County

Age Grade rugby in Durham is well established, with the county being home to clubs, schools, and colleges dedicated to delivering rugby at the grassroots level for girls and boys aged 6 to 18 years.

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At the heart of Durham’s Age Grade Rugby Programme is:

• The emphasis on developing not just rugby players, but well-rounded individuals.

• Inclusivity, offering programs for both boys and girls and encouraging participation from all backgrounds.

• Rugby’s core values (TREDS) – teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline, and sportsmanship, which are instilled in players from a young age.

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These values play a vital role in shaping the character of young people, helping them develop skills that extend beyond the pitch and into everyday life. Age Grade Rugby programs are based on the principles of player-centred, development-driven, and competition-supported approaches, with the wants and needs of young people at their heart.

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Durham County RFU Youth Rugby are responsible for the following initiatives:

• Mini Festivals: A fun and inclusive introduction to rugby for young players.

• Mini Fixtures: These are set by the County each season.

• U13 Waterfall: Structured competition ensuring multiple matches and an emphasis on healthy competition.

• U14-U18 Male Cup Competitions: Promoting skill development and regular competition.​

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Rugby Clubs

Clubs are often the starting point for many young players, offering weekly training sessions from the first weekend in September to the last weekend in April. The clubs focus on skill development, with coaching delivered by RFU-qualified coaches, emphasising fundamental techniques while also introducing players to the importance of sportsmanship and respect for opponents.

Age Grade Rugby is structured as follows:

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Early Years – Under 8s (Year 1 – Year 3)

• Open to girls and boys

• Tag and non-contact rugby

• Sessions incorporate multi-sport and multi-movement activities

• Blend of child-initiated ‘free play’ and adult-led activities to support physical, emotional, social, and communication development

• Mix of training, mini festivals and matches.

 

Under 9s – Under 12s (Year 4 – 7)

• From U9, players are introduced to contact rugby

• Mixed-gender rugby up to U11 (Year 6)

• At U12 (Year 7), girls transition to girls-only rugby with dual age bands, while boys continue with single-age bands

• Mix of training, matches, and mini festivals (up to U12s)

 

Under 13s – Under 18s (Year 8 – 13)

• At U13 (Year 9), players continue with contact rugby under rules designed for progressive skill development

• Mix of training at weekends and midweek, with matches, leagues, and competitions

• Introduction of the Waterfall competition at U13s, ensuring multiple match opportunities in an engaging format

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Click below for more information and additional resources on Age Grade Rugby including:

• Age-grade coaching

• Player development

• Codes of practice

• Age-grade calendar

• Summer activity guidance

For more information, contact County Admin at countyadmin@durhamcountyrfc.co.uk

Click Here For RFU Age Grade Rugby Support