sunday 11th april 2021

Datchworth Rugby Football Club

DRFC - 51 Years of Rugby at Datchworth 2020/2021!


MINI MATTERS & YOUTH NEWS

Week 17

Sunday 11th April 2021

Our second week back and the sun was still shining at Datchworth. Great to see a good turn out across all

age-groups and it was very pleasing to see a few more new faces at the Club. We have a couple more

Sunday mornings remaining, and fingers crossed for more good weather before we move to the Monday

evening slots.

The age-group updates for this weekend are all detailed below…

Ladies First…

Girls Section

A great afternoon on Sunday for the girls as we slowly introduced contact work back into our sessions.

The U11s and U13s worked together on ball handling and tackling basics to help our newest two

members. They finished with a game which gave Eady, one of our newbies, an opportunity to shine.

Great game awareness for such a new player, amazing speed and she responded well to feedback. A well-

deserved player of the week for Eady for this age group.

The U15s and U18s worked hard knocking the padding out of the tackle shields with some impressive

defensive work, followed by some practice receiving the ball from a kickoff. Some fantastic work between

forwards and backs as the girls become more familiar with the structure of the 15 a-side game. Del

Wynne was our player of the week with a very high work rate, making most of the carries and hitting a

high percentage of rucks. Well done Del

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Mini Rugby…

U6s Datchworth Training Session

Another week, and some more fresh keen faces. Maximum effort all round,

especially as we started working on some more advanced passing drills, and

getting more communication going.

Bulldog was very exciting this week, with some great defensive movement.

Player of the week was Jack, well done buddy.


Good numbers again with 19 under sevens at Datchworth this week. After a

warmup we split up in to two groups (game and relays) and rotated throughout

the session. Two coaches along with some brilliant helpers took care of the

relays. This week the U7’s had the opportunity to crash in to the tackle bags

which they love. The relays are brilliant and help with many of the games

needed attributes which come in very handy at game time. On the other pitch

another two coaches were with the remaining U7’s with 5 a side match.

Because of the long enforced gap between training there were a few offsides

and knock-ons at first but as always they get the hang of it pretty quickly. New

starter Liam made some tremendous tackles throughout the game and some

brilliant tries were scored by Jude, Gabriel, Toby, Ethan and a few others.

Cameron got past all the Bulldog chasers at the end which finished the session.

Player of the week was a close call but this week it went to Toby for his illusive

sidestep that led to his brilliant try.


Look out for a local age-group update… training as usual next weekend.


22 eager players stepped onto the field this morning, on what was a great day for some rugby.

Starting at 9.30, the team warmed up by competing in pairs for the ball, some good sprinting and

friendly competition got the blood pumping.

The team's ball handling and offloading skills were thoroughly tested in two exercises. The first,

passing down the line to then lead an attack against the coaches, always helps the players to get

used to drawing the tackler in. The second, was a two against one affair where the primary ball

carrier either offloads or runs in the try. Some great runs by the kids, a few decent side steps and

some lessons learnt about hanging back in support and taking the ball whilst moving at speed.




This season hasn't been as we would have wanted and as coaches, we

are keen to safely return to full contact. As such, we completed the

regular tackle practice to ensure everyone knew what they are doing and

how to fall properly.

We closed out the session with some hard-fought games. It was great to

see the players pick and go, stick to their defensive line and carry

through the offloading practice into the game situation. I think I can

safely say that everyone put a great deal of effort into both attack and

defence. Player of the week went to Dally for displaying great maturity,

making some fantastic straight runs and putting in the effort to always

making it back to his team's defensive line.

Well done to everyone.

U10s Datchworth Training Session An excellent week for the U10s as we finally got to take on the ruck and introduce it to the game

with what can be said to a degree of success. To get us there we started with a running warm-up and

stretches before starting the contact work with some pushing and wrestling. After everyone was

ready to go, we split into four sessions to introduce the ruck, along with building on the contact,

movement, and passing work.

We've been waiting to get stuck into the technicalities of the ruck for a while so it was really good to

see so many players taking up the challenge. The coaches explained the ruck and what good looks

like before setting a training game for the players to try it out. It would be fair to say there was a lot

of excellent work in trying to learn this new skill with Jamie showing great energy in getting stuck in.

Tommy and Kyran also brought their strength to training which was great to see as touch doesn't

allow them to show their natural skills.

We finished with a full game of tackling and rucking with some excellent

rucking from Edward who showed that technique and hard work wins

rucks, good work from Finlay L who quickly switched on to getting to

the breakdown protects and ball and player, and lastly to Nathan who

also picked up where he left off but tackling everything (others are sure

to catch up with softer ground).

A massive welcome to two new players. Tom started brilliantly and

clearly has the right attitude to rugby taking on anything in his way, and

Seb who looks to bring a bit of flair to our game. Welcome both - you

were awesome.

Player-of-the-week (PoTW) this week went to Finlay J who took to the

ruck work brilliantly but also kept up his skills in the passing and evasion

games with direct running and a little bit of movement (perfect outside

centre work). Well done Fin!




