JUNIOR RUGBY from U6 to U15
We want our players to know that if they prepare well and work hard, both in training and on match day, then they are giving themselves the best opportunity to succeed.
We see our rugby program as a journey, where our players are given every opportunity to be the best player they can be. Ultimately, we promise to keep sight of the fact that rugby needs to be fun for our Saints players.
As we start and finish each season we become increasingly proud of our Saints Rugby community. We’re more than a club. At Saints Rugby, we are committed to providing young people with skills that will take them further than winning a few matches. Our focus is on training, teamwork, respect and commitment.
LEARN ABOUT YOUR CHILDS AGE GROUP
Player Pathway – The Saints Junior Rugby training program is divided into three phases:
- Minis Squads (U6s-U9s) where the emphasis is on skill development, tackling and teamwork. There are no league tables or finals and, depending on numbers, we may field more than one team in an age group.
- Development (U10s and U11s) where skill development continues and players start to focus on specific positions. These age groups carry a maximum of 32 players per age group (two teams).
- Seniors (U12s – U18s) where skill development is complemented by position-specific coaching, with team structure becoming more prominent. These age groups carry a maximum of 24 players per age group, which is one team.
CLICK YOUR AGE GROUP BELOW
Under 6’s - Born 2019
(This team moves on to U7s in 2025)
U6 Game Style – Small side games
Skill Focus
- Evasion and Tag
- Catch And Pass
- Running
- Scoring Tries
- Enjoyment
Playing Area – Quarter Field
Playing Time – 2 x Small sided games then 2 x 10 min tag games
Ball – Size 2
Summary of Rules
- Minimum Number Of Six Players
- Teams must match numbers on field during play
- No final series, no competition point and no premierships allowed
- Coaches are allowed on the field for the duration of the game
- No Lineouts
- No Scrums
Under 7’s - Born 2018
(This team moves on to U8s in 2025)
U7 Game Style – 7 a side tag
Skill Focus
- Evasion and Tag
- Catch And Pass
- Running
- Scoring Tries
- Enjoyment
Playing Area – Quarter Field
Playing Time –2 x 15 min
Ball – Size 2
Summary of Rules
- Teams must match numbers on field during play
- No final series, no competition point and no premierships allowed
- Referees play advantage generously to maximize playing time and reduce the number of infringements.
- Lineouts – 2 players from each team form a lineout. These are uncontested and there is no lifting
- Scrums – 3 players from each team form a scrum. These are uncontested and there is no pushing.
Under 8’s - Born 2017
(This team moves on to U9s in 2025)
U8 Game Style – 7 a side tackle
Skill Focus
- Evasion and Tag
- Catch And Pass
- Running
- Scoring Tries
- Tackle
- Ruck
- Maul
- Enjoyment
Playing Area – Half Field
Playing Time –2 x 15 min
Ball – Size 3
Summary of Rules
- Teams must match numbers on field during play
- No final series, no competition point and premierships are actively discouraged.
- Referees play advantage generously to maximize playing time and reduce the number of infringements.
- Lineouts – 2 players from each team form a lineout. These are uncontested and there is no lifting
- Scrums – 3 players from each team form a scrum. These are uncontested and there is no pushing.
Under 9’s - Born 2016
U9 Game Style – 10 a side tackle
Skill Focus
- Evasion and Tag
- Catch And Pass
- Running
- Scoring Tries
- Tackle
- Ruck
- Maul
- Enjoyment
Playing Area – Half Field
Playing Time –2 x 20 min
Ball – Size 3
Summary of Rules
- Teams must match numbers on field during play
- No final series, no competition point and premierships are actively discouraged.
- Referees play advantage generously to maximize playing time and reduce the number of infringements.
- Lineouts – 4 players from each team form a lineout. These are uncontested and there is no lifting
- Scrums – 5 players from each team form a scrum. These are uncontested and there is no pushing.
Under 10’s - Born 2015
(This team moves on to U11s in 2025)
U10 Game Style – 12 a side tackle (No Flankers, No Fullback)
Skill Focus
- Evasion and Tag
- Catch And Pass
- Running
- Scoring Tries
- Tackle
- Ruck
- Maul
- Kick in general play
- Contested scrum
- Contested lineout
- Enjoyment
Playing Area – Full Field less 10 mtrs width
Playing Time –2 x 20 min
Ball – Size 4
Summary of Rules
- Teams must match numbers on field during play
- Competition Ladder implemented
- Lineouts – 5 players from each team form a lineout. These are contested and there is no lifting
- Scrums – 6 players from each team form a scrum. These are contested and a 1 mtr push is allowable. In the event that there are no physically capable or untrained players then scrums shall be uncontested.
