Event:  Sevenoaks Rugby - 17th Annual Schools Tag Rugby Event
Date: Wednesday 22rd May 2019

RESULTS

A great day was had by all the schools taking part this year with all schools playing matches throughout the afternoon.

Winners of the Cup this year were Otford who beat Lady Boswell in that

final 11 - 8.

The Plate final was between Amhurst and Shoreham with

Amhurst winning 8 - 4.

The shield was won by Aylesford beating Igtham 6 - 5 in the closest match.

Winning the Bowl in the highest scoring match was Chevening beating Anthony Roper 18 - 12. That’s a lot of try’s in 7 minutes.

The Salver was won by St Johns in another close game and high scoring match, beating Sevenoaks 11 -10.

We are just confirming the date of the next festival which is moving to the first week in October with the opportunity for schools to train with Sevenoaks Coaches in the three weeks leading to the festival at Knole Academy.

These details will be published here and sent out by Clare Strange as soon as they have been confirmed.

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A warm welcome to everyone taking part.

This is our 17th Annual Kent Schools Tag Rugby Festival. The following information is provided to help ensure that we all get the most from the event. There is a lot of detail here, so please ensure that whoever is coming on the day and is responsible for their respective Team / Pupils / Players, is aware of all aspects of participation whatever they may be. Please plan ahead whether it is for timings, transport, equipment, clothing or money for food and drink.

If you have additional questions, or you need information about your school entry, please use the form at the bottom of the page.

Timings on the day

• 14.30 - Arrive and park

• 15.00 - Registration opens

• 15.10 - Referee's Briefing (Referee's Only)

• 15.30 - Registration closes

• 15.40 - Coaches Briefing (1 Coach per Team)

• 15.50 - Welcome (Everyone)

• 16.00 - Matches Start - Group Stage

• 17.40 - Semi Finals

• 18.15 - Finals

• 18.25 - Presentations

Where is it all happening?

Sevenoaks Rugby Club, Knole Paddock, Plymouth Drive, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3RP

Who's involved with the event?

160 + Children

• 18 x Teams of 8-10 players

• 20 x "Runners" from Local Secondary Schools

Adults

• Coaches, Teachers, Parents & Carers

Local Secondary Schools helping:

• Trinity School (Sevenoaks) and Knole Academy are providing Field Stewards & Score Runners.

Also in the Clubhouse

• Hot food & Drinks for sale - thanks to Diane Carey

• Cold soft drinks for sale

• Beers & Wine - Yes, Colin Foreman will open up the Club Bar.

• So, any players can buy their afternoon / evening Meal.

Which schools are taking part?

• Amherst School - 3 teams

• Anthony Roper - 1 team

• Aylesford - 1 team

• Chevening Primary - 1 team

• Igtham - 2 teams

• Lady Boswell's - 2 teams

• Otford - 3 teams

• Seal - 1 team

• Sevenoaks Primary - 1 team

• Shoreham Village Primary - 1 team

• St Johns Primary - 1 team

• St Thomas Primary - 1 team

The Rugby Code

At Sevenoaks Rugby we are strong believers in the the Rugby Code - T.R.E.D.S. - which stands for:

• Teamwork

• Respect

• Enjoyment

• Discipline

• Sportsmanship

Throughout the course of our event, it is these qualities we will be striving to uphold in our organisation and in our Refereeing.  We hope the RFU video on YouTube shown here will help you and your players appreciate the significance of the Rugby code and why it is so important.

Event Group Stage

With 18 Teams entered, we will have four league tables with 4 teams in two groups and 5 teams in twogroups.. Each team will play each other in their group to determine league positions.

Games are 7 minutes long with no half time. Subs can be rolled on and off in breaks of play with notice given to the referee and with his permission.

There must be at least 3 girls in each team on the pitch at all times. (Breaches of this will lose the fair play point.)

league positions are on decided on points earned in the games.

2 pts for a win

1 pt for a draw.

1 pt fair play - Each team will be awarded an extra bonus point for fair play and playing in the spirit of the game at the beginning of each match. These can be deducted if the spirit is lacking and applies to parents and coaches as well as players.

In the event of a tie in the group at the end of the matches, positions will be decided on the following criteria in this order.

1. The result of the match between the two sides.

2. The fair play points.

3. The most try’s(points) scored.

4. The least try’s(points) conceded.

5. Coin toss.

Event Trophy Stage

Following the Group Stage, the teams then take part in the knock-out phase, based on their Group Stage performances. There are Cup, Plate, Bowl, Shield, competitions so everyone continues to take part throughout the afternoon.

Each team in the groups will play a Semi Final against the team ranked in the same position in a different group and the winner of those will contest a final.

• There will be a Trophy for each Group

• If the teams are drawing at the end of full time the next score wins the game.(Knockout stage only)

Fair Play Points

Fair play points will be awarded by the Referees to each of the Two Teams, at the end of a match, marked on the Score Card, along with the final score and collated by the Scorers, in the Clubhouse.

