1. Introducing children to rugby: Shaping the game, retaining players and developing talent Gethin Thomas Introducing children to rugby: Shaping the game, retaining players and developing talent Gethin Thomas

2. Research Partner Rugby Football Union (RFU) Gary Townsend, Player Development Manager AIM: To increase the number of children playing rugby

3. Overview Focus – The game played from U7 through to U11 – Its impact on the development and retention of players. Aim – Evaluate and compare on-pitch performance of the current games played (continuum) with the games played under the proposed new rules (pilot). – Examine the attitudes of key ‘users’ to the continuum game and pilot game. Methods – Quantitative and qualitative methods.

4. Interdisciplinary Approach Player/child development cannot be adequately understood in a narrow, mono-disciplinary approach (Bailey et al., 2010). Interdisciplinary approach driven by an empirically/theoretically justified ‘balance’ between the bio-psycho-social domains (Bailey et al., 2010). Interdisciplinary – Biological: Motor Development between 7 - 11. – Psychological: Cognitive Development. – Social: Participation / attitudes of parents and coaches.

5. Year 1: U7 and U9 3 pilot areas – Durham, Hampshire, Warwickshire. 3 continuum areas – Cheshire, Devon, Gloucestershire. Methods – Filmed matches at festivals in all areas. – Parents’ questionnaire. – Player feedback. – Online coaches questionnaire.

6. Under 7 – Key Rule Changes ContinuumPilot Pitch Size60m x 30m20m x 12m Number of players7 v 74 v 4 “Knock-On” by a playerNo offence – play on.Offence – opposition ball.

7. Observations U7 Children are very egocentric at this age. Significant difference in physical and psychological development. Parents and coaches play a key role in all aspects of player development. Key observations – More players are ‘involved’ in the pilot game. – Increase in opportunities to develop their skills and tactical understanding. – Feedback from players say that they enjoy both games. LINK TO SHORT VIDEO IF TIME

8. Under 9 – Key Rule Changes ContinuumPilot Number of players9 v 96 v 6 Scrums and LineoutsYesNone Rucks and MaulsYesNone TacklingYes 1 defender only. Grasp allowed.

9. Observations U9 Children are beginning to develop the ability to play in a team. Difference in physical and psychological development continues. Negative impact of competitive tournaments on the behaviour. Key observations – The pilot game is fast paced with only short breaks in play. – Simplifying the game allows the players to focus on developing game skills. – Physically smaller players have more success when tackling. LINK TO SHORT VIDEO IF TIME

10. What’s next? Analysis of Yr 1 data Year 2: U8 and U10 Year 3: U11 Should allow for a (brief) longitudinal comparison

11. Thank you – any questions? Research presented here was conducted during an ESRC Studentship under its Capacity Building Clusters Award (RES-187-24-0002) in partnership with the Rugby Football Union. For more information about this project and the work of the Centre for Sport, Leisure and Tourism research, see www.ex.ac.uk/slt [adjust URL to direct to your project space of the site].www.ex.ac.uk/slt Gethin Thomas, glt201@exeter.ac.uk, 07866 140723.glt201@exeter.ac.uk