Rugby Awareness Week set to roll out across Hertfordshire

WITH the RBS 6 Nations tournament well underway, rugby is more than ever in the limelight. And that’s especially going to be the case in Hertfordshire, with Rugby Awareness Weeks set to roll out across the county from now until March 19.

Saracens' Charlotte Barras (far right), who captained England Women in 2009, coaching some girls at an event run by Saracens Foundation

Rachel McCullough and Oren Blindell, from Welwyn RFC, are again working with Herts rugby volunteer Amanda Bate to organise this initiative.

Last season 62 young people stood up in assembly in 42 schools.

This time it’s taking place during the RBS 6 Nations period and the clubs which have provided speakers in schools are Welwyn RFC, Bishop’s Stortford RFC, Royston RFC, Hemel Hempstead RFC who are all developing girls rugby, and Chess Valley RFC and Verulamiums RFC who are building boys teams.

The schools taking part in allowing the young players to talk about the fun they have at their clubs and the five core values embraced by rugby across the country-Teamwork, Respect, Discipline, Enjoyment, Sportsmanship, are; Meridian, St Mary’s Catholic School (Bishop’s Stortford), Hockerill, Dame Alice Owen’s, Nicholas Breakspear, Marlborough, Verulam, Townsend, Clement Danes, Rickamansworth, Cavendish and JFK, Sir John Laws, Sir Frederic Osborn, St George’s, Chauncy, Richard Hale and Queens’.

Opportunity: Youngsters in the county will get a chance to ask players

There will be 30 speakers aged 12 to 18, girls and boys.

Amanda Bate said: “Both our England rugby teams are doing very well in the RBS 6 Nations, and we are sure that their success coupled with the Rugby Awareness inititiave, will spur young people to join their local rugby club.

“Rugby is enormous fun both on and off the field, and friends made through rugby, become friends for life.

“Anyone interested in playing rugby should either speak to the young person who will be talking about rugby in their school assembly of go to, www.hertsrugby.co.uk, or they can contact me at amanda.bate@hotmail.com.”

Herts Women's and Girls' Newsletter

The latest newsletter can be downloaded from here.

Herts Rugby Awareness Week: video

The video used as part of Herts Rugby Awareness Week is now available:

Herts Womens and Girls Rugby Development Group Meeting Mon 11th Jan

The next meeting of the HWGRDG is taking place on Mon 11th Jan at Hertford RFC starting at 7.30. If you have not previously attended these meetings (usually 3-4 times a year) this group works together to plan Tournaments, run the County Teams, exchange Best Practice and advice, and to try and help each other develop Womens and Girls Rugby in Herts. If your club does not send a rep to the group and would like to do so, or if you are a regular attendee who has a specific Agenda item, then please e-mail me on peter.mccullough@ntlworld.com

International women's rugby website launches

Scrum Queens - the first independent website dedicated to women's rugby worldwide - has been launched. Edited by former Irish Women's RFU's press officer Alison Donnelly it includes contributions from across the rugby world and will aim to cover all international women's rugby.

The growing team of writers come from all parts of the world, not just major nations such as England or the USA, but growing nations such as Singapore and Kenya as well, and will aim to cover the women's game from a independent viewpoint.

The site also makes full use of the latest internet technology with feeds on Twitter and Facebook.

Herts Womens and Girls Rugby Development Group Meeting Mon 21st Sept 09

The next meeting of the HWGRDG is taking place on Mon 21st Sept at Welwyn RFC in the Committee Room starting at 7.30. If you have not previously attended these meetings (usually 3 times a year) this group works together to plan Tournaments, run the County Teams, exchange Best Practice and advice, and to try and help each other develop Womens and Girls Rugby in Herts. If your club does not send a rep to the group and would like to do so please e-mail me on peter.mccullough@ntlworld.com

Women's team included in new rugby TV show

A new TV programme - The Big Tackle - starts this month on ITV that will feature Austin Healey "trying to help amateur rugby clubs to fulfill their potential" - and one of the five teams it will feature will be a women's club. 

The programme will be shown on ITV4 on Sundays from 15th March at 7.15pm, and will be repeated midweek on ITV1. The producers have circulated the above preview, which gives some idea about what the six programme series will cover.

Herts Womens and Girls Rugby Development Group Meeting Mon 19th Jan 2009

The next meeting of the HWGRDG is taking place on Mon 19th Jan at Welwyn RFC starting at 7.30. If you have not previously attended these meetings (usually 3-4 times a year) this group works together to plan Tournaments, run the County Teams, exchange Best Practice and advice, and to try and help each other develop Womens and Girls Rugby in Herts. If your club does not send a rep to the group and would like to do so, or if you are a regular attendee who has a specific Agenda item, then please e-mail me on peter.mccullough@ntlworld.com

Herts Womens and Girls Rugby Development Meeting Mon 8th September

The next meeting of the HWGRDG has been postponed from Mon 1st Sept to Mon 8th Sept. it will take place at Welwyn RFC starting at 7.30. If you have not previously attended these meetings (usually 3-4 times a year) this group works together to plan Tournaments, run the County Teams, exchange Best Practice and advice, and to try and help each other develop Womens and Girls Rugby in Herts. If your club does not send a rep to the group and would like to do so, or if you are a regular attendee who has a specific Agenda item, then please e-mail me on peter.mccullough@ntlworld.com

All change

Yesterday's National 7's was the last time that some Girls had the opportunity to play for their current Herts Clubs, as by the beginning of next season they will be over 18. Also for the first time in 2 years there will be movement between the Junior Girls (U15's) and Senior Girls (U18's).

