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 Ironsides
• Dorking
• Haslemere
• Old Whitgiftians
• Rossplyn Park
• Warlingham
• Wimbledon

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

Please note that for years U7 to U8; teams must be of mixed ability in line with Surrey Rugby requirements for festivals at these age groups.

Also U7s have 12 kids making 2 squads of 6 from each club.

For years U9 to U11; the festival is being run as a A festival.

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

1) All squads must provide a nominated referee.
2) Recommended squad sizes are 6 for U7s (2 squads needed), 10 for U8s, 12 for U9s, 13 for U10s, and 14 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.

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

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!)