Pig n Porter Festival 2013

PLEASE FORWARD ONTO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR SQUAD!

Dear Pig n Porter Players

We are delighted to welcome back all of our returning teams for the 2013 Heinz Pig n Porter Festival...and also to welcome you debutant teams, who we hope we'll be seeing a lot more of in years to come!

I am proud to be your liaison on the Pig n Porter Committee, so please feel free to email me () with any queries you may have.

This year sees the launch of the British & Irish Cup, a 3 match (women's, men's & mixed) International Test Series between Team Ireland and Great Britain. We would like to take this opportunity to wish both teams the best of luck!

PLEASE COME ALONG & SUPPORT TEAM IRELAND ON FRIDAY.

ADMISSION IS FREE WITH THE FIRST MATCH KICKING OFF @ 19:30.

This is not the only first of the Pig n Porter Festival 2013! There will also be a Gaelic Tag Blitz in Mungret GAA club plus Live Pig Racing in Old Crescent RFC @ 20.30pm on Saturday - NOT TO BE MISSED!!!

Belowyou will find all the relevant info, regarding this year’s event. Please carefully read everything, email it to all your team members and print it off to bring with you. (You will also find all this info on our website

Wishing each of your teams all the best in the tag tournament and look forward to seeing you in Limerick this weekend!

Yours in Tag

Cathal Mooney
/ 0857724938
On behalf of the 2013 Pig ‘N’ Porter Committee.& ITRA

Events - Friday 12th July 2013

1. WELCOME PARTY – THE ORCHARD BAR
The 2013 Pig n Porter will kick off with amassive Welcome Party in The Orchard Bar, Michael Street, Limerick, followed by the Grand Opening of Crush 87 Nightclub!

Live music is provided bythe local band “Sticky Fingers” with lots more entertainment until late into the evening. The PnP Friday Night Welcome Party is a must for taggers and gets bigger and better every year so make sure you start off your weekend in Limerick with a bang!

Importantly, one representative of your team must collect your 15 entry tickets for Saturday’s tag tournament from 19:30 in The Orchard Bar. If you cannot collect your entry tickets on Friday evening, you must contact Cathal Mooney immediately or 085 7724938.

IMPORTANT: You will not be able to get into your venue for the

Tag Rugby Tournament on Saturday without an entry ticket!

2. TEAM IRELAND VS GREAT BRITAIN

The two largest providers of Tag Rugby in the northern hemisphere, Irish Tag Rugby Association (ITRA) and Try Tag Rugby UK, have joined forces to form theEuropean Tag Federation.

As part of partnership, Team Ireland will take on Great Britain in a three-match Test Series taking place on Friday 12th July in Old Crescent RFC, Limerick. The Irish squad is made up of 42 of the best tag players in the country, who were selected after a number of regional trials.

The International Test Series will kick-offat the times listed below. Admission is free so please come down to the rugby club on Friday to support Team Ireland!

  • Women’s Tag Test KO @ 19:30
  • Men’s Tag Test KO @ 20:30
  • Mixed Tag Test KO @ 21:30 (under lights)

CLICK HERE FOR THE 42 IRISH PLAYERS IN THE SQUAD

Events–Saturday 13thJuly 2013

1. TAG RUGBY TOURNAMENT

Team registration for the Tag Rugby Tournamentis on Saturday morning from 09.30 to 10.00 in your allocated venue (Old Crescent RFC or Crescent Comp School). One member of the team must collect your team registration pack before 10am.

The main event then gets underway at 11:00 sharp so make sure all your players are on-site by 10:30 at the latest.The iconic pig is then roasted on a spit ahead of the legendary Pig n Porter BBQ!

Don’t forget to bring your 15 entry tickets, which you collected on Friday in The Orchard Bar, with you to your venue as you and your team mates will not be able to get in without one! If there are more than 15 people in your group (spectators, family, friends etc), they will be able to purchase entry tickets at the gate.

If you cannot collect your entry tickets on Friday evening, you must contact Cathal Mooney immediately on or 085 7724938.

