Changes to Age Grade Rugby Tim Bonnett Chair, Community Rugby; Hertfordshire

1. Changes to Age Grade Rugby Tim Bonnett Chair, Community Rugby; Hertfordshire

2. OBJECTIVES Promote understanding of the changes to Age Grade Rugby – why have the rules changed, and how have they changed? Highlight how you can best support your players Answer questions you may have

3. AGE GRADE COMPETITION REVIEW Player Centred, Development Driven and Competition Supported

4. HOW HAVE THE RULES CHANGED? Skill progressions through the age groups to support skill acquisition Safer practice Each season provides a new challenge Provides coaches and teachers more time Good habit

5. NRoP HOW HAVE THE RULES CHANGED?

6. PLAYING TIME HOW HAVE THE RULES CHANGED?

7. TYPES OF COMPETITION AVAILABLE AT DIFFERENT AGES

8. DEFINITIONS OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPETITION

9. DESIRED OUTCOMES FROM THE NROP AND AGE GRADE COMPETITION CHANGES • Player Centred – Development Driven – Competition Supported • Better balance of playing opportunities for all players – reduce overplaying of high performers and underplaying of the average player • Reduction in clashes between school, club and representative rugby • Reduce the intensity of matches that has started to negatively affect player welfare management and player and particularly, adult behaviour in the game • Give all players a rugby experience that focuses on enjoyment, skills development (rugby and social) and the game’s core values • Competitive fixtures where results are a product of the player centred – development driven approach not the sole objective

10. KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT THE CHANGES • The calendar is now part of Regulation 15 – Age Grade Rugby. Compliance is mandatory for all schools and clubs • Clubs, schools and colleges can still play in all weeks throughout the season • High intensity competitive matches (League and Cup) must be organised in the appropriate club and school windows • All players should have equality of playing opportunities appropriate to their skill and development level – reduced underplaying/overplaying • Male Representative rugby is planned to provide appropriately timed opportunities for the better player to excel • Female representative rugby remains season long as it has different objectives in player development terms

11. SPECIFIC HERTFORDSHIRE RFU ACTIONS TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTING THE CHANGES • Directly influencing the calendar and Regulation 15 by lobbying at national level on the changes • Working with clubs and schools to promote understanding of the changesthrough information giving and training • Consultation with M&Y Chairs to agree competitive formats for all clubs • Work with Herts/Middlesex Youth Leagues to spread knowledge of appropriate competition opportunities outside structured leagues • Compliance of all club Festivals and tournaments with the new structure in season 2015/16 • Internal Hertfordshire schools fixtures played to new Regs in 2015/16

12. COMPETITION CALENDAR 2016-17 – MALE U12-U16

13. COMPETITION CALENDAR 2016-17 – MALE U17-18

14. COMPETITION CALENDAR 2016-17 – FEMALE U13-U18

15. ANY QUESTIONS? ‘England Rugby’ and the RFU Rose are trade marks of the Rugby Football Union.