We are lucky to have a good number of parents volunteer on our club committee. Without them there would literally be no club for the 500+ kids to enjoy their rugby at.

We are actively seeking a handful of new parents to take part in the running of the club.

People from all backgrounds help run the club. What connects us all is a desire to help the club run smoothly so the kids have the best time possible playing rugby. You definitely don't need to be a 'rugby' nut or have played rugby. A desire to help and volunteer is key. Our work covers managing facilities and pitches at the club, equipment the kids use in training, kit, matches that we schedule for the kids, organising coaching and ref courses, summer camps, tours, child welfare, cake sales and social events, parking, website and comms, RFU registrations, our netball club and girls rugby, volunteering and schools liaison...

The urgent need is to find a new minis chair (that's an individual to oversee u5 to u11 age groups)

Our current minis chair (and u8 head coach), Jon Hall, is moving away from the area this summer. As a result we are looking for a new minis chair. The role requires a commitment of two short evening meetings a month during the season and some email and other occasional work.

Other roles we would like help with are

1. Webmaster to help Lu (who also leads our incredibly successful girls rugby teams). Some knowledge of Drupal and basic HTML helpful
2. Social secs - a couple of people to take over from the sterling work that Frances and Zoe have been doing for a few years
3. Comms officer - someone to help do weekly updates on this website and run the new weekly email that we're setting up from next season. An ability to write with few typos (!) and basic design knowledge would be ideal
4. Secretary for the committee - someone to make sure people know when the meetings are, write up notes and keep the meetings going.
5. Child welfare to support Sophie and Kate. On-boarding new coaches, running DBS checks, approving tours and making sure touch-line behaviours are appropriate
6. Schools liaison officer - along with our New Breed of Rugby Club positioning (more on this next season) we are hoping to find someone to keep our club front of mind with local schools and open up opportunities

If you're interested in finding out more or throwing your hat in the ring for any of these roles please get in touch with either Paul Goss on 07702 564647 or email youth@wmrfc.co.uk or Richard Castle on 07971 278717 or email secretary@wmrfc.co.uk. Closing date for the minis chair role is Tuesday 23 April 2019.

Let's start with last week's minis festival: thank you to everyone who contributed, especially Woody and Scott for a great day out for the kids.

We are taking photos of all head coaches, managers and exec committee members on Sunday

Please follow the order below and it should run smoothly:

10.15 - Minis & Youth Exec - those involved for next season please
10.45 - U6 (including U6 for next season please, so Ben Smith & ? As manager)
11.00 - U10 & U11
11.15 - U13 through to Colts please.

We will sort out those that miss this early next season I suspect so do not worry if you're not at the club on Sunday. Carl, one of the Colts fathers, is taking the photos so please help him by being on time.

Pitch plan

A huge welcome to our guests this Sunday: Rosslyn Park, Whitgiftians, Old Midwhitgiftians, Sutton & Epsom, Guildfordians, Warlingham, Windsor, Kingston and Battersea Ironsides. An even larger number of clubs joining us than for the Autumn Festival. Fantastic!

It's highly likely that you won't be able to park at the club (unless the ground dries up quickly). So if you can avoid coming down Barham Road to the club please do and park in one of the green-shaded roads below...

Please also read and follow our parking policy, and listen to any parking instructions you are given - and respect that everyone marshalling the parking are parent volunteers.

Anyone blocking access to homes or restricting ambulance access will be reported to the police.

If you need directions to Wimbledon Rugby Football Club click here

The programme for Sunday can be downloaded here

Come and play the A-Plan Insurance passing challenge up by the clubhouse for a chance to win prizes.

Here's the pitch plan

A note from Sophie Castle, Wimbledon's child protection officer
Remember, everyone (parent, coaches and players alike) must observe the RFU rules and spirit of play...namely

1. Support positively and applaud good play (even if it's not your team!)
2. Respect officials and opposition players
3. Remember that children are playing to have fun
4. Behave as good role models on the touchline
5. Congratulate the opposition and make their supporters welcome.

Or if you prefer, a note on bad parental behaviour from Brian Moore
[Children] do not always recognise a general expression of disappointment and believe it is directed at them. Head shaking, rolling of the eyes, looking away, kicking the ground – any of these can discourage children, and exhortations like “come on” and “sort it out” are as practically useless from the touchline as they are on the pitch. Full article is here

Hope you enjoy the festival and remember TREDS

Teamwork • Respect • Enjoyment • Discipline • Sportsmanship

Big match for the U15 Girls who look likely to win Surrey Cup if they win on Sunday, and they have had 3-4 players picked for the Surrey squad too. Wonderful effort from the girls so some extra support would be great.

Please note the pitch marked for cricket prep and avoid this area. Plenty of space so should not be an issue.

