Hamilton Hawks International 7s 2015 Rugby Festival Manual When Saturday 14 th February 2015 8am approx.6pm Location - At St John Oval, Charlestown, NSW Bula Street Charlestown, NSW PC 2290 Introduction Hamilton Hawks Rugby Club have set up the inaugural Hamilton Hawks International 7s Rugby Tournament to promote Rugby Union in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley region, giving all local players opportunity to play against top level teams, get our players prepared for the upcoming season, promote our Rugby club to the wider community and most importantly participant enjoyment. On behalf of the Hamilton Hawks Rugby Club I would like to thank you for attending our 7s Tournament and the effort you have put into organising teams to make the event a success. The day will surely be an action packed affair on and off the field, and we hope you enjoy our hospitality. Fat Boyz Division This division is for players weighing over 100kgs and promises to be a spectacle and a guaranteed favourite with the spectators. Players will be weighed prior to their first game and get the magic 100kg+ stamp. When asked by match officials, all players must be able to show stamp in order to qualify to take the field. Entry Fee $300.00 per team (includes 15 player/official passes). After the 16 th December the entry fee is non-refundable. $5 entry fee will be charged for all spectators upon entry into the venue.
INSURANCE Players don t need to be a registered Rugby player on the MRA to be covered under the insurance. The Special Event Application generates special insurance for the teams/players which participate in the event. Players listed on the Team Registration Sheet lodged prior to the commencement of the tournament will be covered. These sheets need to be retained in the event of an insurance claim. Overseas Teams Overseas teams must obtain a clearance from their Home Union and the Australian Rugby Union before they are permitted to play in Australia. U18 Players Players under the age of 18 must be cleared under the ARU Senior Rugby Policy, and a copy of the clearance must be lodged with the Tournament Committee prior to their participation. Players under the age of 17 are not permitted to be cleared under the ARU Senior Rugby Policy. Competitions As well as the Rugby, we will also have a Fat Boyz running race, Drop kicking Comp, and Player of the tournament awards in both divisions. TOURNAMENT AFTER PARTY Following the tournament s conclusion an afterparty will be held at the Sunnyside Tavern, Georgetown (which is only a stones throw from many of Newcastle s best Night Spots). We have a live DJ throughout the day. All players, coaches and team staff are encouraged to stay around and make use of the opportunity by cheering on the finals and celebrating the presentations after the final. All womans teams entered into the Tournament will get a $100 bar tab at the after match function. Also a $100 bar tab will be given out to the best dressed side at the after party, as well as a variety of other prizes. Warm Up Areas The warm up area for Teams is located on the far dead ball of the bottom field (Field No 2). There is also a set of Full warm up or practice fields approx. 200m in clear sight of the ground. Reserves bench During games, reserve players, trainers, coaches, physios need to set up on the sides of the field (which will be clearly designated areas) with benches and shaded areas provided.
Medical Trained First Aid Officers from Saint Johns will be on hand and situated directly between the two fields should they be required. Tournament Rules 1)The tournament is organised under the Hamilton Hawks Rugby Club and played in accordance to the IRB Bye Laws, Regulations and Laws of the game of Rugby Union and standard set of variations appropriate to the seven-a-side game. 2) Each team for each game will consist of a maximum of 12 players per game, but teams can have more players in their Tournament squad. Maximum 5 substitutions per game need to be made through the on-field officials. 3) The names of the players for the tournament should be registered with the tournament officials at least 30 minutes prior to that team s first match on Saturday 14 th February. 4. Points for all pool matches will be awarded as follows: 4 points for a win. 1 Point for 4 tries 2 point for a draw. 1 points for a loss of 7 points or less. 5) If at the end of the pool games, two teams have an equal number of points, then progression in the tournament will be decided by taking into account: i) The team that won their corresponding match. If match drawn or not applicable; ii) The team with the higher positive margin of points scored for and against will be placed higher in the pool. If still tied; iii) The team with the higher margin of tries scored will be placed higher in the pool. If still tied; iv) The team that has scored the highest number of points will be placed higher in the pool. If still tied; v) The team with more tries score will be placed higher in the pool. If still tied; vi) After considering the above, the team that will finish higher in the pool will be decided by the toss of a coin. 6. At the completion of the pool matches, each team will be ranked within their pool based upon match results, as per Rules 4 and 5. Teams finishing 1 st and 2 nd in each pool will progress to the knock out stages. 7. Throughout the tournament match results will be posted outside the match official s tent situated on the main field. 8. All teams will play a minimum of 3 games over the day.
