Chairman's Blog

My name is Gary Hemmings and I am the Chairman of the Junior Club. This is a regular update  on what is going on within the club. I hope you find it useful.

13th April 2010

Sorry once again for being late with the update but so much to do and so little time to do it in. The following were items discussed at the recent Coaches/Managers meeting and whilst those present will know what was said but for those who were not and parents/players etc here goes:

Coaching Practices

Recently received an e-mail concerning bad and poor practice in coaching of younger age groups which included coaches tackling, scrumaging, holding tackle pads for players to hit and passing the ball in passing drills. All these things were witnessed at the recent U9/10 Hampshire tournament. All these issues were discussed and considered to be practices that should not take place at Portsmouth. It is true to say that the holding of tackle pads was discussed more than the others but it is bad practice in younger age groups and if seen going on I would ask you to inform a member of the committee.

Also discussed were the types of things being said to players by coaches and supporters, again all heard at this tournament by our own RDO. At this level rugby should be all about enjoyment and encouragement and blaming a player for mistakes should not be something that is heard by player/coach or supporter alike.

Fund Raising Day Sun 18-Apr-2010

The charity event we were looking to do in the last blog is off and running. Each team will do an Auckland grid for no more than 5 minutes at 10.45 on Sunday 18^th April and we will try to break the world record for the number of passes made. The Lord Mayor will be attending as will Fred Dineage of South Today so if you want to get on the TV wear something special. Sponsorship forms have been given to all coaches so please try to raise what you can 10p or £100 it all counts. The U11’s will have the dubious honour of watching me drop quite a few passes as I will be joining them on the day. There will be a prize draw of a family ticket to the Premiership final at Twickenham and everyone taking part will be entered.

Presentation Night Fri 07-May-2010

Don’t forget Presentation Night will be Friday 7^th May, the presentations will take place in the junior clubhouse at 20 minute intervals starting at 7pm with the u7’s and finishing hopefully at 21.40 with U15’s. The main clubhouse will be open for those who need a drink (that will be me)

PJRFC Tournament?

The question of an Portsmouth tournament was raised and discussed at length but as we always put our name forward for the Hampshire Tournament every other year it was felt that unless we could find volunteers to plan and run the tournament it would not be viable at this time.

Leagues and Continuum 2010/11

Latest update fresh from the horses mouth, there are a couple of changes to the league rules next year in that it will be one up and one down as far as promotion and relegation are concerned and a play off for the second promotion/relegation spot. Home referees are going to stay and B teams will be allowed to enter the leagues.

Hot off the press there are proposed changes to what we coach at what level and the numbers in teams at different age groups. This is likely to be trialled in Hampshire at the start of next season more later …………………..

And Finally ....

On a personal note I am finding that with the commitments I have within rugby that being Chairman of the Junior club is a difficult task especially without a Vice Chairman to assist. I have therefore made the decision that come what may I will be leaving the junior club at the end of next season so May 2011.

I am happy to stay on as chairman until then but need a Vice Chairman to help me or I have no problem if someone wants to step forward as chairman at the start of next season and I will remain for the whole year to help them get started but come what may I will regrettably have to stand down in 2011. So parents this is a plea, get more involved in the club there will be a number of positions coming up at the start of next season so ask what is required and start to run the club that your son/daughter is a member of.

.Thanks for reading. Gary Hemmings

1st March 2010

New Floodlights

New Floodlights are now up and working and must be the best in the county not that we have had chance to use them due to the weather. Just a word of warning, the new lights illuminate part of Pitch 3 as well as the training pitch. What we must try to avoid is turning Pitch 3 into a bog like the training pitch because of overuse. We are lucky that the grounds man looks after our pitches so well but the repair budget is fixed and cannot be increased if pitch 3 is overused during training. If you are training and there is room on the training pitch please use it and not pitch3. Pitch 3 is only to be used in dry conditions where the ground will not cut up badly.

Coaches' Meeting

 I am looking to arrange another Coaches and Managers meeting before the end of the season as promised and considering 31st March as the provisional date. Please put this in your diary, same rules as before with a free drink and a frank discussion about current issues.

Fundraising Fun

We are looking to arrange a charity event for 18th April to raise money for a local charity. You will see details going up around the club in the next week or two and it is likely to take the form of sponsored Auckland grids. Each team to do an Auckland grid for no more than 5 minutes. It would be good if the coaches did one and I am sure I can get the committee to do one as well.

CRB Checks

 Please bear with us but there are many coaches/committee members and helpers who need to have their CRB records updated as they are about to run out. Denis Sell will therefore be hassling us all so that we are ready for next season.

Claire Cullum has agreed to work as Denis Sells deputy as Safeguarding Officer so we hope to get her trained as soon as possible and that will take some of the burden off of Denis. Thank you Claire for volunteering.

Presentation Evening

 
Presentation Evening will definitely be Friday 7th May 2010. It will take the usual format with medals and certificates for all and trophies for some. All parent should be aware that I have booked the bar for that night so hopefully a good night will be had by all.
 
