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Along with two tutors and 15 other students he covered such basics as dealing with

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Along with two tutors and 15 other students, he covered such basics as dealing with research, handling sensitive issues, and finding a writing voice. "It was very intense," he admits, "I didn't understand why it was only four days until I went. I slept only a few hours a night; there was so much adrenaline going, and I was so busy writing." So what exactly did he get out of it? "Basically, it gave me a kick up the arse to get going," he says, "It undid a block and gave me the confidence to start on the biography I've been planning for a while."Unfortunately, creative writing courses tend to conjure up dire images of sad literary wannabes led by those who've already failed to make a real living out of writing. Tony Rees, a retired civil servant, recently attended a four-day biography course at the Arvon Foundation in Yorkshire. There are also helpful guides to mini-rugby - with details of pitches for each age group, and a video, The Coaching Guide to Mini-Rugby.. It's said that everyone has a novel in them, but getting it out into publishable form is quite another matter.

Those bold enough to try unearthing theirs can turn to the growing number of residential creative writing courses, which tackle not just novels, but every offshoot you care to think of - poetry, biography, journalism, children's fiction, plays, television and radio scripts. This registration fee also usually covers medical insurance, in the unlikely event of serious injury.Mini-rugby leagues tend to be on the constant look out for parent volunteers - vital for keeping up squads as well as ferrying children to game; contact your local club if you're interested in helping out.The rules of mini-rugby are available from the RFU (0181-891 4141). Most of the rules - which set out what children should be taught at certain ages - are included in The Laws of the Game in a section called "The Continuum". Maybe it's something we could introduce in the future as a link to the women's team, but at the moment there just isn't enough interest, I'm afraid."How to get involvedThe best way to find out about your nearest mini-rugby league is to look up your Rugby Football Union regional office in the local telephone book, or call the RFU's national Youth Development Officer on 01484 866363 for details of clubs with mini-rugby teams in your area.Most clubs require players to sign up and there is usually an annual registration fee of around pounds 30, which goes towards renting local authority pitches. I don't find that being a girl is a disadvantage - I've scored lots of tries in tournaments that have helped to win games."Hannah Fisher, aged 10, who plays in the Rosslyn Park under-10 team, added: "It's annoying that people think girls should only do ballet and stuff like that. Rugby is not that rough."However, Hannah admitted that she will probably give up the sport at 12: "I think I'll probably stop because it might get a little bit harder to play alongside the boys."David Starling, head of Rosslyn Park's youth teams aged 12-19, said, "We haven't got a girls team after mini-rugby stops at 12. Clare Douglas, aged eight, did not look at all out of place tackling boys her age in a practice game - several times, her interventions prevented probable tries being scored.

She said: "I started playing along with my brother and enjoyed it a lot. Most of my friends don't play because they think it's a boys' game - they go swimming or play tennis instead. Not only is rugby not played in most state schools up to the age of 11, but they have the traditional pressures to get involved with `girly' things such as ballet. It would be great if more girls could get involved; mini-rugby is nothing like the tough game you see at international matches on television."Out of 150 players practising at Rosslyn Park on a typical Sunday, about a dozen are girls Most get involved because their brothers are playing. Most girls who progress to the highest level usually do so by playing for a school team - more common among private schools - and then continuing the game at university.Rosslyn Park has just started its first women's side. Bob Fisher, who organises the mini-rugby teams, said: "I've found that playing rugby is a way of building up confidence in girls.

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