London Welsh RFC Mini Rugby

The Game

Mini Rugby is the first step on the Rugby Union ladder, introducing children from the ages of 5 – 12 to the game. The club welcomes parental involvement whether with the training or as a volunteer. Please let your child's head coach know and they will point you in the right direction. In fact, most of our coaches are parents who, after playing rugby themselves have now qualified by attaining the WRU or RFU Preliminary Coaching Award. Most coaches have achieved Level 1 and Level 2 certifications.

Our introduction, starting with the Under 6’s, is a fun, yet structured approach to ball-handling skills, team building and tag rugby. From there, the Under 7’s learn and practice honing their ball and tagging skills – achieved through weekly training sessions, quite often in conjunction with other Mini Rugby clubs. During this year, the kids are also introduced to competitive tagging games against other clubs. Tag rugby advances through to the Under 8’s. This year not only continues tag training and matches, but also introduces contact rugby which the children start the following year.

From Under 9 to Under 12, the children continue training and competing in full contact rugby.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has published an introduction to our sport which can be downloaded here:

A Beginner's Guide To Rugby Union

Even if your child has not played rugby before do not worry!! Please come down to see us for a taster session at no cost. We welcome all children.

From the start of the next season, all teams from Under 7 - Under 12 will have the opportunity of playing in a "curtain raiser" game before the senior 1st team matches. Children are also welcome to become mascots - representing the club at the senior 1st team matches.

The Club

Rugby is a team game both on and off the field. Our clubhouse, the hub of our training grounds at Old Deer Park, offers a place for all members of the player’s family to socialize before and after training. As much team and friendship building occurs during training as it does afterwards.

There are no prerequisites to becoming a member of the club – including being Welsh! We welcome children of all abilities and nationalities and openly encourage their families to become actively involved in the training and support of both their children and the club.

It is due to the unwavering support and commitment of our coaches and parents who volunteer their time unconditionally, that the club as a whole and the individual teams are so successful in every way possible.

Membership to the club has a nominal cost – what Mini Rugby gives and what the kids get from the club … is priceless!

London Welsh was established in 1885 and many famous names have made their way up the ranks to play both nationally and internationally.

Kit

Kit is sold at Greycourt and at Old Deer Park on practice days, as well as on Saturday at 1st XV games. Shirts, shorts, socks and mouth guards are available.

London Welsh Minis Festival 2009

London Welsh is grateful to premium commercial cleaning company GroupClean for its support and sponsorship of the London Welsh Mini and Junior festival as part of its "keeping sport clean" campaign throughout the country.

The festival, held on Sunday November 8^th, saw many hundreds of boys and girls from aound the UK participate in a hugely enjoyable event.

Follow the LWRFC Festival 2009 link on the left hand side of this page for the results, a report of the day and a link to the photos available from the day.

Breaking News

1. Next Sunday:

This Sunday April 25th brings the finish of the season, hopefully in the same glorious sunshine in which we kicked off at Greycourt on September 6th.

Good luck to those teams competing in the London Irish and Twickenham Sevens Festivals, and bon voyage to the U10s who are once again crossing the Bridge on their now-annual Welsh Tour.

We bid a fond farewell to those who are leaving us for pastures new and wish them all the very best in whatever new endeavours face them. For the remainder, enjoy the summer and come back to Greycourt, raring to go, on Sunday 5th September.

2. Staines Festival:

A fantastic showing by London Welsh at all ages showed us to be far and away the most successful club at last Sunday's Staines Festival. For all the results, see the News & Events page.

3. Become a mascot at 1st XV games:

An unforgetable experience for a junior member. Look here for information.

If you are interested, email Natalie Winton or download a form by clicking here.