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Under Eights Coaches

Welcome to the Wasps FC 2007/8
Tag Mini Rugby Season
U6/U7/U8

(download this page)


Last year

Some 60 players in the Tag section had a great time with lots of highlights throughout the season including:-

•    A visit for some to the Stoop & Twickenham for the Guinness Premiership Double Header and festival of rugby.
•    Weeks of Sunday morning training in the warm Autumn Sunshine with not a drop of rain in sight.
•    Excellent Pre Christmas matches versus Harrow, London Welsh, Finchley, Bank of England
•   Continued refining of skills and training sessions in the rather colder and wetter January & February conditions with further  fixtures versus Rosslyn Park, Hammersmith and Stanford.
•    Playing in the Tag Challenge against Staines then watching Wasps beat USA Perpignan in a European Cup qualifier.
•    Tag Festival at Marlow.
•    Meeting and learning from the Wasps professionals at the awesome Stingers Day.
•    A trip to support there teams at the Heineken Cup final for a lucky few.
•    The start of a safe and enjoyable introduction to contact rugby for the U8’s at the end of the season.

This Year

Our goal for 2007-2008 is to give the Children an even better time than last year and ensure they remain and/or become enthusiastic rugby players enjoying the team spirit and friendly competition the game has to offer, in a safe and fun environment.

To aid this we ask that the children turn up regularly, on time, properly equipped and keen to play rugby.   As in previous years session run 1000-1200 Sunday at Twyford Avenue.  

This year we will be taking a register at the start of each session, please try and arrive early enough to find where we are playing on the Training ground, get boots on and be ready to start training at 1000.

Dates

See dedicated fixtures page for full details however the Season gets underway on Sunday 9th September.  We play right through until Mid April with a Xmas & Easter Break.   As demanded by the RFU September is given over to training. The first fixture is planned for the 30th September.

Newcomers

Last year we had approx 60 registered players with 40 – 50 turning up each week cross the Tag age groups.  We still have room for, and welcome, newcomers (Boys & Girls) within the Tag section.  

The age group the children play in is determined by their age on the 1st September 2007.   If aged 7, then they’re U8, if age 6 then U7 and so on. We do accommodate children at age 5 (or sometimes below) however please note that RFU rules do not allow children below the U7 age groups to play competitive matches.

Children are not allowed to play up or down a year unless there are mitigating circumstances.   If you have school mates or friends wanting to come along and give it a go they are very welcome.  We are happy for children to have a taster session to see if they enjoy it.  After that we ask them to join the club and pay their subscription.  


Registration & Fees

There is a slight increase in fees this year (they have been frozen for the last 2 years).   Registration will be via the on-line form on the website.  Please pay up promptly …..no pay no play.   Don’t forget this includes London Wasps FC Stingers Membership.  Sorry but there is no mid season reduction for players joining after Xmas


Wasps Junior Rugby Member

(U7-12)    £60

Sibling      £40
Under 6    £40


Laws of the Game for tag

At this age group there is no contact and the focus is very much on enjoyment, developing a sense of team work and learning the basics of the game. Tag is great fun and gives a fantastic opportunity for children to learn how basic ball skills like passing and catching, running and contact avoidance plus later on positional awareness both from an offensive and defensive perspective.

At this level there is no contact, so no tackling (though typically this is introduced late on for the U8’s), no line outs or scrums, no hand offs and no kicking. That all comes later on and is gradually introduced as the children progress through the age groups.


What we expect from Players

•    Good behaviour and attention to the coaches at all time during training and matches.
•    Work hard for the team, and for yourself. 
•    Always remember that rugby is a team sport.
•    Always accept the decision of a referee or coach, without question.


What we expect from Parents / Carers

It is essential that all players have a parent or carer at the training session or match at all times.  You should be either at the training pitch or in the clubhouse.  If you intend to be in the clubhouse, please let one of the coaches know before you leave the training area and make sure that there is a note on the register.  If your child is being left in the care of another parent, again please make sure that this is clear.  If a child does not have a parent or carer in attendance, the coaches will not let that child train or play in matches. 

