FOLKESTONE RFC

The Minis

 

            

 

  Match Reports

 

Membership

From As Little As

£45

Click Here for Rates

Taking part in Rugby activities builds confidence and fosters team spirit and good sportsmanship. The prime emphasis is on enjoyment and having FUN

 

 

EMAIL THE CLUB

 

 

Click here if you want to read all about the rules of Mini Rugby in England

 

WHAT IS MINI-RUGBY?

Boys and girls aged 6 to 12 play Mini-Rugby, under the guidelines of the Rugby Football Union (RFU). It introduces youngsters to the skills of Rugby, and encourages them to progress to the full 15-a-side game. Coaching sessions, training and matches are supervised by two or more coaches per age group who pay close attention to each player's experience, ability, physique and personality.

 

HOW IS IT PLAYED?

 

Mini-Rugby is played in 12-month age groups. Age is calculated from 1st September of each year.

 

 Under-7 (Year 2) and Under-8 (Year 3): non-contact Mini TAG Rugby is played, with players wearing tag belts. The accent is on free movement, passing the ball and supporting teammates. 5-7 players per team.

 

Under-9 (Year 4): tackling and uncontested (no pushing) 3-man scrums are introduced. 9 players per team. Uncontested 2-man line outs introduced

 

Under-10 (Year 5): contested 3-man scrums and contested 2-man line outs are introduced. 9 players per team.

 

Under-11 (Year 6) and Under-12 (Year 7): played in teams of 12 with a 5-man scrum, 4-man line-out and a full back. Kicking the ball from the hands and place-kicking are

 

introduced. This is called Midi-Rugby, and prepares players for the transition to 15-a-side JUNIOR RUGBY at Under-13 (Year 8).

 

Fly hacking the ball on the ground, hand-offs and fend-offs are NOT allowed.

 

Players can start at any age, and at any time during the season. We operate a squad system, rather than playing 'set' teams. New players don't feel out of itand are able to pick up the essentials of the game at their own pace. Everyone gets the chance to play in matches.

 

On average two Sundays out of three are given over to training and coaching. Friendly home or away matches are played on the remaining Sundays throughout the season, and are seen as an extension of coaching (there are no leagues in Mini-Rugby). During the season we take part in Mini-Rugby Festivals, playing in competitions against other Kent clubs. We also play regular home and away ‘International’ fixtures against French and Belgian clubs.

 

 

WHEN AND WHERE DO WE MEET?

 

We meet every Sunday morning, September to May, from 10.00 to 12.00 noon at the Folkestone RFC Ground (400m south of the A20 roundabout at Newington). For the really keen (older children U12s and 11s) there is sometimes an additional training session on Thursday evenings from 18.30 to 20.00—need to check with your coach.

 

Families and friends are welcome to stay during training, and we hope you will come along and give your children plenty of support at matches. The clubhouse has modern changing rooms, toilets and shower facilities and a large, comfortable upstairs lounge where players and their families can relax afterwards, and buy drinks and snacks. Sunday is allocated to the younger members of the club and they are allowed into the bar to play pool and watch the large screen tv (usually devoted to WWF?????). For the sake of the children the clubhouse is NO SMOKING on Sunday mornings until 1am

 

 

WHAT DO WE WEAR?

 

Team shirts are provided for matches. Players need to supply white shorts, rugby socks and football boots. For training sessions, any rugby shirt or tee shirt, shorts and football boots (trainers when the ground is hard). Gumshields (mouth guards) are a must and a wise precaution as are shin guards. In colder weather we advise wearing a sweatshirt or warm tracksuit and at least one extra tee shirt. Players can get very wet, muddy and cold in the winter so always bring a towel and a change of dry clothing !!!. Children must change before going up into the bar!!!!! There are hot showers at the club.

 

Training tops, rugby shirts, socks, white shorts, tee shirts, gumshields, second-hand boots, studs and other kit can be bought from the Club Shop in the clubhouse. Clothing easily gets mixed up: each item should be clearly marked with the player's name.

 

HOW DO WE JOIN?

 

Membership is for one year, 1st September-31st August. There are a number of tariffs as follows:

Parents/Carers and 1 child - £45

Parents/Carers and 2 children - £65

Parents/Carers and 3 children - £85

Parents/Carers and unlimited children within the immediate family - £125 (this includes player membership for parents/carers.

 

You can download a form here. Just print it out, complete it and hand it with your fee in at the clubhouse over the bar.

 

 You must be a paid-up member to be eligible for selection for matches, and to be covered by the Club's accident insurance (the cost of which is included in the subscription).

 

Parents can now enjoy the Club socially all year round and there's the additional benefit of being able to hire the clubhouse's roomy facilities for private parties, receptions or functions at special rates.

 

We invite everyone to participate in what is a very friendly club – don’t just drop off children on a Sunday and disappear – stay and watch; you will enjoy it !!

 

WHOM DO WE CONTACT?

 

KARINA O’DONNELL and IAN FELL, our Mini-Rugby Co-ordinators, can usually be found around the Club on Sunday mornings.  Individual coaches will be happy to provide information and answer your questions on Sunday mornings at the Club.

Email Karina O’Donnell

Email Ian Fell

 

THE RFU CODES OF CONDUCT

 

PLAYERS' CODE

 

Play for fun.                                          Play by the Rules and Laws Of The Game.

 

Don't argue with the referee.           Control your temper.

 

Never give up                 Be a good sport.             Be fair.

 

Improve your skill.                               Don't be selfish.            Don't show off.

 

 COACHES' CODE

 

Be reasonable.                                      Get the right equipment and facilities.

 

Teach them to play by the Rules and Laws Of The Game.

 

Avoid mismatches.                                              Don't favour your best players.

 

Never condemn.                                                   Being coached should be fun too.

 

Give your voice a rest.                        Be generous with praise.

 

Good coaching means they run with the ball.          Doctor knows best.

 

It's your players who matter - not their won/lost record.

 

PARENTS' AND SPECTATORS' CODE

 

Never force a child to play rugby especially if he/she feels unwell.

 

Always remember children play rugby for their enjoyment not yours.

 

Encourage your child to play by the Rules and Laws Of The Game.

 

Teach your child that victory isn't everything.

 

Never yell at a player for making a mistake.

 

Applaud good play by either team.

 

Encourage your child to improve his/her skills through coaching.

 

Stay off the pitch.

 

Don't abuse anyone (especially the referee).

 

In line with many other East Kent Clubs - but unfortunately not all within Kent - Folkestone mini section does NOT tolerate bad behaviour by any player or spectator and it is Club policy to ask anyone not abiding by the above codes to remove their membership from the Club.

 

 

 

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