Welcome to Cranbrook Rugby Club - Under 9

The aim of CRFC’s Mini rugby is to foster and develop young players (girls & boys) of all abilities in the game of rugby in a safe, non-competitive, enjoyable environment through activities which ensure progressive skill development. This is achieved by using the RFU’s progressive Age Grade Rugby approach.

All of our coaches are committed to developing young players into respectful individuals and team members. We will ensure each player demonstrates the highest standards of the RFU’s T.R.E.D.S (Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, Sportsmanship) at all times on and off the pitch and external to the club grounds.

U9s Training

U9s is for children currently in Year 4 at school, so our players will be 8 or 9 years old.

All sessions/activities are delivered adopting the principle of ‘APES’;

A - ACTIVE

P - PURPOSEFUL

E – ENJOYABLE

S - SAFE

It is the first year in the Minis that involves CONTACT Rugby which includes ‘the tackle’.

• Training is held on Sundays through September to April with registration from 9.30 and starts promptly at 9.45.  Sessions finish by 11.15. Please see the pitch location at the bottom of this page.
• Players must wear rugby boots and a gumshield when required.
• All players must have water with them.
• A parent or guardian must remain pitch side during training.
• Training sessions are interactive and fun throughout the season with a combination of skills based training and games with a focus on contact.
• U9s will attend various festivals and joint training sessions with other clubs through the season, both home and away. To attend festivals, players must be registered members of CRFC, and will therefore have an RFU membership number.
• We also use a Stack App to set out the programme of training and events for the season; we ask that parents/guardians RSVP to each training session so we can effectively plan!
• We assume that training is ON unless advised otherwise (due to bad weather or pitch conditions). If inclement weather requires training to be cancelled this is communicated via our WhatsApp Group – to be included in this group please contact our Admin support.
• We very much welcome feedback and do feel free to speak to the coaches after any session.
• We are also always seeking new volunteers to help with training, first aid, admin or multiple other roles across the club. Please do help out if you can, no experience is necessary and if you wish to get involved with coaching there are many courses that you can attend.

U9's RFU Rules of Play (Regulation 15)

Under 9s Rugby is played between teams of equal numbers of players, containing six or seven players on the pitch at any one time.
The maximum pitch size is 60m x 30m, 15 minutes maximum time each half and a size 3 ball is used. It is transitional contact only so there is no rucks, mauls, lineouts or scrums.
The object of the game is to score a try by placing the ball with a downward pressure on or behind the opponents’ goal line.
The ball can only be passed sideways or backwards (but not forwards). If the ball is knocked forwards then a free pass is awarded to the non-offending team, unless advantage occurs to the non-offending team. In order to keep the game flowing, referees may play advantage wherever possible.
Only the ball carrier can be tackled. The ball carrier can run and dodge potential tacklers but cannot fend off or hand off using their hands or the ball. The ball cannot be pulled out of the ball carrier’s hands at any time. 
A “Tackle” is deemed to be any contact below the base of the sternum of the ball carrier which results in the ball carrier being held and/or brought to ground by the opponent of the ball carrier.

It is essential all players own and wear a gumshield.

Welcome Pack

New members are welcome to join the club at any time of the year – it’s worth contacting the Head Coach or Admin (see details below) to ensure we are training at home on any particular Sunday

We always aim for the Players to have fun. Come on and give us a try.