Age Grade Rugby
Information about age grade Rugby
Age Grade Rugby
Age Grade Rugby ensures that every player is able to enjoy rugby in a safe environment where they can develop their personal and social skills as well as a wide array of transferable multi-sports skills. This results in their holistic development as well as their life long involvement in rugby and other sports.
Age Grade Rugby is the game for all players aged 6 – 18 in clubs, schools, colleges and within the representative pathway and it incorporates the rules of play, regulation, competition formats and the structure of the season.
It is based on the principles of player centred, development driven and competition supported with the wants and needs of young people at its heart.
Age Grade Regulation & Playing Updates 2024-25
Age Grade Rugby is played to RFU Regulation 15 which is available on the RFU Regulations page. It is important that everyone involved in the age grade game is familiar with and applies the regulations in full throughout the season and off season. The regulations for summer 2024 and the 2024-25 season are confirmed. The key updates to the regulations are covered in the Updates document; please click the link below which provides the latest version and share this across your networks:
Age Grade Regulation & Playing Updates 2024-25
The Summer Activity Framework shows what rugby activity is permitted during the May to August off-season period. This along with support and guidance is on the Summer Activity page.
Girls Age Banding
Following a three year review, consultation and development process between 2018 and 2021, the age bandings in the girls game changed from the 2022-23 season. This exciting next phase for girls rugby in England sets up further growth of the game over the next 5 to 10 years, as part of the Every Rose Strategy.
The Girls age bands are at U12, U14, U16 and U18. This means the wide three year age band at U16 to 18 is no longer required and a single age band at U12 to aid the transition to girls-only rugby for current and new players. The U11 regulations provide flexibility for girls to continue to play mixed rugby; to play girls only rugby; or in exceptional circumstances, if individually assessed/approved, to play with the U12 girls.
The rules of play at the new age bands are the same as the boys' game, meaning consistency and equality in the game played on the pitch. However, as in all age grade rugby, the rules can be flexed appropriately to the ability and experience of the players involved. The Frequently Asked Questions provide more detail on the Girls Age Bandings.
The Growing the Girls Game resource has been produced to support the development of girls' rugby. This will help clubs, schools and colleges to build fun, supportive, attractive and inclusive experiences for new and existing players as well as all those that support them. This includes a guidance section for coaches on how to maximise the experience for girls through each of the age bands - Age Band Guidance for Coaches.
