Windsor RFC - Juniors - u14s

Welcome to the home page of the U14 age of Windsor Rugby Club for the 2009/10 season!

This season represents a considerable challenge for this age group on a number of fronts as it sees the A squad play as the defending champions of the Berkshire Youth League (albeit by the smallest margin possible from our closest rivals), the B squad also participate in the BYL for the first time and a need to step up player recruitment to meet these demands and to fill the gaps left by the departure of a number of players who have moved away to their senior schools or away from the area. As is the custom at Windsor, I’m sure we will rise to the challenge!

So, as with last season, the intention of the coaches and management of the U14's rugby programme is to run two squads - an A team for entry into BYL 1st Division league fixtures and a B squad that will play in the BYL 2nd Division. A series of challenging friendly fixtures for both squads will also be arranged outside the BYL and to compliment the training program. In addition, the A squad will play as defending champions of Windsor’s own Junior Tournament early in the season. Our aim is to challenge all players and for them to have an opportunity to progress as far as they feel comfortable, be that at the elite (A) or participatory level (B).

As squads can be up to 22 players for league fixtures and more for friendlies, there is an obvious need for new players, experienced or otherwise and anyone interested in trying out should contact our age group manager or the head coach. To qualify players should have been born between 01/09/95 and 31/08/96 to be the right age for the U14's. All new players are welcome.

Special emphasis is placed on getting the basics of passing, catching and tackling right with the further additions of physical fitness, positional sense and tactical awareness that the more advanced requirements of this age level demands. As always, selection will be based on Attendance, Attitude and Ability.

For advanced players there is the additional possibility of selection for the Berkshire School of Rugby and/or the Berkshire U14’s team. We are proud of our current representation which is the highest in the county at U14’s. Based on consistent high performance, current and potential ability, physical attributes and attitude players may be nominated for trials throughout the season by our coaches.

Training during the season takes place twice a week:

Sunday 10:00 - 12:00
Wednesday 19:30 - 21:00

For pre-season training days and times please refer to the age group Bulletin Board on this site.

The U14's training area is located on the first pitch on the right as you enter the Home Park. Evening training sessions will take place under the floodlights that are positioned along the access road on the way to the clubhouse.

The coaching team is led by Head Coach Simon Brooke and consists of 6 coaches, qualified to at least at RFU Level 1 plus other volunteers. The Team Manager is Mike Crawshaw, responsible for the administration and coordination of the age group, assisted by a small team of helpers. The age group also has 4 RFU or industry qualified First Aiders.

All coaches, management, medics and other volunteers that regularly come into contact with the players are CRB checked in accordance with RFU and WRFC club policy. As ever, any new volunteers and coaches are welcome and encouraged and courses are available should you wish to become officially qualified.

Simon Brooke, Head Coach

WINDSOR
BERKSHIRE U13 LEAGUE WINNERS !!!!

Off The Pitch

The clubhouse is open every Sunday morning providing hot food, drinks and sweets with the bar opening late morning. Please note that smoking is NOT permitted anywhere in the clubhouse on any day.

The club shop is open Sunday mornings and can supply you with all the kit your child would need. There is also a box of second hand boots available. See the Club Shop link for prices and a list of the items available.

Safety & Well Being

Enthusiastic support from parents is encouraged but it is always recognised that enjoyment is the "name of the game" and if a child is unhappy, be it at the level they are playing or even unsuitable attire for the weather conditions, this, along with a child's safety will always be a concern of the coaches and management team.

Football/rugby boots must be worn (training shoes are not permitted unless advised) and must have either moulded studs or removable studs (bearing the safety kite mark). A gumshield must be worn and this should preferably be a dental fitted type for best fit and comfort. Other IRB approved protective equipment, e.g. "scrum-caps" or shoulder pads may be worn as required. Front row forwards (particularly Hookers) are encouraged to wear shin pads for protection when scrummaging.

Appropriate clothing (for warm/wet/cold weather) and sufficient fluids are also very important to the well being of the players – a cold rugby player is generally an unhappy rugby player! There is no such thing as using the elements to “toughen-up” a child and inappropriately clothed/equipped players may be asked to leave the session.

IMPORTANT - If you are unable to suitably equip your child for financial reasons please approach the age-group manager or head coach in confidence for support – we DO NOT want regular players to sacrifice attendance if this is the case.

The U14's currently have 4 qualified First Aiders, but all the coaches are competent in dealing with the types of bumps and grazes the players may sustain and more first aid volunteers are always welcome.

Parental Responsibility & Coaching

By the very nature of the sport, by training for and playing rugby there is the potential for injury. It is our experience that whilst the players are getting older and more independent, it is still their wish to have Mum, Dad or another family member near them if the worst occurs and they get injured. This is particularly the case in the unfortunate situation where more serious injuries occur and ambulances/hospitals are concerned. Under these circumstances it MUST be the parent/guardians responsibility to accompany the child, NOT the coaches, manager or First Aiders of the age group.

There are also are occasions when players feel unable to complete training sessions and it is for these reasons that we insist that parents/guardians stay present during training/matches/tournaments/tours unless agreed with the manager/coaches.

Parents/guardians are also responsible for the behaviour or their children during training and in and around the bar area and the clubhouse in general. Parents must properly represent and support the Junior Section and WRFC at fixtures/tournaments by appropriate conduct and encouragement/respect towards opposing teams and the referee. Inappropriate behaviour of a player/parent may result in suspension or termination of membership.

Coaches

Like most parents that end up helping, many of the coaches saw getting involved as being preferable to standing around on the sidelines in the wind and rain of deep winter! New volunteers are welcome, either qualified or otherwise. All new coaches will be sent on RFU courses and will need to CRB approved before they are allowed to coach.

The Rules of Rugby

The Junior Section are classed by the RFU as 'Youth Rugby'. Should you wish to view the rules and regulations please click onto their website (www.rfu.com) and search under Rules & Regulations/Schools & Youth/Schools & Youth Regulations or click here.

Kit Supplies

As well as the Club Shop who values your support and whose profits go back into the Club, the following have a good selection of sportswear:-

W&S Sports, 7 The Arches, Goswell Hill, Windsor, SL4 1RD Tel: 01753 855731

Email: wssportsandski@hotmail.com 10% discount to WRFC Members.

Thames Valley Sports, 3 St Marks Crescent, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 5DA Tel: 01628 630356. Email:info@thamesvalleysports.co.uk
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 10.00 a.m.-5.30 p.m.; Sat: 09.30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.; Sun: Closed

Photography

We have been lucky to have some of our match photos taken by local photographer Mary Balfour - click here to visit her website.