Mini Rugby Page

26 / 04 / 10

Rugby is for everyone

Latest Photo's and reports

The 2009 - 2010 mini rugby season is now over. Thanks to all the players and their families who suppotred Westport RFC and got involved in any way. Thanks also to the Mini Rugby Coordinator Seán Moran who moves on to youth rugby next season, the coaches, hospitality volounteers, first aiders, photographers, web site administrator, club officials and the Connacht Rugby staff for their support during the season.

Registration for the new mini rugby season (boys and girls 6-12 years) will take place on Saturday September 18th from 10 - 11.30am at the clubhouse, Carrowholly. For details regarding registration or any other aspect of Westport Mini Rugby contact Gearóid at 087 6165972.

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Westport Mini Rugby News 17 April 2010

Last Saturday (17 April) the under 12’s with some support from the under 11's fielded two teams at the Aviva National Under 12 Blitz at Ashbourne Co Meath.

The Westport Blue team got off to a slow start and seemed a bit in awe of the occassion. They were overcome in the first two games by very strong Naas and Old Bevedere teams. They got more fired up then and played more to their capability in the final two games, drawing against Armagh and beating Thomond convincingly.

The Westport Green team found the going difficult and struggled to compete, losing all four games However one of the positives was that there was a noticeable improvement in their later games.

There is no doubt that the tournament was a great experience for all the players as well as a fun event. This will stand to the under 12's next season as they move into 15-a-side full pitch rugby. The under 11's will also have gained a valuable insight into the standards required to compete at this level.

This marks the end of the season for under 11's and 12's, the other minis having already finished. Thanks to all the players who put their hearts into rugby over the last eight months and to their parents for supporting Westport RFC. Thanks also to the coaches for their hard work with the mini players. We hope it was an enjoyable and positive experience for all.

A big thanks particularly to Seán Moran who has coordinated and led mini rugby over recent years and now moves on to youth rugby. His contribution to the success of Westport mini rugby has been enormous. Good luck to the under 12's, to Seán and the other coaches as they move into youth rugby next season.

The Connacht Try Rugby Summer Camp will take place in Westport from July 12 to 16. For further details contact 091 561568 or visitwww.connachtrugby.ie. If you register by April 23 you will be entered for a draw to be a Connacht Mascot at the Connacht v Toulon semi-final of the Amlin Challenge Cup on April 30

Warm work on a cold day

Westport Mini Rugby News 20 March 2010

Last Saturday (20 March) Westport RFC hosted the Connacht Under 8 and 9 Blitz with over 200 players participating. Teams came from Barna, Claremorris, Connemara, Corinthians, Oughterard and An Ghaeltacht. Westport fielded 4 teams and all teams played very well on what turned out to be a very beautiful day. As a memento, each player was presented with a medal by club President Dermot Ruddy. Well done to Fergus McAllister who organised the day and to all who helped.

A particular word of thanks at this juncture to all the hospitality team who always make Westport RFC a very welcoming place to visit; they are: Audrey O’Haire, Ann Conway, Mary McNicholas, Bernie Nolan, Eileen Joyce and Michael Heneghan.

Next Saturday (27 March) all minis are back in action with a home training session for under 7’s, 8’s, 9’s, 10’s and 11’s. This will be the final action of the season for the under 7’s, 8’s and 9’s so a full turn out would be great. Under 11’s will also have training on Tuesday evening from 7-8pm.

The under 12’s have their Connacht Blitz in Tuam on Saturday and travel arrangements will be notified by text. They will have a training session during the week and details of this will also be sent by text. Please note a new development this year for the under 12’s. They will take part in the All Ireland National Blitz on 17 April in Ashbourne, Co Meath.

Blitz Co-ordinator, Fergus McAllister, at 085 1743941 or fmcallister@eircom.ie. We wish all the players the best for the blitz and hope they have a really enjoyable rugby experience.

