5 to 12 year olds learn to play rugby at the Kehei Youth Center, the Maui Y and at the Lahaina Field on Shaw Street
We have seen a clear need for more programs at these age levels and are working with local youth service organizations to develop those programs. Rugby Balls provided by the USA Rugby Foundation were donated to the
Maui Y in Kahului, the B&G Club in Lahaina and the Kihei Youth Center so that children can enjoy playing flag rugby in the recreational programs run by those organizations.
If you are a parent, teacher, counselor, volunteer or work with a youth program on Maui in any way and want some help introducing children to rugby click Contact Us and let us know how we can help. The HYR is now playing tackle in the Mini Rugby format for players 10, 11 and 12 years old. Mini Rugby uses a field that is narrowed and shortened and can run across the normal rugby pitch and 7 players per side. There are extensive rule modifications to provide safety for players of this age and as witnessed by the recent HYR State Championships this version of the sport is catching on quickly. The full rules can be found on the HYR website.
We have volunteers teaching rugby to youngsters age 5 to 12 two days a week at the Kihei Youth Center during the off season, 2 days a week at the Maui Y in the summer, and before practices in Lahaina for the teen players.
In Lahaina we have 15 rostered players who regularly participated in our U15 flag Spartans rugby programs and another 22 rostered players under age 12 who regularly particpated in our flag rugby programs. In Kahului 8 players U15 and under signed the Dragons roster of regualr participants. In Kihei the Titans have 12 rostered players under age 12 and most recently we supplied a ball to a family with two young players from Pukalani who plan on starting a team there named the Vikings. Many more youngsters gave rugby a try at one of our fun days when no roster was circulated. Fun Days were held at the Maui Community Y in Kahului and at the Shaw Street Field in Lahaina.
U-15 Boys U-12 Youth
Amanaki Vakalahi John Lotulelei Poini Kafoa Peni Taufa
Sam Filiai Pila Palu Asi Fatongia Jake Miyake
Misi Filikitonga Peau Finau Fasi Vakalahi Uki'i Hele Blando
Feleti Taufa Rayce Sickinger Michael Niu Kava Savou
Duke Waring Norman Vakauta Kava Savou Antonio Savou
Sione Mahe Sioeli Malafu Taylor Fonohema Stivi Savou
Christian Tongatailoa Issi Finau Etoki Vakalahi Sione Filikitonga
Scott Medeiros Alec Halaifonva Christian Niu Clayton Wise
Miafu Latu Tou Niu Reylana
Folau Tauese Austin Arakawa PK Kahe
Malakai Olevao Taneil Faleta Corey Frazer
Pele Toa Talia Filikitonga Ericson Shull
Sione Savou Danny Sulangakahalalii Zacharia Kealoha
Loupua Hafoka Chris Sulangakahalalii Fiemea Hafoka
Toni Filikitonga Gavyn Lusk-Elam Pouono Hafoka
Hanalei Alapai Kamaile Ray
Ben Ned Roxy Duart
Landon Nelson
We have volunteers who have offered flag rugby fun days to youngsters from ages 5 to 15 in Lahaina, Kahului and Kihei and are planning to make these sessions more regular and directed toward the creation of U8, U10, U12 and U15 programs to introduce rugby to children in the progression recommended by the International Rugby Board. That progression starts with Flag Rugby, moves to Mini Rugby, then Modi Rugby, then to the variations for U17 and U19.
Our Rugby Fun days at the Y and the KYC have been extremely enjoyable sessions with camp counselors joining in the fun being had by some of the youngest rugby enthusiasts we have ever encountered.
We have offered to do the same at the Boys & Girls Clubs on Maui, an offer we hope will be accepted in 2009.