Match Preview

The Alton Emerging Festival

1 4TH OCTOBER 2018 ALTON RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB Anstey Park, Anstey Lane, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2NB

Introduction We are delighted to welcome you to Anstey Park, home of Alton Rugby, for The Alton Emerging Festival. The Alton Emerging Festival is one of the only early season festivals aimed at Emerging Players. We would like to emphasise that this a ‘Festival of Emerging Rugby’ We hope that by accepting this invitation all teams will enter into the spirit of and uphold the core values of the game: Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.
Pitch inspections will take place on Saturday 13th October at 18:00 and on the morning of Sunday 16th October at 08:00. Your nominated point of contact will be contacted just after either of these times should the Festival NOT go ahead. Timings: 08:30 Car Parks Open 09:30 Referee / Head Coaches Briefings Age Group Tournament Control 10:00 All matches Kick off 13:00 All Group/Pool Matches Finish 13:30 Play Off Second Round matches commence (U12 Only) 15:00 All matches finish Access / Parking Alton Rugby Club is very easy to find and only 1 minute drive from the A31. Please find set out below a detailed Access Map and Park Plan. Your route in from the A31 will be clearly signposted and Marshalls (Hi Vis vests) will be located on route and at each Car Park Entrance to guide you. We advise entering Alton form the eastern edge of the own (Holybourne) off the A31. Please note that access to Anstey Park Car Park will be limited to ‘Permit Holders Only’. A Permit will be issued to each squad / team to unload any squad equipment or shelters. PLEASE NOTE NO PERMIT NO PARKING.

Parking Access to Anstey Park and Car Park will be available from 08:30. We have secured parking at 3 schools immediately adjacent to Anstey Park: • Alton Convent (Sat Nav GU34 2NG) Recommended for U7 and U11 Squads • Eggars School (Sat Nav GU34 4EQ): Recommended for U9 and U10 Squads • Treloar College (Sat Nav GU34 4GL): Recommended for U8 & U12 Squads.
Each Car Park is be no more than a 5 minute walk from any of the playing areas. Routes are shown on the attached map. Programmes Programmes will be sold in lieu of a parking charge for £3 each. We would be grateful if you could arrive with correct change. This will also apply to those parking on Anstey / London Road and Anstey Lane. Toilets Toilets / First Aid / Refreshments will be found on site and within the clubhouse. The Control Point will have specific details on the day. Food / Drink Bars The Clubhouse Bars will be open from 12:00pm. Food Clubhouse BBQ, Bacon Rolls, Hot Dog, Teas & Coffee At Alton RFC we pride ourselves on some of the simpler things in life especially first thing on a Sunday morning. Burgers, Hot Dogs, bacon sarnies will be on sale from the club house from 08:30-11:30. Cakes & Sweets For those in need of a late morning or early afternoon sugar rush a selection of cakes baked by some of our players and their mothers are available from the Cake Stand Tent located adjacent to the Club House and Festival Control.

Festival Information Safeguarding Safeguarding is paramount at Alton RFC, and any incidents MUST be reported to our Safeguarding Officer Tracey New, who will be located on the day via the Control Point or by email: tracey.new16@gmail.com Photography: We are pleased to announce that DE Photo have been appointed as the Professional Sports and Event Photographers for this event. This event, by its very nature, is in the public arena and when entering for the event the participant and their parents acknowledges this fact, which may result in the recording and publication of his/her image. All DE Photo photographers and staff have been DBS checked and the company operates a strict Child Protection Policy and Code of Ethics which can be viewed on their website at www.dephoto.biz/cpp First Aid: Alton Rugby have appointed dedicated First Aid and Physiotherapist who will be located adjacent to the Central Festival Control Point. There are direct radio communication links between each Tournament Control Tent and the First Aid Point Squad Sizes: Under 7 Teams will consist of up to 12 players, these will be split in to 2 x 6 players (4 players and 2 substitutes). Matches will be completed as two 4 v 4 games played at the same time on adjacent pitches. The scores from the 2 games will be combined to generate the result Under 8 Squads will consist of up to 9 players, 6 players and 3 substitutes Under 9 Squads will consist of up to 11 players, 7 players and 4 substitutes Under 9 Squads will consist of up to 11 players, 7 players and 4 substitutes Under 10 Squads will consist of up to 12 players, 8 players and 4 substitutes Under 11 Squads will consist of up to 13 players, 9 players and 4 substitutes Under 12 Squads will consist of up to 18 players, 12 players and 6 substitutes Match Timings U7 / U8 Matches are played 5 minutes each way. Half time interval is 2 minutes. U9 / U10 Matches are played 6 minutes each way. Half time interval is 2 minutes. U11 / U12 Matches are played 7 minutes each way. Half time interval is 2 minutes.

