Last year (2007/8)
 

The Under 14's had a very successful season in both the Lions and Tigers.  It was our second year in the Berkshire League - we came fourth last year losing to Reading Abbey, Maidenhead and Newbury - but felt we could have done better.  With lots of pre-season training the boys got themselves very fit and were really up for the League this time round  We got revenge on both Reading Abbey and Newbury and were top of the League for most of the season when we met Maidenhead.  Both sides were unbeaten - but unfortunately luck was on their side and they got a late try to beat us by two tries to one.  A draw would have been good enough for us but as it was the League went to them 40 points to 38.   We were the only team to get every bonus point going by scoring at least four tries against all the other clubs.  We also got a bonus point v Maidenhead as a consolation for finishing within a single score.  After seven games to lose by a single try was hard but something we aim to reverse next season.  The Lions played 7 non-league games winning 5 and drawing 1 and losing 1 to the reigning Sussex league champions.  We also came second in our own tournament at the start of the season after a duff start.  For the first time we were introduced to Berkshire County rugby and we are very proud that 9 boys were selected - all of whom represented the side except one who suffered cruciate ligament damage before his debut.  In addition 3 boys were selected out of a total of 9 from the Berkshire squad for the London Irish School or Rugby.  We went on Easter tour to Ireland with 22 boys and 16 parents and had a great time winning the Irish Festival of Youth Rugby and bringing home this magnificent cup.  This was a mixture of our Lions and Tigers which made it all the more satisfying.   The Tigers also had a full fixtures diary playing 15 matches both against A and B opposition and took some notable scalps - Slough A team being one of them!  Three Tigers emerged as regulars in the Lions which was very satisfying and a trend we hope continues with others banging hard at the door.  We look forward to taking two teams to Lille on tour next November and the restructuring of the Berkshire County training system and the way the London Irish School of Rugby works.  We finished the season with some 44 registered players - along with 4 who came along for the last couple of sessions - so look in a very strong position for 2008/9.  We have 12 RFU qualified coaches so end the season on a high - with all the boys looking forward to doing their best to try and win the Berkshire League next season as Under 15's
 
 
 

Some basics

What we aim to do and how we aim to do it.

Windsor have teams at every age group from under 7s to under 16. We aim to make sure that everyone who joins is able to achieve their personal best as part of a winning squad of players. At every age group and team we have at least one, normally two, qualified Rugby Football Union coaches.
At under 14 we currently have nine coaches and a qualified referee at this age group and so are lucky enough to be able to offer a high ratio of tuition and support for the boys. Coaching capability is co-ordinated across the age groups to maximise the learning for what is now a total squad of 40+ boys.
Although we realise that sometimes parents have to pop off during the two hours from 10 until 12 we want you to watch!(At least get back for the game at the end) For many reasons it is better if an adult is available throughout the entire session.   

Rugby this year (U15)

If you’ve never seen it before, rugby at this age group looks very much like the game you will have seen or played as an adult. Lifting in the lineout is still not allowed but apart from that the game is full on!

Our guiding principles

This year we have three guiding principles that the coaching staff have agreed in consultation with the boys.

· Personal fitness is the responsibility of the individual and not the team  coaches……Boys should realise that to support their team-mates they must be able to play the full 50 minutes on the full size pitch. Selection will take this into account.

· Discipline must be maintained during games and no backchat to the referee will be tolerated. No amount of complaining will ever persuade a ref to overturn a decision (This applies to Coaches, parents and boys). Additionally Respect for team mates and opposition is obligatory.  Attitude will be considered when making final selections for team places.

· Finally ‘Total Rugby’ is the buzz word for describing the style of play all Windsor Under 14 team’s will adopt.

What is total rugby? Simply moving the ball wing to wing and having a huge focus and determination to keep the ball alive in the tackle. This ambition is only possible with the highest standard of support play from all of the team. The emphasis is on team play rather than individual glory seeking………mind you if the gap is there to score, take it!