2. APRES-TAG ENTERTAINMENT

a) Music
When the prizes have been handed out, and the weary bodies have had a chance to recover, the festival continues into the early hours in the Festival ‘Piggery’ with live music from Mrs Henry & our Headline Band, Whitewater! And this will be followed by The Father Ted Parish Hall Disco, featuring Fr Ted, who guarantees a lively end to the night!

b) Live Pig Racing
This year will also see the inaugural LIVE PIG RACING on the main pitch commencing @ 20.30. Some of the country’s liveliest pigs will run against each other over an 80m track and 4 hurdles.NOT TO BE MISSED!

c) Magic
Magician Steve Spade will also be making an appearance over the evening to perform some impromptu magic amongst the Taggers.

d) Bucking Bronco Bull
For any of you who still have some energy, you can try to tame the Bucking Bronco Bull!

ACCESS TO VENUES

You will only be allowed enter your venue on Saturday (morning or evening) with a pre-numbered entry ticket. One representative of your team can pick up your 15 entry tickets on Friday evening from 19.30 in The Orchard Bar. These 15 tickets allow 15 players or spectators entry into the venues.

Team captains should arrange to meet and distribute the 15 x player entry passes to team mates on Friday evening or before you arrive at the venue for your games on Saturday morning.

If you are unable to collect your 15 entry tickets on Friday evening from The Orchard Bar, you must contact Cathal in the Pig n Porter Committee immediately r 085 7724938.

IMPORTANT: You will not be able to get into your venue on Saturday without an entry ticket!

Anyone looking to enter into the venue without a ticket will be charged €15.

Therefore please do not lose your 15 x player tickets!

TEAM REGISTRATION

Team registration will take place in your allocated venue (club or school) between 09.30 and 10:00 on Saturday morning. Please make sure one of your team is at the venue between these times to pick up your Registration Pack with everything you need for the tag tournament. See below if you are in the club or school.

ACCOMMODATION
If you haven’t secured your accommodation yet - DO SO ASAP! Full lists of accommodation details are available on the Pig n Porter website There are some excellent offers available, but don't forget to quote 'Pig n Porter' when you are booking to avail of them!

You'll have to be quick as rooms are filling up fast, especially as Limerick are playing Cork in the Munster Hurling Final on Sunday in Limerick!

SQUADS
You can have up to 15 players on your squad for the tag tournament. For those who have designs on getting to the Pig ‘N’ Porter finals, numbered jerseys are recommended! We aim to make the most out of the event and what could be better than hearing your name on the loudspeaker after scoring that winning try!!!!

PARKING

You must arrive, park, change and register your team at your allocated venue (see below). Both venues have excellent parking, changing and playing facilities with food & refreshments available in both.

Some teams in the School will transfer over to the Rugby Club for a portion of their Knockout matches. Car parking spaces will be reserved (and sufficient time allocated) for your transfer across to the rugby club which is a 3 minute drive away.

Free parking will be provided in both venues, although the Crescent College car park will close at 6pm. No cars will be allowed to park overnight in Crescent College but you can park overnight in Old Crescent RFC. Overnight parking with security will be provided at Old Crescent.

We are expecting a large crowd on Saturday so we would strongly encourage carpooling as a priority will be given to cars with 3 or more tag players.

CAR POOL WHERE POSSIBLE- MINIMUM OF 3 PER CAR RECOMMENDED!
ALL CARS ARE PARKED AT OWNERS RISK

ALCOHOL

ITRA rules DO NOT allow alcohol to be consumed or recreational drugs to be used, prior to or during its tournaments. This is for the safety and enjoyment of all players.

ITRA reserves the right to disqualify any team if a player is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. There is plenty of time afterwards to party!!!

Due to health and safety issues, no glass is permitted in the car parks, on the playing pitches or any other area of the venues. For this reason,only drinks bought on the premises can be consumed on the premises. (This includes Car Parking Area).No alcohol allowed in the car park.

  • DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BRING YOUR OWN DRINK. Bag checks will be in operation and the consumption of alcohol will not be permitted in the car parks.
  • As in previous years, a drinks voucher system will be in operation from 16:00 on Saturday.
  • There will be a number of bars where the vouchers can be redeemed.
  • BUY YOUR TEAM A BEER. Buy 10 drink vouchers and get 2 free tokens (€50).
  • Products available are: Draught Cider, Draught Becks, Vodka & Mixer, Havana Club & Mixer and a variety of soft drinks.
  • Please note that, without our sponsors, the event would not be possible.

Only Alcohol purchased on the premises can be consumed on the premises.
This rule will be strictly enforced. Bag Checks will be in place.

