We train weekly through the season from the start of September to mid April, with breaks for Christmas etc, at pitches at Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes. The Minis age groups (U5 to U11) train on Saturday mornings, usually 9:30am-11am, at Barnes Elms Sports Trust (BEST fields), SW!3 9SA, which is opposite the BRFC clubhouse and entrance to the London Wetlands Centre. Juniors and Colts train on Sunday mornings, normally at Barn Elms Sports Centre pitches, which are further along QE Walk, SW13 0DG. Training times may vary slightly by age group and are shown on the 360player app calendars, and junior groups will have away matches some days, so check details before coming along.
From Under 5s to Under 18s (older players please see the club’s adult section – we run an u23 mens team). Girls rugby is presently U5 to U16, as we build-up the Girls section.
This works on academic years, so, for example, the under 6 group is for players in School Year 1, who will be 6 between 1 September to 31 August of that academic and rugby year.
From the Under 9 age group. Below that, they play Tag rugby. Tackling is introduced and coached at Under 9 and other parts of the game like rucks, scrums and lineouts progressively thereafter, in accordance with the RFU age grade progression.
As much as you like – volunteer coaches and helpers always wanted, as are supporters! But we do require all players up to and including Under 11s to be accompanied at training and festivals by a responsible adult, either parent / carer or another child’s parent who has agreed to provide care and supervision if needed, and who will remain on the training / festival site. Under 12s and above maybe be unaccompanied and will be permitted to leave training on their own.
Yes, we have a very successful and growing girls rugby section; in season 2025/26 our Barnes under 14s were overall Surrey champions. We will have a Girls U16 squad in season 2026/27, as well as all younger age groups. Girls play in mixed rugby squads up to Under 8, but now play in Girls squads from u10 upwards, which has been found to be the right age for separate teams. Please speak to our girls rugby coordinator if you would like further details.
See [Registrations & Joining]. Download the 360player app from an app store, and enter Group Code B8B9J9 to join us; you will see the link to the registration form on the home page of the app, or we will send it to you once you have joined Barnes on 360player.
Yes, we offer a free 3 session tryout to new youth members at all ages. See [How to Join]. After that, we will ask you to join up or, if it’s not the right time for your child to join, delete them from the squad.
To start with, players Under 9 and above need rugby boots (no sharp edge studs, blades or astro boots please; proper rugby boots preferred), a mouthguard and water bottle. Under 7-9 should also have boots, but U5 and 6 may play in trainers.
Once they start to play matches, Barnes rugby kit comprises shirt, shorts and socks. Players may also benefit from a hat and a windbreaker / jacket and tracksuit trousers.
Players should not be playing in kit with cords or metal zips, or wearing jewellery etc.
Minis players may play in fingerless sports gloves.
We run a kit shop at minis rugby training on most Saturday mornings, 9:30am-11am. We will run occasional kit shops at juniors rugby on Sunday and some kit is available to purchase at the clubhouse. Most (but not all) is also available to purchase direct from the main supplier at https://www.oneills.com/uk_en/shop-by-team/rugby
For Under 9s and above, basically yes, unless there is a medical reason not to and you have agreed this with the age group head coach. While some don’t like this, it is practically difficult for our coaches to police who has a permission from parents to play without one, and we think they are a good idea!
A headguard is a personal decision. Older players, especially among the forwards, often wear them. They help prevent minor scrapes and cuts, but generally not concussions. But be a little careful that your child does not suddenly think they are invulnerable and play differently merely through wearing a headguard!
Yes, please talk either with the respective age group manager, head coach or our safeguarding officer. We can generally still provide rugby for them.
Yes, we have a financial assistance scheme to help with subs and/or potentially playing kit and end of season tour fees as well in certain cases, to ensure access to rugby for all, regardless of family financial circumstances. Each year we help a number of players across the age groups. If relevant, please enquire at membership@barnesyouthrugby.org or speak with your age group squad manager, as you prefer, and we will try to help. All applications will be handled discreetly.
Membership subs include all playing and match fees, including festival/competition entries, and club resources. For U9+ players, the Club provides access to the Return2Play free concussion management consultations and guidance if required. Free post match food for players is provided some weeks, in the clubhouse. Membership includes social membership for parents, including free access to watch Barnes 1stXV matches for the player plus one parent per child member.
Both the BEST and Barn Elms sites have free parking available for participants. It can get busy at both sites, but normally spaces are available for all. Other possibilities are the Wetlands centre for members and streets in Barnes, but watch for parking restrictions especially Saturday mornings and Sundays as well on some central Barnes roads
A substantial number of our volunteer youth coaches hold rugby coaching qualifications, and /or first aid and refereeing awards, as well as compulsory concussion awareness training for all. They are supported by coaching coordinators and development sessions with professional club coaches. All coaches hold enhanced DBS checks.
Yes, apart from Under 5s and 6s. There are many matches, starting with local festivals from under 7s up and then participation in Surrey leagues, “Waterfall” and Quins cup competitions from U12 to Colts. Our teams generally compete well, often in the top tier of each age group in Surrey. Many of our age groups field multiple teams on match Sundays, so there are match opportunities for all.
Our club safeguarding officer, Michelle Morton, is at safeguarding@barnesyouthrugby.org and will deal with any issues sensitively.
Very much so. Tours are a key part of building team spirit and enduring friendships. Our minis tour, for U7-U10s, typically takes over 250 players and families for a weekend rugby festival, in recent years to Norfolk, the Isle of Wight and Somerset. Our U11s always tour to Laon in the Aisne region of NE France, to celebrate their passage to juniors rugby, playing with our long-time friends from Rugby Club de Laon , with battlefield tours and BBQ as well. Under 12 to Colts have toured as single age groups to destinations ranging from Cork to Arras, Bath to Italy at the end of recent seasons.
Player safety, of course, but our ethos is about enjoyment and participation; the key test is that players want to come back and play rugby with their mates next week, and next season. We want them to enjoy their rugby, and them and their families to feel part of the One Club, and build Friendships for Life.
