2013 Danville Oaks Rugby 7’s Academy

Rugby 7s is a fast paced variation of rugby union with teams made up of seven players with multiple matches played in a tournament format over the course of the day.  Rugby 7s is an Olympic sport and will make its debut in the 2016 Summer Olympic games in Rio De Janero.   Due to the limited number of players on the rugby field in 7s, handling, passing and tackling skills as well as fitness levels are greatly improved.   Oaks players have dramatically increased their skills in this 7s program over the years resulting in the Oaks most successful season ever as a club in 2013.

Registration cost:  $200 for returning Oaks players with a $100 sibling discount for returning family members.  Cost is $250 for all new Oaks players. 

Age Groups:  (1) Varsity Boys and Girls Gold and Silver; (2) JV Gold and Silver; (3) Middle School Gold and Silver; (4) and U12 Gold/Silver.

The Program: (1) two practices per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting May 28th through July 25th, 2013 - U12/MS 4pm to 5:30pm, JV/Varsity 5:30 pm to 7 pm;* (2) 4 Summer 7’s Tournaments on June 9th, June 23rd, July 14th and the NCYRA Championships on July 28th in Dixon, CA; (3) additional 7s tournaments as agreed on by the group** and (4) Titans Sevens Festival at Cal State Fullerton on August 3rd.***

Coaches:  Former USA National Team Player and current Oaks Varsity Coach Roy Helu and current  Oaks Varsity assistant coach Jonathan Straka as well as additional NCYRA trained guest coaches

Register at  www.sportablility.com or click the link above.

*Break for Graduation Week  June 10-16 and the week of July 4th; **Additional tournaments not yet been announced.  Entry fee not included in registration; and ***Fee is separate and roster is recruited and selected from the Academy. 

Oaks 2013 Practice Schedule

Hope everyone had a great holiday and welcome to the 2013 season. In order to provide the best training for the players, we will be holding practices at both Athenian School as well as Diablo Vista Park - Turf Field (aka DVP and Snake Park). Please note the following practice schedule and locations for all age groups.

 

The Danville Oaks Rugby Football Program consists of six age groups from U8’s to High School Varsity. Players are trained in the techniques and strategies required for playing the game of Rugby with the objective of building a solid, fun, competitive base to prepare young athletes for all of their current and future endeavors. The essential features of Rugby, good sportsmanship and fair play, are key components of the program and irrespective of size, body shape or ability, players are given the opportunity to reach their full potential in a fun environment. 

Rugby training starts after Thanksgiving and runs through April with a break for the Holidays in December. 

General Principles and Features: 

-Provides children with a safe and enjoyable introduction to the skills and tactical principles of the game of Rugby. 

- Introduces young players to Rugby skills and techniques at a pace appropriate for their ages and physical development. 

- Games provide the forum for demonstrating the basic skills and understanding of set plays through the modified Scrum, Maul and Lineout situations. 

- The desirable qualities of rugby -- sportsmanship and fair play -- are positively rewarded, with reduced emphasis on competition for the younger age groups.  Play becomes more competitive as players advance in age and ability. 

-At all times safety is a paramount consideration. The Laws governing each level of the program are specifically designed to foster a safe environment for both male and female players, while they learn relevant skills. 

Junior Varsity

The JV high school program is a competitive program and will play in the Northern California's Gold Division. They will play two 35 minute halves on a regulation size field when available with the Northern California Youth Rugby Association rules. 

Jr. High 

The Jr. High program is primarily for 7th and 8th graders and those 6th graders who have turned 12 by 1 September. They will play on a regulation size field for two 30-minute halves using a number 5 ball. There will be unlimited substitution during the games with 15 players on a side. This is full tackle rugby with 8 man scrums, contested lineout’s and conversion kicks after a try is scored. 

U-12's 

The U-12 program is primarily for 5th and 6th graders. They will play on roughly half of a regulation size field for two 25-minute halves using a number 4 ball. The coaches will referee the games and may be on the playing field during the match. This promotes safety and allows the coaches to instruct the players in the fundamentals of the game. There will be unlimited substitution during games with 7 to 10 players on a side. This will be tackle rugby, with uncontested scrums, contested lineout’s and no conversion kicks after a try is scored. 

U-10's 

The U-10 program is for elementary school athletes. Players can be no more than nine years old as of September 1, 2012. They will play on roughly one quarter of a regulation size field for two 10-minute halves using a number 3 ball. The coaches will referee the games and may be on the playing field during the match. This promotes safety and allows the coaches to instruct the players in the fundamentals of the game. There will be unlimited substitution during games with 7 players on a side. This will be tackle rugby with uncontested scrums, uncontested lineouts and no conversion kicks after a try is scored. 

U-8's 

The U-8 program is a touch rugby program intended to teach safe tackling techniques and introduce the game to the next generation of potential ruggers.  The coaches will referee the games and may be on the playing field during the match. This promotes safety and allows the coaches to instruct the players in the fundamentals of the game. There will be unlimited substitution during games with 5 to 7 players on a side.

Note: Considerations may be made for players that due to size, wieght and ability may be more suitable for play in a younger age group. This consideration is may on a case by case basis in light of the fact that play by an older/lighter must be agreed to by the opposition coaches before any competition.