This weekend we are AT HOME to Kingston. Like last season they will be a bit short on numbers but we will play it by year and everyone will get to play. Please arrive ready to start at 10am. Touch rugby will start at 9.50.

If you have not registered yet, this is the last weekend before we start really nagging. The club really needs the money so please do not wait to be chased.

Dave

Some messages from the Club:

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1. Eye wear when playing Rugby-
The RFU’s regulation relating to the wearing of spectacles or sports goggles is set out in Regulation 15.13.3 which states that players of all age grades are permitted to wear spectacles, glasses or specifically designed sports goggles in all forms of non-contact rugby but that players are not permitted to wear spectacles, glasses or specifically designed sports goggles in any form of contact rugby. This means that U9s and above are not permitted to wear any eye wear when playing contact rugby. This is not a change in regulation from last year.

The RFU’s Regulations are dictated by IRB Regulations and for some time now the RFU has been trying to persuade the IRB to permit U12s and below to wear goggles because the RFU recognises that this creates difficulties for children with impaired eyesight who cannot yet wear contact lenses. The IRB’s approach stems from the stipulations relating to player dress/clothing set out in IRB Regulation 12 which says that all clothing/equipment worn by players must fall within the requirements of Regulation 12 and not fall within the description of banned clothing set out in their regulations. This means that goggles could be worn if they comply with Regulation 12 but the problem is that no manufacturer has yet produced goggles that are IRB compliant. The IRB are talking to manufacturers in the hope of producing a compliant set of goggles but this is a work in progress.

The RFU will continue to work with the IRB to reach a solution but in the meantime, should anyone (parent, club etc) wish to voice their concerns directly with the IRB, the IRB can be contacted on: Tel: 00 353 1 240 9200 Fax: 00 353 1 240 9201 Email: irb@irb.com.

2. Fat burning substances:
The message below was sent to all people on the Middlesex Youth Rugby Contacts list by Teddington RFC.

"As you may be aware, one of our former Teddington RFC players, Chris “Splat” Mapletoft died earlier this year; 18 years of age and about to head off to University. Chris played for Hampton School and was a real talent and prestigious tackler. Many of the Teddington lads and former Hampton Boys attended his funeral and took part in the memorial rugby game last Wednesday evening.

Original reports gave the impression that he died of meningitis, which would have been tragic enough. However, the coroner’s report states that the true cause of death was that Chris was taking a drug called DNP as means of losing weight. See http://www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/news/2013/aug/dnp#.UjRblcbkuSp for more information.

The Mapletoft family has been devastated by the loss of Chris, but they want every young person to be warned of the dangers of taking these drugs so that the tragedy they are experiencing is not repeated.

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