wrfu · team handbook - may 2017 wrfu . junior club rugby . coaches & team managers, the aim...

Team Handbook - May 2017

WRFU JUNIOR CLUB RUGBY

Letter from Steve Rogers

Coach Code of Conduct

Pre-Game Procedure

Refereeing Hierarchy

Number of Players – Kids off Sidelines

Excessive Scores Policy

OWPR Policy

Rules Card

U6-U10 Field Layout

Alteration/Cancellation Process

Concussion Protocol

Weights & Grading Charts

BK Sideline Programme

Injury Report

Handbook Contents



Coaches & Team Managers,

The aim and purpose of this handbook is to provide you with a point of reference for some of the

important policies, rules and procedures often required by those charged with coaching and managing our

junior teams.

WRFU relies heavily on the time and expertise of volunteers, to ensure the best possible rugby experience

for our young players. The Small Blacks philosophy is about playing with mates, having fun and developing

skills to foster a lifelong love of the game. The contents of this handbook provides information that

supports this philosophy.

This is the first time our community team have created this reference document for your use and we are

keen to get any ideas on what else could be included. This document will evolve over time to be an

invaluable resource. If you have any suggestions on what else you would like to see included in the future

please email these ideas to [email protected].

We appreciate all the hard work and personal time that Junior Convenors and their Committees, Coaches and Managers put in to enable junior rugby players to participate in and enjoy the game that we all love. Again, a big thanks for ‘making the game happen’ for our kids.

Have a great season.

Steve Rogers

CEO – Wellington Rugby

Thank You



Remember that players participate for enjoyment and winning is only part of the fun.

Never ridicule or yell at players for making a mistake or not winning.

Be reasonable in my demands on player’s time, energy and enthusiasm.

Operate within the rules and spirit of the game and teach my players to do the same.

Ensure that the time players spend with me is a positive experience. All players are deserving of

equal attention and opportunities.

Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and

ability of all players.

Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport including opponents,

referees, coaches, officials, administrators, the media, parent and spectators. I will encourage my

players to do the same.

Show concern and caution toward sick and injured players and follow the advice of a physician

when determining whether an injured player is ready to recommence training or competition.

Obtain appropriate Small Black qualifications and keep up to date with the latest coaching

practices.

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all people involved in the game, regardless of their gender,

ability or cultural background.

Use appropriate language with players, coaches, officials and spectators.

Present myself in an appropriate way with all stakeholders.

Code of Conduct Coaches



Prior to the start of each Saturday game:

JRAB require all coaches to line up your players so coaches and/or team managers can check the photo/team sheet

against those players taking the field. Take particular note of any player who may be playing under the restrictions

of the OWPR 1 or OWPR 2 policy. This is a simple exercise to stop any queries as to the eligibility of a player during a

game.

The referee should also use this opportunity to check the player’s sprigs and check they each have a mouth guard to

ensure that all players take the field with adequate protection.

Any coach found to be uncooperative during this pre-game procedure may receive a one week mandatory stand

down period for their team.

This procedure is a mandatory requirement for all WRFU Junior Rugby clubs for grades Under 11 to Under 13.

Complaints Concerning Pre-Game Procedure

Any complaints about coaches not following the pre-game procedure must be made in the manner prescribed

under the WRFU Junior Rugby complaints policy.

Pre-Game Procedure



The home team have the option of supplying a referee, however, if the home team are unable to supply an “Official

Referee” then it falls back on each club to referee a half game each presuming both coaches are Small Blacks

accredited.

The only time this would change is if you have one coach who is an Associate Referee and the other was only Small

Blacks accredited. The Associate Referee (having completed additional training) is the more senior qualified of the

two to officiate the game therefore they should be allowed to do so.

If you have two coaches who are both Associate Referees then each could referee half a game unless otherwise

agreed.

In summary, the seniority of who has preference in officiating the game is:

1. Official Referee

2. Associate Referee

3. Small Blacks Accredited Coach/Referee

Refereeing Hierarchy Junior Rugby U6-U13



Overview:

The key intentions of this policy are:

To maximise child involvement in games

Prevent defaults

Prevent the unfair advantage gained by teams through the use of superior player numbers

Guideline:

Maximum player numbers are set for each grade, these should not be exceeded.

If a team will knowingly be short of players for a game, that team should not default.

When the difference in player numbers for a game, between the two teams, is one or more, and one of the teams

does not have sufficient players to field a ‘full’ team as set out in the rules for that grade there is little point in a

player standing on the sideline as a reserve when they could be playing:

Players must be swapped between teams.

The onus is on the coach with the greater player numbers to offer the loan of players.

Once an offer of loan player/s has been made it must be accepted.

In swapping players between teams, both coaches must consider the relative strengths of the two playing

sides.

Coaches are encouraged to ask children to only play one half of the game for the opposition team and

make other players available for the other half.

Number of Players on Field Kids off the Sidelines



Overview: Wellington Junior Club Rugby is a development programme and not a competition. If everyone upholds the spirit of the game, then it will be a positive and enjoyable experience for all. Any team good enough to win should be allowed to do so, however little is to be achieved for anyone if the game is an uneven contest. Humiliation is felt strongly by children and serves only to make it more difficult for a coach to motivate their players. As a positive coach you should consider the advantages (and enjoyment) that come when children are involved in a fair and even contest. Children learn much more about coping with a loss when they lose in a tight game than they do from humiliation. Guideline: When at halftime the difference in score between the two teams is 30 points or more, the coach of the team that is winning MUST offer to the opposition coach to ‘declare’ the game. The coach of the losing side must abide with the rules of the WRFU JRAB and work with the opposition coach to ensure the game is evened up. Both coaches must take steps to even-up the game and play the second half of that game as a fair and even contest. The following are suggested steps that the coaches may agree to take: Swap players: The notion that children will not swap teams is an adult one. There may be a few selected

players (test your own team to see how they cope with playing against some of their own OR Swap forward packs or backlines with the other team. Change positions: Move some selected players to see how well they cope with playing in another position. Subbing: Sub-off some key players. Wind advantage: Be willing to give away any wind-advantage that may exist. Kick-offs: The weaker team restarts play with a tap and pass rather than the usual kick. OR the scoring team kick-offs to the weaker team. Depower: Depower scrums, non-contested - non-contested lineouts Conversions: No conversions or change your kicker to an untried player. Penalties up to and inclusive of suspension from the draw may be applied to Coaches or Teams that fail to abide by the rules of the WRFU JRAB.

