AT WHAT AGE CAN MY CHILD BEGIN TO PLAY RUGBY?
The RFU continuum states that children can only play competitive rugby (gamees/festivals/tournaments) from Under 7s. At Basingstoke RFC we offer ‘training only’ for our Under 6s age group.
WHEN DO YOU TRAIN?
The mini/midi section of Basingstoke RFC train and play games on Sunday mornings between 10:00am and midday. Girls and Colts train and play in the afternoon. Age grade rugby at our club starts from the Year 1. The playing season usually begins the first weekend of September and finishes the last weekend of April/ first weekend of May.
WHERE DO YOU TRAIN?
We train at Basingstoke RFC; at the council owned Down Grange sports facilities, with posters showing pitch allocations being displayed each week. Throughout the season, we play in games and festivals as detailed in fixtures lists which each age group manager will have.
WHICH AGE GROUP SHOULD MY CHILD BE IN?
Yr. 1 U6s: Mini Rugby – Tag
Yr. 2 U7s: Mini Rugby – Tag
Yr. 3 U8s: Mini Rugby – Tag
Yr. 4 U9s: Mini Rugby - Contact
Yr. 5 U10s: Mini Rugby - Contact
Yr. 6 U11s: Midi Rugby – Contact
Yr. 7 U12s: Midi Rugby – Contact
Yr. 8 U13s: Junior Rugby – Contact
Yr. 9 U14s: Junior Rugby – Contact
Yr. 10 U15s: Junior Rugby – Contact
Yr. 11 U16s: Junior Rugby – Contact
Yr. 12/13 (College/6th Form): – U17/18s Colts Rugby - Contact
CAN GIRLS PLAY RUGBY?
Absolutely! Girls train and play alongside the boys all the way through Mini/Midi rugby until they reach Year 7 and when they join the Basingstoke RFC’s Girl’s rugby teams; Under 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s.
WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD WEAR?
For training, children should wear comfortable clothing that is suitable for the weather conditions on the day. This is particularly important in poor weather. Shorts, a rugby/sport t-shirt or long sleeved top, tracksuit bottoms, trainers (when first starting out) or boots are all acceptable. However, clothing should not have any zips or hoods when training or playing contact rugby. We recommend the use of rugby boots with metal studs and preferably not blades. Studs should be British standard with a Kite mark. If blades are used, then they must comply with the requirements of the RFU (Rule 4). Kit and studs can be purchased from the Basingstoke RFC shop in the clubhouse.
All players should come adequately equipped to cope with the weather conditions that can occur during the playing months. If players are freezing, they are unlikely to enjoy themselves and may be put off rugby so please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the conditions. The shop offers secondhand donated items, which represent great value for money. These include secondhand boot, so please feel free to pop in to see what is available.
WHAT DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BRING WITH THEM FOR TRAINING/MATCHES?
Firstly, they require a parent/guardian/carer to be present. We would recommend they have a healthy drink (water is perfectly suitable; avoid fizzy drinks or drinks with high sugar content). As already mentioned, all players should be dressed appropriately for the weather conditions, a change of clothing if weather is inclement and a small healthy snack for the end of the game is also advisable. Diry kit is not allowed in the carpeted Champion Bar.
WHAT AGE DO THEY START TACKLING?
Children start tackling from the U9 age group when contact then becomes part of the game. Our coaches will have received the necessary training (usually the RFU’s Kid's First Contact course) to ensure children’s contact skills are developed prior to them taking part in a fixture or festival where they will be required to tackle.
DOES MY CHILD NEED A MOUTH GUARD/GUM SHIELD?
Mouth guards protect against dental and facial injuries. It is advisable that all children wear a mouth guard from the time they start playing even if it is Tag Rugby. Mouth guards are compulsory at the club as soon as players start to tackle in the U9s. If they do not have a mouth guard with them from the U9s age group up they will not be allowed to play. A boil and bite or a dentist made mouth guard is acceptable, and the choice is down to the parent/guardian/carer. Boil and bite gum shields are available from the Basingstoke RFC Shop for minimal cost.
DOES MY CHILD NEED A SCRUM CAP/HEAD GUARD?
No, head guards are not compulsory, and it is choice of the parent/guardian/carer. Rugby head guards do not protect players against concussion.
ARE RUGBY GLOVES/MITTS RECOMMENDED?
Rugby gloves/mitts have no safety benefits so they are purely optional; although, full finger or woolly gloves are not allowed as they can be slippery when trying to catch a ball.
