For a Description of How to Play Rugby, click A Short Rugby Primer
For more information, Contact us
Parental involvement is an important part of a successful
youth rugby team. We hope you will support your son during his participation as
a 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.
What age do I have to be to play?
14-19 (must be under 19 prior to September 1st 2009)
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 jerseys (once per
season)
·
Preparation and serving of the post match food
at home matches
·
Video tape games
·
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 early May.
Spring practices will be limited to two evening practices a week. Start times,
locations and days of the week are dependent on field availability.
Matches will be played either on a Friday afternoon or Saturday.
During the Presidents weekend we will be travelling to Beaverton OR to play in an interstate
tournament featuring teams from WA, OR & CA. This event will require a two night stay.
After all Saturdays games are concluded their is banquet open to all players, parents and coaches.
We will depart Friday after school and remain in Beaverton until Sunday afternoon.
Accomodation for the players during this trip will be provided in homes of parents of
one of the OR clubs.
Mid November - thru Jan one indoor practice a week
Mid January - One outdoor practice a week
February - Two outdoor practices a week
March - Two practices a week and one game a week
April - Same
May - State Championships in early May
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 first year player must
purchase a team jersey in addition to 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 Rugby, Matt Godek
Rugby, Rugby Imports, Red Rhino Rugby
How much does it cost?
Player dues are required to offset the costs associated with Uniforms, equipment,
field rentals, referee fees, post match food, administrative and insurance costs.
Confidential payment plans can be established for players requiring this provision.
Dues can be waived on a confidential basis in instances deemed appropriate.
2010 Season Player Dues will be:
Rookie Player - Yearly Dues $200
Veteran Player - Yearly Dues $175 (if planning to use last years shorts and socks) $200 if not using gear.
These dues can be paid in full or divided into two payments. Payment plans can however be worked out so that all players can be eligible to particpate. You are welcome to pay your dues immediately or within the dates listed below.
New Player: $100 by December 30th & $100 by January 15th
Returning player: $87 by December 30th & $87 by January 15th
Checks can be made payable to Rainier Plateau Junior Rugby Club and mailed to Andy, please contact him for the address at a.s.ramsay@comcast.net
It is vital we have these payments in the bank otherwise I am unable to order the uniform pieces which we will require in early February.
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. Rugby is a contact sport, and a
vigorous one. However the rate of serious injury is less than experienced in
other contact sports, such as football and ice hockey. The rate of serious
injury in rugby is roughly comparable to that in soccer and lacrosse and substantially
less than sports like skiing and skateboarding.
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 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
http://RainierJuniorRugby.com
How do I contact
the coach?
Cell Phone :253-330-6816
Home Phone :253-891-8364
E mail : a.s.ramsay@comcast.net
