Peebles Piranhas

Parents Welcome Booklet 2016- 2017www.peeblesrfc.org

Welcome to Peebles Piranhas, the Minis Section ofPeebles Rugby Football Club

Our Mission

We will, through rugby, create a posi-tive, inclusive environment in which todevelop young people by valuing:

Friendship and respect

Inclusion and involvement

Enjoyment and fun

Ambition and competition

In conjunction with other Bordersclubs we introduce children of primaryschool age to rugby union throughstructured coaching sessions, playerdevelopment programmes and tour-naments throughout the season. Weoffer mini, tag, touch and new imagerugby all in accordance with guidelinesset out by the Scottish Rugby Union

This introductory booklet has been produced for you as a parent or carer of childrentaking part in rugby-related activity with us. More information is available on the Pee-bles RFC website (www.peeblesrfc.org) and www.scottishrugby.org. Please contactone of the coaching team if you have any further questions. We aim to develop basicskills and agility, improve confidence in younger children (P1-P3) and introduce themto the simple ethics and concept of sports. In older children we look to reinforcethese principles, introduce contact skills (P4), develop game awareness (P5) andprogress to more complex areas of the game like scrums and lineouts (P6 and P7 re-spectively).

OrganisationRegistration

All children taking part in rugby activities with us must be registered with the PeeblesRFC Mini section by completing the Registration Form available on the website or withone of the coaches. This is to ensure that we are fully informed of any pertinent medicalconditions, and also that we have the necessary contact details for your child.

The annual subscription for the mini section is £40, which includes the standard SRUPlayer Insurance. It would greatly help if this could be remitted as soon as possible viathe website at http://www.peeblesrfc.org/payments. There is also a monthly direct debitoption which makes the payment £4 per month. Please note your child will not be al-lowed to play matches or attend organised trips unless this subscription is up to date.

Communication

Please ensure your email, address, home and mobile telephone numbers are registeredwith us so that we can contact you to keep you updated during the season with informa-tion on changes or cancellations of training or matches, and to confirm fixture venues and

venues and times. Information will also be availablethrough the Minis/Piranhas section of the Peebles RFCwebsite and in the Peebleshire News.

Training

Coaching sessions take place on Sundays in Peebles atHaylodge Park, starting at 10am . We also take part intournaments with other Borders clubs: please check thefixture list and website for more details.

The first session is Sunday 21st August. P1-3 will trainat Peebles High School from November to Easter with abreak in December. P4-7 will continue to train outside tothe end of November and then break in December beforreturning in January. For security reasons we ask thatparents and carers collect their children promptly and inperson after training.

Away Matches and Tournaments

We take part in joint coaching sessions and tournaments with other Borders clubs. Squad sizes depend on age groupsand the host club. Teams are 10 players from a squad of 14 in P7, 8 from 12 in P6, 6 from 10 from P3-P5. P1 and P2 play-ers do not take part in tournaments.

In age groups where we’ve more players than allowable squad sizes, we will select squads to attend. Whilst we try to bal-ance teams to compete, our focus is on giving ALL PIRANHAS the same opportunity to play for the club and so rotate play-ers for different tournaments. Training sessions will be run in Peebles for players who don’t attend tournaments.

This season’s fixtures are included in this booklet and are also available on the website, but remember they are subject tochange. We provide bus transport to some away matches, departing from the Gytes Leisure Centre Car Park and aimingto be at the venue 45 minutes before the first match starts. Travel arrangements will be included nearer the time, soplease look at the website and/or the Peebleshire News for details.

We will take a register of children travelling on the coach for that day; children making their way with parents/carers tothese fixtures are required to travel back with the parent or carer they travelled with.

Please note that parents/carers dropping off children are required to sign children on to the bus and must leave a contactnumber with the coordinating coach on the day. It is not sufficient for the child to tell the coaching team the return plansof the child. For security reasons we ask that parents collect their children from the Gytes car park when the bus returns.

Children should have with them cold/wet weather gear to stay warm and dry because there are often long breaks be-tween games at tournaments. Children should also bring a change of clothes for the return journey.

Home Matches and Hospitality

For home games we hope to enlist the help of 2 or 3 parents for about 2 hours in the preparation and serving of a simplemeal e.g. sausage roll, hot dogs, crisps and juice in the Eastgate Clubrooms. Should you be willing to assist, please tick thebox at the foot of the Registration Form you complete for your child/children.

