It was good and refreshing to see rugby being organized at the junior level. The young who are interested take to the oval ball were a very enthusiastic lot .The attendance of parents was encouraging to suggest that there is acceptance of the game. Good and very good, provided this interest is directed at progression of the game in a structured manner and in the right spirit.

As I watched a few of these tournaments over the last few weeks I did wonder whether the objectives of rugby continuum are being achieved. The skills on display were good. The children were excellent. Yet did it help to lift the game in a manner so as to direct them to the next level of fifteen side rugby. Did those misguided adults allow the kids to add value?

Rugby at junior level is popularly known as mini and midi rugby. The idea is to introduce the game to young players. This is done in three stages so that when they reach the age of thirteen or fourteen they have acquired the skills and knowledge to participate in the full 15-a-side game. They are also expected to learn the values and the spirit in which the game is played.

The rugby continuum has development rules distinguishing it from the adult game. It is also done so that it should not be considered as being merely a shortened version of senior rugby.

This progression has been structured to accommodate the changing developmental abilities of children as they are exposed to situations during a limited number of competitive fixtures and festivals/tournaments each season. The question I have is whether what we have are festivals for the young with development in mind. Or do they become events to satisfy the desires of adults who need to show what they have done. Or do they become events for wicked adults who do not set right standard to the young. I will talk on this later as a I deal with values which is an integral part of the structured plan for the development of the game.

At the first level it is the introductions of the game to 7 and 8 year olds in a form known as mini tag rugby with equal teams of a maximum of seven and a minimum of 5. The version follows the IRB laws modified suitably. There is no contact and no scrums line outs or kicking at this stage.

The next stage is at the 9 and 10 years group where the game is extended to nine players in each side with three in the scrum which is uncontested at the under 9 stage. There will be line outs which are not contested at the under 9 level.

Thus the game progresses to the next level with contested scrums line outs etc but with an emphasis of skills in passing and running and not about kicking. The game is now developed to be more in line with the 15 a side with 5 in the scrum at under 11 and 6 when it comes to 12 year olds.

The emphasis at all these points is enjoyment with players encouraged to enjoy running, passing and evasion.

Therefore the game at the mini and midi level is about introducing the game and taking it to the next level through stages. This is one important point that the participants and administrators need to take into account.

A very important aspect is the inculcation of RUGBY VALUES: Through the Rugby Continuum, where emphasis should be to promote the “spirit of rugby”. This means the enjoyment of learning a challenging team sport that values. What have to be frowned upon is adults getting involved in developing Mini-Midi .Rugby with a “win at any cost” culture to the exclusion of the wider values of the game including enjoyment, teamwork and respect for the efforts of others. The Rugby Continuum includes Codes specifically designed to overcome such negative attitudes for the greater good of the game”. (Source RFU).

What I found watching the game is that the two important stages of the game, the structure to take the player forward and the instilling of values seemed far remote from the actual happening. The game at most times was a kicking duel with little purpose played as a hybrid of the shorter version, and mini rugby. The coaches, spectators and others who help schools in various capacities were up and about shouting hoarse displaying that one mad expectation “ Win “ and it seemed to be at all cost . Thus the stage was set to shouting at officials in the presence of the young who need to be led on the values and spirit of the game. The persons who were most sort out were the parents of the referees who were very often remembered, but not lovingly. The ignorant who takes office has to be excused as they are only physically big but with undeveloped faculties that makes it difficult for them to understand. Another aspect that worried me was the behaviour of some supporters who I believe were parents who were worse off after the consumption of spirits. Some come after the visit they make regularly to recharge from the stocks kept in the boot. Others thought that it was fit to bring the liquid to the ground. Points to ponder and wonder as those young kids get the feeling of the game.

= Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB