The Minis and Juniors are back!!

With the premature end to last season due to lockdown, there was huge enthusiasm at the launch of a new season of mini and junior rugby at the Verulamian RFC on Sunday. The club took several special precautions to help with social distancing, including one way systems, regular disinfecting protocols and social distancing for parents. A Track and Trace app has been introduced to ensure guidelines were met. The England RFU has been very helpful and has been advising clubs what precautions to take, with a staged return to rugby. Now at stage D, players are allowed up to 15 minutes of below the waist contact. Hands, equipment and rugby balls need regular disinfecting, but despite the protocols it was lovely to see the club busy once again and the children enjoying themselves. At this stage the games are limited to 10 a side on a half-pitch, with no opposition from other clubs.

The Mini section (aged Under 6 to Under 12) session ran from 9.30am to 10.45am, allowing time for families to get away in time for the Junior section (Under 13 to U18) to arrive. The weather was glorious and all the children relished the chance to meet up with friends and use up some of their pent-up energies. Some new faces in the younger age groups boosted numbers, but the split sessions helped ensure everyone was still able to maintain appropriate distancing.

Much work has also been done over the extended summer to improve facilities, including repairs to the roof, and the laying by volunteers of special matting for an over-flow car-park and the spectators viewing mound. With favourable weather, grass has grown through the matting and resulted in an attractive but practical solution for visitor parking and an improved viewing area.

The “Vees” Mini and Junior section continues to thrive, and welcomes new players at all ages U6 through to the Colts (combined Under 17 and Under 18).

Adult rugby has also commenced and are welcoming new players, with mid-week training at 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.