Welcome to our Spring Development Day 2025!
We are delighted to welcome you all from the great clubs that see the benefit of these days and have sent teams along to participate.
Today is a different day, the Minis Management team have chosen to make today a more relaxed day than a usual festival.
Over the years there have been many A&C players who have attended these days and some who have ended up playing in our 1XV team. They have taken so much from the experience and have gained confidence and developed their game. This has always led them to enjoy the sport more which is great.
It is also a great opportunity to embody everything TREDS stands for.
It helps the players work better as a team, to show respect for each other and the coaches/referees, to enjoy themselves and of course to show discipline and sportsmanship.
We must say a huge thankyou to all who have helped with the organisation, Rob Gaskell and Ryan Westmacott, Minis Chairmen, all your AGO’s and especially Fiona Lawrence for her organisation. We mustn’t forget all of those who also work in the background to make these days happen, thank you to Ruth Brockett, Sandra Hitchman, Molly Pollard and her team and of course Leela Farr and her ALSK team.
A very big thank you goes to our incredible sponsors to whom we are extremely grateful.
Without them recognising the importance of sponsoring our club we wouldn’t be able to run days like today.
A special thank you to SDE who are our main sponsor for the day and also to Chesham Prep, A Little Street kitchen.
Lastly, this season is very special at A&C as it’s our Centenary season and the 50th season for our Minis section. Our development philosophy for our Minis section has helped us build on our solid foundation which began all those years ago, and we look forward to welcoming you and your players from your Clubs to A&C for many years to come.
Enjoy the day. Let’s hope the sun shines. Let’s respect each other and have some fun.
Huw Thomas Chairman Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Club
Thomas Club
Chairman,
Sponsored by:
Huw
Amersham & Chiltern Development Day
Sunday 2nd March 2025
On behalf of Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Club we extend a warm welcome to all the players, coaches and supporters attending our A&C Development Festival this year.
The emphasis is very much on fun and player development. Squads should be made up from your Development players and we request that you select your players accordingly.
Venue
Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Club, Ash Grove, Weedon Lane, Amersham, Bucks, HP6 5QU 01494 725161
In the event that we are forced to postpone or cancel the Development Day we will email our main point of contact at each visiting Club and post on the Club’s website www.chilternrugby.com by 7am on the day of the Festival at the latest.
Car parking
There is limited parking available in the Club grounds, but we do suggest that you car share where possible and arrive early to avoid disappointment. When the car parks at the Club become full and you have to park off site please help us to retain our good relationships with our neighbours and park sensibly. When exiting the Club please turn right onto Weedon Lane, which turns into Woodfield Park using this loop as a one-way system to get back onto Copperkins Lane.
There is additional car parking in Sycamore Road Car Park, HP6 5EQ for which there is no charge on a Sunday and is just an 18 minute walk to the club.
A MERSHAM & C HILTERN
Please note that no responsibility can be taken by Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Club or its officers for any damage, however caused, for cars parked on Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Club grounds or surrounding area.
Registration
Registration is from 9.30am at each Age Group Control Tent or with the AGO pitchside
All players must be registered with their clubs and eligible to play in the age group in which they are entered, as detailed in RFU Regulation 15 – Age Grade Rugby (1 August 2022). Any team fielding over-age players will be disqualified.
Proof of age may be required at any time by Referees or Organisers.
Registration Forms are attached for downloading and distributing to your age group squads before the Tournament. Please note all sections must be completed and brought along to the relevant age group control tent.
CHESHAM PREP SCHOOL
‘‘Sport for all’ – whether the team wins (which they do like to do) or loses, the children are taught to learn from their last game – ‘it’s about giving children ownership over their sport’”
THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE 2020-21
“This rural co-ed prep school pulls off the near impossible – amazing results for both 11+ and next schools while retaining a village school vibe”
MUDDY STILETTOS REVIEW 2024
education for boys and girls aged 3 to 11 See our school in action
Friday 7th March and Sat 8th March 2025 or book an Individual tour www.cheshamprep.co.uk
Susan Daughtrey Education has been delivering 11+ Preparation Courses in Ruckinghamshire since .
The great news is that Susan Daughtrey Education are now delivering these well-established and successful 11+ Courses in Amersham! The Amersham offering, which comprises an 11+ Foundation Course (for students in Year 4 at school) and 11+ Preparation Course (for Year 5 students), is the same as those held by SDE in Chalfont St. Peter and Beaconsfield.
SDE classes in Amersham are initially taking place at no. 152 Station Road where we have leased a dedicated space that has been converted into two classrooms, providing a self-contained and safe Tuition Centre environment with its own toilet facilities and on-site parking at the rear of the building.
Later this year, we plan to move the classes next door to 150 Station Road, which was formerly occupied by Daybreak Nursery. This building was acquired by SDE in March 2022 and is now being redeveloped into a new Tuition Centre facility. The building has been renamed “SDE House”.
The new Tuition Centre at SDE House is being designed specifically for small-group 11+ tuition classes and 11+ Mock Exams. There will be three bespoke classrooms,
an exam hall and an administration office. When it opens, it will be for the exclusive use of SDE Course and Mock Exam students.
