Due to the unique demands that rugby places on the body, there is a clear step by step age specific procedure for introducing players to the game in a safe, and logical way.
This means that whatever age a person starts playing rugby they will be following rules that are age appropriate. Here are some of the most common questions regarding when to start and/or finish playing rugby.
What age can you start playing rugby?
You can start playing rugby at almost any age. The lower age limit for playing rugby is essentially down to the age limit of the club you are considering joining which can be as low as 18 months in ‘Tots’ rugby. However, the lower limit for competitive rugby is 6 years of age. There is no upper limit to when you can start playing rugby.
In recent years, there has been a trend for rugby clubs and schools to offer Tots rugby classes. These sessions are aimed at 18 month olds and run through to the age of 5. At the age of 5, children can start in the Under 6 age group teams which is where the RFU official system starts from.
Obviously, bear in mind that ‘Tots’ rugby sessions, whilst a lot of fun are going to be quite some way off the sport of rugby we see on television.
Activities are likely to be based around spacial awareness and simple activities surrounding picking up, putting down, passing, catching, and running with a ball, whilst learning to be part of a team.
Under 7 is the official start of the RFU age grade system, as this is the age they have determined that children can begin competitive rugby, and is a great time for kids to start.
They are developed enough to understand the rules of the game and grasp the overall purpose of what they are trying to do and become competent at some of the core skills independently. Often, clubs do run Under 6 teams as well or they include Under 6 children in the Under 7s team.
You might want to read our guide to age grade rugby rules here.
What age SHOULD you start rugby?
This is purely down to personal preference and circumstance. Obviously, the earlier you or your child start, the more time they will have to perfect their skills and grow their experience in the game, but late starters can also succeed in the game too, particularly if they have been developing parallel skills or attributes in other sports.
A perfect, rather extreme example of this is Tom Court. He did not touch a rugby ball until he was 24 being a champion shot putter at university, however, just 16 months later he was capped by Ireland and went on to win 35 caps.
It is also well-known that many rugby players showed promise as footballers in their early years. Whilst there is quite a rivalry between the two sports some of the skills of the game are transferable, take a look at which recent professional rugby players were nearly signed as professional footballers here.
So, if you are worried you or your child has to choose between the two then don’t. It won’t do them any harm to mix and match between the two, however, may I humbly suggest that they commit to one team for a season and change at the end of a season.
This means that they won’t let their teammates down and allows them to experience the ups and downs of team sports, rather than running away when they encounter a new challenge that the game may throw up at them.
This is all part of the wonderful learning journey of a rugby player and will shape their character for the better in the long run.
You might also want to check out: Do you need insurance for rugby?
What age is junior rugby?
Junior rugby typically refers to age groups from Under 13s, through to U17s. Below that clubs tend to refer to age groups Under 6s through to Under 12s as ‘mini rugby’, age groups. Above that clubs tend to simply have a Colts team which is usually an Under 19s side and possibly an Under 21s side, although less common these days.
Below the Under 6 minis team there might be a ‘Tots’ section from 18 months through to age 5, however, these sessions do not follow a set of national rules prescribed by the RFU and as such are not a part of the official age grade system.
That said, I wouldn’t let it put you off taking your kids down to a Tots session to run off some energy and start to build some appreciation for the game!
What age can you play senior rugby?
The minimum age for playing adult senior rugby is 17. Before a 17 year old plays they have to be registered as an adult player. A player registered as a junior with the RFU is not automatically registered as an adult player and so the adult registration process needs to be completed independently.
Successful registration depends on an assessment of whether a player is capable of playing against adults, that the RFU’s Playing Adult Rugby Form has been completed correctly.
The player also has to agree not to play, or even train, in the front row of a scrum. Once the player reaches 18 years of age they can play in the front row, or anywhere else for that matter.
There are different rules regarding how to register depending on what level of club you are playing for, for more information go here.
Can you start playing rugby at 25?
You can start playing rugby at any age. If you play rugby growing up you will be gradually introduced to the more complex rules of rugby over time, however, if you start playing as an adult you will have to learn them all at once. That said, the basics of the game are simple to pick up and many clubs will be more than happy to introduce you to the game.
It is helpful if you have some sort of previous sporting experience, skills, or notable physical attributes to draw on. For example, even an amateur footballer will have developed some base level of fitness, hand-eye coordination skills, and spatial awareness which will be helpful in learning the game.
On the other hand, if you intend going from complete couch potato to playing club rugby, then whilst this is absolutely possible and should be encouraged, it can be quite tough on the mind and body.
You are going to have to transform your body considerably to do this safely. It would be a great journey to go on though and you might want to read or Rugby Tips For Beginners Guide here.
Can you start playing rugby at 35?
