NSW Junior Rugby Union
This document aims to provide a level of transparency and clarity around the different pathways, NSW Juniors, NSW Schools and NSWRU have worked closely together to simplify and align all these pathways to ensure that all elements of rugby within NSW have a vibrant and inclusive pathway to higher levels of rugby.
To clarify these pathways for the different age groups we have put together some simple 'Roadmaps' which hopefully clearly state the stages for each age group along the pathways.
In the U10 and U11 age groups young females have several options available to them
In the XV’s format can choose to play amongst the boys in mixed teams across the SJRU & CRU competitions (played as 12 per side under Rugby AU pathways). Or where available they can play in a dedicated Female competition such as the SJRU Sera Naiqama Cup (10 per side for U12) which runs for the full season from April to end of August – this female only club competition is played on a Sunday in amongst the regular SJRU Competitions.
For further ‘Rep’ pathway options NSW Juniors hosts The Rugby Club Foundation NSW Junior State Gala for these ages, which in 2025 will be held at either The King’s School, North Parramatta (U10) or Mudgee (U11) to be held on the weekend of 19th-20th July.
This tournament has no finals - it is purely a round robin where all teams will play 2-3 games on each day. The essence of this tournament is about fun and the enjoyment of the game, whilst still providing an entry level experience to Rep rugby. Zones and Districts are invited to enter two teams of up to 18 players in each squad and we do ask that they be graded into A & B levels so that we can match like-for-like teams and avoid potential blow-outs by mismatching teams.
The atmosphere is all about fun and includes relay races and novelty events to add to the experience. This is already an iconic event in our calendar and well worth the trip. There are no further teams selected from this tournament.
In 2023 & 2024 we began a ‘girls only’ section in the U11s of the carnival which was very popular, and we will look to replicate this again in 2025.
For the 7s format there are several ages specific designated 7s carnivals which are run all throughout the year. For example SJRU runs a Sariah Paki Girls 7s in Oct and Nov in 2025. There is also the District State 7s Gala for mixed teams in U11 age group which is held at Glen Willow, Mudgee from the 28th-29th September.
SJRU will be running a non-contact Tri Tag option for girls in the U8-U11 age group that are not quite ready for contact rugby – this is an ideal transition program for young girls to develop in a non-contact environment.
For U12 girls in the XV’s format can choose to play amongst the boys in mixed teams across the SJRU & CRU competitions (played as 15 per side under Rugby AU pathways). Or where available they can play in a dedicated Girls competitions such as the SJRU U12 Sera Naiqama Cup (10 per side in U12s) which runs from start of April till the end of August (full season same as the boys) – this female only club competition is played on a Sunday in amongst the regular SJRU Competitions.
As an introduction to Rep Rugby for the Girls only, SJRU will be running an U12 Girls Development Gala on 5th/6thJuly during school holidays. This is a chance for District teams to select an U12 Girls Development teams, and experience what Rep rugby is all about in a fun, carnival atmosphere. The format will be played as X’s.
This Tournament will see teams play several round robin games but there are no finals. This Carnival is also open to any of the Country Zones who have an U12 Girls Zone team they wish to enter. There are no further U12 Girls Rep teams selected beyond this carnival.
Of course, at the U12 age group the girls can still play in the Boys U12 State Championships on the June Long Weekend – in 2025 to be held at Taree. Girls who compete in the State Champs along with the boys are encouraged to also participate in the Girls Only U12 Development Gala.
For the 7s format there are several ages specific designated 7s carnivals which are run all throughout the year. For example, SJRU runs a Sariah Paki Girls 7s competition over October and November. There is also a NSWRU State 7s Gala for District teams in U13 age group which is held at Glen Willow, Mudgee from the 28th-29th September.
NSW Schools have a Girls 7s pathway via the PSSA network(see diagram).
For U13 girls in the XV’s format can play club rugby in such comps as the SJRU Sera Naiqama Cup or similar across the state. In areas where there is no Girls Only Comp option, they may be able to access the Rugby AU ‘Mixed Gender’ dispensation and play amongst the Boys competitions.
The SJRU Sera Naiqama Competition may be run as an U14 or U15 format depending upon numbers. It is a XV’s format comp played under the Game On Principles which allows down to 10 players per side and runs from the start of April till the end of Aug – this female only club competition is played on a Sunday in amongst the regular SJRU Competitions.
