The Youth Review Group (YRG) set up by the RFUW Board to examine all issues relating to the youth game quickly determined that age banding issues needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency. It was necessary to speedily and accurately reflect what was actually happening in the game and so the YRG actively sought information from clubs, players, coaches and administrators on key issues and possible solutions.
Dedicated to providing for the development of girls’ rugby in a safe and enjoyable environment, the YRG has recommended changes to ensure: opportunities for girls to play rugby in a safe environment; to give players a pathway to remain involved in rugby and to improve and develop their performance through appropriate training and competition.
Currently, U16s play adapted laws which include limited scrummaging. Development work has focused on the RFUW working with the RFU, seeking in particular to develop U14s rugby through the Active Sports scheme and establishing U14s sections in clubs.
For U18s, previous consultation and discussion within the game led to plans for the development of U18 sides from next season onwards with those in the U18 age group no longer allowed to play senior rugby.
Certain aspects are, however, clear. There are not enough U18s at current or projected figures to sustain U18s teams and players, having nowhere to play, would inevitably drop out of the game. It is also clearly necessary to adapt the two age groups to reduce the disparity in age and maturation levels which have caused some safety concerns. To move to U14s, U16s and U18s would involve a massive number of volunteers, while having two age groups, plus a senior side, is more achievable.
Moving the age group at which a player can move into senior rugby up by one year provides a critical mass of players to maintain and increase numbers of junior sides. Age banding at U14 and U17 allows for an appropriate Continuum, with girls coming from Active Sports, having played mostly tag rugby, playing uncontested scrums, whilst the older age group can play contested scrums with reduced fear of injury through physical disparities. Players who are 18 can assist in sustaining senior sides of clubs who have nurtured their talents and can have a first taste of senior rugby before they may leave for university.
An U14s age group fits perfectly with work being carried out by County Sports Partnerships, RFU and RFUW development officers in the Active Sports programme and provides a clear pathway from introduction to rugby up to the senior club game. It also allows for ease of development through schools, with the lower age band relating to years 7, 8 and 9.
2004/05 season
Two age groups for girls’ rugby at U14s and U17s will each encompass three school age bands which will reduce safety fears.
U14s will continue to play under the current U16 laws, with a review in two years and the intention to move towards RFU Continuum laws as the game develops and player numbers and experience levels increase. Maximum team size will be 12, with no minimum number of players within this age group at club or county level. Maximum squad size will be18 players, five forwards and seven backs. There will be uncontested scrummages, no lifting in the lineout, no hand offs and no fly hacking and the scrum half may follow round to mid point only of scrummage.
U17s will play under the IRB U19 laws, with a maximum team size of 15 players and no minimum number of players within this age group at club or county level. Numbers can be agreed between sides, as the main aim is to get players on the pitch and playing matches.
Age on Rugby Available Details
1st Sept of season
10 and below RFU Continuum Mixed contact
11 RFU Continuum mixed Contact Rugby
contact and/or RFUW U14 Variations
Lower Age Band
12 RFUW Lower Age Band Girls Contact
Rugby *U14
Variations
13 RFUW Lower Age Band Girls Contact
Rugby *U14
Variations
14 RFUW Upper Age Band Girls Contact
Rugby **U19
Laws
15 RFUW Upper Age Band Girls Contact
Rugby **U19
Laws
16 RFUW Upper Age Band Girls Contact
Rugby **U19
Laws
17 and above RFUW Senior Rugby Women’s
or RFUW Upper Age Contact Rugby
Band - IRB laws
U12s can continue to play mixed rugby, but can also register and play with an U14s girls’ sides.
U18s can play senior rugby although they may apply to remain with the U17s side in exceptional circumstances. (e.g. where no senior team exists locally). U18s cannot play in the front five.
Clubs fielding U18 players MUST meet all child protection and welfare regulations.
Schools may continue to play in U18 competitions, as long as this is agreed with the opposition.
The regional programme for next year will reflect the new age bands of U14s and U17s and U18 players will be competing at senior level.
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