The proposed dates for the mini midi festvals 2009/10 are the 7th and 21st March 2010.
Mothers Day is on the 14th so we avoid that and the school holidays start the following week.
I have been asked to point out to all clubs the contents of regulation 7 of the RFU Schools and Youth regulations which is copied below. In essence, the County is required to approve festivals played in its area. If you are due to hold a festival will you or your chair of youth/mini midi rugby please drop me a line requesting approval for your festival (s) so that we are compliant with this regulation.
A short note requesting approval, detailing the date of the festival, the names of the teams taking part, their age groups, confirmation that the festival is organized in accordance with the pattern set out in para 7.2 and the organizer will suffice.
RFU Schools and Youth Regulations
7 Periods of Play in Festivals
7.1 7-a-side and 10-a-side and 15-a-side Festivals may be played at any time within the Season subject to the approval of CB in which the festival is played.
Note: CBs are expected to keep the number of such Festivals under close scrutiny and maintain the teaching of the 15-a-side game as the main purpose of youth rugby.
7.2 15-a-side Festivals must be organized in accordance with the following pattern:
(a) U13 – not exceeding 4 matches of 10 minutes each way (maximum total playing time being 80 minutes)
(b) U14 – not exceeding 4 matches of 10 minutes each way (maximum total playing ti me being 80 minutes)
(c) U15 (and over) – not exceeding 5 matches of 9 minutes each way (maximum total playing time being 90 minutes)
7.3 The maximum playing time permitted in one day for Age Grade Rugby Players is 90 minutes
7.4 All National Schools’ Festivals should have the permission of the ERFSU. All National Clubs’ Festivals should have the permission from the RFU Playing Development Committee.
CONTINUUM 2008-9
The Continuum Regulations are part of RFU Regulations for 2008-9 which will be published later this month on rfu.com.
Concern has been expressed as to the impact the iRB Experimental Law Variations for the Northern Hemisphere (ELVs) may have on the Continuum. The RFU Continuum Group hopes the following will clarify matters.
Bearing in mind that the Continuum is designed to improve the personal rugby skills of young people through quality coaching and to provide an opportunity to practise these acquired personal rugby skills in games where the Laws of the Game have been suitably modified to match the expected skills acquisition of the players within a given Age Band.
iRB Experimental Law Variations. (See RFU Touchline & rfu.com)
· The RFU Council has agreed that ELV2 “Allowing head and shoulders below hips” and ELV3 “Allowing pulling down of the Maul” should NOT be trialled at Under 19 and younger in England. So will not apply within the Continuum
· There have been minor amendments to the Rugby Continuum “Rules of Play” to reflect the other ELVs.
o ELV11 Scrum offside lines-
§ U9 & U10 Mini Rugby the differential offside line at scrums will still apply with the backs of the non putting- in side 5 metres back (was 7 metres).
§ U11 & 12 Midi Rugby ELV 11 applies with both sets of backs offside line 5metres back from hindmost foot of the scrum.
o ELV4 – Midi Rugby taking ball back into the “22” applies.
o Lineouts- The Continuum has modified Laws of the Game for Lineouts which will remain as in 2007-8 so ELV5, 6, 9 &10 will not be applied.
Other changes for 2008-9
The CRG has recognised feedback from the game by making the following amendments
· TEAM DISPENSATION Regulation 6.2.1 (CR2007-8): In 1991 when the Continuum was created many Clubs were struggling with player numbers so when a child was ill etc to avoid the cancellation of games at very short notice a provision was made to allow up to two players to play down an Age Grade. With the dramatic growth over the intervening years in player numbers at Clubs this Team Dispensation is no longer needed
o Especially as 6.2.5 Special Dispensation for Schools & Clubs with Small Numbers of Players gives a more formal process to obtain dispensation when there is a proven audited shortage of players.
· POINTS DIFFERENTIAL: Regulation 9.1.4- This has been reworded to “Matches must be brought to an end if the try difference rises to more than 6”.
MIDI RUGBY U12: Rule of Play 2(b) Teams- Existing wording plus “Coaches may agree to play twelve-a-side matches (e.g. where pitch size is restricted) in which case the scrum will still consist of six forwards.”
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