Youth

Ryton RFC's youth division 'Ryton Youth Rugby' provides training and matches for boys from Under 8 to Under 19. Girls are welcome to play in mixed teams up to the Under 12 age group. After this, boys and girls must play in separate teams and we recommend that girls join the Gateshead District Girls Rugby Team.

Young players are coached in accordance with the RFU's 'Continuum' which introduces the principles of rugby in stages, according to age. After learning basic ball handling skills, players are introduced progressively to tackling, scrums, line-outs, and to kicking. By the age of 13, they effectively play the full 15-a-side version with duration reduced accordingly

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Ryton Youth Rugby has three distinct groups: Colts, Juniors and Minis.

Child Welfare and Protection

Ryton Youth Rugby operates a child protection policy in line with the recommendations of the RFU and the RFUW. You can download Ryton's procedures here.

 
Youth Continuum
Note: This table is for guidance only. For full information about rthe Youth Continuum, including Under 19 variations and guidance for very young players, please refer to the RFU web site.
Mini Rugby Midi Rugby 15-a-side
U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13 Upwards

7-a-side
Size 3 ball

Pass backwards

Free pass restart at:
Kick off
Infringement
Ball in touch
Knock on

Touch tackle only

No scrum
No line-out
No kicking
No hand off

Uncontested scrum introduced in second half of season

9-a-side
(3 forwards, 6 backs)
Size 3 ball

Free pass restart at:
Kick off
Infringement
Ball in touch

Tackling introduced progressively

Uncontested scrum (3 players each side)

No line-out

No kicking

No hand off

9-a-side
(3 forwards, 6 backs)
Size 4 ball

Free pass restart at:
Kick off
Infringement

Contested scrum
(3 players each side)

Contested line-out
(2 players each side)

No lifting

No quick throw in

No kicking

No hand off

12-a-side
(5 forwards, 7 backs)
Size 4 ball

Contested scrum
(5 players each side)

Contested line-out
(2, 3 or 4 players)
No lifting
No quick throw in

Controlled kicking
(i.e. no fly kicking)

Conversion after try

Restart with drop kick

No hand off

12-a-side
(5 forwards, 7 backs)
Size 4 ball

Contested scrum
(5 players each side)

Contested line-out
(2, 3 or 4 players)
No lifting
Quick throw in OK

Controlled kicking (i.e. no fly kicking)

Conversion after try

Restart with drop kick

No hand off

Laws of the 15-a-side game apply but with flexibility on numbers and duration

Size 4 ball up to U14
Size 5 U15 upwards

Hand off now legal