The transition between junior and youth rugby is well documented as a key pinch point for rugby union, not only in Wales but globally with as many as 48% of junior players not progressing from under 16 to youth rugby.
Welsh Rugby shares the concerns of its clubs and accepts the need to adapt to the demands of modern society while staying true to the core values of the traditional 15 a side game.
A number of positive steps have been taken recently to address the concerns for the future of the game and help make the community player pathway a simpler and more successful one.
A new, vibrant volunteer structure has been put into place with nine ‘Game Management Groups’ set up across Wales for under 19 rugby with a clear mandate to adopt a can-do attitude with regards to areas such as competitions and communication channels. It also means there is now a well-defined pathway for boys and girls from mini and junior to youth rugby.
Under 17 rugby has also been introduced and encouraged by WRU’s Chris Ower and his core rugby participation team in order to bridge the gap between under 16s and the three year U19 Youth age group.
Many clubs are finding this new, flexible option exactly the shake-up needed to retain junior players for their youth teams which will hopefully, in turn help safeguard the future of their senior sides.
Builth Wells is one of those clubs – youth and under 17 head coach Richard Lawrence believes the move has breathed new life into the club.
“We have around 40 youth players on our books this season with 30 to 35 players training on average. Our youth team is doing well in the league but what is more pleasing is that we haven’t lost a single player from our junior section.
“The introduction of the under 17 team has kept everyone interested in playing rugby rather than losing everyone bar the committed few who were prepared to sit on the bench for up to a season until they were good enough or big enough.
“As soon as we were told about the initiative last season, we spoke to our under 16s squad and you could see their faces light up.
“We all train together so there’s still a good team spirit between all the boys but we split up for full contact or tackling sessions.
“It certainly bodes well for the club. We have a strong junior section with around 120 players but with the youth set-up getting this boost, it looks like we’ll have strength in depth for the seconds and firsts in future years.”
The situation in youth rugby varies around Wales but there is clearly a refreshed motivation amongst those involved in this area of the game and an openness for new ideas that will help achieve the WRU’s aim of More People More Often with More Enjoyment and More Success.
There are good news stories coming out of most divisions and the WRU has secured a committed sponsor for the National Youth Leagues in Principality who are adding value to the leagues with additional publicity and focus for the 148 participating teams.
In some areas, such as North and West Wales, the Principality Youth Leagues have been split geographically to cut down on travel. This has increased the opportunities for teams to play midweek floodlight fixtures if Saturday games have to be rearranged.
On the conclusion of the first half of the season there are various models in place around Wales within League or Cup rugby to provide as much meaningful, regular rugby as possible at an appropriate level of competition.
In North Wales this means a Cup, Plate and Bowl competition based on league standings to allow all teams to play games against opposition of similar standard and in the Scarlets region, the second half of the league season is based on meritocracy to increase standards and avoid miss matches. The changes will be monitored and reviewed.
WRU Head of Rugby Participation Ryan Jones said, “Youth rugby is a vital element of the community rugby pathway and a key element of any thriving rugby club. Following a review of the adult and youth male club game, we are working with clubs to strengthen and modernise the organisation of the youth game and to help the transition between junior and youth rugby and between the youth and senior game.
“We are thrilled to be working with Principality Building Society to support and raise the profile of youth rugby, while the new GMGs have injected a breath of fresh air into the organisation of junior and youth rugby.”
The WRU is calling on all Youth teams to remember to tweet their Principality Youth Leagues Man of the Match photos, to share Try of the Month nomination clips on twitter, tagging @welshrugbyunion and put their bids in for a visit from the Principality Building Society #ScrumHome video team
