THIS WEEKEND’S PREVIEW
Another fun filled weekend of rugby for our Mini and Youth.
Best of luck to all of those Minis at festivals and those Youth players playing home and away.
WIN A LUNCH WITH WARREN GATLAND
Support our U15s in raising money for their ascension into the Academy by entering their exciting raffle and be in with a chance to have lunch with Warren Gatland. Click here to enter!
WATCH LIVE RUGBY AT THE PADDOCK
THE RUGBY PROJECT For 14 to 16 Year Olds Apply now for 2023/24 course
If you are based in Kent, aged between 14-16, and want to get RFU qualifications in coaching, refereeing, first aid, and gain other life skills that will look great on a CV or personal statement then this is the course for you. The aim of this course, which is now in its second year, is to build life skills and to find more ways for young people in Kent to get more deeply involved in rugby. The course is designed to help young rugby players to get their first insight into refereeing, first aid, and coaching, giving them the skills to safely build confidence in doing so and to support their clubs and the community with volunteering and fundraising. Just for a bonus, the first aid module gives participants UCAS points, and volunteering hours can be used for DofE volunteering.
We are really excited that this year’s course introduction and mental resilience sessions will be given by Kheron Gilpin, who is a former UK boxing champion, Nike ambassador and motivational speaker, who specialises in working with young people on mental resilience and improving their confidence.
With Mighty Oak, Grant Scandling part of the driving force, its an opportunity not to be missed. Find out more.
RUGBY IS…. COLD HANDS, WARM HEARTS
The festivals continued last Sunday, with Minis attending Edenbridge, Beckenham and Richmond. As you can see from the photos, festivals are veritable source of joy and growth - and a wonderful way of building team ethos.
The U12 Boys welcomed Aylesford to the Paddock, whist the U13, U14 and U15 Boys travelled to Canterbury, Westcombe Park and Tunbridge Wells Respectively.
Thank you to our amazing parents for this week’s photos. We particularly enjoyed the scrum photo from U14 Boys (credit: Jonny Hill), and the team photos.
HELP - WE NEED SOMEBODY…
After several years of organising the festival entry for our Minis, Jeb is stepping aside. A huge thank you to Jeb for all of her hard work.
Now we need someone to step up… please take a look and get in touch to find out more.
THIS SUNDAY’S PITCH PLAN
COMING SOON TO THE PADDOCK
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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All of our amazing parents should have received subs requests direct from Spond and most have paid.
It’s vital that all players are members, in order to be covered by the Club’s insurance and whilst there is a short grace period (primarily for members who are new to the club) we ask that this is paid as soon as possible as we enter weekend of fixtures and festival.
If anyone hasn’t received a request – we recommend checking the contact details on Spond in the first instance.
If there are any other issues, anyone can contact their age group lead or Andy McClinton, which includes anyone who needs financial support.
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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).
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Padded headgear / scrum caps has never been approved or marketed by World Rugby or the RFU to reduce the risk of concussion and there continues to be no conclusive evidence that wearing headguards reduces the chances of sustaining a concussion while playing or training.
Wearing a headguard should be the personal choice of the player and/or parent. While a headguard can provide some protection (e.g. covering the ears) and confidence (e.g. when introducing players to contact); there is a possibility that wearing protective equipment could potentially change a player’s behaviour (i.e. making them over confident and thus neglecting correct technique and risking further injury to themselves or others). Therefore, players and coaches are encouraged not to neglect correct technique, particularly in the tackle and ensure that players are aware of the purpose of headguards and their limitations.
We recommend that players talk to their coaches about the relative confidence of their child, when deciding whether a headboard is appropriate for them.
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Headcase is one of the UK’s leading concussion awareness and education resources. We take player safety extremely seriously, and this course is aimed at helping us prevent and manage suspected concussions.
COACHES
All of our coaches are required to complete “Headcase” training annually to be able to coach at the club and receive their free stash (which is on the high seas and on its way to us). Coaches can now see on their GMS dashboard whether this is up to date. You should log into GMS course finder (filter for “virtual”) to complete the course.
https://gms.rfu.com/GMS/coursefinder
PARENTS
We also invite the parents of mini and youth players (and youth players) to also complete the training or check out the guidance - it will help prepare them for if the worst should happen and give them insight into the return to play process.
https://rise.articulate.com/share/nc3KPjesYQrj5WjJ4tGS6Grs_ERkPY2Q#/
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The standard process is for a pitch inspection to be completed at 8am on Sunday mornings - NB this does NOT mean that a message will be sent at exactly 8am.
Often an inspection is also made the day before, if not sooner, with the aim of giving people as much notice as possible.
A message is sent to age group leads as soon as possible for them to cascade to their groups. Age groups should not make a unilateral decision to cancel home training or matches without consulting with the Head of Minis/Youth or the DoR.
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Rugby’s values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship are what makes the game special for those who enjoy the environment and culture they create.
They define the game and define England Rugby
Please remember that it is our collective responsibility to uphold and role model the values of our sport. Whether we are players, coaches, parents and/or spectators; we have a duty to role model the values to those around us, including our mini and youth players. So, please always show respect to each other on and off the pitch, to opposition, officials, staff and our fellow members.
RFU COURSES
New Course highlighted below!
We do have a limited budget available for coaches to attend courses appropriate to their age groups. Please contact Hendo for more information
SAFEGUARDING
All our volunteer coaches need to be DBS checked in order to coach at the Club and the club regularly monitors that its coaches are up to date. With the first check being completed this week, coaches can proactively check their status on GMS, or check with Hendo.
