Rochdale U13s - Lancashire Vase 2007 - Winners. (See the news report.)

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Tour report below.

Another exciting tour has ended with Steve Candler being awarded the high honour of the "Girly Wig" for his girly drunkenness after just 6 bottles of wine and a crate of beer.

No excuses, the boys were very disappointed - except Andrew Moores who wanted to wear the wig himself and would like to say that Steve was very unfairly treated.

Mike Cooper adjudicated and during his usual 6 hour presentation speech, which everyone slept through, he said that Steve had, in the face of no danger whatsover, fallen asleep during a high stakes card game, giggled a lot and tried to steal the pot.

Mike Serridge disappeared mid card game but explained the following morning that he had no idea where he went - that's cleared that up then - and Gary Collins managed to win at Don despite not having a clue about the rules or indeed that he was involved in the game.

Ed Cooper wiped the floor with all the opposition, several times, on the go karts; James Teague rang the bell at the crazy golf; Tuey managed to wangle an extra go on the bouncy slide; and as to the rugby the U13s managed no wins in the baking heat but came off the field shattered and looking forward to the close season.

Finally Mike Candler and Billy Humphries shared the award for best bosh - Mike put in several at full-back and Billy sprinted 50 metres to stop a certain try literally on the line.

For their first ever tour, the U10's performed exceptionally well over the 2 day Scottish International Festival Of Rugby in Ayr Scotland.  The first day saw them beating Ayr and Hamilton before drawing to Carlisle in a free flowing 6 all draw in which Rochdale took the victory on the first try rule.  The team worked hard thought a very hot day and the differences in the Scottish Laws saw Musselburgh take the advantage by winning the final match of the day.
  
The hard work of the first day had paid off with Rochdale reaching the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup on day 2, were they faced a replay against a good Carlisle side.  Superb performances throughout the team were rewarded with a well earned victory of 5 try's to 4 and a place in the Challenge Cup Final against Ystrad Rhondda from South Wales.  At the final, both teams were escorted on to the pitch by a lone bagpipe player, a thrill for all involved and it certainly had the hairs rising on the back of the neck. 

  The match got of to a frensied start with Rochdale taking an early lead and going in to half time with a 2-1 advantage.  Rhondda started extremely well in the second half and with a superb passing game that allowed them to overhaul Rochdale and by the final whistle the game ended in a 5-4 victory for Rhondda.

  
 
However, what a fantastic result and tour for the newly formed team.  To have reached the Challenge cup final in an international competition on their first tour was an incredible achievement and something the Players, Parents and Coaching Staff should be immensely proud of.

  Paul Mooney
Coach U10's.

(1) Always be publicly open when working with children. Avoid situations where you and an individual child are completely unobserved.

(2) Rugby is a physical game. Situations will occur when, in order to teach or coach certain techniques, it is necessary to make contact with the player. If this is the case, tell the player beforehand and ask if they have any objections.

(3) If groups are to be supervised in changing rooms, always ensure that adults work in pairs, and that gender is appropriate.

(4) Where mixed teams compete away from home they should always be accompanied by at least one male and one female adult.

(5) Volunteers and professionals must respect the rights and dignity and worth of all and treat everyone with equality.

(6) Coaches must place the well-being and safety of the player above development of performance.

(7) Coaches should:

• Avoid overplaying of players (particularly talented players). All players need and deserve equal opportunity to play.
• Remember that children play for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only a part of it.
• Ensure that contact skills are taught in a safe, secure manner paying due regard to the physical development of young players.
• Never allow young players to train or play when injured.
• Ensure equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to the age and ability of the players.

(8) Coaches should hold current RFU coaching awards or a recognised teaching qualification.

(9) Coaches must ensure that the activities which they direct or advocate are appropriate to the age, maturity and ability of the players.

(10) Coaches should always promote the positive aspects of the sport (eg fair play), and never condone law violations or use of prohibited substances.

(11) Coaches must consistently display high standards of personal behaviour and appearance.

(12) Coaches should never overtly criticise players or use language or actions which may cause the player to lose self esteem or confidence.

Everyone should also be aware that, as a general rule, it does not make sense for a coach to:

Ø Spend amounts of time alone with children away from others.

Ø Take children alone on car journeys, however short, the journey.

Ø Take children to your home.

If it should arise that such situations are unavoidable they should only take place with the full knowledge and consent of someone in charge in the club and/or a person with full parental responsibility for the player.

If, as a coach, you accidentally hurt a player, or cause distress in any manner, or the player appears to respond in a sexual manner to your actions, or misunderstands, or misinterprets something you have done, report the incident to a colleague supported by a brief written report of the incident as soon as possible. Parents/carers should also be informed of the occurrence.