A complete parent's guide to junior and mini rugby at Grove
RFC -- safe, fun, and ambitious rugby for children aged 5 to
18 in Grove, Wantage, and the wider Vale of White Horse.

YOUR CHILD'S RUGBY JOURNEY

Grove RFC follows the RFU Age Grade Rugby pathway. Every age
group plays to rules designed specifically for their stage of
development. Skills, contact, and game complexity are
introduced gradually -- no child is thrown into a game they
are not ready for.

U6 -- First Steps into Rugby
Just games, just fun. No matches, no pressure -- only smiles.
Perfect for children in Reception and Year 1 discovering sport
for the first time.

U7 and U8 -- Tag and Go
Fast, fun tag rugby in small teams. No contact, all action,
and a great first taste of the game. School Years 2 and 3.

U9 and U10 -- The Contact Game Begins
Tackling and first scrums introduced safely and gradually.
This is where rugby really comes alive. School Years 4 and 5.

U11 and U12 -- Finding Your Game
Bigger squads, kicking introduced, and the scrum starts to
take proper shape. Players begin to find their position and
their voice on the pitch. School Years 6 and 7.

U13 and U14 -- Junior Rugby
Full-sided rugby with an eight-player scrum, uncontested
lineout, and goal kicking arriving at U14. Recognisable rugby
in almost every respect. School Years 8 and 9.

U15 to U18 -- The Senior Pathway
The complete fifteen-a-side game played to the full laws. Many
players at this stage are already pushing for senior squad
consideration. School Years 10 to 13.

GIRLS RUGBY AT GROVE RFC

Girls play alongside boys through to U11. From September 2026,
Grove RFC is launching a dedicated Under 12 Girls section
-- the first step in building a permanent girls and women's
rugby pathway at the club.

If you have a daughter school year 6 or 7 (10-12 Years old) who wants to play rugby, we want to hear from you now.

Find out more about the U12 Girls section

WHEN AND WHERE

U6 to U11: Every Sunday morning from 10:00am
U12: Friday evenings, 6:00 to 7:00pm
U13 and above: Mid week training, and Sunday matches.

All sessions take place at:

The Recreation Ground
Recreation Lane
Grove
Wantage
Oxfordshire
OX12 0FL

Matches and festivals take place across Oxfordshire throughout
the season, including our own Grove RFC Minis Festival each
October.

WHAT DOES MY CHILD NEED?

Trainers or boots with safe studs
Comfortable sports kit -- no hoods
A water bottle
A gumshield is required from U9 upwards
Club shirt provided on registration
Additional kit available from our VX3 Club Kit Shop

IS RUGBY SAFE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN?

Yes. All sessions follow RFU Regulation 15 Age Grade guidelines.
Contact is only introduced from U9 onwards, and always in a
carefully coached, step-by-step way. Grove RFC is an RFU
Accredited Club with qualified coaches at every age group.

Safeguarding at Grove RFC

WHAT DO PARENTS SAY?

"Four months of my son playing rugby at Grove and he's
loved every minute of it. Our quiet and anxious boy has finally
found his confidence thanks to this amazingly positive and
supportive team and their coaches. The change in him has been
remarkable and we can't wait to see where this rugby journey
takes him."

FIND YOUR CHILD'S TEAM

Under 6s
Under 7s
Under 8s
Under 9s
Under 10s
Under 11s
Under 12s
Under 12s Girls (Launching September 2026)
Under 13s
Under 14s
Under 15s
Under 16s
Colts (U18)
All Junior Teams

COME AND JOIN US

New players are welcome at every age group throughout the
season. Come along on any Sunday morning for a free taster
session -- no booking needed, just turn up.

Register your interest here or find the coach for your age group here https://www.groverfc.co.uk/contact

playrugby@groverfc.co.uk

01235 762750