If you're visiting, please be good enough to follow our parking policy Netball marshalling the parking this week.

Quiz night has been postponed - email social@wmrfc.co.uk if you have paid and need a refund.

Pitch plan

Most of the minis are away at Guildfordians - U6 and Inclusive at home. Car parking is the U12s (not U6s as marked).

Lots of youth teams in action - welcome to everyone visiting. Please be good enough to follow our parking policy:

Don't forget to book your tables for the quiz night on March 15th. Email social@wmrfc.co.uk for info.

Pitch plan

John Woods writes to share news that eight of our girls are now in the County squads at either under 15s or under 18s (see roll of honour below). That's a great achievement in a very competitive county and a tribute to our girls and their coaches. You can see the u15s in action at home this Sunday against Chobham alongside a number of other youth games.

U15s: Georgie Barker, Esme Ford, Rebecca Jenkinson, Annabel Meta and Elizabeth Marriott
U18s: Fleur Feehan, Abigail Hooper and Yasmin Howe

Also, Fleur and Abi have been selected into the England centre of excellence at Richmond RFC which is part of the England player pathway. Brilliant news. The Wimbledon Rugby girls squads are absolutely brilliant right now! If you want to join get in touch with Luciana: girls@wmrfc.co.uk or 07739 369530

Just about all the minis are away this Sunday - U6 and Inclusive at home, the rest at Esher except the U10s who are on tour - hope you have a brilliant trip.

So lots of youth games at home as the Cup tournaments swing back into action. Welcome to all our visitors. Please be good enough to follow our parking policy:

Don't forget to book your tables for the quiz night on March 15th. Email social@wmrfc.co.uk for info.

Pitch plan

No matches this week (anyone would think it was half term)... training for all will be on.

Under 8s are on parking this week. Please remember to avoid parking on Drax, Preston and Hood (particularly).

There's a quiz night coming up on 15th March, 7.30 for 8pm prompt start. Organised by the social team from the minis, it's always a cracking night. Zoe and Frances have set aside tables for U6 to U11, Inclusive, Girls and Netball. Let's try and get at least one table for eight from each age group. Older groups and senior club members more than welcome.

Friday 15th March, 7:30 for 8pm start.
£10 per person, max. 8 people per team/table.
Price includes cheese / biscuits / antipasti on the tables.

Tables are to be paid for in full at the clubhouse. Perhaps age group managers could co-ordinate. Important: please ensure you complete the booking form too, so we know you've paid/how many tables are booked).

No 1st XV at home this weekend (a good win last week keeps them in contention in the top three of the league) however there is a full host of Six Nations that the club will be showing on Saturday. It was a great atmosphere last weekend for the Sunday game so do head down to watch if you are looking for a venue.

Pitch plan

Another busy Sunday coming up. If you can support the adult 1st XV this Saturday (2pm KO at the club) there's an A3 derby against Guildford. The lads would appreciate any support you can give from the touchline.

Moving on to Sunday, we have visiting teams from Kingston & Esher for the Minis and London Irish are visiting the U15s - welcome all. If you are visiting please park as per our parking policy and listen to our volunteers. And a reminder to everyone, if you are arriving after 0930 on a Sunday please do not attempt to enter Barham Road. Instead, park in one of the alternative sites on the parking policy.

Talking of parking - it's the U11s on duty this weekend. Please remember to avoid parking on Drax, Preston and Hood (particularly).

Paul Goss sends his thanks to all the coaches that attended the last meeting at the club. Lots of good ideas that he'll feed back to us all on and follow up.

Thanks also from James Boatman who reports that the City Lunch last December was a huge success with a big boost to the club's coffers as a result. Will make a huge difference to the pitch maintenance budget (specifically repairs and an irrigation system) - thanks.

There was the club quiz last Friday, hugely successful and won by the U9s with the Girls section as close runners up. Watch out for news of the Mini / Youth Quiz in mid March. Details to follow shortly.

Pitch plan

Lots of people out and about this week. Welcome to Dorking who are joining us for some minis joint training and to Farnham and Effingham for youth matches.

U6 on Parking duties (sadly no cake sales this week). If you are visiting please park as per our parking policy and listen to our volunteers. And a reminder to everyone, if you are arriving after 0930 on a Sunday please do not attempt to enter Barham Road. Instead, park in one of the alternative sites on the parking policy.

Coaches meeting this Wednesday at the club - 7.30pm start. All welcome - a great chance to discuss rugby and improvements to help move things forward.

Youth - Please remember there is a 2nd Home festival for the minis on the 24th March - please arrange training or matches away for that weekend!

Finally - we're showing the France game at 2.30pm - why not stay and have a beer.

Pitch plan