The rough and tumble of rugby may not seem an obvious choice for parents eager to tempt their children into sport.

But Sean Vickers, coach of Braintree Rugby Club under-nines, said that in an era of many distractions for youngsters, including video games, it was still important to get children playing sport and team games.

“Rugby is a sport which caters for all shapes, sizes, levels of fitness and skill. There is a place in the team for everyone, whether you are going to be 6ft 4ins or 4ft 5ins,” said Mr Vickers, whose team is desperate for more players.

“The game exposes youngsters to a lot more positive social aspects of life. At the moment, with youth violence taking place and kids hanging about on streets, I start to think I’m glad my kid is here.”

His son, eight-year-old Morgan, plays for the under-nines team and so does his older sister Ella, who plays down a year because the squad is so short of numbers.

Mr Vickers said: “We needed to get dispensation from the Rugby Football Union because she is nearly ten.

“Usually, the squads at this age have more than 20 players so they can field two teams of nine.

“We’ve basically got 14 kids, we can only put one team out and it gives us very little scope for development. If we lose three or four players to holiday or injury, then we end up not meeting our fixtures.”

The under-nines seems to be the only age group at Braintree Rugby Club that is short of numbers and Mr Vickers said he was at a loss to explain it.

Braintree Rugby Club has teams from three years old up to the veterans’ team, which is for players who are aged 40 and over.

Mr Vickers is assisted by Simon Delgaty, Simon Weitz and Tony and Thomas Delaney, as well as committed parents who ferry their children to training on a Wednesday evening and Sunday morning.

Rachel Banning, of Kingfisher Way, Kelvedon, said her daughter Isobel became involved because her son Joshua, Isobel’s older brother, played for the under-13s.

Isobel and Lucy Williams, who also plays in the under-nines team, agreed that playing rugby was “really great” and felt other youngsters should join in.

Sandra Hodgson-Clarke said being a part of the team was a great benefit to her son Conor, who has a mild form of dyspraxia.

She said: “With my son, it’s the opposite to most people as he doesn’t have an older brother or sister playing at the club.”

Mrs Hodgson-Clarke, who along with her husband is a huge Harlequins fan, takes Conor to games and training at the fields off Beckers Green Road, Braintree, despite having rugby clubs nearer to where she lives in Steeple Bumpstead.

She said: “Playing rugby has helped Conor’s co-ordination skills a lot and the club is so friendly that it has helped his social skills.”

Mr Vickers, who would love to hear from possible new recruits, said: “The kids love it – the wetter it gets and the muddier it gets, the more they enjoy it.”

Anyone wanting to join the under-nines, or any other teams at Braintree Rugby Club, can call the club on 01376 322282.