More than a first XV at Gravesend

Some near three hundred youngsters, (yes 300) age groups ranging from under seven years through to under fifteen years were arriving for a Sunday training/competitive morning of rugby.

With an average of fifteen players in each age group, visitors from Sidcup RFC and Stanford-Le-Hope RFC it is easy to how the numbers grow.

I thought that all of these would be here because the ‘man’ of the family either played or had taken part in the game in the past.

Far from it!

I wandered around the ground talking to various parents, and it was surprising just how many had no earlier relationship with the game.

Many liked the disciplined approach engendered by the coaches, the friendships formed between children that didn’t see each other day to day at school.

The after session camaraderie when they all sat down for a snack in the clubhouse.

The fact that their children could develop their ball skills and move up through the age groups without having to move club, as in other sports.

This can only take place due to the motivation and dedication of so many coaches, helpers and qualified first aiders that turn out every week, during the season, up and down the country.

Talking to Teresa Gray, the unsung hero of Gravesend’s mini section, her son joined the under sevens and now plays in the 1st XV, but she has continued to work with the minis.

She told me there are over 50 helpers at GRFC, all who will have been CRB checked, coaches that will have been through an RFU course to qualify at various levels.

This number would have been mirrored by those of the two visiting clubs, on the day.

Then of course the parents on the touchline watching swelled the numbers to over 500, this she tells me is typical of any Sunday when the ‘minis’ are at home.

The youngsters from the clubs were having mixed training and development sessions.

Players and coaches from all three clubs working together with the children before any hint of competition took place.

Children could be seen to be enjoying falling down in the mud, with no fear of retribution from mum or dad, for getting dirty.

Just making the most of the fun, that was clearly apparent, throughout the morning.

With so many out there on the park, I asked if there was a waiting list to join the action, her reply was short and to the point.

“No," she said, “every child that turns up is taken on straight away, if they are keen, why should they have to wait.

"Our coaches are always pleased to see new faces and everyone gets the same welcome”.

Like Teresa’s son Gary, many of the boys and girls have stayed in the game, and have represented Kent at age group level and gone gain County Caps. Many past junior members have also represented their universities and country at schoolboy to under21 level.

Some fifty per cent of the current 1st XV at Gravesend are the product of the junior section of the club. Seven were in the Kent squad last season.

Not only do the children play on Sundays, but many take a keen interest in the game outside of Gravesend.

The current under twelve’s squad have adopted Harlequins as their club to support and endeavour to get in a couple of visits to the Stoop each season, to watch the professional game.

Normally 20 plus children and their parents enjoy these trips out.

If you are interested and are from the Gravesend area, you can get information from GRFC’s web site at grfc.co.uk.

There are so many clubs in the Kent area, many of which have a mini/junior section, that there is no need for any parent to go far to find one for their children to join.

The nearest club to you can be found on the Rugby Football Union’s web site, rfu.com.

From what I witnessed today, there can be no healthier way for youngsters of either gender to spend a Sunday morning.