U13 Age Band: Dispensation for existing U12 players

Dear All

We have listened to feedback on the U13 age band proposal and have come to the conclusion, that the vast majority agree with the strategic need for the proposals, although the suggested timing for introduction will pose some challenges for some of our clubs, therefore:

For Season 2011/12  any female players aged U12 and registered on Rugby First in 2010/11 season can play within the U15 age band.

All players must be 12 years of age on the 1st September 2011 and have played club rugby during the 2010/11 season under the RFU Continuum, only players that were registered on Rugby First before the season closed on the 2nd May 2011 will be approved to play U15 Girls rugby.

How does it work?:

1.       All clubs that have affiliated girls sections at U15s can apply to the RFUW to allow those U12 girls previously registered (in season 2010/2011) on Rugby First to play in their U15 team.

2.       Clubs must follow U13 Player Application Form  link and supply the required information, which in turn can be checked against Rugby First before approval is granted.

3.       Any application needs to be with the RFUW no later than 15^th July 2011.

4.       Any non-registered players or new players to the game will not be permitted to play U15 rugby and would start in the new U13s age-group.

5.       To support this we have expanded the Club Development Toolkit Fund to have a specific line of funding available to support programmes and resources relating to the development of U13s. The funding is available through application via Club Toolkit Fund Application Form and must be received by 10th June 2011. If you require any support or assistance with your application, please contact your WRDM.

6.       Resources to support the coaching of the Tag to Tackle game will be available through your local coaching network over the summer.

If you have any queries at all please contact your WRDM in the first instance.

Regards

Rosie Williams

Girls summer touch rugby

Saracens want to see what clubs might be interested in taking part in a Girls Touch rugby event this summer. Saracens, in conjunction with In2Touch, are running a touch league with either male only or mixed teams and it got me thinking that maybe we could run a girls only event. 

This will be a one-off session, venue, times and date to be confirmed but will probably be towards the end of July before the school summer holidays. The idea is that the players can get together and socialize and it may be a chance to recruit new players if we encourage players to bring a friend as there is no contact involved.

Could you let me know if you would or would not be interested in taking part and I can get things moving.

Kind regards

Simone

Simone Shepherd | Sports Development Officer

Saracens Sport Foundation, Hertfordshire Sports Village, DeHaviland Campus, Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield, Herts, AL10 9EU
M +44 (0)7590 890801 | T +44 (0)1707 285026  F +44 (0)1707 270748 
E simoneshepherd@saracens.net | W www.saracens.com

National Sevens: Results

Under 15

Competition	Winner	Runner – up
Cup	London Irish	Reading
Plate	Litchfield	Mowden Rockliffe

Under 18

Competition	Winner	Runner – up
Cup	Welwyn	Worcester
Plate	Litchfield	Ellingham + Ringwood
Bowl	Reading	Tyldesley / Waterloo

Herts Sevens 2011: Results

Under15

Competition	Winner	Runner – up
Cup	London Irish	Welwyn
Plate	Litchfield	Oakmedians B
Bowl	Letchworth	Royston
Shield	Ealing	Grove
Egg cup	Faringdon	Oakmedians A

Under18

Competition	Winner	Runner – up
Cup	Welwyn	Berks Ba Baas
Plate	Worcester	Herts Ba Baas
Bowl	Saracens/Chesham	Aylestone st James

Coaching Vacancy: OA Saints

THE ROLE:
The role will consist of coaching the Old Albanian RFC Women's section (1st and 2nd Teams) and will consist of stringent planning and delivery of coaching sessions as well as coaching and facilitating team preparation on match days. We are looking for a Head Coach and an Assistant Coach for the whole squad to work alongside the current 2nd team Head Coach.

ABOUT US:
Old Albanian women’s section (OA Saints) is a premiership club that has two squads for women from the age of 18 through to 40. The 1st team is in its second year in the premiership having been promoted in 2010 due to its phenomenal success in the lower leagues. The 1st team consists of several current and ex-international players from England and Scotland. The 2nd team is in National Challenge South East North 2 and is pushing for promotion into National Challenge South East 1 for the 2011/2012 season. The 2nd team has also been very successful in their league having won 7 and lost just 1 match in this past season.

LOCATION:
The club is based in St. Albans at the outstanding facilities of OA Rugby which is currently the base at which Saracens Rugby Club train on a daily basis, with facilities including a floodlit training pitch, 6 full size rugby pitches including an international standard 1st XV pitch, a fully equipped rugby gym, 8 changing rooms and a physiotherapist suite.

This would be a fantastic opportunity for any coach who is keen on working with a dedicated and talented premiership side and enthusiastic squad and who wants to further their coaching career. The coach must be keen to develop their skills and bring something unique to the club.

