Taking the next step starts at Herts Sevens

For many girls Herts Sevens 2006 will be their final appearence in junior rugby. With no change to the age bands for next season, any girls who are, or will be, 17 on or before 1st September will, in most cases, be moving on into adult rugby.

To help the girls who are facing this big step, representatives from four of the region's women's teams will be at Herts Sevens this season. Players from Hertford Ladies, Millwall Venus, Old Albanians and Tabard will be on hand throughout the day to meet players, offer advice, discuss what its like in the adult game, and also offer playing tips and suggestions.

The four clubs represent all levels of the adult game, from newly established teams such as Tabard, to well established premiership teams like OAs.

Its should be a great opportunity for all the players at the festival to learn more about the women's game so, if you are a coach, please make the club reps feel welcome and encourage your girls to find time to have a chat with them.

The main aim is to demystify the adult game, so that girls - especialy from clubs that lack women's teams - feel more confident about moving onward and upwards into adult rugby.

Sponsor to provide free tournament programmes for all

Just two weeks to go - and the programme for this year's festival has finally been completed and sent to the printers.

And the good news is (as well as being, hopefully, both an interesting and useful publication) - thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation - all copies will be available free to all spectators and supporters. So collect as many copies as you need when you arrive!

464 water, who are also suporting the festival, will also be providing bottled water for the players - remember to collect your supply at registration.

Parking and travel arrangements

If you haven't visited Letchworth RFC before, the ground is behind the North Hertfordshire Leisure Centre on the B656 (formerly the A505) between Baldock and Letchworth.

Note that the road numbers have recently changed following the opening of the Baldock by-pass.

If travelling from the east it is quicker to exit the A505 before you get to Letchworth and go through Baldock than follow the by-pass.

If you are using the A1 then leave at Junction 9, and follow the signs for the B656 and the leisure centre.

Parking at the ground will limited, so we have arranged for you to be able to use the car park of the Hertfordshire Careers Service, situated on the opposite side of the B656 from the Leisure Centre (marked with a "P" on the map above).

Registration will be from 9.30 -10.15. If possible you are encouraged to submit team lists by email (johnbirch@ntlworld.com) before day in order to speed arrangements. A registration form can be downloaded by clicking here.

If you are travelling from a significant distance, and your first game is not until 11.30 or later, then you may delay your arrival until 45 minutes before your first game. However, you must still telephone or text 07767 615274 between 9.30 and 10.15 to confirm that you are on your way.

Changing rooms will be open and available, but there will obviously not be enough rooms for all teams to change at the same time! Teams should either arrive ready to play, or give themselves plenty of time to change. Showers will also be available on the same basis.

Changing rooms will be shared and no clothing or equipment should be left unattended in any changing room - Letchworth GC RFC will not be responsble for any losses resulting from unattended belongings.

The changing room and shower areas will be open only to players and female coaching staff throughout the day.

RFUW issue insurance guidance

The RFUW have published detailed guidance on insurance for players and clubs - see here.

It reminds clubs and players that to be adequately insured anybody playing rugby must:

• Become a member of an RFUW affiliated club
• Become a Registered RFUW Player and / or
• Become a member of an affiliated county squad and / or
• Become a member of an affiliated RFUW Regional Squad.

It also states that:

• Clubs must be affiliated to the RFUW.
• Women’s / girls teams should ensure the Club Secretary is aware of their teams existence.
• The Club secretary must then include all women and girls teams on the Club Insurance Form.

New teams - in particular those conected with men's clubs - are often incorrectly informed that their club's RFU affiliation and insurance covers girls' and women's teams. This is not the case as the RFU is not reponsible for girls' and women's rugby players or teams after the age of 12. This document sets out in detail what is required by the RFUW and its insurers.

It is in everyone's interests that all teams attending this year's Hertfordshire Sevens meet these requirements - so please take a moment to check that your team is covered.

Did you go to an England international this season?

The RFUW are asking for feedback from anyone who attended either of this season's Six Nations internationals at Old Albanians in St Albans, Herts.

This was the first year that England had played its Six Nations games at the ground.

Susan Allen at RFUW is asking specifically whether or not the venue as:

EXCELLENT / GOOD / AVERAGE / POOR

and has also published a more detailed questionnaire on the RFUW website (click here).

If you did got to one of the games please take a few moments to answer Susan's enquiries.

Referee changes

Unfortunately John from Bishop's Stortford will not now be able to referee on the 14th some amendments have had to be made to the referees' timetable.

