Melton Mowbray Rugby Football Club

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide a fun environment, in which boys and girls can learn the game of rugby, the manner in which it should be played and the teamwork that is crucial to it.

Please read through the following, it contains important information regarding Mini & Junior rugby at Melton Mowbray RFC

Some important points for all members and parents to note:

• When meeting at the Club, either for training or for matches please do not just drop your child off in the car park. You should ensure that there are sufficient adults in attendance to safeguard the welfare of your children. Please encourage your children by coming along to watch training sessions/matches as often as possible.

• All players MUST be registered with the Club every season. In addition players MUST register with the RFU the first time they join the Club and subsequently at the beginning of their first season at Under 13. This registration is vital as without it players can not take part in County organised games, i.e. cup and league games

• If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask either your coach or any Club official.

Melton Mowbray RFC are committed to providing a safe environment for children and in order to promote fair play we should all endeavour to follow these Codes of Practice

The Child Protection and First Aid Policies for the Melton Mowbray Rugby Football Club can be downloaded from here

Child Protection Policy

First Aid Policy

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents.  If you don't already have it on your computer or have a version older that version 6 you can download it from here

 Players

• Play for the fun of it - not just to please your parents or coach.

• Play by the Laws of the Game.

• Never argue with the referee’s decision.

• Control your temper.

• Play well for yourself and your team - your team’s performance will benefit and so will you.

• Be a good sport - recognise all good play, whether by your team or your opponents’ team.

• Treat all players as you would like to be treated - do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of any player.

• Remember that the aims of the game are to have fun, improve your skills and feel good - do not be a show off.

• Co-operate with your coach, team-mates and the referee, for without them you will not have a game.

 Parents/Spectators

• Foster enthusiastic participation - do not force an unwilling child to participate in rugby.

• Encourage respect for referees by not publicly questioning their decisions and never their honesty.

• Remember that children learn best by example - applaud good play by your team and by members of the opposing team.

• Encourage your child always to play by the Laws of the Game.

• Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake in a game.

• Teach your child that honest effort is as important as victory so that defeat is accepted without undue disappointment.

• Recognise the value and importance of volunteer coaches and referees - they give their time and resources to provide rugby for your child.

• Remember that children play rugby for their own fun - they are not there to entertain you and they are not miniature pro athletes.

• Instil in your child an understanding of the value and enjoyment of coaching.

Good Practice Guidelines for our Coaches

• Always be publicly open when working with children.

• Rugby is a physical game.  Situations will occur when, in order to teach or coach certain techniques, it is necessary to make contact with the player.  If this is the case, tell the player beforehand and ask them if they have any objections.

• If groups are to be supervised in changing rooms, always ensure that adults work in pairs, and that gender is appropriate.

• Where mixed gender teams compete away from home at least one male and one female adult should always accompany them in a vehicle.

• Coaches must place the well being and safety of the player above the development of performance.

• Respect all referees and the decisions they make

       Coaches should:

• Avoid overplaying of players; use a squad system.

• Ensure development comes first, winning second

• When coaching contact skills ensure safety first

• Never allow injured players to train or play.

• Ensure all equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate.

• Never coach law violations.

• Never overtly criticise players – their confidence is paramount.

At Melton Mowbray Rugby Football Club we believe that taking part in our sport should be a positive and enjoyable part of children’s lives.  We want to make sure that children are protected and kept safe from physical, sexual and emotional harm while they are with the club’s coaches, helpers and other volunteers. Further to this aim the Club has drawn up a Child Protection Policy, anyone wishing to view the full document should initially speak to any Club official or coach. An abridged version of the Child Protection Policy follows:

 The Club Will

 1).        Ensure that each coach or volunteer within Melton Mowbray Mini & Junior’s:

•  Understands what child abuse means

• Ensures good practice in the coaching of young players

• Provide a safe environment for young people

• Recognise abuse and provide a structure to deal sympathetically with concerns

 2).        Ask coaches to go on a START Coaching Rugby Union Course or equivalent rugby course before they begin working with children, or within their first season of coaching should courses not be immediately available at the start of the season.

 3).        Encourage and help coaches to stay up-to-date with rugby, coaching and child protection issues. Each lead Coach will attend an NCF Child Protection Workshop.

 4).        Identify a person whose role it is to deal with any concerns about physical, sexual or emotional abuse within the club.  From September 2006 this is Wendy Parker. Wendy is contactable either by telephone, 01664 822659 / 07815 064781, or by email wendy.parker@fsmail.net

 All current and prospective coaches will complete a child protection form with references that allows us to register them with the RFU and the Criminal Records Bureau, who may:

• Find out about their past career

• Find out if they have a criminal record

 Every applicant knows the Club’s attitude to the protection of children from abuse and receives a copy of the Club’s written policy and its code of conduct for coaches.

 Any parent with any concerns should, in the first instance, speak to the Child Protection Officer.

You can download a Club Registration Form here.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents.  If you don't already have it on your computer or have a version older that version 6 you can download it from here

Mini & Junior Section Officials

Chair                           Chris Legg                                                    

Vice Chair                  Phil Green     

Secretary                   Charlie Miller                   

Joint Treasurer          Paul & Dawn Gartshore      

Fixture Secretary       Steve Greedy    01664 444542     stevegreedy@tiscali.co.uk

Reg. Secretary          Elaine Wood             

Senior Club Rep       Marcus Twidale                             

LRU Rep                    Charlie Miller                        

Child Protection        Wendy Parker                      

First Aid                     Paul Gartshore          

Coach Coordinator   Andrew Hatfield

 Committee meetings are held at the clubhouse on the first Monday of the month during the season.

For more information about the Melton Mowbray Rugby Football Club please send an email to rugby@mmrfc.co.uk

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