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Original poster

Is there a rugby mums chat?

335 replies

YesitsBess · 28/08/2023 19:28

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?

OP posts:
KyliesPencilCollection · 17/10/2023 05:32

My dd is an u16 for club and county, coaches u9s, and is training to be a ref. Safe to say its a big part of our lives.

Worried about her knees though. She's pulled ligaments in both!

Houseplanter · 17/10/2023 08:50

@GreenVelvetCushions re injuries..

I totally get your worries; I've spent so many hours in the stands holding my breath.

However firstly I have accepted it's his choice. He could have chosen go karting, motorbikes, boxing (God forbid).
Also the up side is he's always looked after his health.. no smoking, drugs, lots of good eating, lots of exercise. There was a couple of years of partying and drunken nights but even they stopped

The rugby community is also friendly, supportive and were especially good to him as a young player. The older players always looked out for him.

As a professional they are health obsessed. Loads of physio for the slightest niggle. They aren't played if there's so much as a twinge. They seem to scan everything!

There's a lot more awareness of head injuries now.. rules are changing and refs are too.

Would I choose it as a career for one of my sons? No. But my job has been to support his choices.

GreenVelvetCushions · 17/10/2023 16:00

Houseplanter · 17/10/2023 08:50

@GreenVelvetCushions re injuries..

I totally get your worries; I've spent so many hours in the stands holding my breath.

However firstly I have accepted it's his choice. He could have chosen go karting, motorbikes, boxing (God forbid).
Also the up side is he's always looked after his health.. no smoking, drugs, lots of good eating, lots of exercise. There was a couple of years of partying and drunken nights but even they stopped

The rugby community is also friendly, supportive and were especially good to him as a young player. The older players always looked out for him.

As a professional they are health obsessed. Loads of physio for the slightest niggle. They aren't played if there's so much as a twinge. They seem to scan everything!

There's a lot more awareness of head injuries now.. rules are changing and refs are too.

Would I choose it as a career for one of my sons? No. But my job has been to support his choices.

Thank you. That sounds very level headed and reassuring.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General sports
mamaduckbone · 18/10/2023 23:00

@Houseplanter - intrigued as to who your ds is! You must be super proud, when you're not covering your eyes.

The fitness thing is such a big deal for my 2, and definitely reduces the risks of them smoking / vaping / doing drugs, which can only be a good thing. They both go to the gym and ds2, who is more serious about it all, is starting to be more conscious of his diet. He makes a great protein smoothie before matches!

There is quite a beery culture in the colts which isn't so great, but better than some of the alternatives.

Original poster
YesitsBess · 19/10/2023 17:20

I completely forgot I started this thread until today 😂

Hello everyone! Who has fixtures this weekend? We're only training on Sunday (yesterday was cancelled due to there being a monsoon...)

OP posts:
Sparehair · 19/10/2023 17:30

Ooh hello! I have a DS playing U14 and a DD in U12. DS doesn’t really have the temperament to be great at it but enjoys it at his level and has made some great friends. DD is v keen ( and I’m told v good) but frustrated as has moved from mixed U11 to girls U12 ( RFU rules) where there are a lot of new players and limited contact. She feels like she’s going backwards. Hopefully U14s will be better and potentially county after that. I also told her to be careful what she wishes for as plenty of top female players start late so she may get eclipsed!🤣

DS has a match about an hour away on Sunday but Dh is doing that and dd only plays on Sundays if they have a match.

Neither has started gym work but they will now moan less about park run as they appreciate it helps their match fitness.

Potterbore · 19/10/2023 17:33

My son started u7s at the beginning of September.
I wasn’t enthused about watching practice and games but have really gotten into it.
The club is very friendly, the coaches have the patience of saints and the other parents are very friendly.
I’m glad we signed him up.

Original poster
YesitsBess · 19/10/2023 17:40

Houseplanter · 24/09/2023 19:56

Hi.. my son plays professional rugby, if there's anything you'd like to know that I can help you with..

Obviously played at school, local leagues then in to National One, Championship, Premiership.

It's a great sport...

I'd love to hear more! Mine wants to play either for the RAF or Navy eventually.

OP posts:
Duckduckloose · 19/10/2023 17:44

My son plays under 11s. This is the first year that the girls and boys have played separately having had a fairly even mix across the team for the last few years.

