NEW ZEALAND JUNIOR RUGBY FESTIVAL INFORMATION " The purpose of the New Zealand Junior Rugby Festival is to give all junior rugby players the opportunity to participate against clubs from around the country and the world, on a foundation of sportsmanship, enjoyment and friendship; all the while creating lifelong memories with your mates on tour." All Greens Tour 2013 - French Rugby Club de Gradignan with Richie McCaw and NZJRF founder Tyrone Campbell at an All Blacks training camp. Welcome to the New Zealand Junior Rugby Festival 2014 Last year saw the events biggest attendance with over 90 rugby teams from around NZ and as far as France take part in the Taupo, Queenstown and Auckland events. The festival continues to grow each and every year. Clubs believe what makes the event so popular is the opportunity to meet and play clubs they would never normally have the chance to play against. We have a high standard of refereeing and first class playing facilities, with the chance for kids to play in a stadium; combined with strong festival values of promoting sportsmanship and fair play. Our partner 5+ a day Fruit and Vegetables helps us promote another key value of kids being active and eating healthy. All teams are given free fruit at registration. We once again look forward to welcoming teams from across NZ and overseas for what will be another standout weekend of grass roots rugby at its best. 1
Dates and location Taupo 13th and 14th September U 9 s to U 13 s Owen Delany Park Queenstown 20th and 21st September U 10 s to U 13 s QT Events Centre Eligibility Every player must be registered to NZRU or if an international player must be IRB sanctioned to tour. All NZRU players must meet the regulations for age and weight and can only play for the club they are registered. International teams must play for the team that has been IRB sanctioned. Registration and Weigh-in Every club must complete a registration form when confirming their intention to attend the tournament. ( one per club ) Each team must complete and send back a team sheet no later than 1 st of May, with full names, DOB and NZRU numbers. ( one per team ) Managers must complete a team card for each game. ( before each game ) Every team must arrive no later than 6pm Friday before the tournament starts to attend weigh-in and registration. Each team must arrive at least 1.5hours before their first kick off each day to sign-in. One management representative from each team is required at NZJRF management meeting Friday 7.30pm at the venue Squads Every team must register at least 22 players for age groups under 11 to under 13 or 15 players for age groups under 9 and 10. All non-local teams must travel collectively to and from the stadium by bus. It is a safety issue to not allow hundreds of cars dropping off kids each morning. (Only team buses will be allowed in to the grounds until 40 min before kick-off, when the gates open for public). Buses included in entry fee. 2
Each squad should have at least two management, with one person nominated to be tour group leader. There is no entry or cost for up to three management to travel with the team on the bus. Weights and Grading Weights and Grading for the NZJRF have been recommended by club delegates from North and South Island rugby clubs that have taken part for a number of years. They follow similar trends set by a number of unions to allow children to play rugby with other children of similar age, weight and ability in the interest of a safe environment. Taupo Under 9-37kg Under 10-41kg Under 11-47kg Under 12-54kg Under 13-62kg Queenstown Under 10-41kg Under 11-47kg Under 12-58kg Under 13 Open Dispensations Dispensation requests are put forward to a NZJRF committee and assessed on a case-by-case basis. Dispensation forms available on request from info@globalgames.co.nz Players who are above the weight limit can apply to play up the grades, with a dispensation for weight: Children one year younger can have a dispensation for up to 5kg. Children two years younger can have an open weight dispensation. Clubs who have players that are small for their age can apply for dispensation for the child to play down a grade for safety reasons. Players joining a team from another club will only ever be considered under severe circumstances and must be approved by NZJRF committee. 3
