RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED
Welcome Pack
Under 12’s
2014/2015
Welcome to Ponteland Rugby Football Club!
To help you settle in . . .
We’ve put together this little pack which we hope will be all you need to become a fully-fledged Ponteland RFC Club member. Included you will find:
· Information about the club
· Personal details form (please complete and return to a committee member)
· Standing Order info (please set up with your bank before affiliation is requested)
· Rules of the club
If you have any problems, please speak to:
· Andy Davidson – U12 Head Coach
· Peter Galbraith – U12 Coach
· Mike Robson – U12 Coach
· Michael Searle – U12 Coach
· Sharon Anderson: Team Manager
· Tori Brady: Website Administrator
· Anyone – all should be able to help!
We hope you enjoy being part of Ponteland RFC!
About us
A welcome from: Tony Murphy Club President
Dear Parents, Guardians and Players
On behalf of the Chairman of Youth Andy Lawson, and myself, I would like to welcome everyone to Ponteland Rugby Club for the upcoming season.
Teams represent the junior section from under 7s to Colts as well as the girl’s teams. Ponteland Rugby Club is and always will be an open club who encourage all players without prejudice. I am pleased to confirm that Ponteland RFC has recently become one of the first clubs in the county to gain RFU accredited status - this replaces the old seal of approval. Information regarding Ponteland Rugby Club can be found on the club website www.pontelandrfc.co.uk .
The website is used to publish club information and events, view and order club merchandise through the new club shop and also allow each age group to publish information regarding training and fixture times as well as locations and match reports.
As the website can also be used to download photographs, please read and sign the club Membership and Consent Form. No names will be published alongside any photographs used but if there is a problem using images of any player, please contact your age group coach. The Northumberland Rugby Union Codes of Conduct are published on the Club Website along with other information for parents and players. Please read this information carefully and if there are any problems again please contact your age group coach.
Training
We train on Thursday evenings from 6 – 7pm And Sunday Mornings (if no game scheduled) from 10am – 12pm. Our home venue is -
Ponteland Leisure Centre
Callerton Lane
Ponteland
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE20 9EG
Tel: 01661 825441
Matches
Matches are played in the Northumberland region with Home and Away games on Sunday mornings from 10am.
Fees
As a new starter, we let you have the first week free! If you decide to stay with us and join the club then subs are to be paid by October.
Following that we have a GoCardless payment system via the website or you can pay by Cheque direct to the Team Manger. Current fees for the 14/15 season are £55.
If joining mid-season we ask that you pay the pro-rata amount that remains. This season that equates to £6 per month from September to May.
Commitment and Enthusiasm
Here at Ponteland, we all play rugby for a number of reasons; to keep fit, to improve our skills, to socialise. There is a certain level of commitment that is required for the club to survive and for us to win matches – all players are expected to regularly attend training and make themselves available for matches. We understand that there will be occasions when you can’t make training, or are unavailable for a match, but there has to be a good level of commitment and enthusiasm for the game and the club.
Socialising
We try to socialise a couple of times a year, including the Christmas party. We also try to arrange a weekend of rugby, either an organised event or arranging some friendlies. Different volunteers will generally organise the nights out, so watch the website for what’s in store!!
Visit http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/ponteland/ to keep up to date with club news!!!
Follow us on Facebook (Ponteland RFC) and Twitter (@Ponteland RFC)
Player Registration
All players must complete a Player Registration and Parent Consent forms on starting the club. Both documents can be found in the ’information’ section of the website and a copy is below for reference.
RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION RFU Registration Number (if known):
YOUNG PLAYER REGISTRATION FORM
This form should be completed for all players within the club who have NOT previously registered with the RFU, are re-registering or have data amendments.
Please complete each section in BLOCK CAPITALS and return to your Club Registration Officer along with TWO passport size photographs.
I declare that the above is correct. In signing this form I agree that the above named player can be bound by the laws and resolutions of the Rugby Football Union and its constituent body and the rules of:
Signed (player):
Date:
Signed (parent / guardian):
Countersigned (Club Official):
Distribution: Please retain a copy of this document; send a copy to your CB Youth Registrar
Rugby Football Club PONTELAND
Please tick where appropriate
First Names:
Surname:
D.O.B.
Home Address:
Male/Female Home Tel:
Plays at school:
Mobile Tel:
Email address:
PlayingPosition:
Ethnic Origin (Please tick ( ) where appropriate):-
Medical Conditions/allergies (Asthma, Epilepsy, Allergic to penicillin) please give full details using separate sheet if necessary:
(Completing this section is not obligatory but the RFU in the interests of child safety strongly recommend that you do so).
Name of Parent/Guardian:-
Contact Telephone Number:
School/Education Establishment Name and Address:
Email address:
DATA PROTECTION
Address of Parent/Guardian (if different from above):
Representative Playing History (please give dates etc., using a separate sheet if necessary)
The club may wish to take photos or videos of the team or players solely for promotion and celebration of club and RFU activities and training purposes. Please indicate if this is acceptable to you: ◻ YES ◻ NO. Please share any additional information with the club Safeguarding Officer
Rules of the club
Money
1. Juniors - New starters are allowed one training session free before they must start to pay. They should then pay seasonally following that. Fees to be paid in September for the full season but pro-rata following that for those players joining mid-season.
2. Membership fee for the 2014/15 season is – £55
NOTE: All fees are subject to change.
Codes of Conduct
1. At the back of this welcome pack you will find codes of conducts for coaches, officials, volunteers, players, and parents.
2. Please read these and sign the ones that are relevant to you (for the majority that will only be the one for players, the parents one will be distributed to parents who have juniors in the club).
