Maidstone Rugby

Under 11’s Rugby Newsletter 2005/2006

Issue 1

Welcome to Maidstone Rugby U 11’s squad for 2005/2006. We hope you have all had a relaxing summer and are now ready for the forthcoming rugby season.

You will notice that there are some big changes to the U 11’s Mini Rugby, and this brief newsletter sets out the principal changes that will affect both players and parents – so please read on.

Coaching Staff

With the regrettable loss of Robin and Steve last year we have reorganised the coaching staff to not only replace, but also to build on the changes to the game that the players will now face moving up to U 11’s rugby.

The coaching staff are as follows –

Simon Summersett    - Head Coach (Home 01634 387935 Mobile:07885 868099)

Kevin Mills                   - (Home 01622 745647 Mobile: 07967 678676)

Adrian Clark                - (Mobile 07876 446397)

Paul Jeffery                 - (Home 01622 749339 Mobile 07876 576298)

In addition with the loss of Colleen also, we now have a new administration team comprising Jill Parrot and Trudie Mills.

We would be grateful if parents could also make themselves available not only during matches, but also during training to assist as necessary in occasional holding of tackle bags, support and encouragement etc, to help the coaching staff with the tasks in hand.

Players and Safety

As we continue with full contact rugby, I’m sure all players and parents alike appreciate that our players (and the opposition) are getting bigger and stronger. Safety, therefore, is paramount. Please ensure that players attend not only matches, but also training with appropriate safety equipment. As an absolute minimum this should included a gum shield that is properly fitted and not loose. If players attend without a gum shield then they will not be able to play. Please speak to any of the coaches if you have any concerns. It is also important that players bring at least one drink of water, not fizzy drinks, to maintain hydration.

Register

We will be introducing a formal register this season during training and matches to record players attendance. Players and parents should note that preference will be given to those who attend training regularly when picking a team for matches. If we are to win matches it is important that the aspects of training are carried through into match situations. Rugby is a team game, and players must be used to playing with each other to recognise strengths and weaknesses of all concerned such that Maidstone U 11’s as a team perform to their best ability.

Rules

U 11’s rugby steps up a gear from last year in the following key areas –

Duration and pitch size – Matches are now longer at 20 Minutes each half, (excluding festival games which are only 7 minutes each way) and the pitch size is increased to approximately 60 x 40 m. Fitness and stamina are important which further enhances the need for regular attendance to training.

Forwards – A second row is introduced such that there are now five forwards rather than three. The coaching staff will be selecting players for the specialist positions of Props, Hooker and Second Rows. Whilst these positions may not ultimately be those that the players progress into in later life, the coaching staff will be selecting and training specific skills to those selected and/or those who wish to be considered for such positions.

Backs – A Full Back is introduced to the game and kicking is now allowed for restarts and at commencement of each half. In addition conversions are introduced after try scoring. Once again specialist training will be offered to select individuals, but also given more broadly to encourage others wishing to be considered for positions.

Training

Training will continue from 10.00 am (prompt start) until 12.00 pm. Please ensure that players are ready to commence training at 10.00am Players will be introduced to a new regime of warm-up routines and general fitness training, and it is important that Players arrive promptly to benefit from such warmup routines. Thereafter the forwards and backs may become separated for specialist training, before bringing back together for implementation of core skills in game situations , followed by a period of cooling down.

We would ask that parents attend training sessions to offer support and encouragement to the players and provide low key assistance to the coaching staff.

Kit

We will continue to play in the shirts issued last season to players. If you require new kit please contact your coaching staff who will be pleased to assist. Please be aware that new shirts must be purchased from the Club. If players cease to play for any reason we would ask that any kit (provided by the club) rather than individually purchased be returned.

Subscriptions and Membership

As a change to last season, the coaching staff have decided that in addition to the Membership Fee paid to the Club (please see attached letter and form), termly subscriptions will be required paid to the U 11’s Secretary (Jill Parrott or Trudie Mills). These become payable in September, January and April, and will be £10 per player, per term. i.e. £30 for the season. These monies will be put towards funding of such items as –

Man of the Match Trophy

Awards and Trophies for end of season.

Christmas and end of season parties/gifts.

Tour funds to assist in payment of admissions fees, travel expenses, non rugby activities etc.

A regular termly Newsletter will be prepared and issued to parents and players outlining the accounts and use of monies received. Players and parents alike should recognise that failure to pay Club Membership Fees in particular will invalidate any insurance and as such failure to pay promptly will result in exclusion from training and matches.

Recruitment

As a result of increasing numbers required for the team it has been recognised by the coaching staff that further recruitment of players is essential to build on our existing squad. We would, therefore, encourage all players and parents alike to ‘bring a buddy’ along to the training sessions. We will in particular be hosting an U 11’s Buddy Day on 25^th September 2005, and enclose a flyer for your own distribution amongst friends and colleagues. Please feel free to copy and distribute freely.

Parents

We would like to highlight that without the ongoing support of parents, the functioning of the U 11’s team and club as a whole would suffer detrimentally. Therefore we would ask that parents take as much an active role as possible to assist the coaching staff. We would welcome support particularly in the following areas –

1)      Match Day Reporting. Calling all budding journalists. If anyone would be prepared to compile a Match Day Report by the evening of the match days for inclusion on the website please speak to one of the coaches. This forms an important morale boost for the side, even if we do not win, there are always plus points to come away with or humorous touchline incidents.

2)      Kitchen and Car Parking Duties at home games. A formal rota is being drawn up to coordinate this and parents will be expected to contribute. The more of us to help the easier it becomes and you will be surprised how little effort is required.

3)      Coaching. If you too would like to assist with the coaching please speak in the first instance to Simon. All support is gratefully received.

Fund Raising

Any parental or player suggestions for fund raising activities throughout the year will be gratefully received. We are keen to keep the “Team Spirit” alive so activities that can involve all would be best.

We are hoping that we will be able to sell shortly hand knitted “Maidstone Rugby” coloured scarves for parents to wear on those cold blustery days. Details to follow.

And finally;

As part of the Clubs ongoing 125 years celebration and following the success of the 2004/2005 event, Maidstone Rugby will be organising a Mini Rugby Festival in October 2005, and we need your support. Please keep this in your diaries.

Nottingham 2006. After the enjoyable Nottingham Tour of 2005 we intend to repeat our attendance. Dates are yet to be confirmed, but is around Easter 2006. More details to follow.

We trust that this inaugural Newsletter has been informative and that we may rely on your ongoing support for the players and Club alike.

Many thanks

Simon Summersett  / Kevin Mills / Adrian Clarke / Paul Jeffery

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