We are back on Wednesday at 6pm - 7pm and Sunday at 9:30am. Can we request all to confirm

attendance on SPOND as it really helps to plan sessions especially contact work.


A sunny but chilly morning saw another good turn-out for our second session since training

recommenced.

The boys' fitness is notably better than it was at the end of the first lock-down, notwithstanding the

Easter chocolate, and their handling skills have improved too despite the cold!

We began the session with a game of netball rugby, using a variety of different sized and shaped

balls, to develop their handling skills and awareness of space. This was followed by tackling drills,

both with each other in pairs and individually on tackle-bags, so that they remember how to tackle

safely when we reintroduce this into the game. There was plenty of commitment on display, not

least from Coach Nick - we all winced a bit when he demonstrated how to take down a tackle-bag....

We finished the session with a game of touch rugby. The boys are clearly

rusty after the long break, and are not yet thinking as a team again: in

attack, they need to support each other, look for space and move the ball

around to find it; and in defence, they need to work together to cover the

gaps across the field and move forward to shut down the attack before it

gains momentum. That said, Zac and Ben worked particularly well together

to exploit the current rules to the full.

Our first "Player of the Week" of 2021 went to our new recruit, Gene, who

has shown a really positive attitude and worked hard in all aspects of

training. He narrowly pipped Ben, who can always be relied upon to show

great commitment.


I would like to start the report with a little bit of recognition.

Our squad Captain Sam Gore certainly led by example during the lockdown. Sam came up with the

idea to create some squad unity whilst creating a fun fitness challenge. The idea was for the squad to

cover in kilometres the total distance the England rugby team would travel to away games in this

years 6 Nations. Pretty much every player took part cycling, running. hiit workouts, walking the dog,

family walks, rugby work outs you name it the players done it. Sam G calculated all the distances and

gave us all daily updates. The players smashed the challenge before England travelled to Ireland.

Well done Sam G for organising and to all the players for taking part.

So second Sunday back. Same format, running around, fun, skill and play zones. We had a special

visitor this Sunday, Mini Chair Mr Andrew Howard who looked on and listened in to what was going

on. We hope he enjoyed some of the skills on display.

4 teams two 7 a side games of "Duncan Rules" with the players coming up with their own rules so

we gradually stripped it back to a structured game of rugby. We have decided as a group not to have




any contact in this window until the end of May. With the firm pitches and short time, we have, why

risk injury??

We then made two teams on a full pitch. Similar to last week, great structure, moving the ball down

the line, shuffle defence great to see. Once we start some one-to-one coaching in September and

take that in to games, things can only get better.

Well done to all the players today, great attitude and commitment and lots of smiles.

Boys Youth Rugby…

U13s

The U13s continued to re-establish their rugby side with a game of rugby netball before the boys

were split into groups for some 1 on 1 tackling and contact work before a game of tag rugby to

conclude the session.




U14s

Our U14's had another good turnout both for mid-week training on Wednesday night and for Sunday

training over at the Village Hall, which was cold and windy despite being sunny. After a warm up, we

got back to basics with some passing drills followed by building up tackling skills again after such a

long break. We then moved on to practice some dummy pass moves and finished with a touch

game. It was great to also welcome Lennie Smith this week, a hopeful new addition to our squad.

U15s

The U15s were more or less at full strength today with the squad coming together to play some

good rugby. The handling was looking better this week and the Captains’ Run and training games

both showed good intensity and commitment. It was great to welcome Dash back and also to see

Tom Moore back with us.




We are firming up plans for three games in May although we will continue to keep a close eye on the

ground conditions as it is getting quite hard already. Provisionally though we are looking at:

• May 9th Enfield Ignations (Away)

• May 16th Chess Valley (Away)

• May 23rd or 30th Welwyn (Away)

We will be training under the lights on Thursday from 7 till 8 and again on Sunday at 11:30.

U16s

Another sunny Sunday saw 13 boys put through their paces by Phil, Bob and Jason. The session

involved forwards and backs having separate drills working on their respective core skills, as well as

game practice. The boys present worked hard, and put a lot of effort in.

Going forward, we are now looking to fill the May weekends with matches, which will have to be

away. Consequently, we really need more boys to start to regularly attend training, so we can do

our best to get them match fit and ready to play. At the moment, we have matches at OVs (St

Albans) on 16th May and Cheshunt on 23rd May. I will be contacting other local clubs to see if they

want fixtures in May this week.

Next training is on Thursday 15th at 19:00hrs on Pitch 3, hopefully with alfresco use of the

clubhouse.




Mid-Week Training Plan APRIL 2021

– Time & Pitch Space Allocations

Age Group

Head / Senior Coach(s)

Pitch Space

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

7 till 9 6 till 7 7 till 8 8 till 9 6 till 7 7 till 8 8 till 9

Senior Sides (Inc

U18s)

Ian Reid / Andy Riley / Simon Little

Full Pitch

Main Senior Session

8-9

U16 Phil N / Jason P

½ Pitch 7-8

U15 Andrew H / Neal J

½ Pitch 7-8

U14 Warren S / Woody

½ Pitch 7 – 8

U13

Darren H / Marie F

½ Pitch

U12

Danny S / Dave G

½ Pitch 6 - 7

U11 Pip G / Nic B

½ Pitch TBC

U10 Matt S / John McG

½ Pitch 6 - 7

Girls Squads

Phil Solomon ½ Pitch 7 - 8

Women’s Rugby

Phil Solomon ½ Pitch 8 – 9

Mini Mid-Week Training:

• Mid-week training slots are provisionally as detailed above, please ALWAYS confirm mid-week

arrangements with your age group manager on week-by-week basis.

