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

We realise that every enquiry wont turn into a fully signed up team, but after the response we have had and the size of the venue and with over 4 months still to go we will have to limit the festival to 32 teams.

We will have 8 pitches on the day and teams will be split into groups of 4, with (ideally) one of the "International" teams in each group.

Each group will play a league system, after which the 8 League winners will progress into a Cup knock out, 2nd 8 placed into a Shield, 3rd Plate, 4th into a vase competition.

Each team gets a minimum 4 games, up to a maximum 6 games.

During last week the application forms went out to the TML sides that had expressed an interest and this weekend all other sides will have had the form. We are operating a first returned policy i.e. whoever sends back the forms first gets a spot. I think we are up to 14+ confirmed already, which has surprised us how quick they have been returned. We thought people might hold onto them until nearer the time or might not even pick up the email till Monday at the earliest.

Latest

Hull University (even older!!) Old Boys

Liverpool Uni

Its been an interesting week!! A couple more enquiries, a group who play Touch Rugby in Manchester and Staffordshire Uni about a second team.

But probably the most exciting contact came from the CEO of OzTag in Australia who asked coming to our event and [i" viewing the festival and creating links for the future with you or your sporting body."[/i

How good is that??

Theres a feature on the Festival and Tag Rugby League in general in the latest edtition of TGG (The Great Game), the magazine/fanzine of the Rugby League Supporters Association.

[iIssue 56 of the RLSA magazine TGG is now out.
In "Expansion is a Good Thing' Karl Spracklen notes that the issue for Rugby League today is not one of Expansion OR Consolidation and Preservation. We have to do both at the same time.
Gaz Shaw makes a case for the rebranding of Super League and considers what to change at a time when the competition is moving into a radically different new phase.
New editor Mark Pintar returns from Australia with thoughts about what happened down under while Cliff Spracklen states "What's Toulouse and Everything to Gain" in his Notes from the RLSA chair.
Geoff Lee reviews Rugby League Review Number 2 which has contributions by 25 writers covering a wide range of topics including one by Swansea based Phil Melling on the potential for the game in Cuba.
Graham Williams reviews the novel 'One Autumn' with its background of 'Work, Family Life and Rugby League' and there's news from Rochdale about an International Mixed Tag Rugby League Festival to be held in May.
Michael O'Hare has his regular South of Sheffield slot, Maurice Boule has sent a Letter From Deepest France and Lord Billinge dictates his thoughts about the World Cup to his long suffering man servant Harry Waller.
To get a copy send a cheque for £2-50 made payable to RLSA at 67 Manor Lane Shipley Bradford BD18 3EB.[/i