Welcome to Dudley Kingswinford RFC Youth Section
1.
Welcome to a another season of youth rugby at Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Football Club, where we are rightly proud of the achievements and the excellent attitude of our young players.
The club aims to ensure that players, coaches, parents, spectators and volunteers uphold the Core Values of rugby union, Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship. These values will stand our young people in good stead both on and off the rugby pitch and are reflected in the RFU’s Code of Rugby.
PLEASE take some time to read the information below!
2.
Welcome to Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Football Club – Youth Section.
Started in 1920 as Harper Bean RFC by workers from the Company, we played at their Tipton works in Dudley. In 1921 we moved to the County Ground (now Castlegate) and became Dudley RFC.
In 1926 we moved to Penzer St in Kingswinford and became Dudley Kingswinford RFC.
In 1962 we moved to our present home at Heathbrook in Wall Heath.
Penzer Street Gound
Youth Section 2020
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Heathbrook Ground
Although the first record of junior rugby was in 1920 it was in the 1972/73 season, early 1973 in fact, a guy called Gordon Griffiths started our Youth Section
3.
A Beginners Guide
Legend has it that in 1823, during a game of school football in the town of Rugby, England, a young man named William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran towards the opposition’s goal line.
Two centuries later, Rugby Football has evolved into one of the world’s most popular sports, with millions of people playing, watching and enjoying the Game.
At the heart of Rugby is a unique ethos which it has retained over the years. Not only is the Game played to the Laws, but within the spirit of the Laws. Through discipline, control and mutual self-respect, a fellowship and sense of fair play are forged, defining Rugby as the Game it is. From the school playground to the Rugby World Cup final, Rugby Union offers a truly unique and thoroughly rewarding experience for all involved in the Game.
Referee Nigel Owens tells off 30 grown men
Leinster and Scarlets played to a 17-17 draw in what was an ill-tempered game. In the first half referee Nigel Owens felt things were getting out of hand, so he took control of things in rather unique fashion.
International U16 tournament in Belgium 2011. Half way through the teams got together for an impromptu photo shoot and sing song! DK took the lead of course!
DK 1st Team Captain Steff Shillingford took time out of his warm up to give DK U12’s a Team Talk!
4.
This is Rugby
Rugby is a game in which the object is to carry the ball over the opponents’ goal line and force it to the ground to score.
The above description may sound simple - but there is one catch. In order to go forward, the ball must be passed backwards.
The ball can be kicked forwards, but the kicker’s team mates must be behind the ball at the moment the ball is kicked.
This apparent contradiction creates a need for fine teamwork and great discipline, as little can be achieved by any one individual player.
Only by working as a team can players move the ball forward towards their opponents’ goal line and eventually go on to be successful.
The format at various ages ensures that young players play the right rugby at the right time. These formats are supported by the regulations of the Age Grade game and have been developed by scientific research and studies on player development in sport.
The principle behind the Rules of Play is to provide a playing format with building blocks to the 15-a-side game that allows players time to get to grips with the basics of running and catching the ball before contact and specialism is gradually introduced – which positively impacts on player safety.
6.
RFU Codes of Practice
The Age Grade Codes of Practice provide practical support and best practice to those delivering the Age Grade game.
The Codes give practical advice on how to adopt a player-centred and holistic approach to rugby and support the application of Regulation 15.
There are seven codes in total, covering a number of topics ranging from playing and training frequency to the grouping of players and key information on player welfare.
Code of Practice 1:
Developing the Whole Player
Code of Practice 2:
Adopt a Player Centred approach
to Training and Playing
Code of Practice 3:
Grouping of Players
Code of Practice 4:
An Individual Playing
Up and Down
Code of Practice 5:
Combining Age Groups
Code of Practice 6:
Out of Season Activity,
Rugby Camps and Tours
Code of Practice 7:
Minimum Standards for
Coaches and Referees
Age Grade Rugby ensures that every player is able to enjoy rugby in a safe environment where they can develop their personal and social skills as well as a wide array of transferable multi-sports skills.