All of the existing times published for everyone will stay the same, but some referees will be taking on an extra game. The extra assignments are:

11:30 Welwyn to referee Basildon v Kibworth (U14)
11:50 Letchworth 1 to referee Milton Keynes v Basildon (U17)
12:30 Hertford to referee Rochford v Hellesdon (U14)
12:50 Letchworth 3 to referee Basildon v Holt (U14)

And in the knockout stages (subject to change, depending on how the pools go, obviously):

14:10 Letchworth 4 to referee plate C2/D2 semi-final (U14)
15:30 Saracens to referee A2/B2 plate semi-final (U17)
16:10 Basildon 1 to referee shield final (U17)

Some of the "rules" have been stretched a bit here - Welwyn will now be refereeing in the slot before a Welwyn game, and Letchworth 1 will have three games running, but that is unavoidable. If this does cause any problems please get back to me as soon as possible as this has to be finalised by the middle of next week so that the amendments can be included in the tournament programme

Still spaces at National Sevens

Why end your season on the 14th? There are still places at the National Sevens in Harpenden on Monday 29th May. Thus far only two clubs from Herts Sevens will be going to the Nationals - Welwyn and Letchworth (and the latter only in the U17s).

With less than a week to go there are still five places waiting to be filled in the U17 competition, and nine in the U14s.

Its a great opportunity to play against clubs you'd never normally get a chance to meet - clubs like Worcester, Morpeth, and Petersfield - so if your already practicing for one event, why not make the most of it. More information by clicking here.

U14 competition: provisions in case of a withdrawl

Hopefully this will not happen, but if a team withdraws from the U14 competition it obviously has the potential to cause significant problems as it would leave us with 11 teams and a poll with only two teams in it.

One option would be to redraw the competition with two pools of four and one of three, but this would result in significant disruption and confusion that could easily spill over and affect the U17 event.

So - in the event of a withdrawl - the following will happen:

• All matches unaffected by the withdrawl will proceed as planned
• Two teams (the "extra" teams) will be selected at random to play an extra match against one or other of the teams in the affected pool (the "affected" teams).
• In these matches the "affected" teams will be competing for competition points as normal
• The "extra" teams will not gain competition points from these games, but will be eligible for the "good sportmanship" bonus point (see competition rules)
• It is possible that an "extra" team might have to play consecutive games. However, there is some leeway built into the timings which means that we should be able to ensure a 5-10 minute gap between matches if this happens.
• The bowl would be decided by a three team pool, with matches taking place at 13:30, 14:10, and 14:50.
• The plate semi-finals would move forward to 13:50.

Why would the "extra" teams not get competition points in these games?

It would theoretically be possible to award competition points, and then average out a teams points gained from their three games, but in practice this would add a degree of complexity (not to mention fractions of a point) to littel purpose as it would be unlikely to change any final pool positions. And if it DID change positions it would seem unfair - ie. a team might win both its pool games but not win the pool. The "good sportsmanship" bonus would seem to be sufficient.

Why would the "extra" teams want to take part in the games, in that case?

Primarily because most of the girls will be at the event to play as much rugby as possible. Also they do get a bonus point.

The "affected" teams would not be playing the same opponents?

True, but unavoidable. There is a limit to how even handed you can be, the teams will be selected at random, and in practice the game between the two "affected" teams will probably prove decisive anyway.

If more than one team withdraws?

Things become much easier, in fact. Two of the three team groups would be unaffected, and a four team group created from the remainder. Such an arrangement would also result in exactly the same number of games so the semi finals could proceed as planned.

What about the U17 competition?

If a teams withdraws from the U17s the group affected would play on as a three team group, with each team playing the other twice.

Hertfordshire U17s win inter-county sevens

Last Sunday (9th April) Hertfordshire took part in an inter-county sevens tournament in Wimbledon, organised by Surrey RFU. With regional players away it was an opportunity for girls from the rest of the squad to take centre stage, which they did to great effect.

The U14 team finished runner-up to Surrey - but a sizable propotion of Surrey's points actually came from Herts girls (Jess Robinson in particular) who had been lent to them - so a moral victory there, perhaps.

In the U17s a Hertfordshire team composed of girls from Letchworth, Saracens, and Bishop's Stortford first beat Surrey 15-5 before taking on "Bedfordshire" (effectively Ampthill with a couple of Surrey girls), who also beaten Surrey (19-15).

At this point its worth metioning that earlier in the year Ampthill U17shad visited Letchworth. The game was a remarkable battle with which went well into the second half before ending early, owing to an injury, with the score at 0-0.

With girls from the two clubs making up two thirds of the players on the field another close game was expected - but after a remarkable battle which went well into the second half, the game ended early, owing to an injury, with the score at 0-0...

Herts were therefore declared winners of the competition as, with equal tournament points and an identical try count, they had conceeded the fewest tries.

