Mini Rugby
Most budding rugby players are introduced to the sport either at school or at a local rugby club. Tag rugby and touch rugby are the most popular forms of the game for younger children, both boys and girls, as they promote key skills such as passing, scoring, movement and tactical awareness while the rules do not permit full contact.
Mini rugby is now provided by over 30 clubs in Middlesex. It has been designed for children from Under 7 to Under 11 as way of introducing rugby to youngsters in a fun and progressive way, prior to progressing to junior rugby at U12.
The younger age groups, from school year 1 to year 3 play tag rugby. This is a non-contact version of the game that focuses on passing, space awareness and running (hopefully towards the try line). At school-year 4 and above, the players slowly progress, year by year, towards the full version of the game. Sessions are normally held on Sunday mornings and the season runs from the first Sunday in September through to the end of April.
Age Grade Review
Since the launch of Age Grade Rugby in September 2016 Middlesex Rugby has requested feedback from players, parents, coaches, clubs and other constituent bodies on what they expect of the County in support of mini and junior rugby. We have now taken some decisions on the structure and format of minis and junior rugby in the County.
Middlesex has issued two key documents, one covering the U7 – U11 age group and the second covering U12. These are summarised below, or you can download the full document here.
Download U7 – U11 Festival Framework & Guidelines (August 2017)
Download U12 Rules (August 2017)
Club Festivals
Clubs must gain approval from Middlesex Rugby before hosting a festival and must submit a format that complies with the Middlesex Rugby Age Grade Rugby festival guidelines. Approval MUST be given by both Louise Latter, as Chair of Rugby Development for Middlesex Rugby and Waheed Aslam, Chair of Mini Rugby. Festivals for U7s and U11s can be held at any time. If U12s are being included in the club festival then they can only be held in a club priority weekend within the Age Grade Rugby calendar.
Keeping in touch
All clubs MUST register a primary contact for mini and youth rugby. You can register names and contact details of all relevant coaches and managers online by completing and submitting the form below. This will ensure that we can communicate effectively with all clubs and ensure that no clubs missed out of important fixture information.
Getting Involved
It is especially important that all young players and parents understand rugby’s core values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.
Clubs organise friendly fixtures and take part in rugby festivals, including the six festivals organised for the County. All games are played in a friendly spirit with an emphasis of encouragement and respect for players and officials.
The majority of coaches are parents who have been RFU trained and have been CRB checked. The coaches understand the ages of the children they are coaching and are able to convey the spirit of the game to the young people involved.
Parents are actively encouraged to get involved with coaching, first aid and administration; all the required training is provided by the club.
Clubs are always looking for new players so contact your local club today and get involved!
Clubs with Minis Sections.
Keeping children safe
The safety of children and young adults is of paramount importance and Middlesex Rugby takes the subject very seriously. We are committed to ensuring that young people, whatever their background, enjoy the game in a fun environment, safe from any kind of abuse. Visit our Safeguarding page to find out more about Middlesex Rugby’s safeguarding policies.
Further Information
For more information about playing mini rugby in Middlesex, please contact Waheed Aslam on 07867 576785 or email moc/ybgurxeselddim//malsa/deehaw.