9. All players playing in the Fat Boyz Division need to be weighed prior to first game, and will need to show referee qualifying 100kg+ stamp prior to kick off of each match. 10. All playing jerseys must be numbered and must correspond to the names provided in the Team Sheets (as per IRB standards). 11. Referees will decide who kicks off to start the game, and what direction each team will play. 12. Each Team can make 5 replacements per game. Temporary replacement for a blood injury to a player is permitted. A player who has been replaced through injury may not resume play in the same match, but may play in subsequent matches provided appropriate medical clearance is provided. A player who has been substituted may return to the field of play as a temporary replacement for a player with a bleeding wound. No replacement or substitution maybe made except with the permission of a Referee, and only during a stoppage in play. Once a player is substituted he/she cannot return in that game. 13. In the event that, due to injuries, a team is unable to field a full complement of players from its own squad of registered players, the team may approach another team which has been playing in the same competition for assistance in providing up to two substitutes, provided that such team has been eliminated from the tournament. A team may not seek assistance from another, which is either still playing in the same competition. The borrowed player(s) may not be used in a match until all available registered players from that team have been used, either as starting players or as substitutions. Such substitute players must be first registered with the tournament officials at the match officers tent and thereafter they shall not be permitted to represent any other team during the remaining rounds, at any other level of the tournament. Players de-registered and replaced by borrowed players may take no further part in any division of the tournament. 14. The first matches will commence at 8:15am approx. on Saturday 14 th February. Draw will be email out to all clubs by the 14 th January. 15. A timekeeper will be appointed for all matches and will time all games. Consequently, the timekeeper will signal the start and finish of each match throughout the whole tournament (i.e. as soon as the hooter is sounded the game is finished). Each game will last seven minutes each half, with not more than one minute interval between halves. All finals (except Fat Boyz) will be 10 minutes each way, with 2 minute break at half time. N.B. for non-pool games (QF s, Semi-Finals & Finals) the next stoppage in play after the hooter signifies the end of the game. 16. Team managers shall be responsible for getting their teams to the field of play by the scheduled kick-off time. Team on the field ready for kick-off will receive a walkover into the next round. (A walkover in the pool stages will carry a 35-0 score line against the offending team). Teams waiting to run onto the fields can you please enter/wait in between both fields in the players only area.
17. If a player is injured during play, the referee shall stop the game if deemed necessary however the clock will not be stopped (except in QF s, Semi-Finals & Finals). This is to ensure player safety and wellbeing and maintain smooth running of the event. Should the clock expire as a result of injury, the team in the lead will be deemed the winner of the match and appropriate points will be allocated in accordance with the rules of the competition. 18. In the knockout stages of the tournament, in the event of a tie, before extra time starts, the referee organises a toss. The winner of the toss decides whether to kick off or to choose an end. If the winner of the toss decides to choose an end, the opponents must kick-off and vice versa. Play will then continue for further periods of five minutes, with the teams alternating ends until the first team scores. There will be no intervals between the additional periods and no teams officials will be allowed on the field of play. 19. If a player is sent off (red carded) during a game, they cannot be replaced and will not be permitted to play again in the tournament. The team s squad shall be reduced in number accordingly for the remainder of the tournament. The player s team captain or manager may make an appeal to the disciplinary committee after the match against suspension from the tournament. 20. If a player is sent to the sin-bin by the referee they must proceed immediately to the seat provided at the half way line in front of the grandstand. They must remain there for a period of two (2) minutes of playing time (per IRB standards). The two minute period will not commence until the offending player has reached the sin bin and is physically seated in designated seat provided (i.e. team bench does not count as sin bin seat). The sin bin time will be managed by the officials desk where a number 4 or number 5 referee has not been appointed. Only the referee may authorise a return to play after a sin bin period, at the next stoppage of play. All Red/Yellow Cards must be reported to the player s home union, regardless if they have been dealt with by the Tournament s Disciplinary Committee. 21. Any player who receives 3 yellow cards during the tournament, will be suspended for one match. 22. The disciplinary committee will consist of the tournament director and two qualified judiciary members as determined by the organising committee. A decision can be made by any two members of the disciplinary committee, but must include the tournament director. A report of the disciplinary committee findings will be sent to the offending player s home union for further action. 23. All disputes, queries or objections must be brought to the attention of the tournament officials within 15 minutes of the completion of the game in dispute, whose subsequent ruling shall be final. 24. The rules of the tournament, including their interpretation, are at the sole discretion of the tournament officials.