Excessive Scores 30 Point Differential



Overview:

Coaches and referees must be aware of the impact that large players may have on a game and other players. They

should also be cautious of the safety risk these larger players introduce. The number of situations where these

large players can be misused and create unnecessary risk is great, therefore the onus and responsibility to protect

all players lies with the coaches.

Policy:

Any player weighing more than 10kg above the weight limit for the grade that they age/weigh into according to

the WRFU Weights & Grading chart OR any a player in the U13 grade who weighs in excess of 75kg will be entered

onto the overweight player register (OWPR). These players must be identified on their team sheet and signed off

by a WRFU appointed delegate at their official weigh-in. Coaches must identify these players to the opposing

coach before each game when completing their pre-game procedure.

If a player on the OWPR is playing up two grades due to weight, they will be classified as an OWPR2 player and

will not be subject to the playing restrictions detailed for OWPR1 below. These players must still be monitored

and the misuse of these players will be dealt with accordingly.

All other OWPR players will be classified as OWPR1 and are subject to the conditions outlined below. They must

be given every freedom to express themselves, but they must not be allowed to do so when it may cause

unnecessary risk of danger to themselves or others.

OWPR1 players must NOT:

play in the front row of the scrum,

take the ball off the back of a scrum if playing at No: 8,

when a penalty or free-kick is awarded, tap and run with the ball, or receive a pass within 5 meters of the

spot, at penalty time.

be used as a “battering ram” during general play.

Players appearing on the OWPR must not be played for short spells of time throughout a game. They are subject to the same National Rugby Policy 6 (Half Game Rule) which states that it is compulsory that all players play at least half a game of rugby. For players at Small Blacks level, this can consist of two quarters. Rolling subs are not permitted, however substitutions at quarter time, half time, and three-quarter time are permitted.

Where it is reported that such a player is being used in a way that puts them or other players at unnecessary risk,

the JRAB has the right to immediately suspend that player, players coach and/or team until it is satisfied that the

risk has been sufficiently addressed and no longer exists.

Complaints Concerning OWPR Players

Any complaints about the use of OWPR1 and OWPR2 players must be made in the manner prescribed under the

WRFU Junior Rugby complaints policy.

Over Grade Limit Player Policy OWPR 1 & 2

1. Safety

A player with an open or bleeding wound must leave the field of play

until the bleeding is controlled or dressed

Clothing with blood on should be replaced

No tackling or deliberately going to ground in the under 6-7 grades

All tackling must be below the level of the armpits

The deliberate lifting of a player at anytime is forbidden in all grades

Only Associate referees or someone with a higher refereeing

qualification may control a game of rugby where tackling, going to the

ground or pushing in the scrums is involved

2. Weight of players

As set out by the JRAB for the season

3. Number of Players

As set out by the JRAB for the season

4. Substitutions

All players must play a minimum of half a game (this is to include at least two full quarters). ROLLING SUBSTITUTIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED. Substitutions may be made at half time or approximately half way through each half when the referee will allow and signal a Substitution Break. Full details on substitution breaks, non-injury substitutions and return to play after a minor injury can be found in the Small Blacks Rule Book.

5. Scrums

Halfbacks must not move past the tunnel until the ball is cleared from the

scrum. If they are not standing on the side the ball is put in from they

must remain behind the last foot of the scrum.

Only the Hooker should strike for the ball. All other players should, for

safety and stability of the scrum, keep both feet on the ground.

Where a No 8 is permitted that player must bind directly behind the two

locks. The No 8 is not permitted to bind between a flanker and lock.

Under 11, 12 & 13 grades the No 8 may take the ball from the scrum

once it is below their shoulders, they must not reach into the scrum to

pick up the ball.

6. Advantage

Maximum advantage should be applied at all times to ensure a flowing

game. In non-tackle rugby especially, forward passes and small knock-

on's, not leading to a try should be treated with tolerance.

Referees should attempt to encourage players by using up to 2 warnings

before awarding a penalty, (1 warning for dangerous play)

7. Penalties

Referees must use their discretion in assessing the degree of danger

faced by players and how deliberate the act was, when dealing with an

incident of dangerous play.

As a guide you should award a penalty if:

After 1 warning a player:

performs a dangerous tackle or fend

attempts to strike another player

Use of foul and inappropriate language or displays inappropriate

behaviour

In non-tackle rugby; a player fends, tackles or rips the ball from,

another player

Upon committing the second offence the player should be sin binned or

sent from the field

After 2 warnings a player:

continues to infringe e.g. offside, deliberate forward passes, playing

the ball on the ground, using hands in rucks or scrums, not retiring etc

8. Overweight players (Players on OWPR)

Any player playing up a grade because of weight and weighing more

than 10kgs above the base weight limit for that grade will be entered

onto the Over-weight Player Register (OWPR) and will become subject

to the conditions and recommendations of this policy for that season.

The Over-weight player register is to be held by the WRFU and a copy

sent to all clubs.

Identifying these players. Where a player is entered onto the OWPR

this must be indicated on the team sheet, by the JRAB Representative,

as set out in the Team sheet section of the Convenors Manual

Use of these players. OWPR players for reasons of safety, may

present a danger to themselves and other players if misused as ‘Impact’

players.

