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I have just come across an article in the Canberra Times about the ACT Junior Rugby Union voting in a mercy rule aimed at protecting teams in competitions from Under-13s to Under-18s.
Under the rule, teams will progressively have to take players off as they accumulate a large winning margin. The maximum is three players off for a team winning by 50 or more points. First XV Schools level is unaffected.
Surprisingly, this was voted through. Even Marist Rugby heads are in favour, which is an interesting sign that they aren’t solely focussed on winning competitions.
Kudos to them for focussing on participation levels too. The ACT Junior Rugby Union, along with the backing from the likes of Marist, want to grow their participation levels and prevent weaker sides and kids from losing interest in the game.
This is along with the Irish Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football Union changes to mini rugby, where they have removed competitions up to Under-12s. The IRFU and RFU have focussed on increasing participation and skill levels rather than on clubs going for tournament wins.
Kids improve at vastly different rates and if they aren’t getting the time to improve they will know their place and possibly lose interest. There has been strong opposition in Surrey in England and comments in UK newspaper websites towards these changes.
It’s a possible path for the ACT to go down. The article mentions that down the track the ACTJRU might lift the focus on participation rather than having grand finals and knockouts for the younger kids. This is because they have strong competition from other sports for juniors and a small population catchment.
If a team is going for a premiership at those age levels the coaches will most likely pick their strongest teams. They have admitted that there aren’t enough kids playing the game.
Festivals, which are big in the UK and Ireland, will enable teams from other areas in the Brumbies’ catchment to play loads of games against the Canberra sides. The ACT is one of the rare areas where clubs and schools play in the same junior competitions so there is already a focus on inclusion and willingness to adapt.
Is this the path that other Australian state’s unions could go down?
The Vctorian Rugby Union and RugbyWA, who are bringing new people to the game and struggling to find enough rugby pitches, could benefit. The mercy rule may not be an option, but definitely introducing lots of small-sided games rather than playing on a full-sized pitch would help get more kids playing the game.
Having loads of kids out on a rugby pitch each Saturday is great for the sport.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.