Please read the notice from Ross. Thank you
AGE GRADE REGULATIONS, MINI RUGBY and RELATED MATTERS
It appears that the New Rules of Play proposals are being enthusiastically received and welcomed in all clubs, and that the Cambridgeshire Festival, Norfolk Festival, and several club Festivals have enthusiastically implemented the new rules. There has been much good work in the clubs across our CB in the past few weeks. If any club needs any further help with the implementation or coaching of the new rules at U7s, U8s and U9s, please contact your RDO or CRC, or please send me an e-mail (rossrugby@btinternet.com), and I will forward it to the relevant member of the RFU CB Delivery Team. Please remember that the new rules are mandatory, and there is no remit (at U7s, U8s or U9s) to revert to the former continuum.
It is suggested that all clubs adopt the 7 “tackle and turnover” provision at U9s, in order to encourage passing and running skills, rather than contact. We will be asking all clubs who run festivals from now on to include this protocol as a condition of approval.
However, following my writing to all clubs a few weeks ago, with the new Age Grade Regulations, I am very saddened to report that several issues have been brought to my attention, which cause me serious concern, particularly at Mini/ Midi level.
I believe that a number of clubs played (Mini/Midi) Training games with other clubs on 30th September. This is a clear and serious breach of RFU regulations on this issue – which is very proscriptive.
The definition “Training Game” will not wash – as all Mini/Midi games are just that.
Do clubs appreciate the serious nature of this breach?
We could ask all offending clubs to appear before the CB’s Disciplinary or Governance Committees – we are not recommending this on this occasion, but next season, we will have no hesitation in so doing, and this could lead to serious consequences, including suspension of club officials.
In addition, it has been noted that many clubs have tabled more than 17 Mini/Midi fixtures in a season. It is recommended that there should be at least 2 Sunday coaching sessions between each match – from Under 7 to Under 10, and at least one Sunday coaching session – for U11s and U12s. Anything in excess could well be considered over-playing, so please consider the future of these youngsters when planning such programs. The RFU CB’s Delivery Teams will be talking to all clubs on this, in order to ensure best practice in all clubs within Eastern Counties.
I am disturbed by reports of Mini/ Midi age groups training for periods considerably in excess of one hour per week, as recommended by The Guidelines. We should be working to a process of continuing Development, not “Win, Win”. An hour per week is plenty for these young minds and bodies, and they should leave each week, looking forward to the next, as we still want these youngsters playing for many years to come..
On the subject of “Win Win”, the CCPD committee were disgusted to see a reported score of 115 points to nil on a club’s web site – believe it or not, this was at Under 11 !!! – and were similarly horrified to see some recent “over celebratory” press reports – including a report of one under 7 scoring 21 tries in a festival ! Sure, we can celebrate success and achievement, but we must be measured, and understanding of all participants in each game.
No purpose is served (to either side) in a game with a cricket score; and coaches MUST PREVENT, by evening up sides etc. We want all players (and more) back next week.
I am asking the RFU CB’s Delivery team to address and review these issues at each club – not as a witch-hunt (God help us), but as a way of seeing how we can work towards the Development of all youngsters.
Excuse the rant – please all work together to help us all eradicate poor practice, and eliminate the above.
Ross Cowie
Chairman – CCPD – Eastern Counties
There are no events to show yet.