Junior Player Pathway Course

Foreword

When we watch the wonderful Wallabies in action, we see a huge variety of skills and techniques displayed with great precision and expertise. Rugby is an exciting, free flowing and often spectacular game, but it is quite complex and requires the mastering of many different individual and unit skills.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) believes that younger participants should be introduced to the game gradually as part of its Long Term Player Development (LTPD) pathway through its Junior Player Pathway (JPP) program. This Pathway is based on research conducted on development and children in sport. Research concluded;

• modifying sport contributes to the supportive junior sport environment that children seek
• the provision of modified sport is a first step towards attaining quality and offering great opportunities for children to develop confidence in sporting performances.  

The Australian Rugby Union’s LTPD pathway includes excellent examples of a modified sport. The Junior Player Pathway is designed to provide appropriate physical and technical skill development as well as introduce the tactical concepts of Rugby. It emphasises the desirable qualities of sportsmanship, fair play and safety.

These three Modified Game forms of Rugby provide an appropriate learning environment for appropriate age groups that stimulates interest and maximises participation. They can also be used as an introductory activity for new players of all ages.

The Junior Player Pathway comprises:

•       Walla Rugby (up to 8 years)
•       Mini Rugby (up to 10 years)
•       Midi Rugby (up to 12 years)

Junior Player Pathway Course

Philosophy of coaching/Teaching

The Junior Player Pathway Program is a component of the ARU’s LTPD pathway, which encompasses both physical and technical development for the training stages through which each player should pass on the way to achieving optimal performance. The JPP takes in the first two stages of the overall LTPD pathway,;

• The Fundamental Stage
• Learning to Train stage.

These stages are designed to provide the fundamental foundations of physical and skill development for 5 to 12 year old Rugby players. The desirable qualities of Rugby - sportsmanship and fair play - are to be positively rewarded. At all times safety must be a paramount consideration. All programs have been designed to teach the Game principles of – Possession / Go Forward / Support / Continuity / Pressure.

The concept of positive re-enforcement of the ideals of the game and skills of players cannot be over-emphasised. Satisfaction should be gained from participation, improvement and competitive performance - without emphasis on win at all costs. The focus should be on the process rather than the outcome.

Coaches / Teachers must ensure that the game is correctly taught and that the success achieved by each player is acknowledged and encouraged. It is vital that each and every player receives the same opportunity to develop in an environment of friendliness and co-operation.

In summary, when coaching, teaching or refereeing:

• Keep it simple free flowing and enjoyable
• Let the players develop skills with safety
• Discourage any dangerous action or unsafe practice
• Adopt an educative, positive re-inforcement approach
• Ensure players receive an equal opportunity to participate, regardless of ability

The main areas to address are:

• The Ground - Field set up (including size, markings, surface and surrounds)
• Player - numbers
• Dress and Ball size - particularly footwear and mouthguards and also the correct size of ball
• Time - duration of the game
• Touch Judges - identify who

For background notes and questions relating to the Junior Player Pathway refer to the Participant Study Guide and other Junior Resources

It is to be expected that all parties agree to adhere to the principles and laws of the game and expectations of behaviour in the playing / teaching / coaching and refereeing of the ARU Modified Games of Walla, Mini, and Midi.