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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 
President Andrew Chapman [email protected] 04 0985 1192
Vice President Andrew Bunting [email protected] 04 1161 1988
Coaching Director Ant Vida [email protected] 04 0653 6175
Age Group Managers (AGMs)
Team Name Email Phone
U6 Duncan Ritchie [email protected] 04 4741 4532
U7 Jono Rhydderch [email protected] 04 1581 2424
U8 Kate Healy-Smith [email protected] 04 2191 5955
U9 Louisa Raven [email protected]  04 1838 6688
U10 Michelle Lee [email protected] 04 4741 4532
U11 Sallie Watt [email protected] 04 1522 3464
U12 Saxon Smith [email protected] 04 1131 6663
U14 Adam Welsh [email protected] 04 1054 8438
U15 Elise Mittelheuser [email protected] 04 0699 8394
Team Coaches Email Managers Email
U6 Red James Arnold [email protected] Katie Arnold [email protected]
U6 Black Ed Wilson, Tom Keller [email protected] [email protected] Tom Keller [email protected]
U6 Gold Duncan Ritchie, Cesare Caoduro [email protected] [email protected] Duncan Ritchie [email protected]
U7 Red Brendan Martin, Jono Rhydderch [email protected] [email protected] Andy Ryan, Jono Rhydderch [email protected] [email protected]
U7 Black Nick Thompson, Conor Lynam [email protected] [email protected] Loren Thompson [email protected]
U8 Red Dean Mumm [email protected] Nina Collinson [email protected]
U8 Black Sean Walford [email protected] Alex Tarantino [email protected]
U8 Gold Herman Han  [email protected] Jenny Lu [email protected]
U9 Red Adam Ashcroft, Andrew Sprott [email protected] Jono Rhydderch [email protected]
U9 Black Dave Baker, Nath Hill [email protected] [email protected] Krisanthy Roberts [email protected]
U10 Red James Keeler, Charles Huntington [email protected] [email protected] Anna Finness [email protected]
U11 Red Ant Vida, Ben Richards [email protected] [email protected] Sallie Watt [email protected]
U11 Black Will Hughes, Hugh Brakell [email protected] Sally Baker [email protected]
U11 Gold Creel Price, Scott Smith [email protected] [email protected] Kate Healy-Smith [email protected]
U12 Red Andrew Bunting, Andrew Sprott [email protected] [email protected] Tim Spencer [email protected]
U12 Black Michael Kaldor [email protected] Saxon Smith [email protected]
U14 Red Alf Garcia-Bennett, Adrian Wake [email protected] [email protected] Adam Welsh [email protected]
U14 Black Dermot Ruane, Angus Benbow [email protected] [email protected] Rod Daly [email protected]
U15 Red Mark Chan [email protected] Elise Mittelheuser [email protected]
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 2023: Click HERE or via RugbyXplorer App

Instructions for Registration:

If you would like to claim the Active Kids Voucher, be sure to have this number prior to registering. You can register for the voucher here.

At the RugbyXplorer App or web link:

  • Enter your email or My Rugby ID
  • RugbyXplorer will quickly check if you already have a Rugby account; otherwise, you can create one
  • Once this is done, in My Profile, enter or confirm the player biography (please be accurate with Height & Weight given Rugby Australia Size for Age guidelines) for players in U10s and above, you are required to upload a photo of the player. This is required for the sign-on process for each game
  • At Register, you will be asked who you would like to register, click on the player
  • Which club would you like to register to -type in Norths Pirates -only one selection will come up -Norths Pirates Rugby Union Club (and underneath Sydney Junior Rugby Union)
  • Role -Select Player (other option is Training Only Participant)
  • Registration Type -Select XVs Juniors
  • Duration -select Season
  • Next screens, player’s personal details appear
  • Make my profile private -PLEASE SELECT NO (SJRU requires the Profile to be Public for sign on process, game scores etc)
  • Additional questions –enter School, Height and Weight (This enables identification of the physical size of an individual relative to population norms in line with the age grade dispensation procedure associated with Rugby Australia Participation & Safety policies.)
  • Add a Saleable Item –please select JERSEY size
  • all players must play in Pirates jersey/shorts/socks
  • Registration Summary will appear -click on Add Active Kids Voucher if you would like to use the voucher -you will then receive a message Voucher Redeemed
  • Tick I have read the Terms and Conditions and Continue to Payment
  • Enter Credit Card details
  • Success! Your registration is complete!

Before You Register – What You’ll Need

  1. A valid email address
  2. Your child’s Height and Weight (optional)
  3. NSW Active Kids Voucher (optional)

NSW Active Kids Voucher

The NSW Government offers $100 vouchers for children to participate in Sport.
Follow the instructions on the Service NSW website to obtain a Voucher Number.