Tournament

2011 Festival May Day Bank Holiday Weekend Sat 30th April & Sun 1st May

The Biggest, Best and Most Entertaining In Wales

4300 players U7 - U16

215 Individual Teams from 57 Clubs

11 Girls and Womens sides

20 pitches in action at once

Teams from: West of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Staffordshire, Berkshire, Warwickshire, Somerset, Hertfordshire, North Wales, West Wales and many many Local sides and more.

Camping On Site

Live Entertainment

Childrens Entertainment each day

Bar and food all day and evening - Late licence

Saturday Night Entertainment -

See Smilebox Festival Guide

Downloadable Application Forms and Posters

2011 forms for registration and camping shall be available to download from the end of October 2011.

Over 20 pitches were being used at times with matches from 10.30am until the closing award ceremony in the late afternoon / early evening.

NOTE: The Festival is open to all who apply but final acceptance is via the host club Abergavenny RFC's Festival Committee. It is hoped that each side, in the spirit of rugby, ensures that its representatives and supporters act responsibly. The sanction for failure will ensure that clubs are not accepted in future. There is no right of entry to participate and is on the good will of the host club.

It is a passionate sport but sometimes coaches and supporters can get carried away. Remember, the referee has the final decision and abusive behaviour to referees WILL NOT BE TOLERATED and can lead to immediate expulsion of the visiting team. Set a good example and appreciate that there is a bigger picture. That is the enjoyment of all in this sport for all who participate.

The Tournament is played under the WRU Pathway rules for the various age groups (Download as required from WRU Website).

All that is asked is a small ground entry fee for all adults of £3. All children under 17 are free. It is not a charitable event and the cost of the weekend falls squarely on the Junior and Mini Sections of the club. Sponsorship is not easy to come by in the current financial climate so we seek this modest entrance fee to contribute to the cost of what is a very enjoyable weekend of Rugby and socialising for all.

Camping in the neighbouring fields was very popular this year as you can see from the camping village photo below. Booking early is always advisable with the online booking form.

Check out the Tournament gallery pages which show photos from the 2010 (currently being uploaded) event from a club perspective. Local Proffessional Photographers were also en site taking action shots during the weekend. Contact them via their website for details on how to order photos  www.everyeventphotography.co.uk

The Tournament committee take many months each year to organise this popular event now in its 8th season remarkably having grown from 3 teams in Bailey Park, Abergavenny in 2001. The event then moved to Raglan Sports Fields in 2002 until 2007 when it outgrew that site. It has been resident at the Usk Showgrounds until present. Planning commences immediately after the tournament ends for the next year. 

Ian Gough of the Ospreys and Wales has supported our event for a number of years and always brings a colleague with him. For the second year running he brought along none other than the Welsh Team Captain Ryan Jones, both of whom grew up in Gwent from the Cwmbran / Newport area. They spent Sunday (mini day) mingling with players and supporters alike for several hours, signing autographs and taking photo opportunities. Photo opportunities are popular with players and Mums!

Mon TV were on site both days interviewing the stars. See MON TV

On Saturday Ian brought along Luke Charteris of Newport Gwent Dragons and Wales. The towering forwards were easy to spot amongst junior players and spent hours speaking to supporters and watching games.

There are Child Protection issues that the club take seriously and subscribe to the WRU Child Protection Policy. No doubt photographs will be taken at such an occasion so please as a parent or guardian complete the linked WRU Photographic consent form and submit it within the Marquee after briefing and registration. We try to avoid where possible that no names of players shall ever be linked to photographs.

The club has engaged Proffessional Photographers who will have an en site studio to enable parents and supporters to order photographs. A club photographer and committee member of Abergavenny shall also be taking shots for the purpose to update the website for the event. WRU advice shall be complied with.

The Marquee houses the bar and stage area on which live bands play to entertain those who have camped out in the excellent 55 acre site in Usk or who have travelled from locally to celebrate a weekend of rugby.

Presentations were made from a trailer outside the marquee. Here we see below the captain of Abergavenny U16's receiving the winners trophy for the age group after defeating Tondu in a full blooded encounter in a final watched by several hundred people.

Results and additional winners photos can be seen on the results page

There was good competition in the Girls and ladies competitions.

Mixed weather withe showers sunshine and wind greeted both days but it did not deter the players or the enjoyment of  each day and night.

SOS Kit Aid ambassador and Welsh Rugby Legend Graham Price, cornerstone of the Pontypool Front Row attended to receive kit from sides at the tournament. Below we see Ian Gough and Ryan Jones and Abergavenny Under 9's presenting some kit at the presentation trailer. SOS Kit Aid

Not everyone can be winners but they all have fun trying. This little boy is so close to scoring a try but drops the ball as he crosses the line.

Parents and supporters of all Abergavenny Junior and Mini sides contribute to both days giving up their time to secure the success of the event. There is never enough helpers so please come forward and volunteer.

There is plenty of entertainment on offer en site from Bouncy castles and slides to fairground entertainment and stores to purchase rugby merchandise.

A fully licensed bar will quench spectators thirst and there shall be entertainment on stage in the marquee each night for the competitors and supporters, many of whom will be camping.

A full kitchen operated from a trailer en site offering hot food all day and into the evening.

Live entertainment on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights entertained the supporters in the Marquee. Saturday 2010, the popular Big Macs Wholly Soul Band were Excellent and had supporters rocking.

Hot food will be provided at a cost on both nights. A hog roast on Saturday.

The gallery pages will be updated soon to show all the photos taken by Abergavenny club photographers. Visit them and enjoy memories of a fantastic weekend.

Come and join us for what is a fantastic family, club and community event on - May Day Bank Holday Weekend 2011 at USK SHOWGROUND

PLANNING BEGINS NOW!!

PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY ON SUNDAYS TO AVOID TRAFFIC CONGESTION.