THE GOOD COACHES CODE

IN RUGBY UNION, COACHES OF YOUNG PLAYERS SHOULD:

• Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching young players.
• Most learning is achieved through doing. Appreciate the needs of the players before the needs of the sport.
• Be a positive role model - think what this implies.
• Keep winning and losing in perspective - encourage young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
• Respect all referees and the decisions they make (remember it could be you refereeing next week) and ensure that the players recognise that they must do the same.
• Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner, to all young players, both during coaching sessions and games.

IN RUGBY UNION, COACHES OF YOUNG PLAYERS MUST:

• Provide experiences, which are matched to the young players’ ages and abilities, as well as their physical and mental development.
• Ensure all youngsters are coached in a safe environment, with adequate first aid readily to hand. Avoid the overplaying of the best players, by using a squad system, which gives everybody a satisfactory amount of playing time.
• Never allow a player to train or play when injured.
• Ensure good supervision of young players, both on and off the field.
• Recognise that young players should never be exposed to extremes of heat, cold, or unacceptable risk of injury.
• Develop an awareness of nutrition as part of an overall education in lifestyle management. Recognise that it is illegal for young players under 18 to drink alcohol.
• Ensure that their knowledge and coaching strategies are up to date and in line with RFU philosophy.
• Be aware of, and abide by, the RFU recommended procedures for taking young people on residential tours at home and abroad.
• Be aware of, and abide by, the policies and procedures outlined in the RFU Child Protection Guidance Booklet.

REMEMBER: COACHES WORKING WITH YOUNG PLAYERS BELOW THE AGE OF 18 MUST FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES LAID DOWN BY RFU RUGBY AGE GRADE REGULATIONS.

THE GOOD PARENT’S CODE

PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO:

• Be familiar with the coaching and training programme in order that you can ensure that your child is fully involved and the coaches are aware of their availability.
• Be familiar with the teaching and coaching methods used by observing the sessions in which your child participates.
• Be aware that the Club has a duty of care and therefore, where appropriate, assist coaches with the supervision of the young players, particularly where numbers are large and there is a need to transport youngsters to away games.
• Be involved with Club activities and share your expertise.
• Share concerns, if you have them, with Club officials.
• Be familiar with the Good Coaches Code. In particular: Parents should support coaches in emphasising the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching young players. Parents should support coaches in keeping winning and losing in perspective, encouraging young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.

• Remember that young people play rugby for their own enjoyment not that of their parents. Encourage young people to play - do not force them.
• Focus on the young players’ efforts, rather than winning or losing.
• Be realistic about the young players’ abilities; do not push them towards a level that they are not capable of achieving.
• Provide constructive and positive verbal feedback both in training and during the game.
• Remember that persistent, negative messages will adversely affect the players` and referee’s performance and attitude.
• Always support the rugby Club in their efforts to eradicate loud, coarse and abusive behaviour from the game.
• Remember young people learn much by example.
• Always show appreciation of good play by all young players both from your own Club and the opposition.
• Respect decisions made by the match officials and encourage the young players to do likewise. Fundamental to this is never questioning or criticising decisions made by match officials, who are all unpaid volunteers.