Our fantastic refurbished clubhouse has had great feedback and the club has more plans to improve our facilities. To do this we need to raise more funds - if you have an idea for an activity or event to raise money, or would like to talk about sponsorship, please contact me via email to discuss more - the Mini and Junior section is a very large part of Casuals and we have incredible potential to make a huge impact as our club develops further. Email me on casualsmandjchair@gmail.com.

As we get into winter the weather is now beginning to turn. The club invested a lot in the pitches over the summer break which we hope will lessen the impact of bad weather on our training and matches. Sometimes cancellations are inevitable but fingers crossed we aren’t too badly affected this season, please do be understanding of this - it’s management that makes the call, not the coaches!

Regional and development selections!

A number of our players have been selected for regional squads and development pathways! Well done to:

● Saints DPP Under 15 - Alfie and Kian
● East Mids Under 16 Girls PDG - Sky, Scarlett and Isla
● Saints Under 16 DPP - Dylan , Daniel, Harry U, Cam, Joey, James R

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

Unfortunately this season we have already had several safeguarding incidents, both on and off the pitch.

Safeguarding is something we take really seriously at Casuals. Our safeguarding policy and club codes of conduct are on the website - please make sure you’re familiar with our expectations.

If you have any queries or concerns about safeguarding issues, please contact our Club Safeguarding Officer Sarah McMahon. All information remains confidential.You can reach Sarah via safeguardingncrfc@gmail.com.

The RFU Safeguarding Department has lots of information for parents and children, and can be contacted on safeguarding@rfu.com.

No Pay, No Play

The club membership fee is critical to helping us deliver a good rugby experience for your child - going towards events, trophies, matchday food, equipment, bar staff and facilities. As we’re now three months into the season we are enforcing a cut off date of 30 November. Please act quickly, and contact our Chair Darren in confidence if you are finding it difficult to pay - casualsmandjchair@gmail.com

Can you spare a few hours to help the M&Js?
We need some helpers! Contact us on casualsmandjchair@gmail.com if you can lend a hand with one of these roles...
● Social/events volunteer (to help plan and run successful events)
● Kitshop volunteers (a warm cabin awaits you on Sunday mornings - help for a few hours a month)
● M&J Fixtures secretary (liaising with other clubs to secure dates for games)

Staying safe online

Many of our Junior section members have their own phones, social media profiles and group chats.
Communicating with friends and feeling connected online can be really positive, but there can be negative aspects - and we want to make sure our young people are being safe with any online activity.

Things that children shouldn’t do include:
● Sharing anything online that they would not want released into the public. Once an image is put online, whether via social media posts or shared in a group chat, it is very hard to retrieve it.
● Engaging in abusive or bullying behavior towards another person in or out of a group chat or social media platform
● Sharing images of a sexual nature, whether of themselves or others

There’s useful information and resources about cyber safety and children on the NSPCC website. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

Club of the Match!

Casuals was club of the match at a recent Loughborough Lightning game. Players had prematch training, before being presented with a Lightning shirt and taking part in a Guard of Honour. What a fantastic day for everyone!

Mini and Junior Committee members
Chair - Darren Parnell
Director of Rugby - Damien Lennox
Safeguarding- Sarah McMahon
Managers link-Terry McMahon
Registrations - Liesl Robinson
Publicity - Kath Middleditch
Girls Section - Vickie Dillon-Davies