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Windsor RFC Minis Tour 2008
Our U12's
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WELCOME TO THE UNDER 12s WEBSITE
2007-08 SEASON
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This season represents a "watershed" for our age group as it is our last as part of the mini section before we graduate to Junior rugby next season.
The U12's are one of the larger age groups at Windsor Minis and run 2 squads to ensure that all players have the opportunity to play competitively in fixtures and tournaments. The squads are called the Blues and Royals in honour of the Household Regiment headquartered in Windsor.
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The coaching team is led by Head Coach Simon Brooke and consists of 8 coaches qualified to at least the equivalent of RFU Level 1 supplemented by assitant coaches. The Team Manager is Mike Crawshaw, responsible for the administration and coordination of the age group. Mike is ably assisted by a team of helpers and first aiders. All coaches, management and first aiders are fully CRB checked in accordance with RFU and WRFC club policy.
As ever, the focus of the coaches will be on building on the skills many of our players have developed since they were 5 years old, in accordance with the demands of the game as they get older.
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Our coaching team, from left to right:-
Dirk Barendse, Richard Bouchier, John Nicoll, Simon Brooke, Mike Crawshaw, Simon Odell, Stuart Hill, Dave McAllister
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Special emphasis is placed on getting the basics of passing, catching and tackling but with the further addition of positional sense and game tactics as the level of play has become more demanding and complex. Despite this, new players are always welcome and it is with satisfaction that we can highlight the mix of "Old hands" and newer players that make up the senior squad, the Royals. As always and in common with other age groups, selection will be based on the three A's - Attendance, Attitude and Ability.
This years campaign sees the introduction of Number 8's to the pack as the only change to the rules from last season.
Training takes place twice a week, with the following start times:
Sunday 10:00-12:00 - pitch6
Wednesday 19:00-20:30 - clubhouse (until further notice)
The first 4 weeks of our season are specifically for training based at home (with mixed ability teams, except for pre-tournament training) thereafter the season is interspersed with fixtures and tournaments - see the U12s 'Fixtures' or 'Bulletin Board' section of our website for further information and directions to away fixtures.
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The Blues, Plate Winners at Newbury
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Sponsorship
As with the other age groups the U12's are always looking for sponsorship. Items we currently need include training shirts and kit bags but if you wish to discuss this further please contact Mike Crawshaw on 01753 842543 or email him.
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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 will NOT be allowed anywhere in the clubhouse on any day from the start of the season.
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.
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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 the prime concern of the coaches and management team.
Football/rugby boots must be worn (training shoes are not permitted) 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. It is recommended that an IRB approved "scrum-cap" is worn from U9's upwards.
The U12's currently 2 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 welcome.
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Parental Responsibility & Coaching
The Mini Section is not a crèche, and parents (or nominated representative advised to the head coach) are required to remain available at pitch side in case of player injury and to supervise behaviour of their children during training and in and around the bar area and the clubhouse in general. Parents must properly represent and support the Mini Section and WRFC at fixtures/tournaments by appropriate conduct and ncouragement/respect towards opposing teams and the referee. Inappropriate behaviour of a player/parent may result in suspension or termination of membership.
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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.
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The Rules of Rugby
The Mini Section falls within the R.F.U. Continuum which is a playing and coaching pathway by which Clubs and schools introduce the game of rugby to young players.
A copy of the Continuum is held by the Head Coach/Team Manager for you to view at any time and copies are available, free of charge, via the RFU official website (www.rfu.com),click here for the link and see under “Stage 3 - Under 11 & Under 12 Midi Rugby Last updated 4 June 2006”
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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
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Photography
We have been lucky to have some of our match photos taken by local photographer Mary Balfour - click here to visit her website.
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