Somerset Rugby Development Newsletter Welcome to the seventeenth instalment as we come to the close of the 13-14 season CLUB FEATURE– Sharing Good Practice The ‘Club Feature’ allows you to know what is working for other Somerset clubs; recruitment drives, social events, money-making projects, anything that is worth sharing because it could make a difference at your club. Crewkerne ex-player Reunion On Sat 18th June Crewkerne held an ex-player reunion at their new clubhouse facility in the heart of the town. Past and present members celebrated the end of a long road to get the facility funded and built. Over 100 ex-players attended, sharing memories and stories over lunch before a first team fixture versus Wells 2nd which the home side won 73-0. Apart from having a great day with a good bar take the club have since been able to recruit a number of volunteers & supporters from their ex-player base, many of which haven’t been involved in the club for over ten years. The club plan to continue the event annually and build on their current 2 adult teams & mini section. They have just achieved Accreditation too! ARE YOU HAVING TO PLAY OVER EASTER? Goggle trial for contact rugby at U13 Why not utilize SCRFU funding to turn your and below event into a family day? There is £250 Effective immediately the trial will take place for available to clubs for Recruit and Retain one year (14-15 season) for players at U13 and projects, whether you need new below playing contact rugby. The conditions of equipment, want to pay for advertising, the trial must be met: need funds for coaching courses or have - Goggles must be dispensed by a ABDO another idea. If it keeps players in the game optician with a letter confirming the need or brings new ones to the game it will for the goggles probably fit the funding brief. So on the - Clubs must email [email protected] to Easter weekend could you put on a hog confirm participation in the trial roast, or BBQ with the funding? Maybe hire - Any injuries caused by the wearing of the a bouncy castle or pay for a band in the goggles must be reported to [email protected] and the evening and hold a fun, family day that your ABDO dispensing optician players other halves and children can enjoy too! First come first served, limited fund. For further info go to http://www.rfu.com/takingpart/playerhealth/faqs Contact your local RDO for more info. Somerset Schools win the chance to play at HQ Fairland’s year 7&8 girls (right) and Kings of Wessex year 9&10 girls are now through to the National Finals after winning the Regional held at Burnham on Sea RFC in March. The National will take place on 3rd May and schools which get to the semi-final and final will play their games on the hallowed turf after the Army v Navy game. Another example of the excellent numbers and performance within the girls game in Somerset. ‘Social Spaces’ Clubs selected Does your club have the Junior Congratulations to Gordano RFC, Chard RFC, Old Player of the Season? Culverhaysian’s RFC and Avonvale RFC who The BMW and RFU partnership continues to support junior rugby. were selected for the RFU Social Spaces program. The 10K funding (matched by club) is The BMW Junior Player of the Season 2013/14 for transforming clubhouses in the lead up to the could be awarded to your club’s most promising RWC15. We all hope the tournament will capture U13 - U17 player and is open now! the country ’s imagination and we will have non- rugby people knocking on our doors looking for a Coaches must register your club’s BMW Junior Player of the Season 2013/4 by Friday 16th May welcoming environment to watch the games and at www.bmw.co.uk/register hopefully become part of the local rugby scene. The selected player will receive an exclusive prize from BMW and the RFU in recognition of their achievement as well as the chance to win 4 hospitality tickets to England XV vs Barbarians at Twickenham on 1st June. RWC 15 Young Rugby Ambassadors NOW RECRUITING! We are looking for 14-24 year olds to get involved with the YRA program and help us seize the opportunity posed by RWC15. The Gordano rugby club at the Social Spaces workshop YRA’s will be tasked with three main jobs 1) INSPIRED FACILITIES offers clubs up to 75K bringing news of RWC15 to their club and for building modernisation, outdoor sports community 2) celebrating the RWC15 through music/art/sport 3) bringing back 16-24 year lighting, outdoor sports surfaces, changing olds to the game. For those YRA’s looking to rooms, floodlights, social spaces and build their CV and interested in a career in kitchens. Open all year round applications