Minis and Juniors Coaching Policy

Winchester Rugby Football Club

Policy owners: Coaching Coordinator, Minis Chairman and Juniors Chairman

Policy approvers: Safeguarding Officer, Director of Rugby and Club Chairman

Version: 1.2

Last updated: 22/08/2014

Background:

Minis and Juniors rugby exists for the development, retention and above all enjoyment of its players and not its coaches. It is therefore critically important that all volunteers deciding to take on the responsibility of the coaching or management of youth players do so with the best interests of the players and their club. The correct ethos must be maintained across sections and age groups as well as between coaches within age groups. This document therefore aims to describe this ethos and the underlying policies to protect it and our youth players from abuse. The Club Coaching Coordinator and Safeguarding Officer hold the responsibility for monitoring the conduct of our coaches and the welfare of our youth players with the section chairmen responsible for the management of coaches and managers within each section.

Policy:

Winchester RFC aims to ensure that each and every mini and junior player receives skilled and engaging coaching appropriate to their stage of development.

Coaching is provided by a team of volunteers (generally parents of squad members) aligned to each age group and supplemented through guest coaching as appropriate.

Lead coaches take the responsibility for planning training sessions and developing additional coaches within their age groups. At all times WRFC coaches should pursue the following ethos:

 Winning is part of the game but not a critical factor to the enjoyment of players

 Long term player retention and enjoyment of rugby is our ultimate aim

 Selection policies must be communicated clearly to parents and players

 Training should be as inclusive as possible, appropriate to the size and skills of the age group

 Sessions should always be focussed, fun and preferably game-centric

 New players should be welcomed at any time throughout the season

 Parents should be educated regarding our ethos, thereby setting appropriate expectations

WRFC is also heavily dependent on coaches achieving personal coaching qualifications.

WRFC Minis and Juniors Coaching Policy 1.2 Page 1 of 6 To ensure that coaching is of the required standard WRFC has defined minimum standards for the qualification of coaches as detailed in appendix 1.

In addition, coaches and coaching teams will be subject to review by the Coaching Coordinator to ensure standards are upheld, coaching is delivered appropriately and player safety is ensured.

Coaches, managers and assistants should also be aware that breaching Club policies or directives may result in disciplinary action being taken by the Club and, in certain circumstances a personal liability, if an incident were to occur. These areas include, but are not limited to;

 Unauthorised playing of children out of age grade

 Playing unregistered players (players must be paid up members of WRFC to be registered)

 Application of inappropriate or biased selection policies

 Touring without receiving appropriate permission

 Scheduling

 Coaching or inciting illegal or foul play

 Failure to withdraw players from training or matches when injured, in particular where there is a suspicion of concussion in line with IRB concussion management guidelines. Injured players should not return to any rugby activities until they have returned to full health and fitness.

 Breach of any of the Clubs Codes of Conduct or policies detailed on the Club website http://www.winchesterrugby.com/a/wrfc-policies-201314-33944.html

Coaches or managers not prepared to comply with this policy or who disregard the direction of the Club’s Coaching Coordinator, Safeguarding Officer or their section Chairman will be asked to resign their position of responsibility and under certain circumstances be asked to leave the club.

Also included for your information and compliance are the following appendices;

Appendices:

1) Minimum coaching qualification requirements by age group

2) RFU Safeguarding coach to child ratios

3) Maximum Length of Training Sessions

4) Code of Conduct for Coaches, Officials and Volunteers

WRFC Minis and Juniors Coaching Policy 1.2 Page 2 of 6 Appendix 1: Minimum coaching qualification requirements by age group

U7s  Lead Coach – Preferably Level 1, minimum Rugby Ready, Tag and safeguarding.  Manager(s) to have attended safeguarding course.  Majority of coaches to have completed Tag and safeguarding course.  Minimum of one coach with RR and one qualified and club registered First Aider present at each location.  All coaches and managers to have an up to date and validated DBS checked prior to involvement with children

U8s  Lead Coach – L1 and safeguarding.  Manager(s) to have attended safeguarding course.  Majority of coaches to have completed Tag, RR and safeguarding course.  Minimum of one coach with RR and one qualified and club registered First Aider present at each location.  All coaches and managers to have an up to date and validated DBS checked prior to involvement with children

U9s  Lead Coach – L1 and safeguarding  Manager(s) to have attended safeguarding course.  All coaches to have completed RR  Minimum of one coach with L1 and one qualified and club registered First Aider present at each location.  Majority of coaches to have completed safeguarding course  All coaches and managers to have an up to date and validated DBS checked prior to involvement with children

U10s  Lead Coach – L1 and safeguarding  Manager(s) to have attended safeguarding course.  All coaches to have completed RR  Minimum of one coach with L1 and one qualified and club registered First Aider present at each location.  Majority of coaches to have completed safeguarding course  All coaches and managers to have an up to date and validated DBS checked prior to involvement with children

U11s  Lead Coach – L1 and safeguarding  Manager(s) to have attended safeguarding course.  All coaches to have completed RR  Minimum of one coach with L1 and one qualified and club registered First Aider present at each location.  Majority of coaches to have completed safeguarding course  One or more coaches to be a qualified referee  All coaches and managers to have an up to date and validated DBS checked prior to involvement with children

U12s  Lead Coach – L1 and safeguarding (working towards L2 for U13 season)  Manager(s) to have attended safeguarding course.  All coaches to have completed RR  Minimum of one coach with L1 (working towards L2 for U13 season) and one qualified and club registered First Aider present at each location.  Majority of coaches to have completed safeguarding course

