At Grove Rugby Football Club - a community rugby club based in Grove near Wantage, Oxfordshire - our Minis Rugby programme is the perfect place for children aged 5–12 (Reception to Year 7) to begin their rugby journey in a safe, fun and family-friendly environment.

We welcome boys and girls from Grove, Wantage, Abingdon, Didcot, Harwell, Faringdon and surrounding villages across the Vale of White Horse, offering:

Non-contact tag rugby for U6–U8
Gradual, safe introduction to contact rugby from U9 upwards

Every Sunday session focuses on enjoyment, teamwork, confidence and skill development - the foundations of rugby for life.

Safe, Structured & Supportive Rugby

Our qualified, DBS-checked coaches follow the RFU Age Grade Rugby framework, ensuring sessions are age-appropriate, progressive and centred on player welfare.

Mini rugby at Grove RFC helps children:

Build confidence and resilience
Develop coordination and teamwork
Make lasting friendships
Progress into Junior Rugby and beyond

Grove RFC is proud to be one of South Oxfordshire’s most welcoming rugby clubs for families.

Why Parents Choose Grove RFC

“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.”

Is Mini Rugby Safe for Children?

Yes. Grove RFC follows full RFU Age Grade Rugby regulations, starting with tag rugby (no tackling) before gradually introducing safe and supported contact at older age groups. It is one of the safest and most enjoyable ways for children to stay active and learn teamwork in Wantage and South Oxfordshire.

Can Girls Join Too?

Yes. Boys and girls play together from U6 through to U11 — rugby at this age is fully mixed and girls are just as welcome as boys at every session.

From U12 onwards, Grove RFC is launching a dedicated Girls section — starting September 2026. This means girls in Year 6, Year 7 and Year 8 will have their own team, their own training sessions, and their own fixture programme right here in Wantage.

Girls currently playing in our U10 or U11 age groups will have a clear pathway into the U12 Girls section. And girls who are complete beginners are equally welcome — the section is being built from the ground up, together.

Find out more about Girls Rugby at Grove RFC — launching September 2026

Join Kids’ Rugby in Grove & Wantage

Searching for “kids rugby near me”? Grove RFC is your local family-friendly rugby club in Wantage.

Come along for a free Sunday morning taster session - no commitment required.

? Click here to join or register your interest

Find your child’s age group team page below for more details:

Under 6
Under 7
Under 8
Under 9
Under 10
Under 11
Under 12 Boys
Under 12 Girls

See our young players in action in the Minis photo gallery.