Welcome

Welcome to our rugby club and the U7s Cheshire Waterfall Festival 2023. Bowdon RUFC has a rich tradition in Cheshire for hosting annual rugby events – and is proud to be staging this exciting tournament of rugby.

We welcome over 200 players, representing clubs from across the Cheshire region. Whether playing, coaching, refereeing or spectating; we hope you have an immensely rewarding day at Bowdon RUFC.

The U7’s Cheshire Waterfall Festival promises to be a hugely enjoyable day; encouraging positive rugby values of teamwork, respect, sportsmanship and fun.

Enjoy your festival – and let’s provide a memorable sporting day for all our U7 players across the region.

Yours in rugby,
Nick Byrne Chair - Minis & Juniors Bowdon RUFC

Phil Craven – Director of Rugby Minis & Juniors Bowdon RUFC

Key Timings

Groups and matches have been staggered wherever possible to allow players of all clubs to watch their teammates in other matches – so not all teams from one club are always playing at the same time.

Likewise, we encourage all players and spectators to stay until the last matches of the festival are completed – as we have Sale Sharks players attending; and we would like to do a group presentation of certificates at the close of the tournament.

We would also like to try to get a large group photograph of all teams and players at the close of play.

Brief timing guidelines below:

9.00am Car Parks Open
9.30am Registration, (first team pitch near clubhouse in try/briefing area)
9.45am Coaches Briefing, (first team pitch near clubhouse in try/briefing area)
10.00am Matches start
11.15am Lunch
11.45am Matches resume
1.00pm Presentations

U7 Tag Rugby Rules

Maximum numbers 4 v 4
No coaches on the pitch
Pitch size 20m long, 12m wide
Maximum duration 10 minutes each half

Must be on your feet to score
Cannot score if there’s a tag missing
Can score if tagged within one step of the try line – be generous

Play on from a knock-on or if the ball goes on the ground
Players cannot dive on the ball on the ground
Cannot pass forwards
Cannot hand the ball to another player
Cannot grab the ball from another player
Any offence leads to a free pass

A free pass must be made to a stationary player
The defence have to be 3m back from a free pass

No fending off
After making a tag, the tagger must hand back the tag
If tagged, the ball carrier must pass within three seconds, though they can take three strides
The tagger must return the tag to the tagged player
They cannot re-enter the game until this is done

Once a tag is made, apart from the tagger, the other defenders have to get nearer the goal line than the tagged player before they can re-enter the game

PLUS, no kicking or tackling

Get to Know Us

Bowdon RUFC was founded in 1877, and we have continued to grow and develop to meet the challenges and demands facing our sport post Covid. We currently run two (sometimes three) senior sides and continue to nurture the ladies' squad. We realise the importance of a vibrant, thriving M n J section and have worked hard over the years to build, support, and manage this section of the club. The work and dedication involved in this task has not been insignificant, and we are grateful to all those who have been part of the journey so far, and all those that have volunteered to make today happen.

We are proud to have been chosen to host the Cheshire U7 Waterfall Festival and warmly welcome you all to our club. Please use our facility fully and have a wonderful day of rugby. Some of us have been on the rugby pathway for more years than we care to remember or wish to admit, even. Today, however, is all about those at the beginning of theirs. So, enjoy your day at Bowdon, make memories, make friends, and please come back again. You will always be made to feel at home, and we will always be pleased to see you.