Mini Rugby 5

Mini Rugby Project

Supporting a positive, child-centred Mini Rugby experience across Scotland

Mini Rugby is an important first experience of the game for thousands of young players across Scotland.

The Scottish Rugby Mini Rugby Project is focused on helping clubs create positive, welcoming and enjoyable experiences for children aged 8–12 — supporting more young people to discover rugby, enjoy being part of it and stay involved.

Working with players and parents, coaches and volunteers, Development Officers and club leaders, teachers, schools and partners, the project aims to:

Develop understanding. Improve support. Create resources. Enhance experiences. Promote and grow Mini Rugby.

Ultimately, helping to increase participation among 8–12-year-olds across Scotland.

How we’re supporting Mini Rugby

The project is focused around three connected areas:

  • Framework & Standards
  • Coach Development & Resources
  • Scottish Rugby Supported Festivals
  • Mini Rugby 4 Framework & Standards

    Helping clubs create a great Mini Rugby environment

    We are developing a supportive framework to help clubs provide consistent, child-centred Mini Rugby experiences.

    It looks beyond training and matches to consider the whole experience for a young player and their family, including:

    • Purpose, values and standards
    • The first six weeks for new players and families
    • Communication and information
    • Organisation and leadership
    • Volunteer recruitment and support
    • Safeguarding and wellbeing
    • Medical, safety and risk management
    • Season planning

    The aim is to give clubs a practical framework that supports positive experiences on and off the pitch.

  • Mini Rugby 2 Coach Development & Resources

    Supporting the people delivering the game

    Great Mini Rugby experiences depend on confident and supported coaches and volunteers.

    The project is developing practical resources including coaching materials, session ideas, workshops and on-pitch development opportunities.

    The focus is simple: making useful support easier to access and easier to apply.

  • Mini Rugby 1 Supporting Parents

    Helping families understand the Mini Rugby journey
    Parents and carers play a huge role in creating a positive experience for young players.

    Parent workshops and resources are being developed around:

    Rugby values
    Understanding the behaviours and values we want to see around the game.

    Age and stage
    Understanding what rugby should look and feel like at different stages of development.

    Positive pitchside behaviour
    Helping children feel encouraged, supported and able to enjoy playing.

    Development
    Recognising that every young player develops differently and that Mini Rugby is about much more than results.

    The journey home
    Encouraging better conversations after rugby, focused on enjoyment, effort, confidence and the child’s experience.

  • Mini Rugby 3 Scottish Rugby Supported Mini Rugby Festivals

    Bringing the project to life

    During the 2026/27 season, Scottish Rugby is working with 14 pilot clubs to support and enhance existing Mini Rugby festivals.

    The clubs were selected by Scottish Rugby Regional Development Teams to represent a varied cross-section of Mini Rugby across Scotland.

    The festivals allow us to test the project in practice, learn directly from clubs and families and better understand what creates a great Mini Rugby experience.

    Support includes areas such as festival planning, coach and referee development, positive pitchside behaviour, equipment, communications, Turn Up and Play activity and opportunities to share good practice.

    The festivals also provide an opportunity to test and develop the Mini Rugby Framework & Standards alongside clubs.

Where we are now

The 2026/27 season is an important development year.

We are currently:

  • Supporting 14 pilot club festivals
  • Testing and developing the Framework & Standards
  • Running regional sessions with clubs
  • Developing coach resources and workshops
  • Developing support for parents
  • Learning from players, families, coaches, volunteers and club leaders

The project will continue to evolve based on what we learn from the Mini Rugby community.

 

What happens next?

The next phase will focus on turning that learning into practical support for clubs across Scotland.

This includes sharing examples of best practice, encouraging engagement with workshops and resources, ensuring Mini Rugby Convenors are correctly listed in SCRUMS and returning to regional sessions to review progress and identify where further support is needed.

 

Shaping the future of Mini Rugby

This is a project being built with the Mini Rugby community, not simply for it.

Together, we want to create Mini Rugby experiences that children enjoy, families value and clubs are proud to provide.

Because a great first experience of rugby can be the beginning of a lifelong connection with the game.

 

Want to find out more?

Speak to your Regional Team
Get in touch for more information, support or to discuss Mini Rugby at your club.

Explore learning on Gainline
Discover Mini Rugby sessions, workshops and resources to support your development.

Join a Regional Session
Keep an eye out for future Mini Rugby Regional Sessions and opportunities to share feedback and help shape the project.