Bath Youth Rugby

BATH YOUTH RUGBY

Junior Section

At Bath Youth Rugby we aim to provide a safe and enjoyable environment in which each player has the opportunity to develop their personal and team skills to the best of their ability and commence a lifetime’s involvement within the sport of Rugby Football.

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bathyouthrugby/ JUNIOR SECTION MEMBERS’ HANDBOOK 2012 / 2013 SEASON

Bath Youth Rugby is an organisation which promotes youth rugby in the local community, and although the Youth Section has close association with Bath Rugby plc, the Youth Section does not form part of the incorporated company.

0 Who are we?

Bath Youth Rugby (BYR) oversees the running of the Mini and Junior Sections and maintains links with Bath Rugby Plc and Bath FC (RFU) Trustees. Website - http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bathyouthrugby/.

Our Junior Section runs teams from Under 13s to Under 16s, and for those over 16 our Colts (U17-U19). The Junior Section uses the Lambridge Rugby ground and clubhouse.

Each age grade team has its own dedicated Lead Coach, supported by Assistant Coaches and a Team Manager. The Team Manager should be your first point of contact for any queries.

A General Committee runs the Section; a copy of the current structure and post holders is on the notice board at the clubhouse. The committee consists mainly of parents of current players, so we are always looking for new members. Ideally we would like at least three people from each age group - so if you wish to help you will be very welcome! (no experience necessary – we can provide guidance!)

BYR Junior Rugby is organised on an entirely voluntary basis - please remember no officials or coaches receive any payment whatsoever.

NOTICE is given that this season’s BYR AGM will be held on Sunday 2nd September 12.30pm in the Lambridge Ground Clubhouse. Our AGM is held prior to the start of the season and is a chance for the Committee to report on the previous year’s activities and for everyone to contribute as to how they would like to see the club develop. It would be greatly appreciated if parents / guardians attended.

Junior Section Membership & Fees 2012-13

The requested payment for the season 2012-2013, remains £100 due on 2nd September 2012. Payment may be split into two, with £60 due on 2nd September 2012, and a cheque supplied for £40 post-dated to 31st December 2012. This includes the £30 membership fee (includes the cost of the player’s ticket to the Annual Awards’ Evening) and a £70 donation. No-one may take part in club activities after those dates until the membership fee is paid.

0 In addition, players will not be allowed to train or take part in matches until they have returned a completed and signed BYR membership form. This should be signed by a parent or guardian, as it grants consent for emergency medical treatment to be administered to the player if an injury is incurred in the course of club activity.

The age group that a player joins will be determined by their age as at 1 September of that season.

For occasional matches, selected players may be invited to “play up” in the year group ahead of them. This practice generally occurs when County Representative requirements have the effect of reducing the number of players available in a particular age group. “Playing up” therefore ensures that we can fulfil our fixtures. The Playing Up consent is included with the registration form. We would appreciate it if you would give your permission. Players will not be eligible to ‘play up’ unless parental consent is provided, and players will only be consider for such duty if the coaches consider it safe for the individual player to do so in that specific match.

Each age group keeps attendance records, which are monitored by the committee. If you are ill or unable to train or play for any reason you should advise your Team Manager immediately or in advance where practical.

Any player who is away for six weeks without notification will have their membership suspended.

Aims & Attitudes

The sole purpose of our Junior Section is for boys and young men to enjoy learning and playing the game. To achieve that aim coaches, players and parents need to have a commitment to our game and the club and actively meet their responsibilities.

It is the responsibility of all:

 To encourage players to obey the spirit of the rules of fair play on and of the field at all times

 To treat opponents with due respect, both in victory and defeat

 To avoid criticism of officials

3 Our players are encouraged to accept the decision of rugby officials without question and to respect the decision, even if it seems incorrect. The same approach must be taken by Bath Youth Rugby supporters:

THE RUGBY OFFICIAL IS ALWAYS RIGHT, EVEN WHEN YOU KNOW, or THINK, THAT H/SHE IS WRONG ! (Please do not make comments which undermine this principal of our game – there is a procedure if issues arise)

All players, coaches and spectators must stand behind roped off areas or at least three metres from the touchline and dead ball line of all pitches - never encroach onto the pitch.

The Referee, the assistant referees (touch judges), and our Committee members will take any action deemed necessary to ensure the above pitchside rules are observed.

Players’ Responsibilities & Conduct

Bath Junior Rugby is blessed with some outstanding coaches committed to passing on their skills, knowledge and enjoyment of this great game. Please help them by letting your Team Manager know your availability so that our volunteers don’t have to spend most of their evenings chasing you!