• Any squad with a 6 till 7 can start earlier if Coaches / Players are able to do-so.

• Later Sessions must end very promptly to give other squads training a full hour.

• The Flood Lights must be turned off at 9pm.




Training Arrangements & Car Park Plan

Next Weekend – (Sunday 18th April) Car Parking

Thanks to Duncan, (U12s), for getting the cones out again at the start of the morning and to Alex,

Matt, Richard and Neal for helping to collect them after the Youth Session. We would be most

grateful if others from the Youth Groups can help collect the cones at the end of the second session.

Next Weekend’s Training Plan & Session Timings Arrangements:




APRIL 2021 - WEEKLY PITCH ALLOCATION AND TRAINING SLOTS

Mini & Youth Return to Rugby 2021:

1. Sunday Morning Mini and Youth Rugby will continue on Sunday 18th April. We will use the two time slots as we adopted pre-lockdown; i.e. 9:30: 11 for Mini Section Age Groups and then 11:30 till 13:00 for Youth Section Age Groups and the Girls Squads. We will again not be able to offer catering for the time being.

2. Girls and Boys Mini and Youth Sunday Rugby will take place, (as above), on:

a. Sunday 18th April b. Sunday 25th April

3. During April, Youth age-groups are running mid-week sessions; (Managers to confirm arrangements directly)

4. In May, (the RFU encouraged Season Extension Period), we will host and offer ‘Monday Night Rugby’ for all age-groups; 6 till 7 for Mini Age Groups and 7:30 till 8:30 for Youth Age Groups; all sessions will take place on the Back Field; we will work with any age-groups struggling for available coaches at this time to try and make sure all age groups have the chance to participate.

5. Mini and Youth May Monday Night Rugby will provisionally take place on:

a. Monday 3rd May b. Monday 10th May c. Monday 17th May d. Monday 24th May e. Monday 31st May

6. During May there will be NO other Youth Rugby training sessions as the cricket section will have primary use of the Club at Weekends and Tuesday thru Friday.

7. The Rugby Season this year ‘ends’ on the 31st May. The Youth Section will then have a total rugby break in June and any pre-season training will take place on the Village Hall Pitch for Youth

Session Time Age Group Pitch Allocation

Session 1 Mini Rugby

9:30 till 11:00

U6 Lower Grids

U7 Top Grids

U8 Pitch 2 Middle / Club End

U9 Pitch 2 Far end

U10 Pitch 3 Club end

U11 Pitch 3 Far end

U12 Village Hall Pitch

Session 2

Boys Youth & Girls Rugby 11:30 till 13:00

U13 Pitch 3 (Far end)

U14 Village Hall Pitch

U15 Pitch 2 Club end

U16 Pitch 2 Far end

Girls Pitch 3 (Club end)




and Senior Teams in July and August (timings TBC). Mini Rugby will not take place until September.

8. During the Summer and subject to the rules we will plan at least the following to help recover the Rugby Section:

a. Summer Rugby BBQ Saturday afternoon when no home Cricket Match (date TBC)

b. Mini and Youth Section Lions ‘Camp Over Night’ (subject to local permission and ability to watch the games without social distancing restrictions in July) – date TBC,

9. Mini and Youth Rugby will resume on Sunday 5th September.

10. The 50th Datchworth Birthday Party (Dinner and Dance) is rescheduled for the Sat Oct 23rd 2021 (at Tewin Bury Farm), if you have a ticket for this event you don’t need to take any action.

11. The Mini Section Tour to Holt has been provisionally rolled forward to Easter 2022 (as per my previous email).

Mini Section Fixtures 2020/2021:

We have about a 6-week period remaining until the Summer break; there is the possibility of a

fixture or two during this period but everything at this stage remains quite tentative with the large

number of people involved in moving around for a Mini Section fixture. While it is not normally our

plan for Mini Age Groups there may be some age-group specific arrangements, but this is also TBC. I

will share plans as soon as I am able to do-so. Youth Age Groups can look at fixtures during this

period, (using the modified ‘return to rugby’ laws), but due to Cricket and Parking considerations

Youth games are almost certainly required to be Away fixtures and Managers will coordinate on an

age group by age group basis. More generally while it is great that we now have the potential to play

fixtures during this period we must be mindful of the rapidly hardening ground conditions and the

more ‘normal’ rugby safety considerations.

Closing Notes

Our second week back started to have a feel of normality as we re-establish the Rugby routine! We

will look forward to seeing everyone back next Sunday and we will keep you posted about the

possibility of a fixture before the break and our summer events.

Have a great week and see you all soon,

Best wishes,

Andrew

Andrew Howard

Chairman – Mini & Youth Section



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sunday 11th april 2021

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