INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS’ RUGBY FESTIVAL
28 JUNE – 3 JULY 2024
SHANE KIDWELL
The Independent Schools’ Rugby Festival has become an anticipated date on the Independent Schools’ sporting calendar, and it is a pleasure to welcome staff, parents and boys to the St Alban’s campus for this event.
Our 1st XV Rugby field, Moshate, is one of the most picturesque grounds in South Africa. Situated at the foot of a koppie and surrounded by indigenous bushveld, it is an absolute pleasure to play and watch rugby at this beautiful venue and it is a privilege to, once again, welcome all the participating sides and fellow schools from around the country. The rivalry, collegiality and camaraderie displayed over many years at this Festival, reverberates through the decades and it is always a pleasure to welcome all the participating schools. There is a rich legacy of competitive sportsmanship and positive interaction over a long period of time, and it is always a privilege to welcome old friends, staff, parents and boys to our beautiful campus.
We are delighted that many parents have travelled from around the country to join their sons and we sincerely hope that you will enjoy all that Pretoria has to offer. Please take advantage of our hospitality, relax and enjoy yourselves and do not hesitate to ask our staff or boys should you have any queries or require any assistance. The Anton Murray Pavilion is there to be used at your convenience as is the Tom Hamilton Wellness Centre, where you can get an early morning cup of coffee from our very own Barista, Lawrence Mthombeni, or Shorty to those who have visited before.
My sincere thanks also go to Darryn Venter, the Festival organiser, and Garth Turvey, our Director of Sport, for their passion and organisation for this event. The fact that our fields and gardens are in such good shape is a tribute to our Grounds Manager, Mr John Nkuna, who himself played sport at the College.
Enjoy the highveld sunshine, the collegiality this Festival is known for, the competitiveness on the field, and the relationships and friendships you build as the Festival unfolds.
Yours Sincerely,
Shane Kidwell
(6th Headmaster, St Alban’s College)
“Enjoy the competition but ensure that rivalry and competition do not become your masters. Play hard but fair, most of all develop friendships and ensure that you live, learn and enjoy your experiences on the field.”
WELCOME TO THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS RUGBY FESTIVAL 2024
This manual is designed to provide coaches with all the necessary information for a successful and enjoyable experience. Please review this document carefully and ensure that your team is familiar with all rules, schedules, and procedures
Festival Organiser – Darryn Venter
Director of Sport – Garth Turvey
Accommodation – Robyn Keys
Referees – Stephan Geldenhuys (Blue Bulls) / Eddy Hall
Medics – ER24 (Robert Finch)
St Alban’s College SAN – Bhelekazi Mdlalose / Rentia von Wielligh
Festival Doctor – Dr Claire Learmonth
Security – Gedeon Mashaba
Photographs – Natanya Nell
Transport – Jack Sachane
Facilities – Rene Swart / John Nkuna
Functions – Darryn Venter /Natanya Nell
Each team staying at St Alban’s College will receive one double locker to lock away valuable items. Please bring 2 padlocks.
Exciting News! We’re partnering with The Capital Hotel in Menlyn Maine, just 1 km from St Alban’s College. Enjoy discounted accommodation with breakfast included!
Check out the ISRF link and promo code below for various options offered by The Capital Hotels/Apartments.
Don’t forget to share the link with parents looking to book for the ISRF!
Friday, 28 June 2024 – Touring teams arrive
16h00 – Check into boarding houses
17h30 – All Coaches meeting at the Anton Murray Pavilion
18h00 – Dinner for touring teams
18h30 – All staff (Coaches, managers) and Sponsors Function at 16th by Koi at Capital Trilogy, Hotel
Saturday, 29 June 2024
06h30 to 08h00 – Breakfast
08h00 – 1st round of fixtures
10h00 to 14h00 – Tea & Coffee at Jurie du Toit hut for VIPs & coaches
12h00 to 14h00 – Lunch (All Teams)
18h00 to 19h00 – Dinner for players
18h00 – Coaches & Parents Function at the Anton Murray Pavilion
Sunday, 30 June 2024 – Off day
08h00 to 09h00 – Breakfast
12h30 to 13h30 – Lunch
18h00 to 19h00 – Dinner
(Transport will be provided for all teams that have flown in. Teams will be dropped off and picked up at Menlyn Mall.)