WHAT BOOTS ARE RECOMMENDED?
Boots with studs that have jagged edges pose a serious danger to other players, particularly in the older age groups where there is more likelihood of players lying on the ground. It is important that studs are examined regularly to ensure missing and or damaged studs are replaced and rough edges smoothed, or to ensure moulded plastic blades have not become sharp. Boots/studs must also comply with IRB regulations 4.3.
CAN I LEAVE MY CHILD IN THE CARE OF THE COACHES AND LEAVE THE CLUB GROUNDS DURING TRAINING?
Certainly not! A responsible adult must be in attendance for your child all the time unless otherwise arranged. The coaches and manager cannot be responsible, should your child need your urgent attention or for other reasons. This is mandatory in order to comply with the RFU guidelines, safeguarding policy and our insurance. Going for a refreshment or toilet break are of course acceptable, provided someone is aware of your mobile number, location and has been entrusted to supervise your child in your absence. Coaches and managers cannot take legal responsibility for those players whose parents leave them. If a parent/guardian/ carer has to leave the ground for any reason, they must always appoint a fellow parent/adult in loco parentis to be responsible for their child, should anything happen
WHAT ARE THE MEMBERSHIP COSTS?
For children in the U7 Age Group upwards the cost is £120 per season. In the case of more than one child it is £120 for the oldest child and a discounted rate for any further children who also become members. Because U6s do not compete in either festivals the registration cost is £60.
HOW DO THE MEMBER FEES GET SPENT?
The money from memberships goes towards a variety of things such as RFU coaching courses, club equipment, paying for entry to festivals etc. It is also to ensure the club is managed in a way that allows us to continue to effectively develop our children, young people and adults’ rugby skills.
WHO DO I NEED TO GIVE THE COMPLETED MEMBERSHIP FORM/S AND PAYMENT TO? Once completed, new membership forms can be passed to bar staff where payment can also be processed and a receipt provided. All new membership forms are then passed on to the Club Membership Secretary will process it appropriately on the RFU’s online Games Management System (GMS). Once yours' and your a player's details are added to GMS then you can re-register and pay for membership directly online. It is also important that all details are kept up to date and it is your responsibility as the parent/guardian to do this.
WHEN DO I HAVE TO PAY?
NEW PLAYERS get 2 free taster sessions before payment is due, although new registration forms need to be signed and returned immediately. Parents of PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED PLAYERS will be expected to re-register and pay for membership at the earliest opportunity, prior to the season starting, so their child is then eligible to play in fixtures. Without a valid registration and RFU ID your child is not insured abd will not be able to play in any fixture or festival.
VOLUNTEERING - I AM INTERESTED IN HELPING AT BASINGSTOKE RFC, HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
Like most rugby clubs, Basingstoke RFC is run by people just like you and as the saying goes, “many hands make light work”. We are reliant on our volunteers and getting involved can be very rewarding, whatever the task. We would be delighted to accept any willing volunteers’ assistance. If you are interested in helping Basingstoke RFC, then please contact our Volunteer Co-Ordinator; volunteers@basingstokerfc.com or your team manager. There are always volunteering opportunities so please let us know if you are able to offer your services.
MEDICAL OR OTHER CONDITIONS
If players have any particular medical conditions, additional needs (diagnosed or otherwise) or learning disabilities which may impact on their training or playing, please inform your respective lead coach or manager and ensure it is recorded under the medical section on GMS.
CONCUSSION
If any player suffers a knock which results in momentary unconsciousness, confusion, headache, memory loss or unsteadiness, then the player in question MUST be removed from the field of play. Please note that in any event, irrespective of their age, in cases of a head injury resulting in concussion the player will not be allowed to return to playing rugby until they have followed the RFU GRAS (Graduated Return to Activity and Sport). There is excellent advice and guidance available on our own Concussion page and also the RFU and Hampshire RFU’s websites; please see link details below:
HEADCASE | Rugby Football Union
www.hampshirerugby.co.uk/info/schools-rfu-4.html
Hampshire RFU have reporting arrangements for all suspected (where symptoms are observed/reported) and confirmed concussions so please keep your children’s coaches and team managers informed of any concussive incidents, whether received at rugby or elsewhere. We also encourage all parents and players (depending on their age) to complete the RFU’s online Headcase workshop: HEADCASE E-Learning | Rugby Football Union
