MINIS & JUNIORS NEWS - Shrewsbury Rugby Club Minis and Juniors
August 2008

For more information and up to date club news and fixtures go to the website at www.shrewsburyrugbyclub.com

Shrewsbury joins the 100 club

A pre-season message from new chairman of the Minis and Juniors section, Rod McNamara
This year is SRFC's centenary year and in all that time it's hard to imagine a time when we've had a more positive outlook and more players coming through from the Minis and Juniors. We can now proudly and justifiably claim to have one of the largest youth sections in Shropshire and that bodes well for the club and everyone involved in it.
Rugby is a sport that we all love and you'll be hard pressed to find more enthusiasm, encouragement and enjoyment of the game anywhere on a Sunday morning. I want to make this season a very special one and I'm certain that all of you - players, parents and coaches - will want to get as much out of it as you can.
There's a great spirit about the Mini and Juniors at the moment and that's something I'm we want to continue and build upon in this historic year. There will be lots going on that you can join in with throughout the season such as special dinners and events, and we're going to see more interaction and involvement between the Junior and Senior sections.
We even have the President of the RFU, Bob Taylor, attending one of our dinners. To make the season the success we all want it to be we'll need lots of people to come down and help us - so if you have any spare time and want to help out, just let us know.
Whether you're a player, parent, a supporter or a sponsor, there has never been a better time to get involved in Shrewsbury Mini and Junior section than the 2008/9 season and it should be great fun for everyone.
Finally, I just want to say to everyone involved with the club, - players, parents, sponsors, volunteers - how proud I am of you all and the hard work you put in. You make Shrewsbury Rugby Club Minis and Juniors what it is - good luck to you all in the season ahead and have a great time out there.
Rod Mcnamara
Chairman
SRUFC Minis and Juniors

Training starts on Sunday 7th September - make sure you are registered

Sunday training starts at 10.30am and goes on until 12 noon. Many teams now have midweek training as well. Check with the website or your coach to find out if your team has training during the week. Always arrive on time.

Everybody who wants to play rugby at Shrewsbury Rugby Club must be registered. Even if you registered last season, you must do so again this year. Inside the mewsletter you will find a registration form. Please use it! Fill it out clearly so that we can read it and then bring it with you on Registration Sunday.

Please note that you must also be registered with the RFU. If you have registered as a player in previous seasons, you won't need to again, but if you have not - or you are not sure - please let us know and we will give you a form to complete on Registration Sunday - you will need a passport-sized photo and to fill in all sections. It is also important that both the player and parent sign the form and that all questions are answered.

Please get your subscriptions in ASAP
This year we are asking all players to pay their annual subs of £30 plus an additional £15 to cover match fees for the whole season up-front. This will be cheaper over the season as most teams play at least 10 matches, which would mean £20 in match fees. This way you pay less and we don't have the stress and hassle of collecting fees after every match. Fees for siblings are £10 subscription plus £15 match fees. Family membership is £50.00 - cheques payable to 'SRUFC Ltd'.

Who are you up against?

In the envelope with this newsletter you will find the fixture list for the coming season and while there are bound to be changes most of the games should go ahead. Once again this year, there are more games away than at home, as we can only accommodate four full Junior teams at home on any given Sunday. We have tried to keep most of the away games within easy reach. Please always check on the website that you your games are going ahead.

Any old boots or shirts?

Do you have old kit lying around in the cupboard? There are always other boys or girls who need a pair of boots or a second-hand shirt to wear in training - and we need old Shrewsbury playing shirts to give to players who don't have their own for matches. If you have a pair of boots that you've grown out, we can hand them on to younger player. Just bring them down to the club shop.

