Play

• At the Norths Pirates, we encourage our coaches to follow our Club coaching philosophy which involves:
  • Skills development
  • Fair play
  • Health and safety
  • Sportmanship and friendship
  • Teamwork
  • Fun
  • Fair and reasonable game time for all players
  • Running rugby with all players having an opportunity to handle the ball
• To get the best out of your players and ensure you do not lose their attention, preparation for training sessions is key
• Rugby Australia coaching courses, tips and session planning available at SmartRugby – to be a coach or referee in Australia SmartRugby is the minimum qualification required. Courses are online via your Rugby Xplorer login myaccount.rugbyxplorer.com.au/, select Learning Centre, which will take you into Rugby Learning Centre, then Browse Learning
• If you are interested in finding out more or would like to enquire about coaching, please contact the Club’s coaching coordinator
• Northern Suburbs Junior Rugby consists of four Norths village clubs – Drummoyne, Hunters Hill, Mosman, Norths Pirates
• U6-U9 teams play in the Gordon District Minis comp. Their games are on Saturday mornings, with 1 or 2 games on Sunday mornings
• U10-U16 teams play in the Sydney Junior Rugby Union (SJRU) competition. Their games are on Sundays (and some Friday evenings). This is a graded competition
• The season runs from April to August

Under 6s

• First year of rugby union with a strong emphasis on participation, enjoyment and making new friends from the district
• 5 players on the field at a time
• There is no tackle or ruck/maul but a two handed grab low (tag) on the shorts
• Games are played on a quarter of full field
• Playing time is 2 x 10 mins

Under 7s

• The children continue for another year with the introduction of non contested three person scrums and two person line outs
• The development is centred around catch and pass and again with a strong emphasis on participation and having fun
• 6 players on the field at a time
• Games are played on a quarter pitch size
• Playing time is 2 x 15 mins 

Under 8s

• First introduction of tackle and the ruck contest
• 7 players on the field at a time
• Games are played on half size field with more room to run
• Playing time is 2 x 15 mins
• The safe practices of the tackle and ruck maul are taught by “Smart Rugby” accredited coaches

Under 9s

• Whilst still on half size field, the team increases to 10 with 5 person scrum and 5 backs
• More positional play is encouraged but with uncontested scrum and line out
• Playing time is 2 x 20 mins
• The opportunity remains for everyone to safely try all positions on the field

Under 10s

• The games are played on Sundays with grading for the first time
• The competition covers the Sydney Metropolitan area on a home and away basis
• Games are competitive scrums and line outs with 12 players on each team
• The field is almost full field, only 10m narrower (5m each side)
• Playing time is 2 x 20 mins
• Conversions, kicks in general play and semi and grand finals are other changes to the first year of juniors

Under 11s

• Same parameters as the U10s
• The teams are regraded again to keep competitions fair and safe across the grades

Under 12s – 16s

• 15 players on the field
• Skills focus is on positional awareness
• Full size field
• Playing time is 2 x 25 mins

Committee Members 

Age Group Managers (AGMs)

Age Group Managers (AGMs)

To be advised 2024

Training Schedules 

Procedures & Policies

• Code of Conduct – Rugby Australia
• Concussion Management
• Match Day Inspection Checklist
• Match Day Safety Checklist
• SJRU Match Day Manual
• NSW Junior Rugby Web Site
• Competition Rules
• Dispensation Process

HOW TO REGISTER

STEP 1

There are three key registration groups.

Under 6 and Under 7s → Tri-Tag Rugby – Modified version to help kids to understand the game with no contact.

Under 8 and Under 9s → Minis  – Modified Rugby where kids are introduced to tackling on small fields.

Under 10 – Under 16s → Graded SJRU Tackle Competition

Age is determined by the age the child will turn during their 2024 birthday. PLEASE NOTE that Rugby Xplorer may auto-assign the age group based on the birth date entered.

If your child wants to play in an age group above please contact James Stone (registrar@northspirates.rugby) to assist with team allocations.

STEP 2

We are delighted to accept NSW Active Kids vouchers as part of your payment. Please make sure you have this handy before commencing registration, as it cannot be added retrospectively.

Apply for an active kids voucher here.

STEP 3

Go to the Rugby Xplorer app, or https://myaccount.rugbyxplorer.com.au

Use your previous Rugby ID# to register if you are a returning player. This will appear under your name in the ‘My Profile’ screen in your Rugby Xplorer portal. This ID also appears under the participant’s name when choosing who to register. If you cannot remember your rugby ID#, you should be able to search using your linked email address.

If you have not registered previously, please create an account for yourself (the parent/guardian first – and then any child as linked accounts to your master account). Note, as this is a junior’s program, the system requires that parents/guardians must also have an account, and then the child will be automatically linked to the parent account as per previous registrations. If your child isn’t found and has registered before please search for them before creating a new account as they risk losing their historical data if you create a new ID.

Under 10’s and above are required to have a ‘public’ passport style photo (a requirement of the graded competition), so please snap your favourite photo of your son/daughter (head and shoulders), and upload it when you register.

More detailed instructions on how to use Rugby Xplorer can be viewed here.

If you have any other questions, please email James Stone at registrar@northspirates.rugby

All committee members are volunteers, but we will endeavor to get back to you as soon as possible. Please allow a little extra time over the holiday season.

We look forward to seeing you down at Tunks Park shortly.

REGISTRATION COSTS

Registration Fees are kept to a minimum; however, our costs continue to increase.   

Your fees contribute to.

• Medical Services
• Ground hire
• Coaching courses
• Qualified professional coaches
• Playing Kit
• Training Shirt
• Insurance
• SJRU Affiliation Fees
• NSWRU Affiliation Fees
• Entrance Fees for Gala Days

Active Kids Voucher can be used to contribute to the registration fee.

If you have any questions or issues with registration please contact James Stone (registrar@northspirates.rugby) on 0419 119 246

This is for the winter XVs competition only, for boys and girls.

Training nights:

Our minis will train at Primrose Park on Thursday evenings whilst our Juniors (Under 10 and above) will train on Wednesday evenings.

Your Age Group Co-ordinator will confirm times as we move closer to the season starting.

Pre-season training will commence on Sunday 25 February at Tunks Park for our younger players.

Competition for Minis and Juniors starts in late March 2024.

Please take a moment to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for instant updates as requires but most importantly sign up to our mailing list to ensure you get all the club news each week.

Pirate Post – Norths Pirates