GRFU Development League
Background
• 2013/14 season a new ‘Development League’ set up in the
GRFU south region.
• The format of the league was decided upon based on
regional unions who had successful clubs at this age and
managed to retain more young players in the game.
• Aim of the league was to encourage retention of players
between 17 and 19 and manage their transition into senior
rugby.
• 10 teams entered with Cleve, Thornbury, Keynsham, St
Brendans and Cotham Park combining their U17s and 18s.
• No teams have dropped out this season and the three top
teams are those who have combined their age groups.
Set up
• All clubs from within the Bristol region were
asked to enter in order to reduce the amount
of travelling for teams.
• Coaches from the league met in May to
discuss the set up and ethos of the league.
• All clubs have been competative and no team
has been thrashed in the league.
• Aim of the league was to avoid mismatches
and ensure all clubs were competative.
2014/15 Season
• Based on the success of this years league an expansion of this is being
proposed.
• The U17 and 18 age group is combined.
• Two leagues will be set up- North and South, with teams playing each
other home and away.
• 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, Bonus point for 4 tries/losing by 7 or less
and the loosing team gets a point for playing the fixture.
• Dependant on the amount of teams who enter, at the end of league
fixtures teams will enter into a Cup, Plate, Bowl and sheild competition
based on their final position- this will see the North and South Leagues
combined.
• There will be a finals day where all finals will be played.
• Clubs will automatically be entered into a GRFU knckout cup competition.
• Teams will also be encouraged to enter the National U18 Cup which all
teams are eligible for.
• The closing date for entries is Friday 14th March 2014- entry fee is £50.
Squads
• The most successful way of running ‘Colts’ squads is by combining U17s,
18s and the remaining 19s.
• This will boost numbers in training and allow U19s and U18s to play in
senior sides if they are deemed to be of a good enough standard.
• This mirrors what happens at schools and colleges, and brings it in line
with the England and representative age group set up.
• This also combines U17 and 18 coaches meaning players should get more
time with coaches and eases the pressure on one individual to deliver and
try to hold everything together.
• The most successful ‘colts’ teams have done this- Weston Hornets,
Ivybridge, Chippenham, Worcester, Luctonians- all of whom regularly
reach the latter stages of national competitions and have improving senior
sides due to the players being retained.
• If possible getting first team players involved in coaching is important as it
adds confidence to the players and gives them a contact in the seniors.
Ethos
• Although this league is competative the emphasis is on
‘Development’.
• Clubs who are a lot stronger than other clubs are expected
to manage the players on the pitch if there is a mismatch.
• This requires coaches of opposing sides communicating
before games in order to discuss this and ensure the teams
are as evenly matched as possible.
• If one team or both teams are short teams are encouraged
to even up the numbers so the fixture can be played.
• This has been a particular success this season with a couple
of fixtures being played 12 vs 12 due to player shortage.
Players
• Each team is allowed 4 under 19s in their squad
on a matchday and only 2 on the pitch at any
time.
• These players CANNOT play if they are part of the
first team squad and/or are part of the EPDG
program.
• A team is also only allowed a maximim of 4 silver
EPDG players in their match day squad.
• The reason U19’s are included is to aid their
development as they transition across to senior
rugby.
Players
• Each team is allowed 4 under 19s in their squad
on a matchday and only 2 on the pitch at any
time.
• These players CANNOT play if they are part of the
first team squad and/or are part of the EPDG
program.
• A team is also only allowed a maximim of 4 silver
EPDG players in their match day squad.
• The reason U19’s are included is to aid their
development as they transition across to senior
rugby.