U8 Home Page

Hi Everyone, how are you all?

Hope you’ve had a fab summer rest and are now raring to go in a very exciting season of U8 tag rugby. Click here  to cast an eye over this seasons fixtures -  but remember these are updated many times during the season so please keep checking the website for any changes.

Welcome also to our new members, we’re very pleased to have you on board; any questions, feel free to ask.

As you know, training starts on Sunday 5th September at 10am sharp.

Please arrive a little earlier than this to allow time for registration, especially in the first few weeks as I need to check that email addresses and mobile phone contacts are all up to date.

It is very important for you to register your child  with me before taking to  the pitch as Darren and the coaches need to know who’s attending each week as well as being covered by the clubs insurance.

Our training pitch has moved this season, so, having parked in Munro House, you’ll find us on the field to the right of the club road, behind the U5s and next to the exit to Fairmile Lane.

For any new kit purchases the club shop will be open from the 5th  September and I will arrange a date towards the end of September to have players surnames printed on shirts, usually costing about £5 a name.

There will also be a boot exchange running on the first few weekends of the season just in front of the clubhouse so if you’ve got any boots to swop don’t forget to bring them. Also, please remember not to wear rugby boots in  Munro House or indeed on any hard surfaces as these could damage the studs and therefore potentially cause serious injury.

Gumshields need to be worn at all times and these can either be shop bought or dentist made. Attached is a flier from Opro whose dentist will be available on the first 2 Sundays of the season if you would like your child to be fitted professionally.

Other reminders include ensuring your child is wearing sufficient clothing appropriate for the weather and that your child is provided with enough drinks to re-hydrate themselves.

Please click here for the CRFC information document for members, please read all the way through to familiarise yourself again with those rules and regulations that help the club run smoothly – it won’t take long – honest.

And, talking of volunteers and helping out, the U8s have early dates for running the BBQ – Sept 12th and for car parking duty – Sept 26th (further details to follow). Please note the dates now and let me know if you can help out – thanks.

For those of you with First Aid qualifications already, a refresher course will be run at the club on the 8th September OR the 14th September, 7 till 10pm. Please contact suzanne.whealing@btconnect.com to arrange directly.

For those of you who would like to gain a First Aid qualification there is a full course, run in 2 parts on the 12th & 19th October, 7 till 10pm. Please contact suzanne.whealing@btconnect.com again to arrange directly, but please keep me informed of any 1st aid qualifications obtained – thanks.

Darren also has a list of dates for coaching courses and updates. If you are interested please drop him a line  dcla123@gmail.com  for more information.

If you are interested in any of the above then you will need to have a CRB clearance. Forms will be available on Sunday and our Child Protection Officers will be ready to sign them off at 12 o ’clock in the bar. You’ll need to provide your passport/driving licence and a utility bill.

Now, before I sign off, some words of wisdom from our lovable old Head Coach, Darren………

Hello all.

Forget those holiday blues and indulge yourself in a feast of U8s Rugby. Yes folks, the Karen and Darren show is back on the road and we need you to “Tag” along for the ride.

Last season was extremely successful across all of the squads and naturally we want to emulate and better it this time around. Whilst we won numerous trophies across the As, Bs and Cs I believe the most important factor is that the children were playing the type of rugby that we all wanted to see, namely, working as a team, great support play, strong in attack/ strong in defence and with a smile on their faces.

Last season was a steep learning curve for all of us and I hope to use the experience and apply it in a more structured way this season.  For our benefit, Cobham now has a Coaching Coordinator in Paul Markham who will help us teach our children to maximise their skills and ability whilst really enjoying their rugby. Paul has devised a range of development which I believe we are already working towards; these are as follows and will form the basis of how we select children for training and festival squads and they will also form the basis of reports which will detail areas that you may like to work on when you’re throwing a ball around in the park.

Key Development Areas

Encourage the development of Agility, Balance & Coordination (ABC’s)

Introduce the basic Principles of Play

      Go Forward          - Running and evasion skills

      Support                  - Running & communication

      Continuity            - Catching & passing skills

      Pressure                - The TAG tackle

The main focus must be on the ability to run with the ball and evade defenders. Rugby is an EVASION game and must be coached as such.

I do hope that you’re looking forward to this season as much as I am and we can’t wait to get started - see you on Sunday …….... prompt!

Many thanks

Darren

U8s Head Coach

So, that’s it then, just clean out those rugby bags (you’ll be surprised what’s lurking at the bottom) and relocate your brolly (?)and I’ll see you all on Sunday.

Karen