Players whose names appear on the OWPR must therefore not be used

as ‘battering rams’ either at penalties or during general play. While they

must be given every freedom to express themselves they must not be

allowed to where doing so may cause unnecessary danger to

themselves or other players,

Playing time and subbing. Players appearing on the OWPR must not

be used as ‘Impact’ players, playing for short spells of time throughout a

game. Any such player will be subject to same minimum playing time

and substitution rules as all players.

Complaints. Any complaints about the use of players whose name

appears on the OWPR must be made in the manner prescribed under

the WRFU Junior Rugby complaints policy

Rules and Procedures

2017 Conduct

In becoming involved in Junior Rugby, as a player, parent,

coach, official or spectator, a person agrees to accept the

governance of the Wellington Rugby Football Union over all

related issues.

Junior Rugby is all about the players not the adults on the

sidelines, However, as adults we seek your positive support

and encouragement of the players at all times.

There can be no justification for the use of foul language on

the field or sidelines, aggressive behaviour or unpleasantness

of any kind.

Any disputes should be handled in the prescribed manner and

kept away from the children.

Coaches and team management are responsible for the

conduct and behaviour of any parents associated with their

team

Accept the rulings, decisions and requests of any official,

including the referee, at the time and agree to address such

issues that may arise from the game.

Unless an issue of player safety exists, the emphasis must be

on allowing the game to continue.

Coach Commitment

In taking on the role as coach of a Junior team you:

Automatically agree to adhere to the Law, Rules & Policies

of all governing bodies including:

New Zealand Rugby Union

Wellington Rugby Football Union (WRFU)

WRFU Junior Rugby Advisory Board

The Junior and Senior Committees of your Rugby

Club

Acknowledge the full authority of WRFU to control Junior

Club Rugby played under the jurisdiction of the WRFU

Agree to coach within the spirit of the Philosophy &

Objectives of the WRFU

Accept and agree to adopt the Code of Conduct for

Coaches

Agree to at all times carry and make available your Team

Sheet, coaching and refereeing credentials

Behaviour at the game

Coaches and team managers are responsible for the

behaviour of parents and other spectators associated with their

team:

Lead by example

Cooperate fully with the referee and any officials attending

the game

Do not allow the use of foul language

Do not allow parents or spectators to inappropriately

address any player

Do not allow parents and spectators to address the referee

or other officials present at the game unless invited by that

person to do so

Parents, players and spectators should not get

involved in sorting out problems

At all times the emphasis must be to ensure that the game

proceeds in a safe manner

Keep winning in perspective

Dealing with incidents at a game

Verification of player eligibility Where a coach is

unable to verify the eligibility of a player, that player must

take no part in the game as long as an issue of player

safety is concerned. The incident must then be reported

to the Club Convenor.

Coaches shall take no further action

Qualification of coaches and referees

No person who is unable to, at the time prove that they

hold the appropriate qualifications may referee a game.

If no such person is available to referee a game then

that game must not be played. Where a coach or referee

is unable to verify their qualification this must then be

reported to the Club Convenor.


Application or interpretation of rules

The referee shall be the soul judge of the interpretation

and application of the rules and laws and the application

of the advantage law.

Unless there is a concern for player safety any

disagreement with the decisions of the referee should

only be discussed at half time or after the game and only

by a coach of the teams involved in the game.

If a referee does not wish to discuss any issue regarding

the decisions made then the coach shall take no further

action at the time and may make a report to his/her Club

Convenor

Player Safety

Where in the opinion of a coach, an issue of player

safety is present during a game, they should call out

“Safety” or “Danger”. The referee must then halt the

game and be willing to discuss with both coaches the

issue of concern.

If the issue cannot be sorted to the agreement of all

parties then the game may be called off and the incident

reported to the Club Convenor


Unsportsmanlike behaviour on field

This is a matter for the referee and should be brought to

their attention in the manner described above.

No coach shall address a member of the opposing team

without the consent, and only in the presence of that

players coach.

If in the opinion of a coach a referee does not deal with

the issue satisfactorily, the game should be allowed to

proceed unless there is an issue of player safety

present, and the incident reported to you Club Convenor.

All sending-offs (not sin binning) must be reported

to the WRFU. When the game is has WRRA

appointed referees (U13 Grade) officiating the game,

then any sending off’s will follow the WRFU judicial

process but modified for junior rugby (generally not

requiring the player or club to attend any judicial

hearing, the penalties will be aligned to the WRFU

disciplinary guidelines).


Unruly behaviour on the sideline

Coaches should only address people associated with

their own team.

The referee has the right to ask a person to leave the

ground and shall be supported by the coaches.

Only coaches or managers may address a referee or

official, such as a grading convenor, attending a game.

At all times work simply to calm a situation and

allow the game to continue. All other issues should

be left to be dealt with by the Convenors of the clubs

involved

We

llin

gto

n J

un

ior

Ru

gb

y R

ule

s C

ha

rt 2

01

7

This

tab

le a

nd

th

e r

ule

s se

t o

ut

ove

r le

af, m

ake

up

an

d a

re a

su

mm

ary

of

the

WR

FU s

et

of

rule

s re

leva

nt

to t

he

gra

de

s o

f W

elli

ngt

on

Ju

nio

r C

lub

Ru

gby.

Th

ey

are

bas

ed

on

th

e N

ZRU

Sm

all

Bla

cks

Ru

les

for

jun

ior

rugb

y, b

ut

take

pre

ced

en

ce o

ver

tho

se r

ule

s. T

he

NZR

U D

om

est

ic (

no

t Su

per

15

or

Inte

rna

tio

na

l) r

ule

s an

d la

ws

app

ly u

nle

ss o

the

rwis

e s

tate

d h

ere

. At

all t

ime

s p

lay

to t

he

'sp

irit

of

Jun

ior

Clu

b R

ugb

y.

