With regards
Introduction
Welcome to Devonport Services Rugby Football Club, the Sporting Blues affiliated to the Royal Navy Rugby Union. Our aim is to provide rugby for all in a safe and welcoming environment and our youth structure is open to any child who would like to participate in this great sport. We firmly believe in the guiding principles of the game which are Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship. The club has achieved the RFU Seal of Approval. We hope you find the following induction guide of use and look forward to welcoming you to a long and enjoyable time with the club.
Age Groups
The Youth structure of the club is divided into age groups Under 7 to Under 16. Each age group is led by a Lead Coach and a Parent Representative. They are your main point of contact and their details can be found on the club website.
U7 – U12 are provided with match socks & a match shirt and we ask you to provide blue shorts and boots. U13 – U16 are provided with numbered match shirts, match socks and shorts. On paying membership all players are provided with a No1 shirt. We expect all players to shower and change after every game and change into this shirt and wear a club tie, school trousers and shoes. It is expected that all players join their team and opposition for a post match meal.
Girls aged Under 12 can participate in mixed mini rugby, played within the RFU Continuum. However we also have a separate Girls Structure in U13, U15 & U18 Levels. The U13 girls’ age band is permitted to include U11s, U12s and U13s girls.
Additional kit, track suits, bags etc may be purchased although we have only one official supplier who are http://kitworld.uk/.
We expect that families will remain at the club during training and games to support their child and their team. Should you need to leave the club grounds for any reason please ensure that you notify the Parent Rep beforehand and ensure that you remain fully contactable or nominate another responsible adult to care for your child in the case of emergency.
It is important to note that our club policy is that all players who play contact rugby (U9 onwards) must wear a mouth guard during training and games.
Registration
Each child is entitled to three taster sessions which will take place on Sunday mornings. After these sessions you will be asked to register your child. We ask you to complete a registration form and provide a digital photo of your player’s head & shoulders together with the membership fee, currently £75 for the eldest child and £70 for each sibling.
On registering with the club each player will be provided with an official RFU registration card which will allow them to play competitive games. Without this card your child is not covered by RFU insurance against injuries sustained on the field of play.
We encourage family membership, currently £25 which entitles you to amongst other things to enter prize draws for international tickets, vote at the AGM & member prices at the bar.
Communications
There are a number of ways that you can communicate with the club and its members.
1. The best way to communicate is by coming down to the club and supporting the sporting activities and socialising afterwards.
2. If you wish to write to us the address is:-
Devonport Services Rugby Football Club
Second Avenue
Devonport
Plymouth
Devon
PL1 5QE
3. Tel: 01752 562948 - You can contact your Lead Coach or Parent Rep directly.
4. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sporting.blues
5. Our website is at www.pitchero.com/clubs/devonportservices/
Volunteering
All Coaches and Parent Reps are volunteers but benefit from the help of players’ parents in a number of ways such as kitchen duties, support with organising kit, coaching and refereeing, fund raising, sponsoring etc. If you feel you can help in any way please see your Parent Rep. Any training for these activities will be funded by the club and where possible provided at the club.
Child Protection
The safety of children is paramount. The club has a fully trained Safeguarding Officer who will deal with matters immediately they are reported. It is club policy that all volunteers who have contact with the children are fully vetted by the disclosure and barring service (DBS).
No un-vetted persons are allowed in the changing area.
We allow the taking of photographs during games. We will ask you on the registration form if you would allow photographs being taken of your child which may appear on the club website & local media. Please note that a parent of a child in your team or in the opposition team may object to photographs being taken. Please see your Parent Rep or Lead Coach before taking photographs.
Selection Policy
We play for enjoyment and we play to win but not at all cost. All players are entitled to equal game time whatever their ability provided that they attend training sessions and are fit to play. The Lead Coach of each age group has the final decision on selection but in doing so they will consider the number of games played by each player, attendance at training and the relative strength of the opposition. We ask our Parent Reps to record the amount of game time played by each player to assist the coaches with their team selections.
U13 – U16 play in knockout competitions. The U16s play in the Fisherman’s league. During these games Lead Coaches are entitled to pick the strongest team available.
