YOUTH CONVENOR’S MESSAGE SEPTEMBER 2018
Friends,
Welcome to another season of Youth Rugby at Ardrossan Academicals RFC! Let me introduce myself…. My name is Tony Finnigan, and I elected to take on the role of Youth Convenor for this season. My responsibilities are around providing a fun, safe and welcoming place for your children to enjoy their rugby, with skilled and enthusiastic coaches promoting rugby for all abilities right through from our Mighty Micros (from P1), through our Minis (P4 – P7) and into our Midis ( from U13 up to U16) One of the main reasons I felt able to take up the post was the superb team of coaches and team managers, who together with our parent helpers have grown our Youth Section to what it is today – a thriving group of young players, learning through games, competing against other Clubs, and leading active lives following our Rugby Code – with Respect, Passion, Integrity, Discipline and Solidarity at the heart of what we do. We all believe ours is the greatest sport in the world, and tough competition does not mean the game cannot be played with fairness and mutual respect, for opposition and match officials.
If you are new to our Rugby Family, then a hearty welcome on behalf of our Club Officials, please come on in! And if you are returning with your children for another season, then I hope you can see and feel a more positive “buzz” around the club – we are certainly working hard to refurbish the building and make it a more welcoming place, and have invested in a new kitchen as part of our upgrading – come in and have a look!
Our lounge and bar are ideal for, and busy with Functions, which are everything from private hires for weddings, engagements, birthdays, and every occasion fit for celebration, but also Club functions with race nights, Halloween party, Ladies’ Day to name a few. However, running a rugby club, putting a Rugby Development Officer in local schools, providing playing strips, building upkeep and utilities, indoor winter training facilities, it all adds up, and we need the support of our members, players, friends and families to keep doing what we do.
In light of this, part of my role is to make sure players and parents alike understand the importance of Registering your child each year, and making arrangements to pay membership fees. Details of these are available on our website, https://www.ardrossanrugby.com/in nfo-for-parents/ along with downloads of membership forms, and standing order instruction. There are a host of benefits, including Parent Membership of the Club, a teeshirt, access to our facilities, SRU registration and player insurance ( mandatory for players), and you are doing your part for our Club.
I will be around the club on training nights, and match days, and I am happy to discuss the above, plus answer any questions you may have.
Thank you for reading this far, and I look forward to your support in this, and meeting with you at the Club!
Yours in Rugby
Scott Campbell
Equipment and clothing:
- Gumshields – They are not compulsary however it is highly recommended that all players should have a gumshield for games and trainings.
- Scrum Caps /head gear – Players can wear scrum caps for games and training however although Scrum Caps protect ears and soft tissue injuries to the head they do not protect against concussions or blows to the head.
- Footwear – Boots with either metal or moulded studs are the best for training and games however trainers can be worn when the pitch is dry
- Playing strips – we do provide strips on game day for the older teams, however at mini age groups we encourage all players to purchase their own from our supplier.
- Other playing kit – we encourage all players to purchase their own socks and shorts from our supplier along with any other kit needed. Contact tops are very good for training as there are no zips or hoods and therefore make it safe for a contact session.
- Clothing – please ensure our child is dressed for the weather especially in the midst of winter when the ground is cold, wet and muddy.
Code of Conduct:
- Ardrossan Academicals RFC we try to teach respect, discipline, and sportsmanship through the game of rugby. And we have a code of conduct for all players, coaches, parents and members of the club. Each member agrees to abide by the rules when the sign up for a membership
Downloads:
For further information or membership forms feel free to download the documents below.