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| Age Grade Law Variations |
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The age grade law variations have been revised for season 2010/11 following feedback from the rugby community. They should not be viewed in isolation, but should always be used in conjunction with the full IRB laws of the game, available at www.IRBLaws.com. All coaches should be aware of the full laws of the game as well as the law variations for the age group they are coaching. Pocket-sized age grade law variation booklets have been posted to all clubs and schools at the start of the season. Copies can also be downloaded from the list below.
Frequently asked questions
In the case of S1, P7 and P6, these are all year groups not age groups. Can you confirm that it is the year group which is crucial and not the age group which would normally be implied by such year groups? Within each school year group there will be a number of age groups but it is crucial that the school year groups and club year groups play to the same law variations for the school year group.
We presume that it is okay for pupils in P6 to play in P7 teams, P7 in S1 teams as routinely happens in prep schools. Are we right to do so? The policies launched this year focus on the under-16 and under-18 age groups. Moving forward we will be looking at age banding from age 8 upwards; in the interim we would recommend playing in two year age bands with prior agreement between teams – i.e. P4 and P5 playing together, P6 and P7 playing together, S1 and S2 playing together and S2 and S3 playing together – with the law variations being applied consistently across these bandings. Again, common sense must apply.
What happens to the smaller clubs/schools that play combined teams e.g. joint under-15/under-16? Combining age groups below under-16 is fine as long as it is within a two year age banding and as long as common sense prevails. The emphasis should be on keeping physically immature and physically mature players apart and, as such, a combined under-16/under-17 team is not acceptable.
A boy’s birthday is ten days after the cut-off but, if he is not physically ready to go up to the next age group, does he have to play in the higher age group? Say, if he is in S2 and, due to his date of birth, should be in under-15, can he continue to play in S2? The policies launched this year focus on the under-16 and under-18 age groups. Moving forward we will be looking at age banding from age 8 upwards; in the interim we would recommend playing in year groups up until formal competition starts at under-15 (1 January).
Does this mean that a school/club under-16 league is being set up, as previously the form IV, V and VI all played together? If not, then the kids in form IV will not get any games and we may lose some of them, unless they play for clubs? We are encouraging all clubs and schools to schedule appropriate fixtures for their players and would encourage under-16 teams in schools, even if this means 10-a-side. Please contact your Regional Development Manager to get further information on playing opportunities that are available in your area. All age grade playing structures will be available and reviewed in due course.
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Scottish Rugby requires all clubs and schools to follow the appropriate age grade law variations without exception. This allows youngsters to learn the game and enjoy rugby in a structured, consistent and safe manner.
