Sunday 13^th October 2019

On behalf of Tunbridge Wells RFC, we welcome you to our 2019 Minis Festival, for what we hope is a great day of rugby, teamwork and fun.

Today’s festival is supported by NFU Mutual. The NFU Mutual Tunbridge Wells agency is backed by an organisation built over 100 years ago. From farming, motor, property & valuables, to commercial protection. NFU Mutual’s customers have a dedicated team, who will look after their insurance requirements. Call 01892 337488.

KEY INFORMATION

Registration:   Open from 9.00 a.m.
Referees Briefing: 09:45
First Matches Kick Off: 10:00
Address: St Mark’s Recreation Ground, Frant Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5LS

All age groups will be playing round robin fixtures with no scores being recorded by the organisers.

All matches will be played in accordance with the Kent Regulation 15 and the Referees decision is final.  Paramount for ALL is to have fun and we expect players, coaches and parents to ensure that this happens.

Please ensure you gather up all your rubbish and place it within the bin-liners provided in each Age Group Area. This year we will also have recycling points. Please use them where possible.

Registration & Timings:

The registration desk, which will be located in the control tent, will be open from 09:00 a.m. Please make sure each team/age group notifies us of their arrival promptly to avoid delays. All players must be registered with the RFU. This year we will again be using online registrations. Please complete on the following link: https://wpdev.twrfc.com/festival/register/

There will be a Coaches/Referee briefing for each age group at 09:45 a.m. These are hosted by the Tunbridge Wells coaches for each age group and held by the pitches upon which the age group will be playing. Look for the flag! We aim to have all games commencing promptly at 10.00 a.m. 

Please note when you will be expected to referee and get to the pitch in plenty of time. All of our Pitch Marshals are volunteers. Please do advise them if you have any problems putting a team together or if you are missing a referee.

As per all festivals, the onus is upon each visiting team to have a first aid kit and nominated first aider with them for each age group. The First Aid point is at the entrance gate. Please make your way there should you require any assistance.

PARKING – IMPORTANT

Unfortunately, due to poor weather we are unable to use local fields for parking. Unless you have received dispensation to do so there will be no parking at the club. There will be a drop-off zone allowing you to drive through the club to drop off kit etc., should you need to do so. This will be open from 8.45am. To ensure the smooth running of the drop off there will be a limit of 5 minutes, and drivers will be required to leave club details should they need to leave the car. There is no parking at the garden centre on Frant Road. There is no parking on A267 Frant Road.

Please ask any Blue Badge holders, or visitors with special access requirements to pre-book their space at the club by emailing natalie.church@live.co.uk with their name, car details and mobile number. Please ask them to indicate if they hold a badge and / or what space etc. they need. The club has disabled toilets but unfortunately no disabled access to the bar. All other facilities are accessible.

There are many nearby roads available for you to park, then walk to our club. There will be marshals who will be able to direct you to appropriate areas. There is plenty of parking within 10-15 minutes’ walk so please ensure that you leave time to get to the pitches. Please respect the local residents and park legally without blocking access. Wardens will patrol and do ticket any infringements.  

In the attempt to ease parking, we have allocated nearby roads to particular clubs. Please head for these roads as a matter of course. Please be polite to our neighbours and look out for our marshals for further assistance.

Please refer to the parking allocation map:

Bayham Road – TN2 5HP – Blackheath, Cranbrook and Westcombe Park
Forest Road – TN2 5HS –  TWRFC, Heathfield and New Ash Green
St Marks Road – TN2 5XJ – Gravesend and TJs
Broadwater Down – TN2 5NU – should you find your allocated area full please use this for overflow parking

Please could we encourage car-sharing wherever possible.

Entrance Fee Programme

There is a £5.00 entrance fee PER FAMILY with a programme included. Children are free. TWRFC members and visiting coaches will also need to pay the entrance fee. This charge goes towards the cost of running the festival and to raise funds for equipment for the section.

Matches and Pitch Boundaries

We ask that viewing adults do not encroach on to the pitch area. Please respect this for safety reasons.  Due to pitch conditions games may only be watchable from off the rugby pitches. Given the recent weather underfoot conditions are particularly muddy and we encourage appropriate footwear for spectators.

Referees

Every team is required to have a referee.  It is not fair for others to cover and can delay the running of the day. Remember referees and coaches are only human and they have volunteered their time.  Respect their decision, regardless of whether you agree or not. Please raise any issues with the TWRFC Head Coach in the first instance, or to the lead referee Matthew George via the Registration tent.

Behaviour

We ask that all spectators, players and coaches behave appropriately.  If any spectator, player or coach displays aggressive or unacceptable behaviour on or off the pitch they will be asked to leave and their team may be withdrawn from the festival. Remember that this is a festival for the enjoyment of the children taking part.

Drones

The use of drones is not permitted at this festival. Please report any use immediately to: 07525 926 835.

Dog Policy

Please note that all dogs (excluding service dogs) are not permitted at St Marks during Mini festivals and tournaments, and there will be no facility to leave your dog at the gate.

Refreshments

We will have hot and cold drinks available as well as a BBQ and snack food. The bar at the clubhouse will be open later in the day.

Tents/Gazebos/Rubbish

Teams are allowed to bring tents/gazebos but please make sure that they are in areas a suitable distance from the pitches. Also, please ensure that you gather up all your rubbish and place it in the bin-liners / recycling points provided.

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