Is there a rugby mums chat?

[YesitsBess]

I've looked in sport, and as it's the start of the season I'd love to congratulate/commiserate/complain about the quality of the coffee?

Anyone else with a rugby kid?

I’m a rugby mum and have been for about 5years. I’ve got a 9yr old in U10s who has been desperate for some rain to start tackling again, and a 5.5yr old in U6s.

I missed out on standing by a pitch today due to work 😊 I’m a tea drinker but I’m at U10s pitch which isn’t at the clubhouse. My Dh is a coach for U6s so he is at clubhouse with amazing bacon rolls

The injury issue is concerning. How could they make it safer?

Player and minis coach here, down south, DS is in u11s. Really glad you started this chat OP, thank you :)

We are just back from the Guildfordians Girls festival - very well organised, beautiful weather. Won two, lost two but worth the 8.15am commute!

Anyone else travelling for matches or festivals today?

I've got 3 in different groups, they only started last year but all have taken to it, I especially love watching DS2 in U6s, its hilarious chaos, his coach is a saint 🤣. Sadly lots have dropped out so it's been difficult to have matches for the older groups.

We were at Sandal Girls' Festival today. First time playing together for ours and they won 4/6. Really pulled together and the joy on their faces makes it all worth it ❤ DD even scored a try!

My boys missed out today as we are out of the country for a family wedding.
talking of festivals, my U10 has Chipstead festival next weekend I think

How was Rugby today?

We had Sandal Festival today... my first experience of Rugby festivals. My main thought was bloody hell parking!! (I was only there for an hour, then handed over to FIL who was then joined by DH after his team had finished elsewhere). DD had a reasonable time but they lost all their games. However it was like that last season too... lost the early games, then found their rhythm as a team and started winning. (Different team to last year... her club has had to form an alliance due to numbers)

We just had training today. The parking at Sandal was my main takeaway too - we were there half an hour early and were directed to a car park 1/2 mile away. People who turned up late were allowed to park in the club car park?! That pissed me off no end!

I have 2 rugby playing boys - ds1 is U18 colts now so probably his last season unless he plays for a Uni team, and ds2 U15s.

Rugby is life for him and he's just been selected to try out for a professional academy (our local team) so he's beyond happy about that. He started when he was a very shy 6 year old and it's honestly been the making of him.

I worry about the injuries and don't LOVE standing on the sidelines on a wet Sunday morning in February, but also wouldn't have it any other way. The community at our local club is great and both boys have made such great friends through rugby.

Two rugby boys here in Essex, one U14s and one U11s. Both love it and we're really loving the World Cup.

Re injuries, it is concerning and the older they get the bigger the hits. Luckily, neither of my 2 have ever had suspected concussions or a serious injury, but at the moment in the U14s, we have 4 boys out with broken bones due to hockey (×2), a trip and bad fall, and a school trampolining accident. Our local hospital paeds A&E has a "league board" of injuries from sport - rugby is not even in the top 10!

We love the focus on discipline and sportsmanship which is so important to children, particularly those that might struggle with impulse control. The parents are all so lovely and it's common that both mum and dad come along each week to watch, because it's so inclusive and friendly. Poor sideline behaviour is not tolerated at all and after our experience with football, that's such a relief

My boy plays rugby. I find it hard to watch to be honest. I don't understand the rules and the number of bad injuries stresses me out. So I stay home.

I do watch him doing other sports though.....

My local NHS also has an injury board- trampolines are top. Rugby is 11th.

One of our coaches is the area trauma surgeon and all his children play.

We won today, 2 hour drive for a U16 march. Bacon sandwich was poor (and no egg) but the coffee and weather were cracking.

Great idea for a thread

I have 2 in minis. I love being outside every Sunday apart from the wettest, coldest days. I worry a lot about injury but the counter of that is how much my boy loves it. He's quite shy and it's given him loads of confidence. The coaches are amazing. Our clubhouse does bacon rolls or sausage baps. Both tasty.

Interesting to hear about the injury boards! We have 2 A&E doctors, a GP and a physio among our parents and they're happy to let their sons play, so I take that as reassurance.

Had a Sunday off today as it's half term here and loads are on holiday. We've just watched rugby all day instead!

My daughter has just started playing in her late 30s, do I count as a rugby mum?
She loves it, and the community, I'm terrified, the bruises are scary!

DS has just recovered from a hand injury (caught a ball funny). The consultant who reviewed him was very positive about rugby - said it’s much better to be out there playing rugby than sitting around.

Half of his team seem to be injured right now - but most of those injuries were sustained at school, not at rugby.

I hate watching DS play though. It’s awful watching huge man-sized U15s tackle him.

Back at training for my U6 and first festival of the season for my U10 in Surrey. One brutal game which was expected but they played well, definitely gone up a notch, harder tackles. My boy came off twice in the difficult match due to hard tackles. He loves it still no matter what

Beautiful morning up at our club today, sun out but no wind. Girls all whingey though as standard training not match or joint training so lots of passing drills etc!

Never thought I would WANT the League to start, they are all switched on for matches

Of course you count! I didn't start until I was in my 30s and it definitely takes me longer than my younger teammates to recover post match but I love it so much!

Our team are super friendly too. It's really lovely.

My 2 have recently become obsessed. They absolutely love it.
I'm delighted they've found a sport they enjoy

They have made new friends and are getting their fitness levels up. All while spending less time on a screen...The social / community side of the team is fantastic.

Just wondering how I get over my fear that they will be injured...?

That is reassuring. As are the injury boards. Thank you.

Amazing!