2009-10 was been another good season for Minety. With a player base in excess of 200 we fielded teams at all mini age groups and made provision for Boys U13s to U16s and Girls U15s and U18s.
The perception that Minety is a club that punches above its weight is changing. A number of our teams are now viewed amongst the stronger in the County and we are starting to see a migration of players from other clubs coming to Minety to develop their game.
Our U14s had a good cup run and were unlucky not to get to quarter final of the Wiltshire Cup. The U16s have the potential to break into the top level of teams in the County and the girls U15s and U18s are now competing with teams of national standing.
Towards the end of the season we experienced an influx of players at the older age groups that provides exciting development opportunities for next season. Team Success:
U15s Girls – Winners of the Cirencester 7s
U18s Girls – Winners of the Cirencester 7s
Representative Honours:
U14s Boys District -1
U15s Boys District - 2
U15s Boys County – 1
U15s School of Rugby – 1
U17s Boys County - 1
U15s Girls County - 1
U18s Girls County – 3
U18s Girls Regional – 1
5 Girls attend the Gloucester Rugby Academy
Tours:
Boys U13 & 14s to South Wales
Boys U15s & U16s to Guernsey & Jersey
Girls U15s &18s to Devon
Player Development
Our U15s/16s have been used at a number of RFU coach development courses.
We bought in a former Bath and England player to support a 10 week programme targeted at U15/16 (7), U13/14 (2) and Girls (1)
RFUW mentoring of U18s girls coaching in Malmesbury Secondary School.
5 Girls attend Gloucester Girls Academy where they receive additional coaching form coaches of national and international standing from both the men’s and women’s game.
An U15s player being is now part of the Bath Academy programme.
2 Girls have attained their Level 1 coaching qualification with a further 3 attending a course in July. A total of 8 players have the Rugby Ready qualification and 5 have been first aid trained.
Coaching Infrastructure
The junior section has a coaching establishment of 30. Standards generally are good though vary across age groups. We have 15 Level 1 coaches and 4 at level 2. Most age groups have at least 1 coach that is first aid qualified and one that has attended a child protection course. All coaches have either Enhanced CRB clearance or are in the process of being cleared.
Coach experience varies from new coaches with limited coach or playing experience to qualified coaches with experience of coaching clubs at Level 4 and / or playing in the top 3 flights of the game. However even with this resource we have felt the need to augment it with specialist coaching form a former England U21, Bath player and Level 3 coach.
Attendance on development courses is high. Approximately 250 hours of coach education took place during the season including tuition from national and international coaches (including Brian Ashton and Mike Catt). We are now a regular host club for RFU training Courses.
The club continues to develop specialist coaches in a number of disciplines and to date have trained a Front Row / Forwards specialists and two SAQ (speed agility, quickness) specialists. The club also has a trained County Selector. We now seek as strength & conditioning coach and someone with experience of the physiological aspects of the game.
Coaching cover is adequate but some age groups fair better than others both in terms of numbers and level of coaches. As one would expect coach experience and qualifications are higher at older age groups. The recruitment of new coaches remains a priority.
We have now 6 referees, one at level 3, two at level 2, and three at foundation. A further four level 2 referees should qualify across the closed season.
Awards
For the second time the club has come national runner up in the RFU’s Presidents XV awards. This time for training and mentoring female coaches.
The junior section has retained its RFU Seal of Approval and progress against its Development Plan is good. We are now establishing both Coach and Player Development plans to complement this.
Outreach Activities
An 8 weeks girls’ coaching programme was undertaken at Malmesbury School. The course was run by 2 Level 1 U18 players who were mentored by the RFUW. This will be replicated next year with girls trained with RFUW funding this year.
Primary School Coaching has taken place at Minety.
Primary Schools TAG festival took place on 21st October, attracted 10 teams (160 Players) and was won by Minety Primary School. Certificates and medals sponsored by Malmesbury Sports Cluster.
We have school / club agreements with 1 secondary school (Malmesbury) and 5 Primary schools (Minety, Lea & Garsdon, St Sampson’s, Crudwell and Hullavington).
Funding
£250 received from the RFUW to put 3 Girls through Level 1, Rugby Ready & First Aid.
£100 from Wiltshire County Council to 50% fund 2 coaches on Level 1.
£500 from RWE for a package of – Coach Education and equipment.
£100 due from the RFU’s Presidents XV Award
Social Activities
Have included:
Visits to internationals
Fundraising events
Christmas and End of Season events
3 Tours
BBQs and Curry night
We enter 2 teams in the village skittles league.
Website
The development of the website has been a major benefit for recruitment and communications.
The player and coaching zones now provide a resource of information and video clips for players, coaches and referees
Next Season
For the 2010-11season we will establish an Academy to accommodate the older age groups and provide a bridge into senior rugby. This will reflect the final stage in the growth of the club which culminates in providing players with a pathway from U6 to U18s and on into senior rugby. Junior Club Structure.
‘Miners’ – U6
Mini – U7 & U8
Midi – U9 to U12
Youth (Boys) – U13 to U15
Academy (boys) – U16 to U18
Youth (Girls) – U15
Academy (Girls) – U18s
Out of season sessions will start on Wednesdays towards the end of June for all youth teams. These will build fitness, core skills and expose players to complimentary knowledge and activities (nutrition, hydration, imagery, core stability). A 13 week pre season programme has been drafted for Academy players which will be complimented by individual player assessment and development plans.
