JUNIOR rugby continues to expand with the debut of Super 12s bringing the rigours of team competition to the youngsters’ work-outs. Starting on January 7, the Sunday morning sessions at Saltus will see the 13-and-unders and the ten-and-unders playing seven-a-side games in 12-player squads. Organiser Dave Worsfold said: “We have been getting good numbers so now we want to expand that so the kids are playing in their own teams.“We are hoping for four teams in each age group.

“We are just trying to add some proper competition — the kids are very keen to play in organised teams.

“We are trying to put the emphasis on being a team rather than splitting them up when they turn up. We are trying to expand on what we have done over the last couple of years with the mini-rugby and fold in the school rugby as well.”

The day has been moved to Sunday to avoid a clash with football.

“In the last four years it’s taken off — we have gone from getting 40 kids to getting well over a 100 each week.

“We are quietly confident of getting four sides.”

Teams will be named after the big sides in international rugby.

“We will pick the best catchy names the kids can identify with — like the Sharks, the Wasps.”

The controlled contact rugby features three-man scrums and line-outs and players are provided with mouthguards, said Worsfold who noted that the enthusiasm can sometimes get the better of the kids.

“Most of them like the contact. They look forward to the tackling. With kids who have played before it is quite a task to keep them under control for the first couple of weeks while going over the skills of tackling.

“They are always very keen to try to knock each other around!

“The good thing about rugby is it’s a good game for people with different body shapes — the bigger kids play in the forwards, the quicker kids in the backs. It’s a good cross section of the type of person who can play — it’s the same with the senior rugby as well.”

The league kicks off on Sunday, January 7 and runs to April, said Worsfold whose own boys Jacob and Samuel are involved.

Long-distance runner Brett Forgesson is also involved in the organisation which is run under the Bermuda Rugby Football Union banner.

The mini-rugby for five to seven year olds will continue with skills and games.

Meanwhile in the senior league champions Renegades are on top at the Christmas break after just one loss in the opening game against Teachers.

The season re-starts on Sunday, January 7 with the seven-a-side tournament.

A youth game is scheduled for Friday, December 29 at 6.30 p.m. at the National Sports Centre’s north field involving many college kids who are normally away.

“A group of players from the four clubs will play against those guys,” said Worsfold.

He said the Under 23s had a very successful tour to Nova Scotia at the end of the summer and now the national team is looking forward to the Caribbean Championships in the Cayman Islands in August.

“We want to improve on our last outing which was very disappointing — I think we lost every game,” he said.

The BRFU is also mulling an invite to play Mexico who have recently been admitted to the North American and West Indian Rugby Association.

“We would like to undertake this but it’s a case of whether we can get the player commitment.”

[obox] The deadline for registration for Super 12s Junior Rugby is Sunday, December 31. Admission is free. Coaches and referees are also being sought for the Sunday morning sessions at Saltus from 10.30 a.m. to noon.

Entry forms can be picked up at the Sportseller, The Pro Shop, the International Sports Shop or by emailing Dave Worsfold on bermudarugb@ibl.bm or Brett Forgessson bretU>@ibl.bm