General Club News

Code of Conduct - Our Commitment

Every Now and then it is good to remember that we Ashbourne Rugby Club are totally committed to the IRFU Code of Conduct

This equally applies to both underage levels as well as adult levels so as players, parents, coaches and supporters this applies to all of us.

Take a minute and read and share please and remind ourselves that as a sporting club we support and appreciate our players, supporters and the many visiting volunteers that visit our club at all levels.

Keep Ashbourne Rugby Club a safe and supportive environment for all and enjoy our sport in a positive manner.

This is part our commitment to our Club Welfare

CODE OF CONDUCT

Code for Players

- Play for enjoyment and become part of the rugby family.

- Respect the "Game of Rugby" and play within the laws of the Game.

- Accept the referee's decision and let your captain or coach ask any relevant questions.

- Play with control. Do not lose your temper.

- Always do your best and be committed to the game, your team and your club.

- Be a "good sport". Applaud all good play whether by your team or the opposition.

- Respect your opponent. Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not "bully" or take advantage of any player.

- Rugby is a team sport and make sure you co-operate with your coach; team mates and members of your club.

- Remember that the goals of the game are to have fun, improve your skills and feel good.

- At the end of the match thank your opponents and the referee for the match.

- Always remember that you owe a duty of care to your opponents. Tackle hard but fairly, do not intend to hurt your opponent.

- Winning and losing is part of sport: Win with humility - lose with dignity.

- As part of the team it is important that you attend training regularly and listen to your coach and help your team.

- As a team sport it is important to understand that all members are important to the team!

- Remember you are representing your team, club, family and the Game of Rugby.

Code for Parents

- Remember, young people play rugby for their enjoyment, not only yours.

- Encourage your child always to play by the Laws of the Game.

- Teach young children that honest endeavour is as important as winning, so that the result of each game is accepted without disappointment.

- Help young people to work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship.

- Set a good example by applauding good play on both sides.

- Never ridicule, humiliate or shout at young players for making a mistake or losing a match.

- Do not place emphasis on winning at all costs.

- Do not force an unwilling child to participate in the playing of rugby. If the child is to play, he/she will do so in good time through your encouragement.

- Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from rugby.

- As a spectator do not use profane language or harass referees, coaches or players.

- Do not publicly question the referees' judgement and never their honesty.

- Recognise the value and importance of volunteer referees and coaches.

- Identify and acknowledge the good qualities of the Game of Rugby and uphold these values.

- Remember you and your child's contribution to the Game of Rugby is very important to the IRFU and be proud of your contribution.

- Understand the value of team sport and the importance there of.

Code for Coaches

- Remember that as a coach of an "age grade team" you are to act in "loco parentis" and to that extent your duty of care is more onerous than that of a coach to an adult team.

- Lead by example - young people need a coach whom they respect.

- Be generous with your praise when it is deserved. Never ridicule or shout at players for making mistakes or losing a match.

- Teach your players that the Laws of the Game are mutual agreements which no one should evade or break.

- Prepare young players for inter-class and inter-school activities.

- Be reasonable in your demands on the players' time, energy and enthusiasm.

- Ensure that all players participate in matches. The "average" players require and deserve equal time.

- Remember that young players play for fun and enjoyment and that skill learning and playing for fun have priority over highly structured competition. Winning is not the only objective.

-Develop player and team respect for the ability of opponents, as well as for the judgement of referees and opposing coaches.

- Insist on fair play and disciplined play. Do not tolerate foul play, fighting or foul language. Be prepared to take off an offending player.

- Encourage young players to develop basic skills and sportsmanship. Avoid over specialisation in positional play during their formative years.

- Set realistic goals for the team and individual players and do not push young players into adult-like competitions.

- Create a safe and enjoyable environment in which to train and play.

- Do not over burden younger players with too much information.

- Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles and methods, and on the principles of growth and development of young people.

- Be aware of the effect you have on growing children.