This results in their holistic development as well as their life long involvement in rugby and other sports.
Code of Rugby – Outline -
Play to win - but not at all cost
Win with dignity, lose with grace
Observe the Laws and regulations of the game
Respect opponents, referees and participants
Reject cheating, racism, violence and drugs
Value volunteers and paid officials alike
Enjoy the game
The clearest message from young players is that they want to play alongside their friends as part of the team. That’s why from September 2018 England Rugby asked all its Age Grade clubs, schools and colleges to make sure everyone in a match day squad gets to play at least half the game time available.
The half game rule was introduced voluntarily in England and follows successful implementation in New Zealand and Wales and a trial in local club and school competitions in England last year. This rule is now mandatory.
At DK our coaches have been doing this for years so it was no real change for us.
8.
THE YOUTH SECTION
DKRFC Youth section provides rugby for children of all ages and abilities. Children are welcome from 4/5 years old (Micros) up to 18, at which age they can join the senior section. (Membership is dependant on available spaces)
All age groups adhere to the RFU Age Grade Regulation 15 which provides a playing and coaching pathway where rugby is introduced in stages, so that by Under 14 players have the skills and knowledge to participate in the full 15-a-side game.
Each stage has its own rules & progressions which accommodate the changing developmental abilities of children. With the emphasis on the improvement of individual skills through purposeful and enjoyable activity, children use these skills in match situations during a limited number of competitive fixtures and festivals/tournaments each season.
The enjoyment and safeguarding of children is of paramount importance at DKRFC and we are committed to providing opportunities for all children to play rugby in a friendly, fun and safe environment.
CORE VALUES & CODE OF RUGBY -
We aim to ensure that players, coaches, parents, spectators and volunteers uphold the Core Values of rugby union. These are referred to as ‘TREDS’
Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.
These values stand our young people in good stead both on and off the rugby pitch and are reflected in the RFU’s Code of Rugby.
9.
REGISTRATION, PAYMENT & INSURANCE
All players must be registered with the Club through the RFU GMS system. Please pay subs within four weeks of registration so that we can handle the finances to everyone’s benefit. Registration ensures that your child is insured & covered by the RFU’s personal accident policy - details of which can be found on the RFU website. Medical expenses are not covered by the RFU.
If any parent or guardian has a particular financial need this can be discussed in confidence with your team coach / manager.
What does your payment get you?
DK have some of the best facilities in the Midlands! It’s takes a great deal of hard work from mainly volunteers to keep it up to scratch! It also takes a lot of money! We raise this money through fund raisers, facility hire, sponsorship and membership fees. You get to use these facilities, discount on the hire of facilities, discount on 1st XV home games, to play rugby, coaching, to be part of a great club!
10.
REGISTRATION & PAYMENT
NEW INFORMATION TO FOLLOW
FOR SUPPORT, email: dkgms2019@gmail.com
11.
TRAINING SESSIONS & MATCHES
Training is on Sunday morning from around 10.30am (check with team coach), matches usually kicking off at 11.00am. Any alterations will be notified by the team coach / manager and will be on the club website, as will pitch location. Selection for individual matches is the responsibility of team coaches / managers. However we aim to ensure that all children have opportunities to play, we subscribe to the RFU Half Game Rule. Midweek training for older teams is on Wednesday evenings under lights – times are set by the team coach / manager.
Children should be in sports kit (including a mouthguard from U9 up) ready to start sessions on time, especially on match days. Please let the coach know if your child is unavailable to train or play.
Please get to know your team coach / manager who will be glad to chat about particular information regarding your child.
Parents / Guardians remain responsible for their children at training/matches and are encouraged to stay. We ask that at Micros (under 6) a person with parental responsibility must stay for the duration of the session.
In the event of late collection coaches will attempt to contact the parents, wait with the child, preferably in the company of others, notify the Club Safeguarding Officer and remind parents of their responsibility to collect their child promptly.
