We are back:)Welcome to Ottawa Junior Flag Rugby
2024 Season
A Game Centered Approach to Improving Rugby Skills
About OJFR
At OJFR, our goal is to help youth develop their rugby skills in the most time effective ways possible. This is best accomplished through a fun, game-centered, constraints-based and empowered approach. This is a NON-CLUB affiliated venture offered to all Ottawa/Hull youth (boys and girls) ages 11-14 and 15-18. We are running 2 separate mixed leagues each Saturday beginning in January. Come and play the world's greatest game!
Information/Registration
This year, we are running 8 straight weeks of intense games beginning on Saturday, January 6th and running until February 24th at the Algonquin Dome. The games and subs are player-led with referee assistance. The rules place an emphasis on decision-making, tactical kicking and open field skills.
Total cost is $100 (+HST ) (Senior Group, 14 and over)
$100 (HST exempt) (Junior Group Under 14)
(14 year olds can play in either group. Please reach out to mcdonaldaar@gmail.com for questions)
Schedule
2024 Schedule:
For all nights:
D.O.B.: 2006-2009 5pm to 5:50pm
D.O.B. 2010-2013 6:00 to 6:50pm
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Sat., Jan. 6th (Round Robin)
Sat., Jan 13th (Round Robin)
Sat., Jan. 20th (Round Robin)
Sat., Jan 27th (Round Robin)
Sat., Feb 3rd (Round Robin)
Sat., Feb 10th (Round Robin)
Sat., Feb 17th (Playoffs)
Sat., Feb 24th (Playoffs)
NO Guest Speakers
NO 1v1 Tournament
Ottawa Junior Flag Rugby Rules
Once we begin our flag rugby tournament, these are the rules we'll be using.
The rules at OJFR are always evolving as we fine-tune the best rules to allow the kids to explore the game, be creative and most of all have fun!
10 Basic Rules are as follows:
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Each team will have a max. of 10 players with any 5-6 on the field (# TBD)
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Unlimited substitution. Referees will help with this.
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Each player will be given a flag belt with flags the same colour.
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5 flag pulls = change of possession
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On a flag pull, 3 sec/3 steps to pass or there is a penalty and possession change
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Kicking is permitted only after the 2nd flag pull.
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Kicks must be below referee's shoulder height.
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On restarts, sometimes you can gain possession.
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Tries are worth 1 point, some are worth 2.
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Please download the rest of the rules below so you are well prepared for your 1st game!
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Location
All training and games will take place at the Algonquin Dome which is located at the Algonquin College on 1385 Woodroffe Ave in Nepean.
FAQs
Why should I play flag rugby? Isn't flag rugby for minors?
I get this question a lot, and we need a change in perspective around this in order to improve as players. In Canada, particularly in Ottawa, we get about 6 months of outdoor rugby and of that time, so much is focussed on contact and safety. We just don't get enough time to run, and create and kick. In New Zealand, in the off-season, players play "Rip Rugby", which is a version of flag. Here, they work on evasion, kicks and speed, all in a competitive format. Our goal at OJFR is to not only create something fun, but to also create some of the best attacking juniors in the province if not the country.
Take a look at this video to see Rip Rugby played in New Zealand.
What is constraints-based, empowerment and games-based coaching you keep referring to?
Great question! In the past 15 years, there have been many studies detailing the best environments for kids to learn new skills. When we prescribe drills that have clean solutions, no opposition or predictable outcomes, kids are not learning in the best environment. However, if we can create a dynamic learning environment where kids are at the centre leading, choosing, moving, trying, failing, solving, trying again, in a messy, open-ended, opposition involved environment, then kids are really learning in the best environment possible. Regular games force players to make decisions. Over time, players improve. By the time the summer hits, you have yourself a player who knows the game and is ready for contact. This is empowerment and a games based approach.
Why are you using the rules you are for your league?
Another great question! When the vision for a Non-club affiliated flag rugby league for youth in Ottawa in the winter months was developing, one area that I wanted to be sure to get right were the rules. We went so far as to contact provincial and national team coaches and asked them a simple question. Based on the profiles of your athletes, if you could go back and address areas of weakness in your athletes, what would they be? Overwhelmingly, the answers were attacking skills, creativity and kicking.
After that, we took a look at some of the rules for flag rugby played around the world (England, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia) and came up with a hybrid of the rules we feel addresses the needs the coaches indicated earlier and were also played in some form so we could emulate their best practices. What's been created fits the bill, but also know there will likely be revisions over time.
Do I need any experience?
You don't need any experience to join. Like any sport, there will likely be a learning curve, however unlike most sports, once you experience the thrill of rugby, you'll never go back:) Read the rules, ask questions, talk with your teammates, watch it on the field or on TV and you'll pick it up in no time.
We have separate leagues for 15-18 year olds and 11 to 14 year olds.
How are you making teams?
Based on the information you provide on the google form, 6-8 equal mixed (boys and girls) teams will be made. There may be some shuffling afterwards however. Team lists with player names will be posted on the website and e-mailed to parents.
Wait a second, the league is mixed?
YES! This is the only rugby league in the province where the competition is mixed (boys and girls play together). This approach makes for fun rugby, both on and off the field. It brings high school athletes and club athletes closer together in the sport.
What do I need to bring? Where do I go?
Running shoes are fine (we're on turf). Cleats are unnecessary, but turf shoes are fine. A water bottle is a good idea as well. We have the full indoor dome at Algonquin. Parents are welcome to stay and watch. Once the tournament starts, a nightly schedule will be written on a white board, but it is always a good idea to know when you play before arriving.
Why is it non-club affiliated? Where can I learn more about joining a club?
Another aspect we wanted to be sure of is that it was offered to everyone. In the summer months, you can play with your club, learn the game and have a great time there. But during the winter months, this league is a chance to mix players up, make new friends, compete against teammates and overall have a great time. We want to support all players from all clubs as we develop their skills.
If you do not happen to have a club, we provide information in the registration process on how to join a club. You can choose the club that is likely the closest to you.
I'm a high school coach. Can I ask the players I coach to sign up?
Absolutely! Last year, we had several high school coaches register their teams toget a "heads up" on their spring seasons. If you are a high school or middle school coach and you want a leg up on your spring season, I would absolutely encourage this. We can guarantee all your players will be on the same team.
What's the cost? What am I paying for?
Costs are around $100 for 8 weeks! We make no profit here. All you will be paying for is a portion of the dome rental as well as insurance. This is not at all a money-making venture. This venture is purely to fill a void we see in rugby programming for young players.
Special Thanks
The dream of a flag rugby league for youth in Ottawa during the winter would never have come to fruition without the help of many in the local rugby community.
Special thanks to:
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To Rugby Canada's Rugby Development Manager Ryan Jones who supported the initiative of OJFR from day 1.
To the many clubs in Ottawa who continue to support this endeavour by encouraging their young members to participate including.
To the many individuals (too many to count) who have offered their assistance and continue to promote the greatest game on earth:)
Thank you!
About Me
My name is Aaron McDonald and I am a NCCP level 3 rugby coach residing in Carp, Ontario. I have been coaching rugby since 1990 when a knee injury opened the door to participating in the game in a different way. Since then, I have coached from the high school up to the national level.
During a 4 year hiatus from coaching beginning in 2012, I read about and saw the benefits of an empowerment and constraints-based approach when coaching young athletes. Since 2016, I have adopted these approaches and been impressed at the outcomes. My goal as a coach is to continue to help develop young athletes in the sport of rugby, across all clubs, through the use of games, problem solving and challenging situations.
Currently, I am coaching a U-18 team at the club level and undertaking my World Rugby Level III.