+ What grade will my child be in?

The following table sets out the age and weight criteria for junior Wellington rugby players. Click here

+ What happens after registration?

Your child will be placed into a team by the grade convener and the coach of the team will contact you with additional details such as training dates and game times.

+ Can I pick the team my child plays in?

At the bottom of the registration form please name friends that you would like to be in the same team. Conveners will try to keep the teams consistent from the previous year and will try to group friends together but not every request can be achieved. If you happen to be with a new group of people look at as an opportunity to meet new people and then children will be opponents to their friends when Wests play other Wests teams.

+ Who does the coaching?

Volunteer parents are the coaches. Be sure to tick the ‘coaching’ box on the registration form . If you feel that you would like to join the committee tick that box too. Any help we can get is greatly appreciated.

+ If I decide to coach is there training provided?

There is plenty of training and other resources available for potential and current coaches.

+ When are are games and training sessions?

Games are on Saturday mornings and are generally at 9am for the U6-U10 grades and 10am for U11-U13 grades. Some games may be scheduled on a Friday evening as well.

Training sessions will depend on the various coaches. Depending on the weather the council can choose to close fields but you will be notified when this happens and the coach will explain notification methods to you. Under 6 to Under 8 Grades have a rotation in the Wests gym every Saturday if the fields are closed games to play an indoor game.

+ Do we always play at the same field?

The draw for the week will be available on the Wests website early in the week for the Saturday game. The opponent and the field will be listed. Grounds from Miramar to Johnsonville are used. This excludes rep games that are played further afield.

+ My child is new to rugby so could they start in a younger grade?

Whatever the age is of your child is on 1 January will determine the grade. Tackle grades have weight restrictions. Children are allowed to play at a grade higher than their age but please discuss this with your coach or age convener prior to making this decision. Girls are permitted to play down a grade.

+ What age does tackle start and what will I need?

Tackle starts at Under 8. The Under 8 grade starts tackle from the first week of the season. The coaches, with support from the WRFU, will be teaching the correct tackle techniques during training session before the season starts.

Under 6 & 7 are Rippa rugby. Mouth guards are required at every age. Any other gear needed for tackle grades can be discussed with coaches and conveners.

+ What gear do I need?

White shorts, red socks and rugby boots. Shorts and socks are available at the registration days. These items can also be purchased from NZ Uniforms on Thorndon Quay. There is also a boot swap at the Team day event where you can exchange boots that no longer fit for others that have been exchanged. At the registration day there are other Wests branded items to purchase. Wests rugby jerseys are given out on Team day and are on loan for the year and must be returned at the end of the season.

+ What do I get for my registration fee?

A wests jersey for the season, a mouth guard and new players receive a free Wests beanie. The fee also includes a team photo at the end of the season, the club prize giving and pizza night and of course the opportunity to play for Wests for the entire season (till end Aug), which means games every Saturday, use of artificial turfs around Wellington and Wests gym for practice sessions and games.