NSW rugby league bans tackling for kids under 6, amid changes to make game safer

In a massive overhaul of NSW junior rugby league rules, little kids will be banned from tackling and children won’t play for premierships until the under 13s.

The NSWRL has introduced sweeping changes to rules for junior players. Picture: Mike Batterham

Tackling for children under six will be banned in junior rugby league in NSW next season, while playing for premiership points will not happen until under 13s.

In moves to make the game “safer” and “more positive” it will be mandatory across the country for kids six and under to play the “league tag” format of the game. Under sevens will play the non-contact form until the long weekend in June, in the 2023 season.

A list of rules to be formally announced next week prioritises the “wellbeing” of little children – with the NSW Rugby League in the coming several seasons also planning to abolish playing for premiership points until the under 13s age group.

That means playing for competition points and grand finals will be removed in an attempt to make the game more enjoyable, with “less pressure” for the most junior competitors.

“There will be a statewide introduction of development competitions up to and including under 12s with premiership competitions commencing from under 13s,” a statement released to The Weekend Australian from NSWRL reads. “Players will still be taught wins and losses in development competitions but will not play for a premiership. In 2023 this concept of no grand finals will be mandatory for Under 8s and below, with 2026 the cut-off for premiership competitions being phased out for all ages up to and including Under 12s.”

The new changes are set to be fully implemented by 2026.

This framework – no contact, less tackling, no premiership points – for junior football has already been running successfully in Queensland.

The Weekend Australian understands in Queensland there has been an increase in registrations where the non contact formats game have already been in place for little kids. Rugby league officials have received “phenomenal and positive” feedback for the rule changes.

By 2023 for under eights and down there will be no playing premiership points.

Neurologists and experts in concussion management, have continued to highlight the link between repetitive head knocks from childhood through to adulthood as the main contributing factor to brain injuries like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

Director of the Australian CTE Biobank and Macquarie University neurologist Dr Rowena Mobbs, who this week launched a community campaign to highlight the signs of concussions called ‘Concussion Big 5’, said rugby league had made a good move.

“The restriction of tackling in the youngest of children is a welcome step to reduce cumulative burden of head injury, but it could go further,” Dr Mobbs said.

“Australia requires its own program of research in our concussion sports, to understand at what age tackling is best commenced. We recognise the debate learning safe tackling technique and neurological development in children. Currently we see a push for no tackling for children under 14 internationally.”

“However there needs to be continued review of what policies are needed, as is the mission of the Australian CTE Biobank.”

The new NSWRL rules will see under sevens will also take part in the ‘Rugby League Ready program’ which aims to educate juniors on how to tackle before they can progress to the contact format of the game.

While in under eights and older, children will continue to undergo education programs will continue emphasising safety in making tackles and being tackled including the introduction of Rugby League Ready specific camps and clinics.

NSWRL Community Rugby League Manager Peter Clarke said they look forward to implementing the changes that were developed by the Australian Rugby League Commission.

“In NSW we have taken a staged approach to phasing in the changes across our state which ultimately aims to further increase the enjoyment for all participants, especially children in the early stages of their Rugby League experience.”

“All our participants learn the fundamentals of rugby league when they first start and are gradually introduced to other skills as they progress. Fundamental to the program is ensuring the safety, wellbeing and enjoyment of all our players.”