The answer lives in this podcast
What does a typical Rugby Tots session look like and how is it structured?
Every Rugby Tots session follows the same five-part spine: a starting activity, a catch and pass game, a movement skill (such as an obstacle course or relay), a kicking activity, and a finishing game. The specific game within each slot changes week by week, but the structure stays constant — and sessions run on a two-week cycle so children can see an activity one week and excel at it the next.
A spine that never changes — only the games inside it do
The five sections are non-negotiable. As Tom Brown explains it in The Toddle About Show, the spine gives children something reliable to hold onto: they know what is coming next, even if the exact game is a surprise. That dual structure — predictability of format, novelty of content — is a deliberate design choice.
The two-week plan reinforces this. Seeing an activity for the first time in week one means children arrive in week two with familiarity. That familiarity is what creates the confidence to perform. Brown describes this as children learning "subconsciously" — they absorb structure without being taught it explicitly.
Movement literacy sits at the heart of the curriculum. The obstacle course and relay section in particular targets land-based physical skills — balance, coordination, spatial awareness — all packaged inside a format that feels like play rather than exercise. This is a point Brown develops further in this episode.
Parents as part of the session, not just observers on the sideline
One distinctive element of the Rugby Tots format is that grown-ups are actively encouraged to take part. Brown is explicit about this in The Toddle About Show: the goal is for parents and carers to be part of the fun, right up until the child is ready to step into independence and work directly with coaches and peers.
This isn't incidental — it's built into the session design. The format creates natural moments of shared play between adult and child, which Brown sees as central to what early-years activity should deliver for families.
"We want to build confidence in young children, we want to give opportunity for those lightbulb moments, we want to work on movement literacy to really develop a really supportive platform that children can grow in without really knowing what they're developing."
Tom Brown — Franchisee, Rugby Tots (South Bucks & East Orsa)
Tom Brown runs Rugby Tots sessions across the South Bucks and East Orsa areas, managing a team of coaches he recruits from local universities and schools. He is a father himself, which directly shapes his understanding of what young families need from an early-years activity programme. His franchise offers free taster classes, a two-week money-back guarantee, and a stackable 10% refer-a-friend discount — details he outlined in full in this episode of The Toddle About Show.
See also
What hidden hot-weather hazards should parents be aware of beyond direct sun exposure?
Water left in a garden hose pipe that has been sitting in the sun can become dangerously hot — hot enough to scald — and should always be run off before use. Parents are advised to look beyond direct sun exposure when assessing heat risk for young children.
What extra precautions should pregnant or breastfeeding women take during a heatwave?
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to prioritise hydration above all else, as they require more water than usual even outside of hot weather. All standard heatwave guidance applies with added urgency for this group.
What free or low-cost activities can families with young children do to escape the heat during a heatwave?
Walking around a supermarket with air conditioning is highlighted as a free activity that is particularly popular with parents and young children, offering a cool environment at no cost during a heatwave.
Key takeaways
- Every Rugby Tots session follows the same five-part spine — starting activity, catch and pass, movement skill, kicking, and a finishing game — regardless of which specific games fill each slot.
- A two-week rotating plan lets children encounter an activity once, then return the following week with enough familiarity to genuinely excel at it.
- The format is designed to build structure subconsciously: children learn the rhythm of a session without being explicitly taught it.
- Parents and carers are woven into the session by design, not as passive observers — participation is actively encouraged until the child is ready to step toward independence.
Hear Tom Brown describe the full Rugby Tots session format — and what it means for early childhood development — directly in the episode.
Listen to the episode on Listenly