Minis General Information

Introduction

Mini Rugby should be played in the true spirit of the game, as defined in the IRB Spirit of Rugby. It is intended that all Mini rugby players should enjoy playing the game and, as a result, make friends and continue playing rugby and/or being involved in rugby in some capacity.

The Rugby Club will endeavour to provide adequate and proper facilities, a good standard of coaching and the setting of high levels of conduct and attitude to the game on and off the field. The Mini Section, through the Rugby Club, will:

Be organised through the Management Board and, in particular, through the Mini Section Committee.
Provide facilities for the playing of Mini rugby.
Honour the RFU/ERFSU/RFUW Policy and Procedures for the Welfare of Young People in Rugby Union.
Emphasise the value of working closely in partnership with other coaches, parents, professionals and volunteers to protect children and young people from harm and discrimination.
Recognise the unfortunate fact that abuse does take place in sport.
Try to understand the main forms of abuse and establish communication and reporting procedures if abuse is suspected in order to safeguard young players, coaches and volunteers working within rugby.
Reinforce to coaches should remember that their prime role is to teach, coach and/or referee.
Players under 18 should not be involved in competitive matches between 1 May and 31 August unless otherwise authorized by the RFU. Summer camps, tours and trials are exempt.

The Rugby Club will endeavour to avoid overplaying players and playing players that may have a damaging effect on a player's academic studies. The Rugby Club is aware that overplaying combined with over commitment can be a problem.

New members

New members, boys and girls, are always welcome. You may find that some of your friends are interested in coming to learn about rugby. It does not matter if they have not played before. The Rugby Club holds a Registration Day for the Mini Section on the first Sunday in September, which for the 2007/8 season, the Registration Day will be on 2 September. Otherwise, turn-up to training on any Sunday when we are home from 10.00 - 12.00: (see above or the fixture listing on the Rugby Club’s website or in the handbook to see when we are playing at home). Initially, you can join on a trial basis.

Registration

You (the parent/carer or player) will be asked to complete a registration form at the start of the season [or within 28 days of joining the Rugby Club if part way through the season]. The registration form provides us with some basic details about who you are and how we can contact you. The registration form asks for information on:

§ Name of player

§ Date of birth

§ Contact details of Parents/Carer including any alternative or emergency contact numbers

§ Any relevant medical conditions

§ Any other relevant information

The registration form also requires the parent/carer or player to agree to:

§ Abide by the terms of the Constitution of the Rugby Club that incorporates the RFU Codes of Conduct as amended by the Rugby Club

§ Medical Consent form

§ Photographic Consent Form

Alternatively, information about joining the Mini Section can be obtained by contacting:

Chairman of the Mini Section

David Armstrong

Telephone: 07785 396950

E-mail: mini@eaglesrugby.co.uk

Age Groups

The Mini Section covers the ages from Under 6 to Under 12.

A child will be part of an age group based on his/her age calculated as at 1 September. The child must be under the particular age for that group. For example, a child who plays in the Under 7 Age Group must not have had his/her 7^th birthday before 1 September. A child who is 7 on 31 August will be in the Under 8 Age Group. A child who is 7 on 2 September will be in the Under 7 Age Group. Children can start in the Under 6 Age Group. Younger children should be accompanied by a parent or carer throughout the training session, match or festival.

Membership

The fees are detailed in the registration form. In addition to

providing mini rugby for an entire season, the membership also provides all the benefits

that full membership to the club affords, including free attendance for the family to all 1^st

XV home games, access to apply for International and other matches held at

Twickenham and preferential rates on hire of the clubhouse.

Coaching & Playing

The Rugby Club’s approach to coaching and playing is set out in a separate Playing and Coaching document, which is to be found on the Rugby Club’s website. Copies can be obtained from the Age Group Manager or Chairman of the Mini Section.

The Ground

Training and home matches for the Mini and Junior teams will be at the King George V Playing Fields, Browns Lane, Effingham unless otherwise stated (subject to pitch conditions). From time to time, teams will play fixtures against other Rugby Clubs at their ground. Directions to those grounds will be provided by the Age Group Manager or Coach orally or by letter or e-mail or via link on the Rugby Club's web site

Parking

Parking is a big issue for the Rugby Club and the local community. There are a limited number of spaces at the King George V Playing Fields. The alternative place to park is the car park at the Howard of Effingham School. Access to King George V Playing Fields can be easily obtained from the school.

Following complaints from the local community, car parking will be directed by stewards from a nominated age group each week. Failure to park as directed may jeopardise the whole Mini and Junior Section being able to use the facilities at the King George V Playing Fields.

PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WHEN DROPPING OFF, COLLECTING OR WATCHING YOUR CHILD OR CHILDREN AT EFFINGHAM & LEATHERHEAD R.F.C.

Home matches

During home matches, we will be entertaining a number of teams. After the matches the club will provide some food for our opposition at the club house. We encourage all players and their families to return to the club to host the families of opposition teams. Entertainment of the opposition, is not only considered a time-honoured part of playing the game of rugby, it also ensures that we are able to meet as a complete Mini Section in a social setting.

Communication / Being involved

Communication within your Age Group will come from the Age Group Manager, probably by email or telephone. Other communication that concern all members of the Rugby Club will be email or to be found on the Rugby Club’s website. All age groups keenly encourage the involvement of players' families in the life of the squad and the section as a whole. You are encouraged to attend all sessions: training, matches and tournaments and offer encouragement to the players. All age groups are encouraged to support the teams in the younger age groups. There is no doubt that support given helps to lift the teams playing.

Help

As an amateur club, Effingham & Leatherhead R.F.C. relies on the help of a large number of volunteers on or off the pitch on a permanent or an occasional basis. The Mini Section encourages parents and helpers to take an active part in the development of their age group, the section and the Rugby Club as a whole. We rely on parents making themselves available for a number of tasks. Help should not be a big commitment and it can usually adapt to fit in with the individual. Volunteers can be mums as well as the dads. In fact, we want to involve the mums and other members of the family, young and old, to be part of the Rugby Club and for the Rugby Club to be part of the wider community.

Whilst ad hoc help is encouraged, we also wish to develop the number of coaches, referees and administrators active in the mini section. We operate a system to develop the coaching skills of our coaches through RFU's structured coaching ladder, and we encourage all parents to take advantage of this opportunity (contact Andrew Robinson if you are interested). The current list of coaches and helpers is to be found elsewhere in the Coaching and Playing document also on this website. Each Age Group has a Manager and a Head Coach. The Head Coach will be responsible for the programme of rugby during the season and on a particular day. Additional coaches and helpers are required to put the programme into practice. Coaching, Refereeing and First Aid courses are available for anyone who is interested for which the Rugby Club will pay.

The Rugby Club provides some food after training sessions and matches. We need help in the kitchen as well.

Shop

The shop is open on Saturdays when the 1st XV are playing at home, approximately one hour before kick-off and one hour after the final whistle (see 1st XV fixture list elsewhere on this site) and on Sundays between 9.30 and 12.00.

One area that we would particularly like your help is with the Club Shop. We would like to have the shop open as often as possible, but especially Saturdays and Sundays during the season. Sessions are not very long, sometimes just an hour or two and no experience is necessary, just a friendly face and a willingness to help. If you feel you can help in any way, please contact the Shop Manager, Tim Howard.

Outside of the opening hours kit can be ordered by telephoning your Age Group Manager or Tim Howard.

Telephone: 01372 372922

E-mail: tim.howard@btclick.com

Social events

A number of social events are held throughout the season to foster the development of relationships off the field. The events are either to be found on the Rugby Club’s website or in the handbook or details circulated during the season.

General Conduct

Wherever teams from the Rugby Club travel, either to away matches or on tour, the players will be seen by the general public as ambassadors for the Rugby Club. It is important that good behaviour, discipline is maintained on and off the pitch. Others will follow in the steps of the players in future. Parents are expected to set an example to the children (see the Codes of Conduct).

Parents/carers should familiarise themselves with the Rugby Club’s Health & Safety Policy, which is to be found on the Rugby Club’s website. Copies can be obtained from the Chairman of the Junior Section or the Child Welfare Officer. Although it is unlikely that children of this age will smoke or drink, players are not allowed to smoke or consume alcohol or drugs of any kind, unless on medical advice.

Suggestions / Concerns/ Complaints

Our philosophy concerning the development of players is simple - if players are not enjoying mini rugby at Effingham & Leatherhead R.F.C. then they will not develop as individuals and players. If at any time during the season you have any suggestions concerning Mini rugby at Effingham& Leatherhead or concerns or complaints regarding the coaching or welfare of players please do not hesitate to contact us. You can speak with the Age Group Manager or the Chairman of the Mini Section or our Child Welfare Officer, Jo Lawrence. We aim to iron out any potential problems, swiftly and effectively. All discussions will be held in the strictest confidence.

Many thanks for your continuing support.

Points of contact

You can speak to your Age Group Manager but otherwise you can contact:

Chairman of the Mini Section:

Duncan McRae

Telephone: 07 816 218 059