Something that hasn't been mentioned here is the messing around they're doing with rules changes for the junior game, which I think could be more damaging to the game in the long run.
Where they'll be playing touch rugby till they're 10, I know I wouldn't have started playing for Eastmoor if that was the case when I was 7 and just carried on playing union but it was the amount of times you got the ball, made tackles and was just generally more physical that made it like RU but on steroids. I loved tackling and testing myself physically even at that age.
So basically it seems you won't start to learn how to tackle till you're in the U10s, which is nuts imo. Coaching had my tackling technique pretty nailed down by that age, if not before that tbh, as most half-decent players did. Then they're messing with the 10-meter defensive line which I don't have a major problem with at that age tbh, just means the attacking line will be deeper, as it generally is when you're younger. Under 10s fixtures will be a maximum of nine players per team with a 5-metre retreat by the defensive line; and Under 11s will be a maximum of 11 players per team, again with a 5-metre retreat by the defensive line.
From Under 12s to Under 18s, a trial will be held in at least one member league in 2024 to reduce the retreat by the defensive line to 7 meters, and to minimise knockout cup fixtures – with a view to more widespread introduction from 2025.
Who knows how all this is gonna affect the game in the next generation or two?
Statistics: Posted by Shifty Cat — Sun Dec 10, 2023 7:47 pm