The players will get the most out of the sessions if they are well prepared in terms of clothing, drinks / snacks.  The coaches can give advice about suitable clothing and footwear, but the main thing is to make sure that your child is warm.  Exposed zips or buckles on clothing are not allowed. 

Studs must be moulded plastic or kite-marked rugby studs – football studs or blades are not allowed for safety reasons.

Training

We try and make the sessions varied, interesting & inclusive for the children with small groups were possible the emphasis being on enjoyment, making friends and learning the basic skills of the game.   A typical training session will run as follows


Session Plan


1000 Warmup
1015 - 1100
Skills Development
1100 Game
1155 Warm Down & Notices





Kit

Mouth Guards:-  Gum shields are essential, and the coaches will not let a child take part in sessions or matches without one.  Small sizes are available from sports shops.

Studs - must be moulded plastic or kite-marked rugby studs – football studs or blades are not allowed for safety reasons. 100% aluminium rugby studs are available from most sports shops.

Rugby Jerseys:- The Sports Centre in Turnham Green will continue to stock and sell London Wasps Minis jerseys.  All Players are expected to have a Wasps shirt for fixtures.  Black shorts and black (or Black & Gold hoped) socks are preferred.

Training/Tracksuit Tops/Bottoms:- Needed in cold weather however please ensure no sharp zips or poppers, smock style fleeces are best for colder days, as are synthetic sports vests for under the children’s rugby jerseys.

Gloves:- In very cold weather some players like to wear gloves. Any gloves that absorb water do not work very well. Neoprene gloves for rugby are available and from experience these are the best at keeping hands warm.

Headguards & Shoulder padding:- At the parents discretion, my own personal option is that such equipment is not required at this age however this is a personal choice.

Water Bottles:-  Please ensure your Children have adequate drinks with them for the session


The Coaches
 
Current Line up is headed by Gerrard, Paul and Jim.


Recruitment and volunteers required!

No coaches, no helpers, no Mini Rugby!


Everyone involved in Mini Rugby is an unpaid volunteer. For the coming season the Tag section would welcome volunteers that can help us with the following posts:

Coaches

Coaches (we try to run to a ratio of one coach per 6 to 8 players at Tag). The more the merrier as this covers for coach absences and gives more flexibility.

We can always do with more volunteers. If you fancy a bit of a run around on a Sunday morning rather than getting cold on the touch lines we would love some extra assistance.  There is assistance available for those who wish to coach so please ask either Sally or one of the existing coaches or contact Ian Mumby [ ] direct who is the clubs coaching co-ordinator.

Coaching Mini Rugby is one of the most challenging and rewarding activities one can undertake. There are no gender barriers to helping with Coaching. Rugby knowledge, although useful, is not a pre-requisite as the RFU run a comprehensive training programme for coaches where prospective helpers can gain the requisite skills. It is far more important to enjoy working with the young players. The club actively encourages coaches to gain the relevant RFU qualifications.


Team Manager

We need a Team Manager who will work closely with the coaches and essentially serves as a touchline contact point for parents.

Alternatively if you want to assist with any of the organisational aspects then please do step forward and talk initially to the lead coaches.

An Age Group Administrator (responsible for communication etc).

Any other services are welcome such as anyone willing the help the coaches get the kit bags out at the beginning of the morning and help return them at the end of a session are unlikely to be refused!

The Club is actively recruiting for all of these positions from now onwards! The more support we have, the more successful the Under 9 season is likely to be!


Communication

Effective communication with parents is vital in terms of away fixtures, changed plans, weather cancellations etc. Communication in the 2007/8 season will be achieved as follows:

•    Via the debrief at the end of each coaching session
•    Via Wasps FC web site www.waspsfootballclub.co.uk
•    Via e-mail


From time to time we may need to communicate via telephone/text, typically to organise fixtures & festivals to this end we ask all parents for both mobile and home contact details.
 
Remember, we’re all here so the kids have fun improving their rugby skills