Under 6s - Under 8s
The teams and competition in these age groups are all about participation, fun, being involved, playing with and making new friends, excite and inspire all involved.
This will allow the younger players to improve their knowledge of the game, be coached from the basics and engage them with drills that are fun based which will allow them to flourish under guidance from their coaches, the coaching mentor and the club itself.
Under 9s - Under 10s
The teams and competition in these age groups will expand on their earlier years and team structure, drills and development will be implemented. The participants over this period will evolve dramatically which will enable coaches to expand their players knowledge in the game and how it is played under the Norths Juniors guidelines. The aim of coaching in these ages is to build the Norths culture with the players and ready them for the coming years and assisting in the building of team structures for the Under 11s and 12s.
Under 11s - Under 12s
The teams and competition in these age groups will again develop to the next stage under the Norths Juniors training guidelines. Teams will be composed of participants of equal standards as to let every player enjoy their time at training and games, this will establish a much minded environment for participants, coaches and families [this process will only be applied with direction from the coaches and coaching mentor]. More detailed drills and structures will be implemented by the coaching staff and regularly overseen by the coaching mentor. These age groups will train as squads for part of the training sessions and then break into individual teams as to give the players more attention on specific drills.
Under 13s - Under 18s
As per above, teams to be graded and establish a strong Norths culture, all overseen by coaches and the Norths Juniors Coaching Mentor.
Age Group Rules /
Under 6's
Play a "tag" type only style of play. This is a requirement of the NRL to allow younger players to develop their skills prior to playing full contact.
Field size: 40x20m
Team size: 6 players
Game Time: 4 x 8 mins
No of passes: 1 minimum
No of tags: 6
Defenders stand back 5m (no markers)
No Scrums
Tap re-start at 5m line
No conversions
No kicking
Chance Rule
Under 7's
As of 2020, the Under 7s will play "tag" type only play for the first 10 weeks of the season, they will undertake "Tackle Safe" Training with a representative from NRL during their normal training sessions.
Field size: 40x20m
Team size: 6 players
Game Time: 4 x 8 mins
No of passes: 1 minimum
No of tags/tackles: 6
Defenders stand back 5m (no markers)
No Scrums
Tap re-start at 5m line
No conversions
No kicking
Under 8's & 9's
Full tackle style play. Teams will start wearing First receiver & Dummie Half Bibs (Depending on age group). Games are more structured.
Field size: 68x30m
Team size: 8 players
Game Time: 4 x 8 mins
No of passes: 8yr olds - 2 with inclusion of FR bib 9yr olds - 2 with inclusion of DH, FR bib
No of tackles: 6
Defenders stand back: 5m
No Scrums
Tap re-start at halfway line
Conversions allowed
8s - No kicking in general play
9s - Kicking allowed in general play (no bombs)
Under 10's & 11's
Full tackle style play. Teams start playing halves not quarters.
Field size: 80x48m
Team size: 11 players
Game Time: 2 x 20 mins
No of passes: 2
No of tackles: 6
Defenders stand back: 5m
No Scrums
Tap re-start at halfway line
Conversions allowed
Kicking allowed in general play (no bombs)
Under 12's
Full tackle style play. Teams continue playing halves not quarters.
Field size: 100x68m
Team size: 13 players
Game Time: 2 x 20 mins
No of passes: 2
No of tackles: 6
Defenders stand back: 5m
No Scrums
Tap re-start at halfway line
Conversions allowed
Kicking allowed in general play (no bombs)
Under 13's - 17's
Full tackle style play. Teams continue playing halves not quarters.
Field size: 100x68m
Team size: 13 players
Game Time: 2 x 25-40 mins (varies pending age group & local rules)
No of passes: 0 minimum
No of tackles: 6
Defenders stand back: U13 & U14 -5m U15s - 10m
Scrums
Kick off re-start at halfway line
Conversions allowed
Kicking allowed in general play
Girls Only League
Field size: 100x68m
Team size: 13 players (pending local league rules)
Game Time: 2 x 40 mins
No of passes: 0 minimum
No of tackles: 6
Defenders stand back: U13 & U14 -5m U15s - 10m
Scrums
Kick off re-start at halfway line
Conversions allowed
Kicking allowed in general play