Junior rugby league has undergone its biggest shake-up in 33 years with a host of rule changes, including the introduction of a "chance" rule, which will come into play when the season returns in April.
The chance rule will be in place in the under 6s competition – the youngest age group to play rugby league – where teams will be given four chances each and will retain possession if a player knocks the ball on or a forward pass is thrown. The referee will call "chance" and the number of the tackle advanced by one. A changeover will still occur if a player runs out.
The other big rule change is the introduction of a vest/wristband to be worn by the dummy half and first receiver, which will allow their team to retain possession even when either of the two are tackled.
Possession was traditionally lost if the ball wasn't passed twice or more, but the new rule will enable hookers and halves to run the ball to the line, in a move designed to increase playmaking and decision-making abilities in the mod league (under 10 to under 12) competition. In the under 6s to under 9s, teams still have to pass twice to avoid losing possession. The rules are largely aligned with the NRL from the under 13s.
Rugby league Immortal Bob Fulton and former Kangaroos star Matt Johns played an active role in the revamp, as did Peter Corcoran, who helped introduce the modified laws in 1982. A review of junior rugby league was undertaken by the NRL in partnership with a Sydney University research team, where trial data was analysed between 2009 and 2014.
Other important changes for under-6-12 games include; the scrapping of all scrums, tap kick given to the non-scoring team to restart play following a try, standardised zero tackle and the removal of conversation attempts in the six and seven age groups.
NRL head of football Todd Greenberg said the changes were designed to keep children playing the game.
"Feedback from players, coaches, parents and referees indicated that fun, skill development and increased participation were key factors in recruiting young players and then retaining them in the game for longer" Greenberg said.
"Essentially, all of the changes have been made with our youngest players' safety and development as priorities. It's all about more fun, more involvement, and an opportunity to promote better technical and tactical skill."
