U8 Co-ed Flag Rugby
Who Can Play?
Our U8 team is open to boys and girls who are 6 or 7 years old as of September 1 before the season starts. No prior experience is needed—just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn!
Game Format
- 7 players per side
- Flag rugby (non-contact)
- Coed teams
- Simplified rules for easy learning
Why U8 Flag Rugby?
- Introduces basic rugby concepts in a safe, fun environment
- Develops fundamental movement skills
- Encourages teamwork and fair play
- Builds confidence and sports enthusiasm
- Prepares kids for tackle rugby in later years
Practice and Game Schedule
- Practices: Monday and Wednesday evenings (See our calendar for details)
- Season begins: Practices start in November
- Games: Occasional Saturdays, running January through March (depending on the availability of other U8 teams)
- Game locations: Primarily in the Bay Area, with trips to Sacramento and Central for tournaments.
- Free Practice: Come out for a free practice or two!
Skill Development
Our wonderful coaches focus on:
- Basic ball-handling skills (passing, catching, running with the ball)
- Simple game strategies
- Agility and coordination exercises
- Understanding of basic rugby rules
- Teamwork and communication skills
Learning Through Play
At this age, our primary goal is to make rugby fun! We use games and activities that build rugby skills while ensuring children enjoy themselves and want to come back week after week.
Parent Involvement
We encourage parents to get involved! Whether it’s helping at practice, cheering from the sidelines, or learning about rugby alongside your child, your support is vital to your young player’s enjoyment and development.
Progression Pathway
U8 flag rugby is the first step in a player’s rugby journey. As children grow and develop, they can move through our age-grade programs—eventually advancing to tackle rugby and possibly continuing at the high school, college, or professional levels!
Join the Rugby Family!
Give your child a head start in sports with U8 Flag Rugby at Santa Rosa Youth Rugby. It’s a fantastic way to stay active, make friends, and begin a lifelong love of this amazing game.
Meet The Coaches
Tom Hammond
I grew up with family members playing rugby. I started developing my love of the game
when I was 9, playing for the London Scottish when we lived in England for a year.
Returning stateside there was no rugby until high school where, through family rugby
contacts, I found Coach Allen Petty and Lobo Rugby. Being a Lobo taught me so much
about the game and how to be a great human in the world. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
was my next rugby team. I started to officially coach in my fourth year, with Nic
Massman, and took a couple victory laps and continued to coach. Nic lead our coaching
philosophy following the New Zealand method mixed with a bit of Central coast flair and
England rugby. Upon graduation I played for the Santa Rosa Men’s club and was an
assistant coach for the Lobos for a year. I got to play competitively for 11 seasons and
loved every minute of it. My two boys wanting to play got me back into rugby.
I’m a certified Level 1 Rugby Coach. My coaching philosophy follows my personal
mission to have fun and be a producer in my community. My goal is to help youth
players learn the game, have fun and develop themselves into better beings. I follow a
player centric, games-based approach, emphasizing player input and decision making,
teaching skills through games to foster adaptation, proficiency and joy.
Ben Jikoiono
Born and raised in the Fiji Islands, I grew up in a community where rugby was more than just a sport — it was a way of life. I began playing competitive rugby from U10s through U18s before moving to New Zealand to complete my senior high school years at Wesley College in South Auckland.
After immigrating to the United States, I joined the military and continued to stay connected to the game, representing various rugby clubs at different duty stations over a span of 15 years in 4 different States. I hung my rugby boots two years ago after proudly playing for the Clarksville Senior Men’s Club in Tennessee.
Today, as a USA Rugby Level 1 Certified Coach, I’m passionate about developing the next generation of players. I coached the U8s last year, and this season, three of my own kids are learning to play the game I love.
I believe rugby is one of the best teachers of life skills — leadership, communication, teamwork, resilience, respect, culture, and humility. My hope is that one day, kids across America can walk into any park, pick up a rugby ball to play with other kids, and fall in love with the game just as I did growing up in the Islands.
Ken
Bio Coming Soon!