Accept the responsibility!

Squad coaching generally takes place at the Lambridge Ground between 10.00am and 12.00pm on Sunday mornings, and on an age grade designated weekday evening generally between 6.30pm and 8.00pm. Your Team Manager & Lead Coach will advise any changes.

The midweek training day and times are designated for each age group. Please see the details in the ‘Contacts’ section to find the relevant day and time for your squad.

BYR Website (http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bathyouthrugby/) will display all fixtures and any pre-planned changes to these. It is your responsibility to check this, keep yourself up-to-date with Club News and find out any weekly changes, fixtures and travel details.

Every season we suffer from poor weather and have to cancel training sessions and matches. We do try to avoid this but sometimes it goes wrong!

4 Decisions regarding Sunday training or matches will normally be made by the preceding Friday and midweek training by lunchtime of Tuesday or Wednesday. Team Managers have a variety of ways of disseminating this information, but please remember that ultimately it will be your responsibility to establish whether the game or training is on or not.

The foundations of the game of Rugby are based on a strong squad spirit. As part of the process of building that spirit for certain matches we provide a team coach for travel to the more distant Away matches. When provided, ALL players are required to travel on the coach, rather than make their own arrangements.

Dress code after all matches and at the Awards Evening, our players in age grades U13-U16 are expected to wear “No1s” – (white shirt, club tie, dark trousers, & black formal shoes). Colts will wear black Bath Colts polo shirts, and dark trousers.

We expect all our players to play and behave in an acceptable manner. We will not tolerate foul language or dangerous play or any cases of bullying or racial abuse, either within the Club, outside or on the field of play. You are representing Bath Youth Rugby – behave!

Coaches’ Responsibilities & Conduct

Coaches naturally try to pick the best teams they can to represent the Club in competitive matches, League, Cup & Festivals etc. However, it is a defined part of our Equal Opportunities Policy that all players have the chance to represent BYR regardless of their ability, but subject to safety. Clearly the amount of match time cannot be ‘guaranteed’ so, when selecting teams, all our coaches will assess the strength of the opposition and in so doing allow equal opportunity over the season to all players. We ask for all players’ and parents’ understanding and support in meeting this objective.

Our coaches are expected to:

 Place the well-being and safety of the players above all considerations, including developing performance

 Comply with the laws of the game and the rules of any competition that they participate in and comply with all RFU requirements

 Respect the basic human rights, dignity and worth of each individual

5  Provide a balance between the development of performance and social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs of the individual

 Ensure that all activities, training and competition programmes are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual performer

Parental Attitudes & Conduct

It is inevitable and natural that parents are keen for their boys to do well, but always remember they are part of a squad/team and vocal support should be directed at the squad/team, not the individual. We cannot condone the use of derogatory comments towards players, coaches and officials of either team.

Support your child and his team mates. Always look for and praise the positive aspects of their performance in training, victory or defeat.

Touchline instructions should be left to the coach, particularly during the game. If you have a point to make, have a quiet word with the coach, at an appropriate time. When watching, please remain 3 metres back, or behind any touchline ropes – this RFU ruling is for player and spectator safety.

Off the pitch, parents are responsible for the behaviour of their children. The coaches and committee members are not child minders. It is up to the adult to tell a child to stop misbehaving in or outside the clubhouse; we will take action against those who behave badly.

Remember the training times. You should not expect anyone to look after your child outside these times unless you arrange it yourself.

Clubhouse Hospitality & Behaviour

After home matches, refreshments will be provided for all players in the Clubhouse where the visiting team(s) are our guests. All Bath players are expected to remain in the clubhouse and consume refreshments with the opposition until their release (1.00pm). This is an important part of Club Rugby.

Clubhouse Notices regarding wet kit and wearing boots in the Pavilion / Clubhouse are there for a purpose. We need to make sure they are obeyed. Players should not wear rugby kit in the Clubhouse, after a match you should be dressed in your “No1s”.

6 Catering Manager (Kitchen) (Designated age grade for one season - tbc) We provide post-match hospitality for all players and coaches, and we also have the facility to fund raise by selling hot drinks and bacon rolls on every Sunday morning.

The organisation of this catering operation is overseen by a nominated representative(s) from the age grades playing at home. The Catering Manager will be responsible for arranging weekly kitchen stock and will organise and provide a season’s Duty Roster for age grades U13 – U16; ALL parents are expected to take turn in assisting in the kitchen. The players are our sons, please volunteer, it makes all the difference.

Health & Safety

Child Protection We have a Child Protection Policy and a designated Welfare/Child Protection Officer. All committee members, Team Managers and coaches MUST be subject of Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks by the RFU. All coaches are expected to attain a minimum RFU Level I coaching qualification and will be encouraged to attain RFU Level II.