Total Rugby  is the result of the fitness and discipline demanded by coaches and boys alike and frees the boys to express all of the attacking flair that the coaches encourage……….the game is played best at pace and that is what we want to do.

Selection

This will never be a perfect process. We are working on a squad system which supports the integrity of each team. However movement between the squads will be managed through Coaches feedback and weekly discussion about performances. Everyone should aspire to get into the top team!! Connor being a superb example of this process working in practice.

The coaches will feed back progress to all players using the guiding principles as a reference point. Also reflecting on mastery of basics such as tackling, support play, positive behaviour,  so as to ensure boys know how they are getting on, what are strengths and what needs developing.

In the end selection is just that and the coaches commitment is to make sure boys know why they have been picked and what they need to improve to get selected.

There will be two teams of 15 this year which realistically requires a minimum of 36 players. All players selected in a squad will play as a squad may be 17 to 20 in size to ensure that the team can play total Rugby for 50 mins.

Each squad has its own coaches and a manager who is always the first person to turn to for advice and help.

Feedback to the coaches

Please feel free (and we understand this is easier to say than do) to contact us by email  or just have a word on the touch line if you are unhappy about any aspect of the organisation. Without dialogue we cannot address problems or failings in the way we run the teams. Equally the coaching teams will try to be straightforward about any decisions that are made.

Ask for any of the following if anything needs clarifying: Jamie, Richard, Rob, Ciaran, John, Chris or Chris, Brian, Patrick, Raz.

Age groups

Your son should be in the age group based on his age at 1^st September 2007 which must have been 13.

My son has never played rugby before ?

It is never too late to start and some of the greatest players did not begin their careers until 13 or 14 years of age or even later. As boys mature and change shape the unique requirement of Rugby for all shapes, sizes, speeds and skills determines the best position for each player. The raw material that your son has to bring is desire, thereafter it is up to the coaches to ensure safety, increasing ability, enjoyment and success.

When do Windsor play?

The season is from September to April with a break at Christmas. Junior Rugby is always on Sunday mornings. Training starts prompt at 10.am. on Pitch 2, furthest away from the clubhouse towards the Castle. 9.45 is the ideal time to arrive.

After the sessions there is a tuck-shop for the boys, a superb kitchen serving burgers, chips , bacon rolls, coffee and tea. All available from 10am. Also the brand new Club bar   offers refuge from the cold and even the odd tipple of sherry or barrel of rum.

Kit

Every player will need a pair of football boots – you will have to change the studs to R.F.U. approved studs (we sell them – you do not have to change them back for football) – rugby boots are not necessary. Club socks, shorts and shirts should be worn, but team shirts are provided by the club at each match.
As of this year we will also be adopting a policy of wearing a shirt and tie with suitable trousers (not jeans) after each game, also provided at the club shop.

Safety

This is a major priority, and all the coaching is designed to achieve maximum safety as well as skill. Rugby though is a contact sport and injuries, normally only bruises and such-like, do happen. If you see a player injured, please leave the team coach to deal with it and he will summon the right help.
Every player is advised to wear a gum-shield. We cannot in law insist on this, but we might decide, if a player has not got one, that they are not safe to play. If in doubt consult with your own dentist who can make one for you or they can be purchased at a local sports shop.
R.F.U. and I.R.B. approved head-guards are becoming popular as well as approved shoulder-pads worn under the shirt. Windsor does not have a policy on their use, leaving it to the individual player and their parents to decide.
Each player will need additional warm and dry clothing before and after playing – it is a winter sport and so please do not let your son into our care without ensuring he has the appropriate clothing for the prevailing conditions! – please include wet weather gear.
Insurance – every player who pays their registration fee and is registered therefore with the club and the R.F.U., is insured by Windsor with the standard R.F.U. approved insurance. A copy is available in the clubhouse. But if in doubt you are advised to consult your own insurance broker.

