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Welcome to the 11th edition of the annual Touch Trophy held at Tanglin Rugby Club. This year we have expanded the age groups to U10, U12, U14, U16, U20 and U23 with a record 70 teams entering. It is especially pleasing to see the increase in boy s teams entering this year, with 21 teams competing for the first time in their own boy s age group competitions rather than playing in the girl s age group above. Touch has flourished in Singapore in the last 2 years under the Touch Association of Singapore (TAS) and we have seen enormous growth in both playing numbers and playing standards at junior level thanks to TAS enabling all clubs, schools, junior colleges, polytechnics, universities and social teams to access the TAS Touch leagues at minimal cost. We are very grateful to our long-term partners, who have been with us every year of TRC s existence for generously sponsoring this great tournament again. Wishing all teams a great weekend at this year s Touch Trophy! Patrick Jelfs Director of Touch Rugby Tanglin Rugby Club, Singapore 2 P age
On behalf of all of us at Tanglin Rugby Club, a very warm welcome to players, coaches and parents from the Touch Rugby community in Singapore and abroad. This terrific tournament is a highlight of our calendar, and we look forward to watching the skills and enthusiasm on the park, married with the sportsmanship and rugby values on and off the field that touch rugby players and spectators are famous for. As a not-for-profit, volunteer club, hosting these events would not be possible without the tireless work of an army of volunteers here in Singapore and the commitment and passion of our visiting teams, thank you all. Special thanks go to and our other partners who have enabled TRC to grow from 10 boys playing rugby in the corner of a muddy field in 2006, to over 750 boys and girls enjoying rugby and touch rugby every Sunday, including blossoming girls contact and boys touch sections. Good luck to all and let the games begin! Lee Harle President Tanglin Rugby Club, Singapore 3 P age
We are looking forward to hosting our annual flagship event, the Touch Trophy, starting with the Corporate Challenge on 29 th September and followed by the Junior/Youth Challenge on 30 th September and 1 st October. During an intense weekend of sport, we will gather a diverse group of rugby enthusiasts (and some not so enthusiastic) to participate in an exciting, and competitive, celebration of Touch Rugby. This year we have teams entered from local and international schools, clubs and businesses, the highest number of teams in the history of the Touch Rugby tournament. We are proud to have built, with our partners at the Tanglin Rugby Club, a platform that each year brings together more and more players from all backgrounds and levels. This partnership began out of passion - many of our staff and partners are keen sports people and out of our desire to give the sporting community in Singapore, and in particular the youth, access to a vibrant, well run and inclusive touch rugby tournament. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Tanglin Rugby Club for their superb organization, to thank our corporate participants for their generous donations, this year for the benefit of our nominated charity, SPD, an organization in Singapore creating opportunities in sport and other pursuits for people with disabilities, and to thank you for your support once again of the Touch Trophy. Kai Schneider Managing Partner Singapore Simon Briscoe Partner Singapore 4 P age
Tournament Rules and Regulations 1. Introduction By entering the tournament all participating teams agree to abide by the Rules and Regulations set out herein. Non Compliance with the Rules and Regulations may result in disqualification of individuals or teams from the event. 2. Date, Time and Venue The Touch trophy 2017 will take place on Saturday 30th September and Sunday 01 October, at Tanglin Rugby Club, 192 Turf Club Road, Turf City, Singapore 2987994. The fixture list for each age group can be accessed on the TAS website here. http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-11285-0-466810- 0&a=COMPS#Clifford_Chance_Touch_Trophy or http://touchassociationsingapore.com/ 3. Team and Player Registration The initial registration of players is the responsibility of the Team Coach, Team Manager or Team Captain. One point of contact only is required for each team, and team lists and signed waivers should be returned by email to director.touch@trc.sg by 31 August 2017. 5 P age
4. Player Eligibility and Proof of Age To protect the integrity of the tournament there will be zero tolerance of any teams playing overage players, in any age group, unless in exceptional circumstances, where written justification has been requested in advance and approval from the tournament directors has been received before the tournament commences. Underage players may of course play up an age group(s). A copy of the players passports or IC card is not required by the 31 August 2017 registration date, but a copy of each player s passport or IC card should be brought to the tournament. The tournament directors, reserve the right to demand proof of player s identity and eligibility at any time over the tournament weekend. Failure or refusal to provide adequate proof of eligibility will result in the player not being allowed to take part in the tournament and disqualification of that team or all teams of that club or institution if matches have been played by that player. Clubs or institutions that play overage players, will have all their teams entered disqualified from the tournament. All players must fall within the following age group requirements. Under 8 Born in 2009 or later Under 10 Born in 2007 or 2008 Under 12 Born in 2005 or 2006 Under 14 Born in 2003 or 2004 Under 16 Born in 2001 or 2002 Under 20 Born in 1997, 1998, 1999 or 2000 Under 23 Born in 1994, 1995 or 1996 Team sizes are limited to 14 players per team, and should have a minimum of 10 players fit enough to complete the whole tournament. Once registered, a player may play for another team from his/her club/institution in the same or a higher age group only with the permission of the tournament directors. This is to enable clubs who have lost players to injury to have sufficient substitutes. 6 P age
