Woodford RFC Minis - Selection

Woodford Mini Match Selection Policy

To qualify for selection to play at fixtures players must:

 Be fully paid up members of Woodford RFC

 Be registered with the RFU. This is an absolute requirement to play in any Essex Festivals. At mini level (Under 7 –Under 12 coincident with school years 2-8) registration is only required once when the player reaches under 7. (This becomes an annual process when the player reaches Youth level.) Application forms for this are available to down load Web Link and the information should be passed to our registration secretary Mike Page [email protected]

 Be properly equipped to play (i.e. in possession of team kit, boots and a mouth guardi)

 Have attended training regularly, demonstrating they can play safely and know the rules for the level of the game they are aged to play.

 Consider and report any medical matters your coach should be aware off to ensure best care for the player

Coaching Aspiration

At WRFC we believe that our main coaching goal , is to instil in all of our children a love of the game of Rugby Football and above all, for them to have fun whilst learning the skills and techniques that will make them better players. Additionally, we will endeavour to impart the traditions and principles of fair play and good fellowship that our game is known for throughout the world. Winning every game is not the major objective of our coaching! Our focus is on the ‘playing’ of the game, teaching skill as “good habits” and with time, more advanced skills, in a supportive and encouraging environment.

With this in mind we intend to play mixed ability teams throughout the season. We know this means we will not win all our games but it does means, that no team will get soundly beaten, which we think could occur with seeded teams. It also allows the more experienced players to assume a greater responsibility whilst the less experienced players can still enjoy competitive play. . Some of the opposition sides we play operate a seeding selection system amongst their year groups Woodford will not change their selection policy in these matches. It is important that players develop a balanced understanding of both winning and loosing.

New players Woodford will always welcome new players at any age group, Once a new player understands and can safely play at their relevant age level and have completed the requirements to be a club member they will be eligible to play in matches.

Match day selection

To maximise player on-pitch time in matches we have agreed with our selected oppositions that we will take more than one side to represent the Woodford age group and have generally selected oppositions with large multi-team squads. We will split the year squad into equal ability teams. As far as possible, all players will get equal game time regardless of ability. A certain amount of coach discretion will be applied to ensure no team is too weak to face the given opposition, not on the basis of the match possibly being lost but to ensure that players can engage safely. As the season progresses attendance at training will gain a greater weighting in match selection and potential game time.

1 Woodford RFC Minis - Selection

At U7 This is the first year matches are played and allowance will need to be made for the personal development that young players may have reached

AT U9 In addition, as this is the first year that our children will transition from Tag to full contact Rugby, including (non-competitive) scrums and line –outs, we will follow the RFU guidelines and NOT fix players in given positions. i.e. all will have a turn at scrimmaging, line- out’s etc. Whilst this will be a little anarchic at first, we believe that all players should have the opportunity to play in all positions. We may review this policy as the season progresses.

At U11 and U12 there may be some level of positional selection to assist in game development but parents and players should not assume that this is a for life decision. Players will continue to grow and develop physically along with their skills well into their senior playing career and so their player positions will change.

Festival selection

The only time we will veer away from the above selection policy will be for the Essex Festival, which the club has targeted as each age group’s main objective for the season Selection for the Essex Festival will be the coach’s decision based upon, in no particular order, 1) A player’s ability individually and as part of a team 2) A player’s ability as measured against another player in the same position 3) Attendance throughout the season 4) Number of players we decide to take to the festival

As far as the other festivals are concerned, if your child is not selected for the Essex Festival then they will be given first refusal of a place at another festival. The intention is that all players represent the club at a festival.

Notification of selection

The detail of fixtures is set out in the club registration booklet issued for membership. Coaches will contact players generally by email or text in the week prior to the weekend match but will probably discuss this at the weekend training session prior to the match. It is important that you confirm availability and ensure attendance.

Parents can help with the process of selection in the following ways:

 Matches have generally been arranged to miss half terms when people might be on holiday however, It would be helpful to notify the coaches as far in advance as possible (ideally by e-mail) that a player will not be available for fixtures due to other commitments (e.g. scouts, holiday and family events).

 Make sure the coaches have an up to date contact e-mail address/mobile phone number.

 We will make every effort to let people know about any cancellation immediately we are made aware but extremely bad weather or club problems can never be fully anticipated and may require “last minute” notification.

 Ensure that your child understands the basis on which selection will be made.

 Read the Woodford behaviour policy with your child.(Web Link)

Attendance

2 Woodford RFC Minis - Selection

Selected players are expected to arrive at the fixture on time and be available to play at all times until the fixture is over. Most fixtures will end around midday but festivals can last until mid- afternoon.

Failing to turn up when selected, wandering off during games and departing early without the agreement of the coach in charge is unacceptable and will affect a player’s prospects for future selection.

Unhappy

Please do not challenge selection decisions on the touchline. If a player or parent is unhappy with a selection decision they should take it up with a member of the coaching staff after the match and any coaching debrief is ended. The coach will then be able to give any matter individual and considered attention and ensure it is brought to the attention of the other members of the coaching team.

Every effort will be made to come to an acceptable solution, however in the event that a matter is not resolved to the parent’s satisfaction it will be referred to the Mini section Chairman and if necessary the club committee.

Coach contacts web link

3 i Kit comprises Woodford RFC rugby shirt, black shorts, Woodford RFC or black rugby socks. Base layer clothing (including armour), if worn, should be black. Rugby mitts may be worn and the wearing of head guards is strongly recommended. Ideally ordinary gloves, beanie hats and track suits should not be worn during matches. Trainers are acceptable for training sessions in good conditions but boots MUST be worn for matches. Mouth guards MUST be worn during contact training and matches.