Welcome to Doncaster Knights Mini Juniors

Join us for our Welcome and Registration Day at Castle Park on Sunday, August 20 – or to join sooner, click HERE.

As one of the top clubs in the North of England, we offer young players a unique opportunity to learn and play in a professional setting and take advantage of some of the best facilities in South Yorkshire. We are proud to be an RFU Accredited Club and nothing is more important to us than aspiring the next generations of players.

The RFU’S core values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship are five great reasons to get involved with rugby, they are what makes rugby union so special, and we are here to help your son or daughter start their journey.

We provide age grade training & fixtures for U7’s (YR1) right through to Colts (YR13) and are always happy to welcome new members to our growing rugby community.  For very little ones aged 4-5 years (Reception) we provide Micros which allows us to start to introduce basic rugby skills in a fun, playful environment.

If you require information about any age group and are interested in joining Doncaster RFC, then please complete the following form:

https://forms.gle/UrD4E4ENbsvKZuQD6

Information on all policies can be found below.

POLICIES

1 – PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT

This Code of Conduct for age grade players (Under the age of 18) must be followed by all age grade players who are members of Doncaster RFC (the “Club”) and support the Club, its coaches and other age grade rugby volunteers in applying the Code.

Any age grade player who appears to be in breach of the Code of Conduct for age grade players may be the subject of Club disciplinary procedures which could ultimately lead to suspension or withdrawal of Club membership in respect of the age grade player involved.

Youth players at the Club are encouraged to:

  • recognise and appreciate the efforts made by their coaches, parents, match officials and other age grade volunteers in providing the opportunity for them to play the game and enjoy the rugby environment.
  • understand the values of loyalty and commitment to their squad and Club.
  • recognise that they and all other age grade rugby players have the right to expect their involvement in rugby to be free from all types of abuse.
  • understand that if they or other age grade rugby players feel they are not being treated in a manner that is acceptable, they have a right to tell an adult at the Club or outside the game.

 

2 – SPECTATOR/PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

This Code of Conduct for spectators and parents/carers must be followed by all adults who are members of Doncaster RFC (the “Club”). All other spectators, parents/carers, and children under 18 years of age who visit the Club are encouraged by the Club to abide by this Code of Conduct.

Anyone who appears to be in breach of the Code of Conduct for spectators and parents/carers may be the subject of Club disciplinary procedures which could ultimately lead to suspension or withdrawal of Club membership and/or expulsion or exclusion from the Club’s premises and grounds.

Spectators are encouraged to:

  • Act as positive role models for all age grade rugby players
  • Be familiar with, and abide by, RFU child safeguarding guidance in relation to emotional and verbal abuse.
  • Respect guidance from the club with regards to spectator behaviour
  • Show respect for officials and other players
  • Encourage in your support, be courteous to all, applaud good play
  • Remember victory is not everything, children are playing for their own enjoyment.
  • Respect match officials’ decisions, even if they appear to make a mistake, remember the volunteers are providing an opportunity for players to play rugby.
  • Be familiar with, and abide by, RFU child safeguarding guidance in relation to emotional and verbal abuse.

 

3 – PHOTOGRAPHY/IMAGES POLICY 

The RFU wishes to ensure that photography and video footage use within rugby is undertaken appropriately and are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for young people.

  • Doncaster RFC has a policy relating to the use of cameras during our matches, training sessions and other club occasions.
  • This includes the use of images of young people, on our website, in the media, in match reports and/or in club programmes or publications handbooks).
  • Using Video as a coaching aid

4 – SAFEGUARDING POLICY

Doncaster R.F.C acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children involved from harm. We adhere to the RFU safeguarding policy and the procedures, practices and guidelines and endorse and adopt the policy statement contained in that document and or any successor policy.

The Key Principles of the RFU Safeguarding Policy are that:

The welfare of the child is, and must always be, paramount to any other considerations. All allegations or suspicions of abuse, neglect harm and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly, and appropriately.

Working in partnership with other organisations, statutory agencies, parents, carers, children, and young people is essential for the welfare of children. Children have the right to expect support, and personal and social development delivered by an appropriately vetted and managed in relation to their participation in rugby union, whether they are playing volunteering or officiating in the community or professional areas of the sport.

