St Martins Junior Touch

St Martins Junior Touch Competition Notes 2026

Competition Dates

The season will run from Thursday 22 October through to 10 December 2026. There is no game on Canterbury Anniversary Weekend – Thursday 12th November 2026. Week 7 is dress up week with prizes.

Competition Grades

The module will be held on Thursdays from 4 – 6.30pm at Waltham Park with the following grades / times:

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 player ratio will be permitted 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 are an odd number of teams however we will endeavour to ensure there is a team available to play a friendly or alternatively a team will play two games, instead of a bye occurring.

Touch New Zealand AWHI Promise

The AWHI programme promotes a positive, safe, and respectful environment on the sidelines, reducing poor behaviour and encouraging supportive engagement from spectators, parents, and participants.

Attitude Whānau Harmony Integrity

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. Please advise the Module Organiser if a player is unable to pay the registration fee.

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 or by mutual agreement if a clear unbalance is obvious.

Year 0-4: Informal score keeping, modified rules, five – seven players on the field, open ratio (any ratio of boys and girls), half field, recommend 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, recommend 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 play the mercy rule. 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 managers / coaches alongside the referees. If it is an obvious unbalanced game from the start, additional players can start the game, eg Yr 2 playing against a Yr 0 team. Keep it fun.

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. We acknowledge that in mixed grade competitions there will always be stronger teams, all players will experience this as they move through the age groups in the competition.

Defaults

Any defaults 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 Smart Touch Sporty website and all registered team managers / coaches will be e-mailed by 2pm on the day. There is no rain date available for the 2026 season.

If in doubt, only Coaches/Managers are to contact the Module Organiser: Text 02102001087

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. 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. Boots with plastic 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 hooter 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 evenly, no exceptions.

Health and Safety / Conduct

There is a Duty Co-ordinator for each session based at the tent. The touch committee members will be wearing green vests should you need to discuss anything.

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 including calling fake touches.

Please keep off the fields when games are being played. Parents are not to engage with referees.

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 during warm up and during game time. Parents / Caregivers are responsible for players and siblings throughout the competition including at the playground and skate bowl. Please notify the Duty Co-ordinator of any incidents.

First aid including ice packs is available at the tent. Sunblock and water are available for everyone.

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

No dogs are permitted. Please do not bring dogs to Waltham Park. There have been too many incidents historically with loose dogs on fields and scared children.

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

Referees

Games are refereed by volunteer student referees. Referees have undergone training with Touch Canterbury but for many it is their first year refereeing a sport. Just as we are fostering young players, we are also committed to fostering young referees. Please be supportive of the referees as they are doing us a great service. They have bravely taken on this important role, so parents don’t have to referee. Please respect their decisions, they are learning and our junior referees are only 11 – 13 years old.

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 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.

Email: smart.touch@stmartins.school.nz Website: www.sporty.co.nz/smarttouch Phone: 02102001087