Parental involvement is an important part of a successful youth rugby team. We hope you will support your son during his participation as a founding player and member of Rainier Plateau Junior Rugby (RPJR).
About the club
Our rugby team is unaffiliated with any school district and is a non profit sports club which is governed by the rules and regulations of both USA Rugby and Washington Youth Rugby Association.
Who is in charge?
Our team is coached and managed by Andy Ramsay. Andy is a USA Rugby trained and accredited coach, first aid and CPR certified and a National Sports Safety certified trainer. Andy also carries a current WA State Patrol Risk Assessment Card (background check) which is required for coaches by most youth sports organizations.
What Can Parents do to help the rugby program?
As well as cheering on your son and the rest of the team we will need assistance in many aspects of club operations. Some of these opportunities are listed below.
Our team needs parent volunteers to:
· launder the team’s jerseys (once per season)
· Preparation and serving of the post match food at home matches
· Video tape games
· Manage the teams website
· Act as chaperones during overnight stays
· Help car pool players to away matches
· Solicit and secure team sponsorships
When does the
season begin and end?
The competitive season begins in early March, and ends in late April. Practices will generally be limited to two evening practices per week. Start times, locations and days of the week are dependent on field availability. Matches will be played either on a Friday evening or Saturday afternoons.
Prior to March we have two exciting opportunities for the players to experience. These include a ½ day Skills Camp which is hosted by the WA Youth Rugby Association on 2/2 at Sunset Stadium in Sumner. All local clubs boys & girls will assemble in Sumner for an extensive rugby orientation and chance to meet players from all over the region. Last year 200 athletes attended this event.
During the Presidents Day weekend we have been invited to
play in an interstate tournament in
Can my son play
other sports and also play rugby?
Yes of course! We do not support the idea of “single sport, year round athletes” at the high school level. We believe that student athletes should experience as many sports as possible while they are young and able to do so.
We always encourage rugby athletes to play fall sports at school, and also winter sports such as basketball, wrestling, soccer and track. Athletes engaged in winter sports may simply join us at practice when possible and then at the conclusion of that program commit more extensively to rugby. There are numerous instances in the past where high school rugby players have also played a spring sport at school in addition to rugby. We leave this up to the individual player and parents, who is best to determine whether the athlete has enough time and resources to play two sports at the same time.
Do you suspend
players who are not getting good grades at school?
No formal or informal arrangements are in place to monitor grades but the coaches will respect the right of parents to hold their son out of rugby should they feel his academic performance is not satisfactory.
What Kind of
equipment is needed to play rugby, and what is the cost?
One of the great things about rugby is that there is very little equipment needed. Players may wish to buy rugby cleats. Football or soccer shoes will suffice if rugby cleats are not purchased. The player must purchase a team jersey, socks, shorts and a mouth guard. The club will make these items available for purchase. Individual personal rugby clothing and equipment can be purchased via the internet at several well established vendors such as:
Balls out
How much is
individual member dues for the season, and how are they spent?
Players that participate in the early season fund raising car wash (2/9) will have Individual dues of $150. Non participants will have dues of $180.
Due payments can be
in full by 2/11 or in two increments by 2/25
1st payment of $110 by 2/11
2nd payment of $40 to =$150 or $70 to = $180 by 2/25
As we are a new club and have no existing funds our start up costs and operating budget
Are forecasts and should our expenses exceed current predications we will schedule fundraisers to offset these costs.
These dues pay for the player’s uniform, field paint, post match food, field rentals, practice lights, referee fees and administrative and promotional costs.
Confidential payment plans are available for players on a tight budget. Dues can be waived on a confidential basis in instances of serious financial hardships
Are there a lot of
injuries in rugby?
No, there is a tremendous amount of misinformation on this important issue. Most of this misinformation is given out by folks who know little or nothing about rugby, or who are personally “invested” in sports that they perceive as competing with rugby for talented athletes.
There are actually very few injuries in rugby. As with all
contact sports, there are bumps, bruises, and occasional sprains, concussions
and fractures.
What happens if my
son is injured during a match or practice?
All players must have personal medical insurance to participate in our club.
A fully stocked first aid kit is always on hand to treat minor injuries that may occur during a match or at practice. Each parent and player will be required to complete a
Medical history form, Emergency contact information form and a medical authorization form in the event that Emergency treatment is needed and a parent can not be located on an immediate basis to authorize treatment. These documents will accompany the team at all events. Players are responsible to report minor injuries to their parents. Injuries that are suspected to be more serious in nature (i.e. fractures, larger cuts, concussions and serious sprains) are reported immediately to the player’s parents or guardian by the coach.
Who is in charge
when the team goes to away games or overnight stays?
The ultimate responsibility for supervision of the players rests upon the head coach of the team with regard to all rugby activities, including team travel. This is a responsibility that is taken very seriously.
In addition to the head coach, parent chaperones and assistant coach will travel with the team on overnight trips. Parents will be required to complete a permission slip, and will be provided comprehensive trip itinerary and telephone contact information in the event of an emergency.
Club Code of
Conduct
All athletes and their parents are required to review and sign a “Club Code of Conduct” which endorses the following values personal responsibility, good sportsmanship, honesty and respect for teammates, coaches, game officials and opponents, fairness and team work.
Included in this mandate is the zero tolerance policy for the use of drugs and or alcohol.
In connection with all rugby practices, matches tours and events.
How much time is
spent on rugby on a weekly basis?
Our team will generally engage in two evening practices per week usually lasting 1.5 hours per session. No player is penalized in any way if he needs to skip a practice or match in order to study, work or to attend family, church or school events.
Game day depending on the location are generally an evening or half day commitment.
How do I find out
about current news, schedule or club related information?
The club website is the easiest and most comprehensive source of information
www.eteamz.active.com/RainierPlateauJuniorRugby
How do I contact
the coach?
Work Phone 206 439-5187
Cell Phone 206 437-6323
Home Phone 253 891-8364
E mail a.s.ramsay@comcast.net