LATEST UPDATE 5/05/2009
May 2009Tonbridge Junior Football Club
ANNUAL FOOTBALL FIESTA
The Racecourse Sportsground, Tonbridge
Saturday 18 July and Sunday 19 July 2009
This year’s Fiesta is currently undersubscribed but, as last year, I expect all available spaces to be filled before the event. To ensure fairness for those that applied on time I have again decided to fix agegroup sizes and timings based upon entries received by the closing date.
I therefore confirm that all applications to participate in the 2009 Fiesta received by 30 April 2009 have been accepted. Remaining spaces will be allocated on a “first come, first served” basis.
A list of teams (and timings for the Under 7s) will shortly be shown via the Fiesta index on our website (www.tjfc.org.uk).
As no letters are being sent, please confirm that you know when you are playing by replying by email, adding the “REC’D” number(s) which are now shown against each of your team entries in the “Subject” line. No message is necessary.
Our website also includes the Rules of Play, a map, and other general info.
We have accommodated most preferences regarding agegroup timings (but not all), and the final timetable is :-
Saturday 18 July 09.00 - 13.15 Under 10s and u13s
10.30 – 16.00 Under 7s – Groups A and B
14.12 - 18.30 Under 8s, u12s and u12/13 Girls
Sunday 19 July 09.00 - 13.15 Under 9s, u15s, and Over 35s
10.30 - 16.00 Under 7s – Groups C and D
14.12 - 18.30 Under 11s, u14s, u14/15 Girls and Ladies
This year’s Fiesta will again be staged at The Racecourse Sportsground, with its excellent playing surface and facilities. The Swimming Pool, River Walk, High Street, Tonbridge Castle, Swings and mini-golf are all within a five minute walk, providing plenty for all those members of the family who may not be so interested in football.
Parking is very restricted as most of the large car parks are located 5 - 10 minutes away, on the other side of the High Street (and could be full) so, to avoid arriving late, please allow yourself plenty of time. We recommend that you drop-off the children (with an adult), tables, chairs, gazebos, etc. in Avebury Avenue, and then drive to the Sainsbury’s car park.
Those teams which requested parking on site will be advised how to gain access nearer the time.
Please register no later than 30 minutes before kick-off and collect your fixtures – but please don’t collect fixtures for other teams from your club unless you know they have already arrived.
Registration will be manned between 08.00-08.30 and 13.15-13.45 on both days, and between 09.30-10.00 (Under 7s). As last year, a set of (blue) contingency fixtures will be included in each package, which will be used to avoid breaks in play caused by any ‘no shows’, and to try to ensure that all teams present play at least six games. It is therefore most important that you register on time as you will be excluded if you have not collected your fixtures before we announce that contingency fixtures are to be used. Once excluded, there will be no chance of joining in later, as teams have found to their great disappointment in previous years.
On the day, if you are running late, please find a phone before 08.30 / 13.45 or 10.00 (Under 7s) and call me on 07973 834464 to let me know when you expect to arrive - as this might avoid your exclusion.
Supporters are most welcome. Entrance to adults will be £1.50 including a programme containing the Rules of Play, team colours, and lots of information about the event. All children are admitted free.
If you need to withdraw any teams, please let us know before the end of June and we will refund your entry fee in full if a reserve team is available. This also applies to any teams placed on the reserve list as, unless advised, we will deem you available to play if you are given notice by 8th July - 10 days before kick-off. Any reserve teams which don’t get the chance to play will, of course, receive a full refund - but no refunds will be given for any withdrawals after 30th June (or reserve teams notified up to 8th July) as these cause a huge amount of work in rescheduling fixtures.
We have again catered for 308 teams, and have not reduced our commitment to ensure all teams play at least 6 games on sensibly sized pitches. We have taken the best fit to allow entry to as many teams as possible and would note that, if any teams are interested, we still have spaces available in most agegroups.
We wish to promote sportsmanship throughout and will endeavour to make the event fun for all the family without making it an expensive weekend for the wage earner. This will be the 16th year we have staged the Fiesta - which we believe has been, and continues to be, the largest mini soccer tournament in the world held over 2 days. For those that prefer to stay on site, there will be lots of other attractions on site throughout the event.
We hope to have all games officiated by qualified referees. At this stage most of the matches are already covered and we would hope for 120% cover by July - so, if you know of any referees who might volunteer, please let me know.
The Under 7s will play 6-a-side matches on smaller 40 by 30 yard pitches, and the “Home” team may be requested to provide the game leader and a size 3 ball if we do not have enough referees. The Under 7s will play a “Fun Festival” with no winners or losers, and all participants will receive a medal for taking part.
If you have any questions please contact me on 01732 353048. On the day, Registration, Control, or any of our Stewards will be pleased to assist but, should you need to contact us at the last minute, we will only be available on 07973 834464 on 17/18/19 July.
Finally, I would be grateful if all 2008 winners would return their Cups before 10th June, so that we can have them cleaned and ready for July.
On behalf of Tonbridge Junior Football Club I wish all those attending a really enjoyable weekend.
Reg Spicer