Age Grade Rugby

Since 1875

Northern Football Club has been at the heart of the Gosforth and Newcastle community since 1875, with a proud tradition of developing rugby for all ages. Our Age Grade Rugby programme provides a safe, supportive, and enjoyable environment for children and young people to learn and play the game. From first-time players in our minis through to our Colts preparing for senior rugby, every player is welcomed and encouraged to develop their skills, make friends, and enjoy the values of rugby.

We follow the RFU Age Grade Rugby framework, ensuring that rugby is introduced in a fun, progressive way that matches the needs of each age group. Our focus is on participation, enjoyment, and development — building confident players on and off the field.

TEAMWORK

RESPECT

ENJOYMENT

DISCIPLINE

SPORTSMANSHIP

Why Northern?

Playing rugby at Northern is about more than just the game itself — it’s about teamwork, respect, and belonging to a community. Rugby helps young people build fitness, resilience, and self-confidence while also forming friendships that often last a lifetime.

At Northern, we pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming to all, regardless of experience or ability. Whether your child dreams of one day playing at the highest level or simply wants to enjoy sport with friends, our dedicated coaches and volunteers provide the support and encouragement they need to thrive. With a clear pathway from minis to youth rugby and into senior teams, Northern offers players the chance to grow, develop, and stay part of the club family for years to come.

School years 1 & 2

U6-U7 (Minis)

At U6 and U7, rugby at Northern begins with fun, games, and the basics of tag rugby. There’s no contact at this stage, instead the focus is on enjoyment, teamwork, and building confidence with a ball in hand.

Boys and girls play together in mixed teams, and sessions are designed to be lively, engaging, and above all fun.

School years 3 & 4

U8-U9

Players at U8 and U9 continue to enjoy tag rugby, with U9 marking the exciting introduction of contact.

Skills are developed in a safe and structured way, with coaches helping players to understand tackling, ball-handling, and game awareness.

Small-sided matches encourage plenty of involvement, giving everyone the chance to learn and enjoy the game.

School years 5, 6 & 7

U10-U12

From U10 through to U12, players progress steadily into the full contact version of the game. Tackling, scrums, rucks, and mauls are introduced gradually in line with the RFU Age Grade Rugby pathway.

Training continues to emphasise fun and participation, while also helping young players to develop teamwork, resilience, and a deeper understanding of rugby.

School years 8, 9 & 10

U13–U15

At this stage, rugby becomes more structured, with players enjoying larger teams, full pitch games, and more advanced tactics.

Training sessions focus on developing positional skills, game sense, and physical fitness.

Regular competitive fixtures against local clubs give players the chance to put their learning into practice in a supportive environment.

U16–Colts (U18)

The U16 and Colts squads provide a pathway towards senior rugby, with players now experiencing the full 15-a-side game and competitive rugby in leagues and cups.

Coaches work closely with players to prepare them for the demands of senior rugby, both technically and physically.

This is also a great age for building friendships and memories that will carry on into the senior teams and beyond.

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