Blackrock College RFC

 

Club Gear

(Jerseys, Shorts, Socks, etc) are al available from Uniformity:

https://uniformity.ie/collections/blackrock-college-rfc

Gum Shields

At all ages gum shields are mandatory. No gum shield = no play or train. 
 

Concussion

Concussion incidents are extremely rare in our club and we are proud of this. However, in the event of a fall or a blow to the head causing what any coach may deem to be concussion, we will enforce the concussion protocol for returning to play. It is hugely important that if this happens to your child in any other sport, that you advise us also and that you respect the coaches judgement and comply with the rest period.

 

We strongly advise all parents to complete the brief but excellent concussion protocol training that is available on the IRFU website here. All coaches have completed this course. 

  
Scrum caps

These are optional. They are designed to prevent friction burns and bruises. They will not mitigate against concussion.

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Glasses/Eyewear/Goggles

Normal eye glasses are permitted at U6 and U7 only. For other age groups, World Rugby approved goggles only.  ​

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Code of Conduct

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Code for Players

• Play for enjoyment and become part of the rugby family.

• Respect the "Game of Rugby" and play within the laws of the Game.

• Accept the referee's decision and let your captain or coach ask any relevant questions.

• Play with control. Do not lose your temper.

• Always do your best and be committed to the game, your team and your club.

• Be a "good sport". Applaud all good play whether by your team or the opposition.

• Respect your opponent. Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not "bully" or take advantage of any player.

• Rugby is a team sport and make sure you cooperate with your coach; team mates and members of your club.

• Remember that the goals of the game are to have fun, improve your skills and feel good.

• At the end of the match thank your opponents and the referee for the match.

• Always remember that you owe a duty of care to your opponents. Tackle hard but fairly, do not intend to hurt your opponent.

• Winning and losing is part of sport: Win with humility, lose with dignity.

• As part of the team it is important that you attend training regularly and listen to your coach and help your team.

• As a team sport it is important to understand that all members are important to the team!

• Remember you are representing your team, club, family and the Game of Rugby.

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Code for Parents

• Remember, young people play rugby for their enjoyment, not only yours.

• Encourage your child to always play by the Laws of the Game.

• Teach young children that honest endeavour is as important as winning, so that the result of each game is accepted without disappointment.

• Help young people to work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship.

• Set a good example by applauding good play on both sides.

• Never ridicule, humiliate or shout at young players for making a mistake or losing a match.

• Do not place emphasis on winning at all costs.

• Do not force an unwilling child to participate in the playing of rugby. If the child is to play, he/she will do so in good time through your encouragement.

• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from rugby.

• As a spectator do not use profane language or harass referees, coaches or players.

• Do not publicly question the referees' judgement and never their honesty.

• Recognise the value and importance of volunteer referees and coaches.

• Identify and acknowledge the good qualities of the Game of Rugby and uphold these values.

• Remember you and your child's contribution to the Game of Rugby is very important to the IRFU and be proud of your contribution.

• Understand the value of team sport and the importance thereof.

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Code for Coaches

• Remember that as a coach of an "age grade team" you are to act in "loco parentis" and to that extent your duty of care is more onerous than that of a coach to an adult team.

• Lead by example young people need a coach whom they respect.

• Be generous with your praise when it is deserved. Never ridicule or shout at players for making mistakes or losing a match.

• Teach your players that the Laws of the Game are mutual agreements which no one should evade or break.

• Prepare young players for inter-class and inter-school activities.

• Be reasonable in your demands on the players' time, energy and enthusiasm.

• Ensure that all players participate in matches. The "average" players require and deserve equal time.

• Remember that young players play for fun and enjoyment and that skill learning and playing for fun have priority over highly structured competition. Winning is not the only objective.

• Develop player and team respect for the ability of opponents, as well as for the judgement of referees and opposing coaches.

• Insist on fair play and disciplined play. Do not tolerate foul play, fighting or foul language. Be prepared to take off an offending player.

