At the Festival we will be recommending the use of "Tag Shorts".

The shorts are like the usual Rugby ones apart from they have Velcro stitched into the hip area.

The benefits are
A, They are safer to use, no risk of fingers getting caught up in belts.

B, They make sure Tags are placed in the correct area and will not work out of position when running.

No shorts with pockets or belts with buckles will be allowed.

One innovation we will be using is that the Referee will give each side a set of 7 matching tags at the start of each game. This means each side will be on a fair and even footing.

Three more teams enquired today,

The Stud Muffins!!(Limerick, Ireland)
Sheffield Touch Rugby
Hull University Old Boys(and girls)

On what has turned out to be a great day for the Swarm we have been nominated for three awards in the Rochdale Sports Award Scheme.

Club of the Year
Volunteer of the Year (Emily Wynn)
Coach of the year (Dave Ramsbottom)

Just A Quick Note

Leigh
Hull FC Irregulars
Rovers

Will not be attending the touch festival this year.
Im sure you have enough teams though so no worries.

Just wanted to give you plenty of notice.

Ill find out if any others want to attend.
There might be a couple of junior school sides avalible. There was a small competition in hull only recently ill get in touch with them for you.

If all them turn up should be a good day out.


Regards

Chris

Sorry the Irregs cant make this years festival but as you can see we are more than happy with the numbers.

As for the 16+ minimum age limit we consulted with the RFL prior to announcing the event and because of child welfare issues, the appointment of Child Welfare officers, segregation of dressing rooms, CRB checks, parental consent requirements etc it was decided to have a minimum age.

But as you can see it has had no detrimental effect of enquiry numbers and from what we can gather it looks like being the biggest UK Tag Rugby League festival ever, which I`m sure you would agree is a great achievement.

Also today we had an enquiry from Oxford.

Just seems a shame that "The event is very much a social affair with the emphasis very much on fun and participation"

Yet the junior sides likes schools etc that we are trying to introduce the game to don't get the chance.

Even in the league we have included every age.

Opportunity missed i think.

Oh well.

sorry that leigh wont be there this year

Mark,

Just wondering, we have a player who's under 16, that has been registered with the RFL and has parents consent, is not able to play?

Cheers,

All junior side i know are already registered with the RFL and have parents consent as they play week in week out. Why would This fesitval be different.

To be within current RFL regulations regarding under 16`s participation in a sporting events we would have had to ensure that there were four (4) separate changing and showering facilities. Mens, Womens, boys, girls.

The under 16`s Players would have to be supervised at all times in the separate dressing rooms by two members of staff (4 in total) who have current enhanced CRB disclosures and are of the same gender, i.e. 2 men & 2 women.

All Parents/Guardians/children would to have given their informed
consent for the taking and publication of photographic
images and have signed and returned the Player Profile/consent form.

Anyone taking photographs would have to completed a RFL Recording Images form.


Hope that goes some way to explain everything.

Anyway back to the action.
Latest enquiry has come through our Head Coach Dave Ramsbottom and is from Macclesfield RU.

Latest enquiry came from Littleborough A.R.L.F.C. through their coach and Halifax R.L.F.C. Hall of Fame entrant, Gordon Baker.

Thanks for clearing it up Mark.

Your welcome Chris.

Latest teams wanting to play are Halton Women & Girls A.R.L.F.C. along side a joint two team bid from Tullochan Tigers Under 18`s Girls Rugby League Team and Loch Lomond RU Team, all the way from Bonny Scotland!!!

Good work Mark, keep it up.

A two team enquiry from Littleborough RU in possible conjunction with Hillside Hawks Womens A.R.L.F.C.

Also a group of friends from Leeds have asked for the application form.

how many teams have you got playing now mate

and how are you going to find a winner