All new players are assured of the warmest of welcomes to our U9s group!

Our U9s are open to children in School Year 4, and this is an exciting stage in their rugby journey as players begin their introduction to contact rugby and tackling.

Whether your child has progressed through our Minis from U6s, is moving over from another club or has never played rugby before, they’ll be made to feel part of the team from day one.

At U9s, the focus remains firmly on fun, friendship and developing confidence, while gradually introducing new skills and a greater understanding of the game. Players continue to develop their passing, catching, running, evasion and support play, alongside learning how to tackle safely and confidently.

Training sessions combine skills, games and plenty of time with the ball, allowing players to learn at their own pace. Contact is introduced progressively and safely, with our coaches helping players build good technique and confidence before putting those skills into practice.

U9s also brings more opportunities to enjoy fixtures and festivals against other clubs. Games are played 7-a-side and are designed to give players plenty of involvement while continuing to develop their teamwork and understanding of rugby.

At this age, it’s not about creating the finished rugby player. It’s about encouraging children to have a go, learn new skills, support their teammates and, most importantly, enjoy playing rugby.

Everything we do is built around England Rugby’s core values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship – TREDS. We encourage our players to support each other, respect coaches, officials and opposition, play fairly and enjoy being part of the rugby family.

New players are always welcome, so come along, get involved and discover what rugby is all about!

TEAMWORK

• Teamwork is essential to our sport. We welcome all new team members and include all because working as a team enriches our lives. We play selflessly: working for the team, not for ourselves alone, both on and off the field. We take pride in our team, rely on one another and understand that each player has a part to play. We speak out if our team or sport is threatened by inappropriate words or actions.

• Mutual respect forms the basis of our sport. We hold in high esteem our sport, its values and traditions and earn the respect of others in the way we behave. We respect our match officials and accept their decisions. We respect opposition players and supporters. We value our coaches and those who run our clubs and treat clubhouses with consideration.

• Enjoyment is the reason we play and support rugby union. We encourage players to enjoy training and playing. We use our sport to adopt a healthy lifestyle and build life skills. We safeguard our young players and help them have fun. We enjoy being part of a team and part of the rugby family.

• Strong discipline underpins our sport. We ensure that our sport is one of controlled physical endeavour and that we are honest and fair. We obey the laws of the game which ensure an inclusive and exciting global sport. We support our disciplinary system, which protects our sport and upholds its values. We observe the sport's laws and regulations and report serious breaches.

• Sportsmanship is the foundation upon which rugby union is built. We uphold the rugby tradition of camaraderie with teammates and opposition. We observe fair play both on and off the pitch and are generous in victory and dignified in defeat. We play to win but not at all costs and recognise both endeavour and achievement. We ensure that the wellbeing and development of individual players is central to all rugby activity.

Training starts again on 4th September 2022 but look out for news and events across the Summer.