The U11s featival will be at WHITLEY BAY CRICKET CLUB, HILLHEADS ROAD, WHITLEY BAY, NE25 8HP. We will NOT be playing at the Rockcliff rugby ground. The cricket ground is next to Whitley Bay Ice Rink.

There will be a £2 entry fee payable at the gate (for all adult spectators). You will be given a festival programme. This small charge is to help cover the costs of hosting this large festival.

Parking

Free parking. U11s to use either:
Morrison’s Supermarket, Hillheads Road, NE25 8HN or the public car park adjacent to Whitley Bay Football Club, Hillheads Road, NE25 8HR. Both car parks are situated either side of the ice rink and are less than a 5 minute walk away from the cricket pitch.

Please use these car parks and avoid parking on Hillheads Road or at the ice rink itself. Please do not try to park at Rockcliff RFC ground. The U12s Festival is being held there. It cannot cope with the U11s as well!

Timings

Coaches will be there before 9.00. Players must arrive no later than 9.30.

It is very important not to arrive late. Matches start at 10 o’clock. The children need to warm up and get organised into their squads. We must be ready to start promptly to help the festival run smoothly.

Estimated finish time 1.15, but please remember that with such a large festival timings may overrun.

Festival Format

Games are 9-a-side.
We have entered two teams, but have a very large squad. This gives us plenty of scope for substitutions. However, it will mean that there is more sitting around for the children than in previous festivals. Be prepared for this – see help section below.

As this is a festival, there will be no ‘winner’ declared either in individual matches or for the festival as a whole. This is a mixed ability festival. The matches are still competitive, but the emphasis is on enjoying the game whether playing or watching.

The organisers have asked that players and supporters keep off the cricket square in the middle of the pitch. Rockcliff are allowed to use the cricket pitch only if they respect the square. The festival could not go ahead without this extra ground, please respect this.

Kit

MOUTHGUARDS - the children MUST wear mouthguards Please, please, please do not forget them. No child will be allowed to play without one.

Match shirts – Please wear your match shirt if you have one.
If you don't have one, don't worry. Please wear the traditional hooped shirt. We may have some spares on the day which you may borrow.

Forecast currently dry, but with a northerly wind – brrr!.
There will be more sitting around than usual, so please, please make sure you have enough layers to keep the children and yourselves warm.

Food

Food will be provided for all players, but may not be available until the end. Please bring plenty of snacks and drinks to keep the children happy and hydrated for their games.

The cricket pavilion will be open for sale of food and drinks to spectators.

Rubbish bags will be strategically positions around the site. Please use these so we do our bit to help the organisers keep the ground free of rubbish.

Help

As ever, help from the sidelines with lace tying, comforting and encouragement will be greatly appreciated. Keeping the children entertained between matches will be important, especially so given our large squad. Perhaps some passing practice rather than Pokémon hunting.

The team event shelter will be with us again. I know many of you are now expert in putting it up.

We want to continue to chronicle the Knights' Progress again this year through match reports. Judith will be seeking out volunteers on Sunday to hand out team sheets, pens and notepads.

Finally, please support the coaches and uphold the Novos’ club and rugby ethos; encourage the children and applaud good play from all sides.

Go Knights!

Mike, Rachel, Andrew, Jeremy, Rich and Craig.