About us

Brighton U14's are a thriving and successful age group in the youth section of Brighton Rugby Club, training and playing matches on Sundays and Tuesday evenings 6 - 7.30, at Waterhall.

We have an expanding squad of players with differing level of abilities, who come to us from a range of schools across Brighton & Hove, and increasingly from throughout Sussex as we build a reputation as a centre of excellence for providing good coaching and outstanding player development at this age grade.

As a testament to this development, 13 of our squad make up 50% of the Sussex based Harlequins School of Rugby and 2 of our players, Oliver Davis-Smith and Sam Morley, are also the only representitives from Sussex in the Harlequins Junior Elite Player Development Group, the next step up the Academy ladder.

We currently run 2 squads, the Blues and Blues 2's.

Our First XV, The Blues, no longer play in the Sussex League having won all of their games with bonus point wins as Under 13's, but play friendly fixtures against the top sides in the south. These games of higher intensity and physicality will help develop these players and ultimately prepare them more thoroughly for County Rugby for next season and into the future.
 
The Blues 2's, our 2nd XV, will this season play in the Sussex A League against the top A sides from across the county. This will be a tough ask for the boys, but will again help their development. The boys thoroughly deserve their chance however, having won the B League East last season, again with the maximum league points available, which was another league made up of local clubs A sides. 

New players, whatever their level of experience, are always welcome to join us - Please contact one of the coaches via the contact section.

Under 14 Mission Statement

Club Membership

The Club operates two registration weekends at the beginning of September. Please ensure that you complete the membership form and pay the membership fees (you might need 2 passport size photos) so that you and your child become members of the club. This will mean that your child is insured under the RFU scheme (and gives 1 parent/carer a vote at General Meetings). We hope that you appreciate that we can only select players for fixtures/festivals who are members of Brighton RFC. We also collect weekly subs of £2 per session. This keeps our age group account afloat and is used for festival entries, kit subsidy, xmas presents etc.

Communication

We will keep you informed of fixtures, training etc. by e-mail and via www.brightonblues.com. Please make sure we have your full current contact details on the membership form. Please also ensure that Sue has all of your contact details for our age group records. You can also contact us as follows:

Paul Morley mobile: 07973 373115 - paul.morley43@gmail.com

We organise our own kit as an age group which we subsidise from sponsorship and weekly subs. Please ask Sue or Paul if you wish to order any. Your child must wear a correctly fitted gumshield and approved boots ( no blades )

We have fixtures against youth teams from across the South of England. Kick Off times will vary depending on the opposition and how their Sunday schedules are structured.

 Selection

· We will ensure that every member has the opportunity to participate in matches.
· We will select a side that gives us the chance to win each week.
· We will select a side depending on the standard of the opposition.
· We will select a side that in our opinion gives us the best chance of success, but wherever possible will rotate players when the score allows.
· Our aim is to win games wherever possible, but ultimately, the boys long term development will be at the heart of everything we do.
· Paul has the final say on all selection issues but will be happy to explain any decisions made.

As qualified coaches we aim to:

· Teach the laws of Rugby
· Teach how to catch and pass
· Teach how to tackle
· Teach how to deal with contact
· Teach how to scrummage
· Teach how to ruck
· Teach how to maul
· Teach how to carry out a lineout
· Teach evasion skills

We will attend every coaching session and match day or ensure a suitably qualified coach is in attendance. All coaches and helpers will be CRB checked.
We will attend the monthly coaches forums to familiarise ourselves with coaching developments and Club issues.

Your Commitment

As a member of Brighton Rugby Club you are expected to abide by the following junior club rules: 
· all members must play within the laws and respect officials and their decisions 
· all members must respect opponents 
· members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late 
· members must advise us of any medication or treatment you are undergoing
· members must wear suitable kit – including gumshields, approved studs and appropriate protective equipment– for training and match sessions.
· members must make sure that you have waterproof and warm clothing to withstand the elements
· let us know well in advance if you are unavailable because of family holidays, exams, school performances etc. so that we can plan for the other players.
· members must pay any fees for training or events 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 on the club premises or whilst representing the club
Codes of conduct for club officials and volunteers The essence of good conduct and practice is summarised below.

All volunteers must:

· Consider the wellbeing and safety of the players ahead of the development of performance.
· Develop an appropriate working relationship with players, based on mutual trust and respect.
· Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part.
· Promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play)
· Display consistently high standards of behaviour.
· Follow all guidelines laid down by the RFU and the club.
· Hold the appropriate, valid qualifications and insurance cover.
· Never exert undue influence over performers to obtain personal benefit or reward.
· Never condone law violations, foul play or the use of prohibited substances
· Allow specialist coaches access to your squad.

Complaints

Although we are staffed almost exclusively by volunteers we are keen to ensure that your child enjoys Rugby at Brighton and we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all our members. We believe that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Unfortunately, from time to time, misunderstandings and differences of opinion occur. In the first instance you should address your concern to the head coach of the age group. If he is unable to deal with your questions, please address your concerns or complaints to the Mini and Youth Head of Rugby, Neil Thomas.