Mini Section Documentation
Pinner and Grammarians
This is the set of principles and guidelines that set out what the coaching team will do and in turn what we expect in return in order to ensure that all players are provided with the maximum opportunity to play and develop:
Code of Conduct for Players
PLAYERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO
•· Recognise and appreciate the efforts made by coaches, parents, match officials and administrators in providing the opportunity for you to play the game and enjoy the rugby environment.
•· Understand the values of loyalty and commitment to adults and team mates.
•· Recognise that every young player has a right to expect their involvement in rugby to be safe and free from all types of abuse.
• Understand that if an individual or group of young players feel they are not being treated in a manner that is acceptable, then you have a right to tell an adult either at the rugby club or outside of the game.
PLAYERS SHOULD
•· Play because you want to do so, not to please coaches or parents.
•· Remember that skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important parts of the game.
•· Be attentive at all training and coaching sessions.
•· Work equally hard for yourself and your team – both will then benefit.
•· Recognise good play by all players on your team and by your opponents.
•· Be a sportsman – win or lose.
•· Play to the Laws of the Game and accept, without question, all referees’ decisions.
•· Control your emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of team mates, opponents, or match officials is not acceptable.
• Treat all players, as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take advantage of any player.
Code of Conduct for Parents
PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO
•· Be familiar with the coaching and training programme in order that you can ensure that your child is fully involved and the coaches are aware of their availability.
•· Be familiar with the teaching and coaching methods used by observing the sessions in which your child participates.
•· Be aware that the club has a duty of care and therefore, where appropriate, assist coaches with the supervision of the young players, particularly where numbers are large and there is a need to transport youngsters to away games.
•· Be involved with club activities and share your expertise.
•· Share concerns, if you have them, with club officials.
•· Be familiar with the Good Coaches Code. In particular:
•· Coaches should recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching young players.
•· Coaches should keep winning and losing in perspective, encouraging young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
• It is important that parents support coaches in instilling these virtues.
PARENTS SHOULD
•· Remember that young people play rugby for their own enjoyment not that of their parents.
•· Encourage young people to play – do not force them.
•· Focus on the young players’ efforts, rather than winning or losing.
•· Be realistic about the young players’ abilities; do not push them towards a level that they are not capable of achieving.
•· Provide positive verbal feedback both in training and during the game.
•· Remember that persistent, negative messages will adversely affect the players’ and referee’s performance and attitude.
•· Remember young people learn much by example.
•· Always show appreciation of good play by all young players both from your own club and the opposition.
• Respect decisions made by the match officials and encourage the young players to do likewise.
Code of Conduct for Spectators
SPECTATORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO
•· Act as positive role models to all young players.
•· Be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection Guidance in relation to verbal and emotional abuse.
• Respect the rugby club with regard to spectator behaviour.
SPECTATORS SHOULD:
•· Remember children play sport for their enjoyment not yours.
•· Acknowledge good individual and team performance from all youngsters irrespective of the team for whom they play.
•· Respect match officials’ decisions. Remember – they are volunteers providing an opportunity for youngsters to play rugby.
•· Never verbally abuse young players, match officials, fellow spectators or coaches. Such behaviour can create a negative environment for young players and their behaviour will often reflect this.
•· Acknowledge effort and good performance rather than the ‘win at all costs’ ethic.
•· Verbally encourage all youngsters in a positive way. If you do want to shout make sure it is ‘for’, not ‘at’ the players.
• Encourage all youngsters irrespective of their ability – never ridicule any individual player, regardless of the team for whom they play.
Pinner and Grammarians Charter
This is the set of principles and guidelines that set out what the coaching team will do and in turn what we expect in return in order to ensure that all players are provided with the maximum opportunity to play and develop:
- Membership Fees
These are mandatory from the beginning of the season, for all players (or on joining, only if this is later). Until the membership fees are paid players are not covered by the RFU insurance. The Coaching Team are not prepared to coach uninsured players because of the liability implications around personal injury.
- Punctuality
This is really important in order to run our training sessions. Sunday training sessions at Pinner and Grammarians run from 10.00am -12.00am. We need all players changed and ready to go at 10:00am sharp. Late arrivals cause problems in continuity and organisation. As none of our players can drive legally, parents carry the can for lateness. The coaches set up the training areas before each session, please feel free to offer your assistance for pitch checks etc.
- Creche Facilities (there are none!)
All players must be accompanied by a parent guardian throughout all training sessions and fixtures. Obviously parents can provide cover etc but the bottom line is that the responsibility for children remains with the parent/guardian throughout. This is particularly important for new players who may find the first few sessions quite difficult particularly when the weather is cold or wet. The child protection training all of the coaches have undertaken gives clear guidance about providing first aid treatment. Essentially the presence of the parent/guardian is of critical importance particularly as we have some female players but no female coaches (yet!!). Next to the Pinner RFC clubhouse there is a playground for parents to use with players siblings.
- Kit suggested/required
Pinner and Grammarians Rugby shirt, shorts & socks; thermal vest or thin layers for the cold weather.
Gum shield (suggested for U7’s, mandatory for all other age groups). Players may opt for either “dentist” fitted or the less expensive standard guards that can be moulded to “fit” at home.
Boots/trainers – always bring both and the coaches will decide on which footwear is most appropriate for the session. Kite marked rugby studs should be worn, not tipped or plastic studs.
Players’ boots should have Aluminium studs complying to BS6366 – studs should be checked regularly for jagged edges as these pose a serious danger to other players. Please note that rugby studs may be worn for football, but not vice versa.
