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devonsent
- phil@cvbduplication.co.uk
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Wed, 19 June 02 11:08 GMT
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Whoa!! All getting a little more heated than it perhaps needs to, isn't it?
Thankfully, as both my sons are a couple of years past the contentious ages, I am no longer 'involved' in this debate but, for the record, I believe that anything that starts to get, or may get, more children active and enjoying themselves playing rugby has got to be worth trying. To that extent, I broadly agree with the RFUs initiative.
Having said that, there is obviously a significant body of opinion out there who do not like the changes and do need to be listened to. Maybe they should be 'giving it a go' without complaining but they do have a right have their views heard.
I accept that it is not the RFUs FAULT that many Mini coaches didn't know or weren't involved in the consultation processes but it is certainly their RESPONSIBILITY to get the broadest range of colour that they can. It would be interesting to know just how many of the Clubs' Directors of Youth Rugby actually replied to any doc*mentation that went out. I suspect that the frustration should be directed more at the internal structures of the Clubs than at the RFU. They may or may not be "Old F&rts" but as the game progresses there are more and more guys working hard to improve the game, both at HQ and around the country; nothing they do is designed to damage it. If they get it wrong, or are perceived as having got it wrong, this may well be the correct forum to air those views but it would be better for the kids in particular to ensure that the information is widely available at Club level immediately it is issued. Maybe that's something that everyone can agree on and work towards. In the meantime, the change has been made, get on with it and just see if it works.
This particular glass is "half full"!
(Good God, it won't even let me write the word "doc*mentation" in full)
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Phil Stringer
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aljalj
- varic@connectfree.co.uk
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Tue, 18 June 02 22:55 GMT
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I post the response from Mr Terry Burwell for your consideration.
xAttachment: Jones re Continuum changes.doc |
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Lawrence Jones
Under Sevens Coach
Chipping Norton RUFC |
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aljalj
- varic@connectfree.co.uk
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Mon, 17 June 02 23:42 GMT
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For those who have not seen it - please find attached the text of the latest proposed changes (11/06/02) - and herewith my response to Terry Burwell and others:
I am the Under Sevens Coach at Chipping Norton Rugby Union Football Club and I have today received a copy of the Continuum Review Changes for season 2002-2003 Memorandum (originated 11 June for comment by 14 June - today). I feel I must protest in the strongest of terms about the arrangements for Under Sevens and Under Eights for the following reasons:
1. The whole point of touch rugby, as played by Under Sevens and Under Eights, is to encourage the children to tackle with two hands around the hips. This is an extremely important lesson to learn - not just to be taught during September when children start playing at Under Nine level. A year or so of playing touch tackling encourages the child to automatically tackle in this manner, thus saving themselves and others from serious injury.
2. The continuum, as it stands, is a natural progression of skills and elements particular to the game of rugby and, as such, the two-handed tackle on the hips is an essential first step of the skills-acquiring process.
3. It is unreasonable to expect that children who will play at Under Nine level in 2004-2005 to begin to play contact rugby with tackling, mauls, rucks, scrums and line-outs when their only previous experience will be a game best suited to a kiddies playground.
4. I have, for several seasons, assisted in coaching in local schools where children are introduced to rugby by tag as an introduction to rugby proper. It may be a suitable mechanism for coaching complete novices for 40 minutes but does not enable the child in a club playing environment to learn the real game of rugby as has been successfully taught, via the continuum, for a number of seasons.
5. Under the present continuum it is difficult enough to conduct a good, clean, fast-flowing game at the Under Seven and Under Eight Level, without the unnecessary burden of running around picking up tags.
6. The tags themselves are an unnecessary expense and just another item of kit to be carried around by the coach on a Sunday morning and, as in many cases, stored at home.
7. I was not aware of any consultation regarding this review and, as a club coach, I feel my views should be considered.
The consequences of these measures will be:
1. Injuries will be far greatly increased in children at Under Nine level in 2004-2005 and onwards.
2. We will lose the playing base by which mini and junior rugby is founded upon and has flourished for well over a decade in its present format and does so much to support the senior game.
3. The stronger and more robust children will be more attracted to football or, worse still, to rugby league and this, as you know, is already a serious concern within the City of Oxford and elsewhere.
4. Some coaches, myself included, will refuse to comply and, if compelled to adopt the practice of tag rugby, will just give up coaching altogether. I do not think that the RFU, the clubs throughout the country nor rugby itself can bear this situation.
Before changes of this nature are introduced, I would suggest that a full and proper consultation be carried out and a full analysis of the far-reaching implications for rugby be undertaken by a reputable sporting academy such as Loughborough University for example. These are not matters to be decided by the "old *arts" (please note that this should be "f****" but the RFU has proscribed the word!) at Twickenham.
I would point out that the continuum as it currently stands is so woolly that, before every festival, it is deemed necessary to get all coaches and referees together in order to agree detail. The efforts of the RFU would be better directed to clearing up this aspect of mini rugby rather than decreeing children should wear suspender belts!
I do feel that the whole issue has been exacerbated by the desire to involve schools and the schools' ethos of non-competitive sport. I also suspect that some individuals, or even the RFU and its CBs, may be on 'backhanders' from the companies who manufacture aforementioned suspender belts.
Once again, the RFU and its constituent bodies are demonstrating arrogance and an ignorance of what actually happens on Sunday mornings the length and breadth of this country at club level.
As Alice was told when trying to recite 'You are old Father William', the Caterpillar said, "It is wrong from beginning to end." The implications of this measure will be long-lasting and irredeemable if not curtailed now.
The bottom line is that safety of children will be compromised, their enjoyment curtailed, and the future of rugby jeopardised.
Lawrence Jones
Under Sevens Coach
Chipping Norton RUFC
xAttachment: Final Continuum changes_Game_memo.doc |
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Lawrence Jones
Under Sevens Coach
Chipping Norton RUFC |
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