Staffordshire Rugby Union Newsletter No. 11 — October 2012 Lichfield open new Floodlight training facility: Inside this issue: It was “double delight” on October 25th as “The two project teams that worked on Lichfield RFC 1 Lichfield RFC officially switched on their new both initiatives are to be congratulated on Rugby1st Workshops 2 training lights and also received the RFU delivering first class results”: Whole Club Accreditation Award. Burton RFC Academy 3-5 Training Lights - Ben Norris ( Men’s Secre- Lichfield RFC Chairman Dave Bassett opened tary), Dave W Bassett (Mens chairman) and SRU Coaching Society 5 the reception evening by welcoming repre- Paddy Martin (Hon Treasurer) put together RWC 2015 News 6 sentatives from the RFU, SRFU, Stafford- the bid which was granted by SEF repre- shire Environmental Fund (SEF) and fellow sented by John Dutton (chairman SEF, pho- Safeguarding News 7-9 members of Lichfield Rugby Club. to below with Dave Bassett) and the RFU National U20 Comp. 10 “The project completed on time and on budget Foundation represented by Ross Baxter. Cannock RFC need 10 by ABACUS was the culmination of a three your help step capital project plan started 10 years earlier with the complete refurbishment and Leagues and Staffs 11-13 re-design of our changing room facilities at Merit tables update Cooke Fields. This was followed by the instal- SSE—Save money on lation of match quality lights around the 1st energy bills—help for 14 XV pitch which provided the option to play clubs evening and mid week games when required. The training pitch lights which cover two full RDO News 15 size pitches replace the original 25 year old Ladies day at Leek 16 lights that had served so well and were rapidly Midlands Cup Draws 16 approaching becoming unfit for purpose”. “The completion of all 3 capital projects Accreditation – Keeley Fathers (Lichfield Handsworth and 17 was enabled by the financial support from the Ladies), Iain Eadie (Mini-Juniors Chairman), Willenhall news RFU Foundation, RFU Capital Investment Pro- Dave W Bassett (Men’s Chairman), Nigel Foley (Hon Secretary) supported by Tom Burntwood celebrate 18 gramme, SEF and our own members for which 40 years we are extremely grateful” and “we are doubly Bartram (RFU Regional Development Of- delighted that after review of our structure, ficer) England Women 18 systems, processes and plans for the future Lichfield Rugby Union Football Club Ltd is a the RFU have endorsed our club with the England Women Community Amateur Sports Club run by vol- award of the Club Accreditation which demon- internationals 19 unteers for the benefit of all age groups strates the RFU’s confidence in our determi- and adult players in the Lichfield and sur- Health & Safety 20 nation to continue developing a rugby for all rounding areas. Humour 21 ethos at Lichfield” Dave is pictured receiving the award from The flag ship teams are Men’s 1st XV and Floodlights for sale 22 Staffs RFU president Michael Procter and Ladies 1st XV who play in Midlands One West and the RFUW premier League re- Dates for the Diary 23 RDO Tom Bartram spectively. Sarah Hunter and Dave Bassett Jnr. Captains of ladies and Mens 1st XV pictured below with guests on the evening. Links: SRU Rugby1st Web page RFU Touchline maga- zine Rugby Club magazine Rugby World magazine Staffs RDT on Facebook 1 October 2012 Page 2 Rugby1st Training Courses in Staffordshire: Training Courses/Workshops have been arranged for Staffordshire clubs. These will take place in November and cover two different topics: 1. November 28th – An introduction to Rugby First for club users. 2. November 29th – Player Registration – A guide to the new systems. Details of these courses can be found in the August Newsletter These courses are being held at the Erasmus Darwin Academy, Pool Road, Burntwood, WS7 3QW. For more information please contact John Atkin SRU Rugby1st Webmaster on: Email: [email protected] or telephone 01543 472605 RugbyFirst - the rugby database RugbyFirst is a game-wide, internet-based tool to help run rugby at all levels, with details of more than one million coaches, referees, players and volunteers held on a single system. As the RFU’s rugby database, it is useful for all club administrators and rugby officials, from Chairmen to Club Wel- fare Officers and from Club Volunteer Coordinators to Referee Society Officials. The site also holds details of all RFU affiliated clubs, and the designated RFU members within that club. Using the database search facility, it is possible to search for clubs, societies or individuals, while filtering for women’s or youth sections. A latest news section and interactive forums are in place to provide help and support, while providing a platform to discuss any RugbyFirst issues 2 Burton RFC Academy: Burton’s new approach: It’s all very easy and maybe somewhat grandiose calling yourself an ’Academy’! How does what we’re offering differ from what any other amateur club is doing? In some senses what Burton are doing is no different to other clubs. We’re just putting it all together in one package. Coaching is periodised over the year. That means our coaching plans are in place from preseason to season end and we are not just responding to match day issues. Individual players with ambition to go to higher levels About 2 years ago, Burton RFC looked at the retention all get a personal development plan and personal time and preparation of players for the senior game. allocated to an appropriate coach. With ambitious plans now drawn up for the new ground, Strength and conditioning are co-ordinated, and liaison there was a perceived need to have a fresh look at the between the senior squads and the Academy is closely approach to player development post mini junior. managed, to identify common strategies for dealing with debuts, injuries and recovery. The Academy has the The following two years have flown by until, last April, same access to sports physiotherapy as the rest of the Burton RFC Academy was launched by patron Tom Croft senior players. of British Lions, England and Leicester Tigers fame. We have a number of guest coaches throughout the At the launch Tom (pictured below) said… season doing regular sessions from the local profession- ”Burton RFC want to dramatically change the face of al clubs and academies. This is already showing results access and opportunity to the sport for young people in games. across the community. Nutrition is controlled and players all eat together with Our aims will be two-fold. Firstly, to prepare young food provided by the Academy catering team before big players in the region for senior elite rugby, that may be games to ensure that players have the correct level of anywhere from club to national level, if that is their energy and hydration. ambition. Secondly we want to make the game inclusive On a purely practical note players are all provided with for all. Academy ‘stash’ covering playing, warm-up and training The Academy will be there for whatever level players equipment and clothing. want to reach. Players currently start with the Academy at under 17 Playing rugby is also a great social activity and we want age, although this is already under review given the to encourage participation that continues into adulthood changes to national competitions. by offering the best coaching, facilities and support we The Academy strength and conditioning coach leads can. early pre-season conditioning training starting in June. We want to nurture the very best local talent to help Prior to the season they all go away for a weekend them over the many hurdles they will need to overcome training camp, where the Academy hosts a number of to reach the top of the game." the Burton younger age groups as well as approximately 60 Academy players. Communication is vital in the administration of any or- ganisation. Match day communication for players starts on the day after a game. The Academy has a contact line that players must text their availability to before the first weekly training session. Squad selection is based upon performance in competi- tion, commitment, and communication. Players of any age can choose to play in any team, as- suming they meet criteria set out by the RFU, their parental consent and the Academy. 3 Burton RFC Academy: Match day preparation starts between 2 and 3 hours The Academy is developing an ambitious Young Leadership (depends on competition and venue) before kick off with programme that will encourage players to take coaching all players meeting for lunch. Players have individual tar- qualifications and use those to develop the local schools so gets for fitness etc. The standard approach to warm up is that rugby is a genuine alternative to other sports. followed whether they are playing a friendly or the latest The Academy has also just announced a relationship with round of the National Colts competition. Burton and South Derbyshire College. Those players at university are kept involved and bought The film and TV courses now provide equipment to the back for some of the U19 games. students who video games and training sessions. A new initiative this year has been to formally establish an These videos are used for the regular game analysis ses- under 22 side mixing current Academy players and the sions that precede a block of training. Alumni. There are a few golden principles that the Academy has This allows the university players to plan their home trips set itself. in order that they can get match time. Those that can cope are already training some of the week with the senior As Academy committee chair, George Davies, explains squads so that their transition to senior rugby is smoothly “It would be too easy to just take an elitist approach and managed.