Rugby Australia - Policies and Guidelines
- All policies and guidelines of Rugby Australia are available at https://australia.rugby/about/codes-and-policies/all-codes-and-policies
Coaching
- At the Norths Pirates, we encourage our coaches to follow our Club coaching philosophy which involves:
- Skills development
- Fair play
- Health and safety
- Sportmanship and friendship
- Teamwork
- Fun
- Fair and reasonable game time for all players
- Running rugby with all players having an opportunity to handle the ball
- To get the best out of your players and ensure you do not lose their attention, preparation for training sessions is key.
- Rugby Australia coaching courses, tips and session planning available at https://australia.rugby/participate/coach/coaching-resources
- SmartRugby – to be a coach or referee in Australia SmartRugby is the minimum qualification required. Courses are online via your Rugby Xplorer login myaccount.rugbyxplorer.com.au/, select Learning Centre, which will take you into Rugby Learning Centre, then Browse Learning
- If you are interested in finding out more or would like to enquire about coaching, please contact the Club's coaching coordinator (available at myaccount.rugbyxplorer.com.au/ or Club Contacts - Committee)
Age Group Overview
- Northern Suburbs Junior Rugby consists of four Norths village clubs - Drummoyne, Hunters Hill, Mosman, Norths Pirates.
- U6-U9 teams play in the Gordon District Minis comp. Their games are on Saturday mornings, with 1 or 2 games on Sunday mornings.
- U10-U16 teams play in the Sydney Junior Rugby Union (SJRU) competition. Their games are on Sundays (and some Friday evenings). This is a graded competition.
- The season runs from April to August.
U6 | U7 | U8 | U9 | U10 | U11 | U12 | |
Player numbers | 7 a side tag | 7 a side tag | 7 a side tackle |
10 a side tackle |
12 a side tackle |
12 a side tackle |
15 a side tackle |
Skills focus |
Evasion & tag Catch & pass Running Scoring tries Enjoyment |
Evasion & tag Catch & pass Running Scoring tries Enjoyment |
Tackle Ruck Maul |
Attack Defence |
Kick in general play Contested scrum & line out |
Kick in general play Contested scrum & line out |
Positional awareness |
Playing area |
1/4 field 40m x 25m |
1/4 field 40m x 25m |
1/2 field 60m x 35m |
1/2 field 60m x 35m |
Full field less 10m width 100m x 60m |
Full field less 10m width |
Full field 100m x 60 |
Playing time | 2 x 10 min | 2 x 15 min | 2 x 15 min | 2 x 20 min | 2 x 20 min | 2 x 20 min | 2 x 25 min |
Ball size | Size 2 | Size 2 | Size 3 | Size 3 | Size 4 | Size 4 | Size 4 |
Conversions | No | No |
Optional In front, 10m back |
Optional In front, 10m back |
Yes Not past 15m line |
Yes Not past 15m line |
Yes Not past 15m line |
Kick-off |
Punt 5m Exclusion zone |
Punt or drop 5m Exclusion zone |
Punt or drop 5m Exclusion zone |
Drop | Drop | Drop | Drop |
Restart after score | Tap on half way by non-scoring team | Tap on half way by non-scoring team | Tap on half way by non-scoring team | Tap on half way by non-scoring team | Kick-off by non-scoring team | Kick-off by non-scoring team | Kick-off by non-scoring team |
Kicking | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tackle |
2 handed tag on shorts No offside line for defence |
2 handed tag on shorts No offside line for defence |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Lineout | Tap restart |
2 players No contest |
2 players No contest |
4 players No contest |
5 players Contested No lifting |
5 players Contested No lifting |
7 players Contested No lifting |
Lineout Receiver | Tap restart | Must pass | Must pass | Must pass | All options | All options | All options |
Scrum | Tap restart |
3 players No contest |
3 players No contest |
5 players No contest |
6 players Contested 1m push |
6 players Contested 1m push |
8 players Contested 1m push |
Scrum Half | Tap restart | Must pass | Must pass | Must pass |
All options No.8 moves illegal |
All options No.8 moves illegal |
All options |
Lineout & Scrum over when? | Played by fly-half or bounces | Played by fly-half or bounces | Played by fly-half or bounces | Played by fly-half or bounces | Ball out | Ball out | Ball out |
Penalty Kicks & Free Kicks |
Tap only Opp 5m back |
Tap only Opp 5m back |
Tap only Opp 5m back |
Tap only Opp 5m back |
All options Opp 10m back |
All options Opp 10m back |
All options Opp 10m back |
Under 6s
- First year of rugby union with a strong emphasis on participation, enjoyment and making new friends from the district.
- 7 players on the field at a time.
- There is no tackle or ruck/maul but a two handed grab low (tag) on the shorts.
- Games are played on a quarter of full field.
- Playing time is 2 x 10 mins.
Under 7s
- The children continue for another year with the introduction of non contested three person scrums and two person line outs.
- The development is centred around catch and pass and again with a strong emphasis on participation and having fun.
- 7 players on the field at a time.
- Games are played on a quarter pitch size.
- Playing time is 2 x 15 mins.
Under 8s
- First introduction of tackle and the ruck contest.
- 7 players on the field at a time.
- Games are played on half size field with more room to run.
- Playing time is 2 x 15 mins.
- The safe practices of the tackle and ruck maul are taught by "Smart Rugby" accredited coaches.
Under 9s
- Whilst still on half size field, the team increases to 10 with 5 person scrum and 5 backs.
- More positional play is encouraged but with uncontested scrum and line out.
- Playing time is 2 x 20 mins.
- The opportunity remains for everyone to safely try all positions on the field.
Under 10s
- The games are played on Sundays with grading for the first time.
- The competition covers the Sydney Metropolitan area on a home and away basis.
- Games are competitive scrums and line outs with 12 players on each team.
- The field is almost full field, only 10m narrower (5m each side).
- Playing time is 2 x 20 mins.
- Conversions, kicks in general play and semi and grand finals are other changes to the first year of juniors.
Under 11s
- Same parameters as the U10s.
- The teams are regraded again to keep competitions fair and safe across the grades.
Under12s - U16s
- 15 players on the field.
- Skills focus is on positional awareness.
- Full size field.
- Playing time is 2 x 25 mins.