Sun 03 Sep 2023 16:03

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Following a four year review of rugby for under 18’s, led by the RFU, in consultation with a wide cross section of the game, the “new” Age Grade Rugby was rolled in September 2016. The RFU regulatons are reviewed and updated every year. Regulation 15 of the RFU regulations covers age grade rugby and the current regulation can be found on the RFU website

Regulation 15

Age Grade Code of Practice

The Age Grade Rugby programme will be based on the principles of player centred, development driven and competition supported. The wants and needs of young people will be at its heart. It will put player enjoyment above all else to keep more young people enjoying the game for longer and into their adult years.

Mixed rugby will continue to be played up to and including U11 (school year 6) from U12 (start of secondary school Y7) boys and girls will not play mixed rugby and will follow a their own developmental pathways.

The girls age banding changed in the 2022-23 season junior girls and are now organised into four age group bandings U12 (school year 7), U14 (years 8 & 9), U16 (years 10 & 11) and U18 (years 12 & 13). more details can be found here: Girls Age Bands.

More information can be found on the RFU Website.

Playing out of age group

The RFU defines a child's age group by that child’s age at midnight on 31st August. In England player grouping is defined by age, not size or gender:

As a club we do not encourage playing out of age group and its is not as simple as “moving the child”. However in exceptional circumstances it may be allowed. The Player must be assessed by a qualified Coach and a report signed by the Coach and Parent and sent to the County Safeguarding Team for approval. A player playing out of Age must be reassessed every season, or sooner if felt appropriate.

If you're not sure what age group your child should be playing in just add 5 to your child’s School Year group. So Year 2 is Under 7’s and Year 9 is Under 14’s.

Mini Rugby (U6-U11)

For Boys and Girls in school year groups 1-6

Mini rugby is designed to introduce children to the basics of the game in a safe environment in line with their physical abilities and at their own pace — letting them run, chase, throw, catch and learn teamwork. Boys and girls play together on an equal footing. The club runs teams based on school years - this relates to a child’s age on the 1st September and the child remains in that age group for their youth rugby career.

U6, U7 & U8

These groups play non-contact “tag” rugby. The main aim is to develop the basic skills such as passing the ball backwards, catching a pass, running into space and of course, scoring tries. The players wear a belt with 2 velcro tags. A tackle is made when the opposition pull one of the tags off the ball carriers belt and calls “tag”. Once the ball carrier has been tagged they must attempt to stop immediately and pass the ball to another team member before reclaiming their tag, re-attaching it then continue with the game. There is no contact, tackling, scrums, line outs or kicking.

U9 - U11

U9 rugby introduces full tackles for the first time. The team sizes and the length of the game increases. More of the complexities of rucking, mauling, scrums and line outs are added each year, teams start to get bigger as do the size of the pitches.

Junior rugby (U12 - U18)

Structured for the U12’s to U18’s, the players evolve into a 15 a-side full contact games (15-a-side rugby will start at U14), putting into practice all the skills and techniques they have learned through the mini development programme. There are some key skills relating to scrummaging and line outs that are not permitted at the younger age groups but are reserved for adult rugby only.

The playing season

The season runs from the Sunday of the first full week in September through to the end of April. There will be training or competitions every Sunday morning (weather permitting) excluding Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. The fixtures are arranged and published in advance — see the relevant age group profile page or the Mini Fixtures page.

Changes at short notice will be advised by your team coach or team manager, Parent rep. Information may also be put out on to the website/Twitter and Facebook if there is sufficient time to do so.

Sunday Morning Coaching Sessions

Youth section coaching is on Sunday mornings between 10am and 12am, unless there is a fixture for the team. All mini fixtures and most Junior fixtures are arranged to be played between 10am and 12am on a Sunday morning.

Coaching is player centric and is always fun. It involves rugby handling skills, moves, non-contact games and for the older groups contact games. Safety of the children is paramount and all our coaches are DBS screened and have RFU approved coaching qualifications. New coaches are encouraged to go on a training course as soon as they can.

Parents are required to stay on the site during training. Refreshments are available in the clubhouse.

Sunday Fixtures

All age groups play fixtures and Rugby festivals against other local clubs. Fixtures are arranged in advance of the season both at home and away. There are also festivals and tournaments as well as an end of season tour (a long weekend) arranged if possible.
Parents can see the fixtures by looking at the relevant teams pages on the website and going to the fixtures section.