Under 11's at the weekend blitz

Blitz's & Long Mini Rugby Trips Things to do and not do

Do	Don't
Bring a large bottle of water	Do not bring fizzy drinks
Bring a healthy packed lunch and some extra fruit and sandwiches for snacks	Do not bring any valuables such as iPods
Arrive wearing your track suit and jersey	Do not bring a lot of sweets or crisps because they may make you sick on the journey
Bring a change of clothes	Do not leave your group
Bring a towel	Do not do anything that is dangerous
Follow coaches instructions at all times	Do not bring anything that is dangerous
Stay with your group at all times	Do not draw negative attention on the group
Bring a small amount of money in a zipped pocket (we will stop on the way home to buy some hot food)
Show respect at all times to yourself, your team mates, coaches, bus driver, opposing teams or any other people we meet
Be fair and sporting

	Long Trip Check list
Food	Packed lunch
	Large bottle of water
	Extra sandwiches and fruit/nuts for snacks
	Money for hot food on way home (suggestion €10) in zipped pocket
Gear on	Shoes/runners
	Tracksuit bottoms
	placeRugby jersey
	placeRugby shorts
	placeRugby socks
Gear in bag	Towel
	Rain jacket
	Rain trousers

	Hoodie/sweater
	Extra boxers
	Extra vest
	Extra socks
	Gum shield
	Scrumcap (if you have one)
	Football boots

With the able assistance of Connacht Branch IRFU rugby training sessions for girls between the age of 13 and 19 will commence on Tuesday evenings from 7pm to 8pm. No experience is required but girls must have a mouth guard. Cost to register is €20 and those registering are asked to bring a photocopy of their birth cert. On a related matter Connacht are organising a series of open days for girls to come and try rugby at the Sports Ground, Galway, starting on January 30, minis (9-12yrs) from 11.00 – 12.30, then 13-18 yrs from 12.30 -14.00.

As always, many hands make light work, so if you are a parent of one of the minis and would like help out, either on or off the field, please let us know, you are very come to get involved.

Jan -Apr 2010 Fixtures

	A	B	C	D	E
1		Date	Activity	placeCityWestport Mini placeRugby Fixtures Jan -Apr 2010	Internationals/comments
2	Sat	dateYear2010Day2Month62/6/10	U12's - U11's travel to Nth Kildare & Croke Pk -	Travel to placePlaceNameNth PlaceNameKildare & Croke PlaceTypePark, depart Cinema Carpark at timeMinute45Hour66.45am	Sat 6th Irel v placecountry-regionItaly timeMinute30Hour142.30pm
3	Sat	dateYear2010Day2Month62/6/10	U7,8,9,10 Blitz in placeCityWestport	Matches against Castlebar & Claremorris
4	Sat	dateYear2010Day13Month22/13/10	Training		Sat 13th placecountry-regionFrance v Irel timeMinute30Hour175.30pm
5	Sat	dateYear2010Day20Month22/20/10	U-12,U11 Blitzes in placeCityWestport	Matches against Gaeltacht & Claremorris
6	Sat	dateYear2010Day20Month22/20/10	U7,8,9,10, Blitzes in Claremorris	Matches against Claremorris & Gaeltacht
7	Sat	dateYear2010Day27Month22/27/10	U12,U11 Blitz in placeCityWestport	Matches against Ballina, & placeNorth Kildare or Castlebar	Sat 27th Eng v Irel timeMinute0Hour164pm
8	Sat	dateYear2010Day27Month22/27/10	U7,8,9,10 in Ballina	Matches against Castlebar, Ballina
9	Sat	dateYear2010Day3Month63/6/10	U11 placeConnacht Blitz Sligo/Tuam	U-11 placeConnacht Blitz Sligo/Tuam TBC
10	Sat	dateYear2010Day3Month63/6/10	U12 Blitzes in placeCityWestport;	Matches against Galwegians
11	Sat	6/032010	U7, 8,9,10 in placeGalway	Matches against Galwegians
12	Sat	dateYear2010Day13Month33/13/10	Training		Sat 13th Irel v placecountry-regionWales timeMinute30Hour142.30pm last rugby activity for U11's, U7's
13	Sat	dateYear2010Day20Month33/20/10	U9 & U8 placeConnacht Blitz in placeCityWestport	U9 & U8 placeConnacht Blitz in placeCityWestport	Sat 20th Irel v placecountry-regionScotland 5pm Last Rugby Activity for U8 &U9's
14	Sat	dateYear2010Day27Month33/27/10	U12 placeConnacht Blitz - Corrinthian's & Tuam	U12 placeConnacht Blitz - Corrinthian's & Tuam	Last placeRugby activity for U-12's
15	Sat	dateYear2010Day4Month34/3/10	U10's playing @half time in placeConnacht Senior game	U10's in Sportsground Galway, placeConnacht playing placeCityEdinburgh
16	Sat	dateYear2010Day4Month104/10/10	U-10 placeConnacht Blitz in Ballinia	U-10 placeConnacht Blitz	Last placeRugby activity for U-10's
17			Notes
18	Training	Players on pitch at timeMinute0Hour1010am & off pitch at 11.30, U-7's off pitch at timeMinute0Hour1111am.

