Youth rugby in Wageningen and Ede
Rugby is a real sport
for young children
Young children enjoy rough-and-tumble play, and rugby offers more than enough space for that. All youth teams are mixed, and girls can also channel all their energy on the field. Rugby is one of the fastest-growing sports in the Netherlands, and Rugby Club Wageningen has a large and lively youth section. Sinds 2021 worden ook in Ede (de Hoekelumse Eng) trainingen aangeboden voor de jongste spelers (tot 12 jaar, zie onder).
Want to know more?
Sign up for a trial training session (insert link) or feel free to walk into the clubhouse at de Zoom in Wageningen on training evenings, or come and watch a training session in Ede!
When can a child start playing rugby?
You can start playing rugby with us from the age of 4. At that stage, no matches are played yet. Play and enjoyment are the most important elements for young children.
Children train and play in different age categories; see the training schedule for days and times.
Training times & location
| Wageningen | Ede | |
| Guppen <6 years |
Saturday 10:00-11:00 AM | Wednesday 6:00-7:00 PM |
| Turven < 8 years |
Tuesday 5:15-6:15 PM
|
Wednesday 6:00-7:00 PM |
| Benjamins <10 years |
Tuesday 5:15-6:15 PM | Wednesday 6:00-7:00 PM |
| Friday 6:30-7:30 PM | ||
| Minis < 12 Years |
Tuesday 5:15-6:15 PM | Wednesday 6:00-7:00 PM |
| Thursday 5:15-6:15 PM | ||
| Cubs < 14 years |
Tuesday 6:30-7:45 PM | |
| Thursday 6:30-7:45 PM | ||
| Juniors < 16 years |
Tuesday 6:30-7:45 PM | |
| Thursday 6:30-7:45 PM | ||
| Colts < 18 years |
Tuesday 6:30-7:45 PM | |
| Thursday 6:30-7:45 PM |
Wageningen |
Ede |
|
Guppen |
Saturday 10:00-11:00 AM |
Wednesday 6:00-7:00 PM |
Turven |
Tuesday 5:15-6:15 PM |
Wednesday 6:00-7:00 PM |
Benjamins |
Tuesday 5:15-6:15 PM |
Wednesday 6:00-7:00 PM |
Friday 6:30-7:30 PM |
||
Minis |
Tuesday 5:15-6:15 PM |
Wednesday 6:00-7:00 PM |
Thursday 5:15-6:15 PM |
||
Cubs |
Tuesday 6:30-7:45 PM |
|
Thursday 6:30-7:45 PM |
||
Juniors |
Tuesday 6:30-7:45 PM |
|
Thursday 6:30-7:45 PM |
||
Colts |
Tuesday 6:30-7:45 PM |
|
Thursday 6:30-7:45 PM |
Guppen
(4 & 5 years)
Our Guppen are the youngest rugby players at Rugby Club Wageningen. Under the guidance of one of our coaches, they get to know the ‘funny-shaped’ ball and team sports, but above all, it’s about having fun! We play fun tag-style games like ‘Dutch Lions’, or we try to steal each other’s ‘dragon eggs’
Turven
(6 and 7 years)
From the Turven level, children learn to play together in a team. They play “tag rugby,” a variation of full-contact rugby where the goal is to pull one of the tags off the opponent who has the ball, forcing them to pass it. If you get both tags, your team has won the ball and you can go on the attack. Real physical contact is avoided as much as possible with this form of play. Of course, we also continue to develop ball skills. Additionally, we now play friendly matches against teams in our region on Saturday mornings.
Benjamins
(8 and 9 years)
Most Benjamins have gained a lot of rugby skills and match experience with the Turven and sometimes even the Guppen. During training, these skills are further refined. Compared to the non-contact play of the Turven, Benjamins no longer wear tags but are allowed to start tackling. New game elements are also added, such as the 3-person “uncontested” scrum. On Saturdays, they often play matches against other teams in the Gelre region.
Minis
(10 & 11 years)
The older you get, the more people you have on your team and the larger the pitch becomes during matches. At the Mini level, you’ll start training more specifically for your role on the field. Are you a pusher (forward), a runner (back), or more of a playmaker? You also practice rugby techniques like rucks and mauls to keep possession of the ball within the team.
The Minis train on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in Wageningen, and on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in Ede. On Saturdays, they often play matches against other teams in the Gelre region.
Cubs
(12 and 13 years)
From the Cubs level, you play on a full field with 15 players per team. Game tactics, teamwork as a single unit, and physical development are paramount during training and matches. Game tactics and team play ensure that players start using the entire field. After all, one player cannot defend the whole field or score a try all by themselves. They really have to do it together now.
Physical development mainly focuses on fitness, as the field is now twice as large as it was for the minis. Physical growth spurts begin within this age category, which also teaches them a lot mentally. They sometimes play against ‘bigger’ players. As a Cub, you’ll discover which position on the field suits you best and you can start to specialize. The Cubs play league matches on Saturdays in the national competition.
Juniors
(14 and 15 years)
Juniors are 14 and 15 years old when the season starts. In this age category, they play on a full field and get introduced to the physical side of rugby. As a result, the focus shifts more toward building strength, rules of the game, and insight.
Building strength can be worked on from this age because the body begins to grow more slowly. Of course, it hasn’t stopped yet, which is why training is done only with body weight (so no weights). This is better for the muscles and the further course of growth.
Because the field is familiar, the rules of the game can be looked at (even more). This helps to develop more insight on the field; players get a better picture of how rugby works and learn to anticipate the opponent. In your team, you get a fixed position with the tasks that go with it. You also learn techniques for rucks, mauls, and rugby tactics.
A player from the adults’ teams will regularly watch you to give you tips and tricks on how to improve your game. The Juniors play league matches on Saturdays in the national union competition.
Colts
(16 & 17 years)
The Colts (U18) are 16 and 17 years old at the start of the season and form the oldest youth category playing rugby in a regular competition. Girls can choose the mixed youth competition or join a senior women’s team.
At the Colts level, rugby is played in all its facets on a full-sized pitch. Tactics, positions, rules, and teamwork are covered in depth. Many players already have years of experience, but new players also join every year and—with the help of experienced teammates—pick up the game quickly. During training and matches, the emphasis is on speed, strength, cooperation, and quick decision-making. It’s okay to make mistakes, as long as the team learns from them and continues to improve.
Currently, we form a Colts team together with one or more clubs from the Gelre region for the national union competition on Saturdays. Our goal is to have a full Wageningen Colts team again in the coming years.
The
Liberation Tournament
The city of Wageningen is inextricably linked with freedom. Traditionally, the Liberation Fire is lit in front of the historic Hotel de Wereld during the night of May 4 to 5.
To bring the uniqueness of this freedom—which may have become self-evident for young people—to their attention in a light-hearted way, we organize the annual Liberation Tournament.
Just want to give it a try?
Sign up now for a trial training session,
and we’ll see you on the field!
News
2025/2026
Shirt Sponsors
Youth 2026
