Joe Moran Festival 2024

13TH APRIL 2024

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Dear players, coaches and teams,

It is with great excitement and anticipation that I extend a heartfelt welcome to all of you to the Joe Moran Festival of Rugby!

Hosting this under 11 tournament is a special occasion for us at Naas RFC, as it represents not only a celebration of rugby but also a nurturing of the next generation of players. The spirit of camaraderie, sportsmanship, and sheer joy that radiates from these young athletes is truly inspiring.

The Joe Moran Festival of Rugby promises to be a weekend filled with memorable moments and thrilling matches. Our dedicated team has put in countless hours to ensure that everything is set for an unforgettable experience for all participants.

As you step onto the field, remember that it's not just about the game itself but also about the friendships forged and the lessons learned. Each match is an opportunity to grow, both as players and individuals, and we encourage you to embrace every moment with enthusiasm and respect.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone involved – from the players and coaches to the volunteers and supporters –for their unwavering dedication and commitment to making this event a success. Your passion for rugby is what fuels our community and makes events like these possible.

So let's kick off the Joe Moran Festival of Rugby with determination, sportsmanship, and a whole lot of fun! Best of luck to all the teams, and may this weekend be filled with unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. See you on the field!

Warm regards

Paula Laffan President Naas RFC 2023/24

A MESSAGE FROM JOE MORAN

I extend a warm welcome to all players, coaches, and supporters from various clubs to the Naas RFC Joe Moran Festival of Rugby for Under 11s. I hope you will all enjoy a fantastic day of rugby. Today, our focus is on fun and enjoyment. There won't be official scoring, as we believe everyone participating is a winner in their own right. This reflects the spirit of rugby as it should be.

Here at Naas RFC, we're dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for young players from across the country to come together and enjoy the game they love.

Each year, it falls upon the Naas Under 11 team coaches to organize this festival. Their hard work and dedication are commendable, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to Robert Blythe, Adrian Travers, Stefan Aldrich, Aaron Downes and Sammy Darragh, as well as an army of helpers led by Abbi Glynn, Sean Earley, Aoife Brophy, Cliona O’Brien, Karl O’Doherty and Mark Gavin for their efforts in making today's event possible.

A special thank you also goes to our sponsors and suppliers whose support is invaluable and greatly appreciated.

Over the years, many players, both boys and girls, have graced our festival, with some moving on to play at Provincial and International levels. This is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the coaches of underage teams throughout Ireland. Their contribution plays a vital role in the success of Irish rugby on the world stage. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and dedication.

Enjoy the festival!

Warm regards,

Joe Moran

WELCOME TO NAAS RFC FOR THE 2024 JOE MORAN FESTIVAL OF RUGBY

Dear coaches, players, and parents,

Welcome to the 2024 Joe Moran Rugby Festival at Naas Rugby Club!

It's a pleasure to have you all here for this much-anticipated annual event, which has been a highlight of our mini-rugby calendar for over 20 years.

The excitement among our under 11 rugby players at Naas Rugby Club has been palpable, and we're thrilled that the day has finally arrived.

From watching them take their first steps in rugby as under 7’s, it's been an incredible journey of growth and development for these young players.

We're honoured to have Joe Moran, a key founding member of mini rugby at Naas, joining us today. While the Festival isn't about competition, we'll be recognizing the team that best embodies rugby's core values of respect, teamwork, positive attitude, and good behaviour, with Joe presenting the award at the end of the Blitz.

A huge shoutout to all the volunteers – coaches, referees, coordinators, chefs, parents, siblings, and everyone who makes this day possible. Your dedication is what makes events like these truly special. Thanks also to our Coordinator of Mini Rugby Jack Keegan and Head of Youth Rugby Conor Brophy for your valuable guidance. And of course, a big thank you to our sponsors whose support ensures our budding rugby stars are well-fed and entertained throughout the Blitz.

Let's make today unforgettable!

Warm regards, Naas RFC U11 coaches

Robert Blythe, Adrian Travers, Aaron Downes, Sammy Darragh, Stefan Aldrich.

KINDLY SUPPORTED BY

Format

• 12 min game play on hooter - stop and start - if hooter sounds in the middle of play stop the game. NO SCORE AFTER THE HOOTER.

• 3 Minute turnaround time to start of the next game. Please work with the pitch coordinators and be at the correct pitch on time.

• 10 players per team (5 forwards, 5 backs) and max. 5 rolling substitutes.

• Pitch size 60m x 40m

• Start/restart with drop kick. May be replaced by a tip-off at Referee’s discretion. If kick off goes over dead ball line, scrum to receiving team at half way.

• Kicking only from kicking zone. Tackles

• Nothing above the waist height

• No swinging tackles

• No hand-offs

• No leading with the forearm or elbow

• No ripping of ball in the tackle

TOURNAMENT RULES

Scrum

• UNCONTESTED Scrums

• Focus on binds and heads in right place

• Feeding scrum half can break (i.e. does not have to pass)

• Scrum half must stay on own side of scrum.

• Rest of back line must retreat 4 metres from scrum.

Line Out:

• Contested jump, 4 jumpers + Hooker, no lifting, no long throws over the top.

