Welcome.
AGE GRADE RUGBY AT TIVERTON RFC.
Hello and welcome to Tiverton RFC, Devon’s oldest rugby club – established in 1868. Whether you are a parent who is new to the club and/or rugby, or if you’re a parent that has already been with us for a season or more, this handy guide is designed to be a one stop shop for all the information you may need.
Tiverton has a great junior section providing rugby for Under 8s all the way through to U16s. More specific information can be found here on each age grade but our overall aim is to allow youngsters to enjoy playing rugby in a safe, supportive environment that focusses on the core values of rugby: TREDS – Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship. Our Junior Section is all about having fun, developing skills and making friends for life.
Safety.
SAFEGUARDING AND PLAYER WELFARE.
Safety is our primary concern. Rugby is a physical game with inherent risks. We work with you and your child to minimise those risks and to create an environment where your child feels safe and able to have fun and express themselves.
Our Safeguarding Officer (SO) is Corrina Summerton, and she can be contacted by email (Safeguarding@TRFCjuniors.co.uk) or in person, at the club. Here is a link to our Club Safeguarding Policy:
The SO oversees all things ‘safeguarding’ but the Club sees the wellbeing of young people as everybody’s responsibility: Coaches, Players and of course you, the parents & carers. We expect everyone to be treated with dignity and respect and to be given the opportunity to be their best. Should you ever have any concerns, please speak to either the Safeguarding Officer, your child’s Coach or the Junior Chair.
All of our coaches and referees are volunteers, willingly giving their time to ensure the children get to play rugby. All are DBS checked and will have attended all the relevant RFU courses for safe practice. This includes completing the online Headcase (Concussion Awareness) and Safeguarding courses annually. These are online courses which are free and provided by the RFU to anyone on the GMS system (more on that later). It is desirable for anyone who can, to complete these courses as safety of the players is everyone’s responsibility. Your child’s coach, the Safeguarding Officer or the Junior Chair can point you in the right direction if needed.
Here is the link for the concussion awareness course: https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/playing/headcase
It is all too easy, especially during the heat of the game, to be critical of players or officials and make negative comments about the referee or opposition. Within the rugby family, this kind of behaviour is unacceptable. It is important that everyone shows discipline and respect as dissent of this nature will not be tolerated by the Club. Please see the Code of Conduct which outlines our responsibilities around this. Once again, concerns can be raised with the Coaches, Safeguarding Officer or Junior Chair.
RugbySafe is the RFU’s game wide player welfare awareness campaign that aims to ensure that all rugby is played in a safe and enjoyable environment. Our RugbySafe Lead is Julie Grabham (RugbySafeLead@TRFCjuniors.co.uk). Julie’s role involves managing our EFAs (Emergency First Aiders), improving Regulation 9 (Player Safety) standards and promoting awareness and good practice of other player welfare initiatives. CLICK HERE to see the full Role Description
We know that there might be medical or special educational needs (SEND) which some children have, which impact on their participation. It is vitally important you make the club aware of any of these, especially medical conditions so that we can provide the best experience for your child. This information will remain confidential and will only be shared with those who need to know to support the provision for your child. From time to time, photos or videos of players may be taken and appear in the media, for example to accompany a match report. If you do not want photographs or videos to be taken of your child, please ensure your child’s coach is made aware. When registering on GMS, there are tick boxes to agree to medical information, emergency contact information and photo distribution. If for any reason you are unhappy with ticking these, please also inform your child’s coach as they may not have access to the GMS data.
If you are considering using social media in connection with one of our teams, please speak to your child’s Coach and the Safeguarding Officer to ensure this is acceptable.
RESTRICTIONS IN PLAYING TIME
There have been recent changes to the restrictions around playing times and ‘minutes per month’ etc. Our Junior Section Rugby Safe Lead has therefore released a statement. CLICK HERE to see it
Admin.
MEMBERSHIP, REGISTRATION, TRAINING & MATCH FEES.
At the start of every season, every player (new or existing) must pay their Club Membership, and ensure they are Affiliated to the Club on the RFU’s GMS system before they can play.
CLUB MEMBERSHIP
First things first, – come along on a Wednesday night or a Sunday morning and check out what it’s all about. Your first couple of sessions will be completely free of charge.
If you like what you see, have fun and want to join the club – then that’s great! Club Membership (£15 for a Junior Player) is due each season and can be paid for online via GMS. If you prefer, Membership forms are available in the clubhouse and payment can be made over the bar by cash, or via a BACs payment. Make sure you let your Age Grade Coach know what you’re doing.
As a player at an RFU affiliated club, you are automatically provided with public liability and personal accident insurance. See more here.
