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Northern Mini/Youth Section Information Sheet

2007/2008 Season

Attention: THIS SHEET CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION, PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ IT

Welcome to Northern Mini and Youth rugby. After an extremely successful season last year we are keen to continue on with the same dedication, effort and purpose to ensure that we go from strength to strength, not only on the field but also off the field. With this in mind we would like to draw your attention to the following:

Membership

Membership fees for the full season are currently £50 payable to Northern Football Club which represents fantastic value in comparison to other sports courses and children’s activities. Children must be members to be covered under both Northern’s and RFU’s insurance policies. Parents can join as a parent member for £10. A membership form is attached and can also be obtained from the age group coaches or the website. The registration fees go to Northern FC and pay for the running of the club and upkeep of facilities, The Mini / Youth sections rely upon income from the Tuck Shop, organised events and the very generous sponsorship of Metnor Plc, UNW, Sanderson Young, and UBS. With this income we are able to pay for equipment, trophies, medical bags, St John’s ambulance and subsidise tours and away fixtures.

RFU Registration – new players

Every child who plays at Northern Mini/Youth section MUST be registered with the RFU and membership forms can be obtained from age group coaches or Tim Peyton who has again very kindly offered to manage the task of collating all the forms and will be found in the McCracken Suite on Sunday mornings in early September.

Both Club membership and RFU registration forms must be completed and submitted by any new players before end Sept 07

Kit

The order / purchasing system and the sale of all kit will be managed by Susan Dixon and Sanchia Coatsworth who have once again very kindly volunteered to organise everything. The kit shop will be open every Sunday for September and October 10.30am – 11.30am and subject to demand thereafter, where kit can be purchased and ordered. However, if you wish to contact Susan or Sanchia, place an order or check up on an order, please feel free to email them or find them at the U10’s pitch. Payment MUST be made by cheque. In addition to this we have also added a dedicated “Kit page” to the Website where you can print off order forms and get information regarding delivery timescales etc and it will be possible to order any new kit prior to the season to be ready for 2^nd Sept, details of which will be on the website. We will hold a large stock of shirts, shorts and socks which can be purchased immediately.

Website – www.northernminis.com

We are constantly striving to improve the website and it is an excellent way to find out about what’s happening at the club, allowing coaches to post relevant information each week regarding training, team selection tournaments, match reports etc which last year enabled us to vastly reduce the need for weekly emails. It will also provide information about social events and coaching courses. The website is password protected to ensure we comply with child protection requirements and enable us to post photographs. It is especially important to check the website in the event of inclement weather (waterlogged or frozen pitches) to confirm if training / matches are still on. Go to Mini or Youth teams tabs at top of page.

Training

Training takes place at McCracken Park on Sunday mornings from 10.30 – 12.00 starting on 2^nd September until the last Sunday in April. During the winter parents MUST ensure that players (particularly at U7’s and U8’s) are suitably dressed with tracksuits, hats and gloves if necessary. All players should bring a drink with them.

Age Groups

We run age groups for children from Under 7’s to Under 16’s (Under 12’s for girls). A players age group age is determined by their age on 1^st September at the beginning of the season. No player under the age of 5 years at this date may participate, players under 6 years may join and participate in the training sessions at the coaches discretion but may NOT play in any matches until their 6^th birthday. These rules are set by the RFU Continuum. Please note most of our age groups (excluding U7’s) are full for the season . If you are interested in joining you should contact the age group coach for further information rather than turn up at the club on a Sunday and risk  being disappointed. The U7's age group will be limited to 50 children and will operate on a first come, first in basis.

Gum Shields, Boots and Protective Gear

Northern FC recommends that all children wear dental fitted gum shields during training sessions and matches. At the start of the season we arrange for a dentist to take casts and supply fitted gum shields at cost. Boots must be fitted with approved (kite marked) aluminium studs or moulded rubber blades. Head guards and other items of body protection are subject to individual choice.

Child Welfare

Our coaches are CRB checked and we follow the RFU’s policy on Child Welfare as well as the Equal Opportunity/Sports Equity Policy.

Health and Safety

We take this opportunity to remind parents of children in the younger age groups that they should remain at Northern to supervise at all times during training and matches. Coaches are not responsible for children before and after the session or during breaks. Coaches have been advised by child protection officers that they should not be responsible for taking children to the toilet, putting on bibs or tag belts. This is the parents responsibility. In cold weather, sessions often finish early and you should be available to collect your child.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES are dogs allowed on the pitches whether on a lead or not. The health and safety of our children is more important than the need to exercise your dog.

There is a  NO SMOKING policy throughout the premises.

Coaching

Northern FC has over 25 RFU qualified coaches and each age group is headed by a lead coach supported by other qualified coaches. In accordance with the RFU Continuum, U7’s and U8’s play non contact Tag rugby followed by a gradual structural development until U13’s when they begin the full 15 a side game. Matches are arranged with local clubs and touring sides throughout the season.

If anyone is interested in coaching they should speak to their age group coach. There are a number of RFU run coaching sessions, details of which are available on both the Northern and RFU Websites. It is strongly advisable that you attend a course if you are interested in being involved. It is also necessary for you to be CRB checked, which can be arranged through the club. Finally, please remember that when you coach at Northern FC you coach all the children and not just your child.