(Its worth saying that the Letchworth and Ampthill get on very well off off the field. The "problem" may be that, in terms of strengths, weaknesses, playing style and everything else (even the colours!) the teams are remarkably similar. Its unfortunate that Ampthill can't make it to Herts Sevens as we might have broken the deadlock...)

Code of conduct

As mentioned in, and as an addenda to, the tournament rules the following code of conduct will apply:

To ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and rewarding day, players, officials and spectators are asked to follow the following code:

Players, officials and spectators…

• Will not argue with referees, or other match or tournament officials
• Will not use foul or abusive language
• Will not smoke – particularly in enclosed areas
• Will use any rubbish bins provided

In addition players…

• Will not deliberately hurt or threaten any other player in any way, on or off of the pitch
• Will not take anything that does not belongs to them
• Will be helpful to the officials

Competition rules

Playing conditions

Games shall be played according the standard laws of rugby union, incorporating IRB amendments relating to Sevens rugby and age group rules adopted by the RFUW.

In particular teams should note that:

• Conversions shall be taken by means of a drop kick
• After a score, the team scoring shall restart
• All matches shall be seven minutes each way - and may be reduced in length on safety grounds at the discretion of the referee (ie. if teams are significantly mis-matched, or if the risk to injury is increased due to player fatigue).

IMPORTANT NOTE: All referee decisions shall be final and cannot subsequently be changed. If an error is made by any match official over any rule, law or actuality, or the interpretation of any rule or law, then the game shall continue as if the error had not been made and any score, or subsequent score, shall stand. No attempt should be made to deliberately “correct” an error by any person either later in the game or afterwards, and no appeals will be entered into on such matters after a game.

Other tournament rules

• While squads may be of any size, they will be assumed to contain ten players. There will only be sufficient programmes, etc. - and winners’ medals! - for that number.
• In pool games, four points shall be awarded to a winning team, and two points each if the game is drawn. A try scoring bonus point will be awarded to any team scoring four or more tries in a game, and a losing bonus point to any team losing by seven points or less.
• The organisers may, at their discretion, award a bonus point to reward examples of good sportsmanship, such as the lending of players to other teams to cover injury (provided they are not from the same club).
• The organisers also reserve the right to deduct competition or match points for breaches of the Code of Conduct or other poor sportsmanship by players or club officials if reported by referees or other tournament officials.
• Pool ranking shall be decided on the basis of (in order) a) competition points; b) results between the team/s tied on points; c) most tries scored; d) fewest tries conceded; e) points difference. If teams are still level then places shall be decided by a kicking competition (see below).
• Knock-out games tied at the end of normal time shall continue with one period of two minutes sudden-death (first to score wins) overtime with teams defending the end they were defending at the end of normal time. If teams are still level then the game shall be decided by a kicking competition (see below).
• Kicking competition. Each player finishing the game (or seven nominated players in the case of pool placings) shall take a drop kick at goal from any point on the field. Players from each team will kick alternately. All players other than the kicker shall stand behind the 22. The competition will continue until (after the same number of kicks have been
  taken by each) one team has scored more goals than the other.
• The organisers’ decisions on the interpretation of these rules, or on any other relevant matters not covered by these rules, shall be final.

Injuries

If an on-field injury delays play for more than five minutes the game shall be abandoned and the score at the time of the abandonment shall stand.

If the injury delays the start of any subsequent matches then – if practical – in the U17 competition a half sized pitch shall be marked out and play shall continue on that pitch until the injury is treated. If that is not possible – or if the injury happens in a U14 game – subsequent matches shall transfer to the other pitch. Games will then run for five minutes each way
until the injury is treated and cleared.

Replacements

Teams may make up to two tactical substitutions in each game, but may make more than two if any subsequent replacement is required owing to injury.

Replacements should – in the first instance - come from the team’s own squad. However, if this is not possible - and the replacement is required owing to injury - then teams may “borrow” players from any other squad regardless of whether the “borrowed” player has played before in the competition, or intends to play again.

Teams are encouraged to lend players if requested - but when lending a player coaches should ensue that they do not breach the IRB rule limiting players to 90 on-field minutes in any one-day tournament.

Referees' schedule published

To make things easier for match officials, a referees' schedule has now been published, listing the games each official will be asked to cover. It can be found here or through the link on the right.

As the tournament will be covered by the Rugby Matters photographic agency we want to make the best visual impression as possible and will be providing shirts for referees to use when officiating. If possible it is requested that referees also wear bring black or dark shorts and socks.

Tournament timetable now finalised

Thank you for your comments and corrections to the draft issued at the beginning of the week. These have been incorporated and a final version is now available (see the links bar on the right).

