The Honest Approach
At Exiles RFC, we believe rugby development for young players should prioritize confidence, skill development, safety, enjoyment, and long term player retention above all else.
For that reason, Exiles RFC will not introduce tackle rugby before the U12 age grade.
This decision is not made out of fear of contact. Rugby is, and always will be, a contact sport. Properly taught and properly introduced, contact is an important part of the game. However, we believe introducing tackle too early within the current American rugby environment often places emphasis on physicality before foundational rugby skills and game understanding are fully developed.
At the same time, Exiles RFC does not utilize flag rugby as part of our developmental pathway.
We believe young players should progressively become comfortable with controlled physical interaction through the use of touch rugby and proper rugby-specific progression. Players should learn to use their hands in space, place hands on opponents correctly, and become comfortable having hands placed on themselves within a structured, controlled environment.
In our view, this creates a more natural developmental bridge into tackle rugby later on, while still allowing players to build confidence and rugby instincts before full contact is introduced.
Our focus at the younger ages is building:
Ball handling
Spatial awareness
Evasion
Support play
Passing under pressure
Confidence in movement
Communication
Decision making
Rugby-specific movement and interaction
Love for the game
We believe young players develop best when they are constantly involved, constantly moving, and constantly touching the ball. Too often, early tackle environments reduce involvement, discourage newer players, and shift focus away from creativity and skill development.
Globally, many successful rugby nations emphasize strong developmental foundations before introducing full contact competition. While approaches differ from country to country, one common principle remains consistent: long term player development matters more than rushing children into adult versions of the sport.
The reality is that American rugby is still developing its coaching depth, player density, and developmental consistency. At Exiles RFC, we believe it is our responsibility to build players correctly, patiently, and sustainably.
Our objective is not simply to produce youth teams.
Our objective is to produce confident rugby players, lifelong club members, and young people who genuinely love the sport.
When our players enter tackle rugby at U12, we want them to do so with strong foundational skills, confidence, understanding, and enthusiasm for the game.
That is the standard Exiles RFC intends to uphold.
