For those players and parents who are new to youth rugby or to Crewe & Nantwich RUFC, the following page will provide a brief guide to the mini and junior section. New players are always welcome.

Rugby is one of the most popular and enjoyable team games a youngster can play, as it promotes personal development, sports skills and fitness.

Age Groups

All players are coached and play in teams according to age groups as determined by school year. For example, Under 7s players will be in Year 2 and have their 7 th birthday between 1st September 2010 and 31 st August 2011.

The Youth Section has teams at all age groups from Under 7s right through to Colts rugby for players aged 17 & 18 years.

The playing and training programme closely follows the RFU Continuum and emphasis is firmly placed on young players enjoying rugby and developing skills in an inclusive, family orientated atmosphere.
The RFU Continuum is a national programme followed by all rugby clubs to ensure young players acquire rugby skills and can enjoy the game in a phased introduction to handling, contact, tackling and kicking. Due regard is given to physical and conceptual development.
The Minis' Section comprise of all age groups up to and including Under 12s. Junior rugby is a term generally applied to Under 13s through to Under 16s and Colts.

Under 7s & Under 8s play tag (non-contact) rugby; tackling and non-contested scrums are introduced at the Under 9s level and limited, contested scrums and lineouts at Under 10s. The number of players and size of pitches increase through the range of age groups.

Training & Fixtures

Each season commences on the first Sunday in September. All youth rugby is played on a Sunday, although junior age groups and the older Minis age groups may organise mid-week training sessions. On Sundays, all training sessions commence at 10.00 a.m for Minis at Brine Leas High School. Juniors commence at 10.30 at Vagrants Park, With Colts training commencing late morning or early afternoon at Vagrants Park.

A number of fixtures against local and regional clubs also take place during the season. The RFU Continuum lays down the maximum number of competitive games Minis & Juniors can play during the season, (more so with Minis players). There are no competitive fixtures for Minis during September. Fixture lists can and do vary at short notice, the website should be up to date at all times (check your age group page). Your age group coach will have details of fixtures, and a provisional fixture list can be found in Club Membership handbook. As with training, all home fixtures start at 10.00 am. Again, your age group coach will give you details of any arrangements for transport to away matches, but the general rule is that parents will either make their own way to the venue, or meet at Vagrants Park at an appropriate time to share transport and/or travel in convoy.

Details of fixtures and directions to clubs are posted on the team Pages of the club website.

A qualified coach or coaches lead each age group, and parents are always encouraged to help and assist. Some teams in the youth section have as many as 20 young players, so any assistance offered will be gratefully received. Most if not all coaches are parents themselves and many started by being interested parents on the touchline.

Parents are expected to stay and watch (or remain in the Clubhouse).

Most players, parents & spectators stay for hot food & drinks after matches or training sessions. The bar is open from 1200 hrs.

New Players

New players are always encouraged to come along for a couple of weeks to determine whether they enjoy playing rugby before any membership fees are expected or money is spent on rugby kit. All that is required to begin with is a pair of boots and training kit (including warm and wet-weather clothing)all available from the club shop -

club.shop@creweandnantwichrufc.com

The RFU, Crewe & Nantwich RUFC and all coaches strongly advise young players to wear mouthguards when playing contact rugby. Your age group coach will be pleased to advise you further.

Club Welfare

The Crewe & Nantwich RUFC child protection policy and Codes of Conduct for parents and players can be found on the notice board and also on the Club website.

For any additional information on Minis or Junior rugby, please do not hesitate to speak with your age group coach. We are always keen to involve parents to assist in the running of the Youth Section. If you would like to help in any way just ask!