Juniors
Welcome to the junior section of the Northcote Rugby Club website. The club has a thriving junior rugby section where the emphasis is on safety, skill development and participation from parents and players alike. With these behaviours taught from an early age the results take care of themselves with the club enjoying good success in representative junior rugby at end of year knockout tournaments.
"The purpose of North Harbour Junior Rugby is to give all players the opportunity to participate against others of a similar age and size and to assist in the progressive development of the necessary physical, social, emotional and mental skills as a foundation for enjoyment and continued participation in the game”.
NHRU Junior Rugby is played in accordance with IRB & NZRU “Laws of the Game” incorporating the Small Blacks Development Model guidelines.
Regular Saturday Junior Club Rugby is run in a non-competition format, meaning that while individuals, teams and clubs may record tries, conversions, wins, losses and points tables, the Union does not collect and collate scores, keep tables or team placing.
Players and coaches should strive to win, however it is the responsibility of coaches, referees, parents and supporters to assist all players in developing the fundamental skills required to play the game safely, with enjoyment and in accordance with the Laws of the Game
Junior rugby is split into two sections with J8 and J7 grades (generally the first two years of primary school age) being played under Rippa Rugby rules as developed by the New Zealand Rugby Union. Rippa is a very safe, non contact and easy to play game for boys and GIRLS. Best of all its fun for all involved. Rippa is played in a local module at the Northcote grounds. Click here for full details on Rippa Rugby.
J6 to J1 rugby is played under the much admired New Zealand Rugby Union Small Black rules which progressively introduce rugby skills focusing on safety and participation. For example, tackling is strictly confined to below the chest area, pushing in scrums is not introduced until late in the grades and even then only in a controlled manner. All Northcote coaches, managers and referees complete various North Harbour Union courses to ensure they are well equipped to manage children’s development through the age groups appropriately. Click here for full details on Small Blacks Rugby.
The club says goodbye to its junior players in the J1 grade where they depart for secondary school rugby. It is customary for every J1 team to finish junior rugby with an overseas team trip to either Fiji or Australia, for many it’s the experience of a lifetime.
The junior club is fortunate to enjoy the loyal support of its “family of five” sponsor group. These sponsors enable the junior club to provide a safe and constructive environment for local children to experience team sport at its best. Please support our sponsors wherever you can.