The further Rep opportunities come via the U14 Age group here. Girls must play at the Girls U14 State Champs to be considered for higher honours such as Sydney and NSW Country selections.
For the 7s format there are several ages specific designated 7s carnivals which are run all throughout the year around the state. For example, SJRU runs a Sariah Paki 7s Comp from Oct to Nov. Schools offer a variety of 7s options for the Girls – with the Chloe Dalton Competitions run across Sydney probably the biggest.
There is also a NSWRU State 7s Champs (club rugby) for District teams in U13 age group which is held at Glen Willow, Mudgee from the 28th-29th September.
For U14 girls in the XV’s format can play club rugby in such comps as the SJRU Sera Naiqama Cup or similar across the state. In areas where there is no Girls Only Comp option, they may be able to access the Rugby AU ‘Mixed Gender’ dispensation and play amongst the Boys competitions.
The SJRU Sera Naiqama Competition may be run as an U14 or U15 format depending upon numbers. It is a XV’s format comp played under the Game On Principles which allows down to 10 players per side and runs from the start of April till the end of Aug – this female only club competition is played on a Sunday in amongst the regular SJRU Competitions.
From these club comps, we move onto Representative opportunities with The Rugby Club Foundation NSW Junior State Championships, where the girls will compete for the ‘Phil Warner Trophy’. Please note that to be eligible to participate at the State Champs a player must have played a minimum of 4 club games in 2025 prior to the State Champs weekend.
These Champs will be held in Dubbo over the June long weekend (7th-9th June) alongside the boys U14 State Champs. Our 2025 host club is Dubbo Roos Rugby Club with Apex Oval Fields as the venue.
The under 14 age group is the first step in the pathway where further individual selection from the State Champs (Incl Sydney Cups& Country Champs) will go onto play in higher level fixtures. NSW Country (CRU) & Sydney Junior Rugby Union (SJRU) will each select a squad of 35-40 from the State Championships. They will then train squads up until the NSWJRU Regionals (5th– 6th July at Camden Rugby Park, hosted by the Camden Rugby Club) where they will be split into teams and play selection trial games. From here final selection of Sydney & NSW Country U14 teams.
The NSW Country U14 and Sydney U14 teams will then compete at the NSWJRU City vs Country Carnival on Sunday 27th July (Sportsground No. 2, Newcastle) for the ‘NSWJRU Sponsors Plate’.
For the 7s format there are several ages specific designated 7s carnivals which are run all throughout the year around the state. For example, SJRU runs a Sariah Paki 7s Comp from Oct to Nov. Schools offer a variety of 7s options for the Girls – with the Chloe Dalton Competitions run across Sydney probably the biggest
There is also a NSWRU State 7s Champs (club rugby) for District teams in U15 age group which is held at Glen Willow, Mudgee from the 29th Sep-1st Oct. These U15 7s sides are selected as Zone/District Rep teams for this tournament, followed by NSW squads’ selection.
For U15 girls in the XV’s format can play club rugby in such comps as the SJRU Sera Naiqama Cup or similar across the state. In areas where there is no Girls Only Comp option, they may be able to access the Rugby AU ‘Mixed Gender’ dispensation and play amongst the Boys competitions.
The SJRU Sera Naiqama Competition may be run as an U15 or U16 format depending upon numbers. It is a XV’s format comp played under the Game On Principles which allows down to 10 players per side and runs from the start of April till the end of Aug – this female only club competition is played on a Sunday in amongst the regular SJRU Competitions.
From these club XVs comps, girls can move onto Representative opportunities which come via The Rugby Club Foundation U16 NSW Junior State Championships.
For the 7s format there are several ages specific designated 7s carnivals which are run all throughout the year around the state. For example, SJRU runs a Sariah Paki 7s Comp from Oct to Nov. Schools offer a variety of 7s options for the Girls – with the Chloe Dalton Competitions run across Sydney probably the biggest
There is also a NSWRU State 7s Champs (club rugby) for District teams in U15 age group which is held at Glen Willow, Mudgee from the 29th Sep-1st Oct. These U15 7s sides are selected as Zone/District Rep teams for this tournament, followed by NSW squads’ selection.