Fixtures

The initial fixture list for the Mini’s is arranged by Northumberland RFU and deliberately leaves space for us to arrange matches with teams from outside the County. This is an important part in the development of the players who become accustomed to playing against the same teams. This does put a further burden on our resources as it involves more visiting teams and away fixtures however we due believe it is essential.

Tours

Touring is an integral part of Rugby and something that we are very keen to encourage. In previous years we undertook taking the full mini section to the London Irish Tournament which involved an enormous amount of time and dedication to organise which resulted in the most fantastic weekends for both children and boys. We have decided this year that each age group will again arrange their own Tour if they so wish and coaches will keep you informed.

Clubhouse Facilities

Teas, coffees, soft drinks, hot dogs etc are available in the downstairs McCracken suite on Sunday Mornings. The shop is run by parents who volunteer their services as all the profits go straight into the Youth/Mini budget. We desperately need volunteers and anyone interested should contact Katie Reavley on a Sunday morning. We will be organising a rota for each age group to provide volunteers only two or three times each during the season – further details to follow. Its your club – SUPPORT IT !!!

The bar is open from 12 noon each Sunday and you are welcome to stay and have a drink. Children must remove their boots before entering the clubhouse.

Parking

The parking at Northern is poor and to that end we would ask that anyone who is just dropping off their child, drops them at the bus stop adjacent to the club and that they gain  access via the side gate. This avoids the situation where the car park is jammed up by people trying to leave as others arrive at a very busy time. For those staying we must remind you that parking on the grass verges outside the club on the Great North Road is not permitted and the police have informed us that they will issue tickets. Over the 2007 / 2008 season there will be further disruption due to the ongoing development of the flats, however, ground conditions permitting we will be able to use the overflow parking area adjacent to the training pitch, access to which has been improved over the summer. We strongly advise you to car share, walk, cycle etc to help ease the congestion which is particularly bad in December when a Christmas Tree business operates from the car park.

Volunteers / Helpers

We are very proud of our community atmosphere at Northern Mini/Youth with all the committee, coaches and helpers giving their time voluntarily. Any further volunteers are always welcomed as every season it appears that it is the same valuable people doing all the work so if you feel you could help in the Tuck shop, administration / fixtures, Mini Festival please contact us. Our first request for help is with the BBQ on Sunday 2^nd September.

Mini Festival

The first major occasion in the clubs diary is the Mini Festival on 28^th October. This date has been allocated to us by Northumberland RFU and the County fixtures have been arranged around it. Unfortunately, as with last year it coincides with the end of the half term holidays. Further details will be available early in the season and will be posted on the website.

Annual Youth / Mini Ball

Last May we held our second Ball at the South North Cricket Centre and it proved to be one of the best nights of the year. We intend to hold the Ball again next year in early May  so keep your diaries free. Whilst it was a fantastic social event it also proved to be an invaluable money raiser and your continued support will be greatly appreciated.

Sponsors

Although the Mini/Youth section does all it can to raise its own funds we still rely very heavily on very generous sponsorship and we would like to offer great thanks for the continued support of Metnor plc, Sanderson Young, UBS and UNW. All involved in the Sponsorship have children playing at the club and the success and future of the mini/youth section is important to them. Once again, many thanks.

For further information or advice please do not hesitate to contact us or the relevant age group coach.

U 7	John Williamson		john147@talktalk.net
U8	Bobby MacFarland	0191 2170390	robert.mcfarland@ncl.ac.uk
U9	Dave Humphries	07977 239944	davehumphrey@blueyonder.co.uk
U10	Jonathan Brown	01661 852107	Jonathan.Brown@ubs.com
U11	Steve Duncan	07791 964339	steve@duncanHR.co.uk
U12	Dave Thomas	0191 2857138	davidthomas.drive@blueyonder.co.uk
U13	Tim Williams	07824 398090	timathome@talk21.com
U14	Robin Mackie	0191 2817380	robin@the-mackies.com
U15	Ian Douglas	0191 2367463	Doog@pol236.fsnet.co.uk
U16	Steve Hodgson		shodgson@post.com

Enjoy the season.

Mark Reavley

Chairman Northern Mini Section

0191 2461163  mreavley@blueyonder.co.uk

NORTHUMBERLAND RFU FAIR PLAY CODE

Parents should:

·        Remember that young people play rugby for their own enjoyment not that of their parents

·        Encourage young people to play – do not force them

·        Focus on young players’ efforts rather than winning or losing

·        Provide positive feedback both in training and during a game

·        Support the club in their efforts to eradicate loud, coarse and abusive behaviour from the game

·        Always show appreciate of good play by ALL young players both from your own club and the opposition

·        Respect decisions made by the match officials and encourage young players to do likewise

Players should:

·        Remember skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important parts of the session/game

·        Work equally hard for yourself and your team

·        Recognise good play by ALL players on your team and by your opponents

·        Play to the laws and spirit of the game – accept without question, all the referee’s decisions

Spectators should:

·        Embrace the ethos of FUN, ENJOYMENT and SKILL DEVELOPMENT

·        Act as positive role models to all young players

·        Respect match officials’ decisions

·        NEVER VERBALLY ABUSE YOUNG PLAYERS, MATCH OFFICIALS, FELLOW SPECTATORS OR COACHES

·        Condemn bad language, rude behaviour and violence

·       Encourage ALL youngsters, never ridicule any individual player

Remember – It’s only a game!