We are now very much into the heart of the 2024-25 rugby season and I hope you are all enjoying it as much as we are.

However, it has been disappointing to hear reports from within the younger Girls’ age groups across the county (specifically the Under 12s and 14s) where not only has the “Spirit of Rugby” seemingly gone AWOL in places (but not everywhere to be fair) and where RFU regulations are also not being followed or enforced. 

Your Kent Women & Girls Committee will always take such issues seriously, but we also appreciate that many of the players, parents coaches and managers within these age bandings will often be relative newcomers to our great game. Consequently, I should like to think that this is an opportune moment to seek to remind all our practitioners of what is expected from them.

We return to the Age Grade Codes of Practice as these are the pillars upon which the junior game must be based….and it has to be focused upon:-

– A player centred approach
– Creating the best experience for every player
– Player development
– Player retention in the game

Unfortunately, as I say, we have had some examples of poor practice highlighted to us recently with regards to episodes which fail to reflect these core values. These include:-

1. RFU Regulation 15.11.3 states that matches must be brought to an end if:-

• (a) at Under 7s to Under 13s the try difference rises to more than six; or
• (b) at Under 14s to Under 18s (including the girls dual U14/13 age band) the points difference is more than 50 points.

We fully appreciate that official “Waterfall” games are not just for development but also have a competitive edge. However, best practice shared over many seasons has been for matches to be called to a halt if these score margins are reached, with teams then mixed up for any remaining playing time to try to ensure a better playing experience for all players.

Losing does not necessarily produce a negative experience, but having very one-sided matches during a player’s formative years is something we should all play our part in attempting to manage. This applies to “Friendly” games as much as it does for official Kent competitions….and on no occasion is it ever appropriate to share scorelines in excess of the regulatory maximums on social media 🙁Be aware that where the county is notified of any such posts then we will be following-up with your club.

2. All our clubs are at different stages on their recruitment path and we, therefore, cannot expect all teams to be able to field full squads on any given match day. It is, therefore, expected that sides “match” numbers for Kent Waterfall games and we sincerely hope that ⁠teams with larger match day squads provide their players (and parents) with a positive perspective upon the importance of being willing to lend players to opponents in order to achieve this. Sadly, this has not always been the case this season.

3. ⁠And leading on from this, we have become aware of far too many clubs seemingly not adhering to the RFU’s  “Half a Game” rule where they have big squads. This is not something that it is possible for us to police so we are reliant on practitioners adhering to it on the day. Nor do we feel that we should have to enforce it as we expect fairness to all your players to be at the heart of player development.  As a reminder:-

• 15.12.1 Other than set out in Regulation 15.12.2, all clubs, teams, schools and colleges must ensure that each player selected in every match day squad plays at least half of the Available Playing Time. This requirement is mandatory across the entire age grade game and in respect of all contact and non-contact age grade matches, including 7 a-side matches and festivals/tournament matches.

If we think back to my previous point re uneven match day squads, where the “Half a Game” rule could appear particularly onerous, then the loan and borrowing of players could also be a very practical solution t achieve this too?

Finally, there are also some other areas that I would just like to touch on for guidance purposes:-

1. Do remember that where 4 or more clubs gather together for training or match day purposes then this comes under the RFU’s Festival requirement.
2. If you are running mixed age group development training e.g. Under 10 and Under 11 Girls together, then everything must be coached or played to the regulations of the youngest age group participating.

If you require further guidance on these then please contact me, Mark Finnis (markfinnis@rfu.com) or the Kent Committee Member covering your age banding.

This message is very much meant for education purposes rather than as a full-blown criticism and, hopefully, it will strike you as simply a common sense approach to ensuring that we are all travelling in the same direction.

Collectively, I know that we are all trying to grow “the base of the pyramid” of the Girls’ game. In writing to you now, I am simply seeking to ensure that the strong ethos of camaraderie that I have been privileged to witness during my past five seasons as Chairman of Women & Girls Rugby in Kent, remains more evident than ever during my final few months at the helm. If in doubt, ask what would the four core “Pillars” and the  “Spirit of Rugby” tell us to do here?

Best wishes

Graham 

Graham Withers
Chairman – Kent Women & Girls Rugby 
07786 666348