Ask any minis coach what keeps a group of six-year-olds focused on a cold Sunday morning and you'll hear the same answer: a ball they actually want to pick up. That's exactly why the Cartoon Rugby Ball has become one of the most popular items in our rugby range. It's a hard-wearing junior training ball with bright, illustrated designs, and it's used everywhere from school PE lessons and club training to back gardens and the street outside.
Whether you're a coach kitting out a minis section, a teacher stocking the PE cupboard or a parent looking for a first rugby ball, here's what you need to know.
Key Features
The Cartoon Rugby Ball is a 2-ply training ball built to take the knocks of regular school and club sessions. Here's what stands out from the listing:
- Fun, illustrated designs: six cartoon graphics – Rainbow, Dino, Monkey, Stinger, Shark and Space Monsters – to keep young players excited while they learn the basics.
- Street designs for hard surfaces: Street Yellow, Street Orange and Street Pink use a tougher construction made for concrete, tarmac and rough surfaces, so no grass doesn't mean no game.
- Durable 2-ply build: designed to withstand the heavy use of daily school and club rugby.
- Top-grade rubber outer: long-lasting and resistant to everyday wear and tear.
- Dimpled super grip: a tacky, dimpled surface for secure handling in wet, cold or muddy conditions – very handy in a British winter.
- Delivered deflated: balls arrive deflated for safe transit. You can add a pump at checkout on Sizes 3, 4 and 5, or use any standard sports pump.
Where It Gets Used
- Minis and juniors club training: a ball per player (or per pair) means more touches and less queuing. The bright designs also make it easy to split groups – "Dinos over here, Sharks over there".
- School PE lessons: durable enough for repeated class use and friendly enough for children who are new to rugby.
- Playground and street play: the Street designs are made for tarmac and concrete, ideal for school yards, car parks and courts.
- Garden and park games: a great first ball for younger children to throw, catch and chase around at home.
- Holiday camps: fun designs help hold attention across a long day of activities, while the grip helps when the weather turns.
Skills It Helps You Learn
This is where a good training ball earns its keep. Here are five core skills to work on, each with one simple drill you can run with just a few balls and some cones.
1. Catching and hand-eye coordination
Every rugby skill starts with a confident catch. Encourage players to show "hands up, fingers spread" as a target before the ball arrives.
Drill – Pop and catch: players stand alone, pop the ball a little above head height and catch it with both hands. Progress to a clap before the catch, then two claps. Score how many clean catches they make in 30 seconds.
2. Passing
Young players learn to pass by swinging the ball across the body from hip to target, following through with the hands pointing where they want the ball to go.
Drill – Pairs passing gate: partners stand three metres apart either side of two cones. Each pass must go through the "gate" between the cones. After ten good passes, step back a metre.
3. Ball carrying and security
Holding the ball in two hands keeps passing options open; tucking it away protects it in contact. Both are worth practising.
Drill – Tail tag carry: in a coned square, players run carrying the ball in two hands while a couple of "taggers" try to touch the ball. If the ball is touched, the carrier swaps roles with the tagger.
4. Footwork and evasion
Side-steps and changes of pace help young players beat defenders and build agility.
Drill – Cone dodge: set out a zig-zag line of cones about two metres apart. Players carry the ball through, stepping off one foot at each cone. Time each run and challenge them to beat their best.
5. Teamwork and communication
Rugby is a team game from the very first session. Calling for the ball, supporting the carrier and passing to a teammate in space all start here.
Drill – Three-player support line: groups of three jog down a channel in a line, passing to the player calling loudest for the ball. The ball must reach the end without dropping. Add a defender once they're confident.
Choosing the Right Option
The Cartoon Rugby Ball comes in a few options, so it's worth a quick check before you order:
- Size: available in Midi, Size 3, Size 4 and Size 5. The Midi is the smallest – great for little hands, garden play and handling practice. Sizes 3, 4 and 5 suit training across the junior age grades up to adults, so check your club or league's age-grade guidance on the right ball size for your players.
- Design: choose a cartoon design (Rainbow, Dino, Monkey, Stinger, Shark or Space Monsters) for training on grass, or a Street design (Street Yellow, Street Orange or Street Pink) if you'll mostly be playing on concrete or tarmac.
- Pump: on Sizes 3, 4 and 5 you can select "Pump Required" at checkout. If you already own a standard sports pump, choose "No Pump Required".
Coaches buying for a whole group often mix designs, which makes it easy to organise players into teams and stations.
Get the Ball Rolling
If you want a fun, tough and grippy ball that keeps young players engaged from their first pass, the Cartoon Rugby Ball is a brilliant place to start. Have a look at the full range of designs and sizes on the Cartoon Rugby Ball product page, or browse our wider rugby balls collection for match and bulk training options for your club or school.
