CIACs Players Handbook


CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL ATHLETIC CLUB R.F.C.

PLAYERS HANDBOOK

Page 1 of 17

Table of Contents

Introduction…………………………………………3

History of the CIACS (1946-present)………………4

Club Values…………………………………………5

Core Value………………………………………5

Players Values…………………………………...5

Rules and Conduct………………………………….6

Training Rules…………………………………...6

Match Day Rules………………………………...8

Other Important Rules…………………………..11

Subscription Fees (subs)……………………………12

Discipline…………………………………………...13

Socialising…………………………………………..14

Charities and Fund raising…………………………..14

Contact Information…………………………………14

Locations…………………………………………….15

Suggested Pre-season Weight training Program…….16

Introduction


The purpose of this handbook is provide potential, new and existing players with basic guidelines about training and playing rugby with CIAC RFC. It is intended to provide the individual reading it with the necessary information to allow them to make the most of their experience with the club. The content of this handbook it is hoped will inspire a level of conduct and commitment within those wishing to be associated with the club, producing dedicated and enthusiastic ambassadors for the club. Moreover, it is hoped that in doing so the reputation and legacy of the club will be preserved and enhanced in future.

History of the CIACS (1946-present)

For many years the area surrounding Cardiff Docks has been known as Tiger Bay - a melting pot of multiculturalism and diversity rivalled by few other places in Wales and the UK. Despite its reputation as a tough neighbourhood, a strong sense of community and mutual appreciation is valued and maintained by its inhabitants.

Sometime during the summer of 1946 a group of young men living in Tiger Bay met in Loudon Square Park to discuss the formation of a Sports Club. Rugby was chosen as the game to play, shirts and a ball were acquired/traded from various other local teams and a committee was formed by enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers.

Cardiff Internationals Athletic Club or “The CIACs” was the name chosen for the club, with the intention of expressing the aim of the club: to embrace and unite all races and religions.

Without doubt the most famous CIAC player is Billy Boston. In his career he played rugby league for Wigan, scoring an incredible 478 tries for the club. He has been honoured in Rugby League's Hall of Fame and was the first non-white player selected to tour for the Great Britain Rugby League team, for whom he played 31 times.

Today “Cardiff Docks” is now “Cardiff Bay”; the old warehouses replaced with apartments, restaurants and attractions catering more for tourists and young people now than the industry and labour it once did. Despite the changes witnessed in its lifetime, Cardiff International Athletic Club and the message of unity and brotherhood that it wishes to share are ever relevant and important to us all. As a club it is our desire to allow our members to pursue healthy competition and camaraderie with friends through the sport of Rugby, now and for many years to come.

Club Values

Many of us have our own principles and values that we live our daily lives by. The CIACs have a core set of values that it is hoped its players will adopt during their involvement in the club:

Core Value

The CIACs have a long standing and proud history, particularly in defiance of social prejudices. The Motto of the club “Unus et Idem” (translated as “One and The Same”) is the principle at the very heart of the club: Anyone regardless of ability, age, social or racial background is most welcome to train and play at the CIACs, provided that they show a positive attitude and a good degree of commitment. No one is superior or inferior and all are together in friendship and unity – Unus et Idem.

Players Values

In a recent Players Annual General Meeting the players were asked to list several values that they personally believe a rugby club should have. Here are the players' top five values:-

Will to Win – Passion for playing and a healthy competitive attitude

Commitment – Show dedication to your team mates by training as often as you are able

Team Building – Encourage those who might need it and get to know your team mates better by making the most of social events

Team Work – Work together. Train and play without selfishness

Fairness – Play hard but play fair. Show respect for the opinions and circumstances of others.

Rules and Conduct

Training Rules

Unless otherwise specified by a member of the coaching team training commences at 6:30pm on Tuesday evening. The following rules are in place to allow the coaching team to be as effective as possible in the time that is allotted for training.

  1. Individuals participating in training should aim to be ready to commence training on time unless they have a valid reason. Being 'ready to commence training' means that Individuals should be present at the training location dressed in suitable kit (i.e. shorts/joggers, shirt/drill top, socks, boots and protective equipment that the Individual deems necessary).
  2. Individuals participating in training should ensure that they warm up and stretch to their own satisfaction before/during any warm-up activity, paying due attention to their injuries where necessary.
  3. Individuals participating in training should notify the coaches of any injuries or discomfort that they are experiencing, so that the coaching team are aware of their limitations.
  4. Individuals attending training without participating, such as those who have an injury preventing participation should behave so as to avoid disrupting proceedings.
  5. Individuals not attending training should contact the head coach or a senior member of the squad (i.e. Captain or Vice Captain) at the latest one hour before training is due to commence. This point is purely for the sake of being courteous to the coaching team, who may have to reconsider their training plan in light of absences.
  6. Socialising through banter and conversation is very welcome at training and is one of the main reasons people enjoy amateur sport. However, anyone attending training should avoid interrupting such things as coaches giving verbal instruction or training drills through persistent talking.
  7. Participating individuals should endeavour to take a positive attitude to training, completing drills and following instructions to the best of their abilities. In doing so they will benefit themselves and others.
  8. All those attending training, including the coaching team should ensure that the property of the club, such as balls and equipment is accounted for before and after training. Assistance in retrieving and securing equipment against loss or theft is very much appreciated.