Four Herts Clubs (Saracens, Welwyn, Hertford and Old Albanians) have Players graduating to their U18 teams from their current U15 teams to help fill the gaps, but all 8 Girls Clubs in Herts are looking to recruit new players next season, especially at U15 level.

If you are interested in playing Girls Rugby next season and you are currently aged 12-17 please contact one of the following:

• Bishops Stortford: Stephen Dunkley - stephen.dunkley1@btopenworld.com
• Hertford: Mel Timpson - melanietimpson@btinternet.com
• Letchworth: John Birch - johnbirch@ntlworld.com
• Old Albanians: Brad Cox - brad.cox@stags.herts.sch.uk
• Saracens: Simon Shutler - shutler4@tiscali.co.uk
• Stevenage: Steve Gibbs - m99jed@yahoo.co.uk
• Tabard: Laura-Jo Pearce - tabardminis@hotmail.co.uk
• Welwyn: Peter Mccullough - peter.mccullough@ntlworld.com

RFUW Club Devlopment Toolkit Funding Award

Welwyn Warriors received the excellent news today that their application for £500 from the RFUW Club Development Toolkit Fund has been successful.

This money will be used on projects to promote Girls Rugby in the local area e.g. Open Afternoons, Coaching in Schools, Publicity etc. The money will be used between June 1 2008 and May 31 2009, and will effectively be an investment in the long term future of Welwyn Warriors.

Herts Womens and Girls Rugby Development Group Meeting Mon 14th April 2008

Confirmation that the next meeting of the HWGRDG is taking place at Welwyn RFC on Mon 14th April starting at 7.30. If you have not previously attended these meetings (usually 3-4 times a year) this group works together to plan Tournaments, run the County Teams, exchange Best Practice and advice, and to try and help each other develop Womens and Girls Rugby in Herts. If your club does not send a rep to the group and would like to do so, or if you are a regular attendee who has a specific Agenda item, then please e-mail me on peter.mccullough@ntlworld.com

New and Emerging Schools Under 14 Competition - East Region

4 Schools took part in the Regional Section of the New and Emerging Schools Tournament including Nobel (Stevenage) and Chauncy (Ware). Unforfunately neither were able to progress to the National Stage of the Competition as Chauncy were 3rd and Nobel were 4th.

New and Emerging Schools Under 14 Rugby Festival - Hertfordshire Section Results

A total of 75 Girls from 5 Schools took part in the Herts Section of this National Tournament held at Welwyn RFC.

The 5 Schools participating were Marriotts (Stevenage) Nobel (Stevenage) Turnford (Broxborn) Chauncy (Ware) and Chancellors (Hatfield / Potters Bar) and the Winners were Chauncy, whilst the Runners-Up were Nobel. Chauncy now represent Herts at the Regional Section of the Tournament at Bishops Stortford on 12th March. We wish them the best of luck.

For many of the Girls it was their first experience of playing competitive Rugby and it is expected that some will continue to play at one of the choice of Girls Rugby Clubs in Herts.

'New and Emerging' Schools Girls Under 14 Rugby Festival - Hertfordshire Section

Following the success and enjoyment of the event last year, this seasons New and Emerging Schools Girls Under 14 Rugby Festival (Herts Section) is being held at Welwyn RFC, Handside Lane Playing Field, Hobbs Way, Colgrove, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6HX on Friday 29th February 2008.

Teams are classified as Under 14 which means that you may include players up to and including Year 9, and consist of 12 players with a maximum squad size of 15.

Actual timings will be advised once we know how many Schools are taking part, and there will also be some coaching available on the day. If you would like some help or want to ask questions please get in touch.

Final date for School Entries to be considered is Friday 8th February 2008.

Schools in Herts are invited to get a side together; it will form a Development Day for Girls Rugby; and it will also allow the Winning School to represent the County in the Regional Finals on 12th March 2008.

Please return either by email to: paulfreestone@rfu.com

or

by post to: Peter Engledow, Rugby Football Union, Hertfordshire Sports Village, Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9EU

We look forward to hearing from you.

Paul Freestone
Community Rugby Coach
07738 029262

Girls Under 14 Competition Squad size & rules

Years 7,8 & 9 each School should only bring 15 players
· 12-a-side
· 6 Player uncontested Scrums (3 front row, 2 second row, No.8 (No.8 may NOT
Pick up from base of scrum)
· Midi Rugby Pitch (Half a full size pitch)
· Hand-offs allowed
· No kicking out-of Hand or for touch
· Kick-Offs replaced by scrum not drop kick
· Lineout – no supporting , 5 players in lineout, scrum half may not join, no “quick” or “Long” throws
· Rolling substitutions
· An Under 14 team can be made up of Yr 7s,8s &9s. However, it is worth remembering that some squads will be made up of all Yr 9 while others may be all Yr7s. Please take this into account when selecting your squads.