If your child has been chosen to play in a game and then becomes unavailable, you should let the team coach or team manager know as soon as possible so that a team selection can be made.

As a club we support the RFU's Half a Game initiative. This initiative is to ensure all children selected for a match day fixture play at least half a game. Click here if you want to learn more about the Half a Game initiative.

Age Group Specific Information

Click on the age group you are interested in to see a summary of the age group specific regulations.

This is the starting point of your child's rugby career and the goal is to make their introduction to the game and the club as enjoyable and energetic as possible.

Tag Rugby is a non-contact rugby game with the emphasis on FUN whilst playing sport. Over the season the aim is to develop basic skills of ball handling, running and evasion.

The game is suitable for both girls and boys.

Format Tag
School Year 1
Max Players 4 a side
Max Pitch Size 20m x 12m
Ball size 3
Max minutes each half 10
Maximum minutes of match play per day 50 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 60 minutes
Match stopped if: Try difference is 6 or more
Start / Restart Free Pass
Tackle No Tag only
Scrum No
Lineout No, restart with a free pass
Ruck No
Maul No
Offside Distance Offside only occurs at the time of the tag where the offside line is through the centre of the ball except for the tagger for whom it is 1 metre further back.
Fend Off No
Kicking from Hand No
Kicking at Goal No
Mark Permitted No
Knock on Play on
Yellow Card / Sin Bin No
Knock on Play on

Age Specific Notes:

  • Players not allowed to go to ground to score.
  • Ball cannot be ripped from ball carrier.

Under 7 Rugby

Format Tag
School Year 2
Max Players 4 a side
Max Pitch Size 20m x 12m
Ball size 3
Max minutes each half 10
Maximum minutes of match play per day 50 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 60 minutes
Match stopped if: Try difference is 6 or more
Start / Restart Free Pass
Tackle No Tag only
Scrum No
Lineout No, restart with a free pass
Ruck No
Maul No
Offside Distance Offside only occurs at the time of the tag where the offside line is through the centre of the ball except for the tagger for whom it is 1 metre further back.
Fend Off No
Kicking from Hand No
Kicking at Goal No
Mark Permitted No
Knock on Play on
Yellow Card / Sin Bin No
Knock on Play on
Rules of Play Regulation 15 Appendix 1

Age Specific Notes:

  • Players not allowed to go to ground to score.
  • Ball cannot be ripped from ball carrier.

Competition formats allowed:

  1. Friendly Fixture - Competitive style playing opportunity for two teams, often as part of a club or school/college block fixture, where focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment.
  2. Triangular - Competitive style playing opportunity for three teams where equal player participation is the emphasis. Focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment rather than the score.
  3. Festival - Competitive round-robin playing opportunity where equal team and player participation is the emphasis. Scores may be recorded but winning doesn’t affect your ongoing participation as every team plays the same appropriate number of matches.

Under 8 Rugby

Format Tag
School Year 3
Max Players 6 a side
Max Pitch Size 45m x 22m
Ball size 3
Max minutes each half 10
Maximum minutes of match play per day 50 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 60 minutes
Match stopped if: Try difference is 6 or more
Start / Restart Free Pass
Tackle No Tag only
Scrum No
Lineout No, restart with a free pass
Ruck No
Maul No
Offside Distance Offside only occurs at the time of the tag where the offside line is through the centre of the ball except for the tagger for whom it is 1 metre further back.
Fend Off No
Kicking from Hand No
Kicking at Goal No
Mark Permitted No
Knock on Play on
Yellow Card / Sin Bin No
Knock on Free Pass
Rules of Play Regulation 15 Appendix 2

Age Specific Notes:

  • Players are permitted to go to ground to score.
  • Ball cannot be ripped from ball carrier.

Competition formats allowed:

  1. Friendly Fixture - Competitive style playing opportunity for two teams, often as part of a club or school/college block fixture, where focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment.
  2. Triangular - Competitive style playing opportunity for three teams where equal player participation is the emphasis. Focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment rather than the score.
  3. Festival - Competitive round-robin playing opportunity where equal team and player participation is the emphasis. Scores may be recorded but winning doesn’t affect your ongoing participation as every team plays the same appropriate number of matches.

