Eels Blogs

Our seven-year-old Rowdie will turn eight next year and like his older brothers Archie (10) and Buster (9), he’s asked about playing his first season of junior rugby league.

But like most kids who have never played junior league, or any sport for that matter, Rowdie is a little bit nervous about joining his brothers at the Rouse Hill Rhinos.

I can understand that. I didn’t start playing rugby league until I was 12.

I played soccer as my first sport.

I only wish I was able to experience the 2017 version of junior rugby league.

World’s apart; that’s the best way I can explain how different the junior league game is now, compared to when I was first introduced to the sport.

In 2017, boys and girls nationally will play under new rules and guidelines implemented by the NRL to make junior rugby league the safest and most enjoyable it has ever been.

Some of the rule changes are quite revolutionary.

Almost every new rule is designed on the premise of two things, giving every kid a greater opportunity to hold and run with the footy while also spending much more time on the field doing exactly what they’ve signed up for — to play the game.

In the under-6s and 7s, goalkicks after tries are gone. There are second chances for running over the sideline or knocking the ball forward.

The field sizes are smaller and the teams are smaller.

The old two-pass rule is gone too, which I love.

I wasn’t taught to pass until I was playing first grade at Parramatta under Brian Smith.

I didn’t know how to “draw and pass”.

Passing will come. Let’s not bog our youngest players down by teaching them how to pass at the age of five and six.

Let them have fun. Let them do what they want to do most and that’s run. Let them run around as they would do at school or in their backyard.

I know this rule, in particular, will help my boy Rowdie, who just wants to play and run around with his little mates. And that’s what these new rules promote. Fun, fitness and safety.

Often parents talk to me about allowing their son or daughter to play rugby league.

Despite league being my life and career now, I would never offer them a biased opinion for the sake of their child’s safety.

So I say this, with absolute confidence.

When I drop Archie and Buster off at training, I’ve got 100 per cent confidence in the coaching they’re about to receive.

I know that the coaches are teaching the boys the safest way to tackle and support their teammates.

I think sometimes we need to leave the decision up to the kids.

Because if my kids wanted to play croquet, I’d let them.

As long as my kids are out there playing sport.

I encourage my boys to play any form of sport because it’s fun and you’re getting fit and you don’t even know you’re getting fit.

They’re also forming relationships, which is a big thing, and they’re also gaining confidence as individuals.

Rugby league, with its team aspect, is a great tool for providing confidence and personal development of your son and daughter.

And I can’t say that enough to parents who are considering putting their kids into sport and rugby league.

Forget about the NRL in the under-9s or 10s, junior league couldn’t be more different.

For me, junior league is about the smiles I see on Archie and Buster’s faces as we arrive at training or kick off every Saturday.

Rowdie may not play junior league in 2017 and that’s fine. He’ll decide when and if he wants to play.

But if he does play, one thing I do know is, he’s about to enjoy the safest, most enjoyable form of junior league, we’ve ever seen.

And that puts a smile on my face.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nathan-hindmarsh-reveals-why-your-child-should-play-rugby-league/news-story/9268cb88dfb25c76e2257033f00a0f65