Our objectives & vision
Mini rugby is a great introduction to the game of rugby. It provides a good framework for developing ball skills, spatial awareness, team work and leadership skills. At this stage, the objective is for all the children to enjoy themselves whilst learning the skills required to play the game. Training is structured to provide a positive atmosphere for all children while they learn and develop mentally and physically. Our principles are ‘safety first’, ‘fun’, ‘recognition of effort’ and ‘recognition of achievement’.

The vision that we all share at Chinnor is to be a united club:
• To creative an active, purposeful enjoyable and safe environment where all players may develop to the best of the their ability
• To adopt the long term player development model as the template to retain and develop young players and to encourage their continued adult participation
• To provide coaches with a structure within which they can develop players
• To place the needs of the child first and encourage an atmosphere and environment where winning matches is neither the sole nor most important measure of success

As coaches, players and parents we have a major role to play in delivering this vision. We follow the RFU core values of teamwork, discipline, respect, sportsmanship and enjoyment.

We want everyone to learn how to play and enjoy their rugby in the mini sections of the club. We want to coach and play in an environment where our players want to continue to play into adult life and, if possible our senior teams, we adopt the following principles:

Valuing all contributions
Welcoming all
Club unity
Respecting each other and property
Showing loyalty to club

Chinnor is a family sports club with a commitment to the community it serves to provide a family friendly inclusive club where rugby players can be developed in an enjoyable and safe environment.

Under 8 age group coaching (children that will be 7 but under 8 years old before 1st September 2014)
At the U6 to U8’s age groups we play “tag rugby”, with the emphasis on non-contact safe play, the concept being that the capture of the ball carriers “tag” is the equivalent of a tackle.

The game will be new for some U8’s, so we will start the season off with basic ball handling and tagging skills with the aim of quickly acclimatising all of the attendee’s so they feel comfortable with the basics. The overall aim of the season is to develop these skills to include the full spectrum required to take an active part in tag rugby matches. Practically training sessions will include a mix of skills and game related practise and will endeavour to accommodate all levels and abilities.

As the players progress both physically and mentally over the course of the season, we will look to ensure they are fully realising their physical and mental potential to play tag rugby, while preparing them for contact next season.

Joining Chinnor RFC
Please register your child’s name with the administrator at the start of each session. Children are invited to attend three sessions free of charge before joining. We will be maintaining an attendance register every week.

All membership is completed annually online at www.pitchero.com/clubs/chinnor. This covers match fees. At least one parent is required to be a member of the Club. You will need the following in addition:

A Chinnor Medical Form – Complete every year, even if you have completed this form before to ensure information is up to date.

An RFU Young Player Registration Form – Please attach 2 photos to this form

Staffing (coaching & administration)
All coaching is by qualified, volunteer coaches who have been screened for their suitability for working with young people. We are always on the look out for new parent helpers and coaches so please contact Matt or Sue if you would like to help out on a Sunday (it’s a lot more fun and warmer than standing on the touchline!)

Section Chairman: Matt Grapes

Child Welfare Officers: Mandy Spencer

U8 age-group lead: Rick Crook (RFU Level 1) (contact details at end of this letter)

U8 age-group coaches: Stewart Baxter, James Canter (RFU Level 1), Toby Ford (RFU Level 1),

Polly McGarry, Nick Lawson, Alistair Mattock, David Pert, Ian Turner

U8 age-group Administrator: Emma Jones

Home training session times & fixtures
Sunday morning training, registration from 09:45, session starting prompt at 10:00 and will run for 90 minutes - September to May at Chinnor Rugby Club in Thame. Whilst under normal circumstances we will continue to train in wet or cold weather, the coaches may call short a session if it appears the children are starting to be
affected adversely. Therefore please do NOT leave the club grounds during a session, and if leaving the pitch to go to the clubhouse let another parent know where you are in case we finish early.

Plans for away games and such events will be communicated in advance by the Coach and Administrator. A fixture list for the season is available on the website or from your coach. Training may be cancelled or changed at short notice and it is recommended that you register your email / mobile details so that you can be kept updated. If you think the prevailing weather conditions may affect the
training session please check your email for updates.

Parent/ guardian support from the side-lines
Attached is the RFU Code of Rugby. Please digest this and help us instil these values in your children. This will help ensure that the game of rugby continues to be a place where children can participate and learn important life skills.

We have a real Philosophy of parent participation at Chinnor Rugby Club. At home, you can explain the importance of working as a team and can help develop children’s ball skills, confidence and familiarisation by practicing with them. Perhaps even have a go at explaining the off-side rule! If you want to buy your child a practice ball then ask for a Size 4, slightly smaller than the full adult sized ball. Practising throwing the ball with your child can greatly enhance their skills and confidence. You can also help their “tagging” skills by cutting and old tie in half and tucking them in the side of your trousers and letting them chase and “tag” you by grabbing the bits of tie.

