St Peters
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improved by the appointment of two
new coaches both coming from our
player base, along with the integration
and support of the youth Coaches and
Players.
The plan for 2019/20 in relation to
the rugby is very simple, we are going
to look to consolidate our position in
League 1, this will need some ‘learning
on the job’ in relation to how other teams
in this league deal with the challenges
of a competitive environment week in
week out within a community rugby
club system.”
Youth
“Youth rugby is the cornerstone
of the club and it is a testament to the
youth system that of the 1st XV that won
the league this year around 75% of the
78 Issue 85
players started within our mini/junior/
youth section. By having a youth side we
not only help develop younger players
into better rugby players, we have a flow
of young players to feed into the senior
sides.”
Integration
“The youth team regularly train
with the seniors particularly doing skills
work, fitness and conditioned team
run-throughs. This enables the senior
coaches/senior players to get to know
the youth players and vice versa. The
older youth players who are eligible to
play senior rugby will also be considered
for selection for the senior teams when
they don’t have fixtures of their own in
consultation with the Youth Coach.
There is a mentoring programme
in place with selected senior players
who will oversee a group of youth
players and spend time with them doing
‘toolbox’ talks on elements of the game
and passing on their knowledge and
expertise. We try and integrate the Youth
team in all aspects of the rugby life at St
Peters and create a sense of belonging
to the club which they remember and
once those that go away to University or
travelling return they play rugby for us
in the Seniors.”
Community
“St Peters RFC is very much a
community club with the majority of our
players from Pebbles to Seniors living in
the local area. As a player I moved on
to coaching mini/junior/youth rugby
and currently coach the 2nd XV as well
as being Secretary of the club. I am not
alone in this and a lot of players, ex-