5. Laws Matches will be played according to FIT 4th Edition rules with modified durations. 6. Duration of Matches U10 and U12 matches will be 15 minutes flat with no half time. U14, U16, U20 and U23 matches will be 20 minutes flat with no half time. It is each team s responsibility to be at the correct pitch, which will be clearly marked ten minutes before tap off. A central hooter will sound and the referee on the pitch will, at their discretion, start the match with a blow of their whistle. The end of the match will be when the central hooter is next sounded and the referee will, at their discretion, whistle the end of the match when that play is concluded. Teams that are late will be penalised 1 touchdown per minute late, until 10 minutes when the match will be declared a 10-0 walkover by the referee. Players should clear the pitches as quickly as possible to allow the next match to commence on time. 7. Summary of Tournament playing Rules Each team consists of a maximum of 14 players and should have a minimum of ten players. A maximum of 6 players may be on the pitch at any one time, and substitutions can be made at any time. All members of the same team must be uniformly attired in matching jerseys with a unique number. Each touchdown will be worth 1 point. Match points will be awarded as follows WIN DRAW LOSS 3 points 2 points 1 point Positions shall be determined in age groups that have a ladder format, by and in order of priority: 7 P age
Total points per team If two or more teams finish on equal points after all matches have concluded then their final positions shall be determined by, and in order or priority: a) Touchdown difference b) Total touchdowns scored c) Fewest touchdowns conceded d) Result of the individual match between the two teams Scorer of the first touchdown of the individual match between the two teams. In age groups that have a grand final format, if the 2 teams have equal scores at the end of the match then a drop off will decide the winner. (Please see Appendix 1 - The Drop Off Procedure) Please ensure that your teams stay for their own age groups prize-giving, even if they have not won a prize. It is only sporting and respectful to those that have won prizes. 8. Officials and Matches Forfeit The Touch Association of Singapore will provide the match referees for all age groups. No players may referee a match. No coaches or team managers may referee a match. Only the captain of the team may speak to the referee during the match. Coaches and Team Managers may not engage in any conversation with referees during the match. Referees will record match scores and a captain, coach or team manager from each team is required to sign a score card at the end of each match. Failure or refusal to sign will result in the forfeit of that match. Touchdown scorers numbers will be recorded on the card. The referee will nominate an MVP from each team and will record it on the score card. There will be no appeals after the score card is signed by a coach, team manager or captain. 8 P age
9. Tournament Format To allow any team wishing to enter CCTT 2017, tournament formats will vary depending on how many teams are in that particular age group. Girls U10 (4 Teams) - Each team plays each other twice, top of ladder declared winner SUNDAY FINISH U12 (10 Teams) - 2 x 5 Team Pools - 1A vs 1B Final SUNDAY FINISH U14 (7 Teams) - Each team plays each other once, top of ladder declared winner U16 (9 Teams) - Each team plays each other once, top of ladder declared winner SUNDAY FINISH SUNDAY FINISH U20 (10 Teams) - 2 x 5 Team Pools - 1A vs 1B Final SUNDAY FINISH U23 (6 Teams) - Each team plays each other once, 1 v 2 on table play in GF SUNDAY FINISH Boys U12 - (5 Teams) - Each team plays each other once, 1st place ladder straight to GF, 2v3 - winner to GF, loser 3rd place. 5v4 - play off for 4th U14 (4 Teams) - Each team plays each other once, Semi & GF + 3rd Place Play-off U16 (4 Teams) - Each team plays each other once, Semi & GF + 3rd Place Play-off U23 (9 Teams) - Each team plays each other once, top of ladder declared winner SATURDAY FINISH SATURDAY FINISH SUNDAY FINISH SUNDAY FINISH 9 P age
10. Arrival and Registration on Saturday 30th sept Teams should arrive at least 30 minutes before their first match and a team manager, coach or captain should report and register each team present to the tournament directors at control. It is each team s responsibility to be at the correct pitch for each match at least 10 minutes before the official tap off time. We will endeavor to stick to the match schedule, and appreciate all teams to make the effort to be at the right pitch at the right time. 11. Lightning, adverse weather Conditions and Delays to the Schedule In the event of lightning all matches will be suspended immediately. All players, managers, referees and spectators should immediately take cover in the nearest tent. The tournament directors will determine when (if at all) it is safe for play to resume. Please do not allow players to be outside the tents during lighting storms. The tournament directors reserve the right to adjust match length and schedules in the case of excessive delays but will endeavor to catch up on any time lost to adverse weather. 