Age group organisers and control points request the cooperation of team coaches and referees in starting games promptly at the published time Festival Scoring The festival will be played under the RFU’s New Age Grade Rugby Plan with the emphasis on participation. Awards: All competitors will receive a Certificate of attendance. Rules of Play All games will be played under the new Age Grade Rugby principals and the new Rules of Play under Regulation 15. https://www.englandrugby.com/mm/Document/General/General/01/32/72/38/RFURegulation 15_English.pdf Referees: Referees will not be provided and therefore each team is asked to provide a referee. Head Coaches and Referees briefings will take place at 09:30 hrs at your respective Tournament Control tents. Registration All players are to be RFU Registered players. Please complete the attached Registration Form and hand into the Control Point. Important Numbers/ Contacts Club House: 01420 82076 Safteguarding Officer: Tracey New – 07766 464262 Festival Officer James Pack: jamespack@hotmail.co.uk Age Group Contacts: U12: Charmaine Poulton U11: James Pack U10: Nickie Bolton U9: Kirsty Bartelott U8: Rachel Hinxman U7: TBA

Codes of Conduct Referees The following is relevant extracts taken from the protocol that Hampshire Rugby Union Referees Society (HRURS) expect Clubs and their Coaches to follow for the season 201/2017. Referee abuse is becoming a major problem in the game of rugby and there is also an increase in the level of abuse from Coaches, Club Officials and Spectators. Referees, the same as players, do make mistakes in the game. The numbers of incidents where Referees have had to abandon matches due to poor Player discipline and/or abuse, or Coach/Club Official/Spectator abuse is also increasing. Clubs should be aware that the RFU recommended sanction for any abandoned game is a 25-point deduction for its most senior team! The following extracts/guidelines are what the HRURS and HRFU expect: • Any dialogue with the referee during the game should be made via the Captain. In minis matches where this is not applicable then the Coach may be allowed, at the discretion of the referee, to discuss playing matters at half time. • Coaches should restrict themselves to a point between the halfway line and the 10metre line. • Coaches should at all times be well beyond the touchline and should not walk or run up and down the touchline. • Coaches who stand behind the try lines may do so provided they are well outside the playing area and where a barrier is provided behind that barrier. • Coaches should be encouraged to give positive playing instructions to their own players, but should not shout at the referee. Continual shouting at the referee can be considered abuse/harassment and as such can be reported to the appropriate disciplinary authority. • Referees appreciate the time and effort put into the game by the coaches and they will of course not always see decisions the same way. Referees are encouraged to speak to coaches, and there is no reason why a discussion cannot take place in the clubhouse after the game Players: Players should be encouraged to:

• Recognise and appreciate the efforts made by coaches, parents, match officials and administrators in providing the opportunity to play the game and enjoy the rugby environment. • Understand the values of loyalty and commitment to adults and team mates. • Recognise that every player has a right to expect their involvement in rugby to be safe and free from all types of abuse. • Understand that if an individual or group of players feel they are not being treated in a manner that is acceptable, then they should tell an adult either at the Club or School or outside of the game. • Play because they want to do so, not to please coaches or parents. • Remember that skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important parts of the game. • Be attentive at all training and coaching sessions. • Work equally hard for themselves and their team - both will then benefit. • Recognise good play by all players on their team and by their opponents. • Be a sportsman - win with dignity, lose with grace. • Play to World Rugby’s. Laws of the Game and accept, without question, all referees’ decisions even if they appear to make a mistake. • Control their emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of team mates, opponents, coaches, match officials or spectators is not acceptable. • Treat all players, as they would like to be treated themselves. Do not interfere with, bully or take advantage of any player. Officials: Match Officials should: • Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when officiating players. • Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner during games. • Emphasise the spirit of the game. • Appreciate the needs of the players before the needs of the sport. • Understand the physical and behavioural development of players. • Be a positive role model. Set an example, and as such, comments should be positive and supportive. • Look to self-improvement e.g. participation in training courses. • Recognise that the safety of players is paramount. • Explain decisions - all players are still learning and parents will understand the game better. • Always penalise foul play.

• Play advantage whenever possible in order to let the game flow. • Show empathy for the age and ability of players. • Be consistent and objective. • Be familiar with the Good Spectators Code and ensure that verbal abuse from players, coaches or spectators is not tolerated and is dealt with by club officials immediately. • Be aware of, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection Guidance policies and procedures. • Officiate to the rules laid down in the Rugby Continuum and keep themselves updated on rule changes. • Check that the home Club or School has provided a qualified first aider, ambulance access has not been obstructed and that appropriate equipment is available along with someone trained in its use before starting play. Spectators: Clubs and Schools should encourage Spectators to: • Act as positive role models to all players. • Be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection Guidance in relation to verbal and emotional abuse. • Respect guidance from the Club or School with regard to spectator behaviour. • Remember children play sport primarily for their own enjoyment, not for that of the spectators. • E. 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 will often reflect this. • Acknowledge effort and good performance rather than ‘to win at all costs’. • Verbally encourage all players in a positive manner, shouting ‘for’, not ‘at’, the players. • Encourage all players irrespective of their ability - never ridicule any individual player, regardless of the team in which they play.