Moulded plastic studs and rubber blades may be used but must be checked on a regular basis – however boots with ‘blade’ type soles which have a metal tip on the rubber/plastic are not legal
All players should come adequately equipped to cope with the weather conditions that can occur during the winter months – this includes hats and wet weather gear where appropriate. It is better for the children to wear plenty of layers that may be removed accordingly. Rugby gloves (suggested)
It is expected that parents bring with them a set of dry clothing for children to change into after each session. The club provides four changing rooms with en-suite showers.
- Behaviour
Coaches expect good levels of behaviour from the players. In certain situations players might be required to take time out or have a cooling off period before returning to the session. Two yellow cards in any one session will result in a one week suspension for the player concerned.
- Kit / equipment
All training equipment for training sessions is provided by Pinner RFC. In order to control and maintain the kit during the season, we would appreciate volunteers to mind and retrieve kit during and after sessions. The coaches will be responsible for storing the kit, so do not fear for your garage space!
- Coaches
For clarity: all of the coaches are unpaid volunteers who have children in the minis section. They all pay membership and subscriptions fees too! All coaches are CRB checked and hold a RFU Coaching Certificate
- Fun
We want everyone players/parents/grandparents etc. to feel really welcome and part of the set up, after all, the more you put in, the more you get out! We are looking forward to seeing you all and to a successful season both on and off the pitch – and to having a lot of fun! (Fun is mandatory – even when you are crying with cold, after conceding a dodgy try, in the mud, nursing a dead leg, in the slanting rain)
- Refreshments
Refreshments can be bought at the club, but please ensure that your child has access to drinks during training and in between matches. Coaches provide water bottles during training sessions, but players may wish to provide their own
- Medical or Other Conditions
Parents/carers must notify coaches of any condition, eg asthma, diabetes, attention deficit disorder, epilepsy, that could affect a player during a session. Appropriate medication should be with the players’ parents/carers at all times.
- Responsibilities of Parents, Coaches and Managers
Coaches and managers cannot take legal responsibility for those players whose parents leave them during training sessions, tournaments and games. It should be remembered that the training session is not a crèche!
If parents/carers have to leave the ground for any reason during a training session, tournament or game, they should appoint a fellow parent to be responsible for their child.
Pinner & Grammarians Child Protection Policy
This policy is to be applied to all young players who are under 18 years old.
Key Principles
- The welfare of all young people is paramount.
- All young people, whatever their age, gender, culture, ability, language, religious beliefs, racial origin, and/or sexual identity should be able to enjoy the game in a fun environment, safe from abuse of any kind.
- It is the responsibility of child protection experts to determine whether abuse has taken place, but it is everyone’s responsibility within rugby union to report concerns.
- All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
- Constituent Bodies, clubs, Academies and schools will be provided with appropriate documentation, training and support to ensure that they are able to implement RFU/RFUW policy.
- Individuals working with young people will be made aware of good practice in order to ensure that they are not placed in situations where allegations could be made.
- Working in partnership with parents/carers is essential for the protection of young people.
- RFU/RFUW recognises the statutory responsibilities of Social Services departments and the police to ensure the welfare of young people and is committed to complying with Local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.
The practices and procedures within this policy are based on the principles contained within UK and international legislation and government guidance and have been designed to complement Local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and take all appropriate legislation into consideration.
All relevant members who have regular supervisory contact with young people or a management responsibility for those working with young people will undertake a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure.
Child Protection Policy Statement
The Pinner & Grammarians is committed to ensuring that all young people who play sport have a safe and positive experience. The club is committed to developing and implementing policies and procedures which ensure that everyone knows and accepts their responsibility in relation to a duty of care for young people. Pinner & Grammarians recognises that it is not the responsibility of those individuals working within the club to determine if abuse has taken place, but it is their responsibility to act upon and report any concerns.
If any person within the club has a doubt to this policy’s relevance to their role and duties then please contact the Child Welfare Officer for Pinner & Grammarians, David Hiles, President. david@thehiles.co.uk
The Club and those involved with the club will abide by the following principles and statements:
- All young people within Pinner & Grammarians, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability, have the right to be protected.
- All young people participating in sport have a right to do so in a safe environment.
- Adults working at Pinner & Grammarians will provide a safe, positive and fun sporting experience for young people.
- Adults – volunteers, coaches and officials will understand and be supported in their role and responsibility with regard to the Duty of Care for young people.
- All suspicions and allegations will be taken seriously, managed and dealt with swiftly and appropriately.
- It is the responsibility of the child protection experts to determine whether or not abuse has taken place, but it is the responsibility of all those working within Pinner & Grammarians to report any concerns.
- The club will assist coaches, volunteers and officials to remain up-to-date with the latest Child Protection issues.
- The club will appoint a Child Welfare Officer whose role is to be responsible for issues concerning child welfare at the club.
- The club will carry out regular risk assessments to ensure the safety of young people and all members of the club.
Pinner & Grammarians has a full Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy that provides further in-depth information on Child Protection & Safeguarding within the sports club.
Photographic Policy
We are keen to promote positive images of Rugby and do not therefore prohibit photography by parents and guardians. However, there is evidence that some people have used sporting events as an opportunity to take inappropriate images of young people so we have introduced the following guidelines and requested consent on the registration form:
- Ask the Head Coach for permission to take photographs to ensure other parents are happy with their childs’ image being used;
- Only use images of young players in appropriate dress;
- Encourage the reporting of inappropriate use of images of young people to the Welfare Officer or Head Coach;
- The Club is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for young people. Implicit in this is the commitment to ensure that all publications, resources and media represent participants appropriately and with due respect.