News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
Welcome to the 2015 Manchester Festival

Welcome to the 2015 Manchester Festival

www.manchesterrugby.co.uk30 Sep 2015 - 20:39
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.manchesterrugby.co

We look forward to welcoming well over 2000 players from 25+ clubs on Sundays 4th & 11th October. You will find the information below useful.

Manchester Rugby Club Mini & Midi Festival 2015

As always we intend to make the 2015 Festivals a positive and memorable experience for every player involved along with their parents, coaches and the local community. As normal this year’s Festivals will be split, with the U7s, U8s, U9s & U10s event being held on Sunday 4th October 2015 and U11s & U12s Land Rover Cup on Sunday 11th October 2015.

Our Festival attracts clubs from all over the North of England and further afield. As with other years 2015 was quickly fully subscribed. As well as the 2,120+ players attending we also welcome some 3,000+ spectators! Age groups will have 18 to 21 squads and clubs will play in pools of 5 to 7 so every team is guaranteed 4 matches – but we encourage teams at the end of the pool stages to make local arrangements and play additional friendly games as spare pitches become available i.e. playing squads from other pools who might not have progressed to the knock out stages. From u10s upwards we run both Cup and Shield competitions (medals for all finalists in both competitions) and coaches are required to rotate players throughout the day to provide maximum playing opportunities for all your players and not to exceed RFU Age Group guidelines – we have consistently found it is squads that rotate and not just strong teams that tend to prevail.

As with previous years we will also be making our Fair Play Awards at each age group to the squad (including coaches and supporters) who in the opinion of the organisers have conducted themselves in a manner most aligned to Rugby's Core Values (Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline & Sportsmanship). These will be awarded at the end of the Pool Stages.

Key Times

  • 9:15am - Car Park Opens (please try not to arrive before then as you will find yourself driving round and round the block until we open the gates!)
  •  9:45 - Registrations Open at your Age Group Control Points
  •  10am - Coach & Ref Briefing in the Club House
  •  11.00am - First Group Matches Kick Off
  •  3:30pm (ish) - Finals and Presentations by Sale Sharks Players

Festival Location

Manchester Rugby Club
Grove Park
Grove Lane
Cheadle Hulme Cheshire
SK8 7NB

CLICK HERE FOR MAP

Parking (worth reading this one!)

Cars are parked on both our front car park AND on our bottom pitches which is accessed via Spath Lane East (use SK8 7NL for SatNavs).

If parked on grass please DRIVE GENTLY (avoid spinning wheels etc) as these pitches are used for matches in the following weeks and if you churn them up youngsters will miss out on rugby in the weeks to come.

If directed on our rear pitches, don’t despair as these are just as close to the action as other spaces - so please follow the directions of our friendly MRC Stewards and we will get everyone in and parked both quickly and safely.

We can accommodate in excess of 500 cars on site. We do not operate any "overflow" arrangement with the Pub or Park next door and these SHOULD NOT be used (you'll have a longer walk to the pitches, may be charged by unscrupulous locals and will be asked to pay £2 per adult “walk in” Entry Fee!). We will park you close to
where your kids are playing so please follow the Stewards directions and then we’ll all fit in!

Car Parking is £5 (no exceptions) per vehicle for which you’ll get a Festival programme and entrance for as many spectators/players as are in the car - you'll save money and help us fit everyone in if you fill your cars up with players and supporters!

For 2015 we have decided that we CAN NOT accommodate coaches on site. We will operate a “drop off” point in the Bus Stop next to the club entrance (players and coaches can enter free) spectators will be asked to play the £2 walk in fee.

Parking illegally on local streets will almost certainly result in parking tickets being issued by the local police / traffic wardens. You have been warned…!!!!

Car Parks will open well in advance of kick offs at 9:15am – please DO NOT ARRIVE before then.

General Administration

It is each coach’s responsibility to ensure their players are registered with the appropriate rugby governing body, and that they play in the correct age group. Your team registration includes a declaration to this effect.

Team managers / coaches should register their arrival with their Age Group Control Point. Please make sure you include a mobile number that your coach and designated referee can be contacted on during the day. Registrations will be open from 9.40am until 10:45am.

Catering

Food, snacks and beverages will be available for purchase on the day at various locations around the site. For logistical reasons we do not feed players entered in the Festival. As is consistent with other Festivals we will charge an entrance fee for “walk in” spectators of £2 (including Programme) should they park off-site and arrive on foot. Please note that for safety reasons we can not allow visitors to use barbeques or any naked flame for the purposes of cooking or heating food or drink.

First Aid

St John Ambulance will be in attendance on both days and based in the ambulance/tent by the side on our main pitch stand. In the event of an injury please notify a MRC pitch marshal or your Age Group Control Point and they will be summoned to attend.

Codes of Conduct

Help us ensure that the Manchester Mini/Midi Festival 2014 is a friendly and enjoyable event by ensuring that all your coaches, parents, and other spectators set the best possible example to the players.

Encourage sportsmanship and observe the RFU’s Codes of Conduct at all times. Should your coaches, parents, supporters of players experience of observe behaviour not in accordance with these Codes of Conduct please inform a MRC Marshal or your Age Group Control Point straight away. Referees will be instructed to stop games until any over-excited coaches/spectators have either calmed themselves down or have left the side of the pitch altogether.

Foul, abusive or aggressive language towards players, coaches, officials, marshals or stewards WILL NOT be tolerated at our Festival. In the case of any serious or persistent failure to meet these requirements and the best practice standards laid out by the RFU the organizers may disqualify the offending team/club and ask that they immediately remove themselves from our grounds.

Please obey any reasonable requests of the Festival Marshalls / Festival Organisers. They are there to ensure things run smoothly and protect you, your children and our other guests.

Liability

Manchester Rugby Club nor the organizers of the Manchester Mini Festival 2015 do not accept any liability for loss or damage to the personal belongings or valuables of those attending the Festival.

And finally…
As in previous years we hope that all coaches, spectators, volunteers and above all, the players have a great days rugby and enjoy your Festival.

Further reading