Match Preview

Saracens U11s&U12s Defender Cup Festival

Saturday 2nd December 2023

Event Information

Registration and Start Time

Registration time for U11’s and 12’s will be from 10:00-10:30 @ Belmont, followed shortly after by a coaches briefing at 10:35, next to the registration gazebo. Matches will then kick off @11:00.
Belmont Mill Hill Preparatory School The Ridgeway Mill Hill Village London NW7 4ED

Travelling by Car
I will be sending an update early next week with details about parking. If you have not done so already and will require parking please drop me an email with the number of spaces you require.

Pool Draws
An electronic version of the pool draw and fixtures will be sent over next week. The competition will take place on the playing fields at Belmont School.

Rules & Regulations
The festival will be played in line with the RFU Regulations, these can be found on the RFU Website.
We ask that each team is made up of mixed ability and there should be no ‘A’ or ‘B’ teams. Each referee will manage the timings of their games and pitch. Once the games have started the referee’s decision is final. Replacements can be used at any time during each match. When replacements are used the referee must be informed

Game Duration
We will try to ensure that in line with RFU continuum you play as much game time as possible within your pool fixtures. Therefore, please note depending on the total number teams in your pool this will affect the duration of your games. Duration will vary to ensure all teams play a similar amount of rugby. We will structure the fixtures to ensure there are integrated suitable periods of rests as required between matches and the start times when released are the latest possible kick off times.

First Aid and Child Welfare
Promedicus Ambulance & Paramedic Service will be on site for the duration of the festival. Saracens staff will be on site at all times and will provide suitably qualified referees for all the matches taking place. We ask that your players and parents bring appropriate clothing and equipment for the weather come wind, rain or shine. Changing rooms are not available but shelter is readily available between fixtures. We strongly suggest that teams come kitted up ready to play.

Food & Drinks
We recommended that you bring sufficient water and refreshments although food and drinks will be available to purchase on site at Belmont.

Bags
We appreciate that with the weather getting colder players will want to bring some extra layers to put on after the festival. Where possible please could everyone avoid bringing large kit bags as they will all need to be searched on arrival and this might add a considerable amount of time due to the number of players taking part in the festival. The smaller the bag the better. Even better would be to leave bags in the car or coach before arriving at the stadium gates.

StoneX Stadium – Ticketing & Access
Upon arrival at the stadium, Saracens staff will direct you towards the gates for the match. The gates will be open from 14:00, once you have finished your final fixture if you are attending the match you are welcome to make your way to the designated car park ready to be shuttled to the stadium. Please do not attempt to access the stadium prior to the gates opening.

Any tickets that have not been paid for by Wednesday the 29nd November will be released and put back on general sale as we are expecting the game to be a sell-out. Following this, tickets may still be available to purchase via the Saracens website but this is not guaranteed