The Festival

Festival Schedule Overview

Friday – Arrival Day

  • Teams can arrive from 1:00 PM and use park facilities

  • Accommodation keys available from 4:00 PM (Group Leaders only)

  • Team Leaders’ Briefing: Friday evening (Time/venue TBC)

Saturday & Sunday – Match Days

  • Competitive fixtures for all age groups following RFU Age Grade Regulations

  • Games scheduled across both days

  • Final formats depend on number of entries

  • Celebrity Presentation Night on Sunday evening at Golden Palm Resort

Monday – Departure Day

  • Check-out by 10:00 AM



    Check the video of one of our attending coaches this year - click above

Who Can Enter?

  • Boys Teams: U7s – U15s

  • Girls Teams: U12s & U14s

  • Teams must be RFU-registered

  • All matches played under RFU Regulation 15

Regulations & Values

  • Fully sanctioned by NLD RFU

  • All staff DBS Certified

  • Fair Play and good behaviour are essential — Code of Conduct issued pre-event

  • SCI Events require any dispensations given by the RFU in advance of the festival in relation to out of age grade players.
  • Players can play up a year with dispensation, but cannot play down a year.

Please read the RFU Regulations in relation to Age Grade Rugby this can be found at the following web address: www.englandrugby.com/governance/regulations 

Teams outside of England should specifically read all Age Grade Rugby details of the England Rugby Website.

Squad sizes – we do not have a specific rule on squad sizes for the SCI Sports Skegness Challenge, however our recommendations are as follows:

  • Under 7s – 4-a-side - 7 Players
  • Under 8s – 6-a-side - 9 Players
  • Under 9s – 7-a-side - 11 Players
  • Under 10s – 8-a-side - 13 Players
  • Under 11s – 9-a-side - 16 Players
  • Under 12s – 12-a-side - 20 Players
  • Under 13s - 13-a-side - 21 Players
  • Under 14s - 15-a-side - 23 Players
  • Under 15s - 15-a-side - 23 Players
  • Under 12s Girls - 9-a-side - 16 Players
  • Under 14s Girls - 9-a-side - 16 Players
 

Adult to Child Supervision

  • Minimum ratio: 1 adult per 2 children

  • Adults in charge of accommodation must be 21+

Insurance

SCI Events Limited is insured for Public Liability for the festival through Sports Cover. SCI Events requires all teams to have the appropriate playing and holiday insurance for the tour.

First Aid

A fully qualified First Aid team will be on hand at Skegness Rugby Club throughout the festival to deal with any injuries that may occur. Golden Palm Resort Holiday Park also has qualified First Aider’s on park 24 hours a day.

Tournament Format

  • Teams will be pooled in groups & can expect to play 3 or 4 games per day on Saturday & Sunday – the final format will depend on final number of entries in to each age grade.

  • Each team will play the maximum amount of Rugby per day for there age group as per the RFU regulations.

  • Referee’s are provided for all matches in the under 9s to u15s age groups.

Age Groups & Grades

Under 7s – 4-a-side  - Born on or after 1st September 2018

Under 8s – 6-a-side - Born on or after 1st September 2017

Under 9s – 7-a-side - Born on or after 1st September 2016

Under 10s – 8-a-side - Born on or after 1st September 2015

Under 11s – 9-a-side - Born on or after 1st September 2014

Boys & Girls Under 12s – 12-a-side - Born on or after 1st September 2013

Under 13s – 13-a-side - Born on or after 1st September 2012

Boys & Girls Under 14s – 15-a-side - Born on or after 1st September 2011

Boys Under 15s Born on or after 1st September 2010.

  • No seperate entry fees: your team’s entry is included in your accommodation package

  • All bookings must be made through SCI Sports

  • Presentation Night entry included with accommodation

  • Teams not booking via SCI will not be accepted

SCI Rugby Festivals

SCI is delighted to announce the 2026 SCI Sports Mini & Youth Rugby Festival at the superb coastal resort of Skegness in Lincolnshire. All Rugby matches will be played at Wainfleet Road the home of Skegness Rugby Club. Dogs are not allowed for the weekend in the accommodation or at the rugby ground.

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