May 2023 saw the club celebrate its Centenary with events ranging from Gin Tasting (yes, we have our own special ‘Dry Line’ Gin distilled locally by Little Bee) to a successful exhibition with great memories and memorabilia of our 100 years! Next, we moved onto the Marquee Weekend with Sportsman’s Dinner and Gala Ball, a BIG THANK YOU to the event team for putting it all together. If you are new to the club, welcome to the TMV family. And if you’re returning for another season, welcome back! We look forward to the new 2023/24 season with anticipation, developing our rugby pathway for Girls and Women’s rugby, and having fun on and off the pitches.

The club was originally formed in 1923 by a group of apprentices at an engineering company called Metropolitan Vickers (later becoming AEI Ltd. and eventually GEC Ltd.) to provide a sports facility and the opportunity to play rugby against other companies around the region under the name of Metrovick RFC.

Today Trafford MV is a community club, with links to local schools and other clubs that use our great facilities. We enjoy seeing the young players progress up the age levels and into senior rugby. Keeping players involved throughout their school days and beyond means that they benefit from being part of the rugby family.

We are proud that our young teams are as renowned for their fair play as for their success. We are also proud of our RFU Seal of Approval status, which recognises our achievements in reaching and maintaining the standard of a club committed to providing a quality rugby union experience for young players.

The club aims to ensure that players, coaches, parents, spectators, and volunteers uphold the core values of rugby union: Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship (TREDS). These values will stand our young people in good stead both on and off the ruby pitch and are reflected in the RFU’s Code of Rugby.

Trafford MV supports its aims:

• Play to win – but not at all costs.
• Win with dignity, lose with grace.
• Observe the Laws and regulations of the game.
• Respect opponents, referees and participants
• Reject cheating, racism, violence and drugs.
• Value volunteers and paid officials alike.
• Enjoy the game.

The reputation and respect of Trafford MV as a welcoming and friendly club is reflected by the ever-growing numbers of children (from the ages of 3 upwards) and their parents who come down to join in the fun on a Sunday morning. Much of the credit for our success as a club is down to the commitment and drive of the club’s qualified and enthusiastic coaches, our many marvellous volunteers, our players’ parents and supporters and our sponsors. I would like to welcome you all and thank you for your continued support.

We are always pleased to receive help from new parents, so please talk about volunteer roles with your coaches, managers or anyone on the Mini & Junior Committee. This pack contains all the information you need, but please do ask any questions or log on to the club website at www.traffordmv.com.

A very warm welcome to Trafford MV and I hope that you all enjoy the rugby and being a part of this great club. Remember it’s your club and the #bestclubintheworld.

Greg Hawkins BEM

Mini & Junior Chairman

Our Mini Section caters for children of 3 years old (under 4s) up to 11 years old (under 12s). The Junior Section provides for children from 12 years (under 13s) up to Senior Colts (under 19s).

All age groups adhere to the RFU Age Grade Rugby, a playing and coaching pathway by which clubs and schools introduce rugby in three incremental stages (Mini-Midi Rugby) so that by Under 13 level, players have the skills and knowledge to participate in the full 15-a-side game.

Each stage has its own rules distinguishing it from the adult game. This progression accommodates the changing developmental abilities of children as they mature, with the emphasis on the improvement of the individual skills through purposeful and enjoyable activity. Provision is made for testing these skills in match situations during a limited number of competitive fixtures and festivals/tournaments each season.

The enjoyment and safeguarding of children are of paramount importance at Trafford MV and we are committed to providing opportunities for all children to play rugby in a friendly, fun and safe environment. For a beginner’s guide to rugby’s rules and regulations visit rfu.com.

In 2008 we secured a RFU Loan which enabled us to build our new changing rooms. In 2013 we were awarded a Sport England grant to make drainage improvements to the Training pitches. And in 2014 we secured significant funding from Viridor Credits which enabled us to extend the clubhouse and kitchen facilities. Thanks also to RFU/Rugby Football Foundation for their financial support and assistance.