You can start playing rugby at any age, but 35 is perhaps one of the better ages to start. The reason is that many clubs run a veterans team which is normally for over 35’s. This will mean that you are not playing against guys much younger and faster than you which might be a tough introduction to the sport.
Furthermore, at over 35s level the games are not as serious and there is perhaps more scope for enjoying the game and of course socialising afterwards. It would be wrong of me, however, not to mention the impact on your body. Rugby is a tough sport and serious injuries can occur at any age, they just tend to take longer to heal at 35 than 25.
On a personal note, at the age of 35, after a couple of years of not playing, I returned to the field and in my first game back I tried to tackle an opponent and heard a loud gunshot coming from my shoulder.
I had completely snapped two tendons in my shoulder. Of course, we had no substitutes on the bench who could play in the forwards so I played the rest of the game unable to move my arm – it swung around uncontrollably!
After a year of rehab I was back on the pitch but not until I had had a very expensive operation which was fortunately covered by my work insurance.
I do have friends in Asia who have injured certain parts of their body, uninsured, and simply can’t afford the operation to fix them. Now, I only see them scouting the touch line. The lesson, then being, make sure you have appropriate insurance to cover you, especially over 35!
You might want to check out: Do rugby players in the US need insurance?
Is it too late to start rugby?
It is never too late to start rugby, unless of course, you are targeting a professional career in the game. If you are, then the sooner you get started the better. However, If you want to start playing for fitness or social reasons then there is no time like the present to get down to your local club and get involved.
I am currently playing at 40 years of age, but there are guys in their 50s still running around at my club. To start at this age though does mean you have to find a position you are comfortable with and to learn the laws of the game, but the slower-paced over 35s form of the game will welcome you with open arms and you will find players eager to show you the ropes.
Don’t forget though, you don’t have to even play rugby to join a rugby club. You could easily turn up as a volunteer and get involved somehow, or, you could simply do training sessions but not play.
To be honest, a lot of the time I enjoy our semi-contact training sessions more than the full contact games, as I know the risk of getting injured is significantly less and no-one would mind if I just played touch or semi-contact so there are options to play.
In fact, my former club has a dedicated night of the week for adult touch rugby. This is very popular, great for fitness and a good place to find your bearings if you are new to the game.
In summary, if you have got your heart set on playing rugby even with no background in the sport, regardless of your age you should give it a go. Clubs will be welcoming and there is very little you need in the way of kit or other expenses to stop you from dipping your toe in the water at the very least. Don’t die not knowing!
You might want to read: Do rugby players in the UK have insurance?
When should you stop playing rugby?
You should stop playing rugby when you feel the risks outweigh the rewards. There is a careful balance to be had between having fun playing the game you love and protecting your body’s long term health. Inevitably, time restrictions, family commitments and changing motivations will influence the timing of your decision, but some never see a reason to stop and simply keep on playing, afterall, rugby is a lifestyle and a part of their identity.
Check out my full post on this here: When You Should Stop Playing Rugby (Honest Answers)
“I run the line for the firsts and I look to help out with the Seconds whenever they have a game.
“I played in all the Second team matches we had last season and I normally have a go at any Vets games going.
“I still enjoy it and get a buzz out of it. I still get butterflies on a Friday before a game.
“It’s great being with the lads and I look forward to a few beers afterwards.”
John Cummings – Age 64, Usk RFC, Wales
For the vast majority of us who simply play the game on an amateur basis there is no need to suddenly stop one day. If you have been a first team regular for many years at your local club, you might want to wind down your playing career when you feel your body telling you it’s time but there is no need to just stop altogether.
Also read: UK Rugby Insurance Policies Compared
Good options are to do a season in the second team where commitment to training is likely to be less and the games less serious, or you could just say you are only going to make yourself available for home games and play for whichever team will have you, i.e. playing the game on your terms a bit more.
There are those that I have played with who gave everything to the sport whilst playing at their club first team for 15 or so years who eventually needed a break from it all mentally.
They drop out altogether for a while, sometimes a couple of years or more, but eventually they reappear. Refreshed and invigorated from the break but keen to get involved in the sport once more.
Sure they might not go back to playing but they do comeback in some capacity and then usually find a level of commitment that suits them, and this also seems a sensible way to go about winding down your ‘career’ as a club player.
Finally, for me personally, at 40 years of age. I still want to be involved, I still want to be around the banter of rugby lads and I still love chucking a ball about and having fun.
I don’t want to play full contact every week but I do train most weeks with lads half my age but with my experience and fitness I can still enjoy the sessions greatly and I don’t see why that would change anytime soon. You might also be interested in reading about the advantages of paying rugby here.
Photo Credits
Featured image: Bill Johnson / Stourbridge Rugby Club Juniors at the Stoop
Photos 2: Bill Johnson / Putting rugby training into practice