Age groups vs Weight & Age

[Dave]

Does anyone have some info for me on Junior Rugby, specifically Age Groups vs Weight & Age?

Much appreciated..... Dave

[Martin]

Dave, this is always a heated debate, look if your union has something set-up on dispensation rules. Our union has a procedure for players to stay longer in an age-group and players who are too heavy for a group but discussions about these are always going on....

I always try to take this from the individual players perspective. If a player is too big a just scores all the tries then what is his challenge? Also, how does that help the development of his teammates? Dispensate up I say!

I once read that some of the Southern Hemisphere nations players are put into team based on their weight not based on their age.

Martin

[Baba]

Yes, sometimes you see a player two heads sticking above the rest, early puberty - late puberty all in one age group. I agree with Martin: dispensate up, do not keep this big youngster in a team just to have them win you games!

Baba