Planning for the 2026/27 season is well underway, and over the coming weeks Northern Territory Rugby Union (NTRU) will be sharing important updates to help players, parents, coaches, officials and volunteers prepare for Round 1.
The new season kicks off with Junior Rugby on Friday 9 October, followed by Senior Rugby on Saturday 10 October, and we're looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Rugby Park.
You may have already noticed that our junior age groups are changing from odd-numbered age groups to even-numbered age groups (with the exception of Get Into Rugby). This change forms part of Rugby Australia's National Law Review, the most comprehensive review of junior rugby laws undertaken in more than a decade.
So, what is the National Law Review?
Over many years the game has experienced what could best be described as "law creep"—where individual laws have gradually been modified, interpreted differently or introduced over time. While each change may have been appropriate in isolation, the result was increasing inconsistency across competitions and jurisdictions.
The National Law Review brought together rugby experts from around Australia to develop a more consistent framework for junior rugby. The review focuses on creating a game that is safer, more enjoyable and better aligned with player development, while also providing greater consistency for players, coaches, referees and volunteers across every state and territory.
Over the coming weeks, NTRU will unpack these changes in more detail and explain what they mean for our local competitions. If you would like to learn more about the law changes and the work undertaken by Rugby Australia please visit this webpage: https://australia.rugby/participate/junior-law-review
In the meantime, here are some key updates and dates to help you plan your runway into the 2026/27 season.
Returning to even-year age groups better aligns our competitions with Rugby Australia's updated junior laws and player development pathway.
We're also introducing a new Under 8 competition to provide a smoother transition from the non-contact Get Into Rugby program into Tackle Ready and tackle rugby.
- Get into Rugby Walla - players born in 2022
- Get into Rugby Tri Time - players born in 2020 or 2021
- Mixed Under 8 - players born in 2019
- Mixed Under 10 - players born in 2017 or 2018
- Mixed Under 12 - players born in 2015 or 2016
- Boys/Girls Under 14 - players born in 2013 or 2014
- Boys/Girls Under 16 - players born in 2011 or 2012
- Boys/Girls Under 18 - players born in 2009 or 2010
Junior competitions will continue to be played on Friday evenings at Rugby Park, while Senior competitions and Under 18s will be played on Saturdays.
From Monday 21 September to Sunday 27 September 2026, NTRU, in partnership with Rugby Australia, will deliver Super Education Week NT.
This dedicated education week will provide accreditation and development opportunities for:
- Coaches
- Match Officials
- Sports Trainers
- Game Activators
- Team Managers
- Parents and Players
To improve accessibility, education hubs will be delivered from both Rugby Park and Palmerston Crocs (Moulden Oval), reducing travel requirements for participants across the Darwin and Palmerston regions.
Your club has already been provided with details. Public facing details, course schedules and registration information will be released shortly.
NTRU is currently working closely with affiliated clubs to finalise the 2026/27 player levies. Once these are confirmed, registrations will open through Rugby Xplorer, with the aim of having registrations available during August.
Players and families are encouraged to keep an eye on NTRU's website and social media channels, along with updates from their respective clubs, for registration announcements.
The countdown to rugby is officially on.
Over the coming weeks we'll continue to share updates on the National Law Review, competition information, education opportunities, registrations and key dates to ensure everyone is ready for the first whistle of the 2026/27 season.
We can't wait to welcome the Darwin rugby community back to Rugby Park for another exciting season!
