The Rugby Football League (RFL) announced new tackle height law changes throughout all age groups, causing backlash from fans.
In a post, the RFL states the two main changes to tackle laws over the next few years.
Firstly, tackles above armpit level will be banned from 2025 in all age and competition levels, including the Foremost Betfred Super League.
The tackling law that has caused the most outcry has been a removal of tackling all together between the under six and under nine age groups in youth level rugby.
The petition which was created on the same day as the announcement has almost reached the 5,000 signatures it needs.
James Dudley, an amateur coach who created the petition, said that the changes were “slowly eroding the essence of a sport that has brought joy and camaraderie to so many people worldwide.”
“Rugby is not merely a sport; it’s an institution that teaches teamwork, discipline, and resilience. The physical aspect of rugby is integral to its identity—it’s what makes rugby ‘rugby.’ By delaying contact until under tens, we risk alienating young players who might lose interest due to this significant shift in gameplay,” Mr. Dudley said.
There were a plethora of reasons given by those who signed as to why they objected against these new changes.
“I see no benefit in removing the tackle element in year groups that have already played a season of contact,” one signee stated.
“It’s not right to not allow them to tackle, its part of rugby and should be trained young so it’s done right,” another said.
The RFL’s reason for these changes was as a result of a collaboration with Leeds Beckett University in a project labelled “TaCKLE.”
The aim of the project is to research more on tackle and contact kinematics as well as loads and exposure
The ban to tackles above the armpit was trialed at an under 18 competition in 2023, which resulted in fewer head contact and head accelerations.
In comparison to Australian, youth players from the under six to under 15 level are not allowed to tackle above the armpit.