U

nd

er 6

& 7

R

ipp

a R

ugb

y U

nd

er 8

U

nd

er 9

& 1

0

Un

der

11

U

nd

er 1

2 &

U1

3

No

tes

Bal

l Siz

e

2.5

3

3

3

4

Pla

yers

7

10

10

15

1

5

Team

s M

UST

mat

ch u

p n

um

be

rs.

Nu

mb

ers

are

max

imu

ms

Team

s m

ust

sw

ap o

r le

nd

pla

yers

to

get

max

imu

m n

um

ber

of

kid

s p

oss

ible

p

layi

ng

Forw

ard

s/B

ack

s 3F

/4B

N

ZRU

Rip

pa

Ta

g S

izin

g

5cm

W x

30c

m L

5

F/5

B

5F/5

B

8F/7

B

8F/

7B

Min

ute

s p

er h

alf

20

25

25

25

3

0

Fiel

d S

ize

¼

½

½

¾

-fu

ll fu

ll

Kic

k-o

ff d

ista

nce

N

ot

app

licab

le

No

t ap

plic

able

5m

etr

es

8me

tres

8m

etr

es

Kic

k-o

ff a

nd

Res

tart

**

No

n s

cori

ng

tea

m f

ree

pas

s **

No

n s

cori

ng

tea

m f

ree

p

ass

**Sc

ori

ng

team

, dro

p k

ick

or

pu

nt

No

n-s

cori

ng

team

no

rmal

dro

p k

ick

**To

be

rota

ted

th

rou

gh a

ll p

laye

rs

Scru

ms

Pla

yers

N

o S

cru

ms

5

5

8

8

Ref

er a

lso

No

te 5

oth

er s

ide

of

this

Ru

les

Car

d:

Te

ams

mu

st h

ave

eq

ual

nu

mb

ers

of

pla

yers

in s

cru

ms,

Pu

sh d

ista

nce

N

ot

app

licab

le

**N

o p

ush

ing

allo

we

d in

scr

um

s U

8-1

1 gr

ades

½

me

tre

**

U8

-U1

1 fr

on

t ro

ws

to e

nga

ge &

tak

e ea

ch other’s

we

igh

t b

ut

scru

ms

mu

st n

ot

m

ove

Ro

tati

on

(d

egre

es)

No

t ap

plic

able

0

0

0

45⁰

Bal

l do

es n

ot

turn

ove

r o

n s

cru

m r

ese

t.

Del

ibe

rate

wh

eelin

g ill

ega

l **

U8

-U1

1 te

am

fee

din

g sc

rum

win

s th

e b

all

** U

11,

U1

2 &

U1

3 G

rad

es t

he

No

8 m

ay t

ake

the

bal

l off

th

e b

ack

of

the

scru

m.

Co

nte

stin

g

No

t ap

plic

able

**

No

co

nte

stin

g al

low

ed in

scr

um

s U

8-1

1 o

nly

Ho

oke

rs m

ay h

oo

k th

e b

all

Yes,

ho

oke

rs o

nly

Off

sid

e lin

e

No

t ap

plic

able

O

ffsi

de

line

is 5

met

res

be

hin

d h

ind

mo

st f

eet

of

the

scru

m

Lin

eou

ts

N

o L

ineo

uts

N

o c

on

test

ing

allo

wed

in li

neo

uts

U8

-10

Ye

s Ye

s N

o L

ifti

ng

No

Sh

ort

ene

d li

neo

uts

Q

uic

k th

row

-in

s ar

e p

erm

itte

d

Team

s m

ust

hav

e e

qu

al n

um

be

rs

Pla

yers

no

t in

clu

din

g h

oo

ker

No

t ap

plic

able

4

4

7

7

Thro

w d

ista

nce

N

ot

app

licab

le

2me

tres

2m

etr

es

5me

tres

5m

etr

es

Ad

just

to

allo

w f

or

win

d

Dis

tan

ce t

eam

s to

be

ap

art

N

ot

app

licab

le

Ch

ild's

arm

len

gth

1m

etr

e

1m

etr

e

Last

pla

yer

ma

x d

ista

nce

fr

om

sid

elin

e (T

ou

ch)

10

met

res

10m

etre

s 15

met

res

15m

etre

s

Off

sid

e lin

e

No

t ap

plic

able

B

ackl

ines

mu

st s

tan

d 5

me

tres

bac

k fr

om

ce

ntr

e lin

e o

f th

e lin

eou

t B

ackl

ines

mu

st s

tan

d 1

0 m

etre

s b

ack

fro

m

cen

tre

line

of

the

lineo

ut

Pe

nal

ties

N

o p

oin

ts,

**Tu

rno

ver

- Ta

p a

nd

pas

s U

6-U

10

=3 P

oin

ts

No

rmal

pen

alty

ru

les

app

ly

**Th

e p

laye

r ta

pp

ing

the

bal

l mu

st n

ot

mo

ve w

ith

it b

efo

re p

assi

ng

Ret

irin

g d

ista

nce

2

me

tres

3m

etr

es

5me

tres

10

met

res

10m

etre

s

Free

Kic

k

No

N

o

Tap

& P

ass

No

rmal

ru

les

app

ly

Try

=5 P

oin

ts

=5 P

oin

ts

=5 P

oin

ts

=5 P

oin

ts

=5 P

oin

ts

If s

core

blo

wo

uts

are

occ

urr

ing

(i.e

. 35

+ p

oin

ts a

t h

alft

ime)

