Welcome to the Maidstone Rugby Youth Section

2019-20

Maidstone Rugby Club has a vibrant and fun Youth Section attracting boys and girls of all abilities from Under 6 to Under 18.

Joint Youth Chairs Alison Slaughter & Ian Wilkinson have both been involved across the Youth and Senior Club building experience Playing, training, administration and fundraising. They both have children playing within the Youth Section so Cheerleading is another attribute they could add to their list!

The ethos for Youth Rugby at Maidstone is very clear -

To ensure that boys and girls of all ages, backgrounds and abilities have the opportunity to have fun and learn rugby in safe, encouraging and an inclusive environment.
To build a team of dedicated volunteers at each age group and at committee level with the over-riding objective of rugby being fun and to develop the ability and fitness of all players.
To ensure all coaches and volunteers have the opportunity to develop their technical and non-technical skills via courses and training.

Every age group has a team of dedicated coaches and parents who are trained on specific RFU approved technical, safety and first aid courses. Every member of the team will also under go DBS checks and we have a dedicated Child Safety Officer. We have a code of conduct that applies to everybody involved, players, parents, coaches & officials, the high standards, mutual respect and

Rugby at Maidstone is about fun and inclusion so if your son or daughter has shown an interest in rugby for the first time or is returning after a break then you can bring then along and feel confident that they will be given a warm welcome, good coaching and introduced to the game at their own pace. Tackling is an important part of the game but not in the first session so don't worry!!

The RFU is constantly adapting the rules of the game for Youth Rugby so key aspects such as tackling, Scrums & Line Outs are introduced as children get older and physically more able so it may well be slightly different to the game on the TV. For example from U6 - U8 they play Tag rugby without contact.

We work very closely with the Senior club under the One Great Club ethos and 1st team players regularly help out with training sessions and watch games, which the children really enjoy. We also encourage them to watch the 1st team games at the Club on a Saturday.

As our players move though the U15, 16 & 17 groups we start to integrate them closer with the Senior squads, training and patterns of play so that the introduction to adult rugby is as smooth, seamless and safe as possible. This season we have launched our Academy Squad which will target those most keen to get into top level senior rugby.

Many sides organise social events, trips to Twickenham and tours. You can be sure that as supporting parents you will have as much fun off the pitch as your children do on the pitch.

Please take the time to read though our Club website and do not hesitate to contact any of our Coaches for further information on the Club, and their respective age group teams or contact Alison and Ian direct on [email protected]