Thornensians RUFC

It is a club requirement that anyone wanting to participate in rugby activity following a successful trial period, becomes a fully-paid members, and affiliate themselves with the club via a GMS account. This ensures that all players are covered by the relevant insurance and are protected by and adhere to our clubs policies & procedures.

You can create a GMS account by visiting https://gms.rfu.com/GMS/.

Once membership is processed, and accepted. New club members can request a TRUFC Membership Card, which comes with great benefits such as reduced clubhouse hire & bar discount!

Important club-wide communications will ALWAYS be sent to all active members via email.

• Facebook: facebook.com/minithornensians
• Instagram: instagram.com/thornensiansminis

Our NEW club website thornensiansrufc.rfu.club is a great place to stay up-to-date with fixtures, results & match reports. It's also the place to go to purchase tickets for social events, and where you can find contact information for the committee and/or team representatives from each age group.

We are proud to partner with Kitworld Ltd, under their brand MAKO, for all of our playing & training kit.

They offer a wide range of items including; shorts, socks, t-shirts, coats, hats, etc. They also offer bundles for players, that include everything you will need to get started. There is also the option to have items personalised for an additional fee, so that items are easily identified, when everything looks the same in a big heap on the floor!

You can browse everything they have to offer by visiting our club kit page.

Playing shirts are provided to each team, and are funded by gaining sponsorship from local businesses on a yearly/bi-yearly basis. Theses should be handed in after each fixture to the Team Manager or Coach.

As well as quality coaching, we also use the very best equipment. With a selection of balls, agility and speed sets, tackle bags, hit and drive shields, and crash mats. Plus a scrummage machine for U11s and above. We can teach your child the skills and disciplines of rugby, while ensuring they remain safe and confident during sessions.

We are also very lucky to own our clubhouse and grounds, meaning that there is ongoing security for our players and memebrs, and a hub to call home. Our indoor facilities include multiple changing rooms, showers, a fully equipped gym and physio/medical room. All of our facilities are are run and maintained by our amazing volunteers, so if you are using any of them, please can you treat them with the same respect you would your own home, and "leave it as you found it"!

As a club we take H&S, safeguarding & discipline very seriously, and any issues arising will be dealt with in accordance to our policies & procedures, by the relevant club officer.

Each week we have trained First Aiders available, including at least 1 coach from each team. Parents are expected to remain on-site during training sessions or fixtures to support their child and be available in the case of an injury.

Throughout the year the RFU run specific courses in First Aid, plus a number of e-learning modules relating to safeguarding, concussion, etc. If you are interested in attending any of these courses, please speak to your Team Manager or Coach, who will pass your details onto the Rugby Safe Lead and/or Safeguarding Officer for support.

Playing rugby involves some risks, and we maintain a fair but firm approach to discipline. If a child's conduct becomes unacceptable or dangerous, they will receive an explanation and be asked to refrain from the behaviour. If the behaviour persists, they will be asked to sit out the session for ten minutes. In case of continued misbehaviour, your Team Manager or Coach will discuss the matter with the child's parent or carer.

Swearing, in any form, is not tolerated by children or accompanying adults. We encourage you to read our policies & procedures, to help us create a safe and enjoyable environment for all children and young adults.

Your support as parents is essential for your child's rugby journey. We believe the time spent travelling to and from rugby sessions and fixtures can be a precious & valuable bonding opportunity.

When offering encouragement and feedback to your child, focus on their progress and effort rather than the outcome, as outcome is often beyond their control.

Our club is entirely run by volunteers, and there may be ocassions that we are short of volunteers for various tasks or bigger events. If you are interested in getting more involved, we would very much welcome your help. Please talk to your Team Manager or Coach, who can pass your details on.

The old saying goes, many hands make light work!