25. Only medically trained persons, other than the players, referee and tournament officials may enter the playing area during matches. 26. Water runners will be allowed to enter the playing area during appropriate times within the game (however this is offered on a discretionary basis by the match officials). Each team may have a maximum (no more than) of 2 water runners for each match. 27. The organising committee reserves the right to alter the format of the tournament in the event of unusual weather or any other unexpected circumstances. 28. Any team found to be in breach of the above regulations, may be automatically disqualified from further participation in the tournament. 29. The $7000 prize money for the tournament will be allocated as follows. Premier - Cup Fat Boyz Womans Winner = $2600 2 nd = $1000 3 rd = $400 4 th = $100 bar voucher Winner = $1000 2 nd = $ 500 3 rd = $100 bar voucher Winner = $1000 2 nd = $ 500 3 rd = $100 bar voucher 30. For any reason if you have players drop out at the last minute and will struggle to field a side please contact Hamilton Rugby Union Club (Paul Dan) and we will provide you with local players to make up team numbers. 31. All inquiries and questions should be directed to Hamilton Rugby Union Club (Paul Dan) either by email or by phone to the following details hamiltonrugbysevens@hotmail.com or M: 0422 063 238
The Laws of the Game Apply to the seven-a-side game, subject to the following variations: LAW 3: NUMBER OF PLAYERS THE TEAM 3.1 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON THE PLAYING AREA 3.4 PLAYERS NOMINATED AS SUBSTITUTES Maximum: each team must have no more than seven players on the playing area. A team may nominate no more than five replacements/substitutes. A team can substitute or replace up to 5 (five) players. 3.12 SUBSTITUTED PLAYERS REJOINING THE MATCH If a player is substituted, that player must not return and play in that match even to replace an injured player. Exception: A substituted player may replace a player with a bleeding or open wound. LAW 5: TIME 5.1 DURATION OF A MATCH A match lasts no longer than fourteen minutes plus lost time and extra time. A match is divided into two halves of not more than seven minutes playing time. Exception: A competition final match may last no longer than twenty minutes plus lost time and extra time. The match is divided into two halves of not more than ten minutes playing time. 5.2 HALF TIME After half time the teams change ends. There is an interval of not more than one minute. 5.3 PLAYING EXTRA TIME When there is a drawn match (0nly in knock out matches, quarter Final, Semi and Finals) and extra time is required, after a break of one minute the extra time is played in periods of five minutes. After each period, the teams change ends without an interval. LAW 6: MATCH OFFICIALS 6.A. REFEREE 6.1 Before extra time starts, the referee organises a coin toss (or similar) with both captains. 6.2 Referees will have both captains sign score card after each match LAW 9: METHOD OF SCORING 9.B CONVERSION KICK 9.B.1 TAKING A CONVERSION KICK (c) The kick must be a drop kick. (e) the kicker must take the kick within 40 seconds of a try having been scored. The kick is disallowed if the kicker does not take the kick in the time allowed. 9.B.4. EXTRA TIME THE WINNER (a) In extra time, the team that scores points first is immediately declared the winner, without any further play.
LAW 10: FOUL PLAY Note: Temporary Suspension: When a player has been temporarily suspended, the player s period of suspension will be for a period of two minutes. LAW 13: KICK-OFF AND RESTART KICKS 13.2 WHO TAKES THE KICK-OFF AND RESTART KICK (c) after a score, the team that who has scored kicks off with a drop kick which must be taken at or behind the centre of the half way line. 13.3 POSITION OF THE KICKER S TEAM AT THE KICK OFF All the kicker s team must be behind the ball when it is kicked. If they are not, a free kick is awarded to the non-offending team at the centre of the half way line. 13.7 KICK-OFF OF UNDER 10 METRES AND NOT PLAYED BY AN OPPONENT If the ball does not reach the opponents 10-metre line, a free kick is awarded to the nonoffending team at the centre of the half way line. 13.8 BALL GOES DIRECTLY INTO TOUCH The ball must land in the field of play. If it is kicked directly into touch, a free kick is awarded to the non-offending team at the centre of the half way line. 13.9 BALL GOES INTO THE IN-GOAL (b) If the opposing team grounds the ball, or if they make it dead, or if the ball becomes dead by going into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead ball line a free kick is awarded to the non-offending team at the centre of the half way line. LAW 20: SCRUM DEFINITIONS A scrum is formed in the field of play when three players from each team, bound together in one row, close up with their opponents so that the heads of the players are interlocked. This creates a tunnel into which a scrum half throws in the ball so that the players can compete for possession by hooking the ball with either of their feet. 20.1 FORMING A SCRUM (e) Number of players: three. A scrum must have three players from each team. All three players must stay bound to the scrum until it ends. Sanction: Penalty 20.8 FRONT ROW PLAYERS (c) Kicking out. A front-row player must not intentionally kick the ball out of the tunnel or out of the scrum in the direction of the opponent s goal line. LAW 21: PENALTY AND FREE KICKS 21.3 HOW THE PENALTY AND FREE KICKS ARE TAKEN (a) Any player may take a penalty or free kick awarded for an infringement with any kind of kick: punt, drop kick but not a place kick. The ball may be kicked with any part of the leg from below the knee to the toe but not with the heel.
21.4 PENALTY AND FREE KICK OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS (b) No delay. If a kicker indicates to the referee the intention to kick at goal, the kick must be taken within thirty seconds of the penalty having been awarded. If the 30 seconds is exceeded the kick is disallowed, a scrum is ordered at the place of the mark and the opponents throw in the ball.