The Recent Bad Weather

Thank you all for your patience during the bad weather I realise it is frustrating but we are doing all we can to get the pitches fit for play but if we use them when they are clearly not fit for purpose then all the pitches will end up like the training pitch which is in nobody’s interest. Please bear with us and here’s hoping for some good weather.

29th January 2010

ATTENTION ALL LADIES

I am aware that the Rugby Club on a Saturday afternoon can be somewhat daunting to many and it maybe that you have been reluctant to bring your son/daughter to watch the big boys play because of that. Well here is your chance.

On 13th February 2010 The First XV are at home to Jersey before the game (in fact every home game) there is a 3 course lunch (cost £15). This particular day has been designated Ladies Day and therefore there will be many more ladies around than normal especially at the lunch. So if you have been a little reluctant to come up to the club on a Saturday this is your opportunity. Why not get together with a couple of friends and book a lunch. If you are interested please contact Graham Medland on gmedland@yahoo.co.uk. To coaches/managers don’t forget there are two spaces reserved each home match for the junior/mini section so please just contact Graham to reserve a space.

Junior and Mini meals

Junior and Mini meals in the Senior club are continuing as before but I have given each of the Junior teams a questionnaire to choose their favourite meals and maybe we can get the top four provided on a rotational basis. Sorry still no chips though.

Litter

 Authority has been given to purchase the rubbish bins to be put out on the pitches to encourage parents and players alike not to throw their rubbish on the pitch, but we are waiting until next season to start this as the council wants to do a recycling promotion at the club and would therefore provide the bins.

Floodlights

New floodlights are being put in over the next month, which means that part of Pitch 3 will be able to be used for training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The only problem is that we are likely to lose a Tuesday evening training session in February as they will need to dig out the footings.

Fair Play

 I recently attended the Hampshire Youth Forum and the main topic of debate was bad behaviour by players, coaches and parents alike. It seems evidence has come to light that some mini coaches have been coaching their teams in foul play. Now we saw a bit of this in last years Hampshire Tournament that we hosted but it is apparently getting worse. I do not believe that we are involved in this at all but would appreciate knowing of any incidents that you are aware of.

Behaviour

On a more general basis all should be aware of codes of conduct for coaches, parents and players that are published on this website and on display in the clubhouse.

I appreciate that we can all get really wound up in a game especially if it is out team or our child playing but please remember this is supposed to be fun for the players and they cannot possibly be enjoying the game if they are shouting at or abusing the opposition or being shouted at and abused by coaches and spectators. We have even had a couple of cases of eye gouging reported in Hampshire matches so restraint please.

Positive support is always  welcome and playful banter is also okay but this club will not tolerate verbal or physical abuse of any player or official. Players please remember that the maximum punishment for verbal abuse of a referee is 12 months ban. Not all referees are perfect and some aren’t even very good but they are at least there and without them there would be no rugby. Lecture over, we set a high standard in this club and we need to keep that standard up and your help would be very much appreciated.

Weather Disruption

Thank you all for your patience during the bad weather I realise it is frustrating but we are doing all we can to get the pitches fit for play but if we use them when they are clearly not fit for purpose then all the pitches will end up like the training pitch which is in nobodys interest. Please bear with us and heres hoping for some good weather.

Thanks for reading. Gary Hemmings

13th December 2009

Hope you all have a very good Christmas and a Happy New Year please remember the club is closed after training on 20^th December 2009 and does not reopen again until Sunday 3^rd January 2010

Showers: I have now spoken to Jim Dixon regarding the hot showers and he states that legally the temperature must be 60 degrees on the way out and 58 degrees on the way back. It is slightly above that temperature by about 3 degrees but he will ask the heating engineer on his next visit to adjust it. Tried himself but was overwhelmed by the pipes and dials.

Meals Have been called to another meeting by the senior club to look at meals so stand by for an update after that meeting.

Bins Authority has been given to purchase the rubbish bins to be put out on the pitches to encourage parents and players alike not to throw their rubbish on the pitch.

The list of courses are on the RFU website and you can fill in the form on line and then print it off. If you wish to attend a Coaches course then please having printed off the completed form hand it to me so that I can get the necessary payment attached and the course authorised. The application form can be found at :

RFU.com

·                               Taking Part

·                               Coach

·                               Coach Development Programmes

·                               Qualification Courses

Clubhouse: Thank you all for your patience over the temporary closure of the junior clubhouse this Sunday, this was due to a new floor being laid. Only one team was at home when we arranged to do it but when it came round it seems everyone was at home. So thank you once again for you patience and I know you will see a huge improvement next Sunday.

Referees: In the junior club we seem to have a lack of records as to who is and who is not a qualified referee. Please can you let me know if you are a qualified referee and willing to referee home games at Portsmouth for junior or mini sides.

December 2009 Mon 30-Nov-09

We had a Coaches and Managers meeting last Wednesday and here are some of the issues raised.

Showers: It has been reported to me that the showers are too hot especially for the younger age groups and I have asked Jim Dixon in the senior club if they can be turned down a fraction.

Meals: The experiment with the new meal system seems to be working reasonably well but a suggestion has been put forward that 4 meals are picked for the juniors to be used on a rotational basis I will be speaking to Glenda about this shortly.

