Teddington RFC

Minimum age at start of season = 7
Maximum age at start of season = 7
Welcome to the Teddington U8 page for the 2024/25 season. We welcome any new players no experience necessary who are in school year 3 born between 1/9/2016 - 31/8/2017.

Player Progression
Friendlies, Triangular & Festivals. Boys & Girls mixed teams of 6, Max Pitch Size 45 x 22, Max mins per half 10, Max mins per day 50, 6 tags to turnover on next tag.

Teddington RFC is proud of its long minis rugby heritage, developing boys and girls to learn the game at their own pace, and making sure they have plenty of fun while playing.

We have a commitment to good fun and good rugby provided in a friendly, family orientated environment. The hallmark of the club is its inclusiveness and its warm, welcoming, and friendly family atmosphere.
Our aim simply in the minis is to give the players “the best two hours of their week through rugby.” “We also develop freethinking rugby players who can make the right decision at the right time in the majority of instances.”

• We put children at the heart of everything they do and the decisions they make
• We encourage fun on the pitch through realistic expectations of your children
• We develop children’s character as players and as people and challenge any behavior that conflicts with this
• We build the skills of our adults to provide a safe, healthy and respectful environment for our children
• We champion rugby’s core values and a life-long bond between children, adults, and sport.
• We are a community club run for and by volunteers.

The Game of Mini Rugby
Mini Rugby has been around for a long time however, is going through a fundamental change to how the game is being delivered to young children. Young people tell us that above all else they want to have fun playing rugby with their friends. This is at the heart of a new age grade rugby framework that launched in September 2016 for six to eighteen year olds.
This ensures the game is player centered, development driven, and competition supported. It will put inclusivity and each player’s skill development first, increasing the intensity of competition in line with motivations of our young players. It aims to help children develop and learn the game at their own pace, and make sure they have plenty of fun whilst playing competitively.

Age Grade Rugby Brochure
The new updated brochure is here for you. The document includes confirmation of all the rules of play and competitive menu and helpful information to keep our player’s safety at the front of everyone’s minds. Hard copies will be available in the clubhouse at the start of the season.

Regulation 15
The RFU Age Grade regulations for 2020-21 can be found here. Also attached is the new “beefed up” guidance to support its application.  This is an interactive document to allow easier navigation.  There are changes to the regulation and guidance that relate to the rollout of Age Grade Rugby in September so please share the information with as many as you can.

When and where we train
Please note that timings in 2021 are subject to change due to Covid restrictions - please check the club news and our Coronavirus pages for latest up to date info
Minis play every Sunday from 9.45am to 11.45am. The sessions start at 9.45am and we recommend you turn up before that to ensure that your child is ready to participate once the session starts. The first few weeks of the season are also very busy with registering players so please bear this in mind. Junior rugby operates from 12.00 until 14.00, although this can vary depending on fixtures etc.

The club is situated in Bushy Park behind the National Physical Laboratory, and can be accessed from Coleshill Road entrance or the various entrances off the Hampton Road or Hampton High Street. Parking is available in the Clapperstile car park that is on the NPL site, accessed off Queens Road – just follow the signs.

What you need to bring
All balls, tag belts and other equipment necessary for playing are provided by the club. All you need to bring are boots (studs should be rounded, and not have edges), be dressed for the weather, and from U9 upwards, bring a gumshield which is essential to partake in contact Rugby. Once you become a member you may decide to buy kit which you can do so on Sunday mornings in the locker behind the clubhouse. U7 and over should all wear the official Minis Shirt. Bring along a water bottle and some snacks for break times. 

Our Coaches, Team managers, First Aiders are all parents and volunteers
Every age group has its own coaching structure with a Head Coach, leading a team of Coaches, first aiders & team managers. Most of our Coaches will have a child in the group they are coaching and whilst many draw experience from having played the game, there are those who are new to rugby but want to get involved in some capacity. Volunteers are always encouraged & welcomed, with coaches supported through a variety of courses run by the club and RFU. All coaches, team managers, and first aiders are DBS checked. The club arranges First aid courses for First Aiders. All courses are paid for by the club.

Membership
To join the club you will need to register on our website and pay online.  The subscription costs for the full year are based on the eldest child first.  There is no need to pre-register before this date as we operate a ‘turn up and play’ policy for our new members.  On your trial session(s) please go the clubhouse and register your son/daughter and ensure you have read our terms and conditions. 

Your child(ren) can then come to up to “3 free sessions” before you decide whether you would like to commit to the full season. 

You will then be asked to pay for the memberships set out below and fully register with the club via the website teddingtonrfc.co.uk. You can of course register online beforehand to receive club messages.

U6 Family Membership
U7-U12 Mini Family Membership
Mini Siblings this is for the 2nd or more children

Membership includes

• Over 30 Sundays of rugby
• Free entry to all away festivals
• RFU player insurance
• Club wide ballot for England Home International tickets
• Clubhouse hire at discounted rates (VAT exempt)
• Discounted Harlequins Big Game tickets and other offers from Quins throughout the year
• Club funded RFU courses coaching courses (approx £120 per course)
• Club funded First Aid courses (approx. £90 per course)

Minis Tour
The club has a long history of taking the minis away for a weekend on tour each year typically around March / April. The whole family is encouraged to attend. As with any great tradition, a tour means so much more than players going away for an end of season match. It is part of our rich rugby heritage that bonds a club and players together. Children make friends and have memories they will hold dear for life. It is a rite of passage and an opportunity for children to experience something more than a holiday or a tournament. It is a unique learning experience: children grow in confidence as they are allowed degree of social independence in a safe environment.

If you require any further information please feel free to get in touch.

U8@teddingtonrfc.co.uk

[LAST UPDATED 01/07/2024]