How to play
The Game
Children
Children can expect to be able to enjoy their rugby and be able to play it safely with people of similar age, size and ability. By the end of each season they should have developed their skills enough to be able to move up to the next grade.
- Benefit from the best resources and coaching available from their club.
- Be equally involved in the game as the other children and contribute the best of their ability to each game.
- Be able to play a fair game, JRZE ensures that this can be achieved by disallowing poaching of players from other teams and no stacking of teams in grades.
Parents/Caregivers
As a parent or caregiver you can expect all of the above for your child and to gain as much enjoyment from the rugby as the children.
If you wish to become involved in coaching or helping out with a team or club, you should be given that opportunity too, contact your child's coach for details.
Remember that having signed up a child to play rugby; you have accepted a responsibility to the team, coach, club and all children playing Junior Club Rugby. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your junior rugby club or coach.
Rules
The rules that we play under are modifications of the NZRU domestic laws. To see a copy of these rules, ask your child's coach or click here for an overview
How to play
Every child's rugby experience is to be a safe and enjoyable one.
All New Zealand Rugby is guided by their agreement with the ACC on playing rules and the age/weight grading systems we play by. To ensure this safety is maintained any person involved in junior rugby including assistant coaches, referees or people helping out must hold the small blacks accreditation.
If you have any enquiries or concerns regarding safety please speak to your club or coach.
Non-Tackle Rugby
Under Six - Under Seven
The Wellington Juniors Rugby Club starts by introducing under six and under seven grades to simple skills such as; running with the ball, tagging using 2 hands, passing the ball, boundaries of the playing field, the basic structure of the game and what it means to play as a team.
Player skill is developed over time.
Under eight
In the under 8 grade the players are introduced to tackling. The first half of the season will proceed with no tackling allowed, although players will be introduced to the idea of 'setting-up' the ball for rucks and malls, as well as being taught how to tackle and be tackled properly and safely.
In the second half of the season in the under 8 grade tackling IS allowed.
Click here for the rules for the Under 8 grade.
Click here for a clarification of the under 8 rules for touch prior to Sat 14th May 2011.
Girls may play 'down' a grade. However, girls showing 'exceptional' ability will be monitored and may become subject to normal age/weight criteria.
Weight
Weight grades in rugby make it safe and ensure the game is played by children who are of similar physical size.
A player must meet the registration weight regardless of when during the season they register. If a player is moved out of a grade they cannot go back to that grade throughout the rest of the season. Sometimes is a player is exceeding the cap weight for a grade they may be required to move up two grades however applications can be made to JRZE for that player to be moved back down one grade. That player will then become subject to OWPR playing conditions if they're application is successful. Once a player meets the weight boundary for the grade that they are in, they must then move to a higher grade without being able to return to a lower grade during that season.
The following link shows the age/weight grade table for 2012.