Monday, 1 July 2024
06h30 to 08h00 – Breakfast
08h00 – 2nd round of fixtures
10h00 to 14h00 – Tea & Coffee at Jurie du Toit hut for VIPs & coaches
12h00 to 14h00 – Lunch (All Teams)
18h00 to 19h00 – Dinner
18h30 – Coaches dinner at the Anton Murray Pavilion
Tuesday, 2 July 2024 – Off day
08h00 to 09h00 – Breakfast
12h30 to 13h30 – Lunch
12h30 – Coaches Lunch @ Wingate Golf Club
18h00 to 19h00 – Dinner
Wednesday, 3 July 2024
06h30 to 08h00 – Breakfast
08h00 – 3rd round of fixtures (Played on 3 fields)
11h00 – Matches finish
Photographs are included in the overall festival cost. The team photo will be taken in the Bell Quad, just outside the school dining room.
See the Schedule below: All schools should be dressed in full tracksuits for their respective team photos.
TIMES AND TEAMS
07h30 Kearsney College (Before Warm-up)
07h40 St John’s College (Before Warm-up)
07h50 Hilton College
08h00 Uplands College
08h10 Woodridge
08h20 Clifton College
08h30 St Charles College
08h40 St Andrew’s School Bloemfontein
08h50 St Stithians College (Before Warm-up)
09h00 St Andrew’s College Makhanda
09h10 St Alban’s College
09h30 St David’s College (Before Warm-up)
11h30 St Benedict’s College (Before Warm-up)
12h00 Cornwall Hill College (Before Lunch)
12h10 CBC Boksburg (Before Lunch)
12h20 Blue Bulls Development Team
*Our photographer will be taking action photos during each rugby match.
*Photos will be sent via a link to all schools for easy download.
For all coaching and management members: There are 4 staff functions scheduled during the festival. Please refer to the festival program for specific dates.
Friday, 28 June 2024 -18h30
All Staff & Sponsors Function at 16 by Koi at The Capital Hotel Menlyn
Saturday, 29 June 2024 – 18h00
Coaches and Parents Spit Braai at St Alban’s College Anton Murray Cricket Pavilion with live music.
Tickets are available at the Tom Hamilton Wellness Center, or click here to book online
Monday, 1 July 2024 – 18h30
Coaches Dinner at the Anton Murray Cricket Pavilion
Tuesday, 2 July 2024 – 12h30
Coaches Lunch at Wingate Golf Club
We look forward to seeing you there!
Friday, 28 June 2024 – Teams Arrive
Saturday, 29 June 2024 – Click here to view the fixtures of the day
Sunday, 30 June 2024 – Off Day
Monday, 1 July 2024 – Click here to view the fixtures of the day
Tuesday, 2 July 2024 – Off Day
Wednesday, 3 July 2024 – Click here to view the fixtures of the day
Warm-up and Practice: Teams can use Murrayfield and Baloyi fields. These fields are adjacent to the Hockey Astroturf. Please do not use TC Mitchell, the main Cricket oval, for warm-up or practice.
Equipment: Contact shields and tackle bags will be available during match days. If teams would like to use them on off days, please liaise with the Intern, who will help where necessary.
We are thrilled to announce a new opportunity for all ISRF participants this year. After the festival, a team will be chosen as the tournament’s top players. This December, these selected players will compete in the NextGen XV U18 Tournament at Grey College in Bloemfontein.
Additionally, Man-of-the-Match awards, sponsored by Planet Fitness, will be presented after each game.
Match Duration: Each match is 25 minutes per half with a 5-minute halftime break.
Substitutions: As this is a festival, rolling substitutions will be allowed.
FORMS TO BE COMPLETED:
- SCHEDULE A & B FORMS As this is a stayers tour and U16 players are participating in the festival, please ensure all the documentation has been completed allowing your U16 players to participate in a U18 Festival. Click here to view Schedule A forms Click here to view Schedule B forms
- BOKSMART SHEET Player safety and consent forms are required by all participants. Blank sheets will be provided for all coaches. Sheets can be found at the technical table.
- TECHNICAL TABLE Located at the field’s centre, match timing, scoring, and substitutions are managed.
Qualified referees have been appointed by the Blue Bulls High Schools Rugby Association.
Person in charge: Stephan Geldenhuys
On-field medical services will be provided by ER24 for the duration of the tournament.
INJURIES DURING MATCHES
The Festival Doctor and the ER24 medical team will treat players injured during matches. If it is required that the injured player needs to go to the hospital, then the player must be accompanied by an authorized adult / Team Manager.
