Schools & Youth Handbook 2019/20 Player Welfare + Safeguarding 12 Player Welfare 14 Safeguarding 18 Contact Ages 19 Age Banding 21 Are you ready to play rugby? 12 24 Player Registration 25 Code of Conduct Directory 29 Scottish Rugby Contacts 37 Club & School Directory 29 Competitions 38 Conferences 45 National Knock-Out Cup Competitions 48 Fosroc Scottish Rugby Academy 38 Rules 50 Schools & Youth U15 Girls Schools Cup Final - Shawlands Academy v Biggar High School National Competition Rules 77 Schools & Youth Competition Protocols 50 79 Schools & Youth Conference Results Scottish Rugby Download a copy at scottishrugby.org Reporting Procedure BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh, EH12 5PJ Printed August 2019 T: 0131 346 5000 scottishrugby.org | @scotlandteam Front Cover Caledonia Youth Finals Day Archive Produced by Scottish Rugby Highland U18 v Stirling County U18 81 Conference Winners 82 Schools Cup Winners Back Cover 84 Youth Cup Winners U15 Girls School Cup Final 81 86 Girls Cup Winners Shawlands Academy U15 v Biggar High School U15 Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth Handbook 2019/20 Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth 3 Caledonia Youth Finals Day - Kirkcaldy U16 v Ellon U16 President’s Welcome The Mitsubishi Motors UK Schools & Youth Conference programme and Scottish Rugby’s cup competitions continue to go from strength to strength thanks to the support and enthusiasm of young players, clubs and schools across Scotland. Mitsubishi Motors UK have been title sponsor of the conferences since 2017, and with their support we look forward to further growth in the season ahead. Schools’ & youth rugby is enjoying success thanks to the time, energy In 2018/19 the conferences provided and commitment provided by people opportunities for young people from all the length and breadth of the country. across Scotland play rugby on a regular Thank you to the coaches, referees, basis. 795 teams were fielded in the parents, teachers, family, friends and conferences by 136 state schools, 113 volunteers who provide this valuable clubs and 24 independent schools. support to our next generation of rugby My congratulations go to all of last players. season’s conference winners, who Good luck for the season ahead. earned points for winning and for fielding teams across age-groups. We also enjoyed an excellent standard Dee Bradbury of competition at the boys’ and girls’ President, schools’ and club cup competitions at Scottish Rugby BT Murrayfield. Congratulations to all those who lifted the silverware. Player welfare, including child protection and wellbeing, continues to be a priority. Scottish Rugby is committed to ensuring that all children feel safe, enjoy rugby and are protected from harm. Please read the guidance in this Handbook and ensure the correct procedures are in place. Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth Handbook 2019/20 Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth Handbook 2019/20 Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth 4 5 MITSUBISHI MOTORS OFFICIAL PARTNER OF Mitsubishi Motors UK Welcome SCOTTISH RUGBY When Mitsubishi Motors in the UK With more schools and clubs competing began its partnership with Scottish than ever before, Mitsubishi Motors Rugby, we promised to help advance UK is delighted that it is helping to get and nurture rugby at every level more young people around the country of the game, from grassroots to playing competitive rugby. the elite squad. Mitsubishi Motors UK is pleased to These Conferences have remained a welcome you all back to a new season key cornerstone of our commitment to and wishes everyone involved the best supporting Scottish Rugby. As a new of luck. We are excited to see the game season kicks off it is important to reflect flourish and for participation to grow on the success over the past year whilst even further. also looking forward to the future. The Mitsubishi Motors UK Schools & Youth Conferences continues to enjoy high levels of participation by young players from across Scotland. A total of 795 teams competed in 2018/19, drawn from 136 state schools, 113 clubs and 24 Mitsubishi Motors UK independent schools. Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth Handbook 2019/20 Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth 6 Schools & Youth Rugby maturity that allows them to participate Welcome and excel as they progress through Mitsubishi Motors UK the game. Welcome to the Schools & Youth The purpose of this handbook is to give Schools & Youth Conferences Handbook for 2019/20. you the information you need to run your This season is an exciting time for school or club youth rugby programme Scottish Rugby as we watch our national throughout the season. As a school or team competing in the Rugby World club youth rugby organiser you are a Cup in Japan. Domestically, the Rugby key person to ensuring that, collectively, Development department launch our Scottish Rugby provides a positive rugby strategy for the community game where experience to thousands of young people 5% 795 160 113 development of our young players across the country. We sincerely hope this teams Schools* Clubs increase remains a priority. handbook