You can help our coaches in other ways with the following tasks while you are at Chinnor:
Player registration & administration on the day - We need to register the players every session. Your coach will have all the paper work ready. All you have to do is help administer the rush at the start of the session. This would involve arriving about 15 minutes early.
Parking duties on dates [refer to the fixtures list] - All age groups take turns looking after the car parking for about 45 minutes, starting at 09:30.
Social officer for add hoc projects. - Perhaps you would take on the responsibility for organising something such as updating the website, or ‘team refreshments at away matches’, etc.
First aid - We need more parents to refresh on the short course, valid for 3 years. Please advise Coaches if you are already qualified and willing to assist as First Aider.

Further support to our coaching efforts
It is very helpful to us if you can join a ‘skills group’ or ‘run with a team’, even if you cannot attend regularly. You don’t need any previous knowledge but just be prepared to join in and learn some new skill.

Some ideas on how you can join in, help and keep warm in the winter include:

‘Running with a team’ during practice sessions - This frees the coaches to either practise their refereeing for festivals or watch from the side-lines to see how the players are developing.

Support coaching roles (DBS required) - We actively encourage rugby enthusiasts to assist with coaching. We will need about one parent per 5 players to get the best out of coaching this year.

Skills observations - Helping the coaches assess the players for further skills and game development and team selection. The coaches will provide a skills matrix.

Linesman - Running the line on a match day really helps our volunteer referees

Qualifying as a coach
We absolutely do need more parents to qualify as ‘Level 1’ coaches and referees through the coming seasons. Netball players have been found to be very good tag rugby coaches. It will cost you few weekends and take you back to your youth! The course is open to men and women. Chinnor RFC will refund your course fees too! Please refer to the website www.chinnor-rfc.com or your coach for a list of course dates.

Kit & frequently asked questions
Club kit is required for matches, but not training sessions. Club match kit is available from the club shop: Replica sponsored first team shirt, black shorts, black socks with narrow white hoops, boots (normally football boots with safety studs added).

The new team shirts may not be available until the end of September, so if you are growing out of your old one, please consider passing it on to a younger player or donating it to the Club Shop. In September, children should dress according to the weather and normally start the season in trainers rather than studs if the ground is dry.

As the weather becomes colder, gloves become essential - rugby stick mitts can be advantageous. Long leggings, hats, several layers and a water-proof outer should be worn to ensure that children are warm, dry and enjoy the training. Again please remain at the pitch side as much as you can to assist in adding or removing layers as your child adapts to the weather conditions. Rugby may be called off due to bad weather – you can call your coach before training to check if you are unsure. Please be aware if you are travelling from further afield, the conditions at the ground can vary considerably with your local weather, come prepared!

A bottle of water should be brought to every session. Please label if possible so we can return to you if found at the pitch after training.

All removable items should be clearly labelled with the child’s name & contact number.

For safety, boot studs should ‘feel smooth to the touch’ and ‘not chip or burr’.

Code of conduct for parents or guardians

Do not force an unwilling child to participate in sport.

Remember, children are involved in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.

Encourage your child to always play by the rules.

Teach your child that honest effort is as important as victory so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.

Turn defeat into victory by helping your child work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship. Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing a game.

Remember that children learn best by example. Applaud good play by your team and by members of the opposing team.

Do not publicly question the referee’s judgement and never his or her honesty.

Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s sport.

Recognise the value and importance of volunteer coaches. They give up their time and resources to provide recreational activities for your child.

Talk to the Coaches if you require advice.

Drop off and pick up of mini players

Each child should be accompanied to the pitch on which they will be playing by a parent or guardian.

U8’s parent or guardian is requested to stay on-site for the duration of the session as there are no facilities to care for children that are temporarily not participating in the session.

It is not acceptable practice to have children waiting in the car park and it contravenes RFU Child Safeguarding guidelines.

Parent or guardian telephone contact numbers
Please make sure that the ‘contact telephone number’ that your age-group coach has for you is accurate, and is the number that you can be reached on whilst your child is in the care of Chinnor RFC coaches.

Adult access to the changing areas
Adults, whether parents of Mini Section players or not, are not permitted in the changing areas whilst children are changing. During this time only coaches and coaching helpers who have been CRB checked (Criminal Records Bureau) will be permitted to supervise the changing areas.

Streaming
This is a difficult subject which stimulates probably the most discussion between coaches, parents and players. Rugby is a late development sport. Most players will not reach their full playing potential until their mid-teens. Our aim in the early years is to allow players to sample rugby in a safe and fun environment in
order that they remain playing into their adult years. The RFU and Chinnor RFC both believe in nonstreaming of players in the mini-section. We will be following this advice and playing mixed ability teams for all our matches and training sessions.

Additional information
Additional information is on the Chinnor RFC website www.chinnor-rfc.com

Your coaches can provide a list of coaching course dates & a fixtures list, and answer you general questions and signpost you to others for more in-depth information.

Initial contact details are:
 Rick Crook , crfc1962@gmail.com

Speak to your coach about the significant benefits to you & your family belonging to the Chinnor Rugby Football Club.