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MINIS & JUNIORS NEWS

Shrewsbury Rugby Club Minis and Juniors August 2010

www.shrewsburyrugbyclub.com

Bring on the new season!

Hello everyone and welcome to the beginning of another season at Shrewsbury Rugby Club and a special welcome to you if you are a new member of the club. I am involved in our wonderful game throughout the North Midlands region and I can say, without fear of contradiction that you will find one of the warmest welcomes in the area from everyone here at Sundorne Castle. We have the most committed volunteers, supportive parents and enthusiastic coaches that it is my honour to represent and whether you are joining us from another club or taking up rugby for the first time, Shrewsbury Minis and Junior section will do all we can to help you on your way to a long and enjoyable involvement with the greatest game ever played.
Those of you who are returning to the club from previous years will know that it is customary for me to use this opportunity to take a peek into our plans for the season ahead.
Firstly, to the big news:
Strutt & Parker Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents are the main sponsors of the entire Mini and Junior Section for the forthcoming season and we hope for many seasons to come. We, on your committee, are really excited about this new partnership and look forward to working together with Strutt & Parker to foster rugby in the community throughout Shrewsbury and Shropshire. I know the support they will provide will enable us to strengthen our infrastructure and youth rugby at the club will go from strength to strength. To begin with they will be providing every youth coach at the club with a Nike Coach's cold weather jacket, which I know, come January, will be most appreciated. You will see S&P logos appearing all over the club and on our kit and later in the newsletter our secretary Rae Evans will provide you with more information about the exiting opportunities this partnership will offer us all. Please join me in making everyone at S&P feel at home at the club and welcome them into our family.
Next, I know you will all be glad to hear that Sarah Wild and the ladies will continue to stock NIKE kit in the shop and all team wear will also be Nike. Look out for the new kit display cabinets in the clubhouse to see the exciting new designs for this season. Please remember when buying your kit that all profits go straight back into the club. Last year's profits were fantastic and have. enabled Rae to buy all the new training equipment for this season. Also for those team managers buying sponsored team kit, don't forget you must buy it through the shop and that doing so means special discounted offers. I am pleased to say that Paul Suckling will again be running this side of things so any team kits you need should go through him
Dates for your diary this year are the Mini/Junior Ball to be held in 2011. Sarah Wild is again the chief organiser for this one and I know she would be most appreciative of any help anyone can offer. Also at least 4 teams will be touring in Easter and with a bit of luck and a lot of volunteers' contributions the under 14s, 16s and 17s will be going to France. Sometime in May, we will be asking everyone to get involved with a joint fundraising enterprise for the Wooden Spoon Charity. Just in case you were not aware, the RFU insurance that protects all the youth players at the club is paid by the Wooden Spoon Society, which is the main reason our membership fees are so low. That together with S&P (nationwide) adopting the society as their official charity makes me confident that once again, you as a club will do yourselves proud and get involved in the various fun and challenging activities we intend to hold. That means you too, mum and dad! We would like to get you all involved and have some fun while raising funds for a very deserving charity. At the very least we will be sending out membership requests for the society to you all. For a very reasonable contribution you get a society tie and entitlement to all sorts of great events and rugby related discounts. So please keep an eye on your inbox for that.
Last year saw us break all records for membership, which means that we are easily the biggest Mini and Junior section in Shropshire, which is fantastic news.
On a health and nutritional note we have also signed up with Cherry Active. They are a company that make a 100% natural, free of additives and sweeteners sports drink, which is made from a special type of cherry that has been scientifically proven to aid recovery during and after sport and reduce free radicals. Several Premiership clubs and international players use the product - and it tastes pretty good too. Mums and dads might also be interested to know that it has also been shown to promote regular and restful sleep patterns. We have signed a deal that means we can sell it to you at a greatly reduced price. We of course will make money from all sales, but this money will go straight back into the Minis and Juniors. So take a look at their website, but remember if you want to try it, Sarah and ladies sell it in the club shop and bulk orders should also go through them to make sure you get your discount.
While we are on the subject of food and drink; Wendy and Dave and all the wonderful ladies and gents who help out in the kitchens will be there once again providing the players with after match food and that most welcome of vitalls, bacon butties, for everyone else. Don't forget contributions are always welcome, so if you are doing a bit of baking, chuck in some extra scones, cakes, buns, muffins or whatever takes your fancy and help us raise some extra cash and we will sell them through the kitchen. I know from personal experience that Wayne Millard's blue iced cakes went down a treat last year.
And so to matters on the pitch:
I look forward this year to continued success for all our age groups. We had great runs in League and Cup competitions last year and have, for a club our size, a fantastic number of players at Shropshire County, North Midlands Regional and in the Worcester Warriors Elite player programme. Not to mention most of the Minis running absolute riot at all the festivals they attended.
So it is with shining optimism that we look ahead to the coming season and the continued excellent behaviour of our players and parents, who always represent the club with the highest of standards. Please familiarise yourselves with the codes of conduct that you all sign up to, sent out with this newsletter and particularly remember that NO parents may ever enter the field of play. The players at Shrewsbury are supervised and coached by volunteers who are subjected to RFU CRB checks and training and they are the only ones permitted to act in any capacity on behalf of the club and more importantly in the interests of the players. On that note, this year the emphasis will be on Coach Development and we will actively be seeking out new and existing coaches who have the ability and desire to move forward with their coaching qualifications. I believe that the more we invest in our coaches the greater the improvement in our players and we should never lose sight of the fact that we are here to enjoy this wonderful sport of ours.
I look forward to seeing you all around the club and sharing a coffee and bacon butty on a Sunday morning.
Rod McNamara - Chairman

Training starts on Sunday 5th 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.
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.

Sponsors needed

Shrewsbury Rugby Club is always on the hunt for new sponsors for individual team shirts 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 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

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'.

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 three 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.

Nike kit range available again from our very own kit shop

The usual fantastic array of shirts, tops, caps and other items will be the club shop 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!

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,.
" Enjoy yourself!

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.

Coaches and team managers for the 2010 - 11 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 7's Head Coach: Simon Morris
Team Manager:
Under 8's Head Coach: Michael Craik
Team Manager: Jo Carradine
Under 9's Head Coach: Chris Harrhy
Team Manager: Kirsty Smith
Under 10'sHead Coach: Damian Kinney
Team Manager: Angela Williams
Under 11s Head Coach: Steve Wild
Team Manager: Sarah Wild
Under 12s Head Coach: Karl Jacobs
Team Manager: Jane Pritchard
Under 13s Head Coach: Martin Dennis
Team Manager: Corina Dennis
Under 14s Head Coach: Duncan Kirkby
Team Manager: Chris Hill
Under 15s Head Coach: Paul Suckling
Team Manager: Tony and Tracy Roberts
Under 16s Head Coach: Rob Lowther
Team Manager: Wayne Millard
Under 17s Head Coach: Rod McNamara
Team Manager: Steve Hughes
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 17s this season
Vice Chairman - Steve Wild
Steve will be assisting Rod and also coaching U11s.
Treasurer - Rob Jones
Rob 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 14s 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 -
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, 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.