MAIN DUTIES:
- Coach the 1st and 2nd team players on a Mon & Weds evening
- Facilitate team preparation on match days (Sundays)
- Attend training and match fixtures throughout the season
- Attend coaching & selection meetings
- To lead on the delivery of training sessions
- Provide constant player feedback to squad players
- Liaise and work with the other club coaches

Additionally:
Potential candidates will be invited to interview with the club chairwoman and Club Captain. Candidates may also get the opportunity to meet the players and lead a pre-season training session.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Level 2 (minimum) or 3 Rugby Coaching Award with a proven coaching background
- Strong written and communication skills

- Strong Leadership, delegation and planning skills
- Knowledge of Strength & Conditioning an advantage
- Enhanced RFU CRB Disclosure less than 3 years old

REWARDS AND BENEFITS:
- Support towards CPD Training
- Potential for expense payments
- Opportunities to work alongside National coaches and to assist in player development of national players
- Opportunities to work with an ex-England International player and current Saracens coach who will oversee the overall coaching plan for the Saints
- To be involved in coaching a hugely talented Premiership sides at one of the best amateur rugby facilities in the UK.

Please send letter of application and CV to tasha@saintsmith.com by 1st June.

Worthing 10s: Results

UNDER 18s CUP

	Home	Away	League Points
13:40	London Irish 28	Welwyn 5	London Irish +5 Welwyn 0
14:20	Aylesford 7	Welwyn 22	Welwyn +5 Aylesford 0
15:00	London Irish 34	Aylesford 0	London Irish +5 Aylesford 0
Under 18 Cup Winners: London Irish Under 18 Cup Runners Up: Welwyn

UNDER 18s SHIELD

	Home	Away	League Points
13:20	Ealing 0	E&R 38	Ellingham +5 Ealing 0
14:00	H3 43	Ealing 5	H3 +5 Ealing 0
14:40	E&R 19	H3 0	Ellingham +4 H3 0
Under 18 Shield Winners: Ellingham and Ringwood Under 18 Shield Runners Up: H3

UNDER 18s BOWL

	Home	Away	League Points
13:20	SSB 19	Worthing 0	SSB +4 Worthing 0
14:00	Oakmeadians 29	SSB 0	Oakmeadians +5 SSB 0
14:40	Worthing 12	Oakmeadians 29	Oakmeadians +5 Worthing 0
Under 18 Bowl Winners: Oakmeadians Under 18 Bowl Runners Up: SSB

UNDER 15s CUP

	Home	Away	League Points
14:00	SSB 0	Aylesford 39	Aylesford +5 SSB 0
14:20	Welwyn 0	London Irish 12	London Irish +4 Welwyn 0
14:40	Aylesford 12	Welwyn 5	Aylesford +4 Welwyn +1
15:00	London Irish 22	SSB 0	London Irish +5 SSB 0
15:20	Welwyn 10	SSB 5	Welwyn +4 SSB 0
15:40	London Irish 15	Aylesford 5	London Irish +4 Aylesford 0
Under 15 Cup Winners: London Irish Under 15 Cup Runners Up: Aylesford Bulls

UNDER 15s SHIELD

	Home	Away	League Points
13:20	Solent 17	Hertford 12	Solent +4 Hertford 0
13:40	Paviors 31	Ealing 0	Ealing withdraw
14:00	Ealing	Hertford	Ealing withdrawn
14:20	Paviors 5	Solent 10	Solent +4 Paviors 0
14:40	Hertford 5	Paviors 15	Paviors +4 Hertford +1
15:00	Solent	Ealing	Ealing withdrawn
Under 15 Shield Winners: Solent Under 15 Shield Runners Up: Paviors

UNDER 15s BOWL

	Home	Away	League Points
13:00	Oakmead. R 0	Worthing 27	Worthing +5 Oakmead R 0
13:20	Oakmead B 22	Letchworth 15	Oakmead B +5 Letchworth +1
14:00	Letchworth 15	Worthing 5	Letchworth +4 Worthing 0
14:20	Oakmead B 79	Oakmead R 34	Oakmead. B +5 Oakmead R 0
14:40	Worthing 7	Oakmead. B 24	Oakmead. B +5 Worthing 0
15:00	Oakmead. R 0	Letchworth 22	Letchworth +5 Oakmead. R 0
Under 15 Bowl Winners: Oakmeadian Blues Under 15 Runners Up: Letchworth

Worthing 10s 2011: draw

The draw for tomorrow's Worthing 10s has been published, with three Herts teams in the U15s and one in the U18s.

U13 and U15 rules and age band changes for 2011-12

Full details about the new U13 age band, and consequent changes to the rules for the U15 band, have now been published. See the RFUW U13 Review and FAQ for details.

The new "tag to tackle" playing rules for the new U13 band have also been published.

Herts' duo turns game for England

Two Hertfordshire players turned potential defeat into a comfortable victory for England today against Wales. First Hannah Gallagher came off the bench for England U20s to score the try that put her team ahead - and then Georgia Peedle completed the win with the try that finally saw off Welsh resistance

England had been trailing to Wales for most of this afternoon's international, played at Hartpury College in Gloucester. With 29 minutes left Wales lead 19-13 when Hannah and Georgia came on, along with Surrey's Alex Matthews. Soon after Matthews had reduced the deficit, and then on 62 minutes Hannah, supported by Essex's Emily Scott, completed a superb move, touching down under the posts. Scott converted and England were ahead 25-19.

