Colchester Mini Rugby Festival

Colchester RFC Mini Festival 2003

BACKGROUND

The first Colchester Mini Rugby Festival was held on 10^th October 1982 with between four and six teams in each age group. Since then, the Festival has moved to late March and, with the help of sponsorship from McDonald's Restaurants, has grown into the biggest in the Eastern Counties with the 1999 Festival attracting over 1000 players in 80 teams from 18 clubs. As well as regulars from Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, the event has welcomed touring sides from Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

The emphasis has always been on participation and enjoyment, with all teams guaranteed a minimum of three games but none exceeding the RFU maximum of five. As well as trophies for the winners, runners-up and Plate, a Fair Play Award is presented to the team, including coaches and supporters, in each age group who demonstrate the most sporting attitude to the game, referees and opponents.

2002 FESTIVAL - SUNDAY 24 MARCH

Colchester's 22nd Mini Rugby Festival was played in slightly blustery but otherwise excellent conditions for good running rugby. In addition to being sponsored by McDonalds, the festival was supported by LLoyds TSB who brought along the Six Nations trophy and it seems that most people (parents, coaches and players alike) managed to get their photograph taken with it. Without a doubt , the team of the tournament were Bedford , who won 4 out of the 6 ages groups and played some excellent rugby. Colchester managed to win the other two ages groups and this along with two runners up positions and a plate win meant Colchester retained their position as Suffolk Champions.

FESTIVAL RESULTS:
Under 7's - Winners Colchester, Runners up Ipswich
Under 8's - Winners Bedford, Runners up Chelmsford
Under 9's - Winners Bedford, Runners up
Under 10's - Winners Bedford, Runners upColchester
Under 11's - Winners Bedford, Runners up Colchester
Under 12's - Winners Colchester, Runners up Bury St Edmunds

COMPETING TEAMS:

Under 7	Under 8	Under 9	Under 10	Under 11	Under 12
Bedford Bury St Edmunds Colchester Ipswich Sudbury Southwold S.Woodham-Ferrers Woodbridge	Bedford Bury St Edmunds Colchester Ipswich Sudbury Southwold S.Woodham-Ferrers Woodbridge	Bedford Bury St Edmunds Colchester Ipswich Sudbury Southwold S.Woodham-Ferrers Woodbridge	Bedford Bury St Edmunds Colchester Ipswich Sudbury Southwold S.Woodham-Ferrers Woodbridge	Bedford Bury St Edmunds Colchester Ipswich Sudbury Southwold S.Woodham-Ferrers Woodbridge	Bedford Bury St Edmunds Colchester Ipswich Sudbury Southwold S.Woodham-Ferrers Woodbridge

2003 FESTIVAL
The 2003 Festival will be held on Sunday 23 March.

Teams confirmed so far:

Under 7	Under 8	Under 9	Under 10	Under 11	Under 12
Bury St Edmunds Chelmsford Colchester Romford South Woodham Ferrers Sudbury Thurrock	Bury St Edmunds Chelmsford Colchester Romford South Woodham Ferrers Sudbury Thurrock	Bury St Edmunds Chelmsford Colchester Romford South Woodham Ferrers Sudbury Thurrock	Bury St Edmunds Chelmsford Colchester Romford South Woodham Ferrers Sudbury Thurrock	Bury St Edmunds Chelmsford Colchester Romford South Woodham Ferrers Sudbury Thurrock	Bury St Edmunds Chelmsford Colchester Romford South Woodham Ferrers Sudbury Thurrock

PREVIOUS FESTIVALS

FIRST WINNERS
	Under 8			Under 9		Under 10		Under 11		Under 12
1982	Brentwood			Chelmsford		Brentwood		Colchester		Fairbairn Hse
RECENT WINNERS
		Under 7	Under 8		Under 9		Under 10		Under 11		Under 12
1996		Chelmsford	Braintree		Brentwood		Rochford		Brentwood		Colchester
1997		Brentwood	Chelmsford		Brentwood		Brentwood		Rochford		Brentwood
1998		Rochford	Colchester		Oundle		Colchester		SW Ferrers		Colchester
1999		Thurrock	Ipswich		Brentwood		Oundle		Thurrock		Colchester
2000		Ipswich	Colchester		Ipswich		Bury St Edmunds		Old Elthamians		Colchester
2001		Colchester	Medway		Colchester		Romford		Bury St Edmunds		Upminster
2002		Colchester	Bedford		Bedford		Bedford		Bedford		Colchester
2003									Colchester

Last up dated 07 Aug 2002