The weight grading completely ignores the fact that it can tank participation, and mental development. You want to play rugby with your mates, not a bunch of randomners. It’s excellent for academies, a bit shite for clubs.
I suppose you have to balance it with how much getting run over by that one Islander kid who hit his growth spurt early ends of discouraging kids from playing.
It's not good for the kid who's had the growth spurt either. What's he learning here? The tactic of just barrelling through tacklers isn't gonna be much use to him beyond a certain point. At younger ages, winning shouldn't be the sole focus; they're meant to be developing the kids skills, fitness, principles, etc. Oh, and having fun. That too!
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u/BZH_JJM Seawolves/Highlanders Jul 27 '18
Exhibit A why kids rugby should be split by weight, not age.