• Encourage young players to develop basic skills and sportsmanship. Avoid over specialisation in positional play during their formative years.

• Set realistic goals for the team and individual players and do not push young players into adult-like competitions.

• Create a safe and enjoyable environment in which to train and play.

• Do not overburden younger players with too much information.

• Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles and methods, and on the principles of growth and development of young people.

• Be aware of the effect you have on growing children.

• Never criticise the referee and touch judges during or after a match in front of players or spectators.

• Always thank the match officials and if they have made decisions which require clarification, discuss the problems after everyone has changed.

• Seek and follow the advice of a doctor in determining when an injured player is ready to play again.

• Ensure that proper equipment and facilities are available at all times.

• Be responsible and ensure you uphold the ethos of the game and the IRFU.

• Attend coaching courses.

• Support the Code of Ethics and all policies regarding Children in Sport.

• Ensure you and your players are proud of your team, club and efforts during the season.

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Code for Spectators

• Remember that although young people play organised rugby they are not "miniature internationals".

• Be on your best behaviour and lead by example. Do not use profane language or harass referees, players or coaches.

• Applaud good play by the visiting team as well as your own.

• Show respect for your team's opponents. Without them there would not be a match.

• Condemn the use of violence in all forms at every opportunity.

• Verbal abuse of players or referees cannot be accepted in any shape or form.

• Players or referees are not fair targets for ignorant behaviour.

• Encourage young players to play by the Laws of the Game.

• Spectators can contribute to the enjoyment of the event and all involved.

• Be proud of your club and the Game of Rugby.

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Photo Policy

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This policy is in relation to the use of these images of players. Image: refers to all photographic and film/video footage. The use of these images on all social media, websites and publications is subject to this policy. 

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By registering to play for Blackrock College RFC, parent/guardians agree to:

• The use of images/ photographs of players on social media or for internal analysis of play or training

• Consent/approval is not required prior to each event but instead is granted for the duration of the registration / membership of the player

• Approve that images/photographs of players training or playing on the grounds of the club or on away games are within this policy. 

 

The Club and Parent/Guardian jointly agrees to:

• Be diligent on assuring limited information accompanies these photographs/ images, i.e. players are not identified by name

• Use group photographs, identifying the club rather than the individual.

• Use only images/photographs that are suitable

 

Use of Images on social media:

• Personal details of a young person should not be included

• Captions should be in keeping with the sport represented

• The posting and any purpose should not breach the codes of conduct of the club

• The type of image should not breach guidance in this policy

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Structure

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The Blackrock College RFC Mini and Youth organisation is composed of the Executive and a number of Age Groups from u6 to u19.

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The Executive is responsible for Mini and Youth strategy and its delivery, focused on ensuring high quality coaching for all age groups, strong parental engagement and everything related to the administration of Minis & Youths. The Executive ensure that all Age Groups operate to a high and consistent standard and comply with all IRFU regulations per age grade.  The Executive is responsible for ensuring the welfare, health and safety and enjoyment of rugby for each and every child, regardless of ability, physical stature, school, or background.​

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To this end, a number of responsibilities are assigned to each Age Group. The Executive suggests that these responsibilities be separated into three distinct roles – Group Head Coach, Group Manager, and Group Administrator. Each group may choose to divide the roles differently but all listed responsibilities must be met by the Age Group as a whole. The group is ultimately accountable to the Club, the Mini and Youth Executive, and all parents and players of the group.

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To further help each group to understand and deliver on their responsibilities, a parent from each Age Group will be asked to represent their group on the Mini and Youth Executive as a Group Representative. This role is open to any parent within an Age Group – whether they are a coach or not. The Mini and Youth Executive truly welcomes any parent who wishes to join and contribute to the function of the Executive.