helps you in this task. *24 independent, 136 state Young players develop into confident There is also advice on player welfare, and competent adult players through including child protection, included in Tiers 1-3 Tier 4 Tiers 1-3 exposure to a long-term development the handbook. All coaches working with process, where regular, appropriate and players under 18 years of age need to be a competitive playing opportunities exist member of the PVG scheme. Our website 12 30 84% for all, and a culture of rugby participation scottishrugby.org and our child protection conferences conferences fixture fulfilment is established. team are available to provide advice and To ensure this remains a constant focus guidance. for the game, we are reviewing our On behalf of my colleagues and we would competition structure in the 19/20 season like to take this opportunity on behalf Player Clubs & so that the long-term development of of Scottish Rugby to thank you for your welfare our schools & youth competition offering efforts in developing the great game of schools working evolves and is future proofed. rugby within your community. We hope at the together to grow feren It is in everyone’s interest to create you have a successful and enjoyable forefront n c game & improve a culture of rugby in a school/club season. of all that o e C standards environment that has a positive and Sheila Begbie MBE we do of play long-lasting impact on the player, the school/club and ultimately the senior Director of Rugby Development section at the local rugby club all have T: 0131 346 5217 a role in achieving this. To achieve this, M: 07896 293760 we need to work in partnership with [email protected] Emphasis schools, local authorities and clubs who More players share this vision. P based on the playing more r s Working with schools and clubs, our aim i l e long-term player competitive n c i p is to grow player numbers, while also development rugby more focussing on improving the retention process and transition rates of players graduating often Schools & Youth into the adult game. Players will also Conferences have better skill sets and a competitive Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth Handbook 2019/20 Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth Handbook 2019/20 Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth 8 9 Schools & Youth Advisory Structure At the start of season 2015/16 • Age Grade Law Variation Working Scottish Rugby established an Group – manage review of AGLVs Scottish Rugby Board & Council advisory structure to improve and recommend new variations communication between clubs, schools and Scottish Rugby. As noted above, the primary purpose of installing this structure is to improve The overarching purpose of the communication. To achieve this: structure is to: • Elected reps on the National S&Y • Inform on current issues Forums provide a two-way link National Schools & Youth Forum • Debate current issues between their constituent clubs/ • Chaired by Scottish Rugby • Mix of representatives from • Share knowledge/experience/best schools and the National Forums/ Council representatives National Schools & Youth practice Scottish Rugby. Forums • Assist in the formulation of draft • Clubs and schools must identify National Schools Forum policy key contacts to streamline communication. • Elected representatives • Appointed representatives • Act as a sounding board from School Conferences from specialist areas • Clubs and schools are encouraged The diagram illustrates the make up for and Scottish Rugby regions to engage with their elected Forum the structure. rep and sub-group members to help National Youth Forum Sub-groups have been established to inform discussion. gain additional advice from specific • Elected representatives • Appointed representatives • Membership of National Forums parts of the Schools and Youth game from Club Conferences from specialist areas and sub-groups shall be circulated or to manage specific projects. and Scottish Rugby regions periodically to enable clubs and • HMC Rugby Steering Group schools to interact should they wish – providing a platform for to raise a relevant issue or voice an Headmasters and Heads of Rugby in opinion. independent schools. • Youth Panel – giving a voice to the young people involved in the game. Schools & Youth • Schools & Youth Competitions Sub-Groups Committee – manage and administer rules and regulations on behalf of Scottish Rugby Championship Committee and act as a sounding board for competition development. Conference Regional Meetings Forums Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth Handbook 2019/20 Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth Handbook 2019/20 Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth 10 11 Player Welfare & Safeguarding Rugby is a fast-paced, dynamic, Ensuring young players are not Scottish Rugby and World Rugby Injury Reporting contact team sport, which contributes playing too much rugby provide a range of educational modules Promptly complete and submit a to the development of children both • Players under the age of 18 should to help all stakeholders learn Injury Serious Injury Report to Scottish on and off the pitch bringing huge Management.