Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club

The U11s is for boys who will be aged 10 years on 1 September 2025, typically that is those starting school Year 6 in September 2025. Girls of the same age play in a dedicated combined U11 and U12 girls only group - please see their page on this site.

We presently have c.70 players for the U11s this season (25/26). This makes ours one of the biggest U11 groups in the South-East. It includes from those who will be doing their first taster of rugby this year, to those who have been playing since they were under 6, and all levels in-between.

Rugby at this age level is full contact, i.e. tackling, rucking and mauling. We place a key emphasis on safety and teaching the proper tackle (and being tackled!) technique as a core foundation.

We welcome players of all experience (including those who want to try rugby for the first time).

We are coached by volunteers (parents) all of whom have undertaken prescribed RFU safeguarding, coaching and concussion management courses, and are DBS checked. We have c.22 coaches, many of whom (but not all) have played themselves for TWRFC, and/or schools, universities, or other clubs including (in some cases) even professionally.

TRAINING
The first training session will be on Sunday 7th September 2025 and will continue every Sunday morning until the end of April / early May 2026, with the exception with weeks off for Easter and Christmas.

Sessions primarily take place at the St Marks Ground. However, we may also use the 3G pitch at the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre on St. Johns Road when weather/demands for pitch space require.

Training is usually at 9am for 90 minutes, although occasionally (if at the 3G) it may be 10am. We give advance notice and reminders via the Spond app and a parent’s Whatsapp group.

We understand that this is voluntary and for fun, and that everyone will have a school events, kids parties, family, work or holiday commitments etc from time to time that means a training session may be missed. However, with so many new and more advanced rules and skills being introduced which will make a real difference in festivals, the more a child attends (even in bad weather) the more they will get out of the season. The first 6 weeks will be particularly important.

All players must have a parent/guardian/carer/responsible adult in attendance during each session.

FESTIVALS
Our first festival – is the TWRFC home one on 12 October 2025. EVERY player will be able to play in this. Please put it in your diaries now!

There may be one or two others pre-Christmas, and then in January – April next year three to five more. For those who are new these allow our boys to play proper matches against other clubs, usually c.4 matches per festival, and usually start at 9am and end at c.1pm. Details will be circulated nearer the time.

Festival teams will not generally be streamed, and we will ensure every child gets an equal chance to play in the same or similar number of festivals and get the same game time. We will, like last year, advertise the dates well in advance on Spond and to ascertain availability / willingness to travel

TOUR
This is very popular and deservedly so, and is the culmination of the season. This year it is 17th to 19/20th April 2026 at Butlins Bongor Regis. All the kids and parents who have been love it and come back year after year, and we encourage you to sign up if you have not already done so. Details are already on the U11 parent WhatsApp group. Coach Harry Oliver is doing tour admin and he will be sending separate messages during the season as it nears. Please speak to him at training if you have any questions.

KIT
Shirts/Clothing – We have a new club sponsor and will be receiving new and subsidised (£10 each) club playing shirts for this season. These will be handed out at training at the start of the season. TWRFC shorts and socks (and boots and other club kit) can be purchased at the excellent second hand shop that operates in front of the club house on most Sunday mornings (and socks can also be bought from the club café), or new from the club online shop. Non-club shorts and socks are permitted (preferably in navy blue).

We are very exposed to the elements at the club; so please remember “layers for players”. Base layers/skins are a very good idea. It is better to have too many layers on the day rather than not enough. A waterproof top is recommended rather than coats that restrict movement. The TWRFC online shop do some excellent all weather tops (a good Xmas present and can have initials to avoid loss!)

Hoodies – please no hoodies (or coats with hoods) to train/play, even in colder weather, as these can be grabbed or pulled at a neck level which is a safety issue.

Gum shields must be worn. There are many excellent modestly prices ones mouldable at home (Opro are good, other brands are available). We reckon a child loses one a season on average so best buy (and bring) a spare – and as mouths are changing all the time – check they still fit for this season.

Gloves – Full fingered gloves are NOT PERMITTED by the RFU [Regs §4.4(e]. “Mitts” i.e. fingerless gloves, are permitted (§4.3(d)) . Our view is that mitts do not assist players, and can hinder catching as they get “shiny” quickly and are often hopeless when wet.

Boots – Football boots are fine provided they do not have the sharper versions of “blade” style studs. This is a minefield – as there are so many types – please check the easy guide here:https://keepyourbootson.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Boots-Studes-Blades-RugbySafe-Essential-Guide-2019.pdf

3G Footwear – When we occasionally train on the 3G where no trainers, no metal studs, and no blades are permitted. Please note the 3G groundsman is strict on this and does stop players (and coaches!) with the wrong footwear training. Ideally moulded non-blade plastic studs or astro-shoes/boots are the safest option.

Scrum Caps – professional opinion is divided; there is little evidence that they prevent concussions, but we appreciate some may prefer their child to wear one. Whilst they may help the confidence of some in contact, for others it can lead to a false sense of security. It is a personal matter for the parent.

PARKING:
There is very limited parking space available at the club, and these fill very quickly. Please do not park in the top car park next to the club house as this is reserved for head coaches (with kit) only. It is important that we keep these spaces free to changeover quickly. You can park on Forest Road (around the corner from the club), but we ask that you are sensitive and respectful to TWRFC’s neighbours if you do so.

MEMBERSHIP:
We do require membership registration and payment of subscription fees by the end of September if your children are going to remain for the whole season. For new starters, they can have c. two “taster” sessions without signing up formally, to ensure both players and parents are happy before committing.

For present members, you will be used to the regular reminders of registration deadlines/admin required!

If you any questions, please do not hesitate to email either myself or any of the coaching team below. No question is a silly one, and if we don’t know the answer then we will make sure we find the right person at the club who does!

Tim Mole
Head Coach U11s

Harry Oliver
Assistant Head Coach / Admin U11s