Youth Structured Season (YSS)
There have been questions raised in recent months, including at the CBRDP/CSU Conference in September and CB Conference in October, about the status, role and function of the YSS:
· Is it a guideline, or regulation?
· Whose responsibility is to enforce the YSS?
The purpose of this note is to highlight the key elements of the YSS, and why it exists, and to answer the questions posed above. Hopefully it will clarify the position going forward.
1. The Purpose
a) To produce a calendar of events that will identify clashes of dates between club, county, division, and international training and matches.
This allows for early planning of matches and training to enable players and teams to continue with playing or training, even when some players are away on CB, division or international duty.
b) Provide a balanced framework of training and matches which meets the needs of all players, and is consistent with the principles of long term player development.
In all of this, the needs of the player and his/her development are paramount; not the winning of matches at all costs.
2. It is important to note that the calendar highlights a week block that runs for a 7 day period from a Monday to the following Sunday. This allows for some flexibility in training and coaching as well as club vs. school match issues; for example, a Daily Mail fixture played mid week which could potentially free up clashes over the weekend.
3. As with any developmental structure, communication between all parties is essential to avoid clashes and to ensure that the player benefits from the best development programme available.
4. Under-playing is just as important a factor as over-playing, and all coaches and administrators should be aware of those players in this position, and should ensure there is an appropriate programme in place for them.
In some instances players feel forced to choose between club and school, and might feel they are letting people down. This adds undue pressure on the player and can lead to disillusionment.
The opposite can happen where players are not being played; or only given a few minutes in games. This leads to them feeling undervalued, disenchanted with rugby and they might leave the game.
It is important to the sustainability of the game that all players are catered for and that teachers, club coaches and administrators should support and facilitate this.
5. The YSS is a guideline to facilitate all of the above issues and should be used as such. It is not a mandatory regulation as there will always be issues that need to be resolved locally with appropriate communication. A regulatory system would not be the best mechanism for this
A good CBRDP will consult with its stakeholders, but it is ultimately empowered to reduce (or increase) the number of matches provided for in the YSS; and increase (or reduce) the training/coaching dates, to ensure that the demands on players are reasonable.
Ultimately a decision will be made by the CBRDP, hopefully in agreement with everyone, but in the last resort for the good of the game and the young players involved.
6. The Schools and Youth Regulations
Below is an extract from the Schools and Youth regulations which clarify the position of the YSS and how it should be applied. This very clearly highlights the purpose and role of the YSS and should be read in conjunction with the YSS documents.
3. Matches, Fixtures and Training
3.1 A player who is under 18 at the start of the season is recommended to play a maximum of 35 matches a year. Ideally, Elite Players should only play 25-30 matches in one season.
3.2 If youth players can only play and train on one day in the week then there must be a significant number of days allocated to coaching. If players are to improve their skills, they must not play matches each week if that then precludes their opportunity to train.
3.3 The RFU Youth Structured Season is now in place in order to help young players and their administrators to avoid clashes and overplaying.
3.4 The structured season should enable a balance of fixtures to be created based on local needs, strengths (and weaknesses). It should go some way to prevent overplaying of the most able, whilst providing meaningful events and fixtures for those who will progress no further than School or Club level.
3.5 CBs, Schools and Clubs should plan on the basis that their better players might be unavailable to them during the weeks identified for CB, Divisional and International activity. Please note that activities take place during the week commencing the date shown, not exclusively on the weekends. Other important fixtures should be avoided during these weeks.
3.6 Attendance at a National Development day or weekend should count as one match.
3.7 The RFU and the ERFSU are extremely concerned about the problem of overplaying and over-commitment. Those organising District, CB, Divisional and National programmes are asked to consult closely with Head Teachers when preparing such programmes, in order to avoid not only serious overplaying, but also a possible damaging effect on the individual’s academic study programme. Overplaying is a major problem, but over-commitment is accentuating the problem. An example of how CBs might assist is not to put through trial games boys of known quality, i.e., an U15A XV player from last season should go straight in to the final trial for U16 and miss prelim trials.
4. Liaison between Schools and Clubs
4.1 School/Club liaison is essential to safeguard the interests of the player, the School and the Club.
4.2 Every effort must be taken to ensure that talented players are not overplayed and youth players should give priority to schools rather than club activities.
4.3 Representative matches should normally take priority over School or Club matches.
5. Coaching
5.1 School teachers/coaches should remember that their prime role is to teach, coach and/or referee.
5.2 Play the game for the right reason – first learn how to play safely and skilfully, and then apply that skill in order to win.
5.3 Mismatches can be avoided by talking to the Coach in charge of the opposition before the game.
5.4 Seminars, internal courses and working to a regular syllabus are essential steps to proficiency. Coaches should update their knowledge on a regular basis by attending appropriate CB/RFU events. Players must be adequately prepared for any match.
5.5 Attention must be paid to pre-season preparation. Players should be conditioned to play rugby rather than hope to become conditioned by playing it. Adequate fitness training, including special exercises for the front row is vital – necks and shoulders need to be strong. The fatigue factor needs careful watching – see RFU publication, The RFU Guide for Coaches “Fitness and Conditioning”.
5.6 Tackling is a skill that needs to be taught. See appropriate RFU publications and videos, the RFU Continuum and “Tackling Safety” booklet. For up to date products contact www.rfu.com/coach or email the regional Coach Development Officer
7. Resolving issues
If there is a local problem or issue, the first point of contact should be with the appropriate regional Coach Development Officer who will assist, keeping the interests of the player at the forefront of all discussion and decision making.
If there are any further issues regarding the YSS, the main contact will be Gary Henderson, Head of Coaching within Community Rugby. He will deal with these youth playing issues in the first instance, and/or address them within the RFU Player Development Sub-Committee.
8. Conclusion
Following on from above, the answers to the question posed at the outset are clear:
1) The YSS is a set of guidelines, not regulation.
2) It is not to be “enforced” as such, but there should be extensive and positive consultation between all stakeholders locally to ensure playing and training programmes in the best interests of all our young players, and their development to the level appropriate for the individual.
3) We would ask all recipients of the YSS to read the Narrative; not just the date matrix as this gives the rationale for the dates allocated for each of the age groups
Hopefully this clarifies the position in relation to the YSS. The new version for season 2009/10 will be available from the printers within the next 10-15 days.
Rob Udwin Andrew Scoular
Chairman Community Rugby Community Rugby Director
| Click here for the RFU document called the Youth Structured Season that allocates the 2008/9 season between club and county activity as well as showing the dates allocated for the Daily Mail Cup (U15s and U18s schools competition), the England representative pathway and the club national competitions at U17 and Colts level. Last but not least, it also details the U15s and U18s Girls season. | |
