U13 Festivals
Eastern Counties have developed an innovative formula at Under 13s, as a “replacement” for the former county cup program.
Each county (Cambs, Norfolk & Suffolk) held 2 earlier festivals, involving all U13 teams within their county; the first was semi-seeded with all teams playing 4 x 15 minute one way matches, the second was seeded so that teams played opposition of a similar standard (but with no overall winners). All teams were then nominated to one of 5 final tiered all county festivals held across Eastern Counties last Sunday, providing playing opportunities for all U13 players in the CB to develop their skills at an appropriate level, and against teams from the other counties.
Glorious sunshine, accompanied by a cold wind greeted no less than 32 teams from 25 different clubs – around 600 boys – with 6 or 7 teams at each of 5 venues.
B teams were allowed to enter; 2 clubs combined forces; a couple of clubs were short, and others willingly lent players, and 4 of the 10 referees were teenagers.
These are not “win win” festivals – there were no cups to play for; each team played 4 others, again in 15 minute one way matches against similar standard opponents.
Eastern Counties has worked with the RFU in piloting a half game for all at U13s this season, and referees were instructed to stop games half way through, on order to allow coaches to make replacements.
This formula also gave some of our smaller clubs, Thurston, Mistley & Newmarket the opportunity of hosting a county event for the first time.
Tier 1 – at Thurston – Bury, Ipswich, Southwold, Shelford, Cambridge, Norwich, Wymondham
Tier 2 – at Stowmarket – Stowmarket, Sudbury, Colchester, Holt, Beccles, Saffron Walden
Tier 3 – at Diss – Hadleigh, Ipswich B, Diss, N Walsham, Ely, Wisbech
Tier 4 – at Mistley – Woodbridge, Mistley, Swaffham, Wymondham B, Shelford B, Cambridge B
Tier 5 – at Newmarket – Bury B, Mersea Island, StowCol B, Crusaders, Norwich B, West Norfolk, Newmarket
Jamie Warner of Stowmarket commented “Some cracking rugby played in the best spirit; a fantastic festival this has been, a great one to develop the exciting youth rugby we have”.
David Regester, Director of Youth Rugby at Norwich “what a great afternoon of rugby Norwich U13’s had today. Good to see so many playing the game across the area”.
Graham Smith from Swaffham “playing against so many different sides was a great experience and not having a 'winner' helps encourage coaches to play all of their squad throughout”.
Paul Brindley from Bury “Bury had 38 boys playing at 2 venues at the appropriate level of completion, and all of the Bury boys had a great experience/development opportunity”.
Mark Campbell of Shelford “a great day yesterday and it would appear that both our sides were in tiers where they had competitive games which is superb”.
Ross Cowie, Chairman of Eastern Counties Club & Player Development added “The program has taken much organisation, but it is a joy to see so many boys playing in the right environment. This was the second year that we have run this program, and it is clear that it is a winning formula. Our aim was to provide rugby for all U13s playing club rugby in the CB, and for them to enjoy rugby at their own level, and to contribute to their development. Coaches are now buying into player development rather than winning at all costs, and with around 600 12 & 13 year olds playing, this must provide a great platform for youth rugby in the CB, and for the onward individual development of these youngsters. A huge thanks to all those who have helped make festivals such a success”.
Picture from Diss v Hadleigh – many thanks to Peter Allott
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