Our facilities and pitches have long been the envy of other so-called bigger clubs in the area, and last year we invested in the drainage of the main pitch. Largely down to the vagaries of the UK weather this has taken longer than anticipated to complete, but it won’t be long before rugby is again being played on this pitch. Our aim is to continue developing improved facilities and social spaces for the benefit of all players, members, and visitors.

In 2019 we were pleased to see the formation of our new Women’s Rugby team. One of the aims of the club has always been to have a Girls section, offering our promising junior girls a pathway to play and enjoy the game they had often started in the Minis. It’s great to see the vision taking shape with the Girls training on Thursday nights, from u12s – u14s – u16s.

We need everybody to join and contribute to the monthly draw. This means we can cover the cost of the RFU Loan and build a Development Fund for re-investment back into the club.

We are always keen to hear from parents who may have any skills or business connections that could benefit the club. This could range from a trade or profession to do those odd jobs that always need doing around the club, all the way through to sponsorship opportunities. Let us know if you can help in any way.

Registration is done online on the RFU Game Management System (GMS). This can be done here - https://gms.rfu.com/GMS/Account/Login

Step 1: Please use the Find a Club option to start the process of creating an account for yourself as parent/guardian and then add details for your child/children via Family & Friends.

Step 2: Age Grade Registration: you need to complete a player registration for your child/children, effectively associating their profile with the club and accept the required registration waivers.

Step 3: Once you have created an account for you and your child and completed the player registration step, we ask that you then purchase our Mini & Junior Annual membership at £20 per month for 1 Adult + 1 Child, plus any additional child membership for an extra £5 a month. The £20 a month is split into £5 Social Membership, which gives you entry into the Monthly Venture Draw and a £15 donation, on which we can claim Gift Aid.

Your subs will also make you a Social Member of Trafford MV. This entitles you to a TMV members card that you can use to get discount at the bar. To apply for one just head to the club website at traffordmvrfcc.rfu.club > Information > Membership & Subscriptions then scroll down to - Apply for a member’s card. Then it’s down to you how you use the club and its facilities, sporting activities and social events.

There is additional information on how to register and purchase membership on the club website at traffordmvrfcc.rfu.club > Information >  Membership & Subscriptions.

On this page you can find help, videos and info about:

• How to Create an Account (GMS)
• Age Grade Registration
• How to Buy Membership
• Welcome Pack

Gift Aid

By purchasing Mini & Junior membership this automatically allows us to collect Gift Aid, the club can claim 20% of your donations from HMRC. This helps to contribute to much needed club funds and every penny counts.  Thank you.

The Venture Draw

All money raised is used to provide equipment, coaching and refreshments. Along with improving the facilities of the club for the benefit of all members. We are self-sufficient and do not receive any outside funding.

13 Great Chances to Win!!

£600 worth of cash prizes to be won every month.

• 1 win of £200
• 1 win of £100
• 1 win of £75
• 2 wins of £50
• 3 wins of £25
• 5 wins of £10

If you have any problems or would like more help, please contact Karen by emailing traffordmvminis@gmail.com.

Training, selection & availability

Training for the Mini & Junior Section is on Sunday morning is currently 9.30am for U7s to U11s, 10am for U4s/U5s/U6s and 11am for U12s and above.  Any alterations will be notified by the team coach or manager. At Trafford MV we want to ensure that all children have opportunities to play, selection for individual matches being the responsibility of team coaches and managers.

Mid-week training and start time is by arrangement with the Team Coach.

All training and home matches are held at the club grounds at MacPherson Park, Finney Bank Road, Sale, M33 6LR.

Parents & Guardians

Remain responsible for their children at training/matches and are encouraged to stay, especially if their children are in the Minis Section.

Punctuality

Children should be in rugby kit ready to start sessions on time, especially on match days.  Please let the coach know if your child is unavailable to train or play as they will not want to let team mates down.

