Manly Roos offer a unique experience as part of one of Sydney’s strongest rugby communities, with everyone from the U6s to the senior grade Manly Marlins sharing the same grounds at Keirle Park. The Manly Roos run junior teams from U6 to U12 (as Manly Roos) and U13 + (as Manly Marlins).
Rugby is unique in welcoming players of all sizes, shapes, speeds and skills. Younger rugby union players are introduced to the game gradually, as it has many more facets of play than other winter sports. The Australian Rugby Union has a national approach, based on research into children’s sport and development, and offers a clear pathway for children to develop confidence in their ability and the rules, and play at a position and level that suits them best.
For the 2024 Season, those born in 2018/19 play in U6, 2017 in U7, 2016 in U8 , 2015 in U9, 2014 in U10, 2013 in U11, and those born in 2012 are in U12.
Minis Teams (U6 to U9)
Our Minis teams play in a local competition run by the Manly Junior Rugby Union (MJRU) and Warringah Junior Rugby Union. See the Minis Page for more details.
At Manly, our U6 and U7 start with a non-contact form of the game, for boys and girls. Tackling is introduced at the end of U7. The minis continue until U9, with modified rules, smaller teams and local (northern beaches) competitions.
Juniors teams (U10 to U12)
Our Juniors teams play in a Sydney wide competition run by the Sydney Junior Rugby Union (SJRU). See our Juniors page for more details of the competitions.
U10 to U12 play as the Manly Roos, while U13 – U17 play as the Manly Savers in combined teams with other local clubs (Seaforth Raiders, Allambie Jets and Harbord Harlequins)
Players are then encouraged to continue on to the Manly Marlins Colts in the Sydney premiership competition, or the more social Manly Savers in the subbies competition.
Click on the relevant rugby stage to see the rules and approaches for that stage:
- U6/U7 Minis Tri-Tag Rugby, which is non-contact
- U8/U9 Minis Rugby, with small teams and modified rules
- U10/U11s Junior Rugby, with 12-a-side teams and modified rules
- U12s-Open Junior Rugby, with 15-a-side teams progressing to international rugby rules.
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Our Grading Policy
From U6-U9s, we stick by a ‘friends play with friends’ policy wherever possible, player numbers permitting. The Roos believe that fun, participation and basic skill development is the main aim at these ages. Every attempt is to be made to create an environment of enjoyment.
From U10s, the emphasis switches to supporting players to play at their most appropriate levels. This is for player development, competition fairness and, importantly, safety reasons. Teams are graded at the beginning of the season and entered into the Sydney Junior Rugby Union competition that best suits their skill level. (In U10s to U12s, for example, there are A to H grade competitions on Sunday). Through the season, players may play in higher teams in their age group, but there are restrictions on higher-grade and representative players playing in lower grades.