It’s official! London Scottish provides fantastic “Rugby for All” for the Minis, Juniors and Girls.
Throughout January we ran a survey of all the players in the Minis, Juniors and Girls sections of the club. The results were outstanding and better than we hoped for – Everyone of the respondents recommended London Scottish as the place to play.
If you are interested in finding out what’s so special at London Scottish just contact playrugby@londonscottish.com and you’ll soon be enjoying rugby and Scottish Hospitality, in the heart of Richmond.
In the meantime, why not sit back and enjoy this selection of responses we received to the questions:
Q – Why did you first choose London Scottish?
1. Top answer was – Recommended by a friend.
2. Convenient location came second
3. And not surprisingly, the Link to Scottish Rugby was up there in third.
The comments are even better:
“The only minis linked directly to a Pro club”
“Saw the minis when watching Cardiff Blues pre-season friendly”
“Reputation of inclusivity, which is true”
“Needed a club that offered girls rugby” – “Only team with a viable girls set up”
“My son is proudly half Scottish so it was his first choice!”
Q – Which of the following are important to your players?
1. Developing their skills (e.g. through the Skills Passport) – rated by 90.8% of respondents
The skills passport runs throughout our Minis section and ensures that the players understand, learn and develop their skills with regular feedback from coaches on how they are progressing. Add in the coaching they get from the Pro side of the club and the involvement of the 1st Xv players and there is no better environment for players to learn in
2. Having fun – 86.2%
We can all relate to this, and the credit goes to the great band of volunteers, coaches and team managers that keep the sessions fun for all age groups, as well as making the off-field parties and social calendar the best in the area.
3. Teamwork – 78.5% was third, and not far behind came Inclusiveness – 72.3%
These two aspects are embedded in the culture at London Scottish. “Rugby is for All”, and we provide the setting for all players to develop, at their own pace, to be the best they can be and have a lasting love of the game. Each year at the awards ceremony we celebrate those that have been with us since the U7’s, as they graduate from the U18’s.
Q – Which of these statements do you agree or disagree with?
Top statements which the respondents agreed with were:
1. Regular skills sessions and coaching courses held at the club by members of the professional coaching staff (87.7%)
2. First Xv players should help coach age groups (80.0%)
3. Parents and players should engage in all activities of the club – “One Club (76.9%)
London Scottish is unique in the area through it’s close link to the First team and the professional club. Age group coaches get invited to sit in on First Xv training sessions and talk with them afterwards. First team players come along to help run the various Rugby Camps throughout the year, as well as encouraging age groups at our Minis Festival (the largest and most inclusive event of its kind run by any club in the area).
Allied to that the wider club offers Championship rugby (with free entry to U16’s accompanied by an adult), Touch Rugby, Matchday Hospitality, the “Legends Dinner, “End of Season Dinner”, “Summer Ball” and the clubs own “Burns Night Supper” giving you a full calendar of events throughout the year.
Q – What do you think could improve London Scottish for you and the players?
This was a free form question and the answers were varied and very interesting. Answers included:
“I think it’s fantastic !”
“I like it the way it is”
“Mark and his U7’s team are doing a fantastic job”
“I think LSFC is a great club and continues to improve”
“A taster day, for players considering going into the academy”
“One Club philosophy is vital”
And my personal favourite
“Dug-out shelters for parents, coaches and off pitch players. [and] A walk around the pitch tea and coffee service would be phenomenal”
Finally, a big Thank You to all the survey respondents. We are working through the responses, and coming up with action plans to make London Scottish an even better place for all, and will let you know as the issues you raised get addressed. I can’t wait for the dug-out shelters and tea and coffee service.
Ian Hannah