bo

th c

oac

hes

mu

st

abid

e w

ith

th

e ru

les

of

the

NZR

U a

nd

wo

rk w

ith

th

e o

pp

osi

tio

n c

oac

h t

o e

nsu

re t

he

gam

e is

eve

ned

up

. Ex

cess

ive

Sco

res

Po

licy

on

pag

e 4

4 o

f th

e W

RFU

Clu

b

Co

nve

no

rs m

anu

al c

on

tain

s su

gges

tio

ns

on

ho

w t

he

gam

e m

ay b

e e

ven

ed

up

. C

on

vers

ion

kic

ks

No

po

ints

, D

rop

kic

k o

r P

un

t in

fro

nt

of

po

sts

all p

laye

rs t

o t

ake

turn

s =2

Po

ints

-

Take

n n

o f

urt

he

r o

ut

than

15

me

tres

in f

rom

to

uch

Ch

argi

ng

a ki

ck

No

N

o

No

Fr

ee-k

ick

on

ly

Fiel

d G

oal

N

o

No

N

o

No

Ye

s =

3 P

oin

ts

Fair

cat

ch/M

ark

N

o

No

N

o

No

Ye

s

Fen

din

g N

o

No

**

Yes

**Ye

s **

Yes

**Em

ph

asis

sh

ou

ld b

e o

n d

eve

lop

ing

skill

s o

ther

th

an f

en

din

g to

avo

id b

ein

g ta

ckle

d

Tack

ling

No

U

8 ga

mes

no

w p

lay

tack

le r

ugb

y fr

om

th

e b

egin

nin

g o

f th

e s

easo

n

All

Tac

kle

Gra

des

- t

he

tack

les

mu

st b

e b

elo

w t

he

leve

l of

the

arm

pit

s

Sub

bin

g A

ll pl

ayer

s m

ust p

lay

a m

inim

um o

f hal

f a g

ame

(thi

s is

to in

clud

e at

leas

t tw

o fu

ll qu

arte

rs).

R

OL

LIN

G S

UB

ST

ITU

TIO

NS

AR

E N

OT

PE

RM

ITT

ED

. S

ubst

itutio

ns m

ay

be m

ade

at h

alf t

ime

or a

ppro

xim

atel

y ha

lf w

ay th

roug

h ea

ch h

alf w

hen

the

refe

ree

will

allo

w a

nd s

igna

l a S

ubst

itutio

n B

reak

. F

ull d

etai

ls o

n su

bstit

utio

n br

eaks

, non

-in

jury

sub

stitu

tions

and

ret

urn

to p

lay

afte

r a

min

or in

jury

can

be

foun

d in

the

Sm

all B

lack

s R

ule

Boo

k.

The diagram below shows how a full size field is laid out when using it for Under 8 to Under 10 rugby. Field markings in red.

The

outli

ne n

eare

st th

e go

al li

ne c

an b

e on

the

5m

lin

e de

pend

ing

on w

heth

er th

ere

are

post

pro

tect

ors

on th

e go

al p

osts

The diagram below shows how a full size field is laid out when using it for Under 6 or Under 7 rippa rugby. Field markings in red.

DO NOT play longways across the field as indicated by the blue dotted lines

Direction of play

Direction of play Direction of play

Dire

ctio

n of

pla

y

Dire

ctio

n of

pla

y

Direction of play

NO

SP

EC

TATO

RS

P

LEA

SE

NO

SP

EC

TATO

RS

P

LEA

SE

NO SPECTATORS PLEASE

NO SPECTATORS PLEASE



Tuesday

Draw published on WRFU website and Convenors advised via Drawmaster Facebook page.

Friday

Alterations/Cancellations will be emailed out to Junior Convenors and published on Wellington Junior Rugby Facebook page by 6.00pm.

Saturday

Councils to notify further restrictions by 7.00am.

Drawmaster in consultation with JRAB will make decision on further alternations /cancellations.

Final cancellations will be published by 7.30am at the latest. This will be available on WRFU Website (Important Banner), Wellington Junior Rugby Facebook page. The Drawmaster will also send a text to Convenors.

Alteration/Cancellation Process Junior Rugby

FOR

MO

RE IN

FORM

ATIO

N A

BOU

T

CON

CUSS

ION

AN

D M

AN

AG

ING

A R

ETU

RN T

O

PLAY

ING

, CH

ECK

OU

T RU

GBY

SMA

RT.C

O.N

Z

CON

CUSS

ION

IN C

OM

MU

NIT

Y RU

GBY

Whi

le r

elat

ivel

y ra

re,

conc

ussi

on c

an o

ccur

in

all

spor

ts,

part

icul

arly

whe

re t

here

is f

ull c

onta

ct.

It’s

im

port

ant

to k

now

the

sig

ns a

nd s

ympt

oms

of

conc

ussi

on a

nd u

nder

stan

d w

hat t

o do

if a

con

cuss

ion

is s

uspe

cted

.

Onc

e co

ncus

sion

ha

s be

en

diag

nose

d,

it’s

al

so

impo

rtan

t to

res

t an

d re

cove

r in

the

rig

ht w

ay,

befo

re r

etur

ning

to

phys

ical

act

ivit

y.

Com

mun

ity

rugb

y pl

ayer

s ar

e re

spon

sibl

e fo

r th

eir

own

heal

th

and

mus

t ta

ke

conc

ussi

on

seri

ousl

y an

d st

ick

to N

ew Z

eala

nd R

ugby

’s r

etur

n to

pla

y gu

idel

ines

.

CON

CUSS

ION

FA

CTS

• A

conc

ussi

on is

a b

rain

inju

ry.

• Al

l con

cuss

ions

are

ser

ious

.•

Conc

ussi

ons

can

occu

r w

itho

ut lo

ss o

f co

nsci

ousn

ess.