Set pulses racing with our new line-up of cool shirts and kit

We've got a fantastic array of shirts, tops, caps and other items in the club shop now - and what better way to impress your fashion-conscious friends than to wow them with a snazzy new outfit proudly emblazoned with the Shrewsbury RUFC crest? Come and see the fabulous array of new gear we have for sale - you'll find the shop in the clubhouse and ready to do business every Sunday morning and if you have any specific needs just call Sarah Wild on 07710 822991.
o The new Tuck Shop will be open for business this season so make sure Mum and Dad bring some change

Volunteer and make a real difference

We always need new help at the club and there are lots of ways that you can makes a difference - for the club, for the players and for yourself. Here are just a few of the jobs you could do:
Become an Assistant Coach - if you turn up on a Sunday morning to watch your child then step off the touchline and help. That's how most of us started. We need coaches and helpers. The only experience you need is an ability to wear trainers and a track suit. Just speak to Coaching Mentor Terry Lowie-Herz if you are interested -email on rugby@lowrieherz.fsnet.co.uk or call him on 01743 884495.
Be our next Treasurer - after many years of loyal service Rob Jones is handing on the baton after this season and we are looking for someone to shadow him this year and take over in 2009. It's not as big a job as it sounds but it is a vitally important one. If you are interested in finding out more, contact Rae Evans or speak to Rob yourself.
Be a team First Aider - safety is absolutely paramount and while our coaches always teach our players to play without harming themselves or anyone else, the occasional accident still happens. We need to have more trained First Aiders on the touchlines this season. So, if you are qualified or you are willing to go on a short, three-hour course to qualify - and we may be able to help finance that as well - please let us know.
Help out in the kitchen - we always need more people to help out on Sundays so, if you have a talent or just fancy having a go at making bacon or sausage rolls and great cups of tea and coffee for hordes of ravenous rugby players, come on down, roll your sleeves up and get stuck in!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR ANY OF THESE JOBS OR ANY OTHER ROLE AT THE CLUB, PLEASE CALL RAE ON 07809 171726 OR EMAIL RAE2412@AOL.COM

Play safe and be safe - on and off the field

Shrewsbury Rugby Club is dedicated to ensuring that all players are safe when they play rugby for this Club. That is why we have a Child Protection statement and Codes of Conduct. The Codes of Conduct cover players, referees, coaches and parents. As a Club we will make sure that these Codes of Conduct are strictly followed. We have a Disciplinary Code to ensure this is the case. A full copy of the Codes is included with this newsletter. Make sure that you read them and are fully aware of your responsibilities.
Everyone should be aware that we will not tolerate verbal abuse on the touchline during training or games. Any person considered to be breaking this part of the Code will be asked to remove themselves from the touchline.
All Codes of Conduct, our Child Protection statement, our Equity statement and the Disciplinary Code can be found on the main Club notice board in the Clubhouse, which is situated on the right wall of the players' entrance. Please make sure you are familiar with these documents.
To be safe while they are playing and training all players should wear the proper kit. This should consist of rugby or football boots, cotton shorts (preferably proper rugby shorts) or track suit bottoms and a suitable top or tops.
If it is cold then extra layers of clothing are essential and this could also mean bringing waterproof gear, hats and/or gloves.
The safety of all our players is very important to us and so we recommend that all players wear gum shields and shin pads. Head guards are an optional extra, but are recommended by the Club too. No jewellery should be worn and finger nails should always be cut short.
All players should have rugby studs on their boots. The only sort of boot that is allowed that does not use studs is one that has rubber blades. Plastic blades are banned. Rugby studs, which must be kite marked, are available at all sports shops and we even have them at the Club that you can buy. Football boots have studs that can be unscrewed and rugby studs can be screwed in to replace them.
If you are unsure about your boots ask your coach. You must have the right studs to play rugby.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE CLUB RULES….
1. No boots inside the Club. This rule will be strictly enforced to keep the Club looking as nice as possible for as long as possible. Please make sure you don't break the rules.
2. Shrewsbury Rugby Club is a no smoking club. Please abide by the rule. You will be asked to leave the clubhouse if you are caught smoking. The rule applies to the whole Club.
3. Use the players' entrance. All players will still need to use the rear players' entrance when coming off the pitches after training or matches.