HEALTH & SAFETY / INSURANCE

Pig ‘N’ Porter Committee & ITRA recommends that anyone who has health-related concerns aboutplaying or attending the Pig ‘N’ Porter Festival visit their local GP for a health check-up beforeparticipating.Tag Rugby is a non-contact sport and, as with all sport, there is a risk of injury.
Allparticipants in the Pig ‘N’ Porter take part at their own risk and it is entirely at theirdiscretion whether or not to participate.It is the decision and responsibility of each individual attendee to ensure they are fully covered, in accordance with their specific needs when playing tag rugby.

Pig ‘N’ Porter & ITRAstrongly recommends that every attendee has their own Personal Accident Coverinsurance while playing tag rugby or while present at a Pig ‘N’ Porter venue.Pig ‘N’ Porter & ITRA takes no responsibility for attendees who choose not to have insurance cover.
Pig ‘N’ Porter & ITRA take no responsibility for, and hereby, excludes liability to the fullest extentpermitted by law, for any personal injury or loss or damage to any personal propertysustained while playing in the Pig ‘N’ Porter Festival or while present at any Pig ‘N’ Portervenue.All attendees use the services of third party organisations at Pig ‘N’ Porter Festival at their ownrisk.

FIRST AID
First Aid will be available for minor injuries at the Registration Desk at each venue. There will also be two ambulances on call, one at Old Crescent RFC and the other at Crescent Comprehensive School.

FANCY DRESS COMPETITION

This year’s festival sees the return of the Fancy Dress competition for all players and the PnP Committee have arranged a KEG OF BEERfor the winners! Organise your costume now as you will not want to be the odd ones out!

WINNERS GET KEG. AWARDED AT PRIZE GIVING (approx 18:15).

If you want to play tag in fancy dress, the only rule is that whatever you wear cannot obstruct your tags. Wigsand costumes etc are allowed on the tag field, provided they do not interfere with your tags. Any costume you wear must be tucked into you tag shorts.

Please note that jewellery etc which may cause injury to another player or yourself are not permitted on the pitch.

The theme for fancy dress is Father Ted…or anything else you deem worthy!!

IMPORTANT INFO FOR THE TAG RUGBY TOURNAMENT

TEAM REGISTRATION

  • Team Registration on Saturdayis divided between the Club & School, depending on where you are playing. PLEASE SEE LIST BELOW TO FIND OUT WHICH VENUE YOUR TEAM IS PLAYING IN – THIS IS ALSO WHERE YOU NEED TO REGISTER YOUR TEAM.
  • All teams must register in their allocated venue between 09.30 and 10.00am on Saturday morning. One player is required to collect the Team Registration Pack.
  • ANY TEAM WHO ARRIVES AFTER 10:00 MAYBE REMOVED FROM THE COMPETITION WITHOUT REFUND.

COMPETITION STRUCTURE

  • Each team is placed in a group of equal standard with 3 or 4 other teams from Ireland, UK and Europe.
  • Your team will play 4 x group matches on the same pitch in your allocated venue.
  • Matches are 15 min long, straight through – no half time. (These times are weather permitting and may be subject to change on the day due to weather conditions.)
  • All teams are playing in the Mixed Grade. Therefore every team must have a minimum of 3 females on the pitch at all times. Failure to do so will result in forfeiting your match (5 - 0).

MATCH RULES:

  • ITRA has a very experienced Events Team running the tournament with 30 ITRA Referees & 11 Venue Managers working between the Club and School to make the tournament as enjoyable as possible for your team.
  • Usual ITRA tag laws apply - see If you have any queries or issues throughout the day, please speak with a Venue Manager immediately.
  • Please remember it is a fun event where the social side is just as important as the sporting!

TAG SHORTS

  • Each player needs official match shorts to play in our leagues.
  • Tag shorts from all reputable suppliers are allowed.
  • You will be able to buy shorts on Saturday at your venue Registration Desk for €20.
  • Please have the correct money with you as the Venue Manager may not have change!

