Colts Association

Youth rugby includes all players, both boys and girls, from under 7 to under 19 age years old. Youth rugby is played at schools as well as in Clubs. The younger players from both are classed under "Mini Rugby" whilst U14 to U19 are known as "Colts".

Colts rugby is open to any eligible player registered with a Club.  Colts leagues and competitions are organised on an age (not weight) basis, age being determined by calendar year (i.e. January 1 to December 31).  Currently, Colts play in two year age bands (or three years for under 19's): Under 14; Under 16; and Under 19.

The Colts rugby season typically starts at the end of August/early September and goes through to the Hong Kong Seven's in late March/early April. Colts rugby is, with limited exceptions (such as the International Youth Tournament), played on Sundays, with most Colts clubs training on Sundays as well.  During the course of the season key fixtures include:

The Colts league and tournaments are operated by the Colts Association, which is a constituent member of the HKRFU, and represents any Club that enters boys [or girls] teams in the U14, U16 and U19 Colts leagues. The current Clubs comprising the members of the Colts Association are listed in "Colts Clubs" in this web page.

There are also opportunities for players to represent Hong Kong as a national representative squad, or to represent sub-parts of Hong Kong (e.g. Island or Peninsula Select teams)

For more details on Colts Rugby and the Colts Association, please refer to the Colt's Association Handbook.

Youth Rugby Laws

Youth rugby XV and Sevens rugby in Hong Kong follow the iRB laws variations for youth rugby, which can be found at www.irb.com in both English and Chinese.

Local HK variations include:

Squeeze Ball - Law 14 and 15

No player involved in a match at any age level from under 19 downwards shall use in training or in a match the technique known or referred to as Squeeze ball.

Note: ''Squeeze ball'' is a technique where the ball carrier goes to ground, head forward (touching or close to the ground), irrespective of immediate contact with opponents) usually keeping parallel to the touchline, holding and protecting the ball close to the chest and, when on the ground, pushes the ball back between the legs.

Sanction: Penalty Kick

Match length

Match length in Youth XV rugby shall be

U14 – 25 minutes per half,

U16 – 30 minutes per half,

U19 – 35 minutes per half.

Substitutions

 Rolling substitutions are allowed

 Substitutions can only be made when the ball is dead

 Substituted players should only run on to the playing field from the half way line

 Referee's attention should be drawn to any substitution