Winchester RFC

For clarification or comment on any of these pages please contact the following:

Jules Anderson (M&J Chair): jraanderson@hotmail.com
David Winson (Minis Fixtures Secretary): david@winson.me.uk

A full list of all Minis & Junior contacts, including all age group managers and coaches can be found at Club Info > Minis & Juniors Info

INTRODUCTION TO WINCHESTER MINIS

Winchester RFC runs a thriving minis & juniors section with separate player squads and coaching teams for each age group from under 7 to under 16. We currently have over 500 players registered to play across all age groups. We are always open to new members and are happy to allow players to come along on a trial basis for 3 weeks before you are required to formally join the club. If you are keen and interested please either come down to the club or speak to the relevant age group manager or coach. Please follow the link to the relevant age group for contact details.

According to the RFU regulations players learn the game according to modified formats, which are designed to allow children to build gradually to the full International Rugby Board Rules. Under 7 and 8s play a fast flowing, 7-a-side non-contact format known as “tag” rugby. From under 9s different aspects of contact rugby are introduced and the number of players in a team is gradually increased. For full details of the age group variations please see the RFU Continuum (link below) which covers rules and guidelines for under 7 to under 12 age groups and the RFU under 13 to under 19 rule variations which can be found on their website (link below) or speak to the relevant age group coach.

In addition to the Minis & Juniors section, First Contact Sports run training sessions on Sunday mornings for younger children. Alfie’s is open to children aged 18 months – 5 years and the Minnow’s section is open to 6 year olds. First Contact can be contacted on 01962 840600.


Training and matches take place on Sunday mornings between 10am and 12 noon from the beginning of September until the end of April. It is a requirement of the club that all players are accompanied by a responsible adult during participation in training and matches.

During the year, especially early in the season, many sessions are devoted to training which allows the coaches to spend time developing a wide variety of rugby skills, teamwork and camaraderie amongst the players. In addition, all age groups participate in fixtures against local clubs, festivals organized by Winchester and other rugby clubs and the highly prestigious Hampshire tournament. The older age groups participate in local leagues and cup competitions. A diary of training sessions, fixtures and tournaments is included on the relevant age group page.

All coaches are registered with the club and subject to rigorous police checking via the Criminal Records Bureau. Please contact the child protection officer Sarah Shewry email safeguardingofficer@winchesterrugby.com , with any child welfare issues.

Everybody working at the club, whether coaching or in the clubhouse, is a volunteer and more help is always required. There are about 120 volunteers working to let the children play on a Sunday. If you would like to assist in any aspect of the club, please speak to any of the managers or coaches. Our aim is to encourage as many parent as possible to actively participate in the running of the club during the season. Winchester RFC does not provide a crèche for parents to simply drop off their children. Winchester RFC offers a host of opportunities for parents to get involved in supporting the coaching team, taking part in social events and most importantly the support of the teams on the pitch. Social events are held on a regular basis and offer an opportunity to mix with a new group of friends in a relaxing environment.

MEMBERSHIP & REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

To register a child to play for Winchester RFC you will need to:

•Complete a Rugby Football Union Youth Player Registration form for each player. Blank forms are available at the club on Sunday mornings or can be downloaded from the RFU Community Rugby website, see link below.
•Provide 2 passport sized photos of your child, with their name and date of birth written on the back of the photos.
•All parents MUST be a paid up member of Winchester Rugby Football Club for 201/12 season before registering a child to play rugby. If you are already a member, please bring your membership card with you. If you are new to the club you will need to apply for membership. A membership application form and details of fees are attached. As a member of the club you can enjoy benefits, such as attendance of various social events, cheaper bar tariffs, application for International tickets, access to the club outside of Sundays and cheaper rates to hire the club for events.
•Once completed please return the registration forms and photos to the Youth Registration Secretary who will normally be in the clubhouse on Sunday mornings or to your age group manager.
Membership and registration will entitle your child to play for the club, register them with the Hampshire and the English RFU and provide insurance protection against serious injury.

For any registration queries please contact the Youth Registrar:

Gemma Newbold (Youth Registration Sec)
H: 01962 867862
M: 07711 059293
E: jimgemdom@tiscali.co.uk

PARKING

Due to the large numbers of cars on Sundays we would like to draw people’s attention to extra parking facilities near to the Rugby Club.

Please use these Postcodes for Satellite Navigation:
SO23 7DD – River Park Leisure Centre ( 5 minute walk to the club
SO23 7AB – Winchester Hotel ( 10-15 minute walk to the club )