WHO QUALIFIES FOR KNOCK OUTS? (64 out of 116 teams)

Mixed Grade A

14 teams – 2 x groups of 5 and 1 x group of 4

  • 1st & 2nd from each group plus 7th & 8th(8 teams) qualify for Grade A Cup Quarter Finals
  • Winners of Cup QF qualify for Grade A Cup Semis
  • Losers of Cup QF qualify for Grade A Plate Semis
  • Teams ranked 9th to 12th(4 teams) qualify for Grade ABowlSemi Finals
  • 13th and 14th(2 teams) go to bar!
  • 12 OUT OF 14 TEAMS QUALIFY FOR 5TH GAME (KNOCK OUTS)

Mixed Grade B

20 teams – 4 x groups of 5

  • 1st & 2nd from each group (8 teams) qualifyfor Grade B Cup/Plate Quarter Finals
  • Winners of Cup QF qualify for Grade B Cup Semis
  • Losers of Cup QF qualify for Grade B Plate Semis
  • 3rd place teams in each group (4 teams) qualify for Grade B Bowl Semi Finals
  • 4th & 5th place teams(8 teams) go to bar!
  • 12 OUT OF 20 TEAMS QUALIFY FOR 5TH GAME (KNOCK OUTS)

Mixed Grade C

74 teams - 14 x groups of 5 and 1 x group of 4

Divided into Club & School. Meet in Quarter Final Stage

a)CLUB (15 teams – 3 x groups of 5)

  • All 3 Group Winners plus 4th (4 teams) qualify for Grade C Cup Knock Out Round 1
  • Teams ranked 5th to 8th (4 teams) qualify for Grade C Plate Round 1
  • Teams who finish 9th to 15th(7 teams) go to bar!
  • 8 OUT OF 15 TEAMS QUALIFY FOR 5TH GAME (KNOCKOUTS)

b)SCHOOL (59 teams – 11 x groups of 5 and 1 x group of 4)

  • All 12 Group Winners (12 teams) qualify for Grade C Cup Knock Out Round 1
  • All 12 Group Runners Up (12 teams) qualify for Grade C Plate Knock Out Round 1
  • Teams who finish 3rd, 4th and 5th(35 teams) in their group go to bar!
  • 24 OUT OF 59 TEAMS QUALIFY FOR 5TH GAME (KNOCKOUTS)

Mixed Open Grade

8 teams - 2 x groups of 4

One Group on Grass, One on Astro

  • 1st and 2nd in Group (4 teams) qualify for Open Grade Cup Knock Out Semi Final
  • 3rd and 4th in Group (4 teams) qualify for Open Grade Plate Knock Out Semi Final
  • 8 OUT OF 8 TEAMS QUALIFY FOR 5TH GAME (KNOCKOUTS)

LOCATION OF GRADES

  • GRADE A: All Grade A teams are playing in Old Crescent Rugby Club for the Round Robin matches (Rounds 1 to 10) and for the Knockout Matches. 1 Cup, 1 Plate and 1 Bowl trophy for Grade A, as well as €1,000 cash and a keg for winners.
  • GRADE B: All Grade B teams are playing in Old Crescent Rugby Club for the Round Robin matches (Rounds 1 to 10) and for the Knockout Matches. 1 Cup, 1 Plate and 1 Bowl trophy for Grade Bplus keg of beer for winners.
  • GRADE C: The Mixed Grade C competition is split between the Rugby Club (15 teams) & Crescent Comp School (58 teams). Please check list below to confirm which venue your team is playing in. Knockout winning teams will transfer over to the Rugby Club after Round 11. 1 Cup and 1 Plate trophy for Grade C plus keg of beer for winners.
  • OPEN GRADE: All Open Grade teams are playing in Crescent Comp School - 4 teams on Grass and 4 teams on Astro. Please check list below to confirm which pitch your team is playing in. Knockout winning teams will transfer over to the Rugby Club after Round 12. 1 Cup and 1 Plate trophy for Open Grade plus keg of beer for winners.

DIRECTIONS TO CLUB/ SCHOOL

Directions to Old Crescent Rugby Club:

-Come in on the Dublin Road to Limerick

-Take the exit at the roundabout sign posted for Cork

-Follow signs for Cork at the next roundabout

-Take the 1st exit off the ring road to Dooradoyle

-Go up & over bridge following signs for Old Crescent RFC (you’ll see club from bridge)

-It is 300m down the road.

Directions to Crescent Comprehensive School:

-Come in on the Dublin road to Limerick

-Take the exit at the roundabout sign posted for Cork

-Follow signs for Cork at the next roundabout

-Take the 1st exit off the ring road to Dooradoyle

-Continue straight following signs for Dooradoyle and Garryowen FC.