MINIS & JUNIORS NEWS

Shrewsbury Rugby Club Minis and Juniors
August 2009

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

Bring on the new season!

A pre-season message from new chairman of the Minis and Juniors section, Rod McNamara

Hello all and welcome to the 2009-2010 season newsletter. Here you will find the information you will need to make your season with Shrewsbury RUFC Minis and Juniors an enjoyable one. Before all the important stuff I would like to give you a brief update as to how we have progressed over our centenary year and touch on some changes to the way we will do things in the season to come.
Well as the saying goes, "Follow that!" What a superb season we have had. Every team in every age group achieved success of some kind. Our Under 17s won the Regional's and reached the final stages of the National competition. Paul Pryce and his team of players and coaches have now moved on to form the Colts team. This is the first time Shrewsbury will have fielded Colts for many years and I know you will join me in wishing them all continued success. Don't worry; we will still see Paul, Tank, Rob and all as they have been roped into helping out some of the younger teams.
It's not just about the "Biguns" though, as some of the younger teams, with squads now numbering into the forties, went the whole season without defeat. Their unbeaten record is not the most notable of their achievements though; it is the players, parents and coaches willingness to support the Club Policy of player rotation with such large squads that, I believe, makes us the most successful Mini and Junior section of any club in the county. We have players joining us from many other clubs. Word has obviously got out about Shrewsbury and as a result we are expecting somewhere in the region of 350 players to sign up this year.
With such an increase in numbers your committee has had to make a few changes to the way we do things for the season ahead:
Those age groups that require mid week training will be placed on a roster divided up between Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights between 6pm and 7.30pm. Keep an eye on the website so you know what night you are training.
We will be adding an under 5's/6's team to the section this year and welcoming Simon Morris as their new lead coach. It goes without saying that I know you will all do everything you can to make them feel welcome. All things being equal then these newest of new
players will be with the club for at least the next 12 years.
All of the Lead Coaches will this year be full members of the club, which in turn will give us, as a section, a greater say in the way the club continues to support the Minis and Juniors. Of course I would encourage all coaches, volunteers and parents to also join as members of the club. The more members we have the more votes we get.
We have also made some changes to the way we are financed. To that end there will be no match fees. A one off membership for Minis and Juniors will cost £45. (Please see below for the full breakdown of subscriptions). No need to try and remember your match fees or indeed for parents, guardians or Team Managers to chase the players for them.
Easily the most exciting development is the new Club Shop. By the time you read this we hope to have signed a deal with Nike, yes, Nike, to provide all of our kit from now on. Sarah will carry a sample of our bespoke kit which she can order for you or you can follow the link on the website and order for yourself. We will also stock a number of items you can purchase on the day, such as hats scarves and the like. The website will be a one stop shop, with everything from under armour and gum shields to boots and kit bags available with profits coming straight back to the club. Please check it out. Don't forget you touchline stalwarts, who come and watch every week, can show your support by wearing the replica kit which will be available in all sizes.
And finally a sad word on the retirement of our President, Stuart Lister. Many of you will know what and avid supporter and ambassador Stuart has been for the Minis and Juniors over the years and we will be sad to see him go as he moves on to take up the Presidency of Shropshire County. We wish you all the best Stuart and look forward to seeing you if you can squeeze in the odd youth game amongst your many commitments.
And finally I would like to tell you how honoured I am to be your Chairman. Shrewsbury Mini and Junior Section goes from strength to strength every year. This is due to the continued support of you, the players, the volunteers, the parents and the coaches. You should all be proud of yourselves and the way you have made Shrewsbury a force to be reckoned with both on and off the field.

Training starts on Sunday 6th 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 newsletter 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 the annual subscriptions are £45 for the whole season. There are no match fees. For any additional siblings the subscription is £25.00. Cheques should be made payable to 'SRUFC Ltd'.
For more information and copies of the Club registration form and the RFU registration form go to the website
www.shrewsburyrugbyclub.com.

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 tops

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 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 Tuck Shop will be open for business again this season so make sure Mum and Dad bring some change

Sponsors needed

Shrewsbury Rugby Club is always on the hunt for new sponsors at all levels and we can offer a whole range of benefits to any local business that is willing and eager to support the club. The Club is riding a crest of a wave at the moment after the successes of last season at both Senior and Junior level and there has never been a better time to support your local club.
If you - or your employer or anyone you know - is interested in finding our more about the packages and benefits on offer, contact Rae Evans on 07809 171726 or email rae2412@aol.com or Chris Tandy on 01743

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 Coach Mentor Trevor Chard if you are interested -email on tchard@lely.co.uk or call him on 01694 771767.
Be our next RFU Registrar - Each player has to be registered with the RFU and we need someone who is handy with a computer to keep track of our players and make sure all new players are registered. If you are interested in finding out more, contact Rae Evans.
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 or in the car park - 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! And if that doesn't tickle your fancy then why not have a go at car parking duties on our busy Sunday mornings? Particularly suitable for all budding traffic wardens or those keen for a power trip - yellow jacket supplied.

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.

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 2009 - 10 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 5's and 6's
Head Coach: Simon Morris
Team Manager:
Under 7's
Head Coach: Michael Craik
Team Manager:
Under 8's
Head Coach: Chris Harrhy
Team Manager: Kirsty Smith
Under 9s
Head Coach: Damian Kinney
Team Manager: Mal Grindley
Under 10s
Head Coach: Steve Wild
Team Manager: Sarah Wild
Under 11s
Head Coach: Karl Jacobs
Team Manager: Jane Pritchard
Under 12s
Head Coach: Martin Dennis
Team Manager: Corina Dennis
Under 13s
Head Coach: Dave Williams
Team Manager: Chris Hill
Under 14s
Head Coach: Paul Suckling
Team Manager: Matt Doran
Under 15s
Head Coach: Rob Lowther
Team Manager: Wayne Millard
Under 16s
Head Coach: Rod McNamara
Team Manager: Steve Rintoul
Under 17s
Head Coach: Simon Jenkins
Team Manager: Ian 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.

Who's who at Shrewsbury Minis and Juniors?

Chairman - Rod McNamara
Rod will also be coaching the Under 16s this season
Vice Chairman - Steve Wild
Steve will be assisting Rod and also coaching U10s.
Treasurer - Chris Tandy
Chris does not coach any age group, which leaves him lots of time to look after our money and raise more through sponsorship.
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 13s coaching this year.
Coach Mentor - Trevor Chard
Coach 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. Trevor 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 Wayne Millard
Sarah looks after the Minis whilst Wayne 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 Officer - Sara Muir
The lady in the fetching yellow jacket and she who we cannot do without. There are so many players now that Sara is desperately in need of help. Please tell her 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.

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.