1. In line with RFU and Durham County Rugby Football Union recommendations, the Festival is for boys and girls at U7, U8, U9, U10 ,U11, U12, U13,U14 and U15.

2. There will be separate playing groups for each age group. Games are non-competitive at U7s to U12s. U13s, U14s and U15s will play for trophies.

3. All games will be played in accordance with the World Rugby Laws of Rugby Union and specifically RFU Regulation 15 Appendices 1 to 9 inclusive, along with Best Practice Guidelines for Mini and Junior rugby.

4. All players of each group must be under the qualifying age at midnight on August 31st, 2022, e.g. in the U9s competition no player will have been 9 at midnight on August 31st, 2022. Players may ‘play down’ as defined in Regulation 15 provided that Regulation 15 is complied with in full and evidence of Constituency Body approval is presented at registration and prior to taking part in any games.

5.There is a maximum squad size of 8 for the U7, 10 for the U8, 12 for the U9, 12 for the U10, 15 for U11 and 18 for U12 age groups, 23 for U13, U14 and U15 age groups.

6. During a match, injured players may be replaced by other squad members at any time with the permission of the referee. Injured players may play in subsequent rounds.

7. Rolling substitutions may be made at any time in each match with the permission of the referee.

8. Any player sent off (red card) may take no further part in the Festival. No substitute will be permitted to replace him/her in the match in which he/she is sent from the field.

9. In recognition of the ethos of the tournament and to encourage clubs to take part and all players to have an opportunity to contribute, teams who cannot field a full team due to genuine shortages or injury may 'adopt' a player from another 'squad'.

10. Such ‘adoption’ may be for a single game or the entire competition.

11. The use of ‘adopted’ players must be advised to the organisers prior to commencement of the game in which they play.

12. Each team should provide a referee and a touch judge. Referees will be asked to officiate a neutral game, i.e. not one in which their team is playing. Touch judges can officiate at a game involving their team.

13. Teams must be at the nominated pitch ready to take the field immediately the previous match has finished.

14. Teams must remain on the pitch at half-time.

15. All boots should comply with World Rugby Law 4 and World Rugby Specifications (Regulation 12). Referees will check players’ boots. Any players wearing boots deemed to be unsafe will not be able to play. Any disputes should be referred to the Festival Coordinator, however the referee’s decision is final on this matter. All head guards and padding must conform to World Rugby Regulations and carry the appropriate label. Players in contact rugby must wear a mouth-guard for their own protection and that of other players.

16. On the pitch the referee's decision is final in all matters.

17. Disputes and alleged contravention of the Festival Rules must be reported to the Festival Organisers by the designated coach who has registered the team.

18. Changing rooms will be provided for changing into and out of playing kit. These will not be monitored constantly. No parents are allowed into the changing rooms. Only coaches and other authorised people in possession of a valid RFU DBS clearance are permitted to enter the changing rooms. Changing rooms will not be locked and players should remove their belongings after changing, both for security and to allow other users to enter. Darlington RFC is not responsible for belongings left in the changing rooms. There are NO shower facilities.

19. Match durations will be based on RFU Regulation 15 taking account of the number of entrants in each age group.

20. Matches must be brought to an end if:
• at U7s to U13s the try difference rises to more than six
• at U14s & U15's the points difference is more than 50 points (in line with Regulation 15.11.3)

21. No extra time is permitted in any match.

Boys and Girls U7 to U12

1. The Festival games will be in a round-robin format that maximises playing time.

2. The Festival will be based on friendly competition and will not be played to decide an overall winner. All players will receive a medal for taking part.

Boys U13 and U14 competition

1. Teams will be allocated to a pool and will play each team in their pool. Pool sizes may not be equal but playing times will be equalised.

2. The winners of each pool game will earn 3 competition points, the losers nil, and for drawn games 1 point for each team.

3. Teams finishing in the top half of their pool will play in a knock-out format for the Festival Cup Trophy. Teams in the lower half of their pool will play in a knock-out format for the Festival Plate Trophy.

4. Pool positions will be determined on the basis of the most competition points. If teams have equal competition points the team with highest total of tries scored will be placed highest. If the number of tries scored is equal, then points difference will be used to place teams.

5. If the final game of the competition does not provide a clear winner, then the trophy will be shared. No extra time or further play off is permitted.

6. All players will receive a medal for taking part.

U15's and U14 Girls competition

The Festival games will be in a round-robin format that maximises playing time.

1. All teams will be in a single group and will play each team.

2. The winners of each game will earn 3 competition points, the loser’s nil, and for drawn games 1 point for each team. A bonus point is available for 3 or more tries scored and another bonus point is available for a team keeping a clean sheet.

3. Final positions will be determined on the basis of the most competition points. If teams have equal competition points the team with highest total of tries scored will be placed highest. If the number of tries scored is equal, then points difference will be used to place teams.

4. The team with most competitive points will win a Festival Cup Trophy.

5. No extra time or further play off is permitted.

6. All players will receive a medal for taking part.