MEDICAL SERVICES AVAILABLE
A medically qualified doctor will be on duty on match days. Ambulances and medical staff will be on duty at the field on match days. The St Alban’s SAN Sisters will be available during the course of the Festival. Slade Weideman from McCord and Weideman Physiotherapists will be available for players who need urgent attention. (The cost of the session will be of own account)
HOSPITAL DIRECTORY
Life Faerie Glen Hospital (Private) 309 Sprokie Ave, Faerie Glen, Pretoria, 0081 012 369 5600 (1.9km)
Intercare Glenfair (Private) Cnr Lynnwood Rd & Daventry St Shop 103, Glenfair Shopping Centre, Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria, 0081 012 368 8800 (1.7km)
Life Wilgers Hospital (Private) Die Wilgers, Pretoria, 0041 012 807 8100 (6.0km)
Easy Med (Private) 342 Glenwood Rd, Lynnwood Park, Pretoria, 0081 012 348 7161 (1.7km)
Kloof Hospital (Private) 511 Jochemus St, Erasmuskloof, Pretoria, 0048 086 111 1449 (6.4km)
Netcare Pretoria East Hospital (Public) Netcare St, Moreleta Park, Pretoria, 0181 012 422 2300 (7.3km)
Pretoria West Hospital (Public) Philip Nel Park, Pretoria, 0029 012 380 1200 (19.2km)
Steve Biko Academic Hospital (Public) Steve Biko and Malan Street, Capital Park, Pretoria 012 354 1140 (13.5km)
Tshwane District Hospital (Public) Steve Biko Rd & Dr Savage Rd, Prinshof 349-Jr, Pretoria, 0084 012 354 7000 (13.4km)
St Alban’s College has partnered with ASP to ensure recovery for each player during the festival. Each team will receive one free recovery session after their game on
Saturday, 29 June 2024.
If additional sessions are required, they must be booked and paid for individually.
- To Book Additional Sessions: Click here to register Includes Active Recovery Sessions:
- Professional physiotherapists lead daily muscle recovery and injury prevention sessions.
Facilities: Ice Bath Recovery Lounge & Lactic leg flush
For additional sessions, see our exclusive event pricing:
- Team Pricing:
- Team Ice Bath: R800
- Team Lactic Leg Flush: R800
- Individual Private Session: A separate link will be sent to book private sessions for your players.
- Private Ice Bath: R150
- Private Leg Flush: R200
- Private Combo (Ice Bath and Lactic Leg Flush): R300
- Massage R300
Knoll House – Uplands College & Woodridge
MacRobert House – St Andrew’s Bloemfontein & St Charles College
Ochse House – Clifton Durban & Kearsney College
Tsebe House – St Alban’s College, Hilton & St Andrew’s Makhanda
- Bedding will be provided for all teams staying.
- Please pack extra warm clothing as it does get cold during the evenings.
- Please report all broken or stolen items to the Intern provided.
- No smoking or drinking is permitted in the hostel, within its boundaries or anywhere on campus. Occupants are responsible for the neatness and cleanliness of their rooms.
- Corridors and bathrooms will be cleaned by the hostel staff.
- No ball games may be played in the hostel.
- Noise must be kept at an acceptable level. Please be mindful of the staff living in the hostel.
- No noise after 22h00.
- No parents/visitors are allowed in the Boarding Houses.
- Each team at St Alban’s College will receive one double locker to lock away valuable items. Please bring 2 padlocks.
Laundry facilities will be provided for all teams staying in. The intern designated to each boarding house will collect laundry bags. Trolleys will be provided at the dining hall for dropping off the bags. Each team will be given a laundry bag. There is no additional cost for Laundry for teams residing on campus. Please note: Only match kit (Jersey, pants and socks) will be washed
Laundry Days: Sunday, 30 June 2024 – Drop off in trolleys on Saturday 29 June 2024 at the dining hall Tuesday, 2 July 2024 – Drop off in trolleys on Monday 1 July 2024 at the dining hall
Laundry will be returned at dinner time on Sunday and Tuesday.
Security measures will be implemented at the playing fields, hostels, and functions.
General parking will be available on school premises, and additional parking will be made available on Wormser Rugby Field. All buses must park on Wormser Rugby Field for the duration of the festival.
The following vendors will be available during match days:
Milky Lane
RocoMamas
Filthy Moustache
Chip ‘n Dip
Chip on a Stick
Wendy’s Lemonade
Thabi’s Sausage and Grill
Happy Ice Snow Cones
