Touch Rugby 2025-26: Northern Regional Qualifier 1

Date:

Saturday 8^th November 2025

Venue:

Newark RUFC - Google Maps

Address:

Kelham Rd, Newark NG24 1WN

Schedule & Format​​​​​​

• The 21 Teams are split into one Pool of 6 and 3 Pools of 5 Teams 
• Teams will play all teams in their Pool during the morning games
• The winners of each pool will advance to the Cup Semi Finals
• The 2^nd placed teams in each pool will advance to the Plate Semi Finals
• The 3^rd placed teams in each pool will advance to the Bowl Semi Finals
• The 4^th placed teams in each pool will advance to the Shield Semi Finals
• The 5^th placed teams in each pool will advance to the Salver Semi Finals
• The 6^th placed team in pool A will advance to the Salver Play offs and will be joined by the two losing Salver semi finalists.

• If a team loses their Semifinal, they will still play in a play-off game after.

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

This event is a qualifying event for the National Championships. Performance in the event and the other respective regional qualifier will determine rankings for the National Championship events. BUCS Points will be awarded after all National Championship events have taken place. 

Player Referee slots will be allocated as per the Sport Specific Regulations, where as part of this your team is nominating a full time referee please follow the instructions below no later than Saturday 1^st November.

To nominate a full time referee, you must email [email protected] and [email protected] with the names of your refs 1 week before the competition.

The full time refs must sign up to the event using Spond. Instructions for which are found here

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 added to teams on the BUCS Play system by 5pm on Tuesday 4^th November.

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 will 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 following the information being received from BUCS (likely Wednesday 5^h / Thursday 6^th November):

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

08:15

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.

First Game Kick Off Time

09:00

Last Game Kick Off Time

15:30

Presentation Ceremony

16:15 – 16:30

Presentations will take place in the bar area of the clubhouse where the following trophies will be awarded:

• Cup - 1st Place
• Plate - 5th Place
• Bowl - 9th Place
• Shield - 13th Place
• Salver – 17^th Place
• Most Valuable Players (Female & Male) (as voted for by opposition teams)
• Most Valuable Referee

The ETA would be very grateful if as many teams as possible stayed for the presentations as this adds to the atmosphere and allows teams to celebrate together.

Nominating MVPs

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.

Event Closing Time

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

Playing Surface

All games will be played on grass

Venue & Pitch Map

Pitches are as marked 4 to 8, with the changing facilities in the Pavilion marked by the blue box.

Parking

There is free parking at the ground please feel instruction from either Newark Club representatives or ETA staff for parking.

There may be limited coach parking for coaches to remain onsite, however if not available coaches will be required to leave site.

Weather, Clothing & Kit

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.

Changing Facilities

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

Event Control will be located next to between pitches 4 and 8 as marked on the map. The event briefing will happen here. 

Medical Support

Medical support will be located next to event control.

As part of our commitment to quality and making the day a competitive but safe event, we aim to secure 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

Water refill is available in all changing rooms and next to the yellow hut marked on the map.

Food & Drink

Full food and beverage are available in the clubhouse.

Event Sponsors

The event is being held in partnership with Newark RUFC, they are kindly providing their facilities for the day, please treat the site with respect and make use of the food and drink on offer.

AICPA & CIMA have renewed their sponsorship of the BUCS UTC for 25/26, please ensure they are tagged in any social media posts relating to these events.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

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 here

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.

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.

All withdrawals should be emailed from your athletic union/institution sports staff to Joe O'Loughlin

Withdrawals on or before the team entry deadline of Thursday 23rd October at 23:59pm will not be charged the entry fee.

Withdrawals after the team entry deadline of Thursday 23rd October at 23:59pm will still be charged the entry fee.

Please see REG 7.9 for our withdrawal policy.

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. 

The sustainability of our event matters to us and these are the positive steps we are taking to manage our environmental impact:

· All staff and volunteers are encouraged to travel to the event via public transport

How can you help at this event? Here’s some ideas:

· Be self-sufficient by using refillable bottles and coffee cups to reduce waste

· Travel smarter – as a team on a minibus, cycle or use public transport

· Go paperless - use your phone for all event information

· Find directions from Newark Northgate Station to Newark Rugby Club here

If you have any issues, or need further questions answering, please contact:

BUCS – Joe O’Loughlin on [email protected] for issues regarding BUCS Play, team sheets or deadlines.

ETA – Ian Tankard on [email protected] for event details or clarifications.