Hitchin RFC Mini & Youth Rugby
Important Dates
OPEN DAY is on Sunday 13th September 2009
Fancy giving rugby a try? why not pop along and meet the coaching teams and players, join in or just watch!
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Training is every Sunday except when there are Matches from 10.30 a.m. when new players are welcome to come along and play in introductory sessions – just watching is fine too! A great way to find out more and check out the game.
What is Mini & Youth Rugby?
Mini rugby is played from Under 7 to Under 12 (school years 2 to 7). The rules change for each age group so that the complexity of the game matches the development of the players. Under 7s and 8s play 7-a-side tag rugby, older groups play contact rugby (i.e. with tackling) with more players. Boys and girls can play in the same team.
Youth rugby is played from Under 13 to Under 19 (school year 8 upwards). It is 15-a-side and has a number of rule differences from adult rugby which are made for additional safety. Young men and women play in separate teams.
The Mini & Youth Rugby at Hitchin
The Mini and Youth Section was founded in 1988 by some intrepid players and parents, many of whom are still associated with our Club.
We are based at Hitchin RFC, Old Hale Way, Hitchin.
The Mini and Youth Section at Hitchin exists to make the game available to youngsters in the area. The aim is to make rugby fun, make the game available to all - regardless of ability - and promote the Rugby Union ethos.
We run sides from U7 to Colts – for boys and girls, young men and women. Many of our players go on to play for the senior Hitchin Club and some have gone on to County and Regional honours.
The Club is among the first in England, and was the first in Hertfordshire, to receive the RFU 'Seal of Approval' for its Community Rugby Active Sports Programme. We are delighted to announce that Our Seal of Approval has just been renewed and the RFU are delighted with our plans to develop rugby in the community.
Rugby is not only a great game in itself, it is associated with life skills such as discipline, fair play, restraint and good humour. However, the overriding importance is that our mini and youth members should enjoy the game in a caring and fun environment. We want to remain a highly social club and build on being one of the best and most welcoming clubs in Hertfordshire
Training
On Sunday mornings at 10.30 a.m. - officially begins at the Club on Sunday 7th September. Some of the Youth and older mini age groups may have additional sessions during the week.
We encourage parents to support the rugby endeavours of their children. Please try to participate and if your child is in any team from U7 to U12, a parent/carer must attend.
We aim that all of our coaches have at least Level 1 coaching qualifications. All are submitted for CRB clearance (as are all adults that are closely involved with rugby provision at the club). We will have "first line injury assistance" cover for morning home games and training.
What equipment do players need?
Boots. Football boots are OK, provided they have suitable studs. Combination metal/plastic studs are unsuitable as are metal blade studs. A set of screw-in metal studs are preferred and they can be used for football too – no need to change them over.
Mouth guards – the cheapest ones cost less than £2 and are fitted by softening them in boiling water and then moulding them to the teeth. The best ones are fitted by a dentist who will make an impression of the teeth and mould the mouth guard to that. Cost varies with dentists.
Shin pads are advisable at all age groups.
There is a club kit which is available in the club shop.
How Do Players Join?
We aim to run squads at every age group from U7 to Colts – some 12 groups! Contact points for each age group are listed on the contact page or appropriate age group page on this website. Or just come along on a Sunday morning and you will be made welcome.
Girls can play in all teams up to and including U12. We aim to run girls squads at U14 and U17 level.
How much does it cost?
We have always kept the family membership cost low to encourage as many members as possible. The Membership Fee is £40 per family for season 2009/2010, whatever the number of children in the family. There is normally 3 weeks free trial for new players but only registered players may play in matches against other clubs.
There are no match fees.
Coaching
The Mini and Youth Section has been the recipient of very generous sponsorship from Else Refining and Recycling and from the Hitchin Youth Trust. We are immensely grateful. These monies will help us improve the strengths of our coaching still further and develop our rugby in the community programme.
There are plans for specialist coaching for the coaches, the introduction of Speed, Agility and Quickness equipment and skills, online coaching manuals and more. This will all directly benefit our players and we look forward to every child fulfilling their potential.
Child Protection Policy
At Hitchin Rugby Club we believe that taking part in our sport should be a positive and enjoyable part of children's lives.
We want to make sure that children are protected and kept safe from physical, sexual and emotional harm while they are with Club's coaches, helpers and other volunteers. We have a Child Welfare Officer and a strictly enforced Child Protection Policy.
Saracens Partner Club
Our link with Saracens as a "Partner Club" has been a great success. Our under 8s played on the Vicarage Road pitch at half – time, our under 12s formed the Guard of Honour against Bristol, Shane Bryne and other players visited us at Hitchin and many, many families watched Premiership rugby at Vicarage Road through our discounted tickets scheme.
I am delighted to confirm that Hitchin RFC Mini and Youth Section will once again be a Partner Club to Saracens RFC for the season 2009-2010 which includes free membership to the "Sarries Squad" for all u7s to u12s! There will also be a new opportunity in season 09-10 for older players to join a new fan club - RuckXV.
For further information about playing or training, please contact us using our Contact Page
The club has been awarded the Seal of Approval by the RFU for the coaching and welfare of children & young persons, including child protection.
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