Note: There may or may not be additional training on Thursday nights at 6:30pm. The coaching team will make it known, usually on the Tuesday night, if training will be taking place. Please contact a member of the coaching team if you are uncertain if Thursday night training is taking place or not (see Contact Information section)

Match Day Rules

  1. In order to allow the coaching team the opportunity to organise the team for a forthcoming game please notify a member of the coaching team of your availability no later than two days before a match under usual circumstances. Verbal notification following training on Tuesdays is perfectly acceptable.
  2. On match days players must meet at the Docks Conservative Club, no later than 12:30pm for an Away match and no later than 1:00pm for a Home match. Failure to arrive on time will result in a fine of £2, to be paid to the social secretary who will add the money to the kitty.
  3. Match day shirts will be provided by the club. Shorts, socks and club ties are available for purchase from Kenny Trottman (see Contact Information section). All match day squad members are expected to wear club shorts and socks. If squad members are unable to purchase such items from Kenny Trottman they are expected to wear black socks and black shorts.
  4. Squad members should ensure that they provide their own protective clothing, such as mouth guards and padding as they deem necessary. N.B. It is highly recommended that a mouth guard is purchased and worn.
  5. Squad members are expected to bring a shirt and tie to change into following the match. Shirts and ties are available from Kenny Trottman. If Squad members are not able to purchase such items they should instead bring a sky blue shirt and black tie. Failure to dress in tie will result in fine of £1 and failure to dress in a shirt will result in a fine of an additional £1, to be paid to the social secretary who will add the money to the kitty.
  6. Club members not involved in the Match day squad are encouraged to attend the match as spectators but should respect the need for the Squad to prepare physically and mentally as a unit. Those not involved in the Squad should avoid behaviour that might otherwise distract Squad Members prior to the match (e.g. entering the changing the changing rooms).
  7. During the match players are encouraged to play to the best of their abilities and to communicate with their team-mates in a positive manner
  8. During the match players are expected to play within the letter of the laws of the game.
  9. Players are asked not to strike opponents, regardless of provocation unless they have been deliberately struck first or in defence of a team-mate.
  10. During the match if a player is aggrieved or frustrated by the actions of their team-mates, the coaching team or the referee, they are asked to honour the value of Team Spirit and avoid negative outbursts, in favour of positive criticism. Feeling yourself getting wound up?: Count to Ten and calm down. Players are encouraged to discuss an issue with one other at a suitable time, such as after training or during the week and in a manner that seeks to improve the understanding and relationship between each other or to provide positive advice.
  11. Following the match Players must show respect to their team-mates, opponents, coaching team and match officials through shaking of hands etc.
  12. Players are encouraged to act with dignity and avoid unnecessary argument with the match officials, spectators, members of the public or opponents. Persistent failure to adhere to this and the previous three rules in successive games may result in Disciplinary proceedings being brought upon the player (see Discipline section).
  13. All players must return their match day shirt to the kit bag and should make an effort to wash their personal kit (shorts and socks) between matches.
  14. All Club members who attend any match are encouraged to show support to the CIACs Club House by purchasing a drink there following each match. This is not a mandatory requirement but such behaviour fosters a good relationship with the establishment, who have been gracious enough to host the club.
  15. Travelling sides must be made to feel welcome in the Club House, regardless of prior transgressions.
  16. At some point during the season any player present in the Club House following a match may be called upon to assist in the organisation of a raffle, which they are obliged to do so, unless personal circumstances dictate otherwise.
  17. Club members not directly involved in the match day Squad should not help themselves to food at the Club House until Squad members, opponents and match officials have had the opportunity to do so.
  18. All individuals present in the Club House should refrain from the use of Profane language as required by the rules of the Docks Conservative Club.
  19. During away matches Club Members must respect the property and Club House of the Home side and treat their hosts with gratitude following the match.

Other Important Rules

  1. Though occurrences are extremely rare verbal and physical bullying is strictly not tolerated by the club. Individuals should seek to openly condemn bullying should it occur and prevent it in future through non-aggressive confrontation or by raising it with an appropriate person in authority within the club.
  2. No-one associated with the CIACs should physically or verbally abuse members of the public who may be in the vicinity of training or a Match, unless an unacceptable degree of provocation or threat has occurred on the part of said member of the public. In the extremely unlikely event where conflict between any persons in the vicinity may occur, the situation should be resolved in a non-aggressive and certainly non-violent manner or referred to the appropriate authorities.