U16 girls in XVs format can play in a dedicated Girls competitions such as the SJRU Sera Naiqama Cup which runs from start of April till end of August – this female only club competition is played on a Sunday in amongst the regular SJRU Competitions. There are other such competitions run around the state.
From these club XVs comps, girls can move onto Representative opportunities with The Rugby Club Foundation U16 NSW Junior State Championships, where the girls will compete for the ‘Kerry Brady Shield’.
These Championships will be held in over the June long weekend (7th-9thJune) alongside the boys U16 State Champs. Our 2025 hosts will be Western Sydney Two Blues playing out of Eric Tweedale Stadium, Granville. Please note that to be eligible to participate at the State Champs a player must have played a minimum of 4 club games in 2025 prior to the State Champs weekend.
NSW Country (CRU) & Sydney Junior Rugby Union (SJRU) will each select a team of 23 from these State Championships. In a change to the Girls Rep format for XV’s, these NSW Country and Sydney U16 teams will head to the Australian Schools & Junior Rugby Championships (July 6-10th) to be held on the Sunshine Coast, Qld.
The NSW Country U16 and Sydney U16 teams will also then compete at the NSWJRU City vs Country Carnival on Sunday 27th July (Sportsground No.2, Newcastle) for the ‘Mahalia Murphy Shield’.
From the AJRC and City vs Country games, we will select a NSW Juniors U16 Girls team. This team will play matches against other Provincial sides after the regular season is complete (ie in September). Games vs ACT, Western Australia and Victoria are already on the cards.
For the 7s format there are several ages specific designated 7s carnivals which are run all throughout the year around the state. For example, SJRU runs a Sariah Paki 7s Comp from Oct to Nov. Schools offer a variety of 7s options for the Girls – with the Chloe Dalton Competitions run across Sydney probably the biggest
There is also a NSWRU State 7s Champs (club rugby) for District teams in U17 age group which is held at Glen Willow, Mudgee from the 29th Sep-Oct. These U177s sides are selected as Zone/District Rep teams for this tournament, followed by NSW squads’ selection.
In the U18 age group many of the girls are playing juniors or they have already transitioned to Senior Women’s Rugby competitions such as ‘Jack Scott Cup’ or ‘Shute Shield or Subbies 7’s or X’s’.
SJRU Sera Naiqama Cup which runs from start of April till end of August – this female only club competition is played on a Sunday in amongst the regular SJRU Competitions. There are other such competitions runaround the state.
From these Club XVs comps, girls can move onto Representative opportunities with The Rugby Club Foundation U18 NSW Junior State Championships where the girls will compete for the ‘J.B.Carroll Shield’. Please note that to be eligible to participate at the State Champs a player must have played a minimum of 4 club games (junior or senior) in 2025 prior to the State Champs weekend.
These Champs will be held at St Lukes Ovals, Concord over the June long weekend (7th-9th June) alongside the boys U18 State Champs. Our 2025host club will be West Harbour Rugby
NSW Country (CRU) & Sydney Junior Rugby Union (SJRU) will each select a team of 23 from these State Championships. In a change to the Girls Rep format for XV’s, these NSW Country and Sydney U18 teams will head to the Australian Schools & Junior Rugby Championships (July 6th-10th) to be held on the Sunshine Coast, Qld.
The NSW Country U18 and Sydney U18 teams will also then compete at the NSWJRU City vs Country Carnival on Sunday 27th July (Sportsground No.2, Newcastle) for the ‘Grace Hamilton Shield’.
From the AJRC and City vs Country games, we will select a NSW Juniors U18 Girls team. This team will play matches against other Provincial sides after the regular season is complete (ie in September). Games vs ACT, Western Australia and Victoria are already on the cards.
For the 7s format there are several ages specific designated 7s carnivals which are run all throughout the year around the state. For example, SJRU runs a Sariah Paki 7s Comp from Oct to Nov. Schools offer a variety of 7s options for the Girls – with the Chloe Dalton Competitions run across Sydney probably the biggest
For the younger cohort in this age bracket - There is also a NSWRU State 7s Champs (club rugby) for District teams in U17 age group which is held at Glen Willow, Mudgee from the 29th Sep-1st Oct. These U17 7s sides are selected as Zone/District Rep teams for this tournament, followed by NSW squads’ selection.
