Pathway Rugby - Walla - Mini - Midi
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) believes that younger participants should be introduced to the game gradually through its Junior Player Pathway program.
The games of Walla, Mini and Midi are based on research conducted on children in sport and development.
Research concluded that modified pathways offer great opportunities for children to develop confidence in sporting performance.
The Junior Player Pathway games of Walla, Mini and Midi resemble the adult form of the game but have been specially adapted to ensure maximum enjoyment, skill development and safety.
The following is an overview of the each level of Pathway Rugby.
******* We have plenty of FREE RESOURCES to help you coach Pathway Rugby. CLICK HERE or scroll down the page. *******
Step 1 - Walla Rugby Union
Walla Rugby (up to 8 years)
In refining the traditional approach to Rugby, the size of the football, the playing numbers and the field size have been modified to suit the younger player.
Walla Rugby is a simple, non-tackling introduction to the game that concentrates on passing, catching and running skills, while providing an introduction to the Rugby set pieces of scrum and lineout.
By having 7 players in each team, Walla Rugby is designed to encourage players to run forward as well as having all players actively involved. This ensures a free flowing game in which all participants have maximum touches on the ball and hence plenty of ENJOYMENT!
- Click here visit the NSW Rugby website and learn more about attending a Coaching Pathway Rugby Course
Step 2 - Mini Rugby Union
Mini Rugby (up to 10 years)
Mini Rugby continues the theme of free-flowing running and passing Rugby. Mini Rugby has been designed to focus on the tactical principles of Go Forward, Pressure and to introduce the tactical principal of support. It also teaches the individual skills of Passing and Receiving; Running and Evasion; Contact; Kicking and Tackling; as well as the game elements of Ruck, Maul, Scrum and Lineout. Mini Rugby is played with 10 players in each team.
- Click here visit the NSW Rugby website and learn more about attending a Coaching Pathway Rugby Course
Step 3 - Midi Rugby Union
Midi Rugby (up to 12 years)
Midi Rugby is the stepping-stone to the full game. It is played with 12 - 15 players per team, on a standard sized field, with further elements of the Under 19 game being introduced. Midi Rugby has been designed to focus on the tactical principles of Go Forward, Pressure, Support and to introduce the tactical principal of Continuity. It also teaches the individual skills of Passing and Receiving; Running and Evasion; Contact; Kicking and Tackling; as well as the game elements of Ruck, Maul, Scrum and Lineout.
- Click here visit the NSW Rugby website and learn more about attending a Coaching Pathway Rugby Course
FREE Junior Coaching Resources
There are series of resources available for junior Rugby coaches.
Walla 20 Session Plan
For: Walla Rugby coaches.
Description: Twenty detailed sessions designed to progress Walla players from their first training to their final game.
Cost: Free. Download Here (PDF | 2.4mb)
Mini/Midi – Six Week Program
For: Mini Midi Coaches.
Description: A six-week program designed as a preparation to play Rugby. It covers all aspects of the game so young players are prepared to play.
Cost: Free. Download Here (PDF | 895kb)
Laws
The following downloads are free and cover all the laws applicable to junior rugby.