Welcome to the Official Bulletjie Rugby Website
Policy
Mini Rugby Practices
- Coaching must comply strictly with Mini Rugby Rule Book.
- Werever possible, a parent should not coach his own child.
- The coach must apply the code of conduct concientiously.
- Coaches must ensure safe practice sessions.
- A love of the game must be developed through enjoyable practise sessions.
- Discipline: must be strict, but sympathetic.
- Do not hit or shout at players.
- Show team loyalty.
Team Composition
- Teams may not be selected on the basis of strength (power)
- No A, B, C or D teams - give each team a name.
- Mini Rugby teams are open to boys and girls.
- Girls are not allowed to play contact rugby.
Age Groups
- U/6 Pre Primary school children not younger than 5 years and no older than 6 years.
- U/7 children (the year in which they turn 7)
- U/8 children (the year in which they turn 8)
- It is the responsibility of the school/club to see that the children are playing in the correct age groups. If possible, birth certificates must be available.
Referees
- The referee must know all the necessary rules, no matter how enthusiastic he may be.
- The referee must see to it that linesman are appointed before the start of any match.
- The referee must be sharp and fit to handle matches.
- The referee must take note of the general rules for a successful handling of a match.
Coaches - During Matches
- During U/6, U/7 and U/8 matches, only one coach per team my be on the field.
- No parents are allowed on the playing field.
First Aid
- The home playing school/club is responsible for first aid.
- First Aid must be available and ditributed freely.
- The home school/club must make surethat first aid is available.
- NB: Sufficient First aid must be available.
- Only specialised first aid providers may apply and provide first aid.
- No match be played if First aid is not available.
- In the presence of any blood or open wounds, the injury must be attended to immediately and the player must leave the field.
- The home school/club must ensure that the fields used for matches are properly demarcated, fenced in and are safe.
Competitions
- NO winning motive! The aim is to develop a love for the game and allow children to enjoy playing the game.
Philosophy and Objectives
Philosophy
- The fifteen man game is simply too complicated for beginners
- Beginners are too young for severe physical contact. Full eight man scrums, line-outs and rough lose games including dangerous pileups, tend to scare the younger players and their parents.
- In ordinary rugby, most boys are not being utilised to their optimal potential. A small number of the boys get to handle the ball more often and usually they are slightly stronger than the others.
- Mini rugby is an easy game and coaching is simple, although it does contain the main elements of fifteen man rugby.
- The playing field is smaller than that of normal rugby, with fewer players in each team. This means that players are more involved in the game and player involvement means enjoyment of the game.
- Each player gets more opportunities to handle the ball and this offers more scope for individual skills development.
- It is easier to scor tries and this is very valuable for individual players. The player feels the success and this is an important element of the learning process.
- It is important to teach players to stick to the rules of the game. The winning motive should not be of the utmost importance.
Objectives
- To introduce the young players to the game of rugby.
- To develop and cultivate basic rugby skills, e.g. ball handling.
- To recruit and develop rugby players.
- To create a love of the game of rugby amongst the young players, including a trust and contact.
- To involve parent community in rugby especially in coaching.
- To give the boys opportunities to play in matches.
- To introduce the young beginners to the joys of team sports.
- To encourage personal development.
- To give the child opportunity to develop his own identity.