• Ensure 1 metre gap between 2 lines.

• Team Awarded Line Out-Scrum half can break (i.e. does not have to pass)

• Back line must retreat 4 metres from line out.

Penalties/Infringement:

• Penalties are taken by pass-off with defending team at referees mark. A scrum is awarded for:

• Knock on, forward pass, unintentional kicking of the ball outside the designated area.

A penalty (pass off) is awarded for:

• Off-side - A player handling/holding the ball while on the ground or kneeling.

• A high tackle or dangerous play or Hand-off

• The scrum-half coming around the scrum before the ball emerges.

Rucks and maul

• Referee should count down “5,4,3,2,1” from moment ruck/maul is formed. The “Use it or Lose it” rule should be strictly applied. It is ILLEGAL to COLLAPSE a maul.

Discipline

• No sending off, only compulsory substitutions.

• Dangerous Tackles: High/Swing and Dump Tackles. Player to receive one verbal warning. If the player offends again, compulsory substitution to be made by coach on request. Player is allowed to participate in next match / rest of the event unless there is a repeat of the offence.

• Punching / Kicking of an opponent. No verbal warning - immediate compulsory substitution and the player is not allowed to participate in the next match or the rest of the event.

ARRIVAL:

• Every team must have at least one dedicated coach and one assistant.

• Please ensure that you arrive on time - the festival will start precisely as scheduled.

• Please try to travel by bus. Parking is in designated areas only, as per the car-park attendants’ instructions. Please car-pool if driving to the event.

• On arrival, please go immediately to registration (see map) to inform the organisers that you are on site. They will give you a token which you can use later to collect the food*.

• Attend the event briefing for the coaches at 10:30am. Note: You will need to have a backup adult in charge of your group while you attend the briefing. Attendance at this briefing is compulsory. Please send 1 coach per team.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TOURNAMENT OPERATION:

• To reduce our plastic waste, we ask that all players bring a water bottle. We will have water on site to refill during the day.

• At registration, your team will be allocated a playing zone and group (Attached in this document also). Each zone has 3 full size U11 pitches and separate areas designated as a “base”.

• All of your games will take place in the same zone, so immediately after registration locate your team in the one of the base areas for that zone.

• All groups will kick off at 11:00 and play for 12 minutes (on the hooter) with no half time. Please be ready at pitch-side before kick-off, and please vacate the pitch promptly when the hooter sounds. We will have a break for lunch after match round 3.

TOURNAMENT OPERATION CONT’d:

• Please refer to map and schedule to see where, when and who you will play throughout the festival. There will be Pitch coordinators to help you be in the right place at the right time.

• Each pitch will have its own referee provided. Referees decisions are final.

• Respect the referee and pitch coordinators. They are there to help you and your team have an enjoyable days rugby.

• Have your team on the pitch and ready to play no later than 2 minutes before the kick-off for your fixtures.

* NB: we cannot guarantee food will be free from nuts therefore we ask you to inform parents of children with allergies.

Schedule:

10:00 – 10:30

• Arrivals and registration in the clubhouse

10:30 – 11:00

• Coaches briefing - Clubhouse members bar

• Please send only 1 coach per group.

11:00

• Start time for all zones

• Subsequent matches KO every 15 mins.

12:30

• LUNCH BREAK

13:42

• Last round of matches KO

14:25

• Trophy & Medal Ceremony

Location:

EIRCODE: W91 AX81

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Cont’d:

Travel Detail:

Parking

• Coaches / Buses turn to the right upon entry to the club ground. You will be asked to offload your passengers, and park offsite at Naas Racecourse.

• Cars turn left and will be directed to park or use drop off zone immediately on left.

Approximate Travel Times to Naas:

• Belfast to Naas North circa 2½ hours.

• Cork (Jack Lynch Tunnel) to Naas North circa 2½ hours.

• Waterford to Naas North circa 1hr 40 mins.

• Galway (Oranmore to Naas North) circa 3 hours.

• Limerick to Naas North circa 2 hours.

• Sligo to Naas North circa 3½ hours.

• We suggest you allow at least 30 minutes extra time for traffic delays and congestion at the club.

• Please follow the directions of all stewards at the club.

MAP KEY

FIRST AID

ZONE AND PITCH LAYOUT

ANNOUNCER BASE

CAR PARKING

ZONE BASES

TOILETS WATER STATION / BOTTLE REFILL

FOOD / COFFEE

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHILD WELFARE OFFICER

Naas RFC are looking forward to hosting our Annual Joe Moran U11 Rugby Festival. We are delighted to welcome all the young rugby players, their coaches and families to Forenaughts, and we hope that everyone has an enjoyable, fun and positive experience. In keeping with the spirit of celebration and friendship that defines the Joe Moran Festival we would like to remind all coaches, parents and spectators that Naas RFC have a positive side-lines policy. We ask everyone to cooperate with our volunteer coordinators and to respect players, coaches and referees throughout the day.

We attach a copy of the Leinster Code of Conduct for players, coaches and spectators which will be applied in full throughout the festival. We hope everyone has a wonderful day of rugby ahead!

Link: Leinster Code of Conduct

Denise Keegan

Naas RFC CWO