PARENTS PLEASE…
" Always try to ensure your son or daughter is at the club on time for training and matches.
" Bring suitable playing gear and boots. Remember that they might need to change afterwards.
" Park your cars with consideration - we are often pushed for space. Please do not park in the lane that runs alongside the club down to the farm behind.
" Stick around and support and encourage your sons or daughters - and be there to pick them up later.
" Get player registrations and subs in to your team managers on registration day or as soon after as you can - players do need to be registered to play.
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PLAYERS PLEASE…
" Respect match referees and their decisions at all times - remember you are playing for Shrewsbury and representing the whole club.
" Always show respect and consideration to your opposition.
" Play by the rules and play clean, fair rugby.
" Listen to what your coaches tell you and keep trying to improve as a player.
" If you have any questions or you are worried or upset about anything, talk to your Team Manager or the Club Welfare Officer, Jayne Chard.
" Enjoy yourself!

Coaches and team managers for the 2008 - 9 season

We don't need to tell you how important your Head Coach and Team Manager are to you and the whole of your squad. Make sure you get to know them and how to get in touch with them if you need to.

Under 8s
Head Coach: Damian Kinney
Team Manager: Mal Grindley
Under 9s
Head Coach: Steve Wild
Team Manager: Sarah Wild
Under 10s
Head Coach: Karl Jacobs
Team Manager: Jane Pritchard
Under 11s
Head Coach: Martin Dennis
Team Manager: Lorna Evans
Under 12s
Head Coach: Dave Williams
Team Manager: Chris Hill
Under 13s
Head Coach: Paul Suckling
Team Manager: Matt Doran
Under 14s
Head Coach: Rob Lowther
Team Manager: Wayne Millard
Under 15s
Head Coach: Rod McNamara
Team Manager: Chris Tandy
Under 16s
Head Coach: Simon Jenkins
Team Manager: Ian Jones
Under 17s
Head Coach: Paul Pryce
Team Manager: Rob Jones
If you need to contact your coach or team manager you should be able to find their details on the web site at www.shrewsburyrugbyclub.com.

If you have any other questions just contact Rae Evans and she will put you in touch with the right individual. You can call Rae on 07809 171726 or email rae2412@aol.com.

Who's who at Shrewsbury Minis and Juniors?

Chairman - Rod McNamara
Rod has taken over from Ian Kidson and will also be coaching the Under 15s this season
Vice Chairman - Steve Wild
Steve will be assisting Rod and also coaching U9s.
Treasurer - Rob Jones
Rob is also a coach with the Under 17s. At the end of this season he will be handing over Treasurer's reins to someone else. If you have a head for figures and are willing to help, please let us know. The earlier the better as it will give you the opportunity to shadow Rob and get to know the ropes.
Secretary - Rae Evans
Rae deals with all fixtures and the administrative business of the club so if you are not sure who to ask about something, ask Rae. She will also be assisting with Under 12s coaching this year.
Coaching Mentor - Terry Lowrie-Herz
Coaching Coordinator - John Smith
John will be keeping tabs on all our coaches in the run up to compulsory coach licensing and organising our continuing professional development. Terry will be mentoring our Assistant Coaches on to their Level 1 coaching awards and helping our Level 1 coaches to go onward and upward.
Volunteer Coordinators - Sarah Wild and Jane Phillips
Sarah looks after the Minis whilst Jane takes care of the Juniors so if you are keen to help, they are the people to seek out.
Welfare Officer - Jayne Chard
Jayne will deal with all Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks and any welfare issues that arise with players or parents. If you've got a problem, Jayne is the person to talk to.
First Aid Officers - Geoff Stafford & Neville Speak
The men in fetching yellow jackets and those whom we cannot do without. There are so many players now that Geoff and Neville are desperately in need of help. Please tell them if you want to give a hand and are prepared to become the First Aid Officer for your team - training will be provided and it should only take about three hours of your time.