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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 Bunting | [email protected] | 0411 611 988 |
Vice President | Loren Thompson | [email protected] | 0401 276 199 |
Minis Director | Cesare Caoduro | [email protected] | 0456 703 528 |
Age Group Managers (AGMs)
Team | Name | Phone | |
U7 | Duncan Ritchie | [email protected] | 0447 414 532 |
U8 | Jono Rhydderch | [email protected] | 0415 812 424 |
U9 | Kate Healy-Smith | [email protected] | 0421 915 955 |
U10 | Louisa Raven | [email protected] | 0418 386 688 |
U11 | Michelle Lee | [email protected] | 0447 414 532 |
U12 | Sallie Watt | [email protected] | 0415 223 464 |
U13 | Saxon Smith | [email protected] | 0411 3166 63 |
U14 | |||
U15 |
To be advised 2024
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