Subscription Fees (subs)

Subs are important to the function of the club as they pay referees' expenses, bills for training facilities , physios etc. . Players are currently expected to pay £20 per season of involvement with the club at the earliest possibly convenience. This amount may be subject to change, though will remain at £20 for the remainder of the '10/'11 season.

Players will find that they are not selected on match days if they cannot provide a valid reason for failing to pay. Obviously this is an awkward situation for Players, Coaches and Management and is one that all parties sincerely wish to avoid. Please be pro-active and seek to pay your subs as early as possible to a senior player or designated individual.

Players are expected to pay Subs either once they have attended training at least 5 times or played at least once, which ever event occurs first including pre-season training and/or games.

Discipline

Disciplinary action may be brought against those individuals found to be persistently infringing club rules. Disciplinary action is subject to the discretion of the committee.

The committee will contact those individuals whose conduct has been perceived to be unacceptable. Offending individuals will then have the right to state their case before the committee before any judgement is passed on the matter. In situations where discipline has been administered to a player by a referee and/or the Cardiff and District Union the following penalties be applied:-

  1. Yellow Card Offence - £5 fine to be paid by offending individual to Club Secretary or Coach
  2. Red Card Offence - £10 fine to be paid by offending individual to Club Secretary or Coach. Club imposed 1 match ban in addition to any ban or suspension imposed by the Cardiff and District Union
  3. Other Disciplinary Action – To be reviewed by the committee

N.B. An offending individual will not be permitted to represent the club until they have paid the appropriate penalty

Socialising

Socialising is actively encouraged within the club and the boys are noted for putting on some really awesome events. Individuals associated with the club are always welcome to suggest new and/or interesting events to the Social secretary (see Contact Information section), who will be more than happy to give them due consideration.

Charities and Fund raising

At present the club does not under take a great deal of Charity work or fund raising, save for organising mini and junior rugby at the club for children in the Bay, Grangetown, Butetown and Docks areas. Players are welcome to propose a charity for the club to officially sponsor, they are also more than welcome to volunteer to assist with the running of the minis and juniors (please contact Franklin Paris for more information on the minis and juniors – see Contact Information section)

Contact Information

Club House – Docks Conservative Club. Address: 11 Hunter Street, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF10 5GX - 029 2046 4047

Web Site –

Club Chairman – Aled Edwards07799 376 226

Fixture Secretary – Kenny Kahn02920 481 728

Head Coach – Jack Ward07968 908 427

Assistant Coach – Matthew Philips07967 316 048

Treasurer – Kenny Trottman07980 972 301

Club Captain – <TBC>

Vice Captain – <TBC>

Kit and Equipment – Kenny Trottman 07980 972 301

Junior& Mini section – Franklyn Paris07989 827 866

Payment of Subs – Chris Hedley07779 358 111

Social Secretary – Gareth Rossiter07772 891 357

Locations

KEY:

Point A – The CIACs clubhouse: Docks Conservative Club

Point B – Channel View Leisure Centre (Approximate Location)

Suggested Pre-season Weight training Program

The fitter and stronger you are, the more you will get out of any sport. The following is intended to provide initiates with some guidelines for getting into shape, ready for the rugby season. It is suitable for people who do not have their own fitness regimes at present, or wish to try a new one. More fitness programs will appear on the CIACs website in due course:

  1. Take pen and paper and write down the weights each time.
  2. Adjust the weight to match the reps as listed. If it says 6-8 and you can do 9 then its too light.
  3. Always warm up before starting
  4. This is designed to be a short sharp workout, you should take only 20 seconds rest between sets.
  5. This is a 2 day routine so you have 5 other days to work on speed, core, endurance etc.
  6. If you are unsure of any exercise check with Gym assistant.

Workout #1
EXERCISE / Set #1 / Set #2 / Set #3
Warm up
Squats - 6-8 Reps
Bench Press - 6-8 Reps
Incline Db Flyes - 5-9 Reps
Wide grip Pull-ups - failure Reps
Lat pull downs - 6-8 Reps
Upright Row - 3-6 Reps
Dips - Failure
Stretch - Cool down
Workout #2
EXERCISE / Set #1 / Set #2 / Set #3
Warm up
Dead lift - 6-8-Reps
Leg Press - 3-6 Reps
Hamstring Curl 6-8-Reps
Db Shoulder Press - 6-8-Reps
Lateral Db raises - 6-8-Reps
Overhead rope pull dows - 6-8
Bicep preacher curls - Failure
Stretch - Cool down