Fellow One Eyeds, I was curious on your feedback as to what do you believe to be an acceptable age to start playing Rugby League?.
One of my boys just turned 4 yrs old at the end of January and has asked to play Rugby League like his older Brother (8 yrs old). Now I dont have a problem with him starting to play league at such a young age as I started playing when I was 4yrs old (under 6's), and I think it will be good for him that fact that he is as big as the 6 yr olds in my daughters class at school.
The lowest grade they have in the Penrith District Junior Rugby League for Mini League is under 6's, with a minimum starting age of 4 yrs old, this will mean that he will be playing against boys up to 2 yrs older than him! (not really a problem as he is big for his age and roughly the same size anyway)
Other Rugby league districts have the minimum starting age for a child to be 5 yrs old.(Cambelltown, Group 6 Country, as well as other districts to the north of Sydney)
So it brings me to the basis for my blog:-
What are your thoughts or experiences on 4 year olds starting to play Rugby league in under 6's??
Should the child be made to wait until he/she is 5 yrs old as is the case in some of the Rugby League districts other than the Penrith Junior Rugby League??
Replies
When i was 4 years old i carried an M16 in Nam, sign him up i say.
I think ultimately your son will decide - after you sign him up.
Younger siblings generally want to emulate their older brothers/sisters accomplishments and will invariably ask to be allowed to participate in the older kids games.
HOWEVER
sometimes the kid finds out it is all just a bit too difficult and loses interest and goes off to do something else.
With my own kids - if they asked to join this or that I would ask them what they understood of their commitment and then encouraged them to do their best if they insisted on being allowed to have a go.
The kids themselves eventually decided what they liked or disliked.
Your boy has the physical size to compete by the sound of things but at 4 I would question his capacity to keep pace with guys who have 50% more life experience than him.
I know that sounds pedantic but none the less it is a consideration at such a young age.
Thanks for the input my fellow one eyeds, after much consideration i have decided to allow him to have a go at under 6's this year on the guarantee that the under 6 team he is selected to play for is the lowest graded under 6's at the club.
I also have an agreement with the treasurer that will allow him to play in the trials for the club and if he does not wish to continue after the 4 trials we will be reimbursed the rego fee.
Again thanks to all that helped me with this challenging ask, I will keep you posted on his progress.
That sounds about as good as you could do it imo ToMmYbOy.
Kid's got a good dad by the look of things
Thanks Colin