Under 9’s Mission
2009/10 Season
Contents
Vision .................................................................................................................... 3
Mission .................................................................................................................. 3
Introduction ....................................................................................................... 3
Aim .................................................................................................................... 4
U9s Objectives for the Season .......................................................................... 4
The Coaching Team .......................................................................................... 4
Player Safety and Wellbeing ............................................................................. 5
Selection Policy ................................................................................................. 5
Substitutes ..................................................................................................... 6
Selection Criteria ........................................................................................... 6
Player Rotation .............................................................................................. 7
Attendance & Availability ................................................................................... 7
Player Development .......................................................................................... 7
Parent/Guardian Support .................................................................................. 7
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 8
Appendix 1: RFU Determined Player Skills: The Basics ...................................... 9
Appendix 2: RFU Determined Player Strategy .................................................... 10
Appendix 2: RFU Determined Player Strategy .................................................... 10
Vision
As our players enter a new phase in their rugby progress – the full contact gameour vision for the CRFC Under 9s is:
1. To create a confident and competent team playing full-contact
rugby

Confident: To have all our players energized and excited in playing fullcontact rugby. To give them the skills and practice to enjoy the new game
safely.

Competent: To adopt the RFU principles of playing a modern, fast,
attacking brand of rugby. Key concepts are: effective and safe tackling,
attacking space and keeping the ball alive.
2. Good sportsmanship and camaraderie amongst players and
parents

To ensure that all those involved with the U9s take part in the right spirit
and support the team to achieve the best results in training and
competitions.
Mission
Introduction
Cranbrook Rugby Football Club (CRFC) is an all inclusive club, welcoming boys
and girls of all abilities that have a desire to play and improve their skills in the
game of Rugby Football Union (RFU). Parents are encouraged to support the
club, squad and teams in creating a friendly, fun yet competitive environment.
The Coaching Team are all parents who volunteer their time willingly. Success in
the coming season will depend on a number of factors; enthusiastic parental
support, the number of children in attendance, leadership and motivation through
the Coaching Team and, of course, player ability across the board.
To this end CRFC Under 9s will operate a single squad approach, with 2 different
ability teams selected before each key tournament (thought not for all
tournaments).
Aim
The aim of this Mission Document is to establish a way of working for the
Coaching Team with a view to keeping parents and players informed of
procedures, expectations, commitment and planning as far in advance as is
possible.
U9s Objectives for the Season
Our objectives are to:
1. To put the players safety and wellbeing first.
2. Develop all players to the best of their abilities and skill levels.
3. Ensure maximum participation of players in practice and fixture matches.
4. Plan training and fixtures as far in advance as is possible to give maximum
notice to parents in order to minimize disruption to family commitments and
allow for transport sharing, in particular, to away games where at all possible.
5. Make training sessions interesting, varied and enjoyable.
6. Apply RFU player skills and key principles.
7. Implement Selection Policy of players for squads attending key tournaments
(not all tournaments), with a view to rotating individuals between A & B teams,
both consistently and fairly, full details of which are laid out below.
8. To recruit more people to the U9s and to have at least 35 regular players.
The Coaching Team
The coaching team are parents and are volunteers who will always endeavor to
do what is best for the players and best for CRFC through delivering our
objectives. Our roles and responsibilities are laid out below:
Role
Duties
Head Coach
Team Manager
Make sure all responsibilities are assigned.
Liaise regularly with the junior chairman.
Carry out regular player fitness and skill assessments
Squad selection
Conflict resolution
Report all discipline issues to the junior chairman
Updates latest news on the website
Plan training sessions in advance.
Develop drills.
Debrief players after training and matches.