Under 11’s - Born 2014
(This team moves on to U12s in 2025)
U11 Game Style – 12 a side tackle (No Flankers, No Fullback)
Skill Focus
- Evasion and Tag
- Catch And Pass
- Running
- Scoring Tries
- Tackle
- Ruck
- Maul
- Kick in general play
- Contested scrum
- Contested lineout
- Enjoyment
Playing Area – Full Field less 10 mtrs width
Playing Time –2 x 25 min
Ball – Size 4
Summary of Rules
- Competition Ladder implemented
- Lineouts – 7 players from each team form a lineout. These are contested and there is no lifting
- Scrums – 8 players from each team form a scrum. These are contested and a 1 mtr push is allowable. In the event that there are no physically capable or untrained players then scrums shall be uncontested.
Under 12’s - Born 2013
(This team moves on to U13s in 2025)
Game Style – 15 a side tackle
Skill Focus
- Evasion and Tag
- Catch And Pass
- Running
- Scoring Tries
- Tackle
- Ruck
- Maul
- Kick in general play
- Contested scrum
- Contested lineout
- Enjoyment
This age spectrum covers
Stage 3 – Training to Train
Stage 4 – Training to Compete
of the ARUs Long Term Player Development (LTPD) Model focusing on progressive development of all core skills listed above with increased pressure.
Playing Area – Full Field
Playing Time –2 x 25 min
Summary of Rules
- Competition Ladder, Finals Series and Premiership implemented
- Lineouts – 7 players from each team form a lineout. These are contested and there is lifting
- Scrums – 8 players from each team form a scrum. These are contested and a 1 mtr push is allowable. In the event that there are no physically capable or untrained players then scrums shall be uncontested.
Under 13’s - Born 2012
(This team moves on to U14s in 2025)
Game Style – 15 a side tackle
Skill Focus
- Evasion and Tag
- Catch And Pass
- Running
- Scoring Tries
- Tackle
- Ruck
- Maul
- Kick in general play
- Contested scrum
- Contested lineout
- Enjoyment
This age spectrum covers
Stage 3 – Training to Train
Stage 4 – Training to Compete
of the ARUs Long Term Player Development (LTPD) Model focusing on progressive development of all core skills listed above with increased pressure.
Playing Area – Full Field
Playing Time –2 x 25 min
Summary of Rules
- Competition Ladder, Finals Series and Premiership implemented
- Lineouts – 7 players from each team form a lineout. These are contested and there is lifting
- Scrums – 8 players from each team form a scrum. These are contested and a 1 mtr push is allowable. In the event that there are no physically capable or untrained players then scrums shall be uncontested.
Under 14’s - Born in 2011
Game Style – 15 a side tackle
Skill Focus
- Evasion and Tag
- Catch And Pass
- Running
- Scoring Tries
- Tackle
- Ruck
- Maul
- Kick in general play
- Contested scrum
- Contested lineout
- Enjoyment
This age spectrum covers
Stage 3 – Training to Train
Stage 4 – Training to Compete
of the ARUs Long Term Player Development (LTPD) Model focusing on progressive development of all core skills listed above with increased pressure.
Playing Area – Full Field
Playing Time –2 x 25 min
Summary of Rules
- Competition Ladder, Finals Series and Premiership implemented
- Lineouts – 7 players from each team form a lineout. These are contested and there is lifting
- Scrums – 8 players from each team form a scrum. These are contested and a 1 mtr push is allowable. In the event that there are no physically capable or untrained players then scrums shall be uncontested.
In Australia all U13 – U18 year olds play to modified laws designed to make the game safer and more enjoyable. These Australian U18 Law Variations continue the progression from the Kid’s Pathway (U6 – U12) through to junior representative opportunities at local club, school and regional levels.
In this age range the priority is to provide the players with opportunities to learn by trying it for themselves and the stages through this age range are stepped to allow for the progressive development of every individual.
From U13 – U18 rugby games are intended to further develop the individual skills, fitness and team work of all players in accordance with their age and understanding of the game.
Join a family-friendly Junior Rugby Club and play in the Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby competition.
Saints compete against clubs across the coast, including Noosa, Maroochydore, Gympie, University, Nambour, Eumundi, Kawana and Caloundra and two school clubs, Matthew Flinders and Sunshine Coast Grammar.
