Under 6s players to be banned from tackling in junior rugby league

The NSWRL will ban tackling in infant footy games for six weeks to improve safety and boost participation numbers for their youngest players. 

Parents of under 6s players in the junior rugby league districts last week received word their children would be playing tag for the first month-and-a-half of the season. 

Under a new model, youngsters will learn correct tackle technique for the first half of the season before using their new skills in matches from June 1.

The governing body anticipates the new measure will reassure parents their children are safe to play rugby league at five-years-old, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Children across Sydney will wear velcroed tags around their waist which when pulled off by their opponents will indicate they have been 'tackled'. 

NSW is the last state to adopt the Rugby League Ready model recommended in framework drafted by Panthers coach Ivan Cleary and other contributors to the NRL. 

The plan debuted in southeast Queensland in 2019 before being extended across the entire state after the changes saw a notable rise in player numbers.  

The change of heart has been criticised by the Penrith District Junior Rugby League, who will meet with the NSWRL on Monday to discuss the move.  

Penrith officials are concerned about the practicality of enforcing the model with 60 teams already registered in the under 5s and under 6s competition. 

Panthers Juniors general manager Nathan Mairleitner told Nine newspapers it was frustrating the decision had come so late in the preseason. 

He said a meeting was held with all 10 Sydney metro districts in November last year but no decision had been made before the announcement last week.  

NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden said it had been a