We would like to welcome you and your child to the club and hope that this information will give you some information about the junior section at Darlington. Our club has been involved with junior Rugby since 1971 and aim to foster a welcoming, friendly, safe and a sporting environment for everyone so they can enjoy learning and playing rugby.

Coaching
All coaching is by a qualified coaches and hold appropriate RFU Coaching qualifications and are CRB checked, we welcome parents to all training and competitions and value your support. We are always very keen to try and involve parents in our club and rugby; we could not function without this so if you feel you can help in any way either on the coaching or administrative side, please have a word with your child's coach or any club member.

Training
The junior teams (Under 13s - Under 16s) train on a weekday night under floodlights as well as playing matches on a Sunday morning, normally KO 11am. Matches can be at home or away, we are reliant on the support of parents and carers in assisting with transport if away as well as cheering on the team! Details of any future training or matches are given by the coach, so it is important that your child attends all sessions.

Rugby is a winter sport, so make sure your child wears plenty of clothing to keep warm but be aware that the clothing is likely to get muddy and even damaged. All players will need to wear boots, football boots are fine but they should have a moulded stud sole or have screw in studs that have a BS kite mark on them.

It has been recommended by the governing bodies of Rugby that all players wear gum shields, the RFU and Darlington Rugby Club endorse this, ask your dentist for more information. If going into any clubhouse after training or a game, all players must shower and change into clean clothes. On match days we will provide the rugby shirts to play in, but every player needs to provide their own black Rugby shorts and red socks, these and any other clothing and equipment can be purchased from the Club shop inside the club foyer. Our junior players are asked to wear shirts and Darlington ties after they have played a match, ties are available for purchase from behind the bar.

Subscriptions and Registration
There is an annual membership fee for players and parents/carers payable in Sept, this not only allows the parents to enjoy the social side of Darlington Rugby Club but also includes affiliation to the RFU which provides insurance for your child whilst training and playing. Our club like most will not and cannot survive without memberships and we hope that our excellent social facilities are used to the members benefit. If a membership form is not included in this welcome pack, please ask at the bar.

A registration form will also be handed to you by your coach or administrator, this is to register your child with the RFU and all that is needed alongside the signed form is four photographs, this is normally collected after about three weeks along with your club membership, to ensure that your child is happy to play rugby at Darlington.

In order to replenish and purchase training equipment, subsidise future Tours and to help towards the end of season Presentation night a weekly training or match fee is also collected , this varies from group to group, you will be advised by your child's coach or administrator when joining.

Child Protection
Darlington Rugby Club takes the safety of your child very seriously and has a child protection policy in place. If you or your child has any concerns, they should discuss the matter in complete confidence with their coach or our designated Child Protection Officer, Andy Gunnell Tel 01325 335633

Junior Member Club Rules
Darlington Rugby Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well being of all its members. The club believes that it is important that members, coaches administrators and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club.

As a member of Darlington Rugby Club you are expected to abide by the following junior rules:

• All members must play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions.
• All members must respect their opponents.
• Members should keep to agreed timings and competitions or inform their coach or administrator if they are going to be late or cannot attend.
• Members must wear suitable kit for training and match sessions as agreed with the coach.
• Members must pay their annual subscription and match/training fees promptly.
• Junior members are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions.
• Junior members are not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on the club premises or whilst representing the club.
• Members are not permitted into the Clubhouse after playing or training without changing into clean clothing.