• Al

l ath

lete

s w

ith

any

sym

ptom

s fo

llow

ing

a he

ad

inju

ry m

ust

be r

emov

ed f

rom

pla

ying

or

trai

ning

an

d m

ust

not

retu

rn t

o ac

tivi

ty u

ntil

all s

ympt

oms

have

cle

ared

.•

Spec

ifica

lly,

retu

rn t

o pl

ay o

r tr

aini

ng o

n th

e da

y of

any

sus

pect

ed c

oncu

ssio

n is

for

bidd

en.

• Co

ncus

sion

can

be

fata

l.•

Mos

t co

ncus

sion

s re

solv

e w

ith

the

reco

mm

ende

d pe

riod

of

phys

ical

and

men

tal r

est.

RETU

RNIN

G T

O P

LAY

FOLL

OW

ING

CO

NCU

SSIO

N

RECO

GN

ISE

| RE

MO

VE |

REC

OVE

R |

RETU

RN

RUG

BYSM

ART

.CO

.NZ

Follo

win

g a

head

kno

ck, o

ne o

r mor

e of

the

follo

win

g m

ay in

dica

te c

oncu

ssio

n:•

A va

cant

or

daze

d lo

ok o

n th

e pl

ayer

’s f

ace

• Sl

ower

res

pons

es t

han

norm

al•

Slur

red

or in

cohe

rent

spe

ech

• Fo

rget

ting

eve

nts

befo

re o

r af

ter

impa

ct•

Bein

g un

able

to

focu

s or

eas

ily d

istr

acte

d•

Bein

g di

sori

enta

ted

or c

onfu

sed

(e.g

. w

alki

ng in

w

rong

dir

ecti

on,

not

know

ing

tim

e, d

ate,

pla

ce)

• Lo

ss o

f co

-ord

inat

ion

(e.g

. st

umbl

ing,

una

ble

to

wal

k in

a s

trai

ght

line)

. •

Emot

iona

l con

fusi

on o

r be

havi

our

chan

ges

(e.g

. be

ing

aggr

essi

ve o

r cr

ying

for

no

appa

rent

rea

son)

• Fe

elin

g da

zed

or s

tunn

ed•

Feel

ings

of

naus

ea (

sick

ness

)•

Doub

le o

r bl

urre

d vi

sion

• Ri

ngin

g in

the

ear

s•

Hea

dach

e•

Pupi

ls in

the

eye

s ap

pear

diff

eren

t in

siz

e•

Sens

itiv

ity

to li

ght

or n

oise

• Fe

elin

g sl

uggi

sh,

grog

gy o

r di

zzy

If a

ny o

f th

e fo

llow

ing

occu

r, m

edic

al t

reat

men

t sh

ould

be

soug

ht im

med

iate

ly:

• Lo

ss o

f co

nsci

ousn

ess

• Re

peat

ed v

omit

ing

• Se

vere

nec

k pa

in•

Seiz

ures

(fit

s)•

Wea

knes

s, t

ingl

ing

or b

urni

ng s

ensa

tion

s in

lim

bs

In a

ll ca

ses o

f sus

pect

ed co

ncus

sion

it is

reco

mm

ende

d th

at a

pla

yer

is r

efer

red

to a

med

ical

or

heal

thca

re

prof

essi

onal

for

dia

gnos

is a

nd g

uida

nce,

eve

n if

the

sy

mpt

oms

appe

ar t

o ha

ve g

one.

Fam

ilies

an

d fr

iend

s of

pl

ayer

s su

spec

ted

of

conc

ussi

on s

houl

d m

ake

sure

the

y ge

t ch

ecke

d ou

t!

A pl

ayer

wit

h a

susp

ecte

d co

ncus

sion

mus

t be

tr

eate

d as

if

he o

r sh

e is

defi

nite

ly c

oncu

ssed

an

d ha

s to

get

che

cked

out

as

soon

as

poss

ible

!

RECO

GN

ISE

| RE

MO

VE |

REC

OVE

R |

RETU

RN

RECO

GN

ISE

| RE

MO

VE |

REC

OVE

R |

RETU

RN

Rest

is

the

corn

erst

one

of c

oncu

ssio

n tr

eatm

ent.

Th

is i

nvol

ves

rest

ing

your

bod

y (t

his

is k

now

n as

‘p

hysi

cal

rest

’) a

nd r

esti

ng y

our

brai

n (k

now

n as

‘c

ogni

tive

res

t’).

Avoi

d:•

Phys

ical

act

ivit

ies

such

as

runn

ing,

cyc

ling,

sw

imm

ing

etc

• M

enta

l act

ivit

ies

that

req

uire

con

cent

rati

on,

such

as

driv

ing,

stu

dyin

g, r

eadi

ng o

r pl

ayin

g el

ectr

onic

gam

es

Med

ical

or

appr

oved

hea

lthc

are

prov

ider

cle

aran

ce

is r

ecom

men

ded

befo

re r

e-st

arti

ng a

ctiv

ity.

Bef

ore

re-s

tart

ing

acti

vity

you

mus

t be

sym

ptom

fre

e at

re

st f

or a

t le

ast

24 c

onse

cuti

ve h

ours

- w

itho

ut

med

icat

ion

or a

nyth

ing

else

tha

t m

ight

mas

k th

e sy

mpt

oms.

Child

ren

and

teen

ager

s ne

ed t

o be

man

aged

mor

e ca

refu

lly t

han

adul

ts.

NZR

and

the

IRB

rec

omm

end

child

ren

and

teen

ager

s sh

ould

not

pla

y or

und

erta

ke

cont

act

trai

ning

fo

r a

min

imum

of

tw

o w

eeks

fo

llow

ing

sym

ptom

s di

sapp

eari

ng.

Stud

ents

mus

t ha

ve r

etur

ned

to s

choo

l or

ful

l st

udie

s be

fore

re-

com

men

cing

exe

rcis

e.