Code of Conduct
We expect that, for the enjoyment of all and the good name of the Rugby Club, while at the club, and also when visiting opposition venues, all players, coaches and spectators adhere to the codes of conduct in the annexes. Those who fail to keep within these guidelines can expect to be challenged by a club official and if deemed serious enough, asked to appear before the disciplinary committee.
Darren Fisher
Chairman of Youth Rugby
Devonport Services Rugby Football
Devonport Services Rugby Football Club
Player’s Code of Conduct
TEAMWORK RESPECT ENJOYMENT DISCIPLINE SPORTSMANSHIP
THE GOOD PLAYER’S CODE
Players are encouraged to:
• Recognise and appreciate the efforts made by teachers, coaches, parents, match officials and administrators in providing the opportunity for you to play the game and enjoy the rugby environment.
• Understand the values of loyalty and commitment to adults and team mates.
• Recognise that every young player has a right to expect their involvement in rugby to be safe and free from all types of abuse.
• Understand that if an individual or group of young players feel they are not being treated in a manner that is acceptable, then you have a right to tell an adult either at the rugby club or outside of the game.
Players should:
• Play because you want to do so, not to please coaches or parents.
• Remember that skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important parts of the game.
• Be attentive at all training and coaching sessions.
• Work equally hard for yourself and your team - both will then benefit.
• Recognise good play by all players on your team and by your opponents.
• Be a sportsman - win or lose.
• Play to the Laws of the Game and accept, without question, all referees’ decisions.
• Control your emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of team mates, opponents, or match officials is not acceptable.
• Treat all players, as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take advantage of any player.
Devonport Services Rugby Football Club
Parent’s Code of Conduct
TEAMWORK RESPECT ENJOYMENT DISCIPLINE SPORTSMANSHIP
Parents / Spectators Code
· Stay off the pitch
· Do not verbally abuse players, match officials, fellow spectators or coaches. Such behaviour can create a negative environment for young players and their behaviour will often reflect this.
· Do not abuse referees. Remember they are volunteers providing an opportunity for youngsters to play rugby.
· Condemn bad language, rude behaviour and violence.
· Teach your child that victory is not everything.
· Encourage and applaud good play by both teams. Acknowledge effort and good performance rather than the "win at all costs" ethic.
· Remember that players play rugby for their own enjoyment, not that of their parents.
· Encourage players to improve their skills by practice.
· Keep your Lead Coach or Parent Rep informed of your child’s availability.
· Do not encourage under-age drinking.
· Take an active part in the Club’s activities.
· Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that their child has the necessary kit for training and matches, including mouth guards and correct studs.
· Parents/guardians are responsible for informing their child’s Coach and Parent Rep of any illness or injury, however minor, which may affect their child’s ability to train or play in a match.
· Remember club officials are volunteers.
Devonport Services Rugby Football Club
Coaches Code of Conduct
TEAMWORK RESPECT ENJOYMENT DISCIPLINE SPORTSMANSHIP
In rugby union, coaches of young players should:
• Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching young players. Most learning is achieved through doing.
• Appreciate the needs of the players before the needs of the sport.
• Be a positive role model – think what this implies.
• Keep winning and losing in perspective – encourage young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
• Respect all referees and the decisions they make (remember it could be you refereeing next week) and ensure that the players recognise that they must do the same.
• Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner to all young players, both during coaching sessions and games.
In rugby union, coaches of young players must:
• Provide experiences, which are matched to the young players’ ages and abilities, as well as their physical and mental development.
• Ensure all youngsters are coached in a safe environment, with adequate first aid readily to hand.
• Avoid the overplaying of the best players, by using a squad system, which gives everybody a satisfactory amount of playing time.
• Never allow a player to train or play when injured.
• Ensure good supervision of young players, both on and off the field.
• Recognise that young players should never be exposed to extremes of heat, cold, or unacceptable risk of injury.
• Develop an awareness of nutrition as part of an overall education in lifestyle management.
• Recognise that it is illegal for young players under 18 to drink alcohol.
• Ensure that your knowledge and coaching strategies are up to date and in line with RFU philosophy.
• Be aware of, and abide by, the policies and procedures outlined in the RFU Child Protection Guidance Booklet.
Important note:
Coaches working with young players up to the age of 12 must follow the guidelines laid down by the RFU Rugby Continuum. Coaches working with young players aged 13+ must be aware of the Under 15 and Under 19 law variations, including those that apply to cross border matches.