University Touch Championship - National Round 3

DATE

Saturday 22^nd March 2025

LOCATION

Riverside Sports Complex, Nottingham

ADDRESS

Nottingham, NG7 2TG

MAP HYPERLINK

https://goo.gl/maps/sfRwKLeojas7UpT68

All games will be played on grass surfaces.

The UTC Season Information Pack can be found here.

Sport Specific Regulations can be found here.

Sport Specific Affiliations can be found here.

FIT 5th Edition International Playing Rules can be found here.

SCHEDULE & FORMAT

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12_cUFdhH7guW0A7-kWxj1zIbN7yzj52S/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=109684979722767369462&rtpof=true&sd=true

• The top 16 ranked Teams are split into 4 Pools (Cup / Plate) of 4 Teams
• Teams will play all teams in their Pool during the morning games
• The winners / 2^nd placed teams of each pool will advance to the Cup Quarter Finals
• The 3^rd / 4^th placed teams in each pool will advance to the Plate Quarter Finals
• Teams will then play semi finals / finals / play off games through the afternoon
• The next 20 ranked teams are split into 5 Pools (Bowl / Shield / Salver) of 4 teams
• Teams will play all teams in their Pool during the morning games
• All teams will then be ranked 1^st to 20^th, with the 5 group winners ranked 1^st to 5^th, 2^nd placed teams ranked 6^th to 10^th etc.
• The top 8 ranked teams (1^st to 8^th) will then enter the Bowl and play quarter / semi / finals / play off games.
• The next 8 ranked teams (9^th to 16^th) will then enter the Shield and play quarter / semi / finals / play off games.
• The final 4 ranked teams (17^th to 20^th) will then enter the Salver and play semi / finals / play off games.
• Teams will then play semi finals / finals / play off games through the afternoon

• All teams will play 5 / 6 games

The second national round final placings have been used to rank teams for this competition with the teams finishing 15^th / 16^th in the Cup / Plate in Round 2 being relegated to the Bowl / Shield and the teams finishing 17^th / 18^th in the Bowl / Shield / Salver in Round 2 being promoted to the Cup / Plate.

BUCS Points are not directly available at this singular event. Please see the UTC Season Information Pack for further information.

This event is the second national event with the points awarded by the final standings in this round being added to those awarded in rounds 1 & 2. BUCS Points will be awarded after all National Championship events have taken place based on the overall points gained in the 3 National Championship rounds. 

Please see REG 7.9 for our withdrawal policy

Player Referee slots will be allocated as per the Sport Specific Regulations. Due to the number of Full-Time Referees attending, it is likely that Player Referees will be required to facilitate the tournament so please be prepared regardless.

Teams should ensure that their Player-Referees come prepared with a whistle.

Player Referee Allocations will be completed nearer the time of the event and included on the Ref Allocations tab of the schedule.

Players must be registered, added to teams and approved by your University on the BUCS Play system by 5pm on Tuesday 20^th March.

These players are then checked against the ETA Membership Database to ensure they have a valid ETA Membership. (Instructions on how to obtain membership are in the Season Info Pack.)

Club Captains with be notified of any players not with a membership before the event, it is then their responsibility to sort.

Fielding a player without a valid membership may result in a penalty or disqualification.

England Touch will then release digital playing teamsheets via this link (these will be released once BUCs have provided the details on Thursday 20^th March):

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-lpgoDJPNC0CKf2zRauSrPPsSyrlb_5R/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=109684979722767369462&rtpof=true&sd=true

Team Captains must ensure that each player’s shirt number is filled out before their first game on the event day.

This is used to track scoring and MVP records

REGISTRATION & ARRIVAL TIME

08:00

Teams are required to arrive and Register.

The team sheet must be completed with player shirt numbers.

CAPTAIN’S BRIEFING TIME

08:30

Team Captains are required to attend Event Control for a briefing at this time, this will be at the side of the steps in front of the pavilion.

