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  • At the Norths Pirates, we encourage our coaches to follow our Club coaching philosophy which involves:
    • Skills development
    • Fair play
    • Health and safety
    • Sportmanship and friendship
    • Teamwork
    • Fun
    • Fair and reasonable game time for all players
    • Running rugby with all players having an opportunity to handle the ball
  • To get the best out of your players and ensure you do not lose their attention, preparation for training sessions is key
  • Rugby Australia coaching courses, tips and session planning available at SmartRugby – to be a coach or referee in Australia SmartRugby is the minimum qualification required. Courses are online via your Rugby Xplorer login myaccount.rugbyxplorer.com.au/, select Learning Centre, which will take you into Rugby Learning Centre, then Browse Learning
  • If you are interested in finding out more or would like to enquire about coaching, please contact the Club’s coaching coordinator
  • Northern Suburbs Junior Rugby consists of four Norths village clubs – Drummoyne, Hunters Hill, Mosman, Norths Pirates
  • U6-U9 teams play in the Gordon District Minis comp. Their games are on Saturday mornings, with 1 or 2 games on Sunday mornings
  • U10-U16 teams play in the Sydney Junior Rugby Union (SJRU) competition. Their games are on Sundays (and some Friday evenings). This is a graded competition
  • The season runs from April to August
  U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11 U12
Player numbers 7 a side tag 7 a side tag 7 a side tackle

10 a side

tackle

12 a side tackle 12 a side tackle 15 a side tackle
Skills focus

Evasion & tag

Catch & pass

Running

Scoring tries

Enjoyment

Evasion & tag

Catch & pass

Running

Scoring tries

Enjoyment

Tackle

Ruck

Maul

Attack

Defence

Kick in general play

Contested scrum & line out

Kick in general play

Contested scrum & line out

Positional awareness
Playing area

1/4 field

40m x 25m

1/4 field

40m x 25m

1/2 field

60m x 35m

1/2 field

60m x 35m

Full field less 10m width

100m x 60m

Full field less 10m width

Full field

100m x 60

Playing time 2 x 10 min 2 x 15 min 2 x 15 min 2 x 20 min 2 x 20 min 2 x 20 min 2 x 25 min
Ball size Size 2 Size 2 Size 3 Size 3 Size 4 Size 4 Size 4
Conversions No No

Optional

In front, 10m back

Optional

In front, 10m back

Yes

Not past 15m line

Yes

Not past 15m line

Yes

Not past 15m line

Kick-off

Punt 5m

Exclusion zone

Punt or drop 5m

Exclusion zone

Punt or drop 5m

Exclusion zone

Drop Drop Drop Drop
Restart after score Tap on half way by non-scoring team Tap on half way by non-scoring team Tap on half way by non-scoring team Tap on half way by non-scoring team Kick-off by non-scoring team Kick-off by non-scoring team Kick-off by non-scoring team
Kicking No No No No Yes Yes Yes
 Tackle

2 handed tag on shorts

No offside line for defence

2 handed tag on shorts

No offside line for defence

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
 Lineout  Tap restart

2 players

No contest

2 players

No contest

4 players

No contest

5 players

Contested No lifting

5 players

Contested

No lifting

7 players

Contested

No lifting

 Lineout Receiver  Tap restart Must pass Must pass Must pass All options All options All options
 Scrum  Tap restart

3 players

No contest

3 players

No contest

5 players

No contest

6 players

Contested 1m push

6 players

Contested 1m push

8 players

Contested 1m push

Scrum Half Tap restart Must pass Must pass Must pass

All options

No.8 moves illegal

All options

No.8 moves illegal

All options
Lineout & Scrum over when? Played by fly-half or bounces Played by fly-half or bounces Played by fly-half or bounces Played by fly-half or bounces Ball out Ball out Ball out
 Penalty Kicks & Free Kicks

Tap only

Opp 5m back

Tap only

Opp 5m back

Tap only

Opp 5m back

Tap only

Opp 5m back

All options

Opp 10m back

All options

Opp 10m back

All options

Opp 10m back

Under 6s

  • First year of rugby union with a strong emphasis on participation, enjoyment and making new friends from the district
  • 7 players on the field at a time
  • There is no tackle or ruck/maul but a two handed grab low (tag) on the shorts
  • Games are played on a quarter of full field
  • Playing time is 2 x 10 mins

Under 7s

  • The children continue for another year with the introduction of non contested three person scrums and two person line outs
  • The development is centred around catch and pass and again with a strong emphasis on participation and having fun
  • 7 players on the field at a time
  • Games are played on a quarter pitch size
  • Playing time is 2 x 15 mins 

Under 8s

  • First introduction of tackle and the ruck contest
  • 7 players on the field at a time
  • Games are played on half size field with more room to run
  • Playing time is 2 x 15 mins
  • The safe practices of the tackle and ruck maul are taught by “Smart Rugby” accredited coaches

Under 9s

  • Whilst still on half size field, the team increases to 10 with 5 person scrum and 5 backs
  • More positional play is encouraged but with uncontested scrum and line out
  • Playing time is 2 x 20 mins
  • The opportunity remains for everyone to safely try all positions on the field

Under 10s

  • The games are played on Sundays with grading for the first time
  • The competition covers the Sydney Metropolitan area on a home and away basis
  • Games are competitive scrums and line outs with 12 players on each team
  • The field is almost full field, only 10m narrower (5m each side)
  • Playing time is 2 x 20 mins
  • Conversions, kicks in general play and semi and grand finals are other changes to the first year of juniors

Under 11s

  • Same parameters as the U10s
  • The teams are regraded again to keep competitions fair and safe across the grades

Under 12s – 16s

  • 15 players on the field
  • Skills focus is on positional awareness
  • Full size field
  • Playing time is 2 x 25 mins

Committee Members 

PresidentAndrew Bunting[email protected]0411 611 988
Vice PresidentLoren Thompson[email protected]0401 276 199
Minis DirectorCesare Caoduro[email protected]0456 703 528

Age Group Managers (AGMs)

TeamNameEmailPhone
U7Duncan Ritchie[email protected]0447 414 532
U8Jono Rhydderch[email protected]0415 812 424
U9Kate Healy-Smith[email protected]0421 915 955
U10Louisa Raven[email protected]0418 386 688
U11Michelle Lee[email protected]0447 414 532
U12Sallie Watt[email protected]0415 223 464
U13Saxon Smith[email protected]0411 3166 63
U14   
U15   

To be advised 2024

Training Schedules 
Age-Group Day Time
U6 Thursday 5 – 6 pm
U7 Thursday 5 – 6 pm
U8 Thursday 5 – 6 pm
U9 Thursday 5 – 6 pm
U10 Wednesday 6 – 7 pm
U11 Wednesday 5:30 – 7 pm
U12 Wednesday 5:30 – 7 pm
U14 Wednesday 5:30 – 7 pm
U15 Wednesday 5:30 – 7 pm

Home Ground

Tunks Park Cammeray,
New South Wales


Training Ground

Primrose Park Cremorne,
New South Wales


Registration for 2024: Click HERE or via RugbyXplorer App

Registrations to open early in 2024

Details to be advised for 2024 season