Summary

The intention of the coaches is to develop two winning teams and improve the skill of your boys. Also to have fun in the process and include the hard working (taxi driving) parents in the fun. If coming on tour is not your cup of tea there are many social evenings and Sunday lunchtime “meetings”. We really encourage parents to join in……….We would rather you shared your thoughts and ideas with us in the bar than keep your potential contribution a secret on the touch-line.

Ultimately we would like to see one or more of our boys go all of the way and play Rugby at the highest level. There is no reason why not!     If any of them do appear in the World Cup in 2015……..please can the lucky boy make sure the coaches get sufficient tickets!!

Contact

Head Coach                 Jamie    Pyatt    07836 340380 jamiepyatt@hotmail.com

U13’s Secretary           Chris    Moran  07748 837699 chris@moranfamily.fsnet.co.uk

Fees

The only fee payable is the annual membership fee. When a player first comes, he can have 6 free sessions to see if he likes the game. But then a proportionate fee is payable prior to taking part in a match. This entitles him to use of the club facilities, registers him with the R.F.U., provides the insurance cover, provides the pitches, training equipment and match shirts (provided at each game) and provides the coaching
Any ad-hoc additional costs will relate to special events or trips such as Tours or one off Tournaments and will be notified to you

Matches

We play to win matches and make friends! Rugby has a long and proud tradition of great competition, combined with great sportsmanship and friendship.
As spectators encourage your team to play well, never promote aggression, acknowledge good play whichever team does it, celebrate success, but accept defeat graciously. Do not get involved with any badly behaved parents of opposition teams, leave this to the coaches, ignore all comments and make friends with the silent and well behaved majority.
As players, you are representing Windsor as well as yourselves on and off the field. At home we are the hosts, away we are the guests. If you perform to the best of your ability for yourself and your team you will succeed. When you win, celebrate, but recognize and applaud the opposition as true competitors and friends off the field. If you lose, make sure you come back stronger next time, but always congratulate the opposition on their success.
You will receive a fixture card when you pay the registration fee although all information about games can be found on this website.

Personal Discipline

Rugby is a disciplined game and referees and coaches will always penalise dangerous play and behaviour. As a member of the club you accept the codes of conduct and discipline and we expect all parents to support this viewpoint.

Referee Abuse

The RFU have asked that we tackle the growing problem of referee abuse at all levels. In the game of rugby we respect the referee and we encourage the players to demonstrate that respect both during the match and afterwards. He / she is after all a volunteer!We also encourage Parents and supports to show the same respect.This year all clubs have been asked to take this matter very seriously and to report any serious incidents of abuse to the RFU immediately!

The clubhouse (and how can I keep warm and dry)

The bar opens at mid-day and it is a good time to talk to the coach (he speaks even better with a drink!) to check out progress and plans for the future.
After matches all players get a snack meal.The changing rooms and showers are at the back of the clubhouse. Juniors are expected to be smartly dressed for matches and change and shower on site.Kit sales take place most week-ends from mid-day in the large clubroom.The clubhouse and bars are also open every evening during the week and available for hire – meals can be served – see the catering manager for details.

Social side

Playing rugby will make friends for life and it is important to take time out to achieve this. The Rugby Club year groups organize several events each year to encourage the building of friendships and to raise money. Please support as many of these events as possible as money raised goes towards the club and in some cases is used to reduce the costs per head for the Tours. Windsor Rugby Club always promotes diversity, ensuring all boys can come on tour if possible. Financial support of our fun Social agenda overcomes one of the main barriers to this ambition.

Getting involved

We need volunteers constantly as coaches (you will be trained), managers, referees, linesmen, first-aiders, people for kit sales, raffle sales, tidying-up, kit washers, setting out the corner flags etc etc. At tournaments we need pitch marshals, scorers, tent erectors, raffle and program sellers, car park attendants, etc etc.

In other words join in – we all enjoy it much more!