The Welsh Academy system and changes to Welsh rugby.

When I went to the Blues vs Treviso game a few weeks ago I was reading the match day program and came across an interesting article. Something that hasn't been made public in the news to my knowledge, and something that none of the other regions have mentioned within their programs or on their websites.

Recently the regions and WRU carried out an extensive review of the junior game in Wales (Under 8 - Under 16) to address some serious problems within our system, and make some improvements to the skill levels of our players.

One of the biggest issues of age grade rugby is that Academies felt that they were selecting players at too young an age, and young players that were not picked in trials had a tendency to become disheartened if they were not selected and potentially leave the game when they realised that their dreams of playing for a region and Wales might not immediatly come to fruition. They also want to change the way our players develop putting more emphasis on speeding up the ruck, and increasing the ball in play time.

I'll copy the whole article on post 2 for anyone to read if their interested.

The Welsh Rugby Union has changed the way rugby is played at mini and junior levels to help develop more athletic, skilful and attacking players who have the ability to fulfil their long term potential.

Following an extensive review, pilot programme and consultation process, Minis to Millennium has been launched, comprising of a series of law changes to address key areas of playing the game at various stages of a player's development.

The changes also include a move to delay talent selection to keep more players in the game, decreasing the chance of losing players who could develop physically and technically and cognitively at a later stage.

The aim of the reforms are; to create a more open, attacking game conducive to fun and enjoyment and with an emphasis on developing core skills.

These changes have been implemented to meet the following criteria:

- Drastically increase ball in play time

- Halve the time spent in the breakdown area

- Increase offloads by 40%

- Dramatically increase the number of passes in a game, and the number of passes per phase

The changes are being implemented across all mini and junior rugby (Under 8 to Under 16) in schools and clubs from the start of next season with grassroots coaches who have trialled the new laws which many commented that they believe they have already benefitted the development of players.

Wales Head Coach Warren Gatlandsaid, "I fully endorse the 'Minis to Millennium' Rugby Pathway Programme.

"It encourages more young players to develop and enjoy many aspects of the modern game.

"I believe it will enhance the progression of the core elements of the player for the long term benefit of the game in Wales by concentrating on basic skills at an early age including passing, catching, running, offloading and continuity, traditionally the strengths and uniqueness of Welsh rugby.

"As the player gets older he is then introduced to the finer details of the game.

"For coaches there are specific goals to achieve at each level which ultimately makes their job easier and we should end up with a more skilled player in the long run."

WRU Development Manager Jason Lewis said, "We conducted an in-depth review into mini and junior rugby at the end of the 2009/10 season which showed that certain rules in the game at that level were ineffective at providing a game that promotes attacking, running rugby that is enjoyable and aids a smooth progression into the full game, emphasising the core elements of effective play.

"Within the pathway the importance of the coach in understanding their role is also vital within the stages of development of the player.

UNDER 11s

"Of particular concern to us was the contact area at Under 9 to Under 11 where we identified a need to reduce static pile-ups and improve continuity, and the scrum area where we felt too much information was introduced to players too late in their development.

"We then amended the rules at different stages of the players' development and rolled out an extensive pilot of the new format.

"We believe the new rules, added to the decision to delay talent selection will fundamentally improve player enjoyment, participation levels and player development.

"The new structure also provides specific target areas for developing players within each age group, providing a focus for junior coaches and enabling players to progress within the game without overloading them at an early age."

All clubs, schools and coaches have received an extensive booklet 'Minis to Millennium' that outlines the full player pathway model.

In addition to the law changes, delaying talent selection is also a major amendment to the process.

Currently in Wales players are identified early (Under 11) and a long time is spent developing those few players in the 'system'.

However, evidence suggests that talent identification should be an ongoing process that keeps as many players as possible involved and receiving development. And there is no research at present to support the early identification or development of players.

It is fair to say that any system will identify some players, but the question that can't be answered currently is how many players do we miss through early selection?

WRU Head of Rugby Joe Lydon said, "Early identification and selection is often based around factors centred round maturation - size, pace, agility which are not good predictors of future ability as no player at Under 11 - Under 13 has fully developed.

"There are a host of external factors which could determine the ability to select talent at a young age - parental involvement, socio-economic factors such as parental income, transport, geography, school all impact on the performance of a player at a young age.

"We are a relatively small rugby nation that consistently punches about its size on the international stage but to excel we must maximise the number of players capable of stepping up to the next level, at every stage of the development process.

"We must begin to think of the talent development pathway, as a pyramid that provides all players opportunity and letting their own ability determine their limits, rather than our structures.

"Competition is important in order to develop culture, values and a winning ethos but when and how players are introduced into representative competition is vital."

Thanks for posting. It sounds like some one is finally putting some common sense to grass roots rugby. I've heard a lot of stories from rugby coaches how the talent slips through the net, due to a kid not being physically ready, but would be further down the line with the right conditioning.

Well clearly the academies are working because the regions are bringing through so many talented players at the moment, people like Warburton, Faletau, Scott Williams, and George north are the envy of many nations!

well about blydi time! the amount of guys I went to school with that never got a look in at rugby because another boy who's dad "knew someone in the know" got picked instead is incredible, I mean at u11 what can you possible know about how a child will progress? A load of talatned youngsters are lost that way. When you think about it, it's a bit weird that they were being targetted at u11 anyway as so many children can be late developers. 15 or 16 would be a more realistic target, but even then you've still got some that won't mature properly until about 18. Common sense is being applied at last.

Of course this wouldn't be in the news, it's too intricate and thought provoking for the western mail. While things like this should be printed, reported on and discussed...it won't because that rag prefers to sensationalize non stories.

If Halfpenny said it's disappointing sitting on the bench, you'd get a headline of 'Dejected Halfpenny questions Gatland's selection policy'.

Having multiple representative teams is another option.

For example Munster has THREE U18 teams. Munster Schools, Munster Youths and Munster Schools 'A'. They are chosen from different levels with different criteria applying. So that you have about 80-90 boys who can be considered for the future and it gives everyone a chance of representing Munster.

red_stag wrote:Having multiple representative teams is another option.

For example Munster has THREE U18 teams. Munster Schools, Munster Youths and Munster Schools 'A'. They are chosen from different levels with different criteria applying. So that you have about 80-90 boys who can be considered for the future and it gives everyone a chance of representing Munster.

Yes the Blues do have a north and south team etc.
RGC1404 have a academy team also and I think they have beaten a few academies also.