Under 9 Rugby

Introduced at this age:

  • Tackle. But no rucks, mauls lineouts or scrums.
Format Transitional Contact
School Year 4
Max Players 7 a side
Max Pitch Size 60m x 30m
Ball size 3
Max minutes each half 15
Maximum minutes of match play per day 60 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 90 minutes
Match stopped if: Try difference is 6 or more
Start / Restart Free Pass
Tackle Yes – including 3 second hold
Scrum No
Lineout No, restart with a free pass
Ruck No
Maul No
Offside Distance Offside only at time of tackle. 1m from hindmost foot.
Fend Off No
Kicking from Hand No
Kicking at Goal No
Mark Permitted No
Yellow Card / Sin Bin No
Knock on Free Pass
Rules of Play Regulation 15 Appendix 3

Age Specific Notes:

  • Players are permitted to go to ground to score.
  • Ball cannot be ripped from ball carrier.

Competition formats allowed:

  1. Friendly Fixture - Competitive style playing opportunity for two teams, often as part of a club or school/college block fixture, where focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment.
  2. Triangular - Competitive style playing opportunity for three teams where equal player participation is the emphasis. Focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment rather than the score.
  3. Festival - Competitive round-robin playing opportunity where equal team and player participation is the emphasis. Scores may be recorded but winning doesn’t affect your ongoing participation as every team plays the same appropriate number of matches.

Under 10 Rugby

Introduced at this age:

  • Uncontested scrum (nearest 3).
  • Maul and Ruck and contest for the ball.
Format Transitional Contact
School Year 5
Max Players 8 a side
Max Pitch Size 60m x 35m
Ball size 4
Max minutes each half 15
Maximum minutes of match play per day 60 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 90 minutes
Match stopped if: Try difference is 6 or more
Start / Restart Free Pass
Tackle Yes including 3 second hold
Scrum Nearest 3 uncontested
Lineout No, restart with a free pass
Ruck Yes, Limit of 1 supporting player
Maul Yes, Limit of 1 supporting player
Offside Distance Hindmost foot at tackle, ruck and Maul. 5m from scrum.
Fend Off No
Kicking from Hand No
Kicking at Goal No
Mark Permitted No
Yellow Card / Sin Bin No
Knock on Scrum
Rules of Play Regulation 15 Appendix 4>/span>
h4>Age Specific Notes:
  • Scrum half not permitted to run from base of scrum.

Competition formats allowed:

  1. Friendly Fixture - Competitive style playing opportunity for two teams, often as part of a club or school/college block fixture, where focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment.
  2. Triangular - Competitive style playing opportunity for three teams where equal player participation is the emphasis. Focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment rather than the score.
  3. Festival - Competitive round-robin playing opportunity where equal team and player participation is the emphasis. Scores may be recorded but winning doesn’t affect your ongoing participation as every team plays the same appropriate number of matches.

Under 11 Rugby

Introduced at this age:

  • Defender can rip the ball from the carrier
  • Contest for the ball 2v2
  • Contested strike in the scrum
  • Tactical kicking from hand and Kicking at restarts
  • Free Kick
Format Transitional Contact
School Year 6
Max Players 9 a side
Max Pitch Size 60m x 43m
Ball size 4
Max minutes each half 20
Maximum minutes of match play per day 70 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 120 minutes
Match stopped if: Try difference is 6 or more
Start / Restart Drop Kick (must travel at least 7 metres)
Tackle Yes
Scrum Nearest 3 Contest Strike only, no push Only hookers may strike for the ball
Lineout No, restart with a free pass
Ruck Yes, limit of 2 supporting players
Maul Yes, Limit of 2 supporting players
Offside Distance Hindmost foot at tackle, ruck and Maul. 5m from scrum. 7m from free kick. 7m from free pass.
Fend Off No
Kicking from Hand Yes. 'Fly hack' not permitted
Kicking at Goal No
Mark Permitted Yes - Anywhere on pitch.
Yellow Card / Sin Bin No
Knock on Scrum
Rules of Play Regulation 15 Appendix 5

Age Specific Notes:

  • Defending scrum half must remain behind the scrum in the pocket made by the 2 props
  • Scrum half must pass from the base of the scrum – May not run with the ball

Competition formats allowed:

  1. Friendly Fixture - Competitive style playing opportunity for two teams, often as part of a club or school/college block fixture, where focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment.
  2. Triangular - Competitive style playing opportunity for three teams where equal player participation is the emphasis. Focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment rather than the score.
  3. Festival - Competitive round-robin playing opportunity where equal team and player participation is the emphasis. Scores may be recorded but winning doesn’t affect your ongoing participation as every team plays the same appropriate number of matches.