Protection of Vulnerable Groups

The Protection of Vulnerable Group Scheme (PVG Scheme) is the disclosure scheme that helps to ensure those who haveregular contact with children through paid and voluntary work are appropriately vetted to do so. All Piranhas coaches arerequired to undertake this process, which is coordinated through the club’s Child Protection Officer.

Player Personal Clothing and Equipment

All participating children must wear appropriate clothing. Please ensure your child/children bring plenty of drinks (i.e.water) as the children work hard and get thirsty.

Player Personal Clothing and Equipment

In keeping with SRU guidelines, all players from P4 upwards are required to wear a mouth guard during practice ses-sions and matches (there is no contact P1-P3). A good mouth guard protects the teeth and surrounding soft tissue -and should be properly fitted: an incorrectly fitted mouth guard does not provide protection and becomes a chokinghazard. We ask that you ensure your child/children come to training and games with a correctly fittedmouthguard/gum shield. Please speak to the coaches if you need more information.

Footwear

Players’ boots should be in good condition and the cleats/studs should not be worn or sharp. Older children (P6-7)should not practise scrummaging in running shoes or cross trainers as they do not provide the stability required.

Goggles

An IRB global rugby trial is in place for 2014-2015 season to allow players who need to wear corrective lenses to do sowhile playing rugby. Goggles are available in one size, with an adjustable headband and do not provide added protec-tion. Polycarbonate lenses must be fitted by a qualified optician. Please see playerwelfare.worldrugby.org/goggles formore details and how to order.Match Day ClothingFor matches both away and at home, navy blue shorts and redsocks should be worn. For training, players should wear a sportstop, shorts or tracksuit bottoms and thick socks. In colder/wetterweather, some form of tracksuit and waterproof jacket is also ad-visable. On match days we encourage players to wear their ownPiranhas jerseys - though there will be some spare if needed. Youshould ensure that appropriate warm clothing is provided.Players should not wear hooded training tops as this becomes tootempting a target for a tackler (hoodies are great to keep warmafter training though!). Zips, jewellery and other items that may bedangerous or cause injury to the player or his/her opponentsshould not be used or worn. Children requiring spectacles shouldbring a suitable case with which to store their glasses duringgames.Piranha clothing is available from www.rugbystuff.com/peebles-piranhas/cat-159.html

Fixture List 2015 - 2016

2016 2017 21stAugust First session at Gytes 1st January Xmas break 28th August Training - Haylodge 8th January P1-3 PHS P4-7 Haylodge 4th September Training - Haylodge 15th January P1-3 PHS P4-7 Haylodge 11th Septmeber Peebles Tournament 22nd January P1-3 PHS P4-7 Haylodge 18th September Jed Tournament 29th January P1-3 PHS P4-7 Haylodge 25th September Odd Shaped Ball 5th February P3-7 Linlithgow round robin 26th September Melrose Touranment (P4-7) 12th February Midterm 2nd October Duns Tournament 19th February P1-2 PHS P3-7 Haylodge 9th October School holidays 26th February Biggar/West Linton round robin at Haylodge

16th October Training - Haylodge 5th March P1-2 PHS P3-7 Haylodge 23rd October Hawick Tournament 12th March P1-2 PHS P3-7 Haylodge 30th October Training Haylodge 19th March Selkirk 6th November P1-3 PHS P4-7 Haylodge 26th March Kelso 13th November P1-3 PHS P4-7 Haylodge 2nd April Spring holidays 20th November P1-2 PHS P3-7 Jt training with Selkirk at Haylodge 9th April Langholm 27th November P1-3 PHS P4-7 Haylodge 16th April Easter 4th December P1-3 Xmas party 23rdh April Gala 11th December Xmas break 30th April Haddington 18th December Xmas break 7th May Training Haylodge all 25th December Xmas break 14th May Moffat

21st May Final session HL

Note: Tournaments, round robin fixtures and festivals are P3-P7 only and we may need to select players on a rotational basis. Training sessions will therefore be available on away tournament days at Haylodge. P1-2 training will take place at Haylodge when older age groups are away.