- Never criticise the referee and touch judges during or after a match in front of players or spectators.

- Always thank the match officials and if they have made decisions which require clarification, discuss the problems after everyone has changed.

- Seek and follow the advice of a doctor in determining when an injured player is ready to play again.

- Ensure that proper equipment and facilities are available at all times.

- Be responsible and ensure you uphold the ethos of the game and the IRFU.

- Attend coaching courses.

- Support the Code of Ethics and all policies regarding Children in Sport.

- Ensure you and your players are proud of your team, club and efforts during the season.

Code for Spectators

- Remember that although young people play organised rugby they are not "miniature internationals".

- Be on your best behaviour and lead by example. Do not use profane language or harass referees, players or coaches.

- Applaud good play by the visiting team as well as your own.

- Show respect for your team's opponents. Without them there would not be a match.

- Condemn the use of violence in all forms at every opportunity.

- Verbal abuse of players or referees cannot be accepted in any shape of form.

- Players or referees are not fair targets for ignorant behaviour.

- Encourage young players to play by the Laws of the Game.

- Spectators can contribute to the enjoyment of the event and all involved.

- Be proud of your club and the Game of Rugby.

Source: IRFU

by Bill Duggan

Congratulations Judy Bobbett

All Ashbourne RFC are delighted with the success of Judy Bobbett with the Leinster Women's team who took him the Interprovincial series at Donnybrook yesterday. Judy is the grand daughter of Ashbourne legend Pat Bobbett and continues the family tradition in Leinster Rugby. Judy played her first rugby at the club but has continued to develop her craft away from the club.

We congratulate her on her success and her parents, grandparents and all the Bobbett family, a number them playing in the club, and we wish her continued success.

You never know she might bring the cup up to the club and met up with the girls team

by Bill Duggan

INAUGURAL RORY MCGOVERN MEMORIAL CUP

INAUGURAL RORY MCGOVERN MEMORIAL CUP Friday the 27th of September Ashbourne Rugby Club, kick off 7.30pm

Ashbourne RFC was established in 1974 and since then has provided rugby at minis, youth and senior levels for the East Meath & Fingal community. The senior teams are currently very successful with the First XV competing in Leinster League Division 1A and have won the All Ireland Junior Rugby Cup in 2017, 2018 and 2019, alongtheu Provincial Towns Cup in 2014.

The success of Ashbourne RFC is based on the voluntary work of many people. Ashbourne RFC takes great pride in its minis rugby section and over the years many individuals have ensured that children from U6s to U12s in the Ashbourne and surrounding community can learn to play rugby football in a friendly, fun and safe environment.

Ashbourne RFC has been very fortunate in recent times to have been able to rely on the services of Rory McGovern who served as the mini rugby co-ordinator for several years while his three sons were playing.

Rory sadly died in May, 2018 and obviously is fondly remembered by his many friends at Ashbourne RFC.

Ashbourne RFC will commemorate Rory’s great work and have commissioned the Rory McGovern Memorial Cup, kindly sponsored by Flynn Management, which will be played for annually between Ashbourne RFC U13s and CUS, which was attended by Rory’s three sons.

The inaugural Rory McGovern Memorial Cup match will be played on Friday 27th September, 2019 at Ashbourne RFC kicking off at 7.30pm. We welcome everyone to come along to watch the match and see the quality of rugby being played by a team that have just graduated from the minis rugby section of Ashbourne RFC which Rory did so much to develop.

by Bill Duggan

Annual Family Fun Day Sunday the 15th of September

Join us on Sunday next for our annual Family Fun Day

All welcome

by Bill Duggan

Ashbourne Rugby Avail of Clubforce services

Ashbourne Rugby Club has link up with Clubforce and will use their services for the coming season

We look forward to working closely with them

To go directly to the Ashbourne RFC Clubforce page use this link:

https://clubforce.com/clu…/rugby-ashbourne-rugby-club-meath/
On this page they can click on the link to pay membership, during which they either log in to their existing Clubforce account or create a new one.