Manage teams on match days (registration,
substitutions, etc)
Feedback match reports to Web/Admin
Coaches
Responsible
Person
Mobile number
Mike Benson
Jeremy Alderwick
Mike Franklin
Rob Solly
Chris May
Robin Gibson
Mike Ervine
Richard Wood
Dan McDowell
Coaching
Assistants
Administration
Manager
Fixtures
Manager
Kit Manager
First Aiders
Referees
Help run training sessions
Assist with matches
CRFC membership records, and chase debtors
Contacts update
Weekly register
Availability updates
Updates latest news on the website
Puts up match reports and results
Ensures website fixtures are up to date
Obtains and promulgates match/tournament
information by email and website
Liaise with the opposition min week before (eg A and
B a mix, KO time, etc)
Age groups adds ,omits or rearrangements
Ensures there are 2 sets of kit in the right place for
matches and training
Ensure there are 2 first aid kits available
Orders new kit as required
Bring the bottles each week clean
Min appointed person qualification
Take regular stock checks and replenish.
Record all injuries and report to the junior chairman
Qualified Referee for tournament and fixture games
Will Richards
Dan McDowell
Susie Hinge
Rob Solly
Richard Wood
Mike Benson
Rob Solly
(Parents?)
Mike Benson
Chris May
Rob Solly
Player Safety and Wellbeing
Under 9s rugby is a full contact sport and there is a risk of injury. To this end:
 All player equipment must conform with current RFU safety requirements.
 We will require all players to wear gum shields.
 All parents to ensure that they, or a nominated adult, are pitch-side at all
times should their player need comforting after a bump or more attention.
This will be better for the child and allow the Coaching Team to continue
with their duties.
 Parents should not allow their children to play with any injuries or
conditions that playing rugby could worsen or impede its the recovery.
 It is essential that parents ensure players have the right clothing for the
prevailing weather conditions (e.g. warm clothing to wear in between
games).
 All activity must be conducted in line with the Cranbrook RFC policies
Should any parent have concerns over safety or child welfare, these concerns
must be brought to the attention of any coach immediately, so it can be acted
upon as necessary.
Selection Policy
The CRFC Under 9s will operate a single squad approach, with 2 different ability
teams selected before each key tournament (not all tournaments).
The Under 9 Policy is to select the strongest possible team for key fixtures and
festivals taking an appropriate number of reserves (numbers permitting). This is
also to avoid dispiriting mismatches of ability.
The team will consist of 9 players; with substitutes this effectively means a
playing squad of 12 for fixtures and tournaments. However, priority will be given
to creating 2 complete teams to enable maximum player and club participation at
events.
For other fixtures and teams, selection policy will be to give others a chance to
play for their club.
Substitutes
Mindful of the nature of the match/festival and the requisite numbers of reserves,
substitutes will be used in a sensible manner.
For game (where a festival may consist of a number of games) the substitutes
will be identified and will remain substitutes for that game, unless brought on for
injury, etc, to ensure better understanding of positional play for all players and
avoid to confusion by mixing it up too often. For the next game different
substitutes may be chosen.
At all times, coaches will aim to be as fair as possible when it comes to
substitutes.
Selection Criteria
Player selection will reflect the following criteria:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Ability
Current performance
Effort in training
Attendance
Attitude
To avoid nepotism coaches are not allowed to represent their own children
during selection discussions.
The Head Coach taking advice from others in the Coaching Team, will be
responsible for squad selections and have the final say on all selection issues.
The Head Coach will be responsible for the promulgation of squad nominations;
this will normally be undertaken by email as far as is possible in advance of a
match and normally undertaken on the Monday/Tuesday preceding
the match/festival.
Player Rotation
It will be policy to rotate players, between squads. The is no specific time table
for this but rotation will be based on the Selection Criteria above and is likely to
be two or three players per team. This will allow improving players the
opportunity to play with better players and provide an incentive to eager and able
players, and also demonstrate to all players that effort and ability are not only
actively noted but will be rewarded.
Attendance & Availability
Attendance and regularity will play a part in the overall assessment in the squad
selection process.
Home training sessions will last for approximately two hours and start at 10.00
hours. In order to achieve maximum activity and make best use of the training
sessions organised by coaches and staff, please be ready to play by 10:00.
To allow the Coaching Team to notify parents as quickly as possible it will be
assumed that players ARE available unless parents advise they are not. Regular
reminders will be sent to parents to prompt them to review availability for the
upcoming weeks.
Persistent no-shows and late cry-offs cause disruption and will effect future
selection - this is not fair on team mates who could otherwise have had a place
and the ability of the team to compete at its best.
