Colleges & Sixth Form Womens Touch Rugby

GREATER MANCHESTER

SCHOOL GAMES 2014/2015

COLLEGES & SIXTH FORM WOMENS TOUCH RUGBY

Tuesday 24TH March 2015

TBC (Opening Ceremony in Outdoor Arena first)

SCHOOL GAMES BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Greater Manchester School Games aims to further revive the culture of competitive sport in schools. This exciting new concept will harness the power of the Olympics and Paralympics and is designed to motivate and enthuse more young people than ever before to participate in high quality, meaningful competition within and across schools, supporting them in achieving their own personal best in sport and in life.

The competition will run across three distinct, but integrated levels (see below) providing a simple and progressive pathway culminating in a multi sport festival (Level 3) that will showcase the very best of competitive sport across the County.

Level 3 – Greater Manchester School Games

Level 2 – Inter-school competition

Level 1 – Intra-school competition

Teams from Primary, Secondary and Special Schools will win the right to compete in the Level 3 Games having qualified through their local level 2 inter-school competitions. The ‘Winter Games’ will feature thirteen sports; all of which will be delivered simultaneously utilizing a number of the City’s world class sporting facilities.

COMPETITION PATHWAY:

In partnership with the Rugby Football Union, the Greater Manchester Local Organising Committee proudly presents the Colleges and Sixth Form Women’s Touch Rugby Competition.

It is hoped that this event will encourage more young adults to play and enjoy competitive Rugby and be used as a catalyst for ongoing participation and development.

Touch doesn’t have the big hits, the scrums, the lineouts, rucks or mauls, making it a quicker, simpler and more accessible game. The tackle is replaced by a minimal contact touch but rugby’s principals of attack, defence, passing and evasive running remain. This makes it a perfect introduction or route back into rugby.

The School Games competition is open to all schools; however they must have qualified through their local SGO area/borough heats in order to progress to the County Final.

NB An athlete can only represent their school in one sport at the GM School Games County Final.

STANDARD RULES:

Age Groups

All players must be aged 16 – 18 years (Inclusive) and be in 1st &/or second year of college or year 12 &/or 13 of sixth form.

All Players should be female.

Team Composition

·  Squad size can be a maximum of 15 players

·  Each team must have no more than seven players on the playing area.

·  A team may nominate no more than seven replacements/substitutes.

·  A team can substitute or replace up to four players.

·  Substituted players rejoining the match

·  If a player is substituted, that player must not return and play in that match even to replace an injured player. Exception: A substituted player may replace a player with a bleeding or open wound.

Pitch/Equipment Requirements

The game is played on a full size pitch.

Competition Format

At an SGO Area/Borough level, local organisers will decide on the format i.e. ‘home & away’ leagues, Central Venue festivals or one off tournament. This will be dependent on the geographical spread of schools and number of entries received. Leagues are the preferred model to encourage regular participation.

Duration/Length of matches

7 minutes each way

Playing the Game

1.  Playing Touch – the rules

Here are a few simple basic rules that you need to know to help you and your players get the most out of playing Touch.

1.  Passing

The ball must be passed backwards or directly sideways at all times. A forward pass results in a penalty to the other team. A ‘touch and pass’, when a touched player passes the ball after the touch, results in a penalty.

2.  The touch

A touch can be made on any part of the body, ball, clothing or hair with one hand or two. Minimum force is to be used at all times. The team in possession is entitled to six touches.

3.  Rollball

This restarts the game after a touch. The player in possession stands on the mark facing the opponents defending line and rolls the ball backwards between his feet a distance of not more than 1 metre. This player may not pick up the ball. The player picking up the ball is known as the dummy half.

4.  The dummy half

The dummy half is the player who picks up the ball from a rollball. They are not allowed to score and if caught with the ball will lose possession.

5.  Offside

An attacking player is offside when forward of another player who either has possession or who last had possession of the ball. A defending player is offside when not retreating 5 metres for a rollball or 10 metres for a penalty of restart of play. Defending players cannot move forward until the dummy half has touched the ball.

6.  Scoring

A try is awarded when a player places the ball on or over the score line before being touched.

7.  The tap/free or penalty kick

The tap restarts play from a penalty. The ball is placed on the ground at the mark. The attacking player releases it from both hands and taps it with either foot a distance of not more than 1 metre before picking it up cleanly. Any player from the attacking team may take the tap or pick the tapped ball up.

8.  Possession

A change of possession will occur when

·  The ball is dropped to ground

·  The dummy half is touched while in possession

·  The sixth touch occurs

·  The dummy half places the ball on or over the score line

·  The rollball is performed incorrectly

·  A tap is performed incorrectly

·  The player in possession steps on or over the touchline. At a change of possession, play is restarted with a roll ball.

9.  Penalty

When a player/team is penalised the opposition restarts play with a tap taken at the mark. Play restarts with a tap when the following infringements occur:-

·  Forward pass

·  Touch and pass

·  Performing a rollball prior to a touch being made

·  Not performing a rollball on the mark

·  Using more than the minimum force to effect a touch

·  Defenders offside at the roll ball (5 metres)

·  Defenders offside at the tap (10 metres)

·  Incorrect substitution

·  Falsely claiming a touch

·  Misconduct

·  Playing more than the allowable number of players

·  Deliberately delaying play

·  Obstruction – defending players must not obstruct or interfere with attacking players supporting the ball carrier.

10.  Substitution

Teams may interchange players at any time but substitutes may not enter the pitch until the replaced player comes off and must start in an onside position. The only exception is following a try when players may change over without having to wait for the substituted player to leave the pitch.

11.  Defence dropping 10 metres

The defending team must retreat 10 metres, in a straight line, from the team with the ball at the start of the game and after a penalty. If the defending team concedes a penalty the referee should insist they are back the full 10 metres and push the layers back until satisfied.

12.  Defence dropping 5 metres

The defending team will frequently have to retreat 5 metres, in a straight line, from the team with the ball. This occurs after each touch and subsequent roll ball. When defending players don’t have time to retreat the full 5 metres they must allow the attackers to run unimpeded for 5 metres before affecting the touch. The referee should let the defenders know where the 5 metre mark is.

Fair Play

The ideals of good sportsmanship and respect should permeate throughout all competitive and recreational sport. They are displayed by someone who abides by the rules of a contest, respects their opponents and accepts victory or defeat graciously.

Health & Safety

Before any matches take place, the following MUST be read and adhered to:

·  Players will not be permitted to compete in bare feet or unsuitable footwear.

·  No jewellery should be worn.

·  Long hair must be tied back.

·  All loose clothing must be tucked in and shoelaces tied.

·  No chewing gum/sweets allowed.

·  It is recommended players bring plenty of liquid refreshment with them.

·  All players are advised to warm up appropriately before each match.

·  When not competing, players are reminded to remain off the field of play and do not get in the way or distract the officials at any time.

·  Medical supplies that players may need i.e. asthma inhalers should be brought with them on the day.

·  All team teachers must ensure their pupils are under adult supervision at all times, even when playing. During this time players can watch and encourage their fellow team members.

·  Please ensure that your pupils have been thoroughly briefed with regards to health and safety.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRY – TUESDAY 10TH MARCH 2015