SDE House benefits from 9 on-site parking spaces to the rear of the building where the Tuition Centre entrance will be situated, providing a convenient and safe environment when dropping off and collecting your child.
Having searched for a suitable premises in Amersham for several years, we were delighted to find such a well-located property with on-site parking for parents – these opportunities do not come up very often! Together with SDE’s well established and compelling offer of small-group 11+ Tuition and Mock Exams, SDE House will provide Amersham with local access to the very best 11+ preparation services for many years to come. We are very much looking forward to opening the new premises and continuing our work with aspiring local 11+ candidates.
10 Years Experience
Achieve outstanding success with Susan Daughtrey M.Ed 11+ Course syllabus and materials
Registration for 2023-24 classes will open in the next few weeks.To register your interest in the new SDE Amersham Tuition Centre or to make a booking, please visit www.sde11plus.com/amersham or call us on 01494 723222.
To register your interest in the new SDE Amersham Tuition Centre or to make a booking, please visit www.sde11plus.com/amersham or call us on 01494 723222.
A MERSHAM & C HILTERN R F C
• CENTENAR Y 1 924-2024 •
A MERSHAM & C HILTERN R F C • CENTENAR Y 1 924-2024 •
U8 U9
U7
Minis Development 2025
Development Day 2025
Sponsored By
Participating clubs
Amersham & Chiltern
Phoenix
Chesham
Maidenhead
High Wycombe
Watford
Beaconsfield
Windsor
Fullerians
Old Grammarians
Amersham & Chiltern
Phoenix
Chesham
Maidenhead
9.40am
Head Coach & Referees
Briefing - Age Group
Control Tent
9.45am
High Wycombe
Watford
Beaconsfield
First Aider Briefing, Grayburn Room, Club House
10.00am
Matches Kick Off
Windsor
Fullerians
Old Grammarians
& C HILTERN
Coaches & Referees Briefing
A briefing for coaches and referees will be held at 9.40am at the relevant Age Group Control Tent
Every squad is required to bring a referee, if you anticipate any problem with regards to your Club fulfilling their refereeing duties please contact the organisers ahead of the day. Each team is asked to referee one half of each match by agreement between the teams.
Match Timings
The playing schedules for each age group will be advertised at the relevant Age Group Control Tent. The first matches will commence promptly at 10.00am.
Teams should be ready 5 mins before their scheduled kick off.
In the event of any rescheduling, it will be the responsibility of each individual attending club’s coaches/AGOs to keep an eye on the timings.
First Aid
All teams are expected to have a first aider with them for minor knocks and bruises. A briefing for first aiders will take place at 9.45am in the Grayburn room in the clubhouse.
Discipline
We encourage all coaches and spectators to show support and encourage all those playing the game we love and so any discipline complaints regarding coaches, players, spectators or referees received by the tournament organisers, will be treated with the utmost seriousness. The organisers reserve the right to discipline any participating club as considered appropriate for the circumstances. Please remind your coaches, players and spectators of the relevant Codes of Conduct and their requirements.
CENTENAR Y 1 924-2024
Any queries, please contact events@chilternrugby.com.
Referees will be briefed before the tournament begins in order to emphasise the important areas of the rules, to ensure consistency and to deal with any queries.
Please ensure you bring regulation (correct length) tags and that all squad members have the correct studs in line with the RFU Regulation 15.
Dogs
In the interest of safety for all players on tournament days we have a NO DOGS policy at our ground (pitches and all other areas). Please ensure that all players and their parents are aware of this Policy.
Food & Drink
The Clubhouse will be open from 9am and food/drink available for purchase throughout the day.
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Maximum Squad sizes
U7 – Squads of 6 players, 4 per game
U8 – Squads of 9 players, 6 per game U9 –
–
U11 – Development squads of up to 14 players, 9 per game
U12 - Development squads of up to 18 players, 12 per game
Playing Rules
1. The RFU Regulation 15 Age Grade Rugby Rules of Play (1 August 2021) will apply for all age groups: https://www.englandrugby.com/governance/rules-and-regulations/regulations
2. The referee’s decision is final on all matters on the field of play.
3. Any player sent off may not be replaced during the match and may not participate in any further games in this Festival.
4. In the event of a clash of colours, the team named second on the match fixture list will be required to play in a change of strip.
5. It is essential that all players are wearing RFU recognised safe studs. It is recommended that players in U7 and U8 age groups have gum shields. For age groups U9 to U12 the wearing of a gum shield is compulsory. Referees will be asked to check studs and gum shields before every match.
6. In accordance with RFU guidelines, no extra time or sudden death will be played in any match.
7. There will be no conversions in the U11 and U12 age groups.
8. Fly-hacking, hand-offs and high tackles are not permitted at any age, except that U12s will allow hand off below the armpits.
9. Any player suffering a head knock or neck injury must be immediately removed from play and checked by their first aiders and assessed on their ability to continue playing, in accordance with the RFU Concussion Protocols.
