Welcome from the Director of Sport & Co-Curricular
Welcome to Seaford College, and thank you in advance for supporting our invitational Seaford Southern Tens Rugby Festival. Events like this reflect what school sport does best. Tournament rugby brings intensity, momentum and shared responsibility, asking players to perform, recover and respond together. These are demanding days, but they are often the most memorable, providing experiences that shape confidence, resilience and a genuine sense of belonging.
At Seaford, we see sport as an important part of a young person’s education. It is a space where students learn how to contribute, how to compete with integrity and how to respond when things do not go exactly to plan. Rugby, in particular, places these lessons front and centre, rewarding teamwork, trust and collective effort as much as individual performance.
While results matter, days like today remind us that success is also found in how teams behave, how players support one another and how they represent their school. The small moments, such as a positive response after a setback or a team finishing the day proud of their efforts, can often carry the greatest value.
Our 2026 tournament also carries special significance, as our departing Headmaster, John Green, will present the winners’ trophy for the final time. A passionate and steadfast advocate for school sport, John has been instrumental in the continued development of Seaford Sport and the rugby programme. His belief in the wider educational value of sport has helped shape a culture that prioritises character, connection and high standards.
I would also like to thank Sean Thomson, our Head of Rugby, for his diligence, attention to detail and leadership in driving the rugby programme forward. His commitment ensures that opportunities like today are both purposeful and well-run.
My sincere gratitude extends to all staff, officials and visiting schools involved in making the tournament possible. To our parents, visitors and supporters, I am sure you will enjoy the day and trust you will allow the coaches to coach and help create a positive environment for all players.
To every team taking part, play with energy, effort and enthusiasm, and place our core values of Respect, Teamwork, Courage and Trust at the heart of everything you do.
Mr Christian Head Director of Sport
Seaford Southern Tens U18 Festival
It is a real honour to welcome you all to the fifth instalment of the Seaford Southern Tens. A warm welcome to all players, coaches, referees and spectators today. Previous competitions have produced fantastic spectacles of sport, and I am sure that today will be no different.
Rugby Tens continues to grow stronger and stronger, showcasing the best elements of skill, speed and physicality in one of the shorter formats of the game. This progression of the sport is evident in schoolboy sevens, where the standard seems to improve dramatically year on year. I am sure that all spectators shall enjoy the efforts of all teams on show today.
At Seaford, we are passionate for our students to achieve their personal bests inside and outside of the classroom.
Seaford Sport offers fantastic opportunities for sport, and the Seaford Southern Tens is a wonderful test for our rugby players today against high-quality opposition.
I wish all teams every success with today’s tournament, and hope it gives them the best start for what will be a successful season for all concerned.
Mr Sean Thomson Head of Rugby
Order of Play
Group winners progress to the Cup Semi-Finals
Winner Group 1 vs Winner Group 3
Winner Group 2 vs Winner Group 4
Group runners-up progress to the Plate Semi-Finals
2nd Place Group 1 vs 2nd Place Group 3
2nd Place Group 2 vs 2nd Place Group 4
Group - third place progress to the Vase Semi-Finals
3rd Place Group 1 vs 3rd Place Group 3
3rd Place Group 2 vs 3rd Place Group 4
Group - fourth place progress to the Bowl Semi-Finals
4th Place Group 1 vs 4th Place Group 3
4th Place Group 2 vs 4th Place Group 4
Registration
Upon arrival we request that all teams park in the Charles Johnson Pavilion car park. Once parked please report to the Oval Pavilion for registration. You will then be issued with your team food vouchers and other information.
We request all teams arrive by 9:30am and all coaches attend a short briefing in the Oval Pavilion at 9:45am. The first round of matches will start at 10.00am.
Gazebos & Event Shelters
We will not be allocating changing rooms for the festival so, if you would like to bring your own gazebo or event shelter, please notify us on arrival and a member of the sports team will direct you to the grass area behind the Oval Pavilion.
