The Crusaders Youth Program

The Crusaders Youth program is for boys and girls aged 10–14 (U12 and U14). It’s the bridge between our flag-based Minis program and full Junior rugby, focusing on a safe, progressive introduction to contact while keeping fun and teamwork at the heart of everything we do.

At this stage, players move from non-contact and modified contact into more of the full game in a controlled way. U12 is played as co-ed modified contact, while U14 boys and girls teams build on those foundations with more game structure, rucks and mauls, and positional play. Every session is designed so that complete beginners and experienced players can train and play together safely.

Our goals in Youth rugby are to:

Develop strong fundamentals in passing, catching, tackling and game understanding
Build confidence, resilience and teamwork in a supportive environment
Prepare players for Junior rugby (U16/U18) and a lifetime love of the sport

We’re proud that many of our Youth players go on to represent the club at Junior, Senior, provincial and even national levels – but we’re just as proud of the kids who simply discover that rugby is “their sport” and a place they belong.

U12 Modified Contact U14 Boys (Intro to Contact)U14 Girls (Intro to Contact)Coaching

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The U12 Division

The Crusaders U12 program is the first step in our Youth pathway and the bridge between non?contact Minis rugby and full contact at U14 and Junior. It is a co-ed, modified contact program that welcomes both boys and girls, whether they are brand new to rugby or moving up from U10 flag.

At U12, players continue to build on the foundations developed in U6–U10 while being introduced to more of the full game in a controlled and graduated way. Contact is carefully managed and age-appropriate, with a strong emphasis on safe technique, confidence and enjoyment.

We welcome children who are new to rugby. This is an ideal age to start, and most new players find that within just a few weeks they are able to fully participate in training sessions, scrimmages, games and festivals.

Our objectives at U12 are to help kids:

Have fun and enjoy being active with their friends
Learn and apply the fundamentals of rugby (running, passing, catching, tackling, support play)
Develop safe contact habits and body positions in a progressive way
Build teamwork, resilience and respect for teammates, opponents and referees

While the focus remains on fun, movement and teamwork, we also want players to develop strong fundamentals through knowledgeable coaching. To support this, our coaches receive appropriate training and resources, including age-grade law variations and World Rugby’s Activate warm?up for injury prevention. Many of our U12 coaches are former or current senior players who understand both the game and the club’s culture.

U12 competitions are typically festival-based, with 7-a-side games on a reduced field, in line with Rugby Ontario’s Youth structure. These events are a great way for players and families to experience the wider rugby community in a positive, supportive environment.

Skills that will be focused on throughout the year will be running, passing, catching, creating space on attack, and alignment on defense. These skills will be developed in training, fun exercises, game simulations, and through the various festival tournaments that we will be involved in throughout the season. The Crusaders program is an excellent place to increase a child’s overall skill development, knowledge of the game and level of fitness.

U14 Boys Division

The Crusaders U14 Boys “Intro to Contact” program is the next step in our Youth pathway and welcomes both new players and those progressing from U12. It introduces more of the full game in a controlled and graduated way, including rucks, mauls and more structured positional play.

This is a perfect age to start rugby. Most new players find that within a very few weeks they are able to fully participate in training, scrimmages, games and tournaments.

At U14, rugby is still very much about everyone being involved. Rugby is a true team sport – no one player can control a game – so we expect every player to move with and follow the play in order to support their teammates. Our coaching focuses on helping players understand how to work together on both attack and defence.

Over the season, we focus on:

Running, passing and catching under pressure
Tackling and safe contact technique
Creating and using space on attack
Alignment and communication on defence
Support play and work rate off the ball

These skills are developed through training sessions, fun exercises, game simulations and the various tournaments and league fixtures we participate in throughout the season. As one parent has said, the Crusaders U14 program is “an excellent place to increase the player’s overall skill development, knowledge of the game and level of fitness.”

Practices:

Monday and Wednesday evenings 6:30-8:00pm.
starting May 1st (field readiness dependent) through to end of August
Fall rugby to be offered in the form of 7s

Games:

every Sunday morning as per tournament schedule (to be provided to registered players)
Fall rugby to be offered as 7 a side

Playing Equipment:

Mouthguard – mandatory for training and games
Cleats – rugby or soccer
Jersey – club?provided for games
Black club shorts and black club socks – available via the club shop:
https://clubshop.crusadersrugby.club/

No glasses/eyewear or jewellery are allowed at training sessions or games, as they can cause injury.

League information

The Under-14 age grade league is a developmental league run by Rugby Ontario.

Players will play Sundays, with the season running from May to August.
Each weekend, teams will compete in round robin style tournaments.
Teams will play games on nine weekends during the regular season.
A wrap-up championship event will take place in August (date TBD)
The schedule is set up to ensure teams play as many regional based games as possible to limit travel.
Certain weekends, teams will play “cross-over” tournaments in a central location against teams outside their region.

U14 Girls Division

The Crusaders U14 Girls “Intro to Contact” program is a welcoming entry point for girls who are new to rugby and a natural next step for those progressing from Minis or U12. It introduces more of the full game in a controlled and graduated way, including rucks, mauls and more structured positional play.

This is a perfect age to start rugby. Most new players find that within a very few weeks they are able to fully participate in training sessions, scrimmages, games and tournaments. Our focus is on fun, physical movement and teamwork, with an overarching goal of helping players understand and enjoy the game.

Rugby is a true team sport – no one player can control a game – so we expect every player to move with and follow the play in order to support their teammates. The U14 Girls program is designed to build confidence and encourage every athlete to be actively involved, regardless of their experience level.

Over the season, we focus on:

Running, passing and catching under pressure
Tackling and safe contact technique
Creating and using space on attack
Alignment, communication and work rate on defence
Support play, decision?making and game awareness

These skills are developed through training, fun exercises, game simulations and the various tournaments and league fixtures we participate in throughout the season. The Crusaders U14 program is an excellent place to increase a player’s overall skill development, knowledge of the game and level of fitness in a positive, community-based environment.

Practices:

Monday and Wednesday evenings 6:30-8:00pm (South Field)
Starting May 1st (field readiness dependent) through to the end of August
Fall 7’s rugby to be offered Sept – Oct

Games:

Every Sunday morning as per the tournament schedule (to be provided to registered players)
Fall rugby to be offered Sept – Oct

Playing Equipment:

Mouthguard – mandatory for training and games
Cleats – rugby or soccer
Jersey – Club provided
Shorts – black
Socks – black

No glasses / eyewear or jewelery are allowed at training sessions or games as they can potentially cause injury.

Coaching

Our Youth program is led by a dedicated team of trained volunteer coaches who are passionate about both rugby and working with young people. Many are current or former Crusaders players and parents who want to “give back” to the club, and they bring that same sense of commitment and community to every session.

Youth coaches focus on:

Player-centred development – helping each player progress at their own pace, whether they are brand new to rugby or have come through our Minis program.
Safety and good habits – using World Rugby–aligned resources (including the Activate injury-prevention warm-up) and age-appropriate contact progressions.
Game-based learning – lots of small-sided games and decision-making activities so players learn by doing, not standing in lines.
Values and team culture – reinforcing respect, teamwork and enjoyment, on and off the field.

Every Youth session is designed so that beginners and experienced players can train together safely and get plenty of meaningful touches on the ball. As one parent described it, Crusaders is “an excellent place to increase a child’s overall skill development, knowledge of the game and level of fitness” in a positive, community?based environment.

We’re always excited to welcome new volunteer coaches and helpers—no previous rugby experience is required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Questions?
Director of Youth Rugby (U12, U14): youth.rugby@crusadersrugby.ca
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