sport this is a HUGE opportunity! With access received prior to 6th June will receive an to stash and special one-off opportunities answer in September. Your RDO will help along the way we are now recruiting any 14- you complete the application so get in 24 year olds you may have in your club for an touch for more info! intro workshop in May – get in touch! DATE FOR THE MINI/JUNIOR DIARY Pitch Maintenance Guide Clubs can now watch and learn in a series of The CRC team have booked New Rules of three videos where Keith Kent (Twickenham Play inductions for U7-U12 coaches in August Head Groundsman) takes you through his 12 PLUS workshops on ‘Coaching Through Games’ for all junior age group coaches. month programme - it’s all at: www.rfu.com/betterpitches Keynsham RFC Sun 24th Aug to book email [email protected] Keith has also come up with a pitch maintenance package for RFU affiliated clubs. Bridgwater & Albion RFC Sun 17th Aug to This means if you buy direct from the book email [email protected] manufa cturer you get a 20% discount. SCRFU Coaching Vacancies For further details contact your local RDO All age grade sides coaching and management Walcot pilot RFU program Kids First Rugby roles are available following the end of a two year coaching cycle. Somerset run four county boys sides from U15 to U18, girls teams at U15 and U18 and also six district teams at U14 and another six at U15. Details and applications for the roles can be found on the vacancies tab on the county website www.somersetrfu.co.uk FIRST AID COURSES FREEBIES SCRFU are funding one free place per club on Meet Ruckley the Kids First mascot! See cluster first aid courses: st him tear up Twickenham at this fun video: North & West Sat 31 May 9-4pm-Clevedon RFC BANES Sat 14th June 9-4pm-Bath RFC-Lambridge https://www.rfu.com/ruckley th The aim of the Kids First program is to put the South & Central Sun 15 June 9-4pm-Tor RFC wants and needs of children at the centre of Any places thereafter are £45. Delivered by what is done in rugby and is based on the local provider Brett Bader previous feedback premise better people make better rugby has been excellent. To book contact [email protected] players. Alan Hubbleday, RFU Player Development Officer; ‘By creating confident, CASTLE CARY RFC VACANCIES competent, decision-making people we will Castle Cary RFC are looking for new Senior Coach’s make confident, competent, decision-making who would like an exciting challenge with a grassroots rugby players’. Coaches at Walcot attended rugby club in Somerset One. induction training days to familiarise Contact: [email protected] themselves with the Kids First approach and the associated resources. The pilot will soon IVEL BARBARIANS RFC VACANCIES be at an end and opportunities for other The club are recruiting a new senior coaching team and are welcoming interest now clubs will be publicised. Contact: [email protected] LOOKING FOR A SUMMER ACTIVITY FOR THE KIDS!? Somerset RFU are offering 250 free tickets for the 10th May county game vs Devon at Bridgwater and Albion RFC. 25 max per club, contact [email protected] to book! RFU LEGAL HELPLINE: Rugby administrators For all Club Coaching Co-ordinator’s can simply call 0844 56 18177 and quote the On 10th May Somerset will play Devon at scheme number 81066. Advisors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (except public Bridgwater & Albion RFC – each CCC is holidays) . Advice on topics such as HMRC, invited plus their choice of 2 deserving employment responsibilities, Incorporation, volunteers from the club (one mini/junior VAT, etc can be discussed through this service. and one senior) to watch the game and enjoy some hospitality. To book contact: CLEVEDON RFC VACANCIES Clevedon, playing at level 6, are looking for an [email protected] assistant/backs/player coach for the 2014/15 season to work with a developing squad of mainly Fancy Refereeing? home-grown, amateur players. Let Matt Bowditch Contact: Jeff Durant, 07872 601662 from Chard inform you of the benefits! BRISTOL BARBARIANS RFC VACANCIES “I chose to have a go at The club (1st XV Somerset Premier) are looking to refereeing when I broke 3 recruit a new Head coach with fresh ideas for the bones in my foot, which coming season to join the current coaching team. stopped me from playing. After about 14 months I Contact: [email protected] was looking to go back to training, but the family were not very impressed! I enjoyed a Level 1 Referee YATTON RFC VACANCIES Course (refereeing children) at Castle Cary and so The club (1st XV Somerset Premier) are looking for a proceeded to do the ELRA.