Match Preview

An Irish Piper will open the Festival at 09.00hrs
Play will commence at 10am PROMPT, finish times vary by age group, between
2-4pm.

Registration
All teams must complete a registration form (attached at end of this info pack) showing participating players names, DoB, RFU registration number and a nominated referee. We also request that referees provide a mobile contact number on the team registration sheet.
The team/referee registration forms to be delivered to the age group control tent by 9.30am and they will be available at this point for inspection.

Referees’ Briefing
Will be held at approximately 9.30am at each Age Group Control Tent. All teams must supply referees at least 1 referee per team. We request that referees provide a mobile contact number on the team registration sheet.

Rules & Regulations of the Festival
All matches will be played under the laws of the games as laid down in the RFU
Age Grade Rugby, as per the links below;
U7: http://www.englandrugby.com/mm/Document/MyRugbyAcademy/CourseResourc e/01/31/97/16/RFURegulation15Appendix1U72016-2017_English.pdf

The Festival will be run as per Surrey / RFU guidance on the competitive framework, the U7 to U11 age groups on a round robin basis in pools, the U12’s section as a league competition. The rules for the league competition will be advised the U12’s by the control tent of that age group.

• the U7 and U8’s pools are all un-streamed
• the U9-10-11’s are A and B and Development
• the U12’s is streamed A and B.

Total duration of play during the festival will not exceed the following limits;

• U7 & U8 - 50 minutes
• U9 & U10’s - 60 minutes
• U11 & U12 - 70 minutes

The number of games played and duration of each game will be dependent upon number of teams in each pool, control tents will advise at referee’s briefing. No extra time allowed other than for injury time. All matches to be brought to a stop if the try difference becomes more than 6, eg. 6-0, 7-1 etc. Referee is responsible for keeping score in a game.

Rolling substitutions are allowed with the consent of the referee and ensuring no more than the maximum team size are on the pitch at any one time.

Gum shields are mandatory for U9-10-11-12’s, and recommended for younger age groups.

Violent conduct will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Any player sent off will not play any further part in the day’s events and should be reported to the age group control tent.
Any situation arsing not already covered by the Laws of the games or rules of the festival will be settled by the London Irish age group Head Coach and Festival Chair.
Most of all play your day with teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

Festival Duration
Under 7s and Under 8s are scheduled to finish from 13.40 and 14.20 respectively
Under 9s and Under 10s are scheduled to finish from 14.00
Under 11s is scheduled to finish at 14.00
Under 12s Final is scheduled for approx. 3pm or earlier.
All timing approximate and dependent upon injury time, etc.
Please ensure players are ready to start games promptly to allow timeframes to be adhered to, marshals will be allocated to each pitch to ensure smooth transitions between games.

Prize Giving
All participants across all age groups will receive a participation medal which will be handed to your team representative at the briefing.

The Festival will be run as per Surrey / RFU guidance, on the U7 to U11 age groups on a round robin basis in pool and so not have any play-off’s leading to a prize.

Parking *** TW16 5AQ ***
NO CAR PARKING AT HAZELWOOD LONDON IRISH RUGBY GROUND
Car Parking has been organised for all visitors at Kempton Park Race Course.
The car parking at Kempton costs £5 for car park, programme and shuttle bus return journey to Hazelwood. Money to be taken by car park marshals at the gate. Please can drivers have this ready to ease flow of traffic into the car park.
There are more shuttle buses than last year and they will run from 7:30am until 7:00pm. You are advised to arrive early to allow enough transfer time to Hazelwood. (~15mins for boarding, transit and alighting of shuttle bus, NB. 10am first match)
Tents & Kit CAN BE TAKEN ON THE SHUTTLE BUSES as there isn’t an easy drop off facility for tents at Hazelwood.
To reduce congestion it would be appreciated if people refrain from parking on local roads and this will also alleviate the negative impact on local residents.
50 Seater coach drop-off/parking/pick-up is available at Hazelwood. TW16 6QU
Please cooperate with the parking marshals as they will have a difficult job to do and remember they are volunteers.

MISCELLANEOUS

No dogs will be permitted entry to the ground.
The only exceptions to this rule are registered guide dogs.

Refreshments
A variety of retail outlets selling hot and cold food and drinks are located around
the site.

Club Bar
The club bar will be open throughout the day serving hot and cold drinks and
snacks.

Litter and Rubbish
There are plenty of wheelie bins and designated recycling bins located around the grounds. We would appreciate all visitors using them to deposit their rubbish.
In addition we will provide each team with refuse sacks. Please bag up all your rubbish and leave it at a wheelie bin or one of the Age Group Control Tents.

BBQs and Fires
Due to the obvious danger and fire risk posed, no BBQs or open fires are permitted.

Photography and Publicity
DE Photo will be providing professional sports photography for the Festival.
Please note that by entering the event you are acknowledging your image may be recorded and published. DE Photo can be via their website www.dephoto.biz

Lost Children
All visiting players and children attending the event must have a contact number on them in case of being lost. Please write or sew a name and contact number into your child’s shirt/shorts or somewhere appropriate to enable organisers to locate the family/carer if a child is lost.

Medical
Ambulances, Physios and a mobile medical unit are on hand to provide medical assistance. Should a player be injured on the field of play then the co-ordinator for that particular pitch will be on hand to ensure first aid treatment is made available. Help can also be summoned from the nearest Age Group Control Tent.

CODE OF CONDUCT – FOR PLAYERS AND SPECTATORS
We must all remember that today is a children’s rugby tournament – run purely for the fun and enjoyment of the children participating. The RFU core values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship capture the essence of what rugby is all about and are why so many of us have encouraged our children to take part in game. All those involved junior level rugby have a great responsibility to instill these core values, please adhere to these – children learn from example and it is essential that we all set a good example at all times.

Good Spectators’ Guide

• In the heat of the moment it is easy to get carried away with your emotions, which can lead to an unnecessary outburst; please remember that this has an impact on everyone around you.
• Always act as a positive role model to all players - Remember children play sport primarily for their own enjoyment not for that of spectators
• Acknowledge good individual and team performance from all players irrespective of the team in which they play
• Respect match officials’ decisions, even if they appear to make a mistake, remember they are volunteers providing an opportunity for players to play rugby
• Never verbally abuse players, coaches, match officials or fellow spectators; such behaviour can create a negative environment for players and their behaviour reflects this
• Acknowledge effort and good performance rather than to win at all costs: Verbally encourage all players in a positive manner and never shout at the players
• Encourage all players irrespective of the ability and regardless of the team, in which they play

REMEMBER THE EMPHASIS TODAY IS ON PLAYING AND NOT WINNING