We welcome new players, male and female, irrespective of ability; whether your child is a seasoned player looking for a new club, or they fancy giving it a go, there is space at A&C.

What is mini rugby about?

Mini rugby is a way of introducing children to the game of rugby and the rugby ethos. Our objectives are to provide an enjoyable sport for children (both boys and girls), to develop individual and team skills to their maximum potential, and to develop knowledge of and respect for the laws of the game. We support and enforce the RFU "TREDS" philosophy, and expect players and parents / guardians to do the same :-

Teamwork
Respect
Enjoyment
Discipline
Sportsmanship

We are committed to developing the highest possible rugby skills and techniques but at this age group, the focus is on development and enjoyment. Winning and losing do not matter - if a player walks off the pitch having given it 100%, then we can ask no more.

Mini rugby is played at Amersham & Chiltern RFC in accordance with the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) Regulations New Rules: Under 10s .

At Under 10 tackling is developed to include competition for the ball at the ruck and maul. The ruck and maul is a skill which requires a good deal of coaching, encouragement and confidence building and is restricted to the ball carrier and tackler plus 1 player from each side. Non-competitive 3 person scrums are also introduced at this age group.

The complexities such as competitive scrums and line-outs are added progressively with the objective of preparing children to play the adult game from Under 13. We accommodate children of all shapes and sizes and states of physical development. U10 is calculated according to the individual’s age on 1st September.

What we do
At Amersham & Chiltern we provide a structured framework for the coaching and playing of rugby. Each age group, in addition to having a Lead Coach and a number of coaches and a First Aider, also has an Age Group Organiser (AGO) who is the administrator for each age group and ensures that the age group operates smoothly. With the support of the Bucks RFU, the coaches, who are all parents or siblings of Minis, are required to attain at least Level 1 and are then encouraged to attend further coaching courses to develop their own skills. Indeed, our Mini Rugby section enjoys the greatest number of RFU and first aid qualified coaches in the county. Most sessions involves skills training followed by applying those skills in matches. We periodically have joint training sessions and fixtures with other local clubs and participate in a number of Mini tournaments at other local clubs during the season. Usually in October we host our own Mini Tournament of the season in which we expect 66 teams and over 900 children to participate.

What we expect from you
Mini rugby is a sport that is only possible through the interest and commitment of the children and their parents. In fact we expect parents to get involved if only to keep warm on winter’s mornings! We are not a crèche - in fact, a responsible adult should be present at the club during training. Sessions run from 9.30am until 11.30am on Sundays a prompt start allows everyone to get full value from the session – please help the coaches by arriving on time. You should tell us of particular allergies, medicines or health concerns of your children. If they are not well on a particular Sunday please don’t bring them!

Kit and protective equipment
A full range of kit in club colours is available either from the Clubhouse. Your age group Lead Coach will advise on equipment but parents are ultimately responsible.

Use of a properly fitting mouth guard is mandatory. Players will not be permitted to take part in training if they do not have one.

Other protective equipment, such as headguards and body armour, are at the players / parents discretion. If you're not sure, then speak to other parents or the coaches for a view.

In cold weather, please make sure that your child has warm and waterproof clothing preferably in ‘layers’. Gloves may be worn - we would advise against wool / cotton and go for man-made sport specific gloves as they will help a child maintain control of the ball whilst preventing them getting cold. We always stop for a refreshment break. You should ensure that your child brings a drink and a small snack. Our experience is that non-fizzy drinks are much more effective for re-hydration.

Safety and Child Protection
We have a keen focus on safety encompassing appropriate warm up routines, the use of protective clothing, provision of first aid and the use of exercises appropriate to the age and physical development of the children. The Club takes its responsibilities in this area very seriously and has appointed three Child Welfare Officers to ensure that we take a proactive approach including appropriate background checks. As long as you register your child each Sunday morning with your Age Group Organiser, your child is covered by our insurance policy which has been organised through the RFU.

Membership
Once your child has tried mini rugby for a few weeks we expect him or her to become a member of the Club. This ensures that you enjoy the full benefits of Club membership. Minis and parents are also encouraged to support the senior teams on Saturdays. The membership form details the fees for the season. Please help us by paying promptly.

Other Matters
From time to time there will be opportunities to participate in social events and fundraising activities. Sponsorship opportunities are also available particularly for the Mini tournament in October. Please contact your Age Group Organiser if you would like to know more.

Other parents and coaches are the best source of advice but please feel free to ask if you are unsure of anything. Useful websites include www.chilternrugby.com and www.rfu.com.

If you would like to find out more about joining the Amersham & Chiltern U10s please contact me on the email address above.

We hope you and your children have an enjoyable season at Amersham & Chiltern RFC.