Two-way communication

Get to know your team’s coach and manager, ensure they have your contact details so you can receive team news and other important information about matches or cancellations.

Necessary Kit

As with most sports, players need kit, at the club this is: rugby boots, socks, shorts and shirt, mouth guard, and water bottle.  In winter months please make sure that minis/juniors are kitted out appropriately for the conditions with hats and gloves etc as appropriate.

Our kit supplier is O’Neills. The club colours are Black & White.  Team shirts should be worn on match days.  Shorts should be black.

The club shop is open on a Sunday morning to purchase shirts, shorts and socks as well as other bits and bobs, additional items can be ordered online via the O’Neills website, www.oneills.com.

Don’t forget to register on the O’Neills website to receive a £5 discount off your first purchase, you will also collect points which can be used for discount on future purchases.

• Boots, with safety studs, should be certified to IRB regulations. In warm, dry weather trainers or melded boots may be acceptable.
• Mouth guards are strongly recommended. A custom fitting mouth guard service is usually organised at the start of the season.
• Any other protective equipment is worn at the discretion of the parent/player but must conform to IRB standards (a reputable sports shop can advise).
• Wearing layers means players can discard items as they warm up. Waterproof tops must not have zips.
• Players’ drinks should be provided, especially on hot days, when sunscreen may also (sometimes!) be needed.
• Players will need a set of clean clothes to change into after training or matches (no boots or muddy clothes are allowed in the club house).

Coaching

Young players are coached under the RFU Age Grade Regulations and boys and girls train and play together up to and including the Under 12s age group.  Beyond this, boys and girls play separately for safety reasons.

All lead coaches at Trafford MV are qualified to RFU coaching standards and all coaches are DBS checked. \We aim to have at least one Level 1 qualified coach for each age group, which means they are trained and accredited. If you are interested in becoming a rugby coach, please contact Greg Hawkins or Roy Povey.

Refereeing

The club has 3x qualified referees to officiate at matches. However, to cover all matches every weekend, we are always actively recruiting referees.  You do not need to have any previous rugby experience as training is provided.  Please contact Andrew Lord for more information about becoming a referee.  

Volunteering

We very much welcome your help with the running of the club.  It takes a great deal of work to ensure everyone can train and play.  So, if you could help in any way, for example coaching, managing, refereeing, helping in the kitchen or at social events, fundraising or with the website or publicity then please join our fabulous army of volunteers.  Sundays would not be the same without them.

To achieve the RFU recommended minimum ratio of adults to children, we need to recruit volunteer coaches and managers each season to keep the club going forward with the ever-growing numbers of children taking part. 

Sponsorship & Fundraising

Each year we endeavour to raise funds for the club through events and sponsorship.  If you are able to help or recommend possible sponsors, please contact the Club Treasurer: Andrew Colley at andy.colley1@hotmail.co.uk 

With plans to develop our facilities and increase community activities, we offer sponsorship opportunities to individuals and companies who share our values of encouraging participation in sport and volunteering roles.

Along with 13 mini/junior teams, the club fields 3 senior rugby teams, 2 women’s team and 3 cricket teams.  Add to that parents, supporters, and other club users, we see over 500 people attending the club each week throughout the year.  In addition, we hold events such as our annual bonfire and fireworks display which attracts over 1,200 people through the gates.

Our extensive grounds, modern changing facilities and recently refurbished clubhouse are used by St Brendan’s Gaelic Football, Tigers Softball Club, Yoga, Pilates, Walking and Touch rugby, Trafford Schools Rugby and Sale Community Fitness Bootcamp. We also provided access to charities to put on fun days to raise funds and exposure for their cause.

We communicate with members via RFU GMS, club website, twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and have many links with external organisations, including reports on the club’s activities regularly appearing in the local press and on sports/community related websites.

We are always keen to hear from parents who may have any skills or business connections that could benefit the club. This could range from a trade or profession which might help with those odd jobs that always need doing around the club, getting involved with the coaching on a Sunday morning, all the way through to sponsorship opportunities. Please do not be afraid to let us know if you think you can help in any way.

