Millwall Tag Rugby Festival
Wednesday 5th November 2003

This part of the site is being phased out. For all Millwall Youth News and events, go to http://youth.millwallrugby.com .

These pages were last updated 11th November 2003.

Small trophies were given out for the winners of each pool (one in the morning, two in the afternoon). In addition, each school has been given two Size 4 Rugby balls to take back with them for use in school. Each participating pupil was presented with a small (size 1) rugby ball, as a memento of the day. During the next few weeks, we hope to arrange a suitable time for a member of the Rugby Club to attend an assembly in each school, where the school will be presented with two full TAG rugby kits for their own use in school.

Millwall Rugby Club plans to offer a full range of rugby opportunities to local children and will, in the next few weeks, be offering children from Years 6 and 7 the chance to receive further coaching, and to play rugby, through the rugby club’s Youth Section. Details of where and when these sessions will take place will be forwarded to all participating schools who – we hope - will pass the message on to their pupils.

We hope you all, pupils AND staff, enjoyed your day.

Jamie Rockman, Youth Chair, Millwall Rugby Club

Tag Rugby Festival hailed a huge success!

Youth Chair, Jamie Rockman, presents a trophy to the captain of one of the winning teams on our recent, very successful Tag Rugby tournament. The event, organised entirely by players of Millwall RFC, attracted over 150 local Year 6 (10-11 year old) children from 6 local schools. The event was generously sponsored by Canary Wharf Group plc. More details, and pictures, to follow. Thank to all those who took part on the day, or helped with preparations beforehand.

The following message was received on Wednesday from Jason Leonard (yes, the real one!)

Dear All,

I am pleased to hear that you have a RWC Tag Festival taking place today at Millwall RFC on the Isle of Dogs. It is very pleasing to hear that such an event is taking place during the Rugby World Cup here in Australia. Though I am thousands of miles away I wish you every success with the event, and to the children taking part I send them my best wishes for an enjoyable day playing the great Game of Rugby.

I have heard today that I have been selected to play in the England Team on Sunday against Wales. This is a great honour for me and will earn me my 111th cap for England. My success started at School in East London and in my local Rugby Club at Barking just down the road from today’s event. With a little bit of hard work who knows if tomorrows front row forward or the next England player may not come from your part of East London and Essex.

Best Wishes
Jason Leonard.

Try out some games that you can play with Tag belts. Click here.

A NOVICE`S GUIDE TO TAG RUGBY FESTIVAL

Tag Rugby can be played purely for the fun and fitness element.
However, as anyone who works with children will know, it will not be long
before young players will want to play in a competitive match against
another class, school or club. Teachers and coaches should not be over
cautions about this, no matter how inexperienced the players may be as,
played in the right spirit, exposure to team competition can help to develop
many social, psychological and physical qualities. It will also give you a real
insight into the various personalities of your players.

The festival approach, involving a number of teams playing several shortened games played over a half or full day, is the ideal enviroment for young players to develop their skills. Being in the situation where they can play a game, receive immediate feedback from their teachers/coaches, watch other teams play and then playing again themselves has many advantages in progressing young players.

Click here to see an outline of the Rules for Tag Rugby.

INTRODUCTION

“In Tag Rugby the game comes down to its simplest form; passing, evasion, running and support play. Its excellent.”
'The Times' Newspaper

Tag Rugby - The game

Tag Rugby is a form of non-contact rugby. In Tag Rugby all players wear a light belt with two ribbons attached to it by Velcro. A “tackle” in Tag Rugby is simply the removal of one of the ball carrier’s ribbons by the defender. The ball carrier must stop and pass. After a designated number of “tackles”, possession changes sides. Players of all ages and abilities can play Tag Rugby.

Tag Rugby was first introduced in the United Kingdom in 1991. Since then Tag Rugby has had phenomenal growth in popularity, especially at youth level. Tag Rugby was first played as a curtain raiser to the 1994 England/Wales Grand Slam decider at Twickenham and since then has frequently been a curtain raiser at major international matches. The England Rugby Union now endorses Tag Rugby as its primary vehicle for rugby development. The England Rugby Union have now distributing Tag Rugby Belts to all its Rugby development officers to be used in the coaching and promoting of rugby.

Why Tag Rugby?

Tag Rugby has the following advantages:

• It shows clearly when a tackle is made and prevents arguments
• It allows players to easily officiate their own games
• It gives a real incentive for defenders to defend.
• It momentarily takes the “tackler” out of the game as would happen in full contact rugby, allowing more time and space for the attacking team
• It encourages the correct lines of running required for success in the full 15-a-side game
• Most importantly Tag Rugby ia a fun game which all the family can enjoy

How should a tag belt be worn?

All players wear a tag belt around the waist and on the outside of the clothing. Shirts should be tucked in at all times. The ribbons (tags) are positioned on either side of the hips and the teams are distinguished by the colour of the ribbons they wear. Belts should be firmly fastened to avoid unnecessary movement during the “tag”, with any surplus length of belt being tucked securely out of the way for safety.
Object of the game

Scoring System

To score a try by placing the ball, with downward pressure, on or behind the opponent’s goal line. For simplicity’s sake a try is worth one point.

Number of Players

This is flexible. However, it is suggested that teams between 5 and 7 a-side help to encourage maximum involvement and activity. Most Tag Rugby festivals are played with 7 a-side teams. When playing mixed games teams usually include 3 or 4 females.

Duration of Play

For 7 a-side games two halves of seven minutes each way are played with 1 minute for half time. At festivals for young players it is suggested 10 minutes games with no half time avoids confusion and saves time.

Size of pitch

7 a-side games can be played across half a normal sized rugby/soccer pitch (50-60m X 25-30m). Four games of 4 or 5 a-side can be played on a typical school rugby /soccer pitch using dimensions of 30-35m X 15-20m.

Pitch markings

Tag Rugby can be played by marking out a basic rectangle
Note:
Goal posts are not required to play Tag Rugby.