Junior Sport at Northcote
For boys and girls we have a varity of games providing fun and excitment for all ages.
We have a range of games and grades at Northcote. Check out our grades and summaries below to get a further understanding of the games and what to expect. But in every grade and game, there are some things you can expect of us.
- We endeavor to give even playing time to every player in the team
- We create evenly balanced teams and avoid the 'A' team.
- We endeavor to ensure every player enjoys being part of the team and improves their skills.
- We have a focus on team performance rather than winning
- Support for players, coaches, managers, and parents. We are here to help
At all levels of plays, we encourage kids not to be afraid of doing skills they are not confident at because that is how they get better. If a player tries a skill and it goes horribly wrong we congratulate them on trying and encourage them to try again.
Teams are always filled with a range of skills and abilities and we ensure every kid knows their strengths and brings it to each game. We highlight that it is a series of events - the tackle, setting of the ball, the passes, the dummy runner... All of these actions contribute and lead to scoring a try.
“Play fair, play hard and enjoy it.”
Bill Robertson
At our training we structure our coaching around small games. We take a skill, turn it into a game and have the kids play it. We then practice the skill and repeat the game aiming to have them improve that skill via play.
What we Offer
Wondering what sport or grade your child should play?
J8 Girls & Boys
J8 is a fun season watching kids run in random directions with coaches chasing. Yet by the end of the season it suddenly starts 'clicking' and everyone is looking forward to next year.
Eligibility
| Age at 1st Jan | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| 6 years | Open |
| 5 years | Open |
Rules
Half field
20-minute halves
7 players each side
Mixed boys and girls
Non-contact
Game times are Saturdays at 8 am at either Northcote, Takapuna, Glenfield or Marist rugby clubs.
With J8 the coach is allowed on the field to help to organise and give the kids direction during the game.
What To Expect
At J8 level our goal is to give kids time and confidence running with the ball in hand and in the right direction. At each game, we aim to ensure that each kid gets their chances to have a run with the ball.
The game is non-contact and is the first step to becoming confident about playing sport in close proximity to other kids.
J7 Girls & Boys
J7 starts with a lot of excitement from those that played the previous year at J8. As the season progresses each kid starts to 'click' and work out how to play with their teammates and by the end of the season it's a struggle wokring out player of teh day.
Eligibility
| Age at 1st Jan | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| 6 years | 25 Kgs |
| 7 years | 22 Kgs |
Rules
Half field
20-minute halves
7 players each side
Mixed boys and girls
Non-contact
Game times are Saturdays at 8:40 am at either Northcote, Takapuna, Glenfield or Marist rugby clubs.
Like J8, J7 the coach is allowed on the field to help direct the kids.
What To Expect
At J7 we continue ensuring every kid gets their fair time to run with the ball. But we also start to encourage kids to chase the ball carrier in support and making and receiving a pass when ripped.
On defense we look to teach about coming forward to make the rip as well forming a line.
U9 Girls/Boys
U9 is the first chance for girls to play in an all-girl competition. The girls have their own special Northcote jersey's and we look to ensure they feel their own importance within the club family. For the boys it allows them to continue playing if they prefer the rippa game over trying tackle.
Eligibility
| Age at 1st Jan | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| 7 years | Open |
| 8 years | Open |
Rules
Half field
20-minute halves
7 players each side
No coaches on the field
Game times are generally 9:30 am on Saturday mornings and are played across the different clubs of North Harbour.
What To Expect
At U9 the coaches are no longer on the field and the girls are taught how to organise themselves.
We build upon the same skills from the J8 and J7 years and for those joining the game for the first time, they find that they are able to quickly catch up.
The primary focus at this level is teaching the girls how to catch and pass the ball and we put a lot of emphasis on encouraging them to chase the person with the ball as we want every girl to catch, run and pass multiple times in a game.
J6 Mixed
First-year of tackle yet not that many tackles are made. It can be nervous for parents and kids. There are a few tears but they are mostly from bruised egos and surprises. J6 is the best grade to start tackle. Every kid is new and we encourge parents to not risk mssing this year.
Eligibility
| Age at 1st Jan | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| 6 years | Open |
| 7 years | 28kgs |
| 8 years | 25kgs |
Rules
To DoWhat To Expect
Our biggest priority this year is teaching safe tackle techniques. When the tackle is done correctly nobody gets hurt and its a great sense of pride and ability. Though there are only a handful of points it takes a whole season at this age of reminding and re-inforcing.
Along with being the tackler we also put a lot of focus on being tackled and how to fall. Once this is learnt the players confidence grows and they start involving themselves in the game more and more.
