Frequently Asked Questions
Can my player play in the same team as their friends, whether new or returning?
In the Minis rugby is definitely about having fun and playing with friends, even if it does start to get a little more serious for both kids and families when they are nearly moving onto Juniors - particularly when they stop being a little herd of tigers following a ball around and develop mad skills with their coaches every year.
We are a community club and welcome everyone so from year to year we can guess our numbers but its always a puzzle putting teams of player friends and their parents who all start to create bonds!
Our VP Minis will do their utmost to sort teams and consider requests for players in teams - but you do need to reach out and discuss any particular team or friends you want to play with. Registering at the same time makes it very easy to start to build your teams.
From u10 we grade teams. We usually have around 3 teams in the first year of Juniors (u10), with grading, it is possible kids who have played together since minis may not be graded in the same team. Whilst this isn't international rugby we do follow a Junior Selection Policy for players and then the teams are graded by a number of trial games. Rest assured that even if your player doesn't end up in the same team as their mates from last year, they will meet a bunch of new Tigers and form new friendships. Our teams have significant flex so kids are joining us all the time from other sports and being new to rugby. Your player will never be the only new kid. Contact our VP Juniors if you want to understand the grading process more.
Can I choose for my player to play in any age group?
The simple answer is no - Rugby Australia and Wahroonga Rugby Club support kids playing in their chronological age year.
However there may be a number of reasons why you may wish your player to be put in a different age group year. Sometimes that will just require a conversation with the Club or sometimes that will require a dispensation or approval by the SJRU.
Wahroonga Tigers will support parent choices with open and transparent discussions with the parents, the player (if appropriate) and any other person like the SJRU if needed.
Players however can never play down more than one age group or up more than two age groups.
How do I register?
We have all the details - please click here
What nights and times do you train?
Where do you train?
We train at Cliff Oval, Cliff Avenue, North Wahroonga.
We are 3.8km from Turramurra station down Eastern Road and 2.7 km from Wahroonga Station via Grosvenor Street.
Frequent buses come along Junction Road - within 1km of the oval.
Do you train in the rain?
Yes we train in the rain, unless the oval is closed and/or players are at risk.
We have a Wet Weather, Lightning and Heat Policy. Please click here.
How do I find out when the season starts and other key dates?
We have a key dates page. Please click here.
What is Sanda?
Since 1997, Tigers have a touring arrangement with Japanese Rugby Club, Sanda.
Every second year, players from the U11 & U12 age groups have an opportunity to travel to Sanda – in the Hyogo prefecture of Japan – to be billeted with families of players from Sanda Rugby Club. The alternate year Sanda visits the Tigers and gets to experience what the North Shore and Sydney has to offer.
In 2025 this is an INBOUND TOUR.
You will see fundraising during the year for Sanda around the club to help fund the players to go on tour!
What is Dispensation?
There are a few types of dispensation, size, age, mixed gender, disability. A dispensation is a formal request to the SJRU for your player to play 'outside' of the competition rules. Certain dispensations are allowed. If you get notice that your player needs dispensation or you wish to activate a dispensation, these need to be discussed with the Club. Your first contact is your VP Minis or VP Juniors who will work with Age Coordinators to ensure your player gets the dispensation they need prior to getting onto the field.
What is Size for Age 'Dispensation'?
For each Junior Age Group and depending on gender, Rugby Australia has determined weight and height bands. Where a player is not within that band for their age on both weight and height, they will be flagged as a Size for Age mandatory assessment. Where a player is not within the band of one of the categories of weight and height they will be flagged for a voluntary Size for Age assessment.
The intention of this assessment is player welfare, the welfare of your player and the welfare of other players that may come up against your player. WRC takes these assessments seriously and will at the beginning of the season independently perform a discrete weight and height assessment of your player on a training night.
Rugby Australia and WRC support all players in the first instance playing in their chronological age. Research indicates little benefit in having a player playing up a year or two. Decisions about whether children need to move age groups due to their size for age will be, post any SJRU assessment, a private conversation between the player's caregivers, the player (if appropriate) and appropriate members of the Executive Committee, for example, the President or VP Juniors.
What is Age Grade Dispensation?
This is when your player is a chronological age, but wishes to play in a different age group.
Rugby Australia allows players to choose to play a single year above their chronological age without formal dispensation. If you wish your player to do this, you must first request this with the Club. We will assess your request against a number of factors, including number of teams, player skills and team makeup. It may also be that your player may trigger a Size for Age assessment and this will need to be taken into account.
A player can play a maximum of two age groups up and one age group down. A formal written request and assessment is required for these players. These requests must be directed in the first instance to the Club. The VP Minis or VP Juniors will assist in submitting the paperwork.
Age grade assessments are also required where a player is not only moving age - but moving formats - eg a mini wanting to move to the tackle age group in minis or when a mini wants to play up in juniors. These requests must come to the Club in the first instance.
What do we have to do at an assessment for dispensation?
The requirements may change from year to year, however, generally an Age Grade Dispensation or a Size for Age Dispensation will require your player to attend a venue to engage in an assessment. They should take all their usual rugby gear, boots, mouthguard and rugby gear. They will be required to perform skills and drills, practice games and fitness. They will be watched and assessed by independent Assessment Coaches who will form a view as to whether dispensation should be granted or in the case of Size for Age whether a player is able to stay in their Age Group despite their size. These sessions will be scheduled around Sydney, run by the SJRU and take around 1.5-2 hours.