For players it’s simple - respect the referee and respect your fellow players and encourage one another.

 

Coaches or Parents breaking these rules will be asked to leave the touchline for the remainder of the game. This policy will be monitored by myself, the coaches and our safeguarding assistants (Denise Stafford and Wendy Midgely).  I would hope that all parents will embrace this thinking and help police the sidelines.

 

This is taken directly from the club website;

We are to appropriately challenge any behaviour by spectators or players that contravene the codes of conduct set down by the RFU. Last season saw some fantastic rugby but a small proportion of this was tainted by some inappropriate player and spectator behaviour. We all have a responsibility to ensure that unwanted behaviour is appropriately challenge by parents, coaches or officers of the club. It is both disrespectful and harmful to our children to be exposed to this kind of conduct. This season I urge you all to be vigilant about encouraging good sportsmanship and fair play. If you witness an incident you can: approach the individual in an appropriate manner, speak to the coaches or contact one of the safeguarding officers

 

Dress code after League fixtures

For those players involved on League games may I remind everyone that they are representing the club, so number 1’s (Effingham tie, white shirts, school trousers and shoes) are to be worn after the game. We would also ask that players look to spend at least 20 minutes with their squad mates and or the opposition before heading off home. Now we appreciate that this is not always possible please let me know in advance. If we find any players who persistently choose to ignore this rule we may consider dropping them for the next league game.

 

Player availability

We hope that everyone will want to be involved on every session so the squad continue to bond, however we accept that all the players will have differing demands on them this season. If players are not available for training or games on Sundays I would like to be notified in advance. If at all possible I would like you to look at this season’s fixture list and notify me in advance if you know that any player is not available for any of the games.

 

We will also have to see what impact school games on a Saturday have on players, especially for the early part of the season. We do not intend to overplay players so to all parents please talk to myself or Steve about how players are coping.

  

Parental support

I cannot stress how important parental support is to this squad, all of the coaches and the support team (safeguarding assistants, first aiders, radio operators) are parents who have committed themselves to the squad. We do need all parents to pitch in and I will be asking on a regular basis for help; washing kit, setting up or clearing up of pitch equipment, helping with lifts, the serving of food to players after games and of course the cleaning of changing rooms after games. I would ask all of you to please be prepared to pitch in and help out, please do not let this burden fall on a committed few.

 

Weights and supplements

Our policy is that weight training is not recommended, however if players undertake weights they should only be light weights for resistance work and in the presence of a trained fitness adviser - the players bodies are still developing, they are not professional rugby players. We also believe that no player should be taking any type of supplement; growth should be natural and not stimulated.