Bracknell RFC

INTRO
We welcome any new male players - whether they are new to the game, just starting to play at school or have previous rugby experience. To join the BRFC U13s your child should be Year 8 at school from September 2026.

All our Coaches are required to be DBS checked, hold an in-date Safeguarding qualification and undertake the relevant England Rugby Coaching Award (ERCA) training course. DBS and appropriate safeguarding and first aid qualifications are held by our team first aiders.

Training takes place on a Wednesday evening and the U13s play matches most Sundays, with training sessions organised for any Sundays without a match scheduled. BRFC U13s will take part in the Berkshire Cup which kicks off on 15 Nov 2026. We use the Spond app and Facebook to communicate arrangements for all matches and training sessions.

In the U13s, it is compulsory to wear a gum shield for all contact activities. Please dress appropriately for the weather - no hoods or zips are allowed. Please also bring a drink and a snack for your child. A parent or guardian should always be pitch side for both training and matches. If you are unable to stay, please let the team manager or head coach know as we ultimately become responsible for the safeguarding of your child.

Joining the U13s
• Before a player can play matches for the club, the following steps need to be taken:
• Membership payment must be made (or payment plan set up with the club)
• Subs payment must be made
• The player must be registered (or reregistered) on GMS and all relevant medical information must be added to the player's record on the database.
• The Spond app must be downloaded, and every player should be added to the BRFC U13s team.
• Players are not eligible to pay for the club until each of the above steps have been completed. Please contact Sharon McMillan or James Lee for further information about payment plans or if you have any questions.
• If you wish to know more or join us for a trial session please get in touch. After three trial sessions we invite you to join and become a member of the club.
• RFU GAME MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. BRFC uses The RFU’s Game Management System (GMS), the primary platform to manage operations and administration support for their club.

AGE GRADE REGISTRATION (Minis, Juniors and Colts).
In line with RFU Regulation, BRFC requires all age grade players to be registered online each season or from first joining the club. Players’ parent/guardian must register their child on an annual basis on the RFUs GMS.

For an existing player, parents must update their child’s details with any new medical information, emergency contact details and consents, linked directly from their own Personal Profile page.

GMS
Each player must be registered on GMS via the link below and affiliated to BRFC to play for the team. A parent or guardian should set up an account for themselves first, before creating a linked account for their child. Once these accounts are set up, the player must be affiliated to BRFC on the platform before being able to play for the club.

RFU GMS Account Login
At the start of every season, you will need to reaffiliate to the club but will not need to create a new account. Please ensure that your address, email address and mobile contact details are correct and up to date.
PLEASE ENSURE THAT WHEN YOU UPDATE THE PLAYER RECORD ON GMS THAT YOU INCLUDE ANY MEDICAL INFORMATION AND ALLERGIES THAT WE MAY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT. WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE AWARE OF ALL RELEVANT MEDICAL INFORMATION IN ORDER TO SAFELY ADMINISTER FIRST AID.
If you have any problems setting up or reaffiliating this account, please contact the team manager.

MEMBERSHIP
BRFC offers a range of membership details are available on the club website,

https://www.bracknellrugbyclub.com/a/membership-28291.html

These include (not limited to):

• Junior Membership.
o Junior members are defined as between 13 and 18 years of age and includes all Colt Players. Parents or guardians of junior members are not members of the club but will receive one club discount card per junior membership.
• Family Memberships.
o 3 different Family membership options are available (1 family member receives a vote & discount card and must also be over 18).
• Social Membership.
o Non-Playing.
Memberships will become due on the 1st of August every year and will run through to 31st July. Memberships will continue to be purchased via the membership portal of the Club Website and will be available from the 1st of August accordingly. Instructions for purchasing memberships are below.

Do I have to make the full payment all at once or can I pay by instalments?
The club can arrange an option to spread the cost of membership over 3 months (August, September and October) to returning members.
Contact team manager at the earliest opportunity if you would like to set up a payment plan.

What are the membership benefits?

 A bar drinks discount card which gives 18% discount
 Access to purchasing tickets for international matches
 Discounts on hiring the function hall
 1 Voting Right at AGM

SUBS
This is an annual payment of £55 due at the start of the season.
The money should be paid directly into the BRFC Minis and Juniors bank account:
Sort Code: 40-13-10
Account Number: 51848062
Payment Ref: U13 and player surname

What does the subs cost cover?
Now that we are playing competitive matches, we are responsible for organising meals for the team and opposition after every home match. This is an important element of the matches in the coming years and is key to the continued development of sportsmanship and respect. Other costs incurred include tournament fees, end of season awards events and equipment purchases replenishments.