Afte

r th

e m

inim

um r

est

peri

od A

ND

if s

ympt

om f

ree

at r

est

a G

RAD

UAT

ED R

ETU

RN T

O P

LAY

(GRT

P)

prog

ram

me

mus

t be

fol

low

ed.

AGE

MIN

. RE

STG

RTP*

*M

IN.

TIM

EOU

TU

6-U

19*

14 d

ays

8 da

ys23

day

sAD

ULT

14 d

ays

6 da

ys21

day

s

* Pl

ayer

s 18

yea

rs o

ld a

nd y

oung

er p

layi

ng a

dult

ru

gby

mus

t fo

llow

age

gra

de g

uide

lines

A pl

ayer

may

not

ret

urn

to p

layi

ng u

ntil:

1.

All s

ympt

oms

have

sub

side

d; A

ND

2.

They

hav

e co

mpl

eted

the

min

imum

res

t pe

riod

re

quir

ed; A

ND

3.

They

hav

e fo

llow

ed t

he G

RTP

prot

ocol

; AN

D4.

Th

ey h

ave

been

cle

ared

by

a do

ctor

to

retu

rn.

GRA

DU

ATED

RET

URN

TO

PLA

Y (G

RTP)

All p

laye

rs d

iagn

osed

wit

h a

conc

ussi

on o

r sus

pect

ed

conc

ussi

on m

ust

go t

hrou

gh t

he G

RTP

desc

ribe

d in

th

is b

roch

ure

- fo

r m

ore

info

rmat

ion

talk

to

your

Co

ach,

yo

ur

loca

l U

nion

, co

ntac

t N

ew

Zeal

and

Rugb

y or

che

ck o

ut r

ugby

smar

t.co

.nz

The

NZR

min

imum

res

t pe

riod

s an

d di

ffer

ent

leng

th

GRT

P st

ages

for d

iffer

ent a

ges a

re su

mm

aris

ed b

elow

:

Play

ers

18 y

ears

and

und

er•

Min

imum

res

t pe

riod

2 w

eeks

and

sym

ptom

fre

e •

GRT

P w

ith

each

sta

ge la

stin

g 48

hou

rs

• Ea

rlie

st r

etur

n to

pla

y -

Day

23 p

ost

inju

ry

Play

ers

19 y

ears

and

ove

r•

Min

imum

res

t pe

riod

2 w

eeks

and

sym

ptom

fre

e •

GRT

P w

ith

each

sta

ge la

stin

g 24

hou

rs

• Ea

rlie

st r

etur

n to

pla

y: D

ay 2

1 po

st in

jury

A G

RTP

shou

ld o

nly

com

men

ce if

the

pla

yer:

• ha

s co

mpl

eted

the

min

imum

res

t pe

riod

for

the

pl

ayer

’s a

ge g

rade

; an

d •

is s

ympt

om f

ree

and

not

taki

ng a

ny m

edic

atio

n th

at m

odifi

es t

he s

ympt

oms

of c

oncu

ssio

n.

Med

ical

or

ap

prov

ed

heal

thca

re

prof

essi

onal

cl

eara

nce

is r

equi

red

befo

re y

ou s

tart

you

r G

RTP.

The

man

agem

ent

of a

GRT

P sh

ould

be

unde

rtak

en

on a

cas

e by

cas

e ba

sis.

GRA

DU

ATED

RET

URN

TO

PLA

Y ST

AG

ESRE

HAB

STA

GE

MIN

IMU

M T

IME

19 Y

EARS

+UN

DER

191.

Com

plet

e m

enta

l and

ph

ysic

al r

est

unti

l sym

ptom

s ha

ve c

lear

ed14

day

s14

day

s

2. O

nce

sym

ptom

-fre

e, li

ght

aero

bic

exer

cise

, su

ch a

s w

alki

ng o

r st

atio

nary

cyc

ling

2 da

ys2

days

3. R

ugby

-spe

cific

exe

rcis

e,

such

as

runn

ing

or b

all-

hand

ling

acti

viti

es.

NO

hea

d im

pact

act

ivit

ies!

1 da

y2

days

4. N

on-c

onta

ct t

rain

ing

drill

s un

til m

edic

al c

lear

ance

giv

en1

day

2 da

ys

5. O

nce

med

ical

cle

aran

ce

has

been

giv

en,

full

cont

act

trai

ning

2 da

ys2

days

6. R

etur

n to

pla

y

GRA

DU

ATED

RET

URN

TO

PLA

Y PL

AN

NER

DAY-

BY-D

AY

(AT

THE

EARL

IEST

)19

YEA

RS+

UN

DER

19

DAY

1 P

ost

Inju

ry t

o D

AY 1

4Re

stRe

st

DAY

15

& 1

6Li

ght

exer

cise

Ligh

t ex

erci

se

DAY

17

Rugb

y ex

erci

seRu

gby

exer

cise

DAY

18

Non

-con

tact

tr

aini

ng d

rills

Rugb

y ex

erci

se

DAY

19

Full-

cont

act

trai

ning

Non

-con

tact

tr

aini

ng d

rills

DAY

20

Full-

cont

act

trai

ning

Non

-con

tact

tr

aini

ng d

rills

DAY

21

RETU

RN T

O

PLAY

Full-

cont

act

trai

ning

DAY

22

Full-

cont

act

trai

ning

DAY

23

RETU

RN T

O

PLAY

RECO

GN

ISE

| RE

MO

VE |

REC

OVE

R |

RETU

RN

2004 Under 13 Under 46 kg Under 12

Under 24kg

Under 6

Under 7

Non-tackle, no weight limit

Under 7

WeightAt time of player registration and WRFU Junior Rugby

Weigh-in Days

Year of Birth Grade Grade Base Weight Criteria for Club Approved Dispensations

Under 8

Under 9

2011 or after

Non-tackle, no weight limit

Under 33kg

33kg or more

2010

2009

2008 Under 36kg

36kg or more but under 54kg

54kg or more

Under 9

Under 10

Under 11

Under 26kg Under 8

2007 Under 40kg


60kg or more

Under 10

Under 11

Under 12

Under 27kg Under 9

2006 Under 46kg


65kg or more

Under 11

Under 12

Under 13

Under 31kg Under 10

Under 37kg Under 11Under 12

Under 13

Under 55kg

55kg or more

2005

Open Weight Grade

NOTE:Players electing to play down a grade according to the Grade Base Weight Rule or the special dispensation for girls, will NOT be eligible for nomination to, or selection in any representative team.Players who elect to play up a grade according to the Grade Base Weight Rule are eligible for nomination to, or selection in either grade’s representative team.