Under 12 Rugby Boys

Introduced at this age:

  • 5 player scrum (nearest 5)
  • No limit to numbers in ruck and maul
  • Introduction of fend/hand off – (below armpit)
  • 22m drop out
Format Transitional Contact
School Year 7
Max Players 12 a side
Max Pitch Size 60m x 43m
Ball size 4
Max minutes each half 20
Maximum minutes of match play per day 70 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 120 minutes
Match stopped if: Try difference is 6 or more
Start / Restart Drop kick must travel at least 7m
Tackle Yes
Scrum Nearest 5, Contest strike only, no push. Only Hookers my strike for the ball.
Lineout No, restart with a free pass
Ruck Yes
Maul Yes
Offside Distance Hindmost foot at tackle, ruck and Maul. 5m from scrum. 7m from free kick. 7m from free pass.
Fend Off Yes – below armpit
Kicking from Hand Yes. 'Fly hack' not permitted
Kicking at Goal No
Mark Permitted Yes
Yellow Card / Sin Bin No
Knock on Scrum
Rules of Play Regulation 15 Appendix 6

Age Specific Notes:

  • Continuation of the contested strike at the scrum
  • Defending scrum half must not move beyond the tunnel
  • Scrum half must pass from the base of the scrum – May not run with the ball

Competition formats allowed:

  1. Friendly Fixture - Competitive style playing opportunity for two teams, often as part of a club or school/college block fixture, where focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment.
  2. Triangular - Competitive style playing opportunity for three teams where equal player participation is the emphasis. Focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment rather than the score.
  3. Festival - Competitive round-robin playing opportunity where equal team and player participation is the emphasis. Scores may be recorded but winning doesn’t affect your ongoing participation as every team plays the same appropriate number of matches.
  4. Waterfall Tournament - Competitive playing programme where equal participation/progression is the emphasis. The outcome of your pool games are recorded to enable every team to advance to later rounds for an equal number of matches against similar level teams.

Under 13 Rugby Boys

Introduced at this age:

  • 6 player fully contested scrum.
  • Sin Bin 5 minutes.
  • Scrum half may pass or run with the ball.
Format Transitional Contact
School Year 8
Max Players 13 a side
Max Pitch Size 90m x 60m
Ball size 4
Max minutes each half 25
Maximum minutes of match play per day 80 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 120 minutes
Match stopped if: points difference >50
Start / Restart Drop kick must travel at least 10m
Tackle Yes
Scrum 6 trained and willing. Contest strike and push. No number 8 pickup
Lineout No, restart with a free pass
Ruck Yes
Maul Yes
Offside Distance Hindmost foot at tackle, ruck and Maul. 5m from scrum. 10m from free kick. 10m from free pass.
Fend Off Yes – below armpit
Kicking from Hand Yes. incl. 'Fly hack'
Kicking at Goal No
Mark Permitted Yes
Drop Goal Not Permitted
Yellow Card / Sin Bin 5 minutes
Knock on Scrum
Rules of Play Regulation 15 Appendix 7

Age Specific Notes:

  • No.8 cannot pick up from scrum

Competition formats allowed:

  1. Friendly Fixture - Competitive style playing opportunity for two teams, often as part of a club or school/college block fixture, where focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment.
  2. Triangular - Competitive style playing opportunity for three teams where equal player participation is the emphasis. Focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment rather than the score.
  3. Festival - Competitive round-robin playing opportunity where equal team and player participation is the emphasis. Scores may be recorded but winning doesn’t affect your ongoing participation as every team plays the same appropriate number of matches.
  4. Waterfall Tournament - Competitive playing programme where equal participation/progression is the emphasis. The outcome of your pool games are recorded to enable every team to advance to later rounds for an equal number of matches against similar level teams.