There were no major changes to any match times - mainly just some referee appointment clashes and a change to the U17 semi-final draw to ensure that teams from the same club did not meet before any final.

As well as the complete plan, separate tournament diagrams for each event have been drawn up in Word format which you may find easier to print out and edit for you own needs.

Draft match timetable now published

See http://www.writely.com/View.aspx?docid=bddqngdcvxfk4

The programme publisher is requesting something approaching a final text by Friday (because Easter gets in the way). As they - the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation - are doing the whole thing for us nothing (design and print) I am not inclined to quibble too much, so please could I have any responses by tomorrow or Thursday. Sorry if that is very short notice.

It has to be said, incidentally, that putting this together makes the average Sudoku puzzle look total child's play - indeed it reminded me of trying to solve a Rubic's Cube. Minor changes have major knock-on consequences, so if you want to make changes you'd better have a damn good reasons ready!

Principles behind the timetable

1. Teams travelling the significant distances start their programme later - and visa versa. (Generally I think this has been achieved within the limitations of the actual draw).
2. No team plays back-to-back matches

Referee timetable

This is where things get fiendishly complex. Basically to try to be as fair as possible I have work on the principles that no referee will referee....

1. Teams from their own club (this has been achieved)
2. A game at the same time as their club is playing (this has been achieved, expect for Letchworth, Basildon, and Thomas Becket who are either providing two referees - each of which I have "linked" with either their U14 or U17 teams - or have two U17 teams, so there aren't enough spaces)
3. A game immediately before their club is due to play (so that they can be involved in coaching and preparation) (there are some exceptions, but this has worked out in about 90% of cases)
4. A game immediately after their club is due to play (so that they can provide feedback, etc.) (much more difficult this, but in most cases this has worked)

I've also tried to share out games as evenly as possible - generally each referee has been given 4-5 pool games.

There are also indicative appointments for the later stages - roughly based on seedings - but I expect these will be subject to significant change dependent on results.

I'll produce more individualised timetables later.

Under 17 competition: draw

The following is the draw for the Under 17 competition at Hertfordshire Sevens 2006, as conducted by girls from Bishop's Stortford RFC at Bishop's Stortford on Sunday 2nd April 2006.

POOL A
Becket Barbarians
Letchworth/Saracens
Uttlesford Hunters
Welwyn Warriors

POOL B
Basildon
Milton Keynes
Romford & Gildea Park
Stevenage Swifts

POOL C
Daventry
Hertford
Holt & West Norfolk
Rochford Hundred

POOL D
Becket Belles
Letchworth Legends
Wasps
Westcliff

The winners of each group will proceed to the Cup semi-finals, runners up will go on to Plate semi-finals, third placed sides will play in the Bowl semi-finals, and fourth places sides take part in the Shield semi-finals. There will then follow the four finals. It is not planned to have play-off games for defeated semi-finalists in the Under 17 competition.

The full match schedule will be published nearer the event.

*NOTE* Due to the number of entries the competition will now start an hour earlier than planned. If that is a problem for any teams travelling a significant distance, please let me know so that your schedule can be adjusted accordingly.

Under 14 competition: draw

The following is the draw for the Under 14 competition at Hertfordshire Sevens 2006, as conducted by girls from Bishop's Stortford RFC at Bishop's Stortford on Sunday 2nd April 2006.

POOL A
Hellesdon High School, Norwich
Rochford Hundred
Welwyn Warriors

POOL B
Basildon
Holt & West Norfolk
Kibworth

POOL C
Milton Keynes
Saracens
Uttlesford Daggers

POOL D
Becket Blues
Letchworth
Westcliff

The winners of each group will proceed to the Cup semi-finals, runners up will go on to Plate semi-finals, and third placed sides will play in the Bowl semi-finals. There will then follow the three finals and three play-off games for defeated semi-finalists, thus giving four games for each team.

The full match schedule will be published nearer the event. .

Entries closed. Definitely and finally!

Entries for Herts Sevens 2006 are now finally closed.

Thanks to everyone who has entered - it looks a fascinating line-up.

The U17 competition will feature 16 teams, divided into four groups of four, while the U14 event will have 12 teams in four groups of three. Just about every club in East Region be represented in one way or another, in addition to teams from three other regions as well - see the list on the right for details

The draw will take place at Bishop's Stortford RFC on tomorrow. We (Letchworth) happen to be there and - as Stortford are not able to enter a team this year due to other commitments - they will be ideal independent witnesses.

The policies outlined last week will be followed, and all teams will play at least four games.

The schedule of matches and general timetable of events will follow later, though it is expected that competition will start earlier than originally planned due to the size of the entry. If that causes any problems for any teams please let me know and we will try to arrange for you matches to begin at more suitable times.