Gosport and Fareham U12's Tournament

After a hectic Sunday I would like to start by thanking all those that helped to make the annual Gosport and Fareham U12’s tournament a great success, every person played a part in some way to make the running of the day go smoothly. I would also like to pass on the a BIG thank you to both Carrie and Nadia who with out their commitment and long hours in organising the event things would not have gone so swimmingly.

Well done to everyone who took part yesterday for both teams, it was an extremely impressive display by you all. I was highly impressed with the attitude that shone from those players who represented the Barbarians team, not only did you all give an excellent account of yourselves you also displayed some very good rugby. We as a group made a lasting impression on those teams that visited us but also on the Mini Youth Chairman and also one of the clubs Co-Chairman. So much so that they have agreed to let us run a 7-a-side tournament at the end of next season, which I think is fantastic news. (Carrie, Nadia get a team together and start planning LOL!!)

Due to the fact the members of our squad as a whole took part in no fewer than 11 games of rugby this week I wont be writing a match report, but will pointing out a few things that need to be addressed:

TEAM WORK

When we play or train as a team we are very good, when don’t we are poor. Rugby is a team sport as I am sure that you are all aware by now, when you take to the field you need the other 12 lads on your team to be with you and supporting you in everything that you do, this is not only achieved during game time situations it is achieved during training, during pre match warm up drills and anytime you are all together as squad. What we all need to remember, and I include us the coaches in that, is that we all have a varying degree of rugby skill and knowledge. So when someone makes a mistake we need to encourage and demonstrate not shout and get frustrated.

FINISHING

From what I have witnessed throughout the season so far, and from Sunday is that when we play we dominate teams, there seems to be what I call a “white line fever” situation that goes on. We get to within 5 metres of the try line and everyone wants to score that try….. I have said it before and I will say it again, the score board reads Gosport and Fareham U12’s, so every point that is scored is done so by the team, whether it is a tackle that took place 10 phases before, or if it was 5 phases of rucking by the forwards before the ball is put down over the line for the try EVERYONE plays a part. You all know what winning a match feels like, and you all know what losing a game feels like… I promise you if you stick to the things that get you to within touching distance of the opponents line you will score. RUCK, RUCK pass it wide, RUCK, RUCK pass it wide etc…..

CONCENTRATION

Rugby is an extremely enjoyable game, with lots and lots to offer as you get older, not only on a social front but also some valuable life skills can be gained, with that being said though there is a flip side to rugby……it can also be very dangerous if you do not concentrate or take things seriously, or even mess around. We as coaches have to take every players safety first above everything else, and you guys can all help too by thinking also about other peoples safety, it all comes back to teamwork. If everyone –again I include myself and the other coaches – concentrate for the duration of our rugby time we will be able to achieve more rugby learning.

REFEREES

Referees are the same as everyone else, they are human they will make mistakes, for us to move forward as a squad we need to except this fact. You can not play rugby with out a referee, it would just be brawl. If a referee doesn’t see something he cant award it, whether that be a penalty, a try or any other infringement. All referees have a whistle – If he doesn’t blow it, Don’t stop playing.

The above points may seem a little a negative, I have to stress they are not meant to be, they have all been said to firstly improve ALL of US as a complete squad, and secondly to save time on Sunday when we could be doing some core skill drills.

Speaking of Core Skills, we will again be splitting into groups for Sunday’s Core Skills element of training, as I explained to everyone the week before last, it is mine along with the other coaches responsibility to make you all better rugby players, and as already stated we have varying degrees of ability, and also a varying degree of experience. By splitting into groups it gives those that need to cover certain aspects a chance to develop and others a chance to enhance their skills. I or the other coaches by no means want anybody to walk away from a training session feeling like they haven’t gained something.

I hope you all have a good week, and you all feel proud of what you achieved this week

See you Sunday @1000 for training