This Sunday we are expecting 1,400 kids at this year's Wimbledon RFC Spring Minis Rugby Festival. Welcome all!

IMPORTANT: There is no parking on the pitches due to the recent weather so please arrive early and follow the parking instructions that you have been sent by your clubs.

150 teams from across South West London and North Surrey will be playing this Sunday; another record.

We'll be open from 8.30am with bacon butties and coffees to kick-start your day. Referee briefings take pace by the relevant age group control tents at 9.30am and matches kick-off at 10am sharp. Please arrive early as we must start on time!

Parking

In short, you'll need to be an early-arriver to park in one of the two club carparks. A few permits have been issued for Inclusive Rugby players and visiting head coaches (only - and once the spaces are gone, they're gone, sorry). If you have a blue badge there will also be parking at the club, please show yours to the marshalls at the junction of Copse Hill and Barham Road.

Once the club's carparks are full you will need to park on the public roads (marked green on the map). The later you arrive the longer your walk will be to the club. When walking you might find Google Maps helpful to navigate your way to the clubhouse (type in Wimbledon Rugby Club or postcode SW20 0ET).

There will be parent volunteers in hi-viz to help make the parking as stress-free as possible. Please listen to any parking instructions you are given - and respect that everyone marshalling the parking are parent volunteers. Wimbledon RFC is situated in the middle of a residential area with some of the roads being private roads so if you are asked not to park somewhere, please listen. The same goes with cones, if you see a street with cones on, don't park there.

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. We are using Tournify for fixtures and they are available here.
Note: fixtures are subject to change up until the start of the festival so keep checking for any updates.

There's a Tournify app which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store here or from the Google Play Store here . In the Tournify app search for Wimbledon Minis Rugby Festival.

Here's the pitch plan - note: a larger copy of the pitch plan is in the programme, downloadable above.

Huge thanks to our programme sponsors

The festival has been made possible thanks to the generosity of our programme sponsors. Please support them if at all possible.
Trinity School, Chucs Restaurants, Langhans Brasserie, Harlem NYIT restaurant, Whitgift, Kroll, Nuffield Health | Parkside Hospital, Direct Dental, Homefield Prep School, Reston Waste, Tiro Partners, The Bleu Group, Rugger Rascals, Morning Star, Robert Holmes & Co.

A key message from Sophie Castle, Wimbledon's child safeguarding officer

Remember, everyone (parents, 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.

Bad behaviour by players will not be tolerated
The London Society of Rugby Football Union Referees has announced a zero-tolerance approach to backchat and appealing from players during matches. This approach is wholly endorsed by Wimbledon RFC and all players should expect to be warned and then penalised for instances of arm waiving and backchat/challenging refereeing decisions during games.

Bad behaviour by parents will not be tolerated. I like this quote 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

A very busy Sunday is on the cards. The weather looks like it'll play ball so we welcome under 8s and under 10s from Wimbledon Warriors, Old Emmanuel and Kingston; our "odds" (u7, u9 and u11) are all away at Kingston (226 Hook Rd, Chessington KT9 1PL).

Whist a good number of our youth teams are playing matches away we welcome London Welsh, Quins Amateurs, Old Ruts, Dorking and the U16 Girls are holding a development session.

The hard ground has meant we have called off ALL MINIS training on Sunday (u5-u11s + younger girls-only and inclusive). We hope/expect to be back next Sunday (29th).

Look out for information about YOUTH games.

Lots of rugby on offer at home this weekend with seven youth games no less.

The u7 and u9 also welcome Esher and Weybridge Vandals for a triangular training session.

For those at home a reminder that we have some playing kit in stock. Swing by the clubhouse and pick up some club socks or a nice beannie perhaps.

In adult rugby, the Men's 1st and 2nd XVs both won, as did the U22s, as did the Women's XV. Well done to all of them.

Don'f forget our new Rugger Rascals group for kids aged 18 months upwards
New for 2023, we are working with Rugger Rascals to give younger boys and girls a start to their rugby careers. The first session is this Sunday and there are three sessions depending on age. Full details are here: http://wmrfc.co.uk/rugger-rascals

Pitch plan for Sunday - for any matches that are still on

This weekend everyone is training at home, except the U18 Girls who play Tunbridge Wells away in the National Cup – best of luck to them.

Volunteers needed
All rugby clubs rely on volunteers, and Wimbledon is no exception. We need to fill a number of on-, and off-pitch positions. Each age group has been asked by the club to provide ONE referee, TWO volunteers for club roles (e.g. kit, events, parking, social media, committee, etc), THREE first aiders and FOUR (or more) additional coaches to those already in place. These roles don't take up huge amounts of time and are very rewarding. Please let your head coach and/or manager know how you can help.

