About Cluster Club Rugby at Hemel Stags:
The Cluster Clubs are a direct result of the development plan at Hemel Stags.
Districts in Hemel are split into four areas, with each area having their own team:
Bennets End Bulldogs
Adeyfield Dragons
Grovehill Tigers
Highfield Hawks
This was a local rugby project originally setup in the Hemel area but quickly expanded into neighbouring districts. The project is run by Hemel Stags in conjunction with Dacorum Community Safety Partnership.
The aim of the competition:
To channel young people’s energy into sport as an alternative to anti-social behaviour
(Chiltern Junior Rugby League)
In 2006 the Dacorum Youth League ran four teams for the under-13s from Hemel Hempstead. The success of the project meant that in 2007 St Albans Centurions joined the league and the project was increased to include new teams from Hatfield, St Albans and with Northampton entering the league it was renamed The William Suttons Homes Chilterns Junior Rugby League.
Already the project has unearthed a wealth of talent and several boys being picked for the South of England team, after less then a year of playing rugby league.
The league has been instrumental in making it easier for local children to channel their energy into sport and away from possible anti-social behaviour. Adults from the local community have been trained as coaches, referees and first aiders, while the youngsters have committed to attend training sessions and games at their respective clubs.
Above: The future Stars of Rugby League in the south
The League Format: Age bands - Year 6 & 7 , 8 & 9 - Match days Saturday
The League is designed as a 10-a-side league. If two teams have more than 10 than the number shall be matched so that as few player as possible are sitting out at any one time.
The objective of the league is to get as many young players involved in the sport as possible and for those that take part to become part of a meaningful competition that has a stong emphasis on Fun before Winning
The Season is run as festival format for all teams are at one venue on a given saturday. A team may expect to play two or maybe three shortened games on each Saturday all results counting towards the League.
The Grand final is held Before Christmas so it is a short but intense season helping get players ready for the more competitive London Junior League
Understanding Positions:
Full-Back (1)
A full-back is often the most complete player on the team. The full-back is usually the last line of defence and often the first player making the break in attack. They need the safest hands in the team.They are responsible for catching the opposition's high and testing kicks in attack. A full-back can suddenly turn defence into attack, make important last-ditch tackles and make the extra man in attack.
Wing (2 & 5)
Speed is what the winger is all about - and you need plenty of it. But to be a truly dependable winger, you need to pick up those difficult passes in tight spaces.So as well as the speed of a sprinter, you need hands like glue - the ball needs to stick to you every time you get it.But don't think you're only responsibility is in attack. Often the winger can be the last line of defence, so you need to be able to make those important tackles when they count.
Centre (3 & 4)
The centre is always in the thick of things, whether in attack or defence. They should be comfortable creating space for wingers as well as making that last-ditch tackle. Centres can expect to do plenty of running up and down the pitch.
Stand-Off (6)
The stand-off is the brains of the team - the player who makes the important decisions in attacks. A brilliant stand-off has the kicking skills of an international footballer. Whether it be a place kick, a drop kick or just a plain old punt, the stand-off needs to make every kick count.They also need to be as good a passer as their half-back partner, the scrum-half. They also have to make the big tackles under pressure when it counts.
Scrum-Half (7)
The scrum-half is the link between the forwards and the backs. They can expect to make plenty of passes to team-mates. Scrum-halfs need to have the safest pair of hands on the team - as well as a brilliant rugby league brain. They are the player who makes the important passes, and need to make the right pass at the right time. The scrum-half is the player who feeds the ball into the scrum.
Prop Forward (8 & 10)
Front row forwards must enjoy bashing their way through tackles and making big tackles when they count.They are also the first line in the scrum, so can expect plenty of tussles and battles with their opposite number. As always, they need excellent ball handling skills and a good rugby league brain.
Hooker (9)
The hooker probably makes more contact with the ball than any other player on the field. They often are the players who act as the dummy half after a play the ball, swinging the passes out or breaking down the opposition's defence. As the centre of the scrum, the hooker is the player whose job it is to win the ball from the scrum-half's feed. Then, on top of that, they are expected to make plenty of tackles when they matter.
Second Row (11 & 12)
Like the prop forwards, the second rows get stuck in at the deep end. Making tackles and breaking down the opposition's defence are two things every second rower loves doing.On top of that, they are also an important part of the scrum, providing the power behind the front row. As always, a good pair of hands and a good engine are required to be a quality second row.
Loose Forward (13)
The loose forward will always be found in the thick of the action. It is a job that requires plenty of running, so they need to be super fit. Not only that, loose forwards have to have excellent handling skills and a defence as tough as iron. They will generally top the tackle count at the end of the game. And as the last man in the scrum, it is the responsibility of the loose forward to make sure the ball is available for the scrum-half.
Interchange (14, 15, 16, 17)
If a player is injured or just not playing well enough, they can be replaced by a substitute, called an interchange. Each team has four interchange replacements to choose from and can they come on at anytime during the game. Most interchanges are tactical, but they can also come on for any player who has been sent to the blood bin with an injury. But the interchange cannot replace any player who has been sent to the sin-bin.