12. Code of Conduct Please treat all other participants as you would wish to be treated yourself. We expect all players, coaches, team managers, parents and spectators to treat every other participant with respect. The decisions of match referees are final and must be respected. Failure to comply with this may result in individuals or teams being disqualified and asked to leave the grounds of the tournaments. Tanglin Rugby Club is a volunteer run club comprising over 750 children playing Rugby and Touch Rugby. We provide a friendly, caring and competitive environment for all children and youth in Singapore, boys and girls, who wish to play Rugby or Touch Rugby. Each year the Touch Trophy gives us an opportunity to promote these values beyond TRC membership. We would encourage all participating teams to review our Code of Conduct as we ask all teams to respect these standards and make it an enjoyable tournament for all. http://www.tanglinrugbyclub.com/a/trc-codes-of-conduct-23564.html 10 P age
13. Health and Safety All players compete at their own risk and should have adequate individual medical insurance. First Aid staff will be available throughout tournament play and will be located in the medical and first aid tents. Coaches, team managers and players should pay specific attention to the following a) Microsporidia Owing to a small amount of recent cases of Microsporidia (an infection of the eye) at various locations around Singapore it is highly recommended that all players frequently wash their faces and eyes to remove any mud. The medics will help with this as required. b) Sun exposure. Please be sure to protect all players against sunburn and in between matches take advantage of the shaded area under the tents c) Dehydration and Heat exhaustion Please ensure all players drink plenty of water. Unlimited water will be provided to each team from centrally located water coolers Players that are dehydrated may show the following symptoms - headaches, dizziness, stomach ache. Please go to the medical tent to cool down and rehydrate. d) Abrasions Please get any abrasions cleaned and dressed by the medics 11 P age
Reducing our environmental impact at the Clifford Chance Touch Trophy together Hydration is critical in the Singapore climate, especially in sporting tournaments played over a prolonged period of time and TRC will provide unlimited drinking water for all teams throughout the tournament. However, this year, we would like to reduce our impact on the environment and eliminate plastic waste as much as possible. Please bring your re fillable water containers to use and access the drinking water that will be available at centrally located water coolers. Please join us in this initiative by reminding all your players and supporters to bring their own reusable water bottles to the tournament. Please enjoy this thought provoking short trailer https://www.plasticoceans.org/watch-trailer/ 12 P age
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TRC Soft Drink Stand TRC Bar (staffed by volunteers from TRC U12T, U14T, U16T & U19T) WATER $1 HEINEKEN CANS $6 COKE ZERO $2 WHITE WINE $8 SPRITE $2 ROSE WINE $8 AQUARIUS $2 PIMMS $8 14 P age
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APPENDIX 1 THE DROP OFF PROCEDURE I. When the match is drawn at the expiration of full time, the referee will wait until the ball is dead, halt play, then signal to the tournament control area or a tournament official that the game is drawn. A one (1) minute break will occur prior to commencement of the Drop-Off. Each team will reduce their playing strength by one on-field player. II. III. IV. The Drop-Off commences with a tap from the centre of the halfway line by the team who won the toss at the commencement of the game. Teams continue to play in the same direction as they finished the game. Substitution of players is permitted at any time as per the normal interchange rules. At the conclusion of two minutes of extra time, a signal is sounded and the referee will stop play at the next touch or dead ball. Each team will then reduce their on field strength by one (1) player. Play will recommence immediately after the players have left the field at the same point in the play where it was halted; (i.e. the team retaining possession at the designated number of touches, or a change of possession due to some infringement or it being the sixth touch). V. The clock does not stop when the hooter sounds at the two minute intervals, as there is no time off during the Drop-Off. VI. VII. VIII. IX. At each subsequent two minute period a signal for another player to drop off, will be sounded. Once the teams have been reduced to only three players each, no further drop off of players will occur, and the match will continue until a touchdown is scored. Should a player be sent off for the remainder of the match when teams have only three players each, the offending team will forfeit, and lose the match. During the Drop-Off, before a winner can be declared, both teams must have had possession. If a team scores before their opponents have had possession, the touchdown counts and the match commences as per normal after a touchdown is awarded. Once possession is lost the winner is then confirmed. The decision on which player will drop off is entirely up to the team management, that is the captain, coach, etc. X. A player/team wasting time at a drop off will be penalised at the mark for recommencement of the match. 18 P age