Firstly, a big thank you to all who arrived on time on Sunday for Pete’s talk.
The over arching theme was that of the core values that WRFC wants to instill in its players:

Teamwork (no one person can win a game of contact rugby on their own)
Respect (for coaches, each other, other teams, listening, turning up on time etc)
Enjoyment
Discipline
Sportsmanship

Pete then talked about the tackle, the gameline, the psychology of the game among other things and then asked the boys to explain to him what they saw in various photos and videos from previous week’s truing and games. The boys seemed to really enjoy it too and, based on their play later in the morning, to understand what Pete was explaining to them. The coaches all gave really positive feedback about last week’s training: that the children listened, tried hard and really looked like they wanted to play rugby! Please let us know if you have any feedback about the session.

Players of the week were Beau (phenomenal tackling) and William (fantastic tackling too), with a special mention for Archie's tackling. Well done boys. The coaches reminded the boys not to commit too many team members to a tackle, to be tough and to have a never give up attitude.

Festival on Sunday
This coming Sunday there is a festival at Beccehamian RFC.

http://www.beccehamians.co.uk
Sparrow's Den
Corkscrew Hill
West Wickham
Kent
BR4 9BB
View with Google Maps

Pete would like your children to be ready to start warming up at 9.30.

There is very limited parking at the club. You will need to park on the surrounding roads which can be tricky, but it will be easier if you are there early. I will email some further information about the festival to those of you who are going.

The team going to Beccs will be:

Thomas,
Tavis,
Jonnie,
Seamus,
Joseph M,
Luke,
Noah,
Leon,
Angus
Harry Foyle

I will not be there so could I have a volunteer to do the register and collect the £5 festival fees (payable per child) please? I can email you the register.

Also tour shirts should not be worn at the festival - the children need to wear their main sponsored kit. Thanks.

Home training on Sunday
There will be home training as usual on Sunday for those not going to Beccs. But I am away on Sunday so could I have a volunteer to do the register at home too please? Also, please arrive slightly early so your child is on the field and ready to start at 10am.

Festivals
As we have said before, Pete aims to be as inclusive as possible when selecting the teams for festivals, taking into account lots of different factors. He is happy to talk to you if you have any concerns about why your child is or is not playing at any particular festival. He is also happy to talk to you about your child’s progress at any point and to give advice on how your child can improve his game.

Upcoming Festivals

*We still need more players for the 13th and 20th*

Please fill in the doodle poll about availability for the next few festivals if your child can play in a festival.
http://doodle.com/poll/ixb6twm3xiwd7z7z

Here are the next few festival dates:

6th March - Beccs away (1 team, rest at home of training)
13th March - Guildfordians away (2 teams, currently no home training but it might be possible to train with the U10s or one of our coaches being available…watch this space for updates)
20th March – Worthing B away (2 teams)
27th March – Easter (might train depending upon demand)

And some other dates:

10th April – Surrey A (at Dorking) (1 team)
17th April – Surrey B (at Sutton & Epsom) (2 teams)
24th April – Surrey Dev (at TBC) (2 teams)
1st May – Minis Tour - 23 kids (2 or 3 teams)
8th May – Awards afternoon

Tour Shirts
I am sorry but I did not know that sample tour shirts and shorts were going to be available to try on for size last Sunday. If anyone whose child is going on the tour did not get their son to try the clothes on for size, here is a guide…

Lars is getting a 32” top and 24” shorts…but his top will have a little bit of growing room not and he does wear padding underneath. His tour shirt that still fits him from last year was a 30/32”.

The others have all ordered 30” shirts with 24” shorts (e.g. Thomas J, Shay, Harry Foyle, Tavis, Bernicio etc). Hopefully that will give you an idea of size. Please let me and Russ Joao (russjoao@yahoo.co.uk) know asap if you want a shirt.

Other reminders:

1.Please fill in the Minehead tour doodle poll if you have not done so (I think everyone has but just in case!). The link again is

http://doodle.com/poll/9pzqp4v9sy4szesn

2. Children are not to go into the small bar at the club on Sundays and need to go into the club house via the changing rooms after playing, and wearing clean(er) clothes.

3. Please contact Pete if you know anyone who might be interested in running the kitchen at the club at weekends or in sponsoring the tour.

4. We are supporting Sports Relief at the club on Sunday 20th March 2016 (the same day as the Worthing B festival). We need your fundraising ideas. The U9s fund raising page is

https://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/warlinghamrfcu9s

We are part of the WRFC Minis page which is at

https://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/teamWarlinghamRugbyFootballClub

5. Saracens v Harlequins Game Saturday 16th April 2016 . KO 15.15pm at Wembley. Adults £20, U16’s £7.50 (plus booking fee).

Book online at www.saracens.com/wembley. All tickets purchased using the club code before Saturday 20th March 2016 will be seated together.

Thanks everyone. Good luck to the boys playing at the festival!

Jane Hansen
U9 team admin

on behalf of Peter Jerrom
U9 Head Coach ad Minis’ Chairman