Please ensure that mouth guards are worn, and that players have warm clothing and a change of clothes.

Full RFUW Rules, Regulations and Guidelines for Under 14 Girls Rugby can be found on http://www.rfu.com/ (click on Women’s Rugby)

Herts Womens and Girls Rugby Development Group Meeting Mon 14th Jan 2008

Confirmation that the next meeting of the HWGRDG is taking place at Welwyn RFC on Mon 14th Jan starting at 7.30.

If you have not previously attended these meetings (usually 3-4 times a year) this group works together to plan Tournaments, run the County Teams, exchange Best Practice and advice, and to try and help each other develop Womens and Girls Rugby in Herts.

If your club does not send a rep to the group and would like to do so, or if you are a regular attendee who has a specific Agenda item, then please e-mail me on peter.mccullough@ntlworld.com

RFUW call for your help!

RFUW need your input to help them develop the game and have prepared six surveys tailored to key groups - Administrator, Coach, Parent, Player, Supporter and Volunteer.

Please find time to fill in an appropriate surveys (below). At the end of the survey you can include your email address or contact number for inclusion into a prize draw - prizes include:

• Women or Girls team coaching session with Gary Street (England Head Coach)
• Improve your coaching session with Club Coach Officer (CCO)
• Museum of Rugby and Twickenham Stadium Tour for up to 15 Members of your Women or girls team
• Pair of branded rugby boots plus 2 Women's International Tickets
• Signed Ball & 2 Women's International Tickets
• Signed England Women's Shirt & 2 Women's International Tickets
• Selection of Canterbury Kit
• Gilbert Training balls & ball bag
• £15 Rugby Store Gift Voucher plus 2 Women's International Tickets
• £20 Rugby Store Gift Voucher plus 2 Women's International Tickets
• £25 Rugby Store Gift Voucher plus 2 Women's International Tickets
• Pair of Asics Trainers plus 2 Women's International Tickets
• Pair of Asics Trainers plus 2 Women's International Tickets

You have until the 18th January 2008.

• Administrator
• Coach
• Parent
• Player
• Supporter
• Volunteer

Still to time enter "Ladies Link" U18/senior tag tournament

There is still time for teams to enter Hertfordshire "Ladies Link" (first announced on 28th June) which is being organised at Welwyn on the afternoon of the 2nd September (kick-off 2pm).

The event is aimed and new and experienced players, and teams must include 5 adults and 5 U18s (that is the new RFUW U18 age band) - though actual squads can be any size. At least five teams have already entered so a great afternoon can be expected. More information can be found in the original posting.

One team is being put together by Amanda Bate. At present she has a good complement of adult players, but is looking for more U18s to join her team. If you are interested then drop Amanda a line (AmandaBate@rfu.com) or give her a ring on 07809 512738.

Be a web celeb!

The 2007 men's Rugby World Cup starts in less than 50 days, and the Rugby Football Union has announced plans to launch a specially commissioned World Cup "microsite". The site will go live on Wednesday 29 August, five days before the squad head to France, and will be full of exclusive content and features.

This will include features on community rugby volunteers, and the designers are looking for:

• Bloggers: amusing, pithy, writers to log their rugby volunteering activity at home or abroad during the tournament
  
• Case Studies: short, heart-warming stories about rugby volunteers in a whole host of roles. We will be featuring a different role throughout the tournament. All ages, genders, backgrounds and abilities welcome!
  
• Video Diaries: 30 second to 3 minute clips that convey everything great about volunteering in rugby - what individuals and others get out of being part of the rugby 'family'.

If you know anyone who fits the bill or want to be a "webceleb" yourself, please get in touch with Laura Fear at RFUW.

Hertfordshire 'Ladies link' Tag Tournament

Following on from some of the 'GO PLAY RUGBY' work, Hertfordshire would like to try an annual Pre-season 10 a side Tag tournament for Ladies and U18s.

Called the 'Ladies link' the idea is to Link U18s and senior sides a little more closely and perhaps persaude those 'tag only' Ladies to give the full game a 'TRY'.

The idea would be a 10-a-side tournament. 5 seniors and 5 U18s on the pitch all the time but rolling subs. The top end U18 girls will be able to play for both seniors and U18s after their 18th birthday so a good way to maybe play together?

If there is enough interest, the idea would be to move the competition around the county to a different club each year.

To begin with, Sunday 2/9 at Welwyn is the proposed date for this year. £25 per team entry fee. No limit on squad size for this first year.2pm kick off.

If you would like to enter your club or combine with another club to have enough numbers, please let me know.

Just think, by 3/9, you could have your first trophy of the season..............................!!

Dave Marques