Parents should refer to the Juniors section for news on training, fixtures, match reports and fundraising.
Confirmation of whether training or match days are on or off are announced on the website. Late call-offs or swapping training to astro are sometimes necessary due to the weather and/or pitch conditions.
Membership
All players become members of the club. This means that they are covered by the club's insurance and that they are contributing to the upkeep of the grounds, facilities and equipment.
We allow a 2-3 week trial period for new players to see if they want to stick with rugby. If they do, a membership form should be completed as soon as possible and the appropriate fee paid to the club. This form is available on the club website.
Please note that parent memberships are available for a reduced membership fee.
Coaching & the Club Ethos
The Junior section is split into 2 areas; Minis and Midis. These cover the primary ages P3 up to P7 and then from S1 (U13) through to S4 (U16).
Minis
Minis coaching is all about teaching children the basics and developing their technique and rugby skills over a season in a safe, FUN and positive way. Boys and girls are both welcome to play rugby at Stirling County RFC.
Children are naturally competitive and will want to win but winning is not everything. Our aim is to develop and maintain their passion for rugby and to give all players an opportunity to play for the club. This will help to provide as broad a base of players as possible for future years.
Midis
Midis coaching is taking the core skills from the Minis and putting it together into a more aligned set of principles about game play, attack and defence, and match strategies. Players at this age have varying progression in the core skills and the strategies as they are still developing at different rates. Players will start to develop specific position skills, but with the overriding principle that we aim to ensure, ideally, a minimum of 3 players per position. Ideally, all players should be able to play in more than 1 position.
There is an expectation, which grows as they progress through Midis, that players will improve their strength, conditioning and overall fitness level to be able to play at a high and fast level of rugby. Some of this comes through the regular attendance at training and matches, but we expect the players to take this on personally to outside of the rugby club.
Management
Each age group has a Head Coach and a Team Manager. These roles are assisted by a wider coaching group. All coaches are volunteers and will have been trained to IRB/SRU Rugby Ready standards. Some of the more experienced individuals will hold UKCC Level 1 or Level 2, and Refereeing qualifications.
We are supported by the Director of Rugby at the club, Eric Urquhart, the SRU Development Officers and players from the 1st XV, 2nd XV and Women's teams. This is vital as we want to ensure that skills are developed in the right way and stage of development. Current senior players also provide role models and a link right up through the club.
Stirling County is known for its running game, being organised in attack and defence, using space well and passing out wide.
Training, matches and selection
Minis
Training takes place on a Saturday morning between 9.30-11.00am, prompt. It is imperative players are taken to pitchside and collected from there too. This is for their own safety.
Matches are played both home and away and take place on a Sunday. Teams are selected at training based on the following criteria:
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Regular attendance at training.
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Ability and behaviour.
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Mixing up the teams and giving everyone in the squad the opportunity to play.
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The level of competitiveness of the particular fixture (e.g. tournament versus a friendly).
Midi
Training takes place on a Wednesday evenings between 18.30-20.00. It is more difficult to train mid-week and (in the winter) under lights, so prompt arrival is important to maximise the training opportunities.
Matches are played both home and away and take place on a Sunday. Teams are selected at training based on the following criteria:
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Regular attendance at training.
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Ability and behaviour.
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Mixing up the teams and giving everyone in the squad the opportunity to play.
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The level of competitiveness of the particular fixture (e.g. tournament versus a friendly).
A standard £5 match fee applies to all fixtures for selected players – home or away. These fees are used to pay for coaches for the longer journeys to away matches (usually beyond 50-60 miles) and to cover the costs of providing hospitality when we host matches at Bridgehaugh Park.
For shorter journeys, self-transport is necessary and parents should organise car share or lifts as the club cannot take responsibility for travel. P3 teams are exempted from payment of the match fee for away matches.
Home matches normally kick off at 1100 for Minis and 1300 for Midis. Catering and tuck shop rotas are organised fairly across the age groups during the season and soup and home-baking requested from parents. Please do help out if you can.
Kit
Children are less able to cope with cold weather than adults and should be dressed to suit the conditions. Essential basic items for the season are:
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Mouth guard.
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Boots – with studs checked regularly (burred edges must be filed or studs replaced) and laces in good condition.
Essentials for the cold weather are:
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Hat and fingerless gloves.
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Long sleeve base layer (or 'skin') under other layers, tracksuit bottoms and a waterproof top.
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A change of clothes for the journey home is strongly recommended – showers are available in the club.
All belongings must be clearly labelled to avoid them getting lost.
Please note: Parents are not normally allowed access to the changing rooms on training or match days. It is the coaches who supervise these areas. Exceptions will be made for girls or if a player is upset or injured.