Match Preview

TRFC Mini Festival 22nd April 2018
Festival Format & Rules

TRAVEL TO TRFC: We encourage as many people to car-share as possible or to make use of public transport. Details of how to find us can be found on the following link: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/TW12+3PE/

CAR PARKING: We do appreciate that many of you will need to use cars and we will be offering parking on site at a charge of £5 per car. This will be collected by the Marshals on the gate. Please cooperate with the parking marshals as they will have a difficult job to do and remember that they are all volunteers. Please park considerately and note that all vehicles are parked entirely at own risk. Unfortunately, once the car parks are full, you will need to park in the local area – please be considerate to our neighbours and do not park across driveways.

PHOTOGRAPHY: On the understanding that visiting clubs have referred their players to the RFU Child Protection and Best Practice guidelines relating to photography & recorded images, a players tournament entry is accepted only on the basis that the player has knowledge that this tournament is held on grounds where public access is beyond our control and that the player has legally consented photography use to their club.

We have DE Photos at the Tournament and all photos will be available to purchase on the day or from their website.

SAFETY: Please encourage all your families to help keep the site tidy and to dispose of all rubbish in the bags located around the field.

• Do not take glass on to the playing fields.
• Please ensure that any tents are erected well away from the pitches.
• Do not leave small children unattended and they should not be allowed anywhere near the touchlines, where there is a danger that they may be injured by players running or being tackled into touch.
• Only coaches, players and officials are allowed on the field of play. Spectators should not encroach on to the playing area.
• Please follow the directions of car park attendants to ensure that emergency access paths are kept clear in case an ambulance needs access.
• The area behind the Clubhouse and to the left is out of bounds apart from access for emergencies.

REFRESHMENTS: Various refreshments are available throughout the day from the clubhouse and catering stalls outside (bacon sarnies, BBQ, cake stall, sweet stall). The bar will be open during licensing hours but only drinks in plastic containers, plastic bottles or cans may be taken outside the Clubhouse.

CLUBHOUSE: No studded boots, dirty footwear or dirty kit is permitted in the clubhouse.

TOILETS: These are available inside the clubhouse and portaloos will be on-site for the event.

PUBLIC SAFETY: In the unlikely eventuality of an emergency please seek out and adhere to official’s instructions. Should you have concerns please contact the officials at the information desk in the clubhouse.

GENERAL: Please do take care of valuable at all times. TRFC cannot be held responsible for any loss.

• We do not encourage dogs at the ground but if bringing them is absolutely unavoidable they should be kept on a lead and under the supervision of a responsible adult at all times. They should not at any time be allowed on to the playing area and any mess should be removed and properly disposed of immediately.
• Bins are provided for rubbish to be deposited and we would be grateful if teams would collect any litter from areas that they have used at the end of the day.

FORMAT:
Please ensure that teams are assembled and ready to play at least 5 minutes before the scheduled kick-off time.

Teams will compete in mixed ability matches and played in the spirit of Regulation 15 - Age Grade Rugby as published by the RFU. The emphasis of this tournament is fun and player centred, but also supporting competition in the matches. We reserve the right to re-format the fixtures, if needed.
The Festival Director or representative’s decision is final. Any changes to the Programme and all results will be administered via the control points.

Below are the levels for each age group:
U7 – 6x Pools
U8 – 5x Pools
U9 – 4x Pools
U10 – 3x Pools
U11 – 3x Pools
U12 – 2x Pools

For clarification, we will follow the NROP. For more information please refer to www.englandrugby.com/governance/regulations/ .

In the event of a drawn match no extra time is to be played (except for injury time).

A control point will be set up adjacent each age group for team registration and to provide information for coaches and match officials

The results of each match will be recorded at the control point for information only.

When all matches have been played, teams are encouraged to make their way to the clubhouse for presentation of all medals by the Festival sponsors, and where team photos can be taken.