Game Times Pool Quarter Final Semi Final Final 10 min each way 15 min each way 25 min each way 25 min each way Sponsorship and Funding Due to the nature of the festival, and the benefits children gain from such a tour, a number of clubs will be eligible to apply for grants and funding. Information for funding can be found at www.communitymatters.govt.nz/funding-and-grants If your club intends to apply for a grant to fund the trip, please request the paper work from us early info@globalgames.co.nz. NEW ZEALAND JUNIOR RUGBY FESTIVAL RULES The New Zealand Junior Rugby Festival is played in accordance with IRB & NZRU Laws of the Game incorporating the Small Blacks Development Model guidelines. http://www.nzrugby.co.nz/small_blacks It is our goal to be, not only the best junior rugby tournament in NZ, but the world; running a tournament that sets the bench mark for enjoyment, sportsmanship and fair play. We do not want teams entering whose only goal is to win at all costs and who bring the event in to disrepute through bad sportsmanship or have supporters who abuse from the side-line. Clubs and teams put a lot of hard work into getting to the festival and regardless of results; every player deserves to have an incredible experience. If any teams are deemed to have 4
broken the rules or ruined the event for others, by the NZJRF committee, the whole club will not be invited back for a minimum of three years. Rules for players, management and supporters Have fun regardless of results Ensure only positive support is given on and off the field Take time to meet and interact with other teams ( that s what it s about ) Represent your club and region with pride, play hard but always fair Support the referees who give up their time to make this event possible, remember they are only human and make mistakes, as we do. Safety All players must wear mouth guards. Should a player be injured, play must be stopped immediately and the player attended to. Players on the field who are injured in any way that results in bleeding must be immediately removed. A substitute can be played while they are being attended to blood nose, etc for up to 5 min. Jerseys should be changed and the injury attended to and cleaned properly. Players who receive head injuries must be checked properly and remove the player from the field. Should a player suffer concussion he/she must be attended to properly and is not allowed to play for the remainder of the tournament Coaches and parents must not put the player s health at risk in any game. 5
OVERVIEW OF RULES FOR EACH AGE GRADE Under 9's and 10's Field: 40 metres wide - goal line to 10m line (the side-lines become the try lines) Ball: Size 3 Players: 10 per side (5 forwards/5 backs) Subs: Rolling Tackle: All tackles must be below the nipple line. Scrums: 5 players, no contesting or pushing. Opposition backlines back 5m, halfback must start and stay at the tunnel of scrum until the ball has been cleared from the locks feet. Locks cannot pick and go. Lineouts: Uncontested. 2.5m in from touch. 5 players No lifting, lines from 1m apart, backlines back 5m, no player to cross the line of touch (LOT) until ball in halfbacks hand. Kick-Offs: Tap & Pass to be rotated through all players. Opposition 5m back Penalties: Tap and pass. Opposition 5m back Conversions: No conversions, kick for fun in front of posts Hand off: Players may fend to the body but not to the face or neck region. Under 11's Field: Full Field Ball: Size 3 Players: 15 per side, with numbered jerseys Subs: Rolling Tackle: All tackles must be below the nipple line. Scrums: 8 players, no contesting or pushing. Opposition backlines back 5m from hindmost foot of scrum; halfback must start at the tunnel of scrum and cannot move forward of the tunnel. Once ball has entered the scrum can move back to the No.8 feet and stand anywhere along the off side line (No.8 feet) Lineouts: Can be contested, lines 1m apart - No lifting. Backlines back 10m Kick-Offs: Drop kick. Opposition 10m back Penalties: Normal. Opposition 10m back Conversions: No wider than the 15m line. 6
Under 12's and under 13's Field: Full Field Ball: Size 4 Players: 15 per side, with numbered jerseys Weight: Refer Junior Grades Chart Subs: Rolling Tackle: All tackles must be below the nipple line. Scrums: Can be contested up to ½ metre push and 45 turn. Opposition backlines 5m back from hindmost foot of scrum, halfback must start at the tunnel of scrum and cannot move forward of the tunnel. Once ball has entered the scrum can move back to the No.8 feet and stand anywhere along the off side line (No.8 feet). Lineouts: Contesting is allowed, lines 1m apart - No lifting. Backlines back 10m Kick-Offs: Drop kick. Opposition 10m back Penalties: Normal. Opposition 10m back Conversions: Normal 7