FIRST GAME KICK OFF TIME

09:00

LAST GAME KICK OFF TIME

16:30

PRESENTATION CEREMONY

Presentations will take place as part of the award night / afterparty where the following trophies will be awarded:

• Cup - 1st Place
• Plate - 9th Place
• Bowl - 17th Place
• Shield - 25th Place
• Salver – 33^rd Place
• Most Valuable Players (Female & Male) (as voted for by opposition teams)
• Most Valuable Referee

If you have not already secured your tickets for the awards night and wish to attend please see the details in the Afterparty What’s App group or contact Charlie Steed or Ian Tankard via that group.

If you are unable to attend the awards night / afterparty, please ensure you come and see me before you leave to ensure if you have won any trophies that we can get these presented prior to you leaving.

After each game, team captains will be asked to nominate a female and male player from the opposition. These will be tallied up through the course of the event with the most nominated players receiving an award. This is part of the community we create in Touch Rugby and we think it is very important that this is celebrated.

The event will be closing at 17:15 and the venue will be closed at 18:00.

VENUE & PITCH MAP

Exact Pitch location is yet to be determined.

PARKING

Parking at the venue, Riverside, is free for all users.

Coaches can remain onsite – If your coach wishes to leave site please ask to driver to wait until after 9am to exit to avoid blockages on Lenton Lane

All vehicles must park in the purple highlighted carpark. Only event control and emergency vehicles will be allowed beyond the barrier located at the red line.

FURTHER TRAVEL LINKS

For additional information on travel to or from the venue, please visit the University of Nottingham website.

Weather

Please attend the event with the appropriate items of kit that you will need to stay warm and dry throughout the day. All players are permitted to wear any clothing item underneath their playing shirt, that keeps them warm, provided there are no rigid elements to it and it does not cover the shirt number.

Kit & Playing Attires

Please see Rule 4 of the FIT 5th Edition Playing Rules here for a full breakdown of permitted attire.

No jewellery must be worn and it is strongly advised that watches are not worn either. If a participant desperately wishes to wear a watch, this must be covered by a soft wristband, sweatband or medical tape.

Boots with screw-in studs are not permitted.

Full changing facilities, toilets and showers are available at the grounds. Note that all items are left at the owner's risk. Teams will be allocated specific changing rooms, these will be shared with other teams where required with each team being allocated a male and female changing facility.
 

Event Control will be located in the main pavilion as shown on the site map. The event briefing will happen at the bottom of the steps in front of the pavilion. 

Medical support will be located in the main pavilion physio room as shown on the site map.

As part of our commitment to quality and making the day a competitive but safe event, we have secured expert physio, sports therapy and first aid cover for the duration of the event and the season. 

Please note that there will be a £5.00 charge for taping (free if you supply your own).

In the case of needing medical assistance during a game, please notify your nearest events assistant or attend event control.

Water refill is available in all changing rooms and externally on the pavilion building.

Full food and beverage options are available at the event which are to be confirmed and will be shared on the What’s App group ahead of the day, we encourage teams to support these vendors at the event.

All participants must comply with the ETA and BUCS Code of Conduct while taking part and supporting at UTC events, the full details can be found at http://www.englandtouch.org.uk/play/code-of-behaviour/ 

The ETA Code of Behaviour applies to all participants including players, coaches, referees, administrators and supporters and sanctions can be applied to individuals, teams and clubs as necessary. Participant enjoyment should not be compromised at any point and necessary actions will be taken should they be needed to ensure this. The decision will be made by the tournament control. Your cooperation on this matter is greatly appreciated.

Ensure your players are following @universitytouchuk on Instagram for all the latest updates, inside stories and behind the scenes competition.

Please tag:

@bucssport

@englandtouch

@universitytouchuk

In your instagram stories, also use the hashtags:

#touchrugby

#bucssport

#universitytouchchampionships

BUCS’ mission is to provide exceptional student sporting experiences that inspire, develop and unite.

Critical to our success is our commitment to always providing safe, friendly and enjoyable environments for all participants. Whether competing, coaching, officiating, volunteering, working or spectating at these events, the welfare of all is critical to our mission.

To find out more or report a concern, please click here.