Governance

Purpose & Scope

RFU Age Grade governance ensures that every young player in England experiences rugby that is safe, developmentally appropriate, and consistent across all clubs, schools, and counties. The governance framework applies to all rugby activity up to and including U18, including U19s playing down into U18 rugby.

At Herts RFU, this national framework is applied locally through the Herts RFU Executive Committee and the Youth Competitions Committee, overseen by the Director of Age Grade Rugby.

1. Determining a Player’s Age Grade

A player’s age grade is fixed by their age at midnight on 31 August before the season starts. Players must play in their own age grade unless formally approved to play up or down through the POOAG process.

Example: A player who turns 14 on or before 31 August 2026 will play in the U14 age group for the 2026/27 season.

2. Regulation 15 — The Legal Framework

Regulation 15 is the core mandatory regulation governing all Age Grade Rugby in England. It covers:

• Age-banding and season structure
• Match durations and contact progression by age group
• The Half Game Rule (every player must play at least half a match)
• Playing Out of Age Grade (POOAG) — playing up or down
• Tours, camps, and off-season activity
• Equipment and clothing standards
• Registration and compliance requirements

Following a comprehensive review between July 2025 and April 2026 — with input from over 600 clubs, schools, and partner organisations — the RFU Council approved changes to Regulation 15 for 2026/27. Key updates include a standardised POOAG risk assessment and a new dual girls’ U11/12 age band to support female player retention.

Full regulation: RFU Regulation 15 – Age Grade Rugby | englandrugby.com

3. Safeguarding & Welfare

Safeguarding is at the heart of all Age Grade governance. Every club, coach, and volunteer must comply with:

• RFU Regulation 21 (Safeguarding)
• RFU Safeguarding Policy
• Age Grade Codes of Practice

These frameworks require:

• DBS-checked supervision for all sessions
• No 1:1 situations between adults and young players
• Appropriate physical, emotional, and social development pathways
• Proper concussion management (Headcase protocol)
• Safe, welcoming environments for all players

Links: RFU Regulation 21 | RFU Safeguarding Policy | Headcase | englandrugby.com

4. Playing Out of Age Grade (POOAG)

Playing Up

A player may be approved to play in an older age group only when all of the following are met:

• The player demonstrates physical, technical, tactical, and emotional readiness
• It is clearly in the player’s best interests
• A Level 2 coach (or equivalent) has completed the formal assessment
• CSO (Club Safeguarding Officer) approval is in place
• Parental/guardian consent has been obtained
• The player themselves is willing

Playing up is exceptional, not routine. Approval must be renewed each season.

Playing Down

A player may be approved to play in a younger age group in limited, welfare-driven circumstances, including:

• Physical or developmental delay
• Medical or safety reasons
• Social or emotional needs
• Late entry to the sport

Herts RFU requirement: For the 2026/27 season, Herts RFU requires additional supplementary documents for all POOAG applications, over and above the standard RFU Smartsheet. These must be submitted and approved before any player may play out of age grade.

5. Combining Age Grades & Clusters

Where club numbers make it difficult to field a full squad within a single age group, Regulation 15 allows:

• Combined age groups (e.g., U13/U14) when necessary for viability
• Age Grade Clusters — two or more clubs combining to enable consistent participation

Both require formal approval via the RFU’s Age Grade Cluster Registration Form.

6. Registration & Compliance

All Age Grade players must be registered on the RFU’s Game Management System (GMS):

• New players: within 45 days of joining a club
• Existing players: within 45 days of the new season starting

Clubs are responsible for ensuring all players — including those in clusters or playing POOAG — are correctly registered before participating in any training or competitive activity.

7. Season Structure & Activity Limits

Regulation 15 defines what activity is permitted and when:

• Competitive fixtures are only permitted within the playing season (September to May)
• Contact training limits and match-day loads are age-group specific
• The Half Game Rule applies in all age-grade fixtures
• Out-of-season activity is governed by the RFU Summer Activity Framework (May–August)
• Tours and camps require RFU approval, compliance with Codes of Practice, and appropriate risk assessment

8. Competition Governance (Herts RFU)

At county level, Herts RFU Youth Competitions are overseen by the Herts RFU Youth Competitions Committee, under the Herts RFU Executive Committee. Governance responsibilities include:

• Fixture scheduling and results management
• Discipline and dispute resolution
• Safeguarding compliance across all competition activity
• Ensuring all competitions adhere to Regulation 15
• Publication of results, tables, and standings via the Herts Middlesex Junior Leagues

All coaches, players, parents, and spectators involved in Herts RFU competitions must comply with the RFU Codes of Conduct.

9. Representative Pathways

Age Grade governance extends to all representative rugby, including:

• England Academy and England U18
• Player Development Groups (PDGs)
• County and Community Board (CB) representative rugby
• Herts Schools representative rugby

All pathway activity must comply with Regulation 15, the Age Grade Playing Calendar, and safeguarding requirements.

Herts RFU representative rugby (boys and men) is managed by the Director of Rugby. For enquiries, contact: dor@hertsrugby.co.uk

10. Key Contacts & Documents