WHAT IS MINI-RUGBY?
Boys and girls aged 6 to 12 play Mini-Rugby, under the guidelines of the Rugby Football Union (RFU). It introduces youngsters to the skills of Rugby, and encourages them to progress to the full 15-a-side game. Coaching sessions, training and matches are supervised by two or more coaches per age group who pay close attention to each player's experience, ability, physique and personality.

HOW IS IT PLAYED?
Mini-Rugby is played in 12-month age groups. Age is calculated from 1st September of each year.

Under-7 (Year 2) and Under-8 (Year 3): non-contact Mini TAG Rugby is played, with players wearing tag belts. The accent is on free movement, passing the ball and supporting teammates. 5-7 players per team.

Under-9 (Year 4): tackling and uncontested (no pushing) 3-man scrums are introduced. 9 players per team. Uncontested 2-man line outs introduced

Under-10 (Year 5): contested 3-man scrums and contested 2-man line outs are introduced. 9 players per team.

Under-11 (Year 6) and Under-12 (Year 7): played in teams of 12 with a 5-man scrum, 4-man line-out and a full back. Kicking the ball from the hands and place-kicking are introduced. This is called Midi-Rugby, and prepares players for the transition to 15-a-side JUNIOR RUGBY at Under-13 (Year 8).

Fly hacking the ball on the ground, hand-offs and fend-offs are NOT allowed.

Players can start at any age, and at any time during the season. We operate a squad system, rather than playing 'set' teams. New players don't feel ‘out of it’ and are able to pick up the essentials of the game at their own pace. Everyone gets the chance to play in matches.

On average two Sundays out of three are given over to training and coaching. Friendly home or away matches are played on the remaining Sundays throughout the season, and are seen as an extension of coaching (there are no leagues in Mini-Rugby). During the season we take part in Mini-Rugby Festivals, playing in competitions against other Kent clubs. We also play regular home and away ‘International’ fixtures against French and Belgian clubs.

WHEN AND WHERE DO WE MEET?
We meet every Sunday morning, September to May, from 10.00 to 12.00 noon at the Folkestone RFC Ground (400m south of the A20 roundabout at Newington). For the really keen (older children U12s and 11s) there is sometimes an additional training session on Thursday evenings from 18.30 to 20.00—need to check with your coach.

Families and friends are welcome to stay during training, and we hope you will come along and give your children plenty of support at matches. The clubhouse has modern changing rooms, toilets and shower facilities and a large, comfortable upstairs lounge where players and their families can relax afterwards, and buy drinks and snacks. Sunday is allocated to the younger members of the club and they are allowed into the bar to play pool and watch the large screen tv (usually devoted to WWF?????). For the sake of the children the clubhouse is NO SMOKING on Sunday mornings until 1am

WHAT DO WE WEAR?
Team shirts are provided for matches. Players need to supply white shorts, rugby socks and football boots. For training sessions, any rugby shirt or tee shirt, shorts and football boots (trainers when the ground is hard). Gumshields (mouth guards) are a must and a wise precaution as are shin guards. In colder weather we advise wearing a sweatshirt or warm tracksuit and at least one extra tee shirt. Players can get very wet, muddy and cold in the winter so always bring a towel and a change of dry clothing !!!. Children must change before going up into the bar!!!!! There are hot showers at the club.

Training tops, rugby shirts, socks, white shorts, tee shirts, gumshields, second-hand boots, studs and other kit can be bought from the Club Shop in the clubhouse. Clothing easily gets mixed up: each item should be clearly marked with the player's name.