Match Preview

NEW MILTON MINI RUGBY FESTIVAL Sunday 28th October 2018

Please note that this festival is ‘mixed ability’ festivals and we would be grateful if you could ensure that coaches are aware of this and make selection on this basis. At this level and early stage of the season we are seeking to play a wide variety of teams
in a fun, healthy environment for the positive development of all attending players. As a Kids First’ club we are keen to ensure equal opportunities for all Minis players and equal playing time, where we acknowledge and reward effort and improvement, not just winning.
We hope that by accepting this invitation all your attending teams will enter into the spirit of this ‘mixed ability’ festival and uphold the core values of the game: Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.

Please note: Games will be played in accordance with the rules of each age group and these can be found at http://www.englandrugby.com/governance/regulations/

The festival will be held at
New Milton & District RFC,
Ashley Rugby Ground,
Normans Way,
Ashley,
New Milton,
BH25 5FN

First matches will kick off at 10:00am.
 Directions to our club can be found on our website at http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/newmiltondistrict/location/
THE FESTIVAL IS AT CAPACITY, we therefore recommend you advise PARENTS TO CAR SHARE and leave ample time to park their cars .
Please note: Parking will be entirely at the driver’s own risk. Parking will be available at the club and in our overflow carpark, and surrounding roads. We ask all parents to please park with consideration for others. We hope to advise on extra parking facilities – a separate notice to advise on parking will be forwarded prior to event.
 Car Parking and Programmes will cost £3. Please can you notify all those attending to have change ready so as to avoid lengthy delays for vehicles behind. Each program will contain the details of all the clubs involved, the way the games will be played, the pitch layouts for each age group and the way the prizes will be decided. As always car parking at these events can take longer than anticipated so please can
you ask parents to allow plenty of time to park up so the festival can start on time at 10am.
 Player Registration Forms. A form for each age group entered at U7, U8, U9, U10, U11 and U12 is included below and should be completed and handed in at the control tent on the day or emailed by return and confirmed on the day.
 Coaches /Referees Meeting. Please note that all clubs must provide referees for all age groups with no exceptions. If you have not got a nominated referee for an age group then the Coach/Assistant Coach will have to referee. Please could your referees and coaches report to the Control Tent to confirm their names and attend a short briefing for their age group(s) at 09.30am. This is very important as all games will start at 10.00am sharp.
 Festival format.
U7’s-U11’s - Round robin pools, with no play offs.
U12’s - 2 Pools of 6 teams, with 1st and 2nd place play-offs
There will be no trophies awarded but ALL players participating at the festival will receive individual medals.
 Studs and Gum Shields. Referees will be asked to check all studs on the day. Provided they are in good condition and not dangerous then there will be no objections. Please ensure that all players check their boots before the festival. It is strongly recommended that Gum Shields be worn by all children. A small supply of studs and gum shields will be available for purchase.
 Food and Drink will be available all day. Bacon/sausage/burgers hot and cold drinks are available in the clubhouse. A selection of hot food, drinks and sweet stalls will be available pitch side. Please would you be kind enough to mention to all parents and supporters that barbecues are not allowed in the Club grounds due to Health and Safety regulations.
 Photographers, we have professional photographers coming to the Festival. They will have a stand, and all photos will be available to purchase on the day or from their website.
 Medical Arrangements. Medical staff will be on stand by within the grounds for the duration of the matches. If in any doubt call the experts!
 Toilets. These can be found : Players- Clubhouse ground floor, in the changing room area, Spectators - Clubhouse first floor, near the kitchen. Please ensure children use these facilities and not the trees or hedges surrounding the grounds out of
respect for the surrounding residents!
 Registration. All players must be registered with the RFU. Registration numbers must be provided on the day in case of any queries. Due to insurance regulations, only registered players can take part. The onus is on each individual coach to ensure his/her players are covered by the RFU insurance schemes. Please confirm your arrival as soon as possible at the control tent and notify any changes to the submitted squad. Each team will be given an information pack and bin bag (please use and return to control tent).
 Games. To ensure that we stick to the schedule of games, can coaches / parents ensure that their boys / girls are ready to go on to the pitch at their designated times and assist the Marshals whenever requested. Any significant delays may mean the team causing the delay will forfeit the game. Please also note each teams referee must ensure they are on their assigned pitch and ready to commence at designated time.
 Litter/Dogs/Spectators: All teams will be provided with a black refuse bag at registration. Please encourage the children to deposit ALL of their rubbish into the bags and return to the control tent at the end. Extra bags will be available if required from the control tent. We understand that it is not always possible to leave dogs at home, but they must be kept on a lead at all times whilst at the festival. Please notify
all parents that they MUST keep well back from the pitches at all times and if they do not the Marshals will issue one request and, if not adhered to, the club in question will be reported – we do not want any children hurt in unnecessary collisions.

We look forward to welcoming you and your teams to New Milton RFC.

The table below provides a summary of the key points for the ‘New Rules of Play’ for U12:
No. of Players - 12
Ball size - 4
Pitch size (metres) up to 60 x 43m
Unlimited numbers in Rucks & Mauls
Scrum - Contested Strike, No Pushing - 5 Man Scrum
No Lineouts - Free Pass
Kicking - Yes
There will be no conversions, scragging, squeezeball or fly hacking.
U12’s may hand off – below the armpit.