At Royston RUFC, young recruits from Under 6 through Under 12 play under the Mini Rugby code. The game, its rules and skill requirements develop in line with the age group and capabilities of the youngsters ensuring fun, safety and learning at the right pace for all. Throughout the age groups under 6,7 and 8 (School Years 1,2,3) the non contact form of the game (Tag Rugby) is played. Children are placed rigorously in their year groups to ensure no-one is over-awed by the presence of older children.

At Under 6 we concentrate on developing skills in a non competitive context with the focus on developing hand eye co-ordination by practicing passing and catching in a variety of safe play contexts. Children are taught key skills of running forward with the ball in both hands, looking for gaps to run into, supporting the man with the ball and scoring a try safely. Children are also taught defensive techniques at this stage focusing on forming the defensive line and tagging which simulates tacking at under 6, 7 and 8 age groups.

At Under 7 the children are introduced to competitive play for the first time, playing in competitive coaching games with other clubs and in tournaments. Play continues with the team in possession retaining the ball for an unlimited number of tags until either a try is scored or there is an infringement resulting in a turn over of the ball to the opposition. This continuous play ensures that the teams with the best ball handling skills and who focus on going forward will win the match, reinforcing the importance of precision of pass and catch. The children learn to off-load the ball in the tackle (Tag), sidestep, swerve, find gaps and the importance of maintaining the defensive line.

At under 8 play goes up a gear, becoming faster and requiring quick thinking, linking up, development of passing to move the ball wide. Tactics become very important and at the age of 8 most children have mastered the game of tag. Children play in training matches with other clubs and enjoy a number of tournaments culminating in the County Tournament. At this age the ball is automatically turned over to the opposition after 6 tackles, ensuring that the most skilful sides in going forward with the ball win the game.

At under 9 and 10, contact is introduced in the form of tackling, rucks, mauls, 3 man scrums and 2 man line outs.

A team comprises 9 players three of whom are forwards who form the scrum and the remaining players form the back line. Players may not hand off or fend tackles, kick the ball, obstruct other non ball carrying players, make late or high tackles. Misdemeanours are rewarded by turnover of the ball and a penalty pass. All other play stoppages are restarted by a scrum or lineout.

The under 9 year is an important year of transition in which the player's confidence in their own abilities and skills are challenged for the first time by physical confrontation and the need to be physically and psychologically brave. Our coaching staff place huge emphasis on developing safe techniques for playing in and out of contact.

At under 9 scrums and line outs are uncontested and so competitive contact is restricted to open field play, smoothing the transition to the full contact game. At under 10 scrums and line outs are fully contested.

Our objective at Royston is to interchange players through the positions so that all may experience the different kinds of play applicable to forwards and backs

At under 11 and 12 age group, sometimes referred to as midi rugby, team size is extended to 12 players per team, 5 of whom must be forwards, the remainder backs. Each age group plays competitive games against teams of their own age without exception. It is not acceptable for 11 year olds to be playing 12 year olds in a competitive match.

Scrums are contested and comprise 5 players in a 3-2 combination. Line outs are contested and comprise 4 players with the 5th forward throwing into the lineout.

Kicking of penalties and conversions is permitted as per the 15 man game and kicking out-of-hand is also introduced for the first time. Kicking the ball on the ground (fly-hacking) is not permitted.