Match Preview

On behalf of Sutton and Epsom RFC we would like to extend our warmest welcome to all players, coaches and supporters at our festival from the following clubs:

• Battersea Ironside
• Old Alleynians
• Kingston
• Weybridge Vandals
• Esher
• Warlingham

Sutton and Epsom RFC will also be entering a team at each age group for this festival.

Please note that for years U7, U8 & U9s in line with Surrey Rugby, teams must be of mixed ability for festivals at these age groups. Also U7s have 12 kids making 2 squads of 6 from each club.

For years U10 & U11; the festival is being run as an “experienced” festival. Please see Surrey Rugby Notes & Definition of “experienced” below & please note the paragraph on balanced sides.

The experienced stream will consist of children who would previously have played within A & B streams. The development stream will consist of those who previously would have played in C or development streams. The rationale for this is 2 fold:

1) "Experienced" stream

- Many "A" and "B" players are already interchangeable between these streams

- This will provide an opportunity for better players to help develop others

- This will encourage a development pathway for players and clubs who will be making the transition to 12-a-side rugby in U12s where integration of more players into a match day squad will be required

2) "Development" stream

- It is important that less able, less confident and new players are able to experience the game in a safe environment where they are able to work on their skills and build their confidence

- As rugby is a late maturation sport we have seen many "Development" players make the step up in future years

Ultimately it is about ensuring that all players get a fair and ideally equal amount of game time in which to develop their skills in the appropriate environment. Additionally, all players benefit and should have the opportunity to experience the festival atmosphere and so in addition to the festival leagues outlined below, clubs are encouraged, where possible, to incorporate a development pool within any festivals that they run.

Clubs should remind attended clubs that when coaches are picking sides for experienced stream festivals, they must take an evenly balanced side and not just their strongest players. This cannot be policed, but is really no different from the current situation within streaming, so Surrey Rugby are relying on the spirit of fair play that is found within rugby.

It is has also been agreed that where clubs are just short of a full squad to take to a development festival, a less able experienced player can be used to make up the numbers to ensure that the club can take a development team along and so ensure rugby for them.

All teams should be playing to the new rules of play

For all years, there will be 5 clubs playing in each age group but at U7s, each club will send two teams. All teams will be play each other in a round robin format. However, should teams pull out at the last moment; it may not be possible to find a replacement and so, unfortunately, less games will be played.

As in previous years and in line with the RFU’s age grade review, Sutton & Epsom RFC will not be awarding trophies for an overall winner of the festival and no final leagues will be collated. However, to encourage the kids to play good competitive rugby in each game they play, every team will receive two shields to award to two of their own players who they feel were the best attacking and best defensive players of the festival. Finally, every child taking part from U7s to U11s will receive a medal.

It is hoped that the above format as well as ensuring that there are no more than 2 games between a team’s own game, results in a fun day for all the kids (and hopefully the parents and coaches).

Location

Please note that this year’s Sutton and Epsom RFC Festivals will be take place at our main club house grounds at Cuddington Court, Rugby Lane, Cheam, Surrey. SM2 7NF. Full directions can be found at
http://maps.google.com/maps?rls=GGLR,GGLR:2006-05,GGLR:en&q=sutton%20and%20epsom%20rfc&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

Parking

Please note that parking will be very tight and we ask all parents to car share wherever possible to assist with this. Also, upon arrival, drivers must follow the instructions of the parking marshals. Please do not attempt to enter the grounds if you are only dropping off, as you will not be able to get out until after the festival has started!!

ENTRANCE FEES & REGISTRATION
Entrance fees have already been covered on the acceptance form and there will be no additional parking fee.

We strongly advise that players and supporters should arrive between 8:45am and 9:15am to ensure that we get the festival off to a prompt start at 10:00 am.

Team managers/coaches need to register their teams by 9.30am at Control.

Please ensure the Team Registration Form, included in this document, is completed in advance and handed to the control tent by 9.30am or returned via email to: ryan.reino@blueyonder.co.uk.

Nominated Referee: (Age U7-U11)

1) All squads must provide a nominated referee.
2) Recommended squad sizes are 6 for U7s (2 squads needed), 10 for U8s, 11 for U9s, 12 for U10s, and 13 for U11s.
3) Please complete and hand in this form to control by 9:30am at the latest.
4) Referees’ Meeting is at 9:40am in centre of your pitch and first matches start at 10:00am promptly.

Team Manager / Coach Name:

Signature……….…………………………

RFU RECOMMENDATIONS

Team Managers and Coaches are reminded of the RFU recommendations that children should not be overplayed. To this end the tournament rules allow for larger squad sizes to assist Coaches and Parents to use their common sense on this matter.

The times and numbers of matches played are based on the Continuum:

Under 7 and Under 8 - Key Stage 1:

U7’s and U8’s playing Tag Rugby are reminded to BRING YOUR TAGS with you.

1. All matches to be of 2 halves of 5 minutes each way with 2 minutes for half time.
2. At U7s each team will consists of 4 players taken from a recommended squad size of 6
3. At U8s each team will consist of 6 players taken from a recommended squad size of 10

Under 9 and Under 10 - Key Stage 2:

1. All matches to be of 2 halves of 6 minutes each way with 2 minutes for half time.
2. At U9s each team will consist of 7 players taken from a recommended squad size of 11
3. At U10s each team will consist of 8 players taken from a recommended squad size of 12

Under 11 - Key Stage 3:

1. All matches to be of 2 halves of 7 minutes each way with 2 minutes for half time.
2. Each team will consist of 9 players for U11 taken from a recommended squad size of 13

Extra time may be played for stoppages due to injury but will not be applied in any other circumstances.

 
REFEREES

We have secured the services of independent club referees for the U11 age group but for all other age groups, clubs must provide a referee and at Under 7 they must have 2.

The referees’ briefing will begin at 9.40 am prompt next to the Control Point.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Sutton & Epsom have a qualified first aider for each year group and there will be qualified physio at the event, but each visiting team should also bring a qualified first aider as well.

EMERGENCY ACCESS AREAS
We would ask that everyone attending ensure that they keep the clearly marked emergency access areas alongside the pitches clear at all times.

FOOD & DRINK

There will be food, hot drinks and sweets available throughout the day. Our Clubhouse Bar will be open from 11 a.m.

DOGS

For obvious health reason, dogs are not allowed on the grass areas of the Club House.

PHOTOGRAPHY

There may be a professional photography company on-site who will photograph each team and make the photographs available to take away on the day. They will also take action shots, which we may use for future publicity etc.

Because of recent changes in legislation and best practice the RFU has published guidelines on the photography of children. These are set out on page 36 of ‘Policy and procedures for the welfare of young people in Rugby Union’.

All Clubs entering this festival have been asked to draw to the attention of parents/guardians that in entering their children in this festival they implicitly agree and accept that:-

a) Photographic images may be taken of their son/daughter, during the normal course of rugby activity, by accredited photographers and/or other parents/guardians.
b) These images may be used in the press or in Club/County/RFU publicity, in line with the RFU guidelines.
 
FESTIVAL CANCELLATION

In the event of cancellation due to bad weather, notice of cancellation will be passed to teams fixture secretaries by 9pm on the Saturday before, the clubs website will also be updated, however, a final confirmation will be sent out at 7:30 a.m. on the morning of the festival. Please check website and twitter feed @suttonepsomrfc. (* please note the twitter feed is the best way to find out – please don’t call Ryan as he will be very busy in the morning and can’t answer the phone!)

CONTACTS

If you have any questions or queries please email or call:

Ryan Reino: 07734452427 or ryan.reino@blueyonder.co.uk