Rugby Kit Information

Having the right sort of kit is more important than you think. There are a couple of essentials that your child needs to have and some clothing is more appropriate than others; often there are safety reasons behind these which may not be obvious straight away. This doesn't mean we are asking you all to run out and spend loads of money on expensive or specialized kit (unless you want to that is). Not at all, we understand the alarming rate that children grow and how expensive things can become.

Basic Training Kit

For Sunday morning training sessions there are a couple of things that you should bear in mind when sending your child out to train (without trying to tell you how to suck eggs);

• The players should dress according to the weather.
• We do play in all seasons through some very varied weather.
• When the weather is very hot and the ground is hard trainers are more appropriate than boots.
• We often play in the cold and the wet and if the weather isn't wet the pitch often is (and it is a scientific fact that kids and mud are magnetically attracted). So if you are coming down to watch in woolly hats and raincoats why not stick a woolly hat and an extra jumper on your child.

Shorts

Any shorts or jogging bottoms are fine for training as long as they aren't nylon or have zips or fastenings that could cause injury. Nylon is a problem because it can cause friction burns to arms and faces in tackles and scrums. Cotton rugby shorts are preferable and are available either from our recommended sports shops or through the club.

Boots

When the ground becomes soft, boots are essential. However this doesn't mean you have to run out and buy an expensive pair of rugby boots. Molded rubber football boots are fine and football boots with screw in studs can be transformed by swapping the football studs for metal British Standard kite marked rugby studs (available from most sports stores, please see our list). Football studs are a no-no as they can cause some serious injuries and cuts as the plastic can grind down to leave sharp edges. Rugby metal studs however have been designed not to leave sharp edges or splinter. Football blade style boots are also a cause for some concern, being the cause of some very nasty injuries and as a club we have decided to ask you not to wear them or the metal capped football studs.

Mouth guards

A mouth guard an essential item during contact sessions and games. The mouth guard is not just to protect people's teeth and tongues as most people think but to absorb shocks from bangs to the head and chin which can lead to head injuries and concussions.

Mouth guards can be bought in various shapes and sizes and range from a "boil and shape" guard, which can be picked up for a couple of quid from a sports shop, to a guard molded and tailored for your mouth by a dentist (this normally costs around £15 - please ask for details).

Whatever mouth guard you buy it is very important that it fits properly and that it is not possible to swallow it or that it will restrict breathing. Its worth a bit of time playing at home with trial and error to make sure you get a good fit before a session.

Tops

Anything non-nylon and without zips or fastenings, that may cause injuries is fine. Obviously Rugby shirts of whatever description are ideal by design. We do have club shirts for sale that can be worn to training as well as to matches.

Please not that, due the rate at which children grow and the desire to have as many shirts as we can for matches helped by our recycling kit scheme, shirts will no longer be available to buy with names embroidered on the back. This will help keep the costs down and allow shirts to be recycled more easily. However if you feel strongly that you would like to have a name on the back of the club shirt, we can give you the name of a embroidery who will put one on once you have received your shirt.

Match Kit

For match days and festivals we have to be a little bit stricter with kit and ask for boots, long socks, shorts (preferably cotton rugby style) and a club shirt, if you have one. The club keeps a few spare shirts for matches and such like so don't worry if you don't have one.

Club Colours

The club preferred colours are royal blue shorts and red socks. The junior's shirt is red, white and blue quarters.

Jewellery

Due to the physical nature of rugby, no jewelry of any form can be worn at either training or matches. If your child has recently had their ears (nose, tongue or belly button) pierced and thus cannot take them out prior to training, please ensure the coach of that group is informed and they will endeavor to include the child as much as is safely possible.