Rubbish: More rubbish bins to be placed on the pitches when games are on in an attempt to keep the area tidy, I think this is a good idea and will attempt to secure the money for their purchase.

Coaches' Duties It was suggested that a list of duties for the duty team go in the Coaches pack -- this will be done.

Courses: I will be asking the Webmaster to put a list of courses and seminars on the website for everyone use.

Mince Pies and Coffee Morning: Don’t forget everyone that there will be a Mince Pie and Coffee morning in the main clubhouse on 6th December from 10.30 to 11.30 so come and get your free mince pie and meet members of the committee.

Redecorating: Some decoration work will be carried out in the Junior Clubhouse over the weekend of 11th,12th &13th December. A new floor is being laid and there may be restricted access on the Sunday morning but we will try to keep it at a minimum.

Your input wanted: If you have any suggestions or ideas for improving our club please do not hesitate to let me know and we will give it due consideration.

October 2009 Thu 15-Oct-09

I am very pleased that a number of you have taken the time to read my last blog and I hope y ou found it useful. As promised I will be updating it every month and so here are some new points I hope you will find interesting.

Coaches Meeting: There are a number of issues that need, from my point of view to be discussed and I am sure from your point of view also, not least of all CRB, Coaching courses etc. It would be useful to have team managers there as well. I am looking to do it in the next 4 weeks on a Wednesday and will keep you updated.

Coaches Info Box: Some of you have located the Coaches Info box and taken the items of interest. For those of you that haven’t it is behind Claire (Membership Secretary) and clearly marked just find your age group envelope and remove the contents. There is a list of seminars being put on by London Irish with their 1st team coaches running the session and cost only £10 per session which the club will reimburse for those attending. Also coaching courses for this year.

Seal of Approval: Portsmouth RFC now has the RFU Seal of Approval and as from Sunday you should see the certificate proudly displayed in the clubhouse. On a lighter note many clubs do not have this but of those that do we were the last club in Hampshire and possibly the country to get it as the seal changed on 30th April 2009 and we got approval on 28th April 2009.

Channel Is: I updated you all last time on the problem with travelling to the Channel Is now they do not have the reciprocal agreement with Britain as regards medical treatment. The RFU have stated that you would be covered by the RFU travel insurance if it is a league match. All other matches (cup, tours, tournaments) at any level must get their own travel insurance to cover any medical problems or injuries.

Great South Run: The Twickenham tour bus will be at the common on Saturday 24th October 2009 and will provide a number of games to try your hand at and a lot of memorabilia from the Twickenham museum to see. It is well worth a visit and if you want to assist on the morning please contact either Eric Barker or myself.

Minis Fixtures: Following the last appeal we have managed to get a volunteer for Minis Fixture Secretary and thank you to Claire for volunteering but we still need help so why not take the plunge and speak to any committee member. Thanks for reading. Gary Hemmings

Thu 17-Sep-09

Urgent Help Wanted!: We are looking to fill a number of positions on the committee but most of all we are in serious need of a Minis Fixture Secretary. Without a Minis Fixture Secretary there will be no games next season for minis as these have to be arranged this season. We desperately need a volunteer to help with this role. Support and advice will be available to anyone, coach or parent who takes up this role.

ELV’s: The experimental laws of last season have either been abandoned or adopted into the laws of the game. A list of these new laws are available in the new Coaches Info Box situated at the back of the clubhouse behind the Membership Secretaries Desk. Please check here regularly as various items of interest will be put out for your information and action.

Tournaments & Festivals: If you are attending any tournaments or festivals this season, other than the Hampshire Tournament, please check that it has been officially sanctioned by Peter Hills (Hampshire Youth Chairman) otherwise it may invalidate the insurance of the host club. Entry forms for Hampshire Mini Festivals are in the Coaches Info box.

Child Welfare: Child Welfare has been given a bit of an overhaul by the RFU and Denis Sell is now our Safeguarding Officer. You will also have heard a lot about the new Vetting & Barring scheme being proposed by the Government most of which was over-hyped by the press. This new system will not affect everyone who takes a child to a rugby match nor will it be another long complicated form to fill out for those of us who are already CRB checked. I am told that it will only be another box to tick on the current CRB form and will mean that you will only have to do it once and it will cover you for all events. i.e. The rugby CRB form will now cover you for teaching in schools, being a scout leader etc.

I would very much like to put on an evening to update all coaches etc. on the new thinking on what is and is not permissible under RFU policy. More to follow ....

Channel Islands: If any team is thinking of going to the Channel Islands for a match now or in the future you need to be aware that the reciprocal arrangement as far as medical treatment is concerned between us and the Channel Islands has been abandoned and therefore any treatment received on the Islands will now have to be paid for by the individual concerned. This means that travel insurance is vital for players going to play matches on the Channel Islands.

Prop Idol: Under 13’s should be aware that Prop Idol is running again this year and players who wish to be considered should check out the Hampshire RFU website for details of dates etc.

Thank you for reading and I hope you found this informative.

Gary Hemmings