Irrespective if this is your first season with the Club or you are an old hand - welcome to the 2009/2010 season.  We would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to read this.

Annual Fee - We have to make a charge by way of contribution to running costs. Currently they are £20 per junior player - this is the only amount you will pay.  One of the coaches will assist you in completing the necessary forms and making payment. Please see Supporting Us page.

Matchday kit - the Club will supply shirts (and wash them !) as well as club socks. You will need to provide black or blue shorts and boots. Training kit - you will need to supply a shirt as well. Please make sure your child wears warm dry clothes to change into and they can wear gloves and hats when playing.

Protection - we recommend all players wear gum shields but other protective clothing such as helmets and shoulder padding is optional rather than obligatory. Please check with the coaches before buying equipment as not everything sold in sports shops is acceptable under RFU rules.

Insurance - It is very important to understand the risks of playing rugby and what insurance cover is available to you. Please make use of the resources provided by the RFU to understand your position. In particular, please consider voluntary insurance which Keswick Rugby Club recommends you to seriously consider - http://www.rfu.com/ManagingRugby/Insurance/PlayersParentsAndGuardians/VoluntaryCover

Coaches - all our coaches have either passed RFU training requirements or are working towards them. All coaches have had clear CRB 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. However, rugby has a well deserved reputation for the sporting way in which people support their teams and Keswick strongly believes in encouraging and congratulating any good play whichever 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!. Please do not forget the referee's word is absolute law in rugby. Remember 'they don't have eyes in the back of their heads' and no matter how "bad" a decision may appear the referee is always right!

First Aid - we have many helpers who have undertaken First Aid training and except on rare occasions we will have a qualified First Aider either home or away. However, We are always looking for First Aid support so if you have this background please make yourself known.

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 Borough Council - so please note there is no free parking on the top car park.  Failure to pay at the machine will result in a penalty notice (the Club cannot stop the wardens issuing tickets). You can park either in the area at the back of the grandstand, if there is room, or on the hard standing by the 2nd XV pitch BUT you must display your car parking permit, which you will be given after you have paid you annual fee.  Also, if you see a parent from another Club parking in the wrong place please tell them!

Match day transport - At up to Under 14 level we rely on parents to provide transport for away games. For older levels we will try and borrow the school minibus BUT we cannot always guarantee this so please help out by providing transport when you can.

Fixtures - Fixtures do change, especially so far this season, so please check the Keswick Reminder each week for the latest news. 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 on match every three weeks with the other two weeks used 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 and away). On training days the players 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 annual fee 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 as 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 one day First 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 two senior teams but we have many more youth teams - you are the biggest part of the Club. In particular the Club has three major fund raising events where we need large numbers of people to help :- The Half Marathon in May, The Beer Festival in June and The Firework Display in October

Please help - you will find that they are all great fun!