Junior Section Ethos and Policy
Coaches and parents should at all times remember that rugby is a physical game and the fundamental
value of respect for opponents, team mates, officials & opposition supporters must be paramount for
the development of the game.
As well as following WRU Pathway Guidelines and Codes of Conduct, we at SURFC have created values
of our own.
Mission Statement
While competition is the essence of the game, our emphasis is placed on providing a safe and
enjoyable rugby experience for 6 to 16 years olds in Swansea. We encourage fun, but expect respect
for the game, its players and officials. We promote 1st class coaching, strive to facilitate informed
learning and provide mentoring of our players as they develop emotionally and physically in life and
the game.
Parents Code of Conduct
At matches and training sessions the Head Coach carries the responsibility for the behaviour of the
players and the parents. He is empowered to ask you to refrain from breaching the codes and this
may also include you being required to leave the field in the event of a serious breach (or repeated
breaches) of the codes.
If you feel that the code of conduct has been broken it is essential that the matter be raised as soon as
possible. You must first raise the subject with the relevant head coach, if you feel that you can't do
this, you must approach the Junior Committee via the Junior Sec, or Junior Chairman who will advise
you of the appropriate course of action to follow.
Written complaints from parents, players, coaches, officials and outside organisations will be
addressed by the committee in closed session and further investigations can be called for, or such
punitive actions as per below can be taken:-
The club coaches are the people who give up their time willingly and for free. They are best equipped
to deal with matters of team selection and from a committee point of view we understand that the
coaches will never please everyone, this is a fact of life as a coach.
The coaches are there to be watching and analysing the performance of the team and individuals on
the field during match play and to make tactical decisions as necessary.
The idea of equal game time for all is easier to adhere to in the younger age groups, this is due to many
reasons which include the fact that the coaches have not yet decided on what position to play each
individual, shorter games and smaller pitches.
As a squad and players develop and players' positions are identified this becomes more difficult, again for many reasons, safety, physical size, physical fitness,or cover for an identified position and an imbalance in numbers between forwards and backs.
Equal starts does not mean that if a player does not start one week that, he will start the next, this is
meant to be gauged over a period of time and with the coaches discretion, however the committee will
not find it acceptable for a child not to start in a number of games throughout the season.
So please, don't put undue pressure on the coaches or your children. If you feel that your child is not
being treated fairly, please raise the issue privately with the coaches in question. If you do not feel that
the explanation is acceptable, you must ask your committee in writing to raise this matter at the next
meeting.
The committee must remain impartial when making any suggestions or decisions on that basis. The
committee is not a mechanism by which individuals, be it coach or parent, feel that they can wage a
personal vendetta.
If as a parent you feel that you don't like the way that your age group is being run and if the committee
agrees with the coach that the policy, codes and ethos is being adhered to, you have the option to take
your child elsewhere. By the same measure, if as a coach you feel that you do not agree with or cannot
operate within the policy, codes & ethos of the mini and junior section, you have the same option as a
parent.
value of respect for opponents, team mates, officials & opposition supporters must be paramount for
the development of the game.
As well as following WRU Pathway Guidelines and Codes of Conduct, we at SURFC have created values
of our own.
Mission Statement
While competition is the essence of the game, our emphasis is placed on providing a safe and
enjoyable rugby experience for 6 to 16 years olds in Swansea. We encourage fun, but expect respect
for the game, its players and officials. We promote 1st class coaching, strive to facilitate informed
learning and provide mentoring of our players as they develop emotionally and physically in life and
the game.
Parents Code of Conduct
- Please support the club's policy in keeping verbal and physical abuse out of children's rugby.
- Encourage and help your children to understand and play within the laws of the game.
- Never force an unwilling child to participate in a game or training session
- Encourage your child to practice and improve their skills and understand the importance of being part of a team and club.
- Set the children an example in sportsmanship, applaud good play by all, including the opposition.
- Explain to your child that taking part and trying is as important as winning. Not every child can score a winning try; explain that passing and tackling are just as important.
- If a child makes a mistake, remember it was not intentional, do not criticise them, instead provide encouragement and educate them in how to improve.
- When the team wins, support them and give praise as is merited. When the team loses, support them as a parent and give encouragement.
- Touchline rage has no place in junior rugby. It is not acceptable to verbally abuse or intimidate match officials or coaches.
- Support the coaches; they are all volunteers and give up their time freely to help develop your children. If you have an issue with the coaches please talk to them privately and explain your concerns. If the issue is not resolved, please take it up with the Junior Committee.
- When you lose, accept it, the game is over, you can't change it. Be aware that both referees and opposing teams can in fact report bad behaviour and indiscipline and that the club could face sanctions or fines.
- When you win, it feels good to celebrate, but at the same time be respectful of your opponents.
- Play the game within the laws, and always try to take onto the pitch what you learn during training.
- Never argue with the officials, their decision is final.
- Don't lose your temper, pick on other players or misbehave, that's not the spirit of rugby and neither does it give a good impression of the club.
- Bullying or intimidation of any form will not be tolerated.
- Always show respect to the club, its members, its guests, its facilities, its surroundings and its neighbours.
- Failure to adhere to these codes can lead to disciplinary action via the Junior Committee.
