We resolved that we would not be beaten, and our mission for this season was to play great rugby and build a great team on and off the field. So with the help of too many people to mention we had a recruitment drive and from that have brought together some brilliant kids who can now play rugby!

Moving from Under 9s to Under 10s has been a difficult transition with having players who are new to rugby combining with half the squad who have been playing together since most of them were 6 years old.

To get us through this stage, I decided we would reinforce the basics with the established members of the team, while at the same time introducing the game to our brand-new players. I have to say the kids helped each other out and this bonded us as a team quickly, making my job a whole lot easier.

We have been lucky enough to have two volunteer coaches from the Senior 3rd team who came down to help on Sundays, making a huge difference to the dynamic. The kids responded well to a different voice and approach of the new coaches Alec and Aaron, although I am sure that at first they all thought they had gone deaf as they are a lot quieter than me!

So we concentrated on teaching the kids the new aspects of the game that are introduced at Under 10s; uncontested scrums, mauls, rucking….. all that, but the kids are still not allowed to fend off which they have been looking forward to since they were playing at Under 8s!

We started our season playing in the Manchester M&J festival and I couldn’t believe my eyes when the smallest squad of players, who had to work the hardest during the day, were by far the better ruckers and tacklers. This was a real testament to them because nearly half of the squad of 11 were completely new to rugby.

I am a great advocate of Kids First rugby, I know it just reinforces the style of coaching that has been happening at this club for a long time. Our kids are benefiting from this as they play without pressure, but they self evaluate constantly and they have a hunger to win.

Over the past few weeks we have held our own, getting great feedback from the opposition coaches telling me that our team has the best ball handling they have seen, along with the ability to play great rugby. We always seem to be the smallest team on the circuit but I have been assured that my players will grow - so there is hope that we get as tall as some of the Crewe & Nantwich players that we played against last week!

TEAMWORK, RESPECT, ENJOYMENT, DISCIPLINE, SPORTSMANSHIP , that’s what my players live by each week and it’s an honour and privilege to be part of this journey with them.

We are half way through the season, we continually look to improve and focus on performance not results. The second half of the season will be more core skills and game sense. Decision making now becomes the key and if the boys continue to improve, as they have done in the first half of the season, then we will keep delivering good performances and finish the season strongly.

All in all I am so blessed that I have this opportunity each week to coach these boys who always give 100%. Alec, Aaron, and now Steve who has come on board to help coach, are already looking forward to next season with this great bunch of boys. Don’t forget though - if there are any girls out there please come down and join me! It can be lonely being the only female coach out there on a Sunday!

Alison Kelly – Under 10s Head Coach