AGE GRADE REGISTRATION
Age Grade Affiliation will be referred to as ‘Player Registration’ in the Age Grade game from 23/24. See the RFU Guide here:
This guide will show how a parent/guardian can complete a ‘Player registration’ for a new child/Age Grade player. (For ‘Renewing a Player Registration’ please see below).
Once you have an account and added on your child to your account (see the guide ‘How to Create an Account‘), then on the ‘Personal Profile Dashboard’ there should be a notification in the ‘What Next?’ Green box to action a ‘Player Registration’ for your child.
Simply click on this link in the dashboard for the ‘Register to a club’ for your child and complete the Player Registration Form, then click ‘SAVE’. You will then receive an automated email and your club will need to approve the player registration and once they do, then your child will be an active registered player and ready to play rugby.
RENEW AGE GRADE CHILD REGISTRATION PROCESS
Age Grade Players that were ‘Registered’ in 22/23 can ‘Re-Register’ to their club (as of the 3rd July 2023) without the need for club administrators to approve, only new ‘Registrations’ require club approval.
Please see the RFU Guide here:
MATCH & TRAINING FEES
As well as Membership, – Match & Training fees are payable, too. These cover Club costs such as after match meals and access to the facilities on training nights and match days. Every Age Grade will have a volunteer who looks after the collection of match & training fees – so please liaise with them for details. The Club very much believes that every child who wishes to play rugby should have that opportunity. We know that at times money can be tight for families and match fees and kit can be tricky to pay for. Should this be the case, there are ways we can support. Please have a discrete word with your child’s Coach or the Junior Chair. Such conversations will remain confidential and only be shared with those necessary to solve the problem.
FURTHER RESOURCES
RFU Regulation 15 – Age Grade Rugby
Age Grade Rugby – Codes of Practice
If you need help with this, please liaise with your child’s coach, or the Junior Chair.
Rugby.
KIT REQUIRED.
Players must wear a gum shield during matches and contact training sessions. These are available at most sports retailers. Should you need specialist advice regarding gum shields, please speak to your child’s dentist. Without a gum shield they will not be allowed to play. Boots can be rugby or football boots. They must only have studs which are designed for rugby. These will be fully metal and carry the British Standard Kite Mark. This is a safety issue as other types of stud can wear and have sharp edges.
To start with, whilst your child decides whether rugby is the sport for them, there is no need to invest in further specialist kit. Hopefully they will want to continue and then you will need to buy Club shorts and socks for matches. Match shirts are provided by the club on the day and collected back in to be laundered.
Your child will also need training kit which should include warm clothing for winter training and a waterproof, all of which might get very muddy! The club do have an online shop at Kitworld if you want branded kit, but this isn’t by any means mandated:
https://kitworld.uk/product-category/rugby-clubs-clubs/tiverton-rfc/
We recommend warm, dry clothes for after training sessions and a set of warm clothing, such as a tracksuit, should also be taken on match days. This is not only a welfare consideration, but will protect parents’ cars from the inevitable mud! We are in the process of setting up a Kit Exchange, which will hold a stock of second hand boots and kit as recycling can be useful, particularly with the youngsters growing so quickly – ask your Coach for details!
AGE GRADES.
Why are there different laws for different ages?
It is worth knowing that there are different match rules for each age group. This is known as the rugby continuum or Age Grade Rugby and has been designed by the RFU to gradually introduce more complex and physical aspects of the game as our young people get older. The emphasis in the early years is to develop basic skills which will stay with them throughout their years of playing rugby. Also during these early stages, refereeing is seen as an extension of coaching. Don’t expect a whistle blast for every knock on or minor transgression, the aim is to develop confidence and allow games to flow, making them more enjoyable for all. Rules for each age can be found at:
https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/coaching/age-grade-rugby
Below you will find links to each Age Grade so you can find out more about when they train, who their coaches are and how to contact them.
Our club.
PARKING.
Parking is available at the club on training nights and match days, though it does fill up quickly – so make sure you get there in plenty of time. Additional parking is available nearby at the college, too.
DOGS.
Sorry, no dogs are allowed on the pitches at the Club, at any time during matches or for training. This is for the safety of all involved.
CLUBHOUSE.
The Clubhouse has changing rooms, showers and toilets and is located on Bolham Road, Tiverton. There are two main pitches and a large car park outside the clubhouse and a further two pitches on the opposite side of the road, accessible via a footbridge.
The bar is generally open on a match day and on training evenings, too. The Junior Chairman and Secretary are usually available to answer any questions here.
The Clubhouse is at Coronation Field, Bolham Road, Tiverton EX16 6SG.
Volunteer.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Parents and carers are strongly encouraged to come and support their children on match days as well as joining in events run throughout the year. Junior rugby is an opportunity for parents to make new friends, develop new skills and interests and become involved in all aspects of a busy, social and friendly club.
