Rugby

The boys started back at Rugby this weekend. Daniel returned for his third season, Jamie started his first. Daniel went straight at it knowing exactly what he was doing whereas Jamie was just hilarious.

I remember when Daniel started and indeed for most of the first season it was similar to Jamie now. The difference was nearly a year in age – Daniel was almost 6 whereas Jamie is just 5. Although Daniel did not know whet to do he had a bit more maturity about him to get stuck in and try. It was still funny watching him try and understand British Bulldog never mind the actual game but at least he was enjoying himself. In season 2 he really started to find himself and improve, his own enjoyment of the game growing with each success. At the start of this season he is really looking good and is enjoying it more than ever – which is great.

With Jamie he just looked lost. We were unsure as to weather to start him this year but he was really looking forward to it so we thought we would give him a try. He stood looking bewildered as instructions were given and then ran long slowly far behind everyone else. In Bulldog he just ran, no real direction, no idea whatsoever of what was going on around him. He never really tried to get to the other side because he really didn’t know he had to do that, he just ran.

In the game he absolutely had no idea and would occasionally just run up and down a bit in spurts of speed, his face was focussed and determined as he ran his absolute fastest. It was great to watch. The patience of the coach was amazing, I don’t know how these people do it every week, but I’m so glad they do, I’ve always been really impressed with the coaching team at the club.

The funniest bit was when he got quite excited because he realised that his tags (plastic strips that get stuck on a Velcro belt and then can be removed as a substitute for tackling at this young age) had the English Rose Emblem on them. “Look I’ve got a lovely flower on my tags!” He loudly and proudly exclaimed. I shook my head in despair; perhaps he really isn’t ready for Rugby after all.