- Remember it wasn't much fun sitting on the bench, never being picked to start a game or knowing that you were second choice when you were young. Children are much more sensitive than adults, respect that fact and try to be fair to all squad members.
- It is acceptable for Coaches to choose full strength teams for Cup Matches or Tournaments.
- However all coaches must try and ensure that in friendly matches all children, regardless of their playing ability, should get at least one half of a game. Sometimes this may not always be possible, but it must be your goal to achieve this across the season via balance and coordination.
- Players develop at different times and in different ways, these include physically, mentally, and emotionally. Please respect that fact and remember that a child will improve when playing with better players. Don't split your squad, and try to ensure equal game time for all.
- Never ridicule, shout, yell at, criticise, or abuse the children in your squad for making mistakes.
- Winning isn't the be all and end all, you can learn more from losing a game than you can from winning.
- Coach your players to enjoy the game and to always give 100%.
- Don't overplay the more developed players; try to give equal game time to all.
- Be organised with your training sessions, plan in advance and make sure you have the necessary equipment.
- Set targets and be sure to explain to all the squad and fellow coaches what is expected.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help, we have many qualified coaches, not one of them knows everything and we can all help each other.
- Don't overload children with physical demands, tactics, and technical information. Rugby is a simple game, gain possession; keep possession, pass, tackle, and score. Remember that they respond better when they are enjoying themselves.
- Ensure that children develop an understanding of the laws as they progress through their playing career, teach them to respect opponents, officials, team mates and to set a good example on and off the field, even if they stop playing rugby, try to remember that you have an influence on their young minds.
- All players who train during the week and turn up for a game will be given equal game time if possible. Exceptions to this will be during cup games, semi finals, and tournaments.
- We respect the fact that it is unfair and upsetting to ask a child and their family to travel a distance and spend the full day watching others play rugby.
- Friendlies are, by definition, a normal weekend fixture which is to be played for fun. Winning at all costs will not be accepted as the policy of any of our Mini and Junior sides.
- Running, open and expansive rugby will be encouraged at all times.
- Any over aggressive or foul play will be subject to disciplining by the coach.
- The coaching of core skills will take precedence over team tactics.
- All players will be treated equally with no favouritism shown to any individual player.
- All players will be encouraged to better their individual abilities.
- All players will show respect for the opposition, but should never feel intimidated.
- All players will be encouraged to develop natural flair, but not at the expense of understanding the importance of team work.
At matches and training sessions the Head Coach carries the responsibility for the behaviour of the
players and the parents. He is empowered to ask you to refrain from breaching the codes and this
may also include you being required to leave the field in the event of a serious breach (or repeated
breaches) of the codes.
If you feel that the code of conduct has been broken it is essential that the matter be raised as soon as
possible. You must first raise the subject with the relevant head coach, if you feel that you can't do
this, you must approach the Junior Committee via the Junior Sec, or Junior Chairman who will advise
you of the appropriate course of action to follow.
Written complaints from parents, players, coaches, officials and outside organisations will be
addressed by the committee in closed session and further investigations can be called for, or such
punitive actions as per below can be taken:-
- First incident. Person(s) responsible will be told of the breach in standards and warned of the possible consequences should they continue with this or other offences.
- Second incident. Person(s) responsible will be asked to appear before the next junior committee meeting and may face a ban for a set period of time as determined by the committee.
- In the case of repeated breaches, severe misconduct or gross negligence as agreed by majority, the junior committee reserves the right to suspend or summarily dismiss the person(s) responsible from Junior Section Membership, playing duty and participation in junior section events with immediate effect.
The club coaches are the people who give up their time willingly and for free. They are best equipped
to deal with matters of team selection and from a committee point of view we understand that the
coaches will never please everyone, this is a fact of life as a coach.
The coaches are there to be watching and analysing the performance of the team and individuals on
the field during match play and to make tactical decisions as necessary.
The idea of equal game time for all is easier to adhere to in the younger age groups, this is due to many
reasons which include the fact that the coaches have not yet decided on what position to play each
individual, shorter games and smaller pitches.
As a squad and players develop and players' positions are identified this becomes more difficult, again for many reasons, safety, physical size, physical fitness,or cover for an identified position and an imbalance in numbers between forwards and backs.
Equal starts does not mean that if a player does not start one week that, he will start the next, this is
meant to be gauged over a period of time and with the coaches discretion, however the committee will
not find it acceptable for a child not to start in a number of games throughout the season.
So please, don't put undue pressure on the coaches or your children. If you feel that your child is not
being treated fairly, please raise the issue privately with the coaches in question. If you do not feel that
the explanation is acceptable, you must ask your committee in writing to raise this matter at the next
meeting.
The committee must remain impartial when making any suggestions or decisions on that basis. The
committee is not a mechanism by which individuals, be it coach or parent, feel that they can wage a
personal vendetta.
If as a parent you feel that you don't like the way that your age group is being run and if the committee
agrees with the coach that the policy, codes and ethos is being adhered to, you have the option to take
your child elsewhere. By the same measure, if as a coach you feel that you do not agree with or cannot
operate within the policy, codes & ethos of the mini and junior section, you have the same option as a
parent.
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