I would like to welcome you to Millfield Foals rugby for 2011.

I would like to introduce the coaching team and give you an outline of how we do some of the things around rugby in year 9.

Mr Owlett
Mr Mills
Mr Speyers
Mr Middleton
Dr Skinner

Between us we have many years of coaching and refereeing experience both at Millfield, club rugby and have coached at previous schools, both in the UK and South Africa. In addition we have two society referees and are first aid trained.

I have built this email distribution list from information taken from our school database, and it may be that you would prefer not to receive this email, if this is the case please let me know. In addition if you would like me to add an email address (such as a guardian) to this list please let me know. I have tried to include at least one parent, and two if there are separate addresses.

You can keep track of the results on the school website as well as www.schoolsrugby.co.uk

We train on Monday 15:50 until 17:00
Wednesday 13:50 until 16:00
There is usually a fixture on Saturday and the kick off time is usually 14:30 but the school diary has all of the details.

We play 15-a-side rugby this term and there is a MAP for 7s next term.

Injuries will occur, such is the nature of the sport. We have a fully equipped medical centre about 150 metres from our playing pitches. Our training sessions are designed to reduce risks, and the games are refereed with the safety and enjoyment of the players as the first priority.

We have a wide range of abilities through the squad, some boys have been playing for years and we have a number of boys new to rugby. We will cater to all levels and ensure that players are not mis-matched in terms of ability and experience, safety is paramount.

The selection meeting takes place immediately after the Wednesday session and all the teams and positions are discussed by all of the coaches. As the term develops the teams will, understandably, go through a process of development and experimentation. We as a coaching team will get some of the selections wrong. If your son does not make the team that he was expecting or hoping to make, we try to create an atmosphere where he feels comfortable in talking to any of the coaches on the training field or around school. It is the players responsibility to ask for feedback, which will be given in a compassionate and positive manner.

It may be interesting to note that our current 1st XV captain played his entire Foals season in the B team. Matt Perry who went on to represent Bath and England played in his first year at Millfield in the B team.

Rugby is about enjoying and sharing successes, and picking yourself up when things dont go to plan. We hope to have a great season. Millfield Foals rugby is about playing successful rugby, teamwork, sportsmanship, enthusiasm and passion. It is about learning and developing the individual, and the teams.

We hope to see some of you on the touchline at different times of the season. You are always welcome to match tea in the dining hall and we will organise some pre-match lunches for parents, the details will follow. Please come and introduce yourself to us, we are never too busy for a hello!

With best wishes,

Richard Owlett and the rest of the coaching team.