This season sees Mini Rugby in North Munster organising more age groups with the introduction of the Under 11 and under 12 age groups which gives us a total of five age groups to handle (U8-U12). Last year we had twelve clubs to manage but with the increase in popularity of the game we now have fifteen with Kilrush, Scarriff and Ballina-Killaloe joining us. Today we will have one Under 11 player from each club present in their club jersey. There will be a total of sixteen players and they will be split into two equal teams and they will play a mini game during the half time period in the Munster v Gloucester match. These boys are used to the 10-a-side game with 5 forwards and 5 backs but because we are limited with time and space we can only play an 8-a-side game. A try is the only method of scoring and there will be three man scrums and line-outs. They are allowed to kick but only inside their 10metre defence zone and the pitch size is 60 and 45 metres

These players play on a regular basis and each player can look forward to at least fourteen official games within the season. We have our own unique booklet for North Munster which covers the basic Laws of MR with refereeing guidelines, full fixture schedule for all ages and Codes of Conduct for coaches, players, parents and spectators. We also have included the club details with the coaching contacts for all clubs. Our fixtures are not Blitzes but are classified as Club Days with a minimum of two and a maximum of four clubs at each venue. This ensures that each player gets a minimum of two games on the day. The directive from the I.R.F.U. and I.R.B is that Mini Rugby is to be played by all attending in a non competitive and friendly environment at all times. This booklet compliments and does not replace the Irish Rugby Football Union's official Team Ireland Mini Rugby Handbook but is intended as a convenient and easily accessible aid to on the spot training and match activities.

Venue: Thomond Park Date: 18th January 2003

Issued by

Mick McLoughlin PRO Mini Rugby Section North Munster Branch IRFU