Match Preview

The weather forecast for the week ahead is another mixed bag of sunshine and showers. We are of course hopeful that the pitches will be fine, but if we need to cancel we will let you know as soon as possible. At this stage I see no reason why the U7's, U10's and & U11's games would need to be cancelled. The question mark at the moment is around the pitches that we plan to use for the U8's and U9's.

With regards to the 1st XV pitch that the U11's will be using, our groundsman has asked that no parents are allowed on the pitch, only participants and coaches, and no wellies! No tents or gazebos on this occasion are allowed on the first XV pitch either I'm afraid. Sorry!

The format for each festival is that every team will play four matches. There are no knockout stages and no group or overall winners. Scores will not be collated. Every player will receive a commemorative medal which will be in the registration packs.

Duration of Games:
U7 & U8 – 5 minutes each way
U9 & U10 – 6 minutes each way
U11 – 7 minutes each way

Half-time will be 1-2 minutes long. Could we please ask coaches not to conduct post-match de-briefs on the pitch, in order to help everyone keep to the advertised schedule.

The first games will kick-off at 10.00am sharp but, as you know, parking at these events is always a challenge, so we look forward to seeing you all starting to arrive from 8.30am onwards. The final games should finish between 12.30pm and 1.30pm depending on age group.

St John Ambulance will be in attendance but we expect each club to provide a qualified first aider at each age group.

Each team will also need to provide a referee to officiate games during the morning. A referees' briefing will be held on the half way line of Pitch 1 for each age group by the Esher Head Coach of the relevant age group at around 9.30 / 9.45am. Esher will provide pitch marshals on every pitch who will liaise with all teams to ensure everybody is in the right place at the right time so we can keep on schedule!

Food and drinks will be available from the clubhouse and from our outside kitchen. Please also note that a voucher for every player to receive a FREE Hot Dog will be included in the registration packs. The Hot Dogs will be available at the end of the tournament and will be served from the Crabbies Bar - this bar will only be serving the hotdogs which ensures the kids get a prompt reward for their efforts.