- Players must weigh LESS THAN the weight shown.

- The Wellington Rugby Union does not condone, in any way, players being encouraged or advised to lose weight through dieting, changes in eating habits or the practice of ‘sweating’ in order to meet weight limits.

- Some grades have compulsory set weigh-in days at the beginning of the playing season. Regardless of when a player first registers for the current playing season they must still weigh less than the maximum weight for their age at the official weigh-in as per the table below.

- Any player found to at anytime exceed an age or weight limit for a grade MUST move up a grade and will not be able to move back down again during the season

- Females may be allowed to move down one grade. This in the first instance is dependent on their ability and is at the discretion of the club. Clubs can only grant dispensation if the female complies with the weight restriction for a grade i.e. not to exceed the maximum weight stipulated for players playing up one grade based on their weight for the grade the are moving in to.NOTE: Please refer to the 2017 Guidelines for Grading Female Players for further information.

- The WRFU, or any member thereof, has the authority to immediately suspend any player, coach, administrator or team, if they are found to be in breach of any of its rules, procedures, policies or codes of conduct.

WRFU Junior Club Rugby is a skills development programme

where children are able to thrive in an environment of fun,

learning, and the challenge of fair and even competition.

The age/weight policy and modified rules are

designed to allow children to play rugby with other children of

similar age, weight and ability in the safest environment possible.

WRFUJUNIOR CLUB RUGBY

Weights & Grading for the 2017 SeasonNOTE: The following weights are set by the Wellington Rugby Football Union. Individual clubscommittees, administrators or coaches have NO authority to alter these weights or make any kind of dispensation.

NOTE: Parents of children already approaching 33kgs may wish to consider moving their child up to Under 8 grade this season. Your club can advise you on this.


After its launch in 2016, Wellington Rugby and Burger King will continue with the joint initiative to promote positive sideline behaviour. From the start of the 2017 season it will be compulsory for every team to have a supporter in a BK Bib as their teams Sideline Ambassador for the day. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about how supporters behave on our sidelines, how it affects others, and how it is perceived. Wellington Rugby is proud to be leading a zero tolerance campaign by facing this issue head on. Negative behaviour is not limited to swearing or physical and verbal threats and it’s not always what we say but how we say it. What we do know is that comments like “well done” and “great job” make our kids feel good, and that cheers and claps have a positive effect. We all want our kids, parents and coaches to enjoy the game enough that they want to come back next week and next season. So what are we doing? The Positive Sidelines programme provides each junior team Manager an information pack that includes instructions, a bib, player certificates, and a supporter’s scorecard. Managers will nominate a spectator to be their team Ambassador for the day. Ambassadors will be required to wear the supplied bib as a visual reminder to spectators, players and coaches. They will be responsible for scoring the opposition supporters based on their observations across a number of categories. At the end of the match they will hand the scorecard to their team’s Manager and return their bib to the team gear bag. Ambassadors will receive the vouchers supplied by Burger King. Team Managers will be able to enter the results online. Results from scorecards will be recorded with an overall club standing published on Wellington Rugby’s website www.wrfu.co.nz and on Burger King’s website www.burgerking.co.nz/keepitclean by Wednesday following each round of games. Burger King is providing some amazing prizes with first prize being a BK Backyard BBQ. Details of other prizes are available on the reverse of the supporter’s cards. Scores will only count if both cards are received from a game. Thank you to all our coaches, managers and sideline supporters for your time and remember…..

Support Our Teams, But Keep It Clean!

JRAB FORM 003

Athlete Information Name of Athlete: DOB: Sex: M F Playing Position: Team: Grade: Game Training Conditions: NZRU ID No: Date of Injury: Venue Played/Surface Type: Injury Information Injured Side: R L Nature of Injury: Acute Chronic Re-injury Injured Region: Abdomen Chest Fingers/Hand Groin/Pelvis Knee Shoulder Upper Arm Ankle Elbow Foot/Toes Hip Lower Leg Thumb Upper Leg Back Face/Eyes Forearm Head Neck Trunk/Chest Wrist

Specific Region: Suspected Injury: Concussion Dental Dislocation Fracture Laceration Sprain/Strain

Other (specify): Event Causing Accident: Scrum Engagement Collapsed Scrum Collapsed Maul Post Tackle Running Lineout Maul Ruck Kicking

Other (specify): Was foul play involved? Yes No Tackle (specify) Tackler Front Side Behind How many players were involved in the tackle? Ball Carrier Front Side Behind 1 2 More Athlete Status Continued to play out 1+ days out 1+ weeks Out for season (specify): (specify): On-field Treatment Provider Method of Leaving the Field Doctor Referee Ambulance Other (specify) St Johns Other (specify) Stretcher Team Official Brief description of how the Injury occurred: Name of Report Filler: Designation (Manager, Coach etc): Contact No: Club: Signature:

Injury Report Form

Injury reports are to be emailed to [email protected] within 48 hours of the injury coming to the notice of the referee or team management.

wrfu · team handbook - may 2017 wrfu . junior club rugby . coaches & team managers, the aim...

Documents