Dogs are not allowed on the club grounds.
Transport of children to & from the Club or away venue, in most instances, is the responsibility of parents, not the club. If parents make arrangements between themselves this is a private arrangement and at the parents’ discretion.
When DKRFC formally arranges transport we will ensure that drivers and vehicles comply with the RFU’s Safeguarding Policy.
12.
Coaching
Youth teams are coached under the RFU Age Grade Regulations. Boys and girls train and play together up to and including the Under 11 age group. Beyond this, boys and girls play separately for safety reasons.
All lead coaches at DKRFC are qualified & accredited to RFU UK Coaching standards. For each age group we aim to have at least one Level 1 / 2 qualified coach.
All Coaches are volunteers & give their time freely. Please remember this & give them your support.
Kit
All players will need: boots, socks, shorts and shirt, mouthguard, and water bottle.
The club colours are Navy and Sky blue Hoops, Team shirts should be worn on match days. Shorts should be Navy.
Boots, with safety studs, should be certified to IRB regulations. In warm, dry weather trainers or moulded boots may be acceptable.
Mouth guards are mandatory, and you can obtain custom made mouth guards via your Dentist, self mould via the Club Shop.
Any other protective equipment is worn at the discretion of the parent / player but must conform to IRB standards (the club shop can advise).
Wearing layers means players can discard items as they warm up. Waterproof tops must not have zips in contact situations.
Players will need a set of clean clothes to change into after training or matches at the discretion of the coach or parent/carer.
Players’ drinks should be provided, especially on hot days, when sun screen may also be needed.
The club Shop has an extensive range of goods, pop in and have a look!
Or visit our web page.
DKRFC SHOP
13.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children. We seek to promote children’s welfare, health and development and all allegations and suspicions of harm will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately.
All adults working with children in a voluntary or paid capacity in rugby union have an ‘Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure processed and risk assessed by the RFU.
For further information regarding the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults see the club website or contact the Club Safeguarding Officer: Mandy Platts.
Photographic Images - The Club’s guidance for parents can be found on the club website. It is based on common sense and we would ask everyone to read and comply with this guidance.
Any parent or guardian who does not want their child photographed for any reason should say so on the membership form and talk in confidence to their team coach / manager. We will then take all reasonable steps to ensure the child is not photographed whilst playing or training at the club.
First Aid
Each Youth team has at least 1 qualified & designated First Aider (in many cases 3 or 4!) and they must be present at every training session or match. Each team has a First Aid kit and the Club has a Defibrillator (located in the changing room building), which all First Aiders are trained to use.
In the event of a player being injured, in the absence of the parents the team officials are responsible for deciding whether further medical assistance is required. Parents / guardians will be contacted as quickly as possible (see membership form). In the case of an overnight stay in hospital the Club is duty bound to inform the RFU within 24hours.
An up to date list of First Aiders can be found on the Youth Section notice board, located in the entrance hall of the club house near the shop.
For further information regarding First Aid contact the First Aid Co-Ordinator Esther Coles, see the Contacts page.
14.
Volunteering
We always welcome any help with the running of the club! It takes an army of hard-working volunteers to ensure everyone can train and play each week. To achieve the RFU recommended minimum ratio of adults to children we need to recruit volunteer coaches / managers each season.
If you can help in any way, for example coaching, team admin, first aider, helping at social events, fund raising, club and pitch maintenance please talk with your coach or anyone on the Youth Committee.
Each year we endeavour to raise funds through events & youth teams seek sponsorship to help buy kit and equipment. If you might be able to help or suggest possible sponsors, please contact any member of the committee or your team Coach/Manager.
15.
YOUTH COMMITTEE & CLUB CONTACTS
Address
Dudley Kingswinford RFC
Heathbrook
Swindon Road,
Wall Heath
Kingswinford
UNITED KINGDOM
WEST MIDLANDS
DY6 0AW
Phone
01384 287006
For Full Club Contact Page:
CLICK HERE
YOUTH COMMITTEE
