Pre-Season Guidelines...

Register Your eMail Address...
Current Under 16's Managers & Coaches should add their eMail address to the Colts League's eMail Database using the Join Mailing List link - You will then receive regular Newsletters and updates, plus a link to the Entry Application Forms for the new season as soon as they are published.

Preparation for the Season Ahead...
Before entering the Colts League we suggest you look inward and ask the following questions of your Team (Managers, Coaches, Players, and Parents). If the answers add up to a positive YES then we look forward to receiving your entry.

Please be realistic as your Players are the ones who will be cheated if you don't answer these questions truthfully and fully consider the implications, and thereby enter the Colts League improperly prepared for next season !!

If your answers don't add up perhaps you should seriously consider a joint effort by combining with your Senior Colts.

Amalgamated Teams from two different neighbouring Clubs have proven successful in recent seasons.

Make sure you have the full backing of your Senior Club Committee for Colts Rugby. They can often help you, and know that investing in the Colts has secured the future of many Clubs throughout Lancashire and Cheshire. Don't be afraid to ask for help !!

Pre-Season...

(1). Do you have the right Management and Coaching Team to take your Team forward ?

A competitive League structure brings new pressures which you may not have encountered in Mini/Junior Rugby. Running a Team in the Colts League, with competitive fixtures every weekend, is too much for one man alone... We recommend a minimum of 1 x Manager and 1 x Coach, but more bodies would be better !!

(2). Do you have enough Parental support, and the support of your Club ?

You will need assistance to provide transport for all your Players to ALL your away games. Fixtures must be honoured above all else and "we didn't have enough cars to get there" is not an acceptable excuse. In previous seasons Colts League Teams in certain areas have obtained financial assistance towards travel costs from their Local Authority.

(3). Do you have enough Players, including Front Row ?

Colts Players are young men on the verge of discovering Cars, Wine, Women and Song, and taking part time jobs (at the weekend) to fund such debauchery !!

Some have pressures put on them by the Rugby Master at School not to play Club Rugby, and many quite rightly prioritise their AS and A levels... These are all pressures your Players can succumb to thereby depleting your Team !!

It takes a well organised Management & Coaching Team to keep things together, motivating ALL your Players, developing and keeping those on the fringes interested, and recruiting and adding players where possible.

Experience tells us a Squad Size of 25 Players can be too small !! At least 5 trained Front Row is recommended. Any less and with injuries and the afforementioned distractions and you will struggle to complete the League and Cup season.

(4). Have you made arrangements for Physio, Medics, or First Aid ?

(5). Ensure your Entry Application is submitted in good time... before 1st June.

Late Entries are will not be accepted... Timescales need to be observed to achieve Equitably Seeded Leagues and prepare the fixtures.

(6). ALL Players must be registered pre-season per the Squad Registration Regulations.

Additional Players can be added throughout the season, however the bulk of your Squad must be registered to allow the Seeding Panel to judge whether Teams have sufficient Players to survive a meaningful competitive Colts League season.

(7). Ensure you provide Feedback per the Seeding Regulations.

Teams who do not contribute to the Seeding Process will have their Application seriously scrutinised and may well be denied Entry into the Leagues.

(8). Familiarise yourself with the Referee Protocol.

To ensure you know how to arrange for a Society Referee to be appointed to all your Home games.

(9). Make the necessary Pitch arrangements for you Home League matches.

Speak to your Senior Committee to ensure your Groundsman is briefed to provide markings for the Technical Areas ? Does your Club have a Ladies Team who may take priority on the 1st XV pitch ? - You should consider how you will provide Technical Areas and Suitable Barriers on any and all pitches where you are likely to play a League game. - per Regulation 2(5). and 2(6).

(10). Kit Regulations - Shirts Must be Numbered with traditional Large numbers to the back.

(11). Managers & Coaches should please read the ETHOS.

(12). Please ask ALL Parents and Players to read and observe the Code of Conduct.

Share This