Match Preview

Our U7s first festival!

Please DO NOT arrive before 8.45am to give Hastings time to ready the clubhouse and grounds for the festival.

The Registration desk will be open from 9.30am. There will be a Coaches/Referee briefing at 10.15am and all games will commence at 10.30am.

Points to remember:

• Ensure your child has appropriate clothing to keep them warm between matches (easy to put on tracksuit bottoms and top, including waterproof top if rain is forecast) as well as all their playing kit including boots (studs checked & tightened), gum shield (if required).
• Bring suncream - Last year a number of children returned slightly pinker than when they went so if the weather is set fair suncream should be used
• Bring a full water bottle(s) for rehydration
• Refrain from getting your child burgers, chips, ice creams until after the festival as running around with that sitting in their stomach is far from ideal. It is recommended that you bring a packed lunch with a number of small snacks for them to refuel on throughout the festival.
• Remember that whilst your child is taking part in the festival they come under the direction of the coaches and you should seek the coaches permission to take your child away from the designated area as you maybe not be aware of the timing of the next matches/substitution requirements.
• Car sharing is encouraged but please remember the club is not responsible for your children, you are.

Format
In terms of format there are two pools. The teams will stay within their group and on the same pitch at all times. There will be up to 4 or 5 matches per team to keep within the RFU regulations – balanced with not making the festival day too long. As a team we can record scores and clearly we know how you have done on the day. Win, draw or lose – as a club/team wewill be able to gauge your results – and the kids have fun! However, the festival will not be recording the scores or indeed asking the referees to return the scores. There is no need to grade the pools and produce winners or losers. Everyone will know how each team has played on the day – as will the kids. There will be medals and certificates for all players entered and each team will have a ‘Player of the Festival’ trophy to award.

All players must be registered with the RFU and their RFU-ID numbers entered on the team sheets so please make sure everyone is registered on the CRFC site and has paid their membership fees.