Coaches Charter

Place the well-being and safety ofthe athlete above the development of performance

Follow all guidelines laid down by the SRU and be registered on theSRU coaches’ database

Develop an appropriate working relationship with players based on mutualtrust and respect

Do not exert any undue influence to gain any personal benefit or reward

Encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behav-iour and performance

Ensure activities are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and abili-ty of the individuals

Clarify at the outset, what is expected of players and parents, and whatplayers are entitled to expect their coach

Coopereate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, physiotherapists,club officials etc) in the best interests of the player

Always advocate the positive aspects of Rugby and never condone rule vio-lations

Consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance

Be prepared to complete our club’s Children’s Coach RegistrationForm and follow the procedure laid down by the club

Selection Guidelines

Our Mission: We will, through rugby, create a positive, inclusive environment in which todevelop young people by valuing: Friendship and respect Inclusion and involvement Enjoy-ment and fun Ambition and competition

Competitive and friendly games and tournaments are an important of developing both thevalues of and skills of rugby. Whilst we recognise winning is important, we prioritise devel-opment and participation. Rugby is a late development sport which means that, unlike oth-er sports, often the most able adult players do not develop until their teens or even later.This means it is important for us to support, encourage and develop all children of all abili-ties as we cannot tell who will be the next international! Coaches have the unenviable taskof selecting squads, particularly so in the larger age groups. So to avoid confusion and dis-appointment, we hope everyone understands the key principles outlined below. We askthat all members (coaches, parents and players) read and familiarise themselves with theseprinciples and policies.

Piranhas must be members of Peebles Rugby Club

Every Piranha will get an equal opportunity to participate in tournaments.

Attendance and attitude at training may be taken into account

Where there are siblings in the same or different age groups we will try to accommo-date requests to keep them at the same tournament, though it cannot always beguaranteed

The coaches have the final say on all squad selection matters

Wherever possible training will be arranged for players not travelling to tournaments. Thismay mean mixing age groups together.

Any gripes will be dealt with fairly. Please contact the head coach of the age group or thePiranhas Coaching Convener, Neil Clark at neil.clark74@btinternet.com

Positive Behaviour PolicyAims of the Behaviour Policy

• To encourage a calm, purposeful and happy atmosphere within Piranhas

• To foster a positive attitude where all achievements are recognised

• To encourage self-discipline throughout the Piranhas with parental co-operation and involvement

• To raise children’s self-esteem

• To provide clear boundaries for acceptable behaviour

Golden Rules

Listen to and respect coaches/referees

Try your best at training

Play within the laws of the game

Zero tolerance to bullying of any kind verbal, physical or emotional

Look after property

Treat others the way you would like to treated

Rugby is team sport that cannot be played alone

Should there be disruptive or challenging behaviour the below approaches may be used.

Strategies to deal with behaviour problems:

a) Drawing attention to / praising good behaviour of other children

b) Check out if child is having a problem

c) Discuss with child and explain why behaviour is not acceptable

Specific techniques

Time out - yellow and red card system.

3 strikes and time out

When a child is asked to take time it will be explained to them why they are being asked to take an appropriate amount of time out.They will be told how long time out will be for. They will be asked to sit in an area visible to the coaches or a coach will sit with them

Coaches may make an informal approach to parents

Contacts:

Peebles Piranhas Convener Neil Clark Neil.Clark74@btinternet.com

Child Protection Officer Jim King kingjim55@btinternet.com

Club Youth Development Officer George Blair youthrugby@peeblesrfc.org

Key Contacts

Age Group Email PhonePrimary 1Tony Farndon tony.farndon@mac.com 07950475004

Primary 2Neil Clark Neil.Clark74@btinternet.com 07764636275

Primary 3Ross Fitzgerald ross.fitzgerald@roslin.ed.ac.uk 07783 549877

Primary 4Mark Thomson markbthomson@hotmail.co.uk 07943811715Scott Tait scott.taityboy@gmail.com

Primary 5James Hamilton piranhas2008@gmail.com 07800847954

Primary 6Neil Wolfenden wolfendenhome@gmail.com 07906567319

Primary 7Aegir Maciver aegir@relicarte.com 07834000893

Piranhas Convener: Neil Clark Neil.Clark74@btinternet.comCommunications Officer: Dom Finn dominic@dominicfinn.comYouth Development Officer: George Blair youthrugby@peeblesrfc.orgChild Protection Officer: Jim King kingjim55@btinternet.comKit Covener: David Caulton David.Caulton@ed.ac.ukTreasurer: Richard Brown richard261@btinternet.com