The weekly gathering of excited kids for Lanna Rugby Clubs’ Youth Development program were given a treat with the return of Club captain & coach Dave McRitchie into the fray, to join with Tom Stubley, in putting the kids through their paces. After his recent beach holiday Dave was fully refreshed and ready to get stuck in.
After a general warm up and what is fast becoming the obligatory jockey race, the group was separated into boys and girls teams, for the drills and skills session. This brought an added sense of competition between the two groups, which made it all the more fun. When asked both groups said that tackling practice was high on their agenda so, tackling practice it was. To make it more interesting everything became a race with honour’s even once all was done.
The boys excelled in the contact drills but the girls had the edge when it came down to passing drills and general ball skills.
All in all it was a fun session and something the kids really look forward to attending at the end of a tough school week.
The sessions will continue weekly with the aim to get the girls’ and boys teams up to a level where they can begin to start competing in 7 a side tournaments once they begin again.
The fun, laughter and all round enjoyment that the kids exude during the sessions reminds one how import sport is for children’s development. The kids are also beginning to learn the core values of Rugby which we know from our own experience will help them through life’s journey.
Rugby is a game for all shapes and sizes. All share a common purpose and core values. NTR and Lanna Rugby’s core values are respect, leadership, achievement, engagement, discipline and enjoyment.
RESPECT –
- We hold in high esteem our sport, its values and traditions and earn the respect of others by the way we behave.
- We respect our match officials and accept their decisions.
- We respect opposition and supporters.
- We value our coaches and those who run our clubs, and treat clubhouses with consideration.
LEADERSHIP
- Communication -Leaders need to listen to their teams, allow them to influence decisions, and encourage them to become part of the process.
- Leading by example – Through behaviour, leaders can set their expectations for the rest of the group.
- Learning – Learn from the team around you and be willing to change your mindset.
- Finding your leaders – Your informal leaders may not have anyone reporting to them but they are probably liked and trusted by the rest of the team.
TEAMWORK
- We play selflessly: working for the team, not for ourselves alone, both on and off the field.
- We speak out if our team or sport is threatened by inappropriate words or actions.
- We take pride in our team, rely on one another and understand that each player has a part to play.
- We welcome all new team members and include all because working as a team enriches our lives.
ENJOYMENT
- We encourage players to enjoy training and playing.
- We use our sport to adapt a healthy lifestyle and build life skills.
- We safeguard our young players and help them have fun.
- We enjoy being part of a team and part of the rugby family because it enhances confidence and self esteem.
DISCIPLINE
- We ensure that our sport is of controlled physical endeavour and that we are honest and fair.
- We obey the ‘Laws of the Game’ which ensure an inclusive and exciting global game.
- We support our disciplinary system, which protects our sport and upholds its values.
- We observe the sport’s laws and regulations and report serious breaches.
ENGAGEMENT
- We uphold the rugby tradition of camaraderie with team mates and opposition.
- We observe fair play both on and off the pitch and are generous in victory and dignified in defeat.
- We play to win but not at all costs and recognise both endeavour and achievement.
- We ensure that the well-being and development of individual players is central to all rugby activity.
For more information on joining the youth development program which is open to all age groups contact Tom on lannarugbyclub@gmail.com
Northern Thailand Rugby 