Under 14 Rugby Boys

Introduced at this age:

Format Transitional Contact
School Year 8 and 9
Max Players 15 a side
Max Pitch Size 100m x 70m
Ball size 4
Max minutes each half 25
Maximum minutes of match play per day 80 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 120 minutes
Match stopped if: points difference >50
Start / Restart Drop kick must travel at least 10m
Tackle Yes
Scrum 8 trained and willing. Contest strike and push. Number 8 can pick up
Lineout Yes, Uncontested *
Ruck Yes
Maul Yes
Offside Distance Hindmost foot at tackle, Ruck and Maul. 5m from scrum. 10m from free kick. 10m from Lineout.
Fend Off Yes
Kicking from Hand Yes
Kicking at Goal Yes
Mark Permitted Yes
Drop Goal Permitted
Yellow Card / Sin Bin 5 minutes
Knock on Scrum
Rules of Play Regulation 15 Appendix 8

Competition formats allowed:

  1. Friendly Fixture - Competitive style playing opportunity for two teams, often as part of a club or school/college block fixture, where focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment.
  2. Triangular - Competitive style playing opportunity for three teams where equal player participation is the emphasis. Focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment rather than the score.
  3. Festival - Competitive round-robin playing opportunity where equal team and player participation is the emphasis. Scores may be recorded but winning doesn’t affect your ongoing participation as every team plays the same appropriate number of matches.
  4. Waterfall Tournament - Competitive playing programme where equal participation/progression is the emphasis. The outcome of your pool games are recorded to enable every team to advance to later rounds for an equal number of matches against similar level teams.
  5. Knockout Tournament - Competitive playing programme where the outcome of the game is recorded and dictates your progression to later knock-out rounds or decides your final standing. Usually includes a winners trophy.

Under 15 Rugby Boys

Introduced at this age:

  • Lineout lifting.
Format Contact
School Year 10
Max Players 15 a side
Max Pitch Size 100m x 70m
Ball size 5
Max minutes each half 30
Maximum minutes of match play per day 90 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 120 minutes
Match stopped if: points difference >50
Start / Restart Drop kick must travel at least 10m
Tackle Yes
Scrum 8 trained and willing. Contest strike and push
Lineout Yes, Uncontested, lift permitted *
Ruck Yes
Maul Yes
Offside Distance Hindmost foot at tackle, Ruck and Maul. 5m from scrum. 10m from free kick. 10m from Lineout.
Fend Off Yes
Kicking from Hand Yes
Kicking at Goal Yes
Mark Permitted Yes
Yellow Card / Sin Bin 6 minutes
Knock on Scrum
Rules of Play Regulation 15 Appendix 9

Age Specific Notes:

Competition formats allowed:

  1. Friendly Fixture- Competitive style playing opportunity for two teams, often as part of a club or school/college block fixture, where focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment.
  2. Triangular- Competitive style playing opportunity for three teams where equal player participation is the emphasis. Focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment rather than the score.
  3. Festival- Competitive round-robin playing opportunity where equal team and player participation is the emphasis. Scores may be recorded but winning doesn’t affect your ongoing participation as every team plays the same appropriate number of matches.
  4. Waterfall Tournament- Competitive playing programme where equal participation/progression is the emphasis. The outcome of your pool games are recorded to enable every team to advance to later rounds for an equal number of matches against similar level teams.
  5. Knockout Tournament- Competitive playing programme where the outcome of the game is recorded and dictates your progression to later knock-out rounds or decides your final standing. Usually includes a winners trophy.
  6. League- Competitive playing programme where the outcome of the game is recorded and points are applied to dictate your position and final standing in the league table. Usually includes a winners trophy. May lead to a play off system to establish final champions.

* My understanding after talking to a RFU Coach Educator is that there is to be no contest in the air. Once the ball is caught and the catcher has 2 feet on the ground then a contest (maul) can begin.

Under 18 Rugby Boys

Introduced at this age:

  • Fully contested Lineout with lifting.
Format Contact
School Year 11,12,13
Max Players 15 a side
Max Pitch Size 100m x 70m
Ball size 5
Max minutes each half 35
Maximum minutes of match play per day 90 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 120 minutes
Match stopped if: points difference >50
Start / Restart Drop kick must travel at least 10m
Tackle Yes
Scrum 8 trained and willing, contest strike and push
Lineout Yes, lift permitted
Ruck Yes
Maul Yes
Offside Distance Hindmost foot at tackle, Ruck and Maul. 5m from scrum. 10m from free kick. 10m from Lineout.
Fend Off Yes
Kicking from Hand Yes
Kicking at Goal Yes
Mark Permitted Yes
Yellow Card / Sin Bin 7 minutes
Knock on Scrum
Rules of Play Regulation 15 Appendix 9

Competition formats allowed:

  1. Friendly Fixture- Competitive style playing opportunity for two teams, often as part of a club or school/college block fixture, where focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment.
  2. Triangular- Competitive style playing opportunity for three teams where equal player participation is the emphasis. Focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment rather than the score.
  3. Festival- Competitive round-robin playing opportunity where equal team and player participation is the emphasis. Scores may be recorded but winning doesn’t affect your ongoing participation as every team plays the same appropriate number of matches.
  4. Waterfall Tournament- Competitive playing programme where equal participation progression is the emphasis. The outcome of your pool games are recorded to enable every team to advance to later rounds for an equal number of matches against similar level teams.
  5. Knockout Tournament- Competitive playing programme where the outcome of the game is recorded and dictates your progression to later knock-out rounds or decides your final standing. Usually includes a winners trophy.
  6. League- Competitive playing programme where the outcome of the game is recorded and points are applied to dictate your position and final standing in the league table. Usually includes a winners trophy. May lead to a play off system to establish final champions.

Under 12 Rugby Girls

Visit our under 12 Girls team page

Introduced at this age:

  • Scrum formed with nearest 5
  • 22m drop out
Format Transitional Contact
School Year 7
Max Players 12 a side
Max Pitch Size 60m x 43m
Ball size 4
Max minutes each half 20
Maximum minutes of match play per day 70 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 120 minutes
Match stopped if: Try difference is 6 or more
Start / Restart Drop kick must travel at least 7m
Tackle Yes
Scrum Nearest 5, Contest strike only, no push. Only Hookers my strike for the ball.
Lineout No, restart with a free pass
Ruck Yes
Maul Yes
Offside Distance Hindmost foot at tackle, ruck and Maul. 5m from scrum. 7m from free kick. 7m from free pass.
Fend Off Yes – below armpit
Kicking from Hand Yes. 'Fly hack' not permitted
Kicking at Goal No
Mark Permitted Yes
Yellow Card / Sin Bin No
Knock on Scrum
Rules of Play Regulation 15 Appendix 6

Age Specific Notes:

  • Scrum half must pass from base of scrum, not permitted to run with it.

Competition formats allowed:

  1. Friendly Fixture - Competitive style playing opportunity for two teams, often as part of a club or school/college block fixture, where focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment.
  2. Triangular - Competitive style playing opportunity for three teams where equal player participation is the emphasis. Focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment rather than the score.
  3. Festival - Competitive round-robin playing opportunity where equal team and player participation is the emphasis. Scores may be recorded but winning doesn’t affect your ongoing participation as every team plays the same appropriate number of matches.
  4. Waterfall Tournament - Competitive playing programme where equal participation/progression is the emphasis. The outcome of your pool games are recorded to enable every team to advance to later rounds for an equal number of matches against similar level teams.

Under 13 & 14 Rugby Girls

The girls under 14 age band include players from U13 and U14. Visit our under 14's Girls team page

Introduced at this age:

  • Uncontested Lineout with lifting.
Format Transitional Contact
School Year 8, 9
Max Players 15 a side
Max Pitch Size 100m x 70m
Ball size 4
Max minutes each half 25
Maximum minutes of match play per day 80 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 120 minutes
Match stopped if: points difference >50
Start / Restart Drop kick must travel at least 10m
Tackle Yes
Scrum Contested 8 player scrum – the No.8 can pick up the ball from the back of the scrum
Lineout Yes, Uncontested
Ruck Yes
Maul Yes
Offside Distance Hindmost foot at tackle, Ruck and Maul. 5m from scrum. 10m from free kick. 10m from Lineout.
Fend Off Yes
Kicking from Hand Yes
Kicking at Goal Yes
Mark Permitted Yes
Drop Goal Permitted
Yellow Card / Sin Bin 5 minutes
Knock on Scrum
Rules of Play Regulation 15 Appendix 8

Competition formats allowed:

  1. Friendly Fixture - Competitive style playing opportunity for two teams, often as part of a club or school/college block fixture, where focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment.
  2. Triangular - Competitive style playing opportunity for three teams where equal player participation is the emphasis. Focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment rather than the score.
  3. Festival - Competitive round-robin playing opportunity where equal team and player participation is the emphasis. Scores may be recorded but winning doesn’t affect your ongoing participation as every team plays the same appropriate number of matches.
  4. Waterfall Tournament - Competitive playing programme where equal participation/progression is the emphasis. The outcome of your pool games are recorded to enable every team to advance to later rounds for an equal number of matches against similar level teams.
  5. Knockout Tournament - Competitive playing programme where the outcome of the game is recorded and dictates your progression to later knock-out rounds or decides your final standing. Usually includes a winners trophy.

