TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
In order to have a fun and enjoyable day that ends at a reasonable time we have kept to our format of a Round Robin League. There will be six Clubs taking part at each age group, utilising three pitches per age group, with the results from each game being entered into league tables. There will be no semi-finals or finals.

We will be presenting medals to the winners and the runners up in each age group; there will also be a Fair Play Award in each group. We plan to make the presentations as each age group finishes; children and parents can make their way home once their age group presentations are over. Presentations are due to commence around 2.30pm for the U7s and continue through to around 3.30pm for U12s.

For the record, the Fair Play Award in each age group will be awarded for the 'Spirit of Rugby' as set out in the RFU Continuum and take into account a club’s willingness to provide referees (although we will have independent referees at U12s).

• The Tournament entrance fee is £8 per player, payable in advance and includes a programme per player.
• Breakfast will be available from 9.00am, so come early!
• First games at 10.30am - absolutely no excuses accepted for being late! (Please Note: If it is wet on the day, the start time will be 11.00am.)
• Break for lunch - a chance to check age group schedules.
• There will be a raffle, a BBQ, a sweet stall, a bar and refreshments available on the day.

CLUBS ATTENDING
Amersham & Chiltern, Beaconsfield, Tring, Saracens, Sandal (A squad - except U12’s B squad only), Aylesbury (A squad), Reading Abbey (U10). Ironside (U11 B squad, U12 A squad), Chesham (B squad) and Old Albanians (U12 A squad)

SQUAD NUMBERS
U7 (A + B) Squads of 6 players, 4 per game
U8 (A + B) Squads of 9 players, 6 per game
U9 (A + B) Squads of up to 12 players, 7 per game
U10 (A + B) Squads of up to 15 players, 9 per game - 3 forwards
U11 (A + B) Squads of up to 18 players, 12 per game - 5 forwards
U12 (A + B) Squads of up to 18 players, 13 per game - 6 forwards

TOURNAMENT RULES
In accordance with the ‘New Rules of Play’ regarding very young players, all U7 players have to be at least six years old on 1st September 2013.

The format will be a Round Robin for each age group, every team having a guaranteed 5 games and the results put into a league table. There will be 3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. U7 and U8 games will be 5 mins each half; U9 & U10, 6 mins each half; and U11 & U12, 7 mins each half. All U7’s will receive a medal. Winners and runners up in both A and B Tournaments, in all other age groups, will receive medals. A Fair Play Award* will be presented to one squad in each table. In the event of a points tie between teams, positions will be based on the following priority list: The total points difference; Points for; Tries scored; Tries for & against; Share trophy.

* A Fair Play Award will be presented to the squad from each group table with the highest fair play points score. Points will be awarded by the referee in each game (maximum of 10pts/game) and based upon the application of players, coaches and parents to the 'Spirit of Rugby'.

Referees will be briefed before the Tournament begins in order to emphasise the important areas of the rules, to ensure consistency and to deal with any queries (see note for referees).

Presentations will take place as the age groups finish their final matches beginning at 2.30pm at the Central Control Tent. The intention is to stagger the presentations and avoid the crush of previous years.

Please ensure you bring regulation (correct length) tags and that all squad members have the correct studs (RFU rugby standard).

REGISTRATION
A registration form is available below for downloading and distributing to your age group squads before the Tournament. Please note all sections must be completed. (Fair play points could be at stake!)

Registration will be between 9:30-10:00am at each Age Group Control Tent.

SQUADS
Age qualification will be as in the Continuum. Please note the maximum squad sizes applicable this season. Any Team fielding over-age players will be disqualified. Any player named in an A squad may not participate in the B Tournament. In the spirit of fair play, please ensure that B team players are just that. Proof of age may be required at any time by Referees or Organisers.

REFEREES
Please confirm your registration at the relevant Age Group Control Tent then attend the briefing at 10:00am at the Central Control Tent.

Please pass on the Fair Play guidelines to coaches, who can then inform players and parents.

In the event that a Referee is not available at the allocated time, the team he is registered with will lose 3 Fair Play points. Referees are to wear their own Club colours.

Please contact Brian Morley (email brian.morley@ubs.com) by FRIDAY 4th OCTOBER with NOMINATED REFEREES and any problems concerning age group representation.

MATCH TIMINGS
The Playing Order Schedules for each age group will be advertised at the relevant Age Group Control Tent and in the programme.

The Schedule will be strictly adhered to. Teams should be ready 5 mins before their scheduled kick off. The penalty for any team not ready at kick off time will be to forfeit the match with a notional score of 25-0 awarded to the other side.

In the event of any rescheduling, it will be the responsibility of Age Group Coaches to keep an eye on the timings. Scores will be displayed only at Age Group Control Tents. Central Control will announce the winners, runners up and Fair Play award recipients at presentation time.

PLAYING RULES
In line with the rest of Buckinghamshire, Amersham & Chiltern RFC will be adopting the RFU’s new Age Grade Regulations. However, for this tournament, Under 10s to Under 12s age groups will play under Continuum rules whilst the Under 7s and Under 9s will play to the ‘New Rules of Play’. Click below for further information.

Under 7 Under 8 Under 9 Under 10 Under 11 Under 12

Fly kicking, hand offs and high tackles are not permitted at any age group.

Please note there will be no conversions at U11 or U12 levels.

Any player sent off will be barred from the rest of the Tournament.

It is essential that you make sure that all players are wearing RFU recognised studs and have gum shields if playing contact. Referees will be asked to check these before every match, underlining the need to be ready to play 5 mins before the allotted time.

Please remind parents that in the interest of the sport and the children, this Tournament is supposed to be fun. We will not tolerate abusive behaviour by parents towards players, officials or members of other teams.

CAR PARKING
There is adequate parking available in the club grounds, but we do suggest you arrive early to avoid disappointment in the event of a very high spectator turnout. Please follow the directions of the marshals. Some of the neighbouring roads, particularly Weedon Lane (leading to the club) will be coned as courtesy to the residents. Please help us to retain our good relationships with our neighbours. Weedon Lane turns into Woodfield Park and we ask visitors to use this loop as a one-way system to get back onto Copperkins Lane and exit the ground.

In the event of heavy rain, please check our website www.chilternrugby.com for details. If the organisers consider that parking on the Club’s fields would not be an option, alternative parking arrangements will apply, utilising the public car park in the centre of Amersham 10-15 mins walk away. If it is necessary to invoke these arrangements, maps will also be distributed by the car park marshals at the club entrance, and the start time of the tournament will be delayed slightly.

Please observe the instructions issued to you on leaving the field and we request that this information is passed on to all players please before the Tournament.

GENERAL
Facilities and services available include: First aid (professional), contacts for emergency services, changing rooms & showers, toilets, a variety of refreshments including hot and cold food, sweets, and, of course, the bar. There will be plenty of marshals and helpers to assist you. Our final request is please, NO DOGS and take all litter to the bins at your Age Group Tent.

Please download the Tournament Information and Registration Form below as well as the official programme