Mini Rugby is fast, muddy and good fun to play. It's a team game where new players can join in very quickly and where fun and participation are more important than winning.

Mini Rugby is a game based on the full 15 a side game but the rules have been simplified to make the game safer and to encourage the gradual development of Rugby skills. The rules of the game develop as players get older, preparing and developing young players in stages. For example no tackling is allowed until Under 9’s (Year 4) and no contested scrummaging is allowed until Under 12 (Year 7).

Teamwork is an integral part of Mini Rugby and understanding its laws and tactics is all part of the game. This for some children adds to the challenge and interest of the sport.

Age

Mini rugby teams are selected by age with a child's primary school year deciding what team they play for.

At Guisborough RUFC Mini Rugby starts at Under 7 (Years 1 & 2) and finishes at Under 12 (school year 7). Once children leave the Under 12 age group they progress onto the first year of Junior Rugby. Only children aged 6 & above can play in inter club “matches” but younger players from 5 upwards can play for fun and learn.

Children in Under 7 & 8’s (Years 1, 2 & 3) may play Tag Rugby (non contact rugby) together which emphasises fun and the enjoyment of running with the ball rather than physical contact in defence.

From Under 9’s to Under 12’s (Years 4-7) each year group usually trains separately with their own coaches and equipment although from time to time older mini groups will train together to help develop the skills of the younger players.

Who can play rugby?

Mini Rugby has a place for every type of child, be they tall or short, slight or solid, boy or girl. Whatever your child’s build there is a position in rugby that’s right for them. Certain body shapes are particularly suited to particular positions and Rugby allows players to take on specialist roles within the team, particularly in later years. For example, forwards tend to be solid and strong. Backs on the other hand are generally agile and fast. In short, Rugby has a position for every child no matter what size or shape they are.

Can girls play?

Girls and boys play Mini Rugby as equals in mixed teams. Girls are given no special treatment; nor at this age do they need it. The physical differences between the sexes is irrelevant at Mini Rugby ages and girls have proved that they are valuable members of the team and are well able to compete with boys on equal terms and many love it. We have several girls who play for us, with most squads having at least one girl on their team. We also regularly play teams with one or more girl in them. Girls are respected and valued in Mini Rugby by both coaches and players.

Coaching

Guisborough RFC have a dedicated team of coaches, male and female, who aim to make rugby fun for everyone. They all undertake CRB checks and coaches receive training to at least RFU Rugby Ready standard. They are all volunteers, many are parents who have returned to the game after years of absence to come and watch their child play and been bitten again by the Rugby bug.

Helping Out

A successful Minis & Juniors section relies heavily on parents, grandparents and friends helping behind the scenes. We are always delighted to welcome parents who are willing join a pool of helpers to assist with coaching as required under the direction of the main coach.

We do not envisage this to be a week-in, week-out commitment but to give assistance when available if required. Anyone enthusiastic enough to go on to take an official coaching course will be encouraged and supported to do so. Its great fun and is highly personally rewarding.

Please talk to your age-group coach as soon as possible if you are interested in helping out on the field. It is compulsory for all on field helpers to be CRB checked and if you are helping with coaching we will arrange for you to attend a 2.5 hour foundation course known as Rugby Ready.

We are always looking for parents who would like to help behind the scenes. Any parent who would like to volunteer to help out now and again with kit exchange, tuck shop duty, catering duty etc please give your name and contact number to your age group’s Team Administrator.

Registration

For insurance purposes Mini’s players are required to become members of Guisborough RFC and parents encouraged to at least become social members. Each age group has a Team Administrator who ensures our database of players is up to date with a list of contact numbers and identification of any medical conditions we need to know about while your child is in our care.

You can download the registration & membership forms by clicking the link document below or alternatively, please ask your age groups Team Administrator to supply a copy.