Rugger Rascals for kids aged 18 months upwards
New for 2023, we are working with Rugger Rascals to give younger boys and girls a start to their rugby careers. The first session is this Sunday and there are three sessions depending on age. Full details are here: http://wmrfc.co.uk/rugger-rascals

Adult rugby
1st XV Men: the team continues their season at home this Saturday to Royal Wootton Bassett, kick off at 2pm (U12 Boys on ball boy duty).
Women's XV: have a game at home on Sunday against Guildford Gazelles Ladies.

Pitch plan for Sunday - for any matches that are still on

The hard ground has meant we can't train on Sunday. But that won't stop the Christmas Party!

Everyone should be at the club for 11am please. Hot dogs, singing, awards and fun for all!

Rugger Rascals for kids aged 18 months upwards
New for 2023, we are working with Rugger Rascals to give younger boys and girls a start to their rugby careers. The first session is on Sunday 8th January and there are three sessions depending on age. Full details are here: http://wmrfc.co.uk/rugger-rascals

We will also have Wimbledon RFC bobble hats for sale. These are the perfect Christmas present!

Training returns on Sunday 8 January 2023 at 9.30am.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It's looking likely that all the usual 9.30 starts for the minis and younger youth groups are/will be called off due to frozen pitches. For the u8 and u10s going to Wimbledon Warriors these games are definitely off and you can all enjoy a lie in!

At the time of writing u5/u6 and u7 are definitely off. Keep an eye out for emails/messages from your team manager. Our contact details for managers and head coaches are here: http://wmrfc.co.uk/contacts

Next Sunday - 18 December 2022 - is the minis Christmas party. Details to follow. We take a Christmas break thereafter until 8 January 2023 when rugby resumes.

Pitch plan for Sunday - for any matches that are still on

Most teams are at home this Sunday. Welcome to Sutton & Epsom who are playing our u14 boys.

Next week (Dec 4th) all the u7 to u11s are away at festivals (Reeds for u7 and u10, Cobham for u11, Chobham for u8 and u9). Make sure you don't mix your Chobhams and Cobhams up as they are miles from each other.

Huge thanks for all you coat donations in aid of Wrap-up London. Sophie Castle has dropped them off and they will help many homeless and vulnerable people have a slightly more tolerable winter. Thank you.

Pitch plan for Sunday

The weather did its best to thwart rugby last week. With many matches cancelled it was good to at least get a joint training session away with Old Ruts.

This Sunday promises to be both sunnier and warmer.

The u7s-u9s are away at the Sutton & Epsom Festival (Priesthill Lane, Ewell) and the u10s and u11s are away at the Guildford Festival.

For those at home we welcome Sutton & Epsom to play the u12 boys and u14 girls.

We need your coats

WRAP-UP LONDON: Sophie Castle (our Safeguarding Officer) is collecting coats again this year for Wrap up London. Please have a rummage at home and bring in any unused coats to the clubhouse on either 13 or 20 November.

Still top of the table

ADULT RUGBY: Huge win for the Men's 1st XV at home last weekend over Sutton & Epsom, which sees them maintain top spot in the league. They have an away tie at Bracknell RFC this Saturday. The Women's XV game was called off last Sunday - they play Sutton & Epsom at home this Sunday.

Pitch plan for Sunday

A busy Sunday ahead with lots of youth matches at home for the following. Would all visitors please follow our Parking Policy, avoid parking on streets with cones our (they are there for a reason) and listen to the advice and requests from our volunteers parents helping with parking marshalling.

U13 Boys (vs OCs)
U14 Boys (vs Cobham)
U14 Girls (vs S&E)
U16 Boys (vs Effingham & Leatherhead)
U18 Girls (vs S&E).

We also welcome the U7, U9 and U11s from Old Ruts (our U8 and U10 are away at Old Ruts).

ADULT RUGBY UPDATE: The Men's 1st XV winning run continued with a hard fought win on the road at Havant (11-16). You can check out the league table on the England Rugby website.

This week: We host a massive derby this Saturday (5 November) against Sutton & Epsom: 2.30pm kick off (U9s on ball boy/girl duties) and we are looking for a big home crowd. Lunch is being served for everyone beforehand (£5). The Women's XV are away at Hammersmith & Fulham Ladies on Sunday. You can book your lunch here: https://bit.ly/3DVS9xT.

Pitch plan for Sunday