We request that teams ensure that all shelters are securely fastened and are not in the vicinity of the playing pitches. Toilets are located at the north end of the Oval Pavilion and the Hollington Sixth Form Centre.
Competition Rules
1. All players must have been under 18 years old and at least Year 11 age, i.e. 15 years or older, on 1st September 2021.
2. Each squad to have a minimum of 17 players, of whom six should be conversant with front-row play to cover these areas in case of injury.
3. RFU Youth Laws apply with the following:
i) The scrummaging to be formed by five players in the conventional front five formation
ii) The scrum-half cannot pass the mid-point at the scrummage on his opponent’s put-in, i.e. he cannot follow his opposite number around the base
iii) The locks cannot break with the ball from the scrum
4. All conversions are to be drop kicks.
5. Normal seven-a-side rules apply at kick-offs, i.e. the team scoring to kick off.
6. Rolling replacements are allowed. Please inform the referee of these changes.
7. Duration of the game is nine minutes each way. There will be a one-minute interval between halves.
8. Team colours: if the referee decides there is a colour clash, the team named first in the programme is obliged to change.
9. Group matches: 3 points for a win. 1 point for a draw. The Group Winner will be the team with the most league points. If these are equal, then the positions will be decided by:
i) Head-to-head result
ii) The team with the larger points difference
iii) Tries scored
iv) The toss of a coin
10. In the final: if the scores are equal at full time, then two periods of six minutes each way will be played. The first score during extra time will decide the winner. If there are no further scores, the trophy will be deservedly shared.
11. The Tournament Referee reserves the right to give full judgment on the Competition Rules.
12. In the event of a sending-off, the player is not allowed to play for the remainder of the day. A sending-off is signalled by a red card or two yellow cards in the same game. Players sent off may not be replaced for that game, but sides may start new games with a full ten players. The use of temporary suspension (sin binning) indicated by a yellow card will be implemented. The player must leave the field for three minutes and stand behind the opposition’s posts.
13. All decisions by the Director of Sport (Mr Christian Head) are final.
Referees
Today’s match officials have kindly been provided by the Sussex Society of Rugby Football Union Referees.
Please respect the decisions of all referees, who have given up their time to join us today. Without them, the festival could not go ahead.
Social Media
Join the conversation by tweeting updates from the tournament. Please use the handle #seaford10 so we can look back on how events unfolded throughout the day.
#Seaford10 @Seafordcollege
Parking
Upon arrival, all team minibuses will be guided to the Charles Johnson Pavilion car park. You will be met by a member of the Seaford Sport team for further instructions. All spectators are requested to park in the designated areas at the main College, Music Block and Johnson Centre. In the event of an overflow, parents will be guided to park by the Mansion House. Please do not park on any grassed areas.
Please keep all dogs on leads.
Videography & Photography
NextGenXV and Cheers Mate Productions will be live streaming from the two main Oval pitches
The Seaford College Marketing team will also be taking video footage and photos of the event. Be sure to find them for an interview!
Please let the videographers/photographers know immediately if you have any concerns with your team being included in these videos or photos.
Injuries & First Aid
Medical provision will be based in the Oval Pavilion. In the event of an injury, our staff are first aid trained and have medical bags accessible at each pitch. On the day we will also have two Seaford physios pitch side, and we are pleased to welcome our paramedic services, supplied by Event Medic Services Ltd, who will be stationed in an emergency vehicle at the pavilion.
For serious injuries our nearest hospital is:
St Richard’s Hospital
Spitalfield Lane
Chichester PO19 6SE
Telephone: 01243 788122
Festival Refreshments
Throughout the day, it is important players stay hydrated. There are water stations positioned next to the Oval Pavilion, and competitors are encouraged to refill their water bottles using the taps.
All refreshments will be served from the Hollington Cafe decking area which is marked 2 on the site map (just behind the slopes pitches).
Each school will be provided with a box of snacks for consumption during the day. Food will be free of charge for all, but please be aware we will be collecting donations to go towards the Seaford Sport fund.
