In the Lake District National Park

Youth Rugby

Guide for Parents

Irrespective if this is your first season with the Club or you are an old hand - welcome to the 2004/2005 season - which we hope will be a very special one as it celebrates the Club's 125th season. We would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to read this.

Subscriptions - £10 per junior player £15 for a junior family - this is the only amount you will pay Kit - for matches the Club will supply shirts (and wash them !). You will need to provide black or blue shorts, boots and socks (Club socks are available at Temple Sports). For training days you will need to supply a shirt as well. Please dress your children up - make sure they have warm dry clothes to change into - if they want to wear gloves and hats when playing that is not a problem.

Protection - we recommend all players have gum shields, other protective clothing such as helmets and shoulder padding are not necessary but some children prefer to use them - but please check with the coaches before buying equipment - not everything sold in sports shops is legal to wear.

Coaches - all our coaches have either passed RFU training requirements or are working towards them. All coaches have had police checks. Please talk to the coaches if you want to know the rules or why they are doing certain things Participation - our objective at the Club is to give as many children as possible the opportunity to play. We do not go trophy hunting !!. We will guarantee that every one that turns up for matches will get some playing time!

Support - we welcome the active support of parents - BUT - Rugby has a well deserved reputation for the sporting way people support their teams and Keswick strongly believes in encouraging and congratulating any good play which ever team it comes from ! - The RFU have a very suitable term for the wrong type of support "The Raving Touchline Parent" - please do not be one !. And dont forget the referees word is absolute law in rugby - they dont have eyes in the back of their heads, they can not see everything they do make mistakes - BUT no matter how "bad" a decision may appear - the referee is always right!

First Aid - we have many helpers who have undertaken their 1st Aid training and except on very rare occasions we will always have a qualified 1st aider at every venue we play at either home or away.

Parking - the Club is able to offer cheap sport for all because of its income making activities. One of the main incomes is from parking which is operated at the Club by Allerdale - so please note if you do not want a parking ticket - There is no parking on the top car park. You can park either in the area at the back of the grandstand or on the hard standing by the 2nd XV pitch BUT you must display your car parking permit which you will be given when you pay your subs. If you have not got your permit on display you will need to buy an Allerdale ticket - the Club can not stop the Wardens issuing tickets. Also if you see a parent from another Club parking in the wrong place please tell them!

Transport - Up to Under 14's we rely on parents to provide transport for away games. For the older Juniors we will try and borrow the school minibus BUT we can not always guarantee this so please help out by acting as a team bus every now and then.

Fixtures - Fixtures do change so please watch the Reminder each week for the latest news. Fixtures as we know them are in the Club Handbook and on the Club Notice Boards. Many parents ask why there are so few fixtures especially for the younger players - this is because we are bound by the rules set down by the RFU (and with which we agree) which for younger players recommends that there should be 1 match every 3 weeks with the other 2 weeks for training. This is to ensure children are properly coached and learn proper techniques which will allow them to play safely and competently.

Food On match days - food will always be provided to players (this applies home & away) On training days your children will often appreciate a hot drink after training and on match days parents will probably also welcome the opportunity to warm their hands on a winters day (P.S. the coaches also like parents with flasks !)

250 Club - we hope you will agree that we try to offer rugby as cheaply as possible and when you bear in mind that the kit is provided and washed by the Club who also provide food on match days the subscription doesn't meet the basic costs. One of our key fund raisers is the 250 Club Prize Draw which starts in September. Membership is £20 with every chance you can win and get your money back so please help by taking a membership and hopefully also try and get the grandparents signed up as well.

Volunteers - We always need volunteers - it is the only way the Club can provide the coaches and the facilities for your children. Don't wait to be asked - just ask one of the coaches how you can help - it doesn't have to be a major commitment it can be simply taking a 1 day 1st Aid course or bringing in the corner flags after a match - every little helps - don't leave it to others! We are not a cheap crèche!!

Fund Raising - You are part of the Club - you may never have played rugby but we welcome you to the Club - please use it - please participate - remember we only have 3 senior teams we have 10 Junior teams - you are the biggest part of the Club. In particular the Club has 3 major fund raising events where we need large numbers of people to Help :- The Half Marathon in May The Beer Festival in June The Fireworks in October
Please help - you will find that its great fun !