Doncaster RFC recognises that all children have the right to participate in sport in a safe, positive, and enjoyable environment whilst at the same time being protected from abuse, neglect harm and poor practice.

 

5 – SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

Doncaster RFC is keen to promote the safe and responsible use of social media technology but also to make its members aware of the potential risks, including the negative effect on the club’s reputation and image and is committed to sharing best practice.  Doncaster RFC members and supporters should be aware that comments which bring the game into disrepute, or are threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting may lead to disciplinary action.

Doncaster RFC has a firm commitment to safeguarding children in all aspect of its work. Doncaster RFC must also ensure that there is nothing on the website that could harm a child, directly or indirectly.

In summary:

  1. Player and parent/guardian only CLOSED group.
  2. Requests to join CHECKED with membership database before approval
  3. When posting children/young people’s names full names are not to be used.
  4. Do not use children’s names in photograph captions. If a child is named, avoid using the photograph
  5. Administrators of age group forums to be DBS cleared and made known to parents of player groups
  6. Any queries to the Doncaster RFC Safeguarding Officer
  7. The club committee reserves the right to update this policy.

 

6 – AGE GRADE DISCIPLINARY POLICY

Discipline is one of the core values of rugby. Doncaster RFC strives to ensure that rugby is a game of controlled physical endeavour and should be played in accordance with the World Rugby Laws of the Game.

The Club policy should be read in conjunction with the RFU guidance.

Any matters arising from disciplinary meetings or regarding disciplinary issues should be referred to the Secretary in writing.

To avoid any misunderstanding all matters involving discipline or misconduct by members will be dealt with by the Club officials in a manner either regulated, or advised, by the RFU within the disciplinary section.

7 – AGE GRADE ACCIDENT POLICY

Emergency Procedure Guidelines for dealing with accidents and incidents. These guidelines apply to all age grade rugby coaches and other age grade rugby volunteers at Doncaster RFC (the “Club”) who are required to familiarize themselves with the guidelines and apply them.

The procedures outlined apply not only to accidents and injuries sustained at the Club’s ground but also when age grade players are at away matches or on tour.

 

8 – VOLUNTEER/COACH RECRUITMENT POLICY

This document is to formalise the policies within Doncaster RFC that applies to rugby related activities only.

The term volunteer will be used in its widest sense to include: –

  • Team Managers.
  • Coaches.
  • First Aiders.
  • Tour Reps.
  • Fixture Secretaries.
  • General volunteers.

The term recruiter is deemed to be the person within Doncaster RFC that is already an existing volunteer who progresses the volunteer. Doncaster RFC acknowledge that the vast majorities of roles within the rugby related activities are carried out by volunteers and most of these are through word-of-mouth recruitment; usually in the manner of ‘taking parents over the side lines’.

We acknowledge that there are risks within this approach and therefore follow our own internal policies (including but not limited to our Safeguarding Policy), RFU policies and Codes of Practice as well as Legislation. This includes ensuring that relevant volunteers obtain the correct DBS check within the appropriate period.

 

9 – EQUALITY POLICY

Valuing diversity, reducing inequality, and ensuring all people are treated with dignity and respect are fundamental to Doncaster RFC.  We are committed to building an environment that celebrates diversity and tackles all forms of discrimination.

Our vision is a future where every player, adult, or child, enjoys the life-changing benefits that come from playing sport.

 

10 – GDPR POLICY

Summary of how Doncaster RFC and the RFU use your data

  • Doncaster RFC uses your personal data to manage and administer your membership and your involvement with its teams and club, and to keep in contact with you for these purposes.
  • Some data is shared with the RFU, who use your data to regulate, develop and manage the game.
  • Where we or the RFU rely on your consent, such as any consent we seek for email marketing, you can withdraw this consent at any time.
  • Amongst the data we collect from you may be medical (including injury) information. We will hold this where you (or your parent) have given consent, so that we can ensure we are aware of your condition and can that you are supported appropriately.

Where you work in a particular role within the game, you will be required to undergo a Disclosure & Barring Service check using the RFU’s DBS system. The result of this check will be input into your Game Management Service (GMS) record.