Player Development
A large group of mixed ability players is anticipated and one of the objectives is
to develop all the children of all abilities across the board. This includes
developing those who are still relative novices to the game as well as those
playing to a higher standard.
We will follow RFU Coaching courses in developing Player Skills and Key
Principles that are laid out in appendix 1 and 2.
We intended to foster good sportsmanship amongst everyone involved with
CRFC. Players will be required to play to the spirit and letter of the laws and be
encouraged to applaud the efforts of all and be supportive of their team mates
Parent/Guardian Support
It is thanks to the parents and guardians that our players are able to take part.
In addition to what Coaches can achieve with the players in the two hours each
Sunday, there is a lot that can be done outside these sessions that will have a
real impact on each player’s potential to progress. We would really encourage
parents and players to work on fitness and core ball handling skills.
All parents are expected to role model and teach good sportsmanship to all
players at all times.
Cranbrook RFC is a club run by volunteers and members are also expected to
help in the running of various aspects of the club. Please step up to help. Many
hands make light work!
From time to time, misunderstandings and differences of opinion may occur. In
the first instance any concerns are to be addressed to the Head Coach. In the
unlikely event that he is unable to deal with a question or query, then all concerns
or complaints are to be addressed to the Minis Chairman
SUMMARY
Finally, it is of paramount importance to ensure everyone plays safely, and to
their best of their ability whilst enjoying the game of RFU and having fun. Playing
in the Under 9s is another step up the rugby ladder with greater physical,
technical and other challenges.
The Under 9s will look to be as competitive in all matches played and with a view
to improving upon last season. In order to achieve this, effort needs to be
concentrated on developing the U9s Age Group as a whole.
Competitive sport by its nature has winners and losers. It is an important aspect
of sport, and a lesson for life, that children, while playing to win, must also learn
to manage disappointment. To this end it is crucial that all Coaches, Parents,
Players and all those associated with CRFC should, at all times, encourage this
ethos. We play this game for pleasure and part of the pleasure of being a rugby
player is understanding the pleasure of others in the game. Please encourage
this for the safety and wellbeing of others.
Appendix 1: RFU Determined Player Skills: The Basics
RFU Coaching Course Player Skills
Skills for all players
1. Passing
lateral pass
miss pass
switch pass
loop pass
drift pass
pop pass
quick hands
penetrator
scrum half passes
2. Drawing/committing a defender
3. Running skills
technique
fast feet/agility
evasive skills:
side step
change of pace/goose step
swerve
bump/hit and spin
4. Tackling
side tackle
rear tackle
front tackle
contesting for ball after tackle
5. Contact and
Continuity
taking a tackle on your own terms
offload in tackle
pop pass up from ground
contact with ground and laying ball back
support player options :
pick and drive
pick and pass
clear out opposition
rucking body position
maul and drive
6. Catching a high ball
7. Moves from broken play.
Appendix 2: RFU Determined Player Strategy
RFU coaching course key principles
Key Principles of playing the game (in order)
1. Fight for and win the ball.
2. Go forward, ‘attacking spaces not faces‘.
3. Support the ball carrier.
4. Keep the ball alive/continuity
5. Put pressure on the opposition both in attack and in defense.
6. Score tries.
2. ‘Attack spaces not faces’
3. ‘Hierarchy of contact’ to keep ball alive/continuity and play a modern, fast,
attacking brand of rugby
The principle is as soon as you have the ball in your hands your instinct is to try
to go forward and keep the ball alive/continuity by attacking space, evading
defenders yourself or creating space for your support players and passing to
them. Going into contact brings 2 risks - no.1 it slows down play allowing the
defense to re-organise and, worse, No.2 the ball may be lost.
S
O
Step Offload
S
Set up
1. Evade contact
2. Pass to a support player
3. Take tackle on your terms and off load to support player.
4. Take tackle and pop pass from ground up to a support player.
5. Take tackle place ball on ground for support player
6. Support player options
1. Pick and drive
2. Pick and pass to 2nd support player
3. Clear out opposition to secure the ball.