AGE GRADE RUGBY

1. AGE GRADE RUGBY

2. Feedback on Age Grade Rugby • Video

3. Agenda • Welcome and Introduction • Age Grade Rugby Overview • Kids First and New Rules of Play • National Competition Menu • National Competitive Playing Calendar • Wrap Up

4. Outcomes • Getting ready for the new season • Helping you to help your players

5. AGE GRADE RUGBY “This will see as many young people as possible playing the appropriate game for their age …….. It’s about putting young players first and, ultimately, it will keep more of them in the game for longer” Rugby World Cup Winner and National Council Member, Phil Vickery

6. Age Grade Competition Review • Four year review led by the RFU in consultation with a wide cross section of the game • Age Grade Rugby Review findings: • Lack of clarity of the competition pathway for young players • Conflict between club, school, college and representative competition structure/calendar • Overplaying of the talented players and underplaying of the less able players • Over emphasis on winning and picking better players to achieve this • Deteriorating behaviour on the pitch and touchline • Increasing player welfare issues related to adult coaching and management practice

7. The Need for Change Source: Mini and Youth Blueprint Roadshow 2013

8. Research Childhood to Champion Athlete, by Tudor Bompa One of the most frequently asked questions about children and sport is: "To be a world champion, is it important to win a lot during childhood?" The answer is, 'NO'. To expect potential world champions to be winners from an early age, is like expecting a business to be extremely profitable from its first month of operation. 69% agreed that youth competition should be reduced • Sport & Recreation in New Zealand – what they say • Development is fostered through providing PLAYFUL, FUN and SUPPORTIVE environments where: • Children can experience success • Develop Skills • Learn POSITIVE ATTITUDES towards sport • A long term approach to this from coaches, parents and clubs is vital

9. Research Aspen Institute’s ‘Project Play Initiative Exeter University study • FunMaps research, US National Institute of Health • What makes sport fun for young people.   • 1st is team dynamics • 2nd is trying hard and improving • 3rd is quality coaching • ‘Competing’ comes 21st. Winning comes in at number 48

10. What is Age Grade Rugby ? • Player-Centred • Development-Driven • Competition-Supported

11. Key changes for September 2016 • Full roll out of the New Rules of Play • One national menu of competitions • One national competition calendar • Regulations to reflect these

12. “Fun for kids is so important, it is the most important thing… if they enjoy what they are doing they will do more of it.” Eddie Jones

13. Old Mutual Wealth Kids First

14. Old Mutual Wealth Kids First Off pitch On pitch

15. NEW RULES OF PLAY “When the New Rules of Play first surfaced in Northumberland, I was a vociferous opponent. Within a year I was a complete convert!’ Glenn Forster, Percy Park RFC

16. Player Progression

17. Player Progression

18. Groups • What does this mean for you in your club or school/college? • How will you work with other local clubs and schools/colleges? • What more do you need from us to deliver this?

19. NATIONAL COMPETITION MENU “Competition is important but should evolve when the time is right..” John Mallett, Millfield School and Bath and England

20. National Competition Menu • The right competitive opportunity at the right age • Applied by competition and representative rugby organisers • Format for Festivals and Tournaments etc

21. Council Approval – April 2015 • A nationally-defined menu of national and county competitions per age group • No formal league rugby before U15 • No Tournaments (competitions that find an overall winner) before U12

22. Competitive Menu by Age Group

23. Groups • What does this mean for you in your club or school/college? • How will you work with other local clubs and schools/colleges? • What more do you need from us to deliver this?

24. NATIONAL COMPETITION CALENDAR “Strong relationships between clubs and schools are vital to grow youth rugby. …… The new consistency between clubs and schools will make this even more effective, maximising everyone’s chance to play and develop. Anastasia Long, Graveney School and Old Rutlishians RFC

25. Competitive Playing Calendar • Competitions and representative rugby at all levels (local to CB to national) to be played in specific, nationally-consistent windows in the season

26. Calendar Principles • Balanced and consistent approach for all players • Young people can play rugby all season round • No clashes between club and school/college rugby competitions • Windows aid player-centred selection

27. Calendar Principles

28. REP RUGBY PROGRAMME “We are trying to find a way to make life easier for the players coming through the system. We are looking at what’s better for the player at any part of their journey” Rob Andrew, RFU Professional Rugby Director

29. Council Approval – April 2015 Representative Pathway • Divisional representative level replaced by Regional level programme at U16 (from 2015-16) • No representative rugby before U15 • No district programmes at U16

30. Competition and Talent Development 79% agreed that Talent ID (selection or more accurately de-selection) should be delayed until post maturation

31. Representative Rugby

32. Groups • What does this mean for you in your club or school/college? • How will you work with other local clubs and schools/colleges? • What more do you need from us to deliver this?

33. Age Grade Rugby Timeline

34. Further Information Website • englandrugby.com/agegraderugby • englandrugby.com/kidsfirst Contact • agegraderugby@rfu.com • kidsfirst@rfu.com Twitter • #agegraderugby • @RFU_schools