Youth Rugby: Minis
The starting point of your child’s rugby journey
Fun. Friendship. Growth.
Our Minis section focuses on the absolute fundamentals of movement, teamwork, and fun for children aged 4-11 years. For our youngest players, it is all about non-contact tag rugby, ensuring a safe, gentle, and exciting introduction to the sport. Boys and girls train and play together in mixed teams, building core skills and confidence at their own pace.
We build confidence, character, and lifelong friendships through rugby.
Our Youth section provides a safe, welcoming, and high-energy environment for boys and girls to discover the joy of team sports. Whether your child has picked up a rugby ball before or is completely new to the game, we focus on age-appropriate individual development, active fun, and teamwork.
What is Minis Rugby?
At Croydon Wanderers RFC, we use a player-centred, development-driven approach designed to ensure every child—no matter their shape, size, or sporting background—can enjoy the game safely and at the right pace.
Minis Rugby uses the RFU’s Age Grade Rugby official framework to ensure rugby is safe, fun, and tailored to your child's age.
Instead of throwing kids straight into full adult rules, it acts as a step-by-step "stepping stone" model. Each season, as children grow, we safely and gradually introduce new skills and rules.
Who can play Minis Rugby?
Boys and girls aged 4-11 of all abilities.
When and where do you play Minis Rugby?
The Minis play every Sunday morning from 10.00 am during term time at our grounds based in the Croydon area on the Surrey-Kent border.
What happens at our training sessions?
Our Sunday training sessions include age-appropriate rugby fun followed by refreshments for every child. For example:
Key motor skills development for the Tinies, where short, fun competitive games ensure our Tinies enjoy their training sessions.
Non-Contact Tag Rugby for U7s & U8s, where the focus is entirely on running, catching, passing, and basic evasion games
Introduction to Tackling for U9s, where Coaches strictly teach safe, low-tackling techniques
Simple Rucks & Scrums for U10s, where players learn to safely contest the ball on the ground. Three-player scrums are introduced, but they are completely uncontested (no pushing allowed).
Controlled Contact for U11s, where the game can expand slightly to 9-a-side. Players learn more tactical awareness, but the children's safety and welfare remain the absolute priority.
What are the Membership Fees and Benefits?
Minis Rugby Membership is £90 a year, £30 per term, or £3 per session. The first session is FREE!
Benefits
RFU-accredited coaching sessions during term time
Opportunity to participate in tournaments
End-of-season awards ceremony and party
Three instalments of £30 per term available
I’m interested! How do we get involved?
Want to come and give Minis Rugby a go?
TINIES - U6 (under 6 years old at the start of the season)
Children develop key motor skills such as picking up and grounding the ball in a controlled manner, running with the ball in their hands, passing and catching the ball. We practice these skills during short, fun competitive games to ensure our Tinies enjoy their training sessions.
Our games are designed to introduce our Tinies to the first form of rugby suitable for their age group, Tag Rugby (no contact), so children can discover the exhilarating feeling of running with a rugby ball and scoring a try.
CUBS U7/U8 (aged 6 and 7 years old at the start of the season)
Children continue to develop their rugby-specific skills, including passing, catching, and ball handling. They are also introduced to further tactical concepts such as communication, support play, opening and running into space, evasion and defence.
These skills are required to practice competitive Tag Rugby (no contact), with the aim of participating in festivals to compete against other clubs.
Our Cubs learn the importance of working and playing as a team, being part of a sports community, and sharing great times while developing friendships.
CATS U9/U10/U11 (aged 8, 9 and 10 years old at the start of the season)
Children are introduced to contact rugby in a safe and controlled environment.
The primordial skill of tackling will be taught gradually and safely, enabling children to understand and master the correct, safe way to tackle and build confidence in their strength. We will teach this key rugby skill alongside the ongoing development of their sport and social skills described above.
They will then put these skills into practice at rugby festivals, with our Cats proudly wearing their Croydon Wanderers RFC colours and creating lifelong memories with their teammates.
What are The Core Values of Our Youth Section?
Everything we do on Sunday mornings is built around the RFU’s core values (TREDS):
Teamwork: Building bonds and lifelong friendships on and off the pitch.
Respect: Creating a supportive environment for players, coaches, parents, and referees.
Enjoyment: Fun is our absolute priority—if they are smiling, they are learning!
Discipline: Learning self-control, fair play, and the rules of the game.
Sportsmanship: Celebrating great play, finding confidence, and respecting our opposition
Our Club Spirit: Life Beyond the Pitch
We want our players to view Croydon Wanderers RFC as more than just their Sunday club—we want them to feel like they belong to a family.
We keep the club spirit buzzing year-round with a fantastic calendar of social events:
Start of the Season Launch
Bonfire Night Celebrations
Youth Christmas Party
End of Season Awards & Family BBQ
Join Our Rugby Family
Parents are at the very heart of everything we do. As families see the positive impact of our work, they naturally get involved in coaching, organising, and supporting. Together, we are building something bigger for our children and the local community. Come down and be a part of it!
Our Youth Committee 2026/2027 Season
Youth Chairman & Head Coach: Adam Uprichard
Youth Secretary: Mhairi Boland
Youth Fixtures Secretary: Vicki Sandlan
Youth Social Secretary: Laura Garcia
Youth Safeguarding Officer: Joely Wickham
I’m interested! How do I find out more?
Want to come and try Minis Rugby with us?
Complete this form, and we will be in touch with you soon.
Join Croydon Wanderers
Mini’s calendar
Our Partnerships with Local Schools
As part of our goal to support local communities through rugby, we have established partnerships with local primary schools, including Forest Academy and Forestdale Academy. We deliver free rugby sessions as part of their PE curriculum.
We are supported by the Matt Ratana Foundation (Improving life's experiences through rugby), carrying on Matt's legacy of helping youth to find their path through rugby. Our philosophy, combined with the fact that our Minis and Junior sections were still in their early stages, and the proximity of challenging areas such as New Addington, made us a perfect match for their programmes.