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Group Head Coach

Responsible for leading the group when they are on the pitch in matches or in training

• Ensure that rugby skills development and training is appropriate with the Age Group and in line with IRFU long term player development plan (6 to 6 nations).

• Ensure that all children get a sense of fun, enjoyment, sociability and participation in the game in a safe environment.

• Recruit and mentor the other coaches in the group and actively seek new parent involvement in coaching.

• Promote and safeguard the values and ethos of the club with players, parents, officials and visiting teams.

• Clearly delegate their role whenever they are not available, ensuring everyone in the group knows who is in charge of a training session or match at all times.

• Required to speak to parents only occasionally in relation to rugby matters.

• Takes direction from the Mini and Youth Director of Rugby on rugby related matters.

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Group Manager

Responsible for ensuring the group is always in the right place at the right time and has everything they need to train and play

• Primary communicator for the group, manages email lists, teamer, phone numbers, and any other mechanisms used for group communications

• Communicates regularly with the Club and Mini & Youth Fixtures personnel to ensure pitch allocations are agreed prior to training or matches

• Communicate all training and fixtures to parents and answers all questions in relation to this from parents, coaches and the club officials

• Take the lead in any matters related to players, including but not limited to conduct issues and injuries to players.

• Ensure all concussion incidents are dealt with in the correct manner and reported to the Mini and Youth Health and Safety officer.

• Ensure the group has appropriate training gear (bibs, tackle bags, cones, etc) for the start of every training session and works with the Mini and Youth Executive to obtain and secure gear and equipment.

• Ensure every player in the group wears proper attire during play (jersey, boots/studs, gum shields, etc).

• Promptly answer information requests from club officials in relation to group fixtures, times, locations etc.

• Takes direction and seeks counsel from the Mini and Youth Executive members.

• Ensures that the group operates within the guidelines set out by the Mini & Youth Executive and seeks clarification and guidance if unclear

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Group Administrator

Responsible for arranging home and away fixtures and ensuring the group is fully compliant with internal and external registrations, qualifications, training, fundraising, touring, and other matters critical to the smooth running of the age group off the pitch.

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• Ensure that every player in the group is registered with the Club for the current season.

• Ensure every player in the group is of the correct age.

• Ensure that every player in the group is fully registered with the IRFU.

• Ensure that no player is ever refused play due to ineligibility

• Ensure the group is registered in all relevant Age Group competitions and ensure that the group manager is aware of these dates/times/locations.

• Ensure every coach in the group is Garda vetted

• Ensure every coach in the group has received concussion training

• Ensure every coach holds the appropriate level of IRFU training. Seek and facilitate new training courses and attendance of the group's coaches.

• Ensures the group adheres to the Mini & Youth touring policy and manages the application to the Treasurer of Mini and Youth for touring fund applications.

• Ensures that the group does not commit the Club or Mini and Youth Executive to payments or monetary liabilities.

• Ensures the Mini and Youth Executive are kept informed of any fundraising activities of the group and specifically seeks permission from the Mini and Youth Executive before engaging in fundraising or sponsorship activities which bear the name or crest of the club

• Advises and seeks permission from the Mini and Youth Executive of all relevant details of group activity which involves representing the club outside of Stradbrook. Including tours, fundraising, sponsorship, festivals, etc.

• Seeks permission from the Mini & Youth Executive to use the name or crest of the club in any activity or communication outside of regular fixtures and training announcements.

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Group Representative

Represents their Age Group on the Mini and Youth Executive

• Member of the Mini and Youth Executive

• Attends Mini and Youth Exec meetings and included on Mini and Youth Executive email list

• Promotes and highlights the interests of their Age Group with the Executive, and vice versa.

• Relays any matters of concern with the Age Group to the Executive, and vice versa.

• Position is open to any parent or guardian within the Age Group

If you would like to become a Group Representative please directly email any member of the Executive (see the contact page http://www.blackrockcollegerfc.ie/m/c) or email blackrockminis@gmail.com to get in touch with us.

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