WRFC Minis and Juniors Coaching Policy 1.2 Page 3 of 6  One or more coaches to be a qualified referee  All coaches and managers to have an up to date and validated DBS checked prior to involvement with children

U13s  Lead Coach – L2, safeguarding and First Aid  Manager(s) to have attended safeguarding course.  All Coaches to have completed L2.  Minimum of one coach L2 and one First Aider present at each location.  One or more coaches to hold valid referee qualification  All coaches to have completed online iRB Laws test  All coaches and managers to have an up to date and validated DBS checked prior to involvement with children

U14s  Lead Coach – L2, Safeguarding and First Aid  Manager(s) to have attended safeguarding course  All coaches to have completed L2  Coaches have attended at least one other CPD  Minimum of one coach L2 and one First Aider present at each location.  One or more coaches to hold a valid Referee qualification  All Coaches to have completed iRB Laws Test  All coaches and managers to have an up to date and validated DBS checked prior involvement with children.

U15s  Lead Coach – L2, Safeguarding and First Aid  Manager(s) to have attended safeguarding course  All coaches to have Level 2 certificate  Coaches to have attended at least one other CPD.  Minimum of one coach L2 and one First Aider present at each location  One or more coaches to hold a valid Referee Qualification  All Coaches to have completed online iRB Laws Test  All coaches and managers to have an up to date and validated DBS checked prior involvement with children

U16s  Lead Coach – Level 2, Safeguarding and First Aid  Manager(s) to have attended safeguarding course  All Coaches to have L2  Coaches have attended at least one other CPD  Minimum of one L2 coach and on First Aider present at each location  One or more coaches to hold valid Referee Qualification  All Coaches to have completed online iRB Laws Test  All coaches and managers to have an up to date and validated DBS checked prior involvement with children

Appendix 2: RFU Safeguarding Coach to Child Ratios

There should always be more than one suitably vetted adult in charge of any group of children or vulnerable adults.

The RFU recommends a minimum ratio of:  1:10 for children over 8 years old or vulnerable adults  1:8 for children under 8 years old  1:6 for children under 7 years old

WRFC Minis and Juniors Coaching Policy 1.2 Page 4 of 6 Appendix 3: Maximum Length of Training Sessions

All age groups should be following RFU guidance on both the length and frequency of training sessions.

This is designed to ensure that children remain engaged and safe throughout sessions.

As children tire or lose focus the risk of injury increases significantly and the benefit of coaching reduces. It is also aimed at reducing overplaying, maintaining player and allowing sufficient time for children to participate in other sports.

Extract from RFU guidelines

6. Training

Sufficient time in the season should be given to train players and to develop their game understanding, skills and team cohesion. It is important that a balance is struck between training and playing. Coaches should avoid “doing their own thing” in arranging additional fixtures or mid- week training.

The frequency of matches in a team’s fixture list and the amount of training will depend on squad size and other events. We recommend that 2 Sunday training sessions are provided between each match from U7-U10, and from U11-U18 clubs should plan a training session between each game, exclusive of any mid-week training.

Mid-week training can be positive if it concentrates on player skill development, rather than on team preparation to win the next game, or training for the sake of holding training. Coaches must avoid the temptation to run too much team preparation. Clubs must be respectful of other community activities and players’ academic commitments and not put pressure on mid-week attendance that conflicts with these and then contributes to the issue of an over-commitment to rugby – a reason that turns many away from team sports, especially 15-18 year olds.

Duration of training time needs to be judged considering players many developmental factors, and their level of competition and conditions. Some guidance is shown:

Recommended Duration of Training Sessions Minutes U7 – U8 60 U9 – U10 90 U11 - U12 120

WRFC Minis and Juniors Coaching Policy 1.2 Page 5 of 6 Appendix 4: Code of Conduct for Coaches, Officials and Volunteers

Winchester Rugby Football Club (WRFC) is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well- being of all its members. The club believes that it is important that coaches, officials, and volunteers associated with the club should, at all times, show respect; they are encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they have about any aspect of the club with the Club Coaching Co-ordinator and/or the Club Safeguarding Officer .

As a Coach, Official and Volunteer you are expected to abide by the following Code of Conduct:

 All rugby coaches /officials/volunteers are to be full members of WRFC.  Hold a current Disclosure Barring System Certificate.  As a coach have attended a minimum of a Rugby Ready training course.  Promote the sport for enjoyment, not just winning.  Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person with whom they work with and treat them equally within the context of rugby union, including the decisions of the match officials.  Place the physical and emotional well-being of all players above all other considerations, including the development of performance.  The relationship that a rugby coach/official/volunteer develops with the players with whom they work must be based on mutual trust and respect.  Ensure that all activities undertaken are appropriate to the age, maturity, experience and ability of the players.  Encourage players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance. Clarify with the players (and their parents/carers if applicable) what is expected of them both on and off the rugby field and also what they are entitled to expect from them.  Work in partnership with others within the game (ie Club Officials, match officials, doctors, physiotherapists) to ensure the well-being, safety and enjoyment of all players.  Adhere to the laws of rugby. Promote the positive aspects of the sport, e.g. Fair play. Lead the players in competing fairly. Violations of the Laws of the Game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or relevant regulations or the use of prohibited techniques or substances must never be condoned.  Treat others, as you would like them to treat you

WRFC Minis and Juniors Coaching Policy 1.2 Page 6 of 6