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New Mini Rugby season kicks off
September 2nd sees the start of the 2007 / 2008 season for ColchesterRugby Club's junior ("Mini") section and the Club, which has one of the largest Mini sections in the region, would like to see even more new faces join its ranks.
Chairman of the Club's Mini's Section, Martin Pratley, says:
"The Club's Mini's section enjoyed tremendous success at all age levels last season and is capable of building on those successes in the forthcoming season. I would encourage any youngster who would like to try the game to come along and "have a go."
Coaching at the Club is of the highest standard as Martin Pratley explains
"The coaching staff here are a credit to the Club. The majority of the Club's coaches have been awarded the RFU Level 1 qualification. To obtain this qualification the individual must not only demonstrate an ability to coach rugby but also contains a child protection and welfare module. Our junior players are in the safest hands that they possibly could be."
For the parent or guardian of any child who holds images of their child perhaps becoming involved in the physical 15-a-side encounters that are a part of the adult game, they need have no worries. Martin Pratley clarifies:
"Mini" rugby is coached in accordance with a progression known as "The Continuum" whereby different elements and skills are introduced to players as they progress through the age groups and as they mature both physically and mentally. Players in the Under 7 and Under 8 age groups are coached "Tag Rugby." This form of the game involves no physical contact and allows the players to develop ball handling, evasion and team play. As the players get older tackling, scrummaging and line outs are introduced to the game. Further, team and pitch sizes increase until the players are ready for the 15-a-side game which they will, hopefully, go on to play in the Youth Section."
So, if you think that your son or daughter would like to participate in a sport which continues to grow in popularity, Colchester Rugby Club will be more than happy to see you at its Mini's Registration day on Sunday 2nd September at 10.30 am at the Club's Mill Road sports ground. If you can't make it on that day, come along on any subsequent Sunday and introduce yourself to Martin or any other member of the Club who will be able to point you in the right direction.
Children should be aged between five and eleven at midnight on the 31st August.
No special kit will be required initially other than a pair of training shoes.
For further information please contact Martin Pratley on 01206 561688 (evenings) or by e-mail to mlp@colchester41.fsnet.co.uk. TheColchester Rugby Club website at www.colchester-rugby.co.uk also contains much useful information about the club and its Mini Section.
Martin Pratley concludes:
"The success of Colchester Rugby Club's Mini Section is not measured purely on match results. Success, in my eyes, is seeing each and every young player walk away from a training session or a game having enjoyed the experience and wanting to come back again. Success is having a young player come to you enthusing about a newly acquired skill or even simply saying "thanks, that was fun."
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