What to wear and bring

All equipment (balls, cones etc) is provided for players but it is the player's responsibility to ensure they are appropriately clothed for the conditions. When it does get cold and wet please make sure your child is suitably dressed, both for their comfort and to avoid interrupting training sessions. Clothes can be removed to cool down but once players are cold their training or match is over as an enjoyable experience.

As a guideline, players should dress in layers - rugby/football boots and socks, shorts, T-shirt; tracksuit or preferably base layer bottoms, long sleeved base layer top, rugby shirt; sweatshirt/tracksuit or waterproof top (no zips/hoods), woolly hat, stick mitts to grip the ball in cold/wet conditions.

The club will be operating an online/mail order club kit service from September 2013. Please ask your age groups Team Administrator for details.

Boots

We strongly recommend boots with studs rather than trainers. The wearing of boots that have an extra toe stud will not be allowed. If in doubt, check with your lead coach before you buy new boots.

Shin pads

Players are encouraged to wear shin pads when playing contact rugby (U9’s upwards).

Gloves

Rugby stick mitts with or without fingers are particularly effective in cold weather when young hands can get very cold. Ordinary woolly gloves have insufficient grip for handling skills and should be avoided as should clumpy goalkeeping gloves.

Gum shields

All players from Under 9s upwards must wear a gum shield during matches and training. Your child will not be allowed to play unless they wear one. Gum shields cost as little as £2 from most of the sports superstores and are effective at protecting teeth. Alternatively a bespoke dentist fitted gum shield can be obtained.

Safety Clothing

A scrum cap is definitely a worthwhile purchase from Under 9’s onwards, it will give the player confidence when getting into contact and provide some protection. Shoulder pads may be worn and again will give the players added confidence.

Jewellery

All items of jewellery must be removed before training. This includes necklaces, rings and bracelets, wrist bands & watches.

Glasses

Glasses cannot be worn when playing rugby due to the risk of breakages and injury to the wearer and other players. Prescription sports goggles or contact lenses can be worn.

Fashion Leisurewear

It is best not to wear your child’s favourite sports gear or football shirt as it is liable to get ruined. If you assume players will be soaked to the skin and covered in mud by the end of training you will be right more often than wrong. Always bring a change of clothes.

Shower Facilities

In our experience Mini Rugby players more often do not change at the club but are brought "ready to go' by parents. Most minis seem to have an aversion to showers but we do insist that they and their clothes are clean and that they remove boots before coming into the club. In the unlikely event that your child isn't averse to showers there are showers at the club. A towel and soap for showering will be needed and please ensure your child has a change of clothing and footwear.

Drinks

Please bring your child with a bottle of water/juice to keep them hydrated. Please do not give them high sugar “energy” drinks or fizzy pop (cola etc) as in our experience we find children usually have enough energy of their own!

Season, Training & Match Times

The season starts with registration on the first Sunday in September and runs through to the following May.

Matches and training take place most Sunday mornings throughout the season usually with a meeting up time of 10.00am and finishing at 12.00 noon.

Teams from Under 10's upwards usually also train one evening midweek.

The club runs out of season taster sessions and summer camps as well as social activities for team building.

Location

Training takes place at the main club site on Belmangate and also at Laurence Jackson School playing fields, both in Guisborough. Matches also take place at these venues and away at clubs across Yorkshire and the North East.

In times of inclement weather indoor training venues are arranged.

It is very important for parents to become a member of this website and to check the website regularly for details of that weeks activities.

Trying it out – whats the next step?

We are very happy for children to try one or two sessions before committing to joining the club as a player and any weekly try out subscriptions are entirely discretionary. For insurance purposes however only RFU registered card carrying player members can play in inter club matches and tournaments. It is helpful for new players parents to speak to the relevant age group coach in advance (see individual team pages on this website) to notify him or her of their intention to attend so that a suitable session can be planned in advance.

We hope this information will encourage you to enjoy the experience of Mini Rugby at Guisborough RUFC but if you have any additional queries please contact the Mini Rugby co-ordinator Des Horton on M: 07516 497361 E: desihorton@mail.com.