Junior rugby based on weight classes

[RugbyReg]

Check out the size of this 7 year old playing league in Sydney

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...e/news-story/2f1f369691229711b649c52fd1ee2ad4

 

[One eyed pirate]

That's ridiculous. I don't understand why Australia doesn't introduce the same weight rules as NZ. Oh that's right, the show is run by the same people who got us into the current Super Rugby mess. Also, anyone in the public who argues against introducing these weight rules should consider themselves part of the problem that rugby union has in Australia. It's a no brainer - JUST DO IT!!!!


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[Scrubber2050]

That's just bullshit.

Would like a forensic examination of his Birth Certificate - kid was probably born in the year 2002.

 

[p.Tah]

This is his older brother who is 10

 

[Beer Baron]

That's ridiculous. I don't understand why Australia doesn't introduce the same weight rules as NZ. Oh that's right, the show is run by the same people who got us into the current Super Rugby mess. Also, anyone in the public who argues against introducing these weight rules should consider themselves part of the problem that rugby union has in Australia. It's a no brainer - JUST DO IT!!!!


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Couldn't agree more. As a junior I was one of the bigger kids... Terrible for learning correct technique as you get away with muscling through contact, e.g. grabbing players rather than using the shoulder.

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[I like to watch]

That's just bullshit.

Would like a forensic examination of his Birth Certificate - kid was probably born in the year 2002.

Mate, they are just bigger and mature quicker.
I heard and embraced the urban myths about many of the islanders using their date of baptism as their birth date (sometimes years apart)

Then I saw babies become toddlers become over sized monsters by 8 or 9.

In 99% of cases!they are the correct age, but safety dictates they should play up a year.

 

[One eyed pirate]

https://www.wrfu.co.nz/fileadmin/Junior_Rugby/2017_Weights___Grade_Chart.pdf


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[RugbyReg]

Wow. I think all my kids would be playing down a year.

 

[p.Tah]

Wow. I think all my kids would be playing down a year.

Maybe that's why the All Blacks are so dominant, they're all playing down an age group

 

[One eyed pirate]

Maybe that's why the All Blacks are so dominant, they're all playing down an age group

Mackenzie is a great example of a small man prospering in NZ.


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[TOCC]

Yes it needs to happen

 

[Pfitzy]

That's ridiculous. I don't understand why Australia doesn't introduce the same weight rules as NZ.

Because we simply don't have the numbers in a lot of areas to make this work.

Read the article - junior league is also having issues with numbers.

And, in part, its the whole size/safety factor BUT there are also people who just aren't committed to paying their way.

Speaking to the junior league team who play on a field next to ours, they had to get rid of whole sections of their club who didn't want to pay money. Their entire club is happier because of it, because everyone knows they're on an equal footing.

 

[One eyed pirate]

Because we simply don't have the numbers in a lot of areas to make this work.

Read the article - junior league is also having issues with numbers.

And, in part, its the whole size/safety factor BUT there are also people who just aren't committed to paying their way.

Speaking to the junior league team who play on a field next to ours, they had to get rid of whole sections of their club who didn't want to pay money. Their entire club is happier because of it, because everyone knows they're on an equal footing.

You and people with that view are part of the problem with rugby this country.


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[Braveheart81]

I'm confused how Pfitzy's post had anything to do with junior rugby being done via weight classes.

 

[southsider]

I'm still yet to see anyone lay down how this is going to work? Besides the "nz do it so we can", how do you people that support weight classes envision this working?

 

[Braveheart81]

I'm still yet to see anyone lay down how this is going to work? Besides the "nz do it so we can", how do you people that support weight classes envision this working?

I think it is fairly simple. You make all junior rugby up to a certain age based on weight classes (I think in NZ that once you get past under 13s it is open slather).

You have weight bands for each age group and if you are above that weight band at the start of the season when registration takes place you play up a year, and if you are below a certain weight you can play down a year.

 

[p.Tah]

The challenge is most kids play sport to be with their friends. It's about fun.
The kids start off in u6s and some of them grow quicker than others. If you move based on weight rather than age you start to split up friends. If that's the reason you're playing it soon loses its fun.
My boys play junior club rugby because their class mates do. One son switched clubs to play with them. My daughters play for other clubs because that's where their friends play.
Often the smaller kids are the better players (fearless tacklers).

It's not a simple process in my view.

 

[Killer]

The challenge is most kids play sport to be with their friends. It's about fun.
The kids start off in u6s and some of them grow quicker than others. If you move based on weight rather than age you start to split up friends. If that's the reason you're playing it soon loses its fun.
My boys play junior club rugby because their class mates do. One son switched clubs to play with them. My daughters play for other clubs because that's where their friends play.
Often the smaller kids are the better players (fearless tacklers).

It's not a simple process in my view.

We already have that prob over here and I assume in NSW?
Here we have lost juniors bc they could not play with their school mates.
This is bc the school class group goes from Jul 1 -Jun 30, where as the rugby is divided as to what age you are at Jan 1.
I don't think the size issue is too much of a problem except for the odd extreme example.
Though I still think there should be an option to hold back or put up kids for varying reasons, size, ability etc

 

[Braveheart81]

Maybe the stating point is to have a lower weight set for each age group and if the child is lighter than that they have the option to play down an age.

I think most people won't want to play down an age because they will want to stay with their friends but if the option is there it can't be a bad thing.

I find it pretty challenging from an ethical perspective to force big kids to play up an age group.

 

[I like to watch]

Maybe the stating point is to have a lower weight set for each age group and if the child is lighter than that they have the option to play down an age.

I think most people won't want to play down an age because they will want to stay with their friends but if the option is there it can't be a bad thing.

I find it pretty challenging from an ethical perspective to force big kids to play up an age group.

This bit about kids wanting to play with their friends is a bit of a furphy.
There are 2 age groups in every year at School.
This argument is seldom raised at cricket or nippers.

There nothing unethical about making a huge kid play up a year.
No one is suggesting that huge 7 yo should be thrown up against 16yo's.