Wales were not finished - until Georgia seized her chance, after some good work by England’s backs, catching a great line on her first touch of the ball and scoring. With Scott again successful with the boot, England sealed an impressive 32-19 victory.

England Women U20s Head Coach Amanda Bennett said: “This was again a very different match to the games we have played against France and Scotland this season. We put ourselves in trouble in the first half with a high missed tackle count and two sin-binnings. We fell foul of the referee and were playing with 13 players at one point which is when Wales scored their second try. We certainly made life hard for ourselves against a very good Wales team.

“In the break we had a good team talk stressing the need to do the basics well and when we started doing that we were much more disciplined. Our tackling was much better as was our defence and that meant we could put pressure on Wales. From about 50 minutes onwards there was a sense that this game was there for us to take. We used our entire bench and their experience made a real difference. With Gallagher and Matthews coming on they upped the pace and physicality and we scored two quick tries.”

Bennett added: “It’s great that we have won three out of three games. Along the way we have also learned a lot and we are now confident and mentally strong. We know when we make errors that we can bounce back. The U20s programme this season is certainly one of the best there has ever been and we will have some very tough selection decisions to make ahead of the Nations Cup. I know that I will be able to pick 26 players for that squad and everyone of them will make an impact during our campaign.”

England U20s

15 Rachel Roberts (Gloucester, South West), 14 Katie Mason (Bristol, Somerset, South West), 13 Amy Wilson-Hardy (Bristol, Sussex, South West), 12Louise Dennis (Worcester, North Midlands, Midlands), 11 Rebecca Hughes (Bristol, Somerset, South West), 10 Emily Scott (Thurrock, Essex, London & South East), 9 Charlotte Keane (Worcester, South West), 1 Emily Kingston (Gloucester, Gloucestershire, South West), 2 Geri Thomas (Old Albanian Saints, Hertfordshire, London & SE), 3Mica Evans(Exeter Saracens, Devon, South West), 4 Fiona Fletcher (Lichfield, Staffordshire, Midlands), 5 Abbie Scott (Keswick, Cumbria,North), 6 PoppyCleall (Bristol, Hampshire,South West), 7 Megan Oaten (Bristol, Gloucestershire, South West), 8Harriet Mills (C) (Lichfield, Staffordshire, Midlands). Replacements: 16 Charlie Notman (Newquay Hornets (Queen Bees), Cornwall, South West), 17Daniker Willmore (Bristol, South West), 18 Alexandra Matthews (London Irish, Surrey, London & South East), 19 Hannah Gallagher (Saracens, Hertfordshire, London & South East), 20 N/A, 21 Leanne Riley (Worcester, North Midlands, Midlands), 22 Georgia Peedle (Worcester, Hertfordshire, London & South East)

Tries: Cleall (2), Matthews, Gallagher, Peedle
Conversions: E. Scott (2)
Penalties: E. Scott

Substitutions: Matthews for Mills , Gallagher for Oaten (both 57), Peedle for Roberts (59), Willmore for Evans (64), Riley for Dennis (68), Notman for Thomas (69)

RFUW introduce new age band for girls rugby

Wednesday April 27, 2011                                      Issued by Julia Hutton

From September 1st 2011 a new Under 13s age band will be introduced for girls’ rugby in England.

After extensive research and consultation throughout the game, the Rugby Football Union for Women (RFUW) will introduce the new age band to provide more competitive and more constructive rugby for girls under the Under 15s age bracket.

Previously, Under 15s and Under 18s age bands were introduced in 2007/2008 to increase players at youth level and provide sufficient competitive outlets.

Since then the game has developed with more girls playing rugby. Minor amendments have been made to accommodate changes within the schools environment and the need to develop competitions for girls. However, several Under 15s age bands were still struggling for numbers which was reflected by more clustering of clubs and a lack of players in many Constituency Body squads.

Through introducing the new Under 13s age band for the forthcoming season the RFUW are confident this will provide girls with a better development route, it would reduce the perception of size differentials as well as encouraging girls to stay in the game. This is especially important with the popularity of Tag Rugby in primary schools.

David Rose, the RFUW’s Head of Development, said: “The RFUW is committed to developing as many opportunities as possible for girls to play rugby. We have taken notice of the feedback we received from schools and clubs and this has resulted in the new age band. The Under 13s age band will assist in girls making the transition from primary schools where Tag Rugby is a hugely popular game for girls. We are excited about the opportunities the additional age band will provide the RFUW to further develop participation.”

To make the age band change, coaching and teacher training will be delivered by the RFU’s coaching department and distribution will be through the RFU delivery teams, English Schools Union and County Schools Union, together with supportive resource material.

Ends…

Background Information:

The RFUW established an Age Band Review Group in 2010 to conduct a review of the current Player Pathway. This group considered the opinions of players, coaches and administrators.

U13s pilot programmes were run in four areas of the country involving schools and clubs and feedback was collated.

The Competitions Review Group supported the recommendations from the Age Band Review Group to introduce the U13s age band for the 2011/2012 season.