GENERAL INFORMATION

UNDER 5s / KINDERGARTEN GRADE RIPPER RUGBY:

It is our hope that we manage to acquire enough players for Mount Roskill Junior Rugby to be able to run its own competition at Fearon Park. However, in the past we have had our Under 5 teams play in a joint competition with Suburbs RFC, which means that perhaps 3 of the 15 games need to be played at Shadbolt Park in New Lynn, with the remaining matches being played at Fearon Park. So either way, Mount Roskill Under 5 teams will be playing on Friday afternoons starting 4th May.

RULES: Teams play on 'Quarter-field' size. 30m wide and 40m long. 15-20 minutes each way. Absolutely NO tackling - it's Ripper Rugby; ripping a velcro tag from the opposition's belt-line. Referees to go easy on knock-ons, dropped balls and off-sides. These rules should start being refereed more accurately at inter-club Under 6s and Under 7s.

Provided: Team T-Shirt (players get to keep)

Not provided - but required: Mouthguard & Boots (plastic moulds OR metal studs)

Optional: Club socks ($15 each) and plain black shorts.

For photos of some of the Under 5s from 2016:  Click here

UNDER 6s & UNDER 7s RIPPER RUGBY:

Under 6s and Under 7s is Ripper Rugby. Tackle rugby starts at the Under 8 level.

RULES: Teams play on 'Half-field' size. 40m wide and 70m long. 20 minutes each way. Absolutely NO tackling - it's Ripper Rugby; ripping a velcro tag from the opposition's belt-line. Referees to go easy on knock-ons, dropped balls and off-sides early on, but should start to referee these things more accurately as the season progresses.

Provided: Team Jersey (players DON'T get to keep, MUST be returned at the end of the season)

Not provided - but required: Mouthguard & Boots (plastic moulds OR metal studs)

Also required: Club socks ($15 each) and plain black shorts.

SEASON LENGTH:

The season schedule is not confirmed yet, but it usually starts at the beginning of May. Warm-up matches could occur prior to May. Under 5s start on Friday 4th May. The season for all grades, more or less, continues through to the end of August. Then Junior Club prize-giving will occur in the following two to three weeks.

WHEN ARE GAMES PLAYED:

Under 5s play at 4.30pm on Fridays.

All other grades play on Saturdays, mostly in the mornings. The older grades, Under 12s and Under 13s, can end up with 11.30am or early afternoon games.

WHERE ARE GAMES PLAYED:

Under 5s matches will be played either completely or mostly at Fearon Park, Mt Roskill. If we need to combine our competition with Suburbs, some games may need to be played at Shadbolt Park in New Lynn.

For Saturday play, U6s to U13s, home matches are played at either one of our two sets of home grounds, Fearon Park or May Road/Mt Roskill War Memorial Reserve. For home field layout and details:  Click here

Away matches could be anywhere in the greater Auckland region - as far west as Waitemata in Swanson, to as far east as Pakuranga, and then as far south as Papatoetoe. So see where these clubs are situated:  Click here

GAME TYPE:

Under 5s to Under 7s is Ripper Rugby – non contact.

Under 8s is the start of tackle, Under 8s to Under 10s is half field.

Under 11s to Under 13s is full field rugby, and there’s no pushing in the scrums till Under 12s, but even then, only on a limited basis.

2018 GRADES:

To register online - Click here

UNIFORM/EQUIPMENT:

Each player needs to procure the club socks - $15 a pair (not compulsory at Under 5 level).

All players are to play in a pair of plain black shorts (not compulsory at Under 5 level).

Boots need to be acquired for ALL grades – with either studs or plastic moulds (completely optional).

The club then loan their jerseys and which MUST be returned at the season’s end. Each jersey has a serial number and will be tracked down. Full numbered sets are distributed and collected before and after each full field game, which enables coaches to field players in different positions each week, and ensures sets stay complete.

To see the Junior Club Jerseys:  Click here

Under 5s are provided with their team T-Shirt, given out at the season’s start, which each player keeps.

Mouth-guards are to worn at ALL grades from Under 5s to Under 13s, without fail, every training and match, or your child will be sitting on the side-line watching not playing. You may wonder why for Ripper Rugby, but we have had head clashes with the little ones, and as rare as that may be, it is a requirement and we don’t want anyone to miss out on playing (it’s good for them to get used to it as well).

Water bottles are always required for training and games.

ALL players will be contacted by early April, if you have not please contact Ross 027-4977420 or email s[email protected]