For action by: Club contacts.
As we enter the final few weeks of the season, club coaches and school teachers may be looking at ‘what’s next’. As a reminder, current U8 players remain within this Age Grade until the 1st of September 2017 and so are not permitted to participate in contact rugby of any kind, under any circumstances. Doing so would be a breach of RFU Regulations, and go against the principles of Age Grade Rugby; Player Centred, Development Driven and Competition supported.
Old Mutual Wealth Kids First is England Rugby’s approach to rugby for 6-13 year olds, giving children the opportunity to prosper by fostering an environment for having fun, learning and building confidence. Through the Rules of Play there are less technically complex components to the U9 game in comparison to the continuum game, removing the need to practise contact at the end of the previous season. Coaches and teachers should continue to focus on the skills Tag helps to develop (catching, passing, avoidance etc.) and should look to maintain this focus next year despite the introduction of the tackle.
For more information on Old Mutual Wealth Kids First, click HERE.
Clubs and schools should also ensure coaches and teachers are suitably qualified. We now offer age grade specific courses for coaches who work with players aged 6-13. These courses combine the Old Mutual Wealth Kids First philosophy with the developing skills at each grade and the U9 course will specifically help coaches to be ready to develop players tackle technique in a safe, appropriate and technically proficient way. For more information on these courses, click HERE.
In addition to this, team managers/head coaches should make appropriate adjustments during the opening games of the new season for players that are not yet confident and competent to tackle safely. i.e. the use of the grab tackle only for some or all of the players they are working with. This will ensure the wants and needs of all players are accommodated, supporting a player’s transition through the Age Grade Rugby player pathway.
If you have any queries on the above, please email agegraderugby@rfu.com
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