Age groupings
IRFU POLICY: DATE OF ELIGIBILITY CHANGES FROM BEGINNING OF 2009/10 SEASON
The following policy will be implemented from the start of the 2009/10 season across both Men's and Women's Rugby.
Date of Eligibility :
From September 2009, the IRFU will implement the International Rugby Board (IRB) date of eligibility, which is defined as the age of any player on the 1st of January of that season (in 2009/10 an U15 player will be defined as a player Under 15 years of age on the 1st January 2010) viz. born in 1995 or later.
The following age categories has been agreed:
Mini Rugby 8s, 9s, 10s, 11s and 12s
Youth Rugby 13s, 15s, 17s and 19s (Branches have the ability to operate intermediate ages at 14s,16s and 18s if there is appropriate numbers )
Schools 13`s, 14s, 15s, 16s and/or 17s, and 19s
Table to clarify year of birth for age categories:
| Age Category Under | Season: 2009/2010 | Season: 2010/2011 | Season: 2011/2012 |
| 7 | Born in 2003 | Born in 2004 | Born in 2005 |
| 8 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
| 9 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
| 10 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
| 11 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 |
| 12 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 |
| 13 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
| 14 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 |
| 15 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 |
| 16 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 |
| 17 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 |
| 18 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 |
| 19 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 |
| 21 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 |
Leprechaun and Mini Rugby
Leprechaun and mini rugby should encourage skill development, participation and enjoyment; therefore, the IRFU policy is that clubs and teams do not engage in leagues or cups emphasising results. Clubs should only participate in blitzes and or club days which are operated according to the IRFU National Mini Blitz framework, which allows for the ethos as set out in the above paragraph, and this policy will be enforced by the IRFU from the commencement of the 2009/10 season.
Competitions
Branches will be responsible for arranging competitions at 13s/ 15s/ 17s and 19s level and the current All Ireland U16 & U18 Club Competition will be replaced by a National 17s and 19s Club Competition from September 2009.
Branches will have the flexibility to determine the appropriate competition structures to support the numbers of players at each of the age categories as well as the development of the Adult game at age bands above 19s.
Transition from schools/ youth to adult club game
This is the area where there is an unacceptable level of drop out and the future of the adult club game depends on a successful transition from underage rugby into adult club rugby. At the present moment a number of Branches run U20 competitions with an U20 IRFU National Competition. However with the change in the eligibility date it will be up to the Branches to determine whether an age band (in line with 1st Jan) in adult rugby will assist the increase with the transition of players into Adult Game. A national competition at 20s or 21s level could take place should the majority of Branches elect to run a league competition.