It’s hard work at times but extremely rewarding. Rugby is a great game and I really feel mine and my sons lives have benefited as a result of playing and coaching. I truly believe children and parents will benefit from playing and being engaged in the club.

As a parent what do I need to be aware of?

England Rugby maintains a code of conduct to honour the spirit of Rugby Union and actively promote the core values of the Game, namely fair play and good sportsmanship ( TREDS ). We want to play within the Laws of the Game. Reject cheating, racism and violence. Play to win but not at all costs – win with dignity and lose with grace.

To reflect this LIARFC maintain its own policies and it would be good for you as a parent to make yourself familiar with these (Click Here).

Are there any pieces of clothing or kit that are inappropriate?

Particularly at younger age groups the focus is on comfort and warmth so initially no special kit is required. Please try and avoid any clothing with exposed zips or other ironwork as it can cause injuries. Please also remember no jewellery such as ear rings or piercing. As we progress through age groups some kit does become necessary. Your age group Manager/Head coach will be able to advise

Do many girls play rugby?

I am lucky enough to have an age group with several talented girls and most age groups have girls and boys playing. Rugby is a mixed sport in England until U12s and girls compete and perform well, often surprising their parents and some of the boys! After U12s they move into a separate structure feeding into a girls and then ladies team. Both of these groups have a strong and successful representation at London Irish.

How are training and fixtures organised and what do I need to consider?

Organising training sessions and fixtures takes up a significant amount of a head coaches time. Early confirmation of numbers helps plan sessions, maximise game time for children and ensure coaching ratios. Host clubs (U7 onwards) want to know as soon as possible how many players and teams we will be taking too their event. Cooperation of parents to ensure your child’s availability is registered on Pitchero in line with your age group requirements is key.

What should we consider when travelling to fixtures and tournaments?

Please aim to get there early. Parking is often a challenge, from local traffic to the distance to the playing fields. Organisers will need to start on time as they have a busy schedule. Your child will need to warm up and get ready so make sure your early enough to participate. At some tournaments there can be significant breaks between games so prepare for the elements and ensure you have water, a healthy snack and warm clothing.

Do I need to be on the side lines throughout training / fixtures?

Yes, you are responsible for your child during training sessions and fixtures. Coaches and managers are DBS checked volunteers and we also ensure qualified first aid cover. General child welfare however is your responsibility. We appreciate that parents may need to pop for a coffee etc or parents with multiple children may need to rotate between children. In cases such as this, please make sure you let us know or ideally ask another parent to cover for you.

Even better than standing around though is volunteering. LIARFC is a large and busy club. Even running a single age group involves a lot of administration and effort. Even if coaching or admin is not for you helping out with our kit (tents, balls etc.) at home and away fixtures makes life easier for all. We also try to tour each year and we need volunteers to obtain quotes and organise travel. Finally for our own festival we need pitch marshals and administration for visiting teams. Please come forward and support us, many hands make light work. Volunteering is not without reward there is a great social side to LIARFC with a strong family feel.

I have done or maintain a first aid certificate would this be of any help?

Each age group is required to have sufficient qualified first aiders amongst the coaching and administration volunteers. It would however, be really useful if some parents came forward to qualify. The certification is an RFU course and it will be paid for by the club. Having parents as first aider’s means if a child is injured or needs attention, a member of the coaching team is not drawn away. Even if you have no experience in first aid this would be a great opportunity to get a qualification that could potentially save lives or just put on a plaster.

In the context of the Club what would each age group need to contribute to its running?

Obviously as parents we all pay our membership subs which helps LIARFC as a whole to operate the incredible Hazelwood facility. Each age group however needs to support the running of the club with a few core tasks. These include simple tasks like parking duty a few times a season, membership of various committees, as well as coaching or age group management. Often it is these core activities that build the community feel of the club.

Thanks for all that coach any last words of advice?

Just to reiterate volunteers are just that, we put in our own time to help children enjoy a sport we love. This also includes referees from other clubs. The aim of RFU age Grade Rugby is to develop all round players who enjoy the game. Matches are played in this spirit so please be supportive. In the words of Elite referee Nigel Owens “This is not Soccer.”

Bumps and bruises are inevitable, even before contact starts at U9, often it isn’t first aid that is needed but a quick cuddle and some confidence. These are not on our RFU courses so please be on hand.

The club and the RFU take safeguarding of children very seriously. If you have any concerns or would like to ask a question please speak to the Head Coach, Manager or Club Safeguarding Officer.

Finally please get involved, you reap what you sow, it makes the age group better overall. It makes the club a truly special place that will leave a positive and lasting impact on both you and your child forever. Mini Rugby is a great game and LIARFC a great club!

Thank you to Coach Matt McCarron for taking the time to put together this useful question and answer based on his experience.

Should you need any further information or have an additional questions please don’t hesitate to contact your head coach or administrator (Click here).

No dogs allowed on Hazelwood grounds