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At a time when testing children and potentially exposing their limitations is frowned upon, it is interesting to watch how young rugby players embrace the challenge of a game in which: the ball will not behave itself, you have to run forward and throw the ball backwards, if someone else is not supporting you the game will stop and rolling around in mud and shouting appear compulsory.

There is a great deal to learn and it is not without difficulty but each Sunday in the season 200 young people between 5 and 12 engage in that challenge and even when things go wrong, the ambition to have another go persists as young players clearly draw satisfaction from gradual not immediate improvement. Although a team game, children quickly realise that mastering its intricacies is personal. The skill set is not singular like some sports and competence can be developed in a wide range of areas where physical variety is celebrated not homogenised and where growing and developing provide new possibilities.

Far from the finger-flexing omnipotence of the virtual world, this is a real game with real thrills and excitement, real bumps and bruises and when perfected, the potential for movement and action of a speed and elegance that is incomparable. I believe that children are able to recognise this perfection and the line of effort to achieve it. It is coached by people who, regardless of age, still understand and share that link. This is the basis of an individuals’ respect for a game that does not always come easily and I suspect, flowing naturally from that, a respect for anyone else engaging in it, be they opposition, team member or match official.

At Woodford, like many Rugby clubs, this is only a fragment of what is going on. There will be another few hundred strapping teenagers travelling around the county for a more strident exchange and on Saturday the same can be said for the young and not so young men still battling the same challenges to grasp a moment of sublime physical abandonment.

The invitation to write this was as a club feature, but the more I thought about it, I realised that I am an unashamed fan of rugby in all its magnificent forms and so, whilst I would be absolutely delighted for anyone to come and join us at Woodford rugby club, I would be equally happy to meet you as a new opposition player, official or a simple fan at any time in the future.
Jeff Tidmarsh, Chairman of Woodford RFC Minis

Woodford Minis meet at 10.30am on Sunday mornings for children from 5 to 11 and are coached in age groups by RFU qualified and/or experienced adult coaches who teach the children basic skills and develop their game in accordance with their age and ability. Check out their website on www.woodfordrfc.com for more details.