Teddington RFC

Rugby starts back on Sunday 3rd September 2023.

Teddington RFC is proud of its long minis rugby heritage, developing children 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
Mini Rugby is player centred, 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 while playing competitively.
The youngest entry point for children at Teddington RFC is 5 years of age. A child’s age group is based on their age on 1 September, and so follows school years as below:

How the game changes through the age groups
At the U6 level, the emphasis is on fun and skill development, through the medium of non-contact ‘Tag’ Rugby (a variation of the game whereby a ‘tackle’ is performed through the removal of a plastic ‘Tag’ that is otherwise attached to a velcro belt). There is a gradual introduction to competitive games, although this will be intra-group, as matches are not played against other clubs.

Through U7 and U8, we continue to play Tag Rugby whilst formal competitive games are introduced through playing ‘Festivals’ and via fixtures / joint training with other clubs. Festivals are hosted by Rugby Clubs (we host 3) and usually involve between 4-6 teams who compete against each other on a Sunday morning / afternoon, over a series of matches.

Full contact rugby is introduced from U9 and each year thereafter, there are modest changes to the rules as children progress towards Junior Rugby. For example, in U9, there is no contest for the ball after a tackle, at U10 rucks and mauls are introduced, whilst kicking is only introduced to the game from U11 onwards.

When and where we train
Apart from the 3rd September where we will have a slightly different schedule, the 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, tackle bags 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. The season starts on Sunday 5th September. 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 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 (for your first child)
U7-U11 Mini Family Membership
Mini Siblings this is for the 2nd or more children

Social Media
Website
Facebook page: facebook.com/teddingtonrfc
Twitter: @teddingtonrfc

Minis Chairman Sam Seward

[LAST UPDATED 07/07/2022]