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An Age Band Review Group is to be set up to consider the proposal to remove Under 18 girls from senior rugby as soon as is practical.
You are invited to submit comments on the following proposals to amend the RFUW Youth age bands by Monday 16th January 2006. This can be done in writing to Kean Clifford (Age Band Review, 1 Madams Hill Cottages, Broughton Green, Droitwich, Worcestershire WR9 7ED or via e-mail to kean.clifford@which.net and all feedback received will be considered by the Age Band Review Group. Please include “Age Band Review” in the subject line of all e-mails.
Timing of the review
The RFUW statement in May 2004 announcing new age bands for 2004/5 season, also stated the intention of the RFUW to review the age bands in 2 years i.e. for 2006/7 season.
The Youth Review Group Recommendations published September 2005 were for the Age Bands to be reviewed after 3 years i.e. 2007/8 season.
However, it was stated that the Youth Director, Director of Rugby and Youth Lead Officer would make any year on year changes deemed to be necessary.
The rationale and projected timeline for the 3 year review was to allow:
• 3 years for a full ‘age band’ to pass through the structure
• At least 2 full seasons of evidence and experience gathering Sept-May
• 6/7 months of review process including formation of a working party and consultation with membership.
• early release of any revised age bands during season 3 for coming season.
The RFUW board of directors, while accepting the main recommendations on age band, has requested that the review date be brought forward to the original 2 year review period, i.e. review and statement complete during the 2005/6 season, ready if appropriate for the start of 2006/7 season.
Problems of U18s in Senior Rugby
Welfare requirements on clubs are difficult to monitor and regulate.
Transfer from ‘youth’ to senior often requires a change of club.
Some players are reluctant to leave their ‘youth’ club to move to a senior club for the following reasons:
• Feel socially disadvantaged and isolated in adult team due to the large average age difference
• Training times are not designed for children
• 1 year to integrate into new club before leaving for university
• Travel difficulties
• Unable to play front row
• Unable to get game time due to established team structures
• Unable to get appropriate match experience due to needs of the senior team
17 year old front row players fall into a gap in our front row player development pathway and as a consequence may leave the front row for life.
Problems of U18s in Youth Rugby
As a result of various combinations of the above factors a number of Under 18 players seek dispensation to remain in the Under 17 age band for a season. While this may overcome the difficulty for the players concerned the effect on the game as a whole is to re-instate an effective 4 year age band. This is contrary to the RFUW’s stated aim of reducing the breadth of the age bands in the long term.
Arguments for transition from current age bands (U14 and U17) to U15 and U18
1) Current welfare issues for senior teams with U18s playing disappear - under the proposed age bands players will be already 18 when they join seniors. The process for considering dispensation for U18s to play in U17s rugby also becomes irrelevant.
2) Front row players will also be 18 and therefore immediately be eligible to play in their established positions when moving into senior rugby. The scarcity of front row players throughout the game will not be aggravated by a break in their development pathway.
3) Social aspects whereby U18s would remain with their youth team in the year before University or College rather than have to find a senior team may assist retention.
4) Current U17 band splits the sixth form between youth and senior so any in-school development at this level creates problems for linking to local clubs. Proposal would include both 1st and 2nd Year 6th Form as U18. The existing “sliding 3 year band” for school sides would continue to accommodate different local educational structures.
5) The pathway to England U19 trials would be strengthened – in line with the Super 4s trials could be by invitation following the Under 18 regional programme and PDAs.
Considerable care and thought will be needed in respect of the increasing numbers of girls being introduced to the game through local CB initiatives. In the medium term an Under 12 band may be the objective but until this is practical some flexibility to meet local circumstances can be considered.
Impact of proposal on existing teams and clubs
U14 and U17s – existing squads from 2005-2006 would remain together in 2006-2007 enabling continuity of recruitment and development over 2 years. Consideration is also necessary in respect of girls who are 11 but under 12 years old at the start of the season (School Year 7) who are currently allowed to play in either U12 mixed teams under the RFU continuum or with girls only U14 sides. If they are still allowed to play within an U15 girls’ age band this would create a four year band which is contrary to the preferred direction identified in the Youth Review Group Report published earliert this year.
Senior – in 2006-2007 senior teams would not receive injection of U18 players emerging from youth sides. This would have to be weighed against the welfare issues and the earliest possible notification to clubs of a change is essential.
Expressions of interest are invited from those wishing to be considered to sit on the Age Band Review Group to consider all feedback and the appropriate course of action to be recommended to the Board by March 2006. The Review Group is expected to meet no more than twice and to convene in the first instance towards the end of January 2006. Expressions of interest should be forwarded in the first instance to Kean Clifford (Age Band Review, 1 Madams Hill Cottages, Broughton Green, Droitwich, Worcestershire WR9 7ED or via e-mail to kean.clifford@which.net
Kean Clifford
Youth & Students Director
5.12.2005
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