Following a review of Junior Club Rugby in 2019 a number of changes have occurred specifically around a change in focus to a climate of development and fun to improve participation and retention of junior club rugby players in the game and to engender a life-long love of the game.
This will put children at the centre of the rugby experience, keep them in the game, enjoying the game and move away from the climate of performance that existed in some aspects of junior rugby such as the end of season junior rugby tournament or club representative programme as it was known.
North Harbour staff will continue to promote the “Good Sports” programme to junior clubs which focuses on development rather than performance. Other versions of the game will be offered to boys through to under 13 years of age following the success of Girls Only Rippa/QuickRip. J4 will revert to 10 aside in keeping with the NZ Rugby Small Blacks Model to provide a developmental environment that suits that age group.
Girls Only Rippa/Quickrip will extend to the Under 15 age group to retain them in the game through club rugby with secondary schools having the option to field teams in that grade. Removal of the end of season junior rugby tournament or club representative programme will occur and a Club/Union Working Group is considering grade based festival rugby and development programmes for J1 to J4 players to replace the tournament.
In summary the following changes are made:
Click on this link for the 2019 Junior Club Rugby Weight and Age Chart.
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