J5 Mixed
Eligibility
| Age at 1st Jan | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| 7 years | Open |
| 8 years | 33kgs |
| 9 years | 28kgs |
Rules
ComingWhat To Expect
Second-year of tackle for most players but we are still vigilantly watching and practice safe tackle and falling techniques.
This year we also give more focus at the ruck and bridging to secure the ball and protect our players and clearly form the offside line to allow multiple phases of play and running for the team.
J4 Mixed
Eligibility
| Age at 1st Jan | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| 8 years | Open |
| 9 years | 38kgs |
| 10 years | 33kgs |
Rules
What To Expect
J3 Mixed
Eligibility
| Age at 1st Jan | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| 9 years | Open |
| 10 years | 43kgs |
| 11 years | 38kgs |
Rules
What To Expect
J2 Mixed
Eligibility
| Age at 1st Jan | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| 10 years | Open |
| 11 years | 48kgs |
| 12 years | 43kgs |
Rules
What To Expect
J1 Mixed
Eligibility
| Age at 1st Jan | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| 11 years | Open |
| 12 years | Open |
Rules
What To Expect
U13 Boys
This is the second year of boy's quick rip. Currently, there is one grade but we hope to create and U11 grade as well. This a grade of retiring tackle kids or new kids to rugby and is great for those that love running and the thrill of throwing the rugby ball.
Eligibility
| Age at 1st Jan | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| 11 years | Open |
| 12 years | Open |
Rules
Half field20 minutes halves
Kicking is allowed
Uncontested scrums
Contested lineouts
What To Expect
With the limited number of grades, we often get a range of ages but we work on ensuring each boy and each team member knows his strengths and that they bring them to each game.
There is focus on catching, running and passing and playing with the full team and there is a lot of talk about creating opportunities as opposed to scoring tries. The boys are asked to talk about the game and contribute to how they want to play.
U11 Girls
With U11 the girls start forming a lot of bonds and friendships with each other. The year is littered with feelings of potential and what the girls can be.
Eligibility
Boys and girls
| Age at 1st Jan | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| 9 years | Open |
| 10 years | Open |
Rules
Half field
20-minute halves
Non contested scrums and lineouts
What To Expect
At U11 level we start introducing more focus around passing the ball to the wings. We encourage spacing and the concept of using the whole team to score tries.
We look to have the girls concentrate on executing a good pass rather than worrying about the opposition and being ripped. The other side of this is catching the ball first before worrying about running.
Another awareness we talk about is keeping in contact with teammates. Communication and talking on defense to form a good line and offensive to link up and make passes.
We also introduce the art of kicking as a skill though it is not a highlight in the game.
U13 Girls
At U13 we have a lot of skills coming through which we continue to improve and refine. But these are the years where we start creating thinking players. We get them to contribute to trainings by talking about what is being trainned and the goal of the things we are doing.
Eligibility
| Age at 1st Jan | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| 11 years | Open |
| 12 years | Open |
Rules
Half Field
20-minute halves
Kicks are allowed
Non-contested scrums
Contested lineouts
What To Expect
At U13 we encourage the girls to keep the ball alive. Using their running and passing abilities to move the ball and stretch the defence into mistakes. We start introducing some set moves and game tactics and talk about how these are designed to create opportunities rather than creating tries.
There is a lot of talk about creating momentum in the game, what that is and what that does.
We also start asking the girls to contribute to the game plan. We ask them what we could be doing in certain scenarios and talking with them about it. At U13 level we want them to start thinking about the game and how it is played.
When the girls are on the field we want them looking for opportunities rather than just running plays.
Kicking for position and advantage is introduced into the game as well.
U15 Girls
The U15 is a grown-up girl's team. In this grade, the girls are more in charge of their own performance. They learn that it requires every player to bring their strengths to the game and trainings. Performance is dependant on the whole team and no longer a few individuals.
Eligibility
| Age at 1st Jan | Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| 13 years | Open |
| 14years | Open |
Rules
Half field
20-minute halves
Kicks in play
non-contested scrums
contested lineouts
What To Expect
These years we work on having the whole team working together and looking ahead of time and thinking about where they should be in the next 15 sec's. There is more talk about the 'long game'. About how putting the odds in our favor.
At training we ensure the girls practice all sorts of skills and game scenarios. A larger kicking game is introduced and set moves are emphasised.
We encourage 'heart' to push themselves on defense, but most of all we talk about playing in the moment, playing for teammates, management, and supporters. We encourage voices on and off the field of support and encouragement.