Modified Rugby Program (MRP) Rules, Modifications and Divisions

Rules

Since the inception of the MRP in 2014, the MRP has been recognised as an offical division of Rugby Australia.

This also means the rules (or laws, as they are called in rugby) and modifications to the game of rugby that is played by the MRP have been approved by Rugby Australia.

The laws of rugby are upheld and implemented by all the MRP Coaches across the 4 divisions. In each division, the rules are enforced differently to ensure that all MRP Players (neurodiverse young people) experience fun and success.

Modifications

The modifications in GingerCloud's MRP has been specifically developed to consider and include:

- The 5 senses - sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell

- Attention

- Communication

- Social skills

- Proprioceptive and vestibular development

These modifications were developed by GingerCloud Foundation and the support of an allied health team. These modifications are personcentric and are continually being developed and improved by the multidiscplinary allied health team and GingerCloud Foundation.

Divisions

The MRP has five divisions that ensure MRP Players are able to experience fun and success, they are Juniors, Colts, 7’s and 7’s+ including a NEW ‘Premier 7’s’ grade especially for MRP Players who thrive with less support from PlayerMentors (Volunteers). If you would like to learn more about what the best division is for your MRP Player email gcsupport@gingercloud.org.

When a new MRP Player joins the program they will be automatically assigned to a Junior or Colts team based on their age. From here they will be assessed by one of Allied Health team and GingerCloud’s Operations Staff to ensure they are in the right division.

The goal is that each MRP Player explores and improves their social skills, rugby skills, and potentially progresses through the MRP's five divisions.

MRP Juniors

7-14 years old

MRP Junior is for Players aged approximately 7-14 years old. Players in this division are supported one on one by a PlayerMentor (Volunteer) and are provided significant support in their foundational rugby skills. Field sizes and playing time are reduced for MRP Junior teams.

MRP Colts

14-25 years old

MRP Colts is for Players aged 14-25 years old. Players in this division are supported one on one by a PlayerMentor (Volunteer)  and are provided significant support in their foundational rugby skills. Field sizes and playing time are reduced for MRP Colts Teams. PlayerMentors in this division are ideally senior high school students, university students or young proffesionals which provide similar aged role models.