When to start?

[WF1964]

Some advice please..

Is 5 years too young to start playing rugby?

I took my son to the local club last year when he was only four and he elected not to give it a go. The six year olds were a lot bigger than him then.
Now that he's 5, he says he wants to play.


Which club?

Do you go to your closest club or choose a club by other criteria?

[blueandblack]

Pretty sure there is rugby learning for that age. Check out RugbyWA website.

Closest club unless you have passions or links for another club.

[Burgs]

Closest club until one of those filthy bastard rich inner West clubs offer better money apparently...

Sounds to me like he is old enough because he now wants to play WF1964 and agreed with BnB, I'd say closest unless you have links somewhere.
If you don't have links I reackon there would be swings and roundabouts about every choice but probably fuel is going to the most real.

[blueandblack]

Find a club: http://www.rugbywa.com.au/community_...lub,29743.html

Rugby for Junior: http://www.rugbywa.com.au/community_...age,29724.html
and http://www.rugby.com.au/edrugby/home/home,1396.html

[WF1964]

Thanks

Our closest club is Palmyra

[TOCC]

I first played when I was 9, I was actually playing Aussie rules prior to that
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[zimeric]

my son started when he was 5 turning 6 (last year) however he was already a little advanced to learn new skills at U6 level, so this year we've jumped to U8's where most of the kids are at his skill level and he doesnt stand out as much... it was a difficult decision and it has some negative impacts but the benefits far outweigh them. The main thing is he is learning more and developing at a pace more suited to his enjoyment.

Bayswater has a great junior program and has teams in every age group. It is relatively cheap in terms of fee's but Parents are requested to participate in fundraising and coaching/managing the kids in order to keep it affordable..
I can only speak for them unfortunately.. coaching is very rewarding even at u6-u8 level and i am loving it.

[TOCC]

my son started when he was 5 turning 6 (last year) however he was already a little advanced to learn new skills at U6 level, so this year we've jumped to U8's where most of the kids are at his skill level and he doesnt stand out as much... it was a difficult decision and it has some negative impacts but the benefits far outweigh them. The main thing is he is learning more and developing at a pace more suited to his enjoyment.

Bayswater has a great junior program and has teams in every age group. It is relatively cheap in terms of fee's but Parents are requested to participate in fundraising and coaching/managing the kids in order to keep it affordable..
I can only speak for them unfortunately.. coaching is very rewarding even at u6-u8 level and i am loving it.

yeah my brother did that, it turned out to be a good blessing, by playing up a few age groups he had to rely on his technical ability and not size or strenght..

[doobie69]

Same story here. My son started when he was 5 and is now playing under 10's this season. The only down side is that some teams are big and this can put kids off, especially when they go into their first year of tackling (under 9's). Having said that my son still loves it & if you can get involved with coaching do it- I coached from under 6's through to under 9's and only stepped down to take on an administrative position at the club. Just go for your nearest club & enjoy watching your son develop. Very rewarding....

[RugbyZAP]

I started in the first UWA juniors team when I was 8.

OP - Also look into Jungle Rugby. http://www.junglesports.com.au/jungl...ers/rugby.html

[zimeric]

Jungle rugby is great for kids from 3-6 and is a great way to introduce them to the sport.
if they have a flair for the game and are sporty you'll see it pretty much straight away as Jungle rugby promotes all the basics (run/pass/kick even tackle) without actually pushing "rugby" per se..
its a super idea!

[WF1964]

Jungle Rugby looks great. Pity it's only at Joondalup though as we are south of the river and I have another child that has to be taxi'd to Saturday morning activities too.

I know RugbyWa was looking for coaches to expand it south of the river so can only assume that hasn't happened yet.

Thanks for all your feedback everyone.

[blueandblack]

Jungle Rugby looks great. Pity it's only at Joondalup though as we are south of the river and I have another child that has to be taxi'd to Saturday morning activities too.

I know RugbyWa was looking for coaches to expand it south of the river so can only assume that hasn't happened yet.

Thanks for all your feedback everyone.

Get the little one to start by running out before each game at your local and putting the ball on the kickoff point.

[WF1964]

I think my boy will have to be a forward.
Watched him running at school this morning, being left for dead by all the little 5 year old girls.


Not that forwards don't have to run - Nathan Charles take a bow!

[Burgs]

He's just sneaking up on them
I used to be flogged at school races in junior school sports carnivals, mainly by Aboriginal kids who are damn quick I might add, but ended up the second fastest in my team by Yr12, would write him off just yet.