U13 RUGBY TRAINING
We play friendly matches against other clubs throughout the season on Sundays. Further details of matches currently arranged will be provided later in the season and via Spond and Facebook

BERKSHIRE CUP
The Berkshire U13s Cup is an annual waterfall competition and knockout tournament run by Berkshire RFU for boys in the region. It features 2 tiers:
• The Main Cup (for all players)
• The Development Cup (for players not involved in any representative DDP setups)
Format: Matches are structured with pool games leading into knockout fixtures – culminating in a Finals Day.
Fair Play & Development: the focus for these competitions is to provide all teams and their players with fair and competitive rugby in a safe environment. The priority is always about player/squad development whilst ensuring players are enjoying their matches. The tournament enforces GAME ON principles – where matches are mandated to stop if the points difference exceeds 50 points.

https://www.berksrfu.com/competitions/berks-u13s-cups/

U13 BALL BOY DUTIES
One of the responsibilities of the U13's team is to provide a group of ball boys for the home matches of the first team. U13s will be ball boys for 1st XV home matches, with each player assigned 2-3 times over the season. Full kit or branded outwear must be worn, and attendance is mandatory. A post-match meal is provided. These matches are all held at Bracknell rugby club. The coaches and team manager will put together a rota of boys for each match so that everyone has an opportunity throughout the season to take part.

SPOND
This is the app the U13s use to let everyone know when and where we are playing or training.
 Please speak to head coach James who will set up your U13 Spond Account.
 The coaching team will only include players who have accepted the invitation to attend when putting together the teams or the training schedule.

FACEBOOK
The U13s have their own FB group page which provides details of weekly training, friendly and Berkshire Cup matches and general team and cub information. Please contact Team manager or Head Coach to be granted access to it.

KIT
Match & Training Essentials

• gum shield
OPRO will visit the club in early September for those who wish to have a mould taken for a gumshield. Alternatively, a gumshield can be purchased from a sports shop or Amazon for home moulding.
• water bottle
• suitable footwear
• rugby boots with approved metal studs or approved moulded plastic studs* for playing and training on grass
• astro-boots or approved moulded plastic studs* suitable for Astroturf when training takes place at Garth
• sliders or other shoes for before and after matches when entering clubhouse

*Approved moulded plastic studs - please ensure that plastic studs are rounded and rugby-suitable. Bladed style moulded studs are not to be worn!

Other non-essential items
• scrum cap - some players choose to wear one, but it is not an essential kit item
• BRFC branded training kit

For match days - everything on the essentials list plus:
• club playing shirt (provided by club), black rugby shorts and club socks
• club tie, white shirt, trousers/smart jeans and shoes for post-match meal

DIRECT LINKS FOR KIT PURCHASE:
Gilbert online shop:
Order these items online and they will be delivered to your address.
https://www.gilbertrugby.com/collections/bracknell-rfc?view=club-grid
Order these items online and collect them from the club.
https://www.bracknellrugbyclubshop.com
Club tie
https://www.bracknellrugbyclubshop.com/shop/clothing/club-tie/

RFU Regulations
https://www.englandrugby.com/dxdam/c9/c9edac66-d0cf-4ba7-a963-eab7c70b763f/Regulation%2015%20Appendix_7.pdf

The updated RFU regulations for U13 rules of play can be found above. If you have any questions about the content, please speak to any of the coaching team.

MEDICAL INFO
The U13s have several qualified Rugby Club first Aiders. Please let Sharon McMillan or Martin Bowdler know if your U13 player has any medical conditions such as asthma or is undergoing medical treatment as well as any injuries your player may have sustained outside of rugby training / playing.

HEAD INJURIES - CONCUSION
We take any injuries to players seriously and follow very strict guidance for any suspected or confirmed concussion cases. You can find information from the medical team at the club, our U13 First Aiders, the Headcase Essential Guide from the RFU and UK Government guidance. There is a free online course available to parents on GMS. Click on Find a Course and select the eLearning: Headcase Concussion Awareness Training option
HEADCASE https://www.englandrugby.com/run/player-welfare/headcase-e-learning

As U13 training and match playing involves a degree of contact, we advise parents and guardians to look at the essential guide in the RugbySafe HEADCASE Toolkit. Headcase is Recognised as one of the UK’s leading concussion awareness and education resources. The RFU’s HEADCASE programme aims to increase understanding and provide information on concussion and other related topics, including how to manage suspected concussions.

U13s RUGBY TOUR 2027
The U13's will be organising their own age group tour. More information on tour and dates will follow in due course.

U13 Team Contact Details
Head Coach: James Lee
jamesrlee77@gmail.com
07917 167980

Team Manager: Sharon McMillan
mcdisco@gmail.com
07734054511