Fair play points will be awarded for:

• Following the T.R.E.D.S. code (see above)

• Displays of Good Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship will go far.

• Congratulating the opposition on good play / winning.

• Being "Gracious in Victory" and "Dignified in Defeat".

Please bear in mind - Fair Play Points are added to the points gained in the matches and will help determine the overall group positions.

Keeping delays to a minimum

 In order to ensure the smooth running of the event and to keep delays to a minimum, All matches will start at the same time on the sound of a centrally timed hooter and the hooter will sound again at the end of 7 minutes to indicate the last play of the matches. (Referees can add time if there have been injuries etc)

• Be assembled (wearing Tag Belts and Two Tags) at the end of the preceding match - In other words, if you are due to play at 16.00, have your team assembled behind the deadball area of your pitch at 15.55. There will be a 5 minute interval between matches so this will give you enough time to warm up and be ready to play.

• As that match finishes and the respective teams leave the pitch, your team and your opponents can walk straight onto the pitch and start on time.

• Please refer to the "Pitch Marshall’s / Runners" from Trinity School for any assistance in this matter.

Laws of the game (Rules)

We will be playing to the Kent RFU Laws (Rules).  Please read these before the festival.

This will be an UNLIMITED Tag Tournament i.e. no turnover on the 7th Tag.

Turnovers will only come from:

• Knock-on

• Forward Pass

• Offside

• Obstruction

• Going into Touch (including brushing the outside edge of a shoe / trainer on the Touchline)

• Physical play (e.g. pushing an opponent into Touch)

• An interception from an onside position

Coaches Briefing

The Coaches Briefing at 15.40 will allow a quick Q&A between coaches and Referees to cover the finer points of the Laws (Rules)

Please use the form below with any specific questions you might want addressed, so that we can review them in advance of the event.

We will be asking Team Coaches to help:

• Run the touchline

• Encourage teams to retire the required minimum 7 meters when necessary

• The Referee uphold the Rugby code - see "T.R.E.D.S." above (especially the Respect part).

The Referee is the sole arbitrator of the Laws of the Game. The Referee's decision is final.

Equipment

Please note that:

• If open, the Changing rooms will not be locked at any time, so the responsibility for any items left in the changing rooms sits with the owner. Sevenoaks Rugby are not responsible for any valuables, possessions or equipment you bring.

• The Council Pavilion in the centre will be unavailable / locked, though the public toilets will be available.

Each team needs to bring their own:

• Tags and Tag Belts (Please observe the laws regarding the length and colour of the Tags. Please, No "Ribbon" Tags nor shortened or narrow tags)

• Bibs - In the case of a clash of Team colours, it would be good to have Bibs with you.

• Trainers or Boots - Trainers will be fine or depending on the weather molded studs.

• Gum Shields - Tag Rugby is a Non Contact sport. Gum Shields are optional.

Concussion - This is a serious matter.  In the unlikely event of a collision or fall resulting in a player (or players) sustaining a head injury and exhibiting the symptoms of a possible concussion, they will be asked to retire from the Event and take no further part.

The Festival should run for up to 3 hours (perhaps longer), so it is suggested that players bring:

• A Ground Sheet or a portable Chair - to sit on and rest between games

• Healthy Snacks - to keep energy levels up, throughout the Festival.

• Bin Liners - for any rubbish.

Photography and Publicity

The Rugby Pitches at The Knole Paddock where Sevenoaks Rugby play are a public space. Please note that:

• Anyone is entitled to walk onto the field unchallenged.

• As such, it is assumed that any participant in the Schools Tag Festival gives their consent to being photographed by anyone.

*Publicity Opt Out

Any coach with children who's photograph cannot be used for publicity purposes will need to:

• Request a sticker at the time of Registration (3pm onwards)

• Ensure the respective Players wear the sticker high on their chest, just below their neck - so that it is clearly visible

This however will NOT prevent them from being photographed. It just means that any picture with a pupil in, who is wearing a sticker should not be used for publicity purposes.

Food and drink

There will be food and drink available to purchase in the Clubhouse.

• This will be run by Diane Carey

• We would suggest that players stay hydrated.

• Even if the sun is not out, a Rugby Festival can be long, tiring and require a participant to remain hydrated throughout the afternoon.

 Competitive Fun

Ultimately, the Festival is all about competitive fun. First and foremost, the players should enjoy themselves in this competitive event.

Once again, welcome to the event.  We hope you, your pupils and their Parents / Supporters enjoy the Event.

Andy Forrester - Community Rugby Manager

andyforrester15@btinternet.com

07963806296

Tournament Q&A: If you have any questions, please have a look at the Q&A blog here.

If you have a new question, please use the form below.