AGE GRADE RUGBY
Feedback on Age Grade Rugby
• Video
Agenda
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Welcome and Introduction
Age Grade Rugby Overview
Kids First and New Rules of Play
National Competition Menu
National Competitive Playing Calendar
Wrap Up
Outcomes
• Getting ready for the new season
• Helping you to help your players
AGE GRADE RUGBY
“This will see as many young people as
possible playing the appropriate game for
their age …….. It’s about putting young
players first and, ultimately, it will keep more
of them in the game for longer”
Rugby World Cup Winner and National
Council Member, Phil Vickery
Age Grade Competition Review
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Four year review led by the RFU in
consultation with a wide cross section of the
game
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Age Grade Rugby Review findings:
– Lack of clarity of the competition pathway for
young players
– Conflict between club, school, college and
representative competition structure/calendar
– Overplaying of the talented players and
underplaying of the less able players
– Over emphasis on winning and picking better
players to achieve this
– Deteriorating behaviour on the pitch and
touchline
– Increasing player welfare issues related to adult
coaching and management practice
The Need for Change
Source: Mini and Youth Blueprint
Roadshow 2013
Research
Childhood to Champion Athlete, by Tudor Bompa
One of the most frequently asked questions about children and sport is: "To
be a world champion, is it important to win a lot during
childhood?" The answer is, 'NO'.
To expect potential world champions to be winners from an early age, is like
expecting a business to be extremely profitable from its first month of
operation.
Sport & Recreation in New Zealand – what they say
Development is fostered through providing PLAYFUL, FUN and
SUPPORTIVE environments where:
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Children can experience success
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Develop Skills
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Learn POSITIVE ATTITUDES towards sport
A long term approach to this from coaches, parents and clubs is vital
69% agreed that
youth competition
should be reduced
Research
Aspen Institute’s ‘Project Play Initiative
FunMaps research, US National Institute of Health
What makes sport fun for young people.
1st is team dynamics
2nd is trying hard and improving
3rd is quality coaching
‘Competing’ comes 21st. Winning comes in at number 48
Exeter University study
What is Age Grade Rugby ?
Player-Centred
Development-Driven
Competition-Supported
Key changes for September 2016
• Full roll out of the New
Rules of Play
• One national menu of
competitions
• One national
competition calendar
• Regulations to reflect
these
“Fun for kids is so important, it is the
most important thing… if they enjoy
what they are doing they will do more
of it.”
Eddie Jones
Old Mutual Wealth Kids First
Old Mutual Wealth Kids First
Off pitch
On pitch
NEW RULES OF
PLAY
“When the New Rules of Play first
surfaced in Northumberland, I was a
vociferous opponent. Within a year I
was a complete convert!’
Glenn Forster, Percy Park RFC
Player Progression
Player Progression
Groups
1. What does this mean for you in your club
or school/college?
2. How will you work with other local clubs
and schools/colleges?
3. What more do you need from us to deliver
this?
NATIONAL
COMPETITION
MENU
“Competition is important but should
evolve when the time is right..”
John Mallett, Millfield School
and Bath and England
National Competition Menu
• The right competitive
opportunity at the right
age
• Applied by competition
and representative
rugby organisers
• Format for Festivals
and Tournaments etc
Council Approval – April 2015
1. A nationally-defined menu
of national and county
competitions per age group
2. No formal league rugby
before U15
3. No Tournaments
(competitions that find an
overall winner) before U12
Competitive Menu by Age Group
Groups
1. What does this mean for you in your club
or school/college?
2. How will you work with other local clubs
and schools/colleges?
3. What more do you need from us to deliver
this?
NATIONAL
COMPETITION
CALENDAR
“Strong relationships between clubs and schools
are vital to grow youth rugby. …… The new
consistency between clubs and schools will make
this even more effective, maximising everyone’s
chance to play and develop.
Anastasia Long, Graveney School
and Old Rutlishians RFC
Competitive Playing Calendar
• Competitions and
representative rugby at
all levels (local to CB to
national) to be played in
specific, nationallyconsistent windows in the
season
Calendar Principles
• Balanced and consistent
approach for all players
• Young people can play
rugby all season round
• No clashes between club
and school/college rugby
competitions
• Windows aid playercentred selection
Calendar Principles
REP RUGBY
PROGRAMME
“We are trying to find a way to make life
easier for the players coming through the
system. We are looking at what’s better for
the player at any part of their journey”
Rob Andrew, RFU Professional Rugby
Director
Council Approval – April 2015
Representative Pathway
1. Divisional representative
level replaced by Regional
level programme at U16
(from 2015-16)
2. No representative rugby
before U15
3. No district programmes at
U16
Competition and Talent Development
79% agreed that Talent ID
(selection
or more accurately de-selection)
should be delayed until post
maturation
Representative Rugby
Groups
1. What does this mean for you in your club
or school/college?
2. How will you work with other local clubs
and schools/colleges?
3. What more do you need from us to deliver
this?
Age Grade Rugby Timeline
2016/7
2017/8
AGR starts for U16 and below
New Rules of Play mandatory across clubs and schools up to and including
U13
Lineout development implemented at U14-U16
AGR rollout completed for U17/18
Further Information
Website
• englandrugby.com/agegraderugby
• englandrugby.com/kidsfirst
Contact
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
Twitter
• #agegraderugby
• @RFU_schools