Other Important Information
Amersham and Chiltern Rugby Club and its officers will not accept any responsibility for the loss of valuables or personal items left anywhere in the club grounds. Please do not leave any clothes of personal belongings in our changing rooms.
Please act safely and responsibly at all times. Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Club will not accept
Celebrating
the Golden Anniversary of Amersham & Chiltern RFC Minis Rugby
OCTOBER 1973 – 2024
This year is a very special year at Amersham & Chiltern RFC. Not only do we celebrate our Centenary but we also celebrate the golden anniversary of our Minis Squad. Started back in 1973, please enjoy the words of our founding Coach, Eric Planken-Bichler…
Mini rugby
“PROBABLY THE BEST MINI RUGBY IN THE THAMES VALLEY AND BEYOND”
Centenary years 1924-2024
As can be seen from the above Amersham Chiltern has successfully run for over half a century, and mini rugby continues to contribute to the club’s success.
Mini rugby at ‘Chiltern’, as it was before the name addition, started when I, Eric Planken-Bichler, and Tony Hale took some players’ sons over to Marlow RFC who had been running minis rugby already.
many events at the club during successful community club experience to all our members of and many generous sponsors. and we always need to spend and we hope that members much difference to our club exclusively to support key projects
Centenary Fund - and please tick top of your donation. bank, complete a Gift Aid Amersham & Chiltern RFC, sort 40-24-
The boys joined in that first Sunday with the Marlow youngsters. Such was the success that all were invited to represent Marlow in the following weeks.
We, of course, declined and the following week all interested parties started at Weedon Lane. For the first few weeks there was one squad of varying ages.
The late Doctor Eddie Stephen’s 5-yearold son, totally bewildered by it all, stood on the pitch sucking his thumb and let the game pass him by.
Very quickly two age groups were started. I took the first group and Tony Hale took the younger ones.
Chiltern mini rugby had started.
Later other groups and coaches joined and the late Bill Webb coached David Choules and David Richardson who both played first class for Wasps and Saracens in the third age group.
Mini rugby has evolved with better organisation and safeguards and long may it continue.
Thank you, Eric. We are so proud of our Minis
Tsection at A&C and we are never more proud than today, our annual October Minis Festival at our home of Rugby, Ash Grove, Weedon Lane. Please enjoy the day with your ‘minis’ and your family and enjoy joining in with our celebrations!
Centenary 1924-2024
The Centenary Fund
For the next100 years
he centenary of our great club will be marked by many events at the club during the season 2024-25. We are an ambitious, friendly and successful community club providing an exceptional and inclusive rugby and social experience to all our members of all ages and backgrounds.
We are entirely dependent on the support of our members and many generous sponsors. The annual cost of running a big sports club is considerable and we always need to spend large sums on clubhouse and ground maintenance.
The Centenary Fund has the target of raising £200,000 and we hope that members past and present will support this project - it will make so much difference to our club and benefit all our members. The Fund will be used exclusively to support key projects around the club, including:
• Clubhouse refurbishment and upgrade
• Extended patio area with multi-weather surface
• Pitch and floodlight improvements
• Resurface north car park
• Improved gym facilities
• Expanded solar panelling
Please support the club by donating at JustGiving/The Centenary Fund - and please tick the Gift Aid option as the club receives an additional 25% on top of your donation.
For donations over £1000, please pay directly into the Fund’s bank, complete a Gift Aid declaration and let me know via email. Fund bank: Amersham & Chiltern RFC, sort 40-2417, account 2266 4879. Any queries, please email.
Peter Osborne Chair, The Centenary Fund posborne@osbornesamuel.com
memorable experiences around good food
A&C DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS
A&C DEVELOPMENT FESTIVAL PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPALS
2nd March 2025
2nd March 2025
THE A&C COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS
At Amersham & Chiltern we are committed to World Rugby’s “Rugby For All” philosophy. To support this, we organise Development Festivals and Fixtures which allow our less confident or capable players to compete against opposition of a similar level of ability.
We define Development Players as those who:
● Lack confidence in contact situations be that tackling, being tackled, rucking and mauling
● Have limited game experience and knowledge of the laws
● Are less familiar with the technical aspects of the game
Affording these players quality game time is vital in their continuing participation in this late maturity game and allowing as many children as possible to enjoy our fantastic sport. Our experience is that when the more accomplished players are not involved, the development players step up and take responsibility within the team and this boosts confidence and development. This is supported by a relaxed refereeing approach which is more focused on in-game coaching.
As an example of our approach, an U11 squad that has 45 participating children, will select a team from the 15 least accomplished players. Some players may have been with A&C since U5s, but lack confidence or may be, they are novice players new to the Club and game.
We hope that you will be able to participate and enter into the spirit of the event which is genuinely about participation and development of the players involved. If you feel you do not have enough development players to field one team, we would be delighted to create a “Barbarians” team made up from different clubs. We would prefer this approach to making up numbers with players who are outside of the development criteria.
We are sure you will appreciate that fielding better players in these events is counterproductive; the Development Players will be inhibited by the skills imbalance and the better players will gain little from playing their less developed opponents.
We hope you will see the benefit of these events and we look forward to seeing you on the day!