Safequarding Children & Vunerable Adults

At Trafford MV we are committed to safeguarding the welfare of our children and young players.  All children and vulnerable adults are entitled to protection from harm and have the right to take part in sport in a safe, positive, and enjoyable environment.

Everyone works in partnership to promote children’s welfare, health and development and all allegations and suspicions of harm will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately.

A rugby club should be a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment where all staff and volunteers involved with children and vulnerable adults should be suitable to work with them.  At Trafford MV all reasonable steps are taken to prevent anyone who may pose a threat to children or vulnerable adults from working with them.  All volunteers and staff who work closely with our young players are checked regularly through the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) in accordance with RFU Governance.

For further information regarding the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, contact the Club Safeguarding Officer: Kathryn Wood on 07412 358322 or email at kathryn.manchester@gmail.com.

Kathryn Wood is usually available most Sunday mornings in and around the clubhouse; if unavailable please contact Andy Lord.

First Aid

In the event of a player being injured, in the absence of the parents the team officials are responsible for deciding whether further medical assistance is required.  Parents and/or guardians will be contacted as quickly as possible.  The Club has invested in First Aid Training and there is usually someone qualified in Emergency First Aid onsite during training or matches. We also have 2 defibrillators which are located at the entrance to the changing rooms and behind the bar.

Transport

In most instances it is the responsibility of parents, not the club, to transport their child to and from the club or nominated meeting point.  If parents decide between themselves, this is a private arrangement and at the parents’ discretion. 

When Trafford MV formally arranges transport, we will ensure that drivers and vehicles comply with the RFU’s Safeguarding Policy.

In the event of a late collection, coaches and volunteers will attempt to contact the parents, wait with the child, preferably in the company of others, notify the Club Safeguarding Office and remind parents of their responsibility to collect their child promptly.

Photographic Images

We encourage the taking of appropriate images of children involved in rugby celebrating the Core Values of the sport.  The RFU’s guidance for parents and the volunteer workforce can be found on the Safeguarding pages of www.rfu.com.  It is based on common sense and we would ask everyone to read and comply with this guidance.

Any parent or guardian who does not want their child photographed for any reason should talk in confidence to the team’s coach or manager.  We will then take all reasonable steps to ensure the child is not photographed whilst playing or training at the club.

GDPR Statement

In simple terms GDPR will help protect the personal data of those involved in rugby by requiring better governance and transparency.  Although we need to collect some personal data from you, this is kept securely and is only used for communication purposes between you and the Club, e.g. team and match info, events etc. We do not provide your personal information to any external 3^rd party or organisation.  

Rugby’s values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship are what makes the game special for those who enjoy the environment and culture they create.

They define the game and define England Rugby.

TEAMWORK

Teamwork is essential to our sport. We welcome all new team members and include all because working as a team enriches our lives. We play selflessly: working for the team, not for ourselves alone, both on and off the field. We take pride in our team, rely on one another and understand that each player has a part to play. We speak out if our team or sport is threatened by inappropriate words or actions.

RESPECT

Mutual respect forms the basis of our sport. We hold in high esteem our sport, its values and traditions and earn the respect of others in the way we behave. We respect our match officials and accept their decisions. We respect opposition players and supporters. We value our coaches and those who run our clubs and treat clubhouses with consideration.

ENJOYMENT

Enjoyment is the reason we play and support rugby union. We encourage players to enjoy training and playing. We use our sport to adopt 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.

DISCIPLINE

Strong discipline underpins our sport. We ensure that our sport is one 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 sport. 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.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Sportsmanship is the foundation upon which rugby union is built. We uphold the rugby tradition of camaraderie with teammates 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 wellbeing and development of individual players is central to all rugby activity.

Remember - It's only a game!

0161 973 7061

Our website: https://traffordmvrfcc.rfu.club/ 

(Last Updated: September 2025)