After four consecutive coaching weeks, fixtures were back on the agenda for our Mini Section last weekend. Bishops Stortford RFC are a fabulous family-orientated club and it is always a pleasure to welcome them to Mill Road and visit them at Silver Leys. The atmosphere and spirit of the game shone through this weekend and we very much appreciate the sporting spirit displayed by our opposition and their clear belief in Age Grade Rugby, and all that it brings; something that we are equally committed to at Colchester RFC.

Under 7's
Our Under 7’s played their very first fixtures since graduating from the Under 6’s. A healthy crop of six-year-old rugby stars took to the pitch this weekend and they thoroughly enjoyed their first experience of Tag Rugby fixtures. At Under 7 the game is four-a-side and on a reduced size pitch; it provides players with the space and time to run with the ball and learn how to evade tackles (tags). On Sunday Rugby was certainly the winner, with both teams showing great skills and excellent sportsmanship. The Under 7’s are now looking to build on this promising start and all the players are looking forward to their next match.

We would like to take this opportunity to encourage Parents and Carers in the Under 7’s section to come forward and offer help and support to Di Owen and her team. At the moment the Under 7’s are operating with a very small group of coaches and, ideally, I would like to see at least 6 more potential coaches come forward to assist with fixtures and coaching. Rugby knowledge and experience is not essential and there will be opportunities to gain coaching qualifications and experienced coaches who will help and support your coaching. Sadly, if we do not have sufficient coaches we would ultimately have to review our fixture list and consider whether some of the planned games will be viable with such a small group of volunteer coaches. Rugby is an amazing game and can make a real difference in children’s lives, but without your support the club cannot continue making a difference.

Willie Graham (Under 8’s Lead Coach) is full of praise and encouragement for his massive group of rugby warriors! Willie reports that five teams travelled to Bishops Stortford and the games were evenly balanced and very well contested. The Colchester Under 7’s played a good running and support game, scoring plenty of tries. Coaches reported that the Colchester defence (tagging) improved with practice and that this is something they’ll be working on in coaching.

Under 9's
It was also a very special weekend for the Under 9’s who had their first taste of competitive contact rugby. The carefully structured ‘tackle coaching’ has clearly paid dividends because everyone displayed effective tackling skills and enjoyed this new dimension to the game.

Under 11's
The Under 11’s were finally allowed to start kicking the ball this season! Lots of aspiring, eager and excited “fly halves” had the chance to try launching the ball with the boot - and it certainly added an additional challenge to the game. In one game vs Bishops Stortford, a calm Colchester player caught a deep looping kick off and, from well inside his own half, ran in a solo try evading six tacklers! This was just one highlight from an excellent series of games between the sixty strong CRFC Under 11 section and BSRFC. Despite the tough tackles and committed attitude the players shook hands and on several occasions were seen to congratulate each other on their excellent rugby… a true example for us all.

Under 12's
Finally this week the “big mini’s” - the Under 12’s – also travelled to Silver Leys to take part in two fixtures We are looking to welcome new players to our growing Under 12 section so if you know of any boys (in current Year 7 at secondary school) who would like to have a go at rugby please send them in our direction.

Next week each age group will be sending teams to the Woodbridge Development Festival and the remainder of the section coaching at Mill Road.