Mouthguards Strongly recommended by the RFU, and BYR request mouthguards be used in all contact situations. All studs should be RFU approved. The use of other protective equipment is a matter for each parent / player, but it must conform to the appropriate current RFU rules for the age group of the player and MUST carry the IRB Kite mark.

Player’s Photographs The BYR Membership Form 2012-13 requests a signed consent (adult and player) to permit the taking of photographs for the purpose of promoting RFU. This consent also permits the use of the players name and age on our website and in the press, again, for the sole purpose of RFU.

First Aid Every Team Manager has a first aid kit. We are aiming towards every age group having at least two qualified first aiders. We do not have enough at present and seek more adult volunteers. Every time there is a reportable accident or injury, a report form is completed and submitted to RFU. These forms are kept by the Team Manager.

Health& Fitness to Play

7 Each season, we are concerned that players may attend training and matches when they are unfit by reason of injury or illness.

If a player is unwell, or carrying an injury, please don’t place the player or coaches in a difficult position. Coaches should be made aware of any problem before each session and the decision as to whether a player is fit to play is at the coaches’ sole discretion.

We are fortunate that serious injury has been extremely rare at Bath Juniors and we wish to keep it that way.

IMPORTANT - If as a result of playing/coaching rugby at BYR, your son attends hospital for a rugby related incident, please advise your Team Manager, so that we can monitor recovery.

Concussion

If an age grade player sustains any degree of concussion, he will be subject to a mandatory 21 days suspension from all coaching and playing - RFU regulations. You wouldn’t play on a sprained bruised ankle - swelling and bruising to the brain cannot be seen – don’t play!

Player Insurance

The Junior Section via Bath Rugby Plc has in place the RFU Marsh Compulsory Insurance Scheme. Information on the extent and level of cover is available via the Community Rugby page of the RFU web site under ‘Play’, ‘RFU Arranged Cover’. It should be noted that cover is limited and that you may, therefore, wish to consider one of the individual voluntary schemes available that provide enhanced cover.

Future Developments

We are always looking to improve on our current practices, procedures and facilities in order to ensure the future success and sustainability of Bath Juniors. In order to do this we need the constructive involvement of everyone in our club. Your suggestions and comments are always welcome, as are volunteers to help run the club.

8 We hope this booklet answers some of your questions.

Have a great season 2012-13 and enjoy your rugby!

Please remember at all times, this is about youth players having fun!

John Harrison - Executive Chairman, Bath Youth Rugby

Email contact: [email protected]

ADVERT

BATH RUGBY SUPPORTERS’ CLUB

You do not need to be a Bath Rugby season ticket holder to become a member of the Supporters’ Club. The subscription fees have remained the same since the Club’s inauguration in the season 1996/97 and are as follows: Adults - £7.50 Under 16s - £4 Family - £16 (comprises two adults and all children under 16) Included in your membership is:

 An official Supporters’ Club enamel badge;  5% discount on Bath Rugby Merchandise from the Club Shop;  5% discount on Clubhouse bookings;  Membership Card;  Regular Newsletters;  FREE or discounted admission to Supporters’ Club events;  Various club discounts and benefits;  A chance to vote for the Supporters’ Club Player Awards;  Discounted travel to away matches.

Visit the BRSC website on www.allez-bath.co.uk for details of how to join.

9 BYR Age Grade Contact Details 2012-13

Under 13s Training WEDNESDAY (6.30pm – 8.00pm) Lead Coach Martin Simons (RFU Level II) Manager Jeremy Lear Mobile: email: [email protected]

Under 14s Training WEDNESDAY (6.30pm – 8.00pm) Lead Coach Tony Holton (RFU Level II) Manager Paul Knight Mobile: 07940 394696 email: [email protected]

Under 15s Training THURDSAY (6.30pm – 8.00pm) Lead Coach Mark Ball (RFU Level II) Manager Justin Damer Mobile: 07803 956816 email: [email protected]

Under 16s Training THURSDAY (6.30pm – 8.00pm) Lead Coach Paul Hurley (RFU Level II) Manager Tony Dindar Home: 01225 421642 Mobile: 07748 510151 email: [email protected]

Colts (U17-U19) Training WEDNESDAY (6.30pm – 8.00pm) Lead Coach Geoff Binding (RFU Level II) Manager Ian Painter Mobile: 07787 508525 email: [email protected]

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bathyouthrugby/

Please regularly visit our BYR website, it may provide answers to your questions, before you make contact with your Team Manager.