Tackles ban for young

New guidelines for junior league players

THE Tablelands’ youngest rugby league players will be banned from tackling under new rules for the 2020 season.

The controversial tackling ban is one of a number of changes the Eacham Junior Rugby League (EJRL) will welcome after making the decision to adopt concepts from the NRL Player Development Framework.

The framework, which was part of a radical shake-up that saw no-premierships and notackle programs trialled across South East Queensland and Victorian junior competitions last year, has divided the rugby league community since it was introduced.

This year, under the framework, all EJRL under-6 players will be outlawed from tackling – instead playing a non-contact version of the game called TAG Rugby League.

Further changes on the Tablelands this season include the delivery of the Tackle Safe Program for all under-7s players and coaches; switching the under-12s division to a Development Competition with no premierships; as well as offering an 18-month registration window to target children who are new to the game, late developers or gaining confidence.

The EJRL encompasses the Tablelands communities of Ravenshoe, Herberton, Malanda and Atherton, offering competitions from under-6s to under-16s.

The league came to the decision to introduce concepts from the Player Development Framework at its January meeting, after it had experienced fluctuating player numbers in recent years.

Atherton Junior Rugby League president Barry Dikes (above left) said he was looking forward to the introduction of the framework.

“Like many regional areas, our player numbers are affected by community and economic factors,” he said.

“The opportunity for players to be introduced to, and participate in, rugby league in line with the Player Development Framework was attractive, with the goal of attracting and retaining players in our clubs.”

NRL Lead Game Development Officer for Cairns Alby Anderson said he applauded the EJRL, as well as the Tully Junior Rugby League Club, for getting on the front foot with the introduction of the framework and the development opportunities it offered players.

The QRL last week released a statement saying survey results from the Player Development Framework testing phase in SEQ and Victoria showed 85 per cent of parents reported their child had improved confidence after completing the program.

The positive feedback has prompted the no-tackling expansion into the under-7s this year.

Under the new rules, under-7s will be banned from tackling for the first 10 rounds of the season before moving into full contact.

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