The start of next season will involve merging the U12s and U13s into one team. This decision has been agreed with the Essex RFU. Initially the U13s coach Waleed Masoet with help from other coaches will lead the combined sessions.
Barking and the Essex RFU are intent on building the U12 and U13s as separate squads when numbers allow. To this end we will be continuing their recruitment into these age grade teams through the already successful local All Schools U12/13s scheme during October, November and December this year. Wednesday night triangular matches are also scheduled for the U12/13s at Barking on Oct 4, at Ilford on Nov 1 and at Dagenham on December 6.
In the interim we will continue to look for new U12s coaches and managers and would warmly welcome any offers from willing parents. Any parent would be welcome to attend our RFU Rugby Ready coaching course at Barking on Tuesday Sept 26, the first step on the ladder for all coaches and managers.
Our present U13s and U14s squads were revived last season by this method and two of the new All Schools players were nominated for Saracens/Essex DPP squad-assessment this month. I am certain more will be nominated this season, especially as the younger players responded amazingly.
Please spread the message about our plans by all media to other parents that you know. We will put a post-up shortly on our Barking MMY Facebook page (please visit and ask to be a member if not already). In the interim please contact me or Adrian about all and any matters and if you know of other new boys who might be interested in joining, please encourage them to come down.
That’s all for now. Can I just add that we have O2 Touch Rugby sessions for all ages all summer on Wednesdays at 7.30pm (look at the Barking O2 Touch Facebook page for postponements). All are welcome.