Volunteers are the heartbeat of our Club. We recognise time is a precious commodity these days, however a club like ours simply cannot run without a vast number of volunteers. The saying goes that many hands make light work and this is certainly the case with a rugby club. Here are just a few of the ways you can get involved and WE NEED YOUR HELP!
BAR STAFF.
To support the running of the Club, we do ask for volunteers to help behind the bar on match days. There will be a bar crew leader to oversee and support you in the role. Some previous bar work is preferable for this role.
TRAINING SUPPORT.
If you would like to support the coaches with training, matches or refereeing, we can get you onto the training courses required and support you with this. Please chat to your child’s Coach or the Junior Chair in the first instance.
FIRST AID.
While coaches will be first aid trained, we are grateful to anyone who wants to support with this. The RFU has specific training and we can put you onto the course if this is how you would like to help.
MATCH FEES.
Keeping track of and collecting match fees is a task which we are sure all coaches would be grateful for help with. If this is something you could help with, please liaise with your child’s coach.
Playing.
TRAINING NIGHTS AND MATCH DAYS.
The whole Junior Section train on Wednesday evenings at the Club and play their matches on Sunday mornings. We do sometimes change location if the pitches are wet, but your coaches will let you know about this. Most groups communicate via the Teamer app or a WhatsApp group, so make sure you get access to them.
Each training session will have a start and end time, generally 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Please note that coaches will not be responsible for your child before the start time. Please also ensure that you have arrangements in place to collect your child promptly once the session has finished. From Under 12’s down, we also request that a designated adult remains at training and matches in case of emergency. For away games, parents and carers need to arrange transport to and from the away venue between themselves. It may be that parents arrange to share lifts with each other. Please discuss any issues regarding transport with your child’s coach.
Players are provided with a meal after matches but not after training. On match days, there will be hot drinks and food available for non-players to purchase, too.
Fixtures, results, match reports and other club news is posted when possible on the Junior Section Facebook Page. We are always looking for people to write up the reports.
FIRST AID.
Each Age Grade will have a number of first aiders made up of coaches and parents. If you are interested in assisting then please speak with your child’s coach – there are a number of courses throughout the year & the club will reimburse any costs incurred. Should your child receive an injury whilst training or during a match, please make their coach aware as soon as possible. If your child gets concussion or suspected concussion, we follow the Graduated Return to Play Protocols set out by the RFU which are available here:
https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/playing/headcase/resources
Codes of Conduct.
RUGBY TRADITIONS.
Rugby is a game of traditions which we have developed over time into a number of values that guide the way the game is played and how players, coaches and officials and supporters conduct themselves. Follow this link to read the;
The codes of conduct below set out the desired values and behaviours expected in rugby and therefore at Tiverton RFC.
PARENTS’ CODE.
● Set an example to your child.
● Applaud good play by your team and by members of the opposing team.
● Be friendly to parents of the opposition.
● Do not publicly question the referees decisions.
● Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from junior rugby.
● Teach your child the importance of effort and teamwork.
● Don’t force an unwilling child to participate in rugby. Their enjoyment is paramount.
● Encourage your child to play by the laws/rules.
● Recognise and value the importance of volunteers including coaches, referees, the grounds team, those cooking in the kitchen and all other helpers. Without them, we could not provide the fantastic opportunities we do at Tiverton RFC.
● If you have issues with the way a coach is performing, try to resolve it with them and if this does not work, please seek the support of the Junior Chair.
● If you are concerned about the safety of any member of our rugby family, please talk to a coach, the junior chair or the safeguarding officer.
COACHES’ CODE.
● Develop all players’ appreciation of rugby.
● Treat all players with dignity and respect, regardless of ability.
● Develop each player to their maximum potential, including their personal, social and emotional development.
● Encourage and deliberately boost the confidence of all players from their own team and those of the opposition.
● Do not ridicule or tease players from either side.
● Appreciate the efforts of referees and volunteers in helping ensure the game can take place.
● Ensure each coaching session and match is well prepared. Coaching sessions will have an emphasis placed on acquiring and developing a skill, decision making and understanding of the game, rather than the result.
● Maintain the highest standards of personal discipline and courtesy during matches, irrespective of the result and be a role model for the young people.
PLAYERS’ CODE.
● Play rugby within the Laws and support the ‘Spirit of the Game’.
● Support and cooperate with fellow team members.
● Respect the opposition without whom the match would not take place. Win with dignity and lose with grace.
● Respect the referee and accept all decisions without dissension, even if you feel they have made a mistake.
● Respect your coaches, parents and other volunteers who enable you to take part in this great game.
CORE VALUES.
● Encourage Teamwork on and off the field.
● Respect the match officials as they are volunteers.
● All the players, coaches and officials are here for enjoyment.
● Strong discipline underpins our sport and we play by the laws of the game.
● Sportsmanship is the foundation on which rugby is built. We play to win, but not at all costs.