O/T ish Junior RL (Summer or not) : Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:09 pm  

i know we have a thread on the armature scene already but just one look outside today got me thinking of this again . Why on earth did we move the sport to summer to just let our kids perish in the winter?

for one if the juniors moved to summer then kids who think the only out door sport is soccer may just during the close season give rugby a try . Coaches put in a lot of time and effort into training sessions but tend to get the best out of the lads/girls when they are not cold . Night sessions are a no go for most as clubs don't have adequate training facilities or enough interest. My lads are in a way fortunate to have the use of a sports hall during the winter but im sure both coaches of the 8s and 9s would be in agreement that due to space and the obvious fact that the floor is solid then its like pulling teeth trying to get them to progress (although i know the bleep gets them fitter and i applaud that).

I don't buy into the kids go holiday argument as people fly off during the cold months.

you may ask where as this come from but from someone who as been stood on a field at 7pm on a wind and hail swept pitch seeing not many kids turn up i think we may be missing a trick.

surly for every reason the pro game moved then the armature or at least junior set up should run in conjunction with the SL.


Getting kids to attend training regular is one thing but getting parents to stand out in the rain , hail and cold is another .

thankfully my boys have 2 very committed coaches and assistants who will put in 100% no matter what . i just think the job hand could be made easier.

thoughts

: Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:14 pm  

I know what you mean, we started the Sherburn Bears U8's last October & we're doing really well now but we really struggled through the winter month's to get the kids to turn up due to their parents being too cold.

I'd be in favor of a shift to summer rugby, it's great training at this time of year & the kids certainly enjoy it too.

: Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:23 pm  

i also coach at under 8s at townville and last year we played in the summer league over in hudds halifax west riding i think and too many kids were away on holls to get the squad right , i think the yorks league get it right with the winter break and with the fine weather now here we still have 10 ish games to play with a big squad.
also would be interested in playing you guys at BV if you can arrange it before a game .
binks

: Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:47 pm  

There are several 'schools of thought' regarding this issue. I agree with what you are saying Mutley regarding running in line with SL, and the fact that kids/parents don't want to stand about in the freezing cold! I for one don't have a preference purely because of the hard ground at this time of year, if we had the resources to water pitch's then it would be summer rugby all the way for me But if I had to choose I would go for summer, this is because I think a lot of kids are lost to rugby league because of the weather. I have seen it happen before, when the 'new boy' turns up and even though he shows a bit of promise, coach's don't want to risk them in the middle so stick them on the wing, 'new boy' stands there for 30/40 mins, in pouring rain or freezing cold, only gets to touch the ball once (if he's lucky), and then thinks 'i'll stick to soccer!'

We are lucky to have indoor facility's, but as you say Mutley, you can only do so much rugby coaching indoor!

If we went to summer we would also attract a lot more Soccer players, who once they have played may well get hooked and bin the softy's game

But only my opinion