He absolutely loves it but is the smallest on his team and I do worry about him.
He is super fast and I think will do well on the wing but they don’t play them in positions until U14s so he can easily be up against some real hefty opponents!

I do love the game and the coaching though. He’s really into his fitness and loves nothing more than getting a beasting in the rain!

PuttingDownRoots · 19/10/2023 17:49

@YesitsBess my DD wants to play for the Naby simply to wind up her Army father! 😆

DivingForLove · 19/10/2023 17:55

Another rugby mum! U14s and totally addicted - county trials next month, eek!

DivingForLove · 19/10/2023 17:56

@Duckduckloose mine was a teeny U11 and is now a very very tall (but skinny!) U14! They change so much 😄

Duckduckloose · 19/10/2023 18:03

DivingForLove · 19/10/2023 17:56

@Duckduckloose mine was a teeny U11 and is now a very very tall (but skinny!) U14! They change so much 😄

I hope he does. He can eat for England and I make sure he gets a lot of protein so hopefully he’s storing it up somewhere for a big growth spurt soon!

DivingForLove · 19/10/2023 18:05

Fingers crossed! 😄

Sparehair · 19/10/2023 18:24

Duckduckloose · 19/10/2023 17:44

My son plays under 11s. This is the first year that the girls and boys have played separately having had a fairly even mix across the team for the last few years.

He absolutely loves it but is the smallest on his team and I do worry about him.
He is super fast and I think will do well on the wing but they don’t play them in positions until U14s so he can easily be up against some real hefty opponents!

I do love the game and the coaching though. He’s really into his fitness and loves nothing more than getting a beasting in the rain!

What about scrum half? Dd is short and is gravitating towards that.

Houseplanter · 19/10/2023 18:33

Haha I don't think you'd know him.

Interesting comment about Colts earlier .. it was about this time (if I remember correctly) that they start getting drawn in to the beery side of local rugby clubs. I do recall the first time he played for the men's team (maybe 17? 18?) he scored the winner and they all bought him a pint. They did however call me to come and fetch him home!

Original poster
YesitsBess · 19/10/2023 19:59

PuttingDownRoots · 19/10/2023 17:49

@YesitsBess my DD wants to play for the Naby simply to wind up her Army father! 😆

Hahahhaa! Love it!

OP posts:
WarningOfGails · 19/10/2023 20:28

My DS has just started in U9s, he enjoys it so far! Football remains his passion I think, but I definitely prefer the rugby sidelines. The club is so well organised & friendly.

My DD’s best friend is a very keen rugby player who has just been accepted into our local premiership academy so I am very proud of him by proxy too!

mamaduckbone · 20/10/2023 10:47

Ds1 has a fixture over an hour away this weekend but Dh is away and I'm watching a premiership match with ds2 using a free ticket he got from his rugby camp in the summer, so he's getting a lift with a mate. I do most of them but it's the whole of Saturday done.
Ds2 has a match Sunday morning so I'll be at that one, but it's only 20 minutes away.
Rugby takes up our entire weekend - it's a good job I like it.
Biggest headache at the moment is that ds2 has been selected for premiership academy trials (amazing!) but the 2 hour evening trial is on ds1's 18th (gah!)

grammy46 · 22/10/2023 13:53

Grandson just started rugby. He is a chunky four year old. What clothes would be best for the upcoming winter season. Someone mentioned skins but my research suggests that thermals would keep him warmer.

Houseplanter · 22/10/2023 14:23

@grammy46 something like Under Armour cold gear would be worth looking at.

pumpkintart · 22/10/2023 14:40

We are not playing this weekend but have an U15 who has been added to play for his county and is very much wanting to go pro. U9 who has only just started.

pumpkintart · 22/10/2023 14:41

grammy46 · 22/10/2023 13:53

Grandson just started rugby. He is a chunky four year old. What clothes would be best for the upcoming winter season. Someone mentioned skins but my research suggests that thermals would keep him warmer.

At this age a little pair of rugby gloves go down well and some full length skins

lostinabook · 22/10/2023 17:54

We got some good base layers from Board Angels from M and M direct that are less shiny but not completely thermalish!

BaconEggAndCoffee · 22/10/2023 20:31

Warm hat makes all the difference, agree about gloves.

Decent windcheater.