Primarily, coaches are volunteers - often parents - who coach the age group all the way from Under 5s to Under 15s. Many are former players (at Sevenoaks and elsewhere) and there are several current players

All our coaches complete a mandatory level of training and are DBS certified.

If you’re interested in volunteering as a coach in an age group, please let your Head Coach know. If you’re interested in volunteering in another capacity, please do get in touch with henley.srfc@gmail.com and/or keep an eye open for vacancies published by the Club.

Absolutely! We welcome children to try out for a few sessions (usually up to 4) before making a longer term commitment

The season runs from September to April - precise dates are communicated year to year. Youth age groups (Under 12s and above) also hold some preseason training from July.

Absolutely! We aim to be as inclusive as possible and we do not ordinarily limit numbers per age groups as we are extremely fortunate with the number of volunteer coaches we have available.

Absolutely, although we suggest you contact a coach beforehand to confirm exact time and location for that weekend (see above detail)

We offer rugby to girls and boys from U6 (Reception) to U18 (Year 13).

At the moment we don’t offer any rugby for those younger than Reception age.

We only permit players to play out of their age group in extremely exceptional circumstances and with an adequate rationale and only provided it is safe for all children. Additionally, to play out of age group requires permission from the Kent RFU, after being approved by the Head of Minis and Youth or Head of Youth and Academy Girls (as appropriate) and the Director of Rugby.

Sevenoaks Rugby asks all parents of Mini players in the U5s, 6s, 7s, 8s and 9s to remain on site and pitch-side during training and matches. Only by exception can they be absent and then they must nominate another adult to take responsibility for their child and inform the relevant coach and the player.

We find that some players in these groups can get upset if they are left alone and sometimes need emotional support from a parent or adult they recognise.

For parents of Mini players in the U10s and 11s that do not remain pitch side they must inform the coach and the player and remain contactable (or nominate another adult to take responsibility).

Predominantly we train at Knole Paddock on Sundays, but we’re also very to have use of Lady Boswell’s (next to the Paddock) and a 3G pitch at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys Sevenoaks Campus (TWGSB). We also host or visit other clubs for festivals and matches. Please check with the relevant age group lead on where the group is each week.

KNOLE PADDOCK: Plymouth Drive, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3RP

TWGSB SEVENOAKS: Seal Hollow Rd, Sevenoaks TN13 3SN

Player and volunteer welfare is at the heart of the our Mini and Youth Programme and we adhere to the RFU’s Rugby sage Programme, to develop a positive player welfare culture and keep our community healthy.

This includes training our coaches and ensure they are all DBS qualified and ensuring appropriate first aid provision is in place.

We also work hand in hand with the Club’s medical department who provide additional medical support to the Mini and Youth section when needed.

For your first sessions, players must wear sports attire and footwear appropriate for the weather conditions (we can often help find boots if needeed) and bring a bottle of water. For contact, players must where a gum shield.

We provide the balls, bibs, cones and fun!

For more information talk to your age group lead.

Training sessions usually run for 60 to 90 minutes depending on the age group and this will include drinks breaks and debriefs. We may shorten sessions if the weather (and safety) necessitates.

Please note that timings for matches and festivals can vary.

Please talk to your age group lead for more information

Once you’re happy your child wants to join (we allow up to 4 sessions to settle in) we require an annual membership subscription to be paid.

We believe our annual subscription represents great value for the number of sessions, the quality of service and the facilities on offer over the course of your journey through the mini and youth set up.

We also offer discounts for families with multiple children and we are open to talk with any prospective or current member about finding a solution that works should affordability become a concern at any point - either talk to your age group lead or contact henley.srfc@gmail.com

Player safety and wellbeing is at the heart of what we do.

For U5s to U8s we only play Kids First Tag Rugby - a fast, fun, non contact format of the game, focussing on the core skills of catch, pass, run and the introduction of a tag as a tackle, whilst fostering personal and social skills in a safe, inclusive environment. ​All players wear a Velcro belt, including two tags, one on each hip. The tag occurs when the defending player pulls a tag from the ball carrier, representing the tackle. ​

From U9s we start to introduce contact, but always do so in a graduated way - including with how to fall properly! This is tailored to the group and individuals and new players are never thrown in the deep end - regardless of when they join in the season.

No experience necessary. We focus on inclusivity and cater for all abilities and experience. From U9s - our graduated approach to introducing contact means that whenever your child joins they will be introduced to contact at a rate that suits them

You don’t need to buy Sevenoaks kit to train and we recommend trying out for a few weeks before buying. When it comes to matches and festivals looking the part is extremely helpful for the team and individual, but we do have second hand kit available and are open to helping anyone who needs it to access the game.

Talk to your age group lead to find out more.

The Club Kit can be brought online via our Club Shop, but we also invite your to visit our shop - for new and second hand kit and is open on Sunday Mornings throughout the season.

Absolutely. Being inclusive is a core value of the Club and players are welcome to join throughout the season. Either come along on a Sunday morning or (to make sure you’re in the right place) contact the relevant age group lead using the contact details above.

Young people, above all else, they want to have fun playing rugby with their friends. Both expert opinion and the RFU’s own research have shown that emphasis has historically been placed on winning, with evidence of over playing the able players and under playing those less able players to achieve results.

Age Grade Rugby puts inclusivity and each player’s skill development first, with the increasing intensity of competition introduced later. Young players will start with festivals and triangulars and progress to knockouts, tournaments and leagues as they get older and develop their game.

We believe in playing mixed ability teams, especially at primary school ages. Players should be grouped by their confidence, competence in the contact elements of the game, and emotional capability.

We don’t support fixed “A”, “B”, “C” teams where the “A Team” receives increased playing and training opportunities, better resources and access to the best coaches. Where players are repeatedly separated, opportunities to develop and progress are limited.

In situations where coaches recognise differences between secondary age players (U12 – U19), differentiation in small-sided games is appropriate. This will have a positive impact if players feel they are being given inclusive and practical opportunities to participate.