Welcome to WRFC
Junior Section Touring Guide. This attempts to give full details of how to
organise a tour, what to do, where to go, how to order tour kit, what
permissions are required etc. By its nature, this page will evolve over time. If
any coach or parent can add good touring locations, contact details &
accommodation, please email Martin Hill.
Ethics of Touring:
Touring is a vital part of rugby life for the children, and
offers the opportunity for peer group bonding and parent child bonding. The first
tours typically start at u9 level, and will involve one night away. Older age
groups might travel a little further for a couple of nights; overseas tours are
usually for older children, though this is only a guide.
Organisation:
Appoint a Tour Organiser, decide where to tour, & when.
Read the RFU guidelines on Touring and Child Protection
issues (see below)
Appoint an Acting Child Protection Officer for the Tour.
Please discuss this with the CPO (Anne
Smith). If each child is accompanied by an Adult, then a CPO
need not be appointed. This is more likely to be the case for the younger age
groups.
Undertake a risk assessment.
All this information is
available on the RFU website- see below.
Where to tour?
Recent tours at younger age groups have been to festivals
similar to our own. These have included Harrogate RFC (angela.irvine@harrogaterugby.com);
Llandudno: Welly’ Evans Memorial Tournament– Sat 10th May 2008 (Dawn Duffy 01492 877814);
and Kenilworth. Tours can be
extended by playing a fixture against a local team on the following day.
Older age groups have toured Scotland,
Nottingham, London
and Gloucester in the UK;
Galway in Ireland & Caen in France.
Colts have traveled to Malta
and Cape Town.
The u10/11/12s also have an annual tour to Greystones RFC in
Ireland each
Autumn. This is typically organized by the u12s.
Where to stay?
Check local hotels. Try the Risboro in Llandudno. http://www.llandudno.com/risboro.html
Clothing/ Equipment
Usually a tour shirt is provided. This can be a polo shirt
or a playing shirt. Newton Sports in Hyde have a website where tour shirts can
be designed. (www.newtonsports.co.uk) Older age groups who have a playing shirt
might provide a waterproof top etc. The main ruling is that whatever kit is
used it must use the official WRFC wolf logo. There is a small royalty per
shirt for this logo. In the first instance please contact Tim Hughes: tim@hthughes.com
who can provide many tour items. Also Rowan at Newton Sports: rowan@newtonsports.co.uk
Tour Itinerary
Check with the hotel if it has a private dining room. If the
tour is at the end of the season, consider holding the annual awards/
recognition ceremony as part of the dinner. Player of the Season, Most Improved
Player, Players’ Player are the usual. Also consider certificates or medals for
attendance etc.
If appropriate consider a Court Session. This can be great
fun.
Permissions:
Obtain permission to Tour from the WRFC Senior Committee.
This can be requested via the Junior Chairman. The reason for this is not only
courtesy, but because the age group are representing the club.
Note, overseas tours also require permission from the RFU,
as you will also be representing the RFU & Cheshire RFU.
RFU Rulings &
Guidelines:
Either contact Anne Smith for a copy or see: http://www.community-rugby.com/communityrugby/index.cfm/Fuseaction/Home.Downloads/
StoryTypeId/100/SectionId/609/StoryId/10791.cfm
This gives information on:
- Tour Insurance
- Overseas Tours
- Child Protection Issues
- Risk assessment etc