Attendance
1. If you can’t make training or a game, please contact your Head Coach.
NOTE: Parents must stay at the sessions or their children must be left in the care of another named adult e.g. other parent, and the coach should be informed of the arrangements. In some cases the other adult may be the coach, but only by explicit agreement and where the coach is already known to the child. In these circumstances the coach is supervising not in their role as coach but as trusted guardian.
Under no circumstances should parents be allowed to use coaches as a Sunday Crèche.
Annual General Meeting
1. The club AGM takes place every April and all members are welcome to attend. See Administrator or Head Coach for details.
2. At this meeting there will be a review of fees for the year ahead.
Ponteland Rugby Club
Codes of Conduct
The Guidelines in this section are designed to ensure that children and young people find enjoyment and satisfaction through participation in Rugby Union.
To make adults aware that children should play as children, not as small adults, and that children play to satisfy themselves and not necessarily to satisfy adults and their ambitions.
That everybody has a responsibility to see “Fair Play” – players, coaches, officials, parents, administrators and spectators in an effort to ensure high standards of sporting behaviour, that places the emphasis firmly on fun, friendly competition and individual fulfilment.
NB - These guidelines can be located on our website under Information – Safeguarding.
SPECTATORS
Children play organised Rugby for their OWN entertainment and enjoyment.
Remember, children at play are NOT professional entertainers.
NEVER ridicule a child for making a mistake during a competition.
DO NOT harass or swear at players, coaches or officials.
ALWAYS respect the officials’ decisions.
Encourage children to always play by the rules.
Condemn the use of violence in all forms.
ALWAYS applaud good play by either team.
PLAYERS
Be a good sport.
Treat all players as you would like to be treated.
Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another player.
Control your temper – No shouting, swearing or “sledging” the opposition.
Never argue with officials – let your captain or coach ask the necessary questions.
Play by the rules.
Co-operate with your coach, team-mates and opponents, without them you do not have a game.
Play for the fun of it – not just to please your coach or parents.
Remember – it isn’t whether you win or lose – But how you play the game.
PARENTS
Do not force an unwilling child to take part in Rugby.
Children are involved in organised sport for their enjoyment – not yours.
Encourage your child to always play by the rules.
Never ridicule or shout at your child for making a mistake or losing in a competition.
Teach your child that effort and teamwork are as important as victory so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from Mini/ Junior Rugby.
Do not question publicly the judgement of officials and never their honesty.
Recognise and value the importance of coaches – they give their time, energy and resources voluntarily to provide guidance for your child.
ALWAYS applaud good play by either side.
COACHES
Children play Rugby for fun and enjoyment. Winning is only part of this.
Never ridicule or shout at a child for making mistakes or losing games.
Avoid over playing the talented players. The average ones deserve equal time and attention.
Be reasonable in your demands on children’s time, energy and enthusiasm – remember they have other interests.
Teach children to respect the judgement of officials and to NEVER criticise an official.
Teach your players the laws of the game of Rugby Union as applied to the Mini/Midi/Youth game.
Make a personal commitment to keep informed on sound coaching principles and the principles of the growth and development of children.
Always group players according to age, height, skill and physical maturity wherever possible.
Follow the advice of medical personnel when deciding if a player can return following an injury.
The successful coach invests more in the well-being and interests of players than in their own win-loss record.
OFFICIALS
Sportsmanship and fair play are not a set of rules – they are a code of living.
Condemn gamesmanship and emphasise respect for Fair Play.
Use common sense to ensure that the spirit of the game is not lost.
Be consistent, objective and courteous when dealing with fouls in the course of a game.
Compliment both teams on good moves or performance whenever such praise is deserved.
ADMINISTRATORS
Ensure that proper supervision is provided by qualified coaches and officials who are capable of promoting good sportsmanship and good technical skills.
Ensure all your equipment and facilities meet safety standards.
Remember – Sport is enjoyed for its own sake – play down the importance of awards.
Friendship first – competition second.
Northumberland ask that at least one age group coach be qualified to Level One to Coach Mini/Midi players and to Level Two for Youth rugby.
NORTHUMBERLAND RUGBY UNION
Patron: HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND
President: David Pringle
Code of Conduct for Club Coaches and Volunteers
This document provides a summary of what is required by coaches and team managers of mini and youth teams to ensure best practice. If this is followed by all staff and volunteers they will be supported and protected as they carry out their roles.
All adults that supervise children and vulnerable adults on a regular basis, such as coaches, must have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Certificate processed and risk assessed by the RFU. This must be obtained before working unsupervised with children.
It is important that you have read and understood the Guidance and Practice in the Safeguarding Toolkit and ideally have attended a RFU Safeguarding Course. Examples of poor practice may be:
ñ Shouting/ abusive language and abuse of match officials
ñ Excessive Training and training/playing in extreme weather conditions
ñ Not allowing players of different abilities to develop and play together
ñ Ridicule of player errors
ñ Ignoring Health and Safety Guidelines
ñ Inappropriate use of email, texting and social network sites with children
ñ Failing to adhere to the club's code of conduct
Any inappropriate or aggressive contact or touching between adults and children is unacceptable. Adults and children must never play contact versions of the sport together including training games and contact skills.
In order to play a player up or down an age grade, coaches must follow the regulations issued by the RFU in Regulation 15 and the Protocols issued by Northumberland R.U. Permission must be obtained from the Northumberland R.U. Hon. Secretary before playing a player up or down an age grade.
Adults who wish to take children on tour must follow the guidance in 'Touring with Children and Vulnerable Adults', complete the required forms and obtain permission from their club and Northumberland R.U. This also applies when hosting tours and for cross border fixtures.