St Martins Junior Touch Rugby Competition Notes 2025

Competition Grades

The module will be held on Thursday evenings from 4 - 6pm with the following grades:

Years 0 - 2        4.00 - 5.20pm no player ratio, 5 on a half field

Years 3 - 4        4.00 - 5.20pm no player ratio, 5 on a half field

Years 5 - 6        4.40 – 5.20pm mixed 2:3, 5 on a half field

Years 7 - 8        5.20 - 6.00pm mixed 3:3, 6 on a full field

Variations to the ratio will be made on a case-by-case basis by the organising committee.

Draws and timings will be based on number of entries per grade. Byes may occur if there is an odd number of teams however will endeavour to ensure there is a team available to play a friendly or alternatively find a team to play two games, instead of a bye.

Competition Dates

The season will commence on Thursday 23 October through to 11 December 2025. There is no game on Anniversary Weekend – Thursday 13th November 2025.

Competition Game Rule Amendments

Games will be played using (modified) NZ Touch rules. All teams must start with the same number of players in the starting line-up.

Year 0-4: No score keeping, modified rules, five – seven players on the field, open ratio (any ratio of boys and girls), half field, max of 10 in a team.

Year 5-6: Scoring, but not recorded, standard rules, five players on the field, mixed ratio 2:3, half field, max of 10 in a team.

Year7-8: Scoring, but not recorded, standard rules, six players, mixed 3: 3, full field.

Mercy Rule

To ensure all players have a positive experience and games are fun for everyone, we are implementing the mercy rule this year. When a try difference of seven tries occurs, the losing team can add an extra player or players. This will be managed by the team manager / coach alongside the referees.

Player Registration

Team players names and details MUST be registered on the official registration form through the St Martins Junior Touch (Sporty) website. This is a requirement of Touch NZ and is for health and safety reasons. $30 per player. One team payment to be made by team manager. Payment details are on the website.


Draws

The draw will be available on the website by 3pm on Monday prior: www.sporty.co.nz/smarttouch

The draw and any changes to the draw will be displayed on the notice board at the tent and on the website.

Defaults

All defaults or forfeits are to be advised to the Module Organiser via email at least 24 hours prior to game, who will contact the opposition team coach/manager: smart.touch@stmartins.school.nz

Cancellations

Cancellations will be posted on the website and all registered team managers / coaches will be e-mailed. If the weather is doubtful, please check the website which will be updated by 2pm.

No rain date is available for the 2025 season.

If in doubt, only Coaches/Managers are to contact the Module Organiser: smart.touch@stmartins.school.nz

Uniform / Footwear

Teams are to wear the same colour tee-shirt. If this is not possible, please wear bibs which can be collected from the information tent, please return each week.

Bibs are to be worn by one team if both teams are wearing the same colour tee-shirt. Please return them to the tent, in the bag, at the end of the game.

Closed toe sensible sports shoes MUST be worn at all times. No rugby boots with sprigs are permitted.

Touch New Zealand rules require all players to wear suitable footwear, which includes sneakers, boots, or shoes with soft moulded soles. Footwear with screw-in metal studs, spikes, or cleats are strictly prohibited, as is playing barefoot.

 Game Management

The siren will be signalled at:

  • TWO minutes before the game starts to allow teams to get ready on the field to start on time
  • Start of the game
  • Half time
  • Second half to start
  • End of the game.

Game time, two 15-minute halves.  Years 0-2 and Yr 3-4 may have coaches on the field in addition to the referees to assist the players. All players are required to sub, no exceptions.


Health and Safety / Conduct

Inappropriate language / behaviour or aggression will not be tolerated by players or spectators and may result in the person being asked to leave the module for the remainder of the playing season.

We have a zero-tolerance threshold for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Please keep off the fields when other games are being played.

Please see the website for all health and safety information and identified hazards.

Fields are checked prior to games being played, any debris etc is removed.

Team Manager’s / Coaches are responsible for their team AT ALL TIMES during warm up and game time.  Parents / Caregivers are responsible for players and siblings throughout the competition including the playground and skate bowl.

First aid including ice packs are available at the tent. Sunblock and water are also available.

Bikes and scooters must be stored within the designated coned off area by the tent.

There is a Duty Co-ordinator for each session based at the tent. There will be committee members wearing high visibility vests should you need to discuss something.

No dogs are permitted. Please do not bring your dog to Waltham Park.

Please DO NOT stand at the try line ends of the field or park prams here, it is unsafe for players running over the try line particularly for junior games.

Referees

Teams will be refereed by student referees who are volunteers. Referees have undergone training but for many it is their first year refereeing. Just as we are fostering young players, we are also committed to fostering young referees. Please be supportive of the referee’s as they are doing us a great service. They have bravely taken on this important role to enable the competition to be run. Please respect the referees’ decisions, they are learning.

Yr 0 – 6 games will be refereed by Yr 7&8 students. Yr 7&8 games will be refereed by Yr 9&10 students who have formerly participated in the competition. Please be patient with our young student referees.

Please Remember

Please be organised and ready before the start time of your game. Have paper, scissors, rock done for first possession and ends decided before the start hooter. Teams need to leave the field quickly after games. Please shake hands and do cheers off the field as the next game needs to start.

THESE ARE KIDS. THIS IS A GAME. COACHES ARE VOLUNTEERS.

REFEREES ARE LEARNING. THIS IS NOT THE WORLD CUP.

Any questions or feedback, please email smart.touch@stmartins.school.nz

Website: St Martins Junior Touch - Home                                  Phone: 02102001087