You can access details of the draw, fixtures, contacts and results by using the links on the left.

Could I please have your nominations for the four competitions by SUNDAY 20th FEBRUARY.  This gives me 3 weeks to contact all clubs and allow them chance to make any necessary arrangements.

A few reminders so as any potential problems are 'nipped in the bud.

1.1 The Competition will be divided into a) Cup b) Plate c) Bowl and d) Shield. There will be two stages to the competition a) Divisional and b) National

A. Divisional Stage

1.2 The Divisional Organiser will receive U17 CB/League nominations on a date determined by the Division Organiser. Nominations will identify 8 teams to participate in the Divisional Cup KO Competition, 8 teams to participate in the Divisional Plate KO Competition, 8 teams to participate in the Divisional Bowl KO Competition and 8 teams to participate in the Divisional Shield KO Competition (32 teams in total per Division 128 teams nationwide)

1.3  Upon nomination to the Divisional KO Stages of the Competition each Club must submit to the Divisional Organiser evidence of all eligible Players’ Registrations taken from the computerised record of a Club or Players’ registration details held by the RFU on the RugbyFirst database.

1.4 Playing dates for the Divisional KO rounds of the RFU National U17 Cup, Plate Bowl, and Shield can be seen below.

1st.Rd – 6th.March 2011;

2nd.Rd.- 20th. March 2011;

Finals at Farnborough – 3rd. April 2011.

National semi finals – 17th. April 2011; National Finals – 1st. May 2011

1.5 The Divisional Organiser will have full responsibility for the Divisional KO Stage, and will notify all clubs participating in the Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield of the draws for each round of the competition. This information will include date of fixture, venue and recommended kick off time.

1.6 The Home team at each Divisional KO stage will contact the visiting team in the week(s) leading up to the match to confirm arrangements and kick off times. Such contact must be at least 96 hours prior to the kick off of the match. The home team will ensure the relevant referees society provides a fully qualified referee.

1.7 Where the Divisional Organiser arranges a neutral venue for a Divisional KO match the Divisional Organiser will arrange a suitable venue and ensure the relevant referees society provides a fully qualified referee. The competing teams must contact the neutral venue to arrange a kick off time and arrange catering requirements post match.

1.8 Teams in a Divisional KO match of the Cup, Plate Bowl and Shield must complete a Match Card, listing the first names, surnames and the RFU registration numbers of the team and all replacements in block letters. The card must be presented to the referee for checking before the game. The card must be signed by the Match Referee and officials from both clubs at the end of the match and the final score including - number of tries, conversions, penalties and drop goals added. The match card must be faxed to the relevant Divisional Organiser and the Rugby Football Union by the winning team no later than 24 hours after the conclusion of a match.

1.9 The Divisional Organiser will forward the draw for the following round of the competition to Tournaments and Competition Department by Tuesday (am) following the KO matches on the previous Sunday.

B. National Stage

1.10 The winners of each Divisional KO stage will progress to the next round of the competition; the winners of the Divisional Final (the venue of which will be determined by the Divisional Organiser) at Cup, Plate Bowl and Shield will progress to the National U17 Semi Finals. Winners from the London South East will play the winners from the South West and Midlands winners will play the winners from the North. National Semi Finals and Finals will be played at neutral venues to be decided by the RFU. The dates of the National Semi Finals and Final are specified below:

National Semi Finals Sunday Sunday 17th April 2011
National Finals Sunday 1st May 2011

1.11 Teams in a National KO match of the Cup, Plate Bowl and Shield must complete a Match Card, listing the first names, surnames and the RFU registration numbers of the team and all replacements in block letters. The card must be presented to the referee for checking before the game. The card must be signed by the Match Referee and officials from both clubs at the end of the match and the final score including - number of tries, conversions, penalties and drop goals added. The match card must be faxed to the Rugby Football Union by the winning team no later than 24 hours after the conclusion of a match.

C. All Stages

1.12 Each game will be 15 aside and be 70 minutes in length (35 minutes each way). Half time will be 10 minutes

1.13 A squad of up to 22 players (15 starting players and 7 substitutes) can be registered for each match.

1.14 All matches must be played on the dates shown. There will be no variance on playing dates unless agreed by the Divisional Organiser in case of the Divisional Stages of the Competition and the Tournaments and Competitions Department of the RFU in case of the National Semi Final and Final.

NB:it cannot be stressed enough the importance of keeping to play dates; player registration; eligibility dates.  also NB that U16 Academy players were not eligible to participate

London and South East Divisional Organiser:  Richard DUCKETT

When nominating a club, especially if using 2010 U16 winners please ensure that the club is still running an U17 squad as some clubs who have been nominated in the past have not run an U17 team. It can be quite embarrassing for that official when the problem is highlighted.

If there are any queries then please contact me at RICHMO@duckett69.freeserve.co.uk

Please note that the names of the nominated clubs will be inserted on the draw/results sheets once the County Nominations have been received.

Yours in rugby

Richard Duckett  LSE U17 National K.O. competitions Co-Ordinator