For information regarding registration or on any aspect of mini rugby you can also contact Gearóid at 087 6165972 or gearoidpost@gmail.com, or Seán Moran at 086 0642714.

Girls Rugby Starts (Posted 07/02/10)

Rugby training has started for girls between the age of 13 and 18 at Westport Rugby Club, Carrowholly on Tuesday nights. Please note a slight change in time. It runs from 6.45pm to 7.45pm. Ccome along and join in. No experience required. The girls who participated last week had a great fun. The cost of registration is €20 and make sure to bring a gum shield.

For further information contact Daphne Haire Mooney on 087 7682594.

Latest Photo's and video

Three Westport girls play half time at Connacht v Munster womens match

Check out on the link below to see the Westport girlsmatch video action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwYhUSiL1vQ&sns=emm

Mini Blitz Photo's and Video's Home and Away

Under 12's v Castlebar Away

Under 12's v Carrick on Shannon Away

Under 11's v Ballina 1st Half Away

Under11's V Ballina 2nd Half

All players should have a full, warm change of clothing and footwear, gumshield and their own labelled water bottle.

Parents are very much encouraged to participate and help out in whatever way possible.

Well done to all the parents who did the coaching course. It all adds up to a better experience for the children. We look forward to seeing you on the pitch.

Starting off Under 7's

Click on pictures below for Video Action

Under 7's Castlebar Blitz and Connaught match exhibition

Some serious 7's training action on the pitch at the Castlebar Blitz

Under 7's Training at home on a windy Westport day

Click on above fora fun Video

2008 Mini Rugby match

There will be a mini-rugby coaching course in Castlebar RFC over three Monday nights (26th Oct and 2nd & 9th Nov). Any Mums or Dads interested in participating should let Seán Moran know ASAP at the number below. No rugby experience required, and as you know the whole set up depends on parents getting involved in coaching. The cost of the course is €50 per person but the club will fund this.

Primary Schoools Open Day October 9th.

Over 100 1st and 2nd class children from primary schools in the Westport area participated

(see Pic's below)

Click thumbs for full size picture page

Connacht Trip Click thumbs for full size picture page

If you have not registered yet you will be able to so on any Saturday at the clubhouse before training, so come a few minutes early, If you wish to register, limited kit will also be on sale. Please ensure that boots and studs are in good condition and come in time to be out on the pitch at 10.00

For information on any aspect of mini rugby contact Gearóid at 087 6165972 or gearoidpost@gmail.com, Seán at 086 0642714, or log onto www.westportrfc.com.

What is mini-rugby?

Mini-rugby is a simplified version of rugby for boys and girls from 6 to 12 years of age. The emphasis is on fun and participation in a safe and well-organised environment. The season runs from September to April.

Safety

Safety is the first priority of mini-rugby. All activities are designed with this in mind. Westport Bulls mini-rugby coaches are almost entirely parents of children involved and have undergone training through Connacht rugby. Children are required to play safely and fairly. In addition, they are required to wear a mouth guard and are recommended to wear a scrumcap.

Age Groups

There are six separate age groups: under 7, under 8 etc. to under 12. Boys and girls play together in small groups and are gradually introduced to the rules and distinct features of rugby, such as the tackle and scrum. Under 7's are organised on a non-contact basis.

Training Times

Training takes place on Saturday mornings from 10am to 11.30am. Home games/blitzes usually run on Saturdays from 10am to 12 or 12.30pm. When we have away games on we depart Westport in time to arrive at the away venue between 10am to 10.15am.

Non-Competitive

In line with best practice and the principle of long-term player development Westport Bulls mini-rugby is non-competitive. This means that the children are not involved in leagues or neither are they divided into formal teams or abilities. However we do organise regular fun blitzes where they play games against other teams. The emphasis is on participation, enjoyment and the development of interest and love for the game.

Registration Costs

Mini-rugby membership rates are the same as last year and in addition all mini-rugby players registering will receive a rugby ball. The rates are as follows €90 for 1 child, €140 for 2 children and €180 for 3 children. Cost of bus travel to all away games is included in the membership fee. A snack is also provided after all blitzes.

Are you available to help out with the mini rugby?

All the activities of the club are run by people who give of their time on a voluntary basis. So the more help we get the better a service we can provide.

For further information contact Gearóid at:

gearoidpost@gmail.com or 087 6165972.

The form below is availible for you to print off, complete and bring with you for registration

click on link below

R E G I S T R A T I O N F O R M