COACHES: If one side is being entered into an age group please ensure they are mixed ability. If two or more sides are being entered into an age group also ensure they are truly mixed with the abilities split between the teams. The Festival aim is that all games are competitive and if all clubs adhere to these rules we are confident this will be a most enjoyable day for all the players.
 
TIMINGS: There will be NO HALF TIMES, as all matches will be played straight through due to time constraints. Game times are shown below and no extra time will be played in any games.

Age Groups Game Times
U7 8 mins
U8 8 mins
U9 10 mins
U10 10 mins
U11 10 mins
U12 14 mins

REFEREES: All clubs have been asked to provide details of available referees prior to the festival so that they can be allocated accordingly. All nominated referees should check the refereeing schedule (a copy of which will be at each control point). Wherever possible, we will aim to avoid conflicts of interest and pre-match coaching duties. Each age group will hold a referee briefing on Sunday at 9.30am at their age group control point, located next to their age group pitch.

DISCIPLINE: Should there be a breach of good conduct or the Laws of the Game by a player, the Referee may recommend their substitution to a coach under the prescribed process. Coaches should take this opportunity to remove the player from the field and coach them appropriately to resolve the issue. Should the player reoffend or the Coach refuses the request, the Referee may ask for the immediate substitution of the offending player. In this instance the Player may not take any further part in the festival.

Should there be a breach of good conduct or the Laws of the Game by an adult, the Referee may stop the game to address the issue. Time will be stopped and the Pitch Marshal invited on to the field. The club coach will be officially notified of the issue and instructed to immediately resolve the matter. The game will be restarted once the issue has been dealt with. However should there be any further occurrences or other inappropriate behaviour the Referee may immediately end the game awarding the result to the non-offending side.

We will not tolerate any physical or verbal abuse of an official or volunteer.

DISPUTES: All disputes must be brought to the attention of the Pitch Marshalls who shall have full authority of the Festival Committee to rule on the dispute. Appeals against the decision of the Pitch Marshall may be made to the Festival Director, through the Central Information Desk in the Clubhouse. These rulings shall be final.

FIRST AIDERS: If a First Aider sees an injury they are to attend to it immediately.
They do not require the referee’s permission to go onto the pitch. All referees will be instructed accordingly. All clubs will be expected to bring a first aider for each age group. There will be a First Aiders briefing at the First Aid Tent at 9.45am (see map). . The First Aid Tent is located close to all the pitches (see map), and a first aid room will be available within the club house. A Defibrillator is located next to the Main Bar in the club house

MATCH ORDER & TIMINGS: Kick off for the first game is 10:00 (Sunday) SHARP! Please ensure teams are assembled and ready to play at least 5 minutes before the scheduled kick off time. With your co-operation, final games should commence approx. 3 hours later.

MEDALS: A medal will be awarded to each player. The number of players in each squad should be limited to the maximum recommended in the table below.
U7 team size of 4 with max number of squad players of 6
U8 team size 6, with max number of squad players of 8
U9 team size 7, with max number of squad players of 10
U10 team size 8, with max number of squad players of 14
U11 team size 9, with max number of squad players 16
U12 team size 12, with max number of squad players 16

PLAYERS: Players must be within the limits for the age groups they are representing. If any player(s) within your squad looks big for their age please bring along proof of age i.e. birth certificate/passport.

PLAYERS KIT: Mouth guards are required for all contact age groups and are encouraged throughout. In addition, players are required to play in their team kit, no tracksuits with zips or jewellery can be worn. Boots will be checked, no player will be allowed to play with unsafe footwear. Referees will be checking kit at the commencement of play and their decision is final. Please ensure that all coaches, parents and players are aware of this and we ask for your support in this area.

REGISTRATION: Please ensure that your players allow sufficient time to arrive, park and register by 9.30am. All registration forms must be handed to your Age Group control point before the start of play.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Each team may play substitutions but they can only be introduced with the permission of the referee.

MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL: enjoy your rugby!