If a member is already using Clubforce for membership of any other organisation (possibly Donaghmore Ash GAA or the local soccer clubs) they can simply add AshbourneRFC to it).

This page can direct users to their Play/App Store if they browse to it on their mobile:

https://clubforce.com/mobile-app/

Any issues please contact us [email protected] or message us on FB

by Bill Duggan

It May be Close Season But the Work goes on!

Ashbourne Rugby Club has now officially entered close season all all players, coaches and supporters can take some time out with family.

Many of our teenagers, boys and girls, have to face into a challenging times with exams and wish them all well, while others will take time out to recover and will hopefully be ready for next season in a few months time.

BUT work goes on at the club to ensure our pitches are painted to the highest level possible and to ensure that we continue to lead the way in this area.

Working with our groundwork partner SportWorks a project for the offseason has been started to ensure that the grounds will be ready for the 1st of September

The project is extensive but this is what it takes to keep the grounds in pristine condition. Pitch 3 was earmarked as requiring extra remedial work but work will also be carried out on the other 2 natural all weather pitches.

So to give you some idea of what will be happening the work entails the following:

PITCH 3 :

Top 2.5cm taken off the surface and new levels achieved. - New Surface Drainage System. Over 7KM of drains!!!! - 180 ton of sports sand cap - Half a ton of new grass seeds sown - Grown in & Ready to play 1st September.

PITCH 1 & 2 :

Top 2.5cm taken off the pitch and new level achieved. Same process done in every premiership club in the UK!!! - 1 ton of new grass seeds sown - 180 ton of sports sand cap - Grown in & Ready to play 1st September.

This will ensure that keep Ashbourne rugby club pitches will have the title of ‘’the best in Ireland’’.

This work is being carried out in partnership with SportWorks who originally laid these pitches back in 2006. They have also been maintaining them for the last 13 years to keep them in top condition.

Thank you JP & Ollie Ennis and their team and it is always good to work with you gentlemen.

Our 4G World rugby Certified Astro pitch will Remain open ALL Summer long, as this was renovated last summer.

The season may be over but Ashbourne RFC continues tow work to ensure that as a community based club we have our facilities up there on top as something that we all can be proud off.

See pictures attached as the work has commenced and we will update you over the summer on progress

by Bill Duggan

Vacancy For Youth Coaches

Ashbourne Rugby Club is looking to enhance its growing Youth section with the addition of some coaches to our current excellent team of youth coaches.

If you are interested in joining this team please read the attached and follow the application instructions.

Ashbourne is a community based club and wishes to enhance the experience and skill set of our youth players as these are the future of the club. As the spec says the role is about the development of our youth players IN rugby and THROUGH rugby. It is about creating the right environment which is safe.

Look forward to hearing from interested coaches

by Bill Duggan

Ashbourne RFC AGM Notice

Notice of the upcoming club AGM is attached and will be held at the clubhouse on Wednesday the 29th of May 2019

We look forward to a good attendance

by Bill Duggan

Provincial Towns Cup Update

Ashbourne will face Gorey RFC in the quater-final of this years cup. Gorey overcame Naas on Sunday (24th of Feb) with a drop goal in the 84th minute

The game will be in Ashbourne on St Patricks Day so after the parade make your way to the club to support the lads in what will be a very tough game. Gorey bet us earlier in the season in Gorey but we did draw with them in the return fixture. It will be a bog ask so your support will be important

There is an event been organised for the evening so it will be a good day for all at Milltown House on St Patricks Day 2019

by Bill Duggan

iRFU Insurance UPDATE

The IRFU have requested that all clubs post the link to the Insurance Details of the Compulsory insurance scheme they run. Ashbourne is fully compliant and paid up and the purpose of this note is for information only

Please follow the link

www.irishrugby.ie/insurance,

by Bill Duggan

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