In this section you will find guidelines, hints and tips about junior rugby.  Your coach will provide you with much broader information, but here you will find basic rules, guidelines and information to refer to.

General game and team information

SMALL BLACK RUGBY RULES
(Click on Rippa Rules)

CANCELLATIONS
Check the Cancellations Update' tab, or contact your coach.

RUGBY GAMES - THE DRAW
The draw for Marton Junior teams is done by the Wanganui Rugby Football Union and will be posted weekly. Marton Junior teams play the following teams:

      * Hunterville
      * Huntly
      * Ratana
      * Marist
      * Wanganui & Old Boys
      * Wanganui Pirates
      * Kaireau
      * Border
      * Raetihi
      * Waiouru
      * Ohakune

In summary, Marton Junior teams play opposing teams with a mix of home games (Marton Park, Follett Street) and away games (Springvale Park, Wanganui). 
DEFAULTS
Sometimes a team will need to default their game, due to lack of players.  It is up to coaches to advise such a situation as early as possible so that the other team is informed and can make appropriate arrangements for an alternative draw (or plan to go away for the weekend !) Clubs can be subject to a fine for failing to advise of defaults.

CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION GRADE TEAMS – U13 Grade
Marton Juniors fields Championship a team in the Under 13 Grades.
If you are selected to play in a Championship Team, you are expected to attend ALL practice sessions, and ALL games throughout the season.  Games and training may continue throughout the school holidays if the Coach is available.  If you are unable to commit to this, you must indicate this at the beginning of the season.  Being unavailable at any time means you are letting your team, and your club down, as your absence could have major impact on those games.

Players will of course be excused for illness or in special circumstances, but it is important that parents and players are aware of the expectations that come with playing in a championships side.  Attendance at ALL training and games is imperative.

YOUR TEAM
The Junior Administrator is responsible for organising teams within each grade.  Every endeavour is made to keep teams together throughout the younger grades, so that a cohesive bond is made for children and families, and the players can become familiar with coaches, teammates and play.

Once players reach Under 11 grade (full field, 15-a-side rugby) teams will go through a change process.  

The aim is that rugby is a fun and social game, for players and their families, and every effort is made to encourage teams to socialise both in and out of the rugby arena.  Coaches and managers will organise team social events throughout the season, and the Club endeavours to grow the social spirit within the club.  Parents and families are encouraged to support the coaches and managers, encourage the players, and cheer from the sideline … and have a wonderful time.

SAFETY & RESPONSIBILITY
Every endeavour is made to ensure all junior rugby games are played safely.

During game time, refs aim to keep standards of play both safe and fair.
Players and parents are encouraged to observe all the rules and guidelines around safe and responsible behaviour, both on and off the field.

THROUGH THE GRADES …
In the younger grades – U6-U10 – the emphasis is on the fundamentals of rugby.  Learning the basics, getting the skills right, making sure bad habits don’t manifest, getting to grips with tackling (U8+), working out what positions boys play well at and are suited to, getting team play cohesive.  It’s fun … but it’s serious too, because it’s getting the basics right that enables you to shine when you move up through the grades.

At U11 grade, it is time to put all the basics into practice in the bigger arena of full field, 15-a-side rugby.  There will still be some positional changes and more skills and drills to learn.  Fitness is important, as a rugby field is pretty big.  Kicking practice is vital if you want to kick the conversions.  Those extra points can create the difference between a win and a loss.  Graded rugby begins at this level.

At U11 and U13 levels, it is a chance for the players to trial for the championship rep teams.  To be selected, all those basics need to be instinctive and shining, and above all, there needs to be commitment from not only the players, but the whole family.  Two practices a week, and a game EVERY Saturday.

REMEMBER: FITNESS, FRIENDSHIP and FUN ON THE FIELD

Strategies to Win

  *      Be positive with yourself and others
  *      Be fit, healthy and energised
  *      Be focussed and committed together
  *      Respect the coaches and learn all you can
  *      Be one step ahead of the opposition
  *      Go for the tackle, play to the plan
  *      Heart, mind and body in tune = intuitive 
        play
  *      Put in the effort, get the results

REFEREES
All referees are required to do a Ref’s Course before refereeing any games.
Higher grades have an official Union Ref allocated to their games, where available.  Unfortunately, over recent years there has been a major shortage of official referees, so sometimes someone who is not quite so experienced may have to take this role.

Please treat all refs with respect. They do know the rules, are giving up their time and are doing their best.

We all know that:

  *      what the ref says, goes
  *      refs, even the best of the best, sometimes
          get it wrong
  *      we play to the whistle, no matter what we
          think
  *      we don’t backchat refs or argue with their
        decisions
  *      we can get frustrated at some decisions
  *      dangerous tackles are just that – dangerous
          and dealt with according to the rules
  *      being sent to the sin bin is awful (mostly for
          the player who goes there!)
  *      a ref’s job is not an easy one
  *      a ref likes being abused about as much as
          you do !!!

and most of all … we know that a rugby game cannot happen without a referee …
If you do have an issue with a referee or a decision, please don’t deal with it during the game.  Discuss it with your coach or the ref after the game if necessary.  If you need clarification about a call, the ref will be more than happy to explain their decision.

Safety and Responsibility
Click 'DOWNLOADABLE INFO' for First Aid Information

FITNESS...AND INJURY
Remember to do training and fitness whenever you can, and take care of any stresses and strains on the body, however minor they may seem. Being match fit is vital to a great game.

TEAM PRACTICES ATTENDANCE: Attending team practices is essential to playing club rugby.  If you aren’t at practice, you not only miss out on skills training and fitness, but you miss the opportunity to become an integral part of YOUR team. Rugby is all about team work, and if you’re missing, your team has to work around your absence.  This is particularly vital in the older grades, when you establish a position within the team.  Parents – please make every effort to enable your child to attend all team practice sessions.

DROP OFF AND PICK UP:
Please drop off and collect your child at the specified times.  This is especially important on pick up – it is not appropriate for your team coach or manager to have to wait at the grounds with your child if you are late.  If you are running late, please phone your coach or manager to advise them.  You all have their contact numbers – communication is simple and important to keep the kids safe and to ensure the coaches are not inconvenienced.

SAFETY AT PRACTICE:
If possible, at least one parent from each team should be in attendance at practice sessions.  This is in case of injury.  It is impossible for the coach to tend to an injured child, as well as take care of the rest of the team (esp if it’s more than something a “magic water” can cure!)  This is particularly important where there is only one coach taking team practice.  Perhaps each team could organise a roster, so that one parent is always there at practice to cope with unforeseen dramas.