The girls under 16 age band include players from U15 and U16. Visit our under 16's Girls team page

Introduced at this age:

  • Fully contested Lineout with lifting.
Format Contact
School Year 10, 11
Max Players 15 a side
Max Pitch Size 100m x 70m
Ball size 5
Max minutes each half 35
Maximum minutes of match play per day 90 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 120 minutes
Match stopped if: points difference >50
Start / Restart Drop kick must travel at least 10m
Tackle Yes
Scrum 8 trained and willing, contest strike and push
Lineout Yes, lift permitted
Ruck Yes
Maul Yes
Offside Distance Hindmost foot at tackle, Ruck and Maul. 5m from scrum. 10m from free kick. 10m from Lineout.
Fend Off Yes
Kicking from Hand Yes
Kicking at Goal Yes
Mark Permitted Yes
Yellow Card / Sin Bin 6 minutes
Knock on Scrum
Rules of Play Regulation 15 Appendix 9

Age Specific Notes:

Competition formats allowed:

  1. Friendly Fixture- Competitive style playing opportunity for two teams, often as part of a club or school/college block fixture, where focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment.
  2. Triangular- Competitive style playing opportunity for three teams where equal player participation is the emphasis. Focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment rather than the score.
  3. Festival- Competitive round-robin playing opportunity where equal team and player participation is the emphasis. Scores may be recorded but winning doesn’t affect your ongoing participation as every team plays the same appropriate number of matches.
  4. Waterfall Tournament- Competitive playing programme where equal participation/progression is the emphasis. The outcome of your pool games are recorded to enable every team to advance to later rounds for an equal number of matches against similar level teams.
  5. Knockout Tournament- Competitive playing programme where the outcome of the game is recorded and dictates your progression to later knock-out rounds or decides your final standing. Usually includes a winners trophy.
  6. League- Competitive playing programme where the outcome of the game is recorded and points are applied to dictate your position and final standing in the league table. Usually includes a winners trophy. May lead to a play off system to establish final champions.

Under 18 Rugby Girls

The girls under 18 age band include players from U17 and U18. Visit our under 18's Girls team page

Introduced at this age:

  • Fully contested Lineout with lifting.
Format Contact
School Year 12, 13
Max Players 15 a side
Max Pitch Size 100m x 70m
Ball size 5
Max minutes each half 35
Maximum minutes of match play per day 90 minutes
Extra Time Permitted No
Recommended training time duration 120 minutes
Match stopped if: points difference >50
Start / Restart Drop kick must travel at least 10m
Tackle Yes
Scrum 8 trained and willing, contest strike and push
Lineout Yes, lift permitted
Ruck Yes
Maul Yes
Offside Distance Hindmost foot at tackle, Ruck and Maul. 5m from scrum. 10m from free kick. 10m from Lineout.
Fend Off Yes
Kicking from Hand Yes
Kicking at Goal Yes
Mark Permitted Yes
Yellow Card / Sin Bin 7 minutes
Knock on Scrum
Rules of Play Regulation 15 Appendix 9

Competition formats allowed:

  1. Friendly Fixture - Competitive style playing opportunity for two teams, often as part of a club or school/college block fixture, where focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment.
  2. Triangular - Competitive style playing opportunity for three teams where equal player participation is the emphasis. Focus is on maximising all your player’s involvement, development and enjoyment rather than the score.
  3. Festival - Competitive round-robin playing opportunity where equal team and player participation is the emphasis. Scores may be recorded but winning doesn’t affect your ongoing participation as every team plays the same appropriate number of matches.
  4. Waterfall Tournament - Competitive playing programme where equal participation/progression is the emphasis. The outcome of your pool games are recorded to enable every team to advance to later rounds for an equal number of matches against similar level teams.
  5. Knockout Tournament - Competitive playing programme where the outcome of the game is recorded and dictates your progression to later knock-out rounds or decides your final standing. Usually includes a winners trophy.
  6. League - Competitive playing programme where the outcome of the game is recorded and points are applied to dictate your position and final standing in the league table. Usually includes a winners trophy. May lead to a play off system to establish final champions.

Find Out More

To find out more please contact

For U6 - U11 - eMail: mini.manager@hwrufc.com

For U12 - U18 Boys - eMail: junior.manager@hwrufc.com

For U12 - U18 Girls - eMail: girls@hwrufc.com

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