1st October Chelmsford Rugby Club
Present Mike Redding; Chris Emerson; Andrew Skipper; John Davies: Keith Green
Apologies Ged White and Andy Finch
1 Schools of Rugby Update
MR presented a CBRDP progress report. General discussion around make up. Good that 16 clubs were represented but that means 32 clubs not represented.
Discussion around U15 girls joining U14 boys, but that age grade fully subscribed.
Discussion about representation of front 5 players in SoR.
The Essex set up has received an endorsement by the Saracens Acadamy
A number of questions have been raised regarding SoR.
Should the Nomination process cap the number of entries from any club to 4? It is felt that the answer to coaches nominating ridiculous number of players is education not legislation.
Should selection process take place during day not evenings? This is case in Herts who are professional staff, wheras Essex and Kent are volunteers
Is there a process for inviting player in during program? None formalized at this stage.
Should U16 SoR srart uafter U16 County Program? – Question prompted by lack of understanding.
What do Coaches want personally out of the SoR? – Need an induction day into the SoR to ask and answer questions.
Will there be a review to find best Practise.
2 Feedback from CBRDP
No answers to the questions raised by the Coaching committee what measures Success?
3 County Coaches/mangers update.
More accusations of county coaches encouraging players to change clubs in order to further their Essex careers.
In response, all the SoR coaches have followed the correct application process and signed the codes of conduct that prevent this sort of action, however some of the coaches for the U17s and above have not.
4 Coach Education (Club and County)
The Essex Coaching conference held at Braintree Rugby Club was a success with lots of good feedback form participants.
Plan to have a Club’s Coaching Forum 9th November to answer many of the outstanding questions.
Coach Education sessions are planned for the SoR coaches.
5 Club Coach Coordinators
Much discussion around this subject with MR and KG commenting on the paucity of the contacts list, which was reckoned to be almost useless.
6 Budget Update.
Conference cost £700 – a very small amout for the result.
07-08 submitted as £9,060 which included an underspend from 06-07 of £2500.
However Finance Committee have proposed £7310 and refused to allow the carry forward from 06-07.
AOB
RFUW Club Coach Officer.
Andrew Skipper was introduced, now RFUW CCO for East Region. Responsible for Player, Coach and Club development in East Region. Will take on RFUW coach eduction in Essex along with coach recruitment through F.E.and mentoring for East Region Coaches. contact details:- AndrewSkipper@RFU.com
Much discussion around contacts both for Clubs and Schools and how do we compile a decent list.
KG will contact the organizer for the Essex Cup to try and obtaina list of rugby Playing Schools.
Divisional U16s
The grading program has been updated by an “IT wiz”! Committee needs to nominate a Lead Grader. Nomination received from the schools system Phil Friel, Committee agreed subject to RFU CRB check beign confirmed.
No response has been received from the 17-20 age group coaches for a representative to sit on this Committee.
