Mini Rugby (ages 4–11: school years reception to year 6)
A message from the Chairman of Mini Rugby
We run one of the largest mini sections in Surrey with over 400 boys & girls between the age of 4 -11, regularly training on a Sunday morning. We are always open(and do not operate waiting lists) for new members.
The Game
Mini Rugby has been around for a long time. A structure and framework for children’s participation in Rugby has been developed by the RFU and this is followed by all clubs who have mini rugby programmes. This structure attempts to introduce children to rugby in a gradual way such that they are substantially playing to the full rules of the adult game by the time they reach Junior level at U15. The youngest entry point for children at S&E is 4 years of age, where they join our U5 group. A child’s age group is based on their date of birth on 1 September, and so follows School years per below:
| Rugby Age Group | School Year | Rugby Age Group | School Year |
| U5 | Reception | U9 | 4 |
| U6 | 1 | U10 | 5 |
| U7 | 2 | U11 | 6 |
| U8 | 3 |
When and where we train
Our mini age groups train every Sunday morning between the first Sunday in September and the last Sunday in April with pre-advised breaks for Christmas and Easter holidays over both our sites – our Clubhouse premises in Rugby Lane and our other ground at Priest Hill sports Ground. Each age group train at the following times:
U5s: 9.00am – 10.00am – Clubhouse pitch
U6s: 9.00am – 10.00am – Clubhouse pitch
U7s: 9.00am – 10.30am – Clubhouse pitch
U8s: 9.00am -10.30am – Club, 1st XV Pitch
U9s: 9.00am – 10.30am – Club, 1st XV Pitch
U10s: 9.00am – 10.30am – Priest Hill Ground – Pitch 2
U11s: 9.00am – 10.30am – Priest Hill Ground – Pitch 3
What you need to bring
All equipment necessary for playing and training is provided by the club. All you need to bring are boots (studs should be rounded, and not have edges), be dressed appropriately for the weather and a water bottle and from U9 upwards a gumshield is compulsory to partake in contact rugby.
Our Coaches
Every age group has its own coaching structure with a Head Coach, leading a team of coaches and admin / manager support. 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 also those who are new to rugby but want to get involved in some capacity. Any help is always welcome and coaches are supported through a variety of courses run by the club and the RFU. All coaches are DBS checked and Head Coaches for each group are appointed by a panel consisting of senior club officers.
How the game changes through the age groups
At the U5 & 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 in our network. Festivals (there is a charge for this) are hosted by Rugby Clubs and usually involve between 5-10 teams who compete against each other on a Sunday morning 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.
Ethos
Throughout SERFC the emphasis at S&E is very much on development of skills, equitable participation, teamwork and fun. As a club every age group follows the player philosophy
S pace
U npredictable
T eamwork
T empo
S upport
As with all clubs we like to be successful when we compete but we do not structure ourselves to prioritise success. The club fully agree with the RFU’s position of removing competition from mini rugby but fully encourage competitive rugby every time the kids play a game.
SERFC is very much a community club geared towards you and your families’ enjoyment, therefore I hope you and your families enjoy your time at SERFC.
Sam Gooder
Chair of Mini Rugby
sgooder@aol.com
07968 180333
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