Junior Player Pathway
When we watch the wonderful Wallabies in action against South Africa, England or the All Blacks, we see a huge variety of skills and techniques, displayed with great precision and expertise.
Rugby is a very exciting, free flowing and often spectacular game, but it is quite complex and requires the mastering of many different individual and unit skills. The Australian Rugby Union believes that younger Rugby Union players should be introduced to the game through its Junior Player Pathway Program. This Program has been designed to introduce kids to the skills and tactical concepts of Rugby, in a safe and fun manner.
With an emphasis on sportsmanship, fair play and safety, girls and boys are given the opportunity to develop their sporting skills and confidence.
The Junior Player Pathway Modified Games of
resemble the adult form of Rugby from which they derive. They have been specially adapted to be more suitable for the player's stage of life, physical capability, health status, skill level and previous experience. They are safe to play yet still challenging. These games have altered aspects of adult Rugby Laws to achieve suitability, such as the size of the ball, the playing area, the length of games and the playing numbers on the field.
The modified Rugby games, are also incorporated in a curriculum school-based EdRugby program and community TryRugby program.
Walla Rugby. 7 - 8 years.
As the first introduction to the game, Walla Rugby is played on a modified field to cater for the young age group, ensuring that each player will experience maximum involvement. It is a simple, non-tackling introduction to the game. It has been designed to focus on the game principles of Possession, Go Forward and Pressure; the individual skills of Passing and Receiving, Running and Evasion; and tagging; as well as the game elements of Ball take, Scrum and Lineout. Walla is player on a smaller field and with only 7 players. CLICK HERE for some ideas of skills and drills for Walla coaching.
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Mini Rugby. 9 - 10 years.
Mini Rugby continues the theme of free-flowing running and passing Rugby action. However most importantly it introduces the young player to the contact elements of the game. It has been designed to teach the Game principles of Possession, Go Forward and Pressure with greater emphasis on the tactical principle of Support. It also teaches the individual skills of Passing and Receiving; Running and Evasion; Contact; Kicking and Tackling; as well as the game elements of Ruck, Maul, Scrum and Lineout. Mini is played on a smaller field with 10 players in each team.
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Midi Rugby. 11 - 12 years.
Midi rugby is the stepping-stone to the full game. It is played between twelve or fifteen players on a standard size field, with more elements of the Under 19 game being introduced. It has been designed to teach the Game principles of Possession, Go Forward, Pressure, Support with greater emphasis on the principle of Continuity. It also teaches the individual skills of Passing and Receiving; Running and Evasion; Contact; Kicking and Tackling; as well as the game elements of Ruck, Maul, Scrum and Lineout.
Midi rugby is the final modified game before players reach U19 laws at 13 year of age.
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These forms of Rugby provide an appropriate learning environment for appropriate age groups that stimulates interest and maximises participation. They can also be used as an introductory activity for new players of all ages.
Why should my child be involved in the Junior Player Pathway?
- The Junior Player Pathway provides kids with a safe and enjoyable introduction to the skills and tactical principles of the game of rugby union;
- It allows young players to be introduced to skills at a pace appropriate to their age and physical development;
- Irrespective of size, body shape or ability, players are given the opportunity to reach their potential in a caring, fun and safe environment;
- Pathway games provide the basic skills and understanding of set plays through the modified scrum, maul and lineout situations;
- The desirable qualities of rugby - sportsmanship and fair play - are positively rewarded, with minimal emphasis on competition;
- At all times safety is a paramount consideration. Pathway Laws have been specifically designed to provide a safe environment for both male and female players, while learning relevant skills;
- With your support, you will see your child's coordination, confidence, self-esteem and social skills improve immensely in a very short period of time. This will help to provide a good basis of health, fitness and motor skills for future years.
Pathway Laws
As part of the Junior Player Pathway, special Laws have been developed to cater for the modified versions of the game.
The Junior Player Pathway is designed to not only provide a progressive pathway for players but a development pathway for coaches, teachers and referees. Find out more
Modified games Coordinators Handbook
Whatever the level of previous rugby exposure of the participants, information in this resource has been devised to allow clubs and schools to provide for continued participant involvement in the Junior Player Pathway. A variety of Modified Games structures/competitions can be chosen e.g. Gala Day, Cluster competition, traditional Walla/Mini/Midi competition. Appointing a Modified Games Coordinator and utilising the numerous pieces of administrative information in this resource will ensure that all participants (players, coaches, teachers, parents, match officials etc) go away with a positive rugby experience from their initial introduction to the game, as well as making your job a lot easier.
The ideas put forward in this resource often refer to the ‘ideal’ situation. However the equipment and personnel available in each region will differ somewhat. Therefore it is suggested that this manual be used as a guide and each Junior Player Pathway Rugby provider select from it what is applicable.
