Understanding the game
Girls' Rugby Age Groups Explained
A clear breakdown of girls' rugby age groups from U6 to U18, including tag, contact and the transition to women's rugby.
Tag rugby (U6–U12)
From U6 to U12, girls play tag rugby. There's no contact tackling — instead players remove a tag from the ball-carrier's belt. It builds running, evasion and passing skills in a safe, inclusive way.
Contact rugby (U13+)
From U13, girls move into contact rugby, with tackling and rucks introduced progressively. Coaches are trained to teach safe technique, and age-grade rules are adjusted to keep the game safe at every stage.
Into the women's game
After U18, players move into senior women's rugby. RugbyDiva lists clubs that offer both girls' and women's rugby, so players can follow the pathway through one club.