At this stage of the season, some teams will already be looking forward to the semi-finals which will be played before Quins' home games with Bristol (24th February), London Wasps (10th March) and London Irish (7th April). We have some new faces playing in the semi-finals this season, notably Brentwood Under 12s, Whitstable Under 7s and Under 8s and Barking Under 9s, as well as experienced 'curtain raiser cuppers' Teddington, Upminster and Ealing Trailfinders.

So to Saturday's festival - Quins are delighted to welcome the Bank of England to the Twickenham Stoop for their first visit, and will be joined by Westcliff, Lewes, Sevenoaks, Upminster and Cranbrook. We wish all the teams taking part the very best of luck, rain or shine!

Under 7s - Teams: Cranbrook, Lewes, Bank of England and Sevenoaks

Time:
11:10am - Bank of England v Sevenoaks (Pitch 1)
11:10am - Cranbrook v Lewes (Pitch 2)
11:50am - Bank of England v Lewes (Pitch 1)
11:50am - Cranbrook v Sevenoaks (Pitch 2)
12:30pm - Lewes v Sevenoaks (Pitch 1)
12:30pm - Bank of England v Cranbrook (Pitch 2)

Under 8s - Teams: Cranbrook, Lewes, Bank of England, Sevenoaks, Upminster and Westcliff

Time:
10:50am - Cranbrook v Lewes (Pitch 1)
10:50am - Sevenoaks v Upminster (Pitch 2)
11:30am - Lewes v Bank of England (Pitch 1)
11:30am - Upminster v Westcliff (Pitch 2)
12:10pm - Cranbrook v Bank of England (Pitch 1)
12:10pm - Westcliff v Sevenoaks (Pitch 2)

12:50pm - 3rd in Group A v 3rd in Group B (Pitch 1)
12:50pm - 2nd in Group A v 2nd in Group B (Pitch 2)

1:10am - Winner Group A v Winner Group B (Pitch 2)

Under 9s - Teams: Cranbrook, Lewes, Bank of England and Sevenoaks

Time:
10:45am - Bank of England v Sevenoaks
11:15am - Cranbrook v Lewes
11:45am - Bank of England v Lewes
12:15pm - Cranbrook v Sevenoaks
12:45pm - Lewes v Sevenoaks
1:15am - Bank of England v Cranbrook

Under 10s - Teams: Cranbrook, Lewes, Bank of England and Westcliff

Time:
10:45am - Bank of England v Westcliff
11:15am - Cranbrook v Lewes
11:45am - Bank of England v Lewes
12:15pm - Cranbrook v Westcliff
12:45pm - Lewes v Westcliff
1:15pm - Bank of England v Cranbrook

Under 11s - Teams: Cranbrook, Lewes and Sevenoaks

Time:
11:15am - Cranbrook v Lewes
12:00pm - Sevenoaks v Lewes
12:45pm - Cranbrook v Sevenoaks

Under 12s - Teams: Cranbrook, Lewes and Westcliff

Time:
11:15am - Cranbrook v Lewes
12:00pm - Westcliff v Lewes
12:45pm - Cranbrook v Westcliff

*NB - The Quins Community Department reserves the right to reschedule the Quins Curtain Raiser Cup, and to move activity from the First XV pitch should conditions dictate that. Every effort is made to play on the main pitch. Parents of players should be aware that changing facilities are provided in the adjacent Richmond College, and teams should be suitability dressed for the English climate!

Curtain Raiser Information

Registration Time and Location is from 9:30am at the Community Cabin, which is situated in the south-east corner of the ground, next to the ticket office. This registration is to let us know that you are here and aware of timings, etc.

Itinerary

9:30am - Registration of teams commences (Community Cabin) and Changing Rooms open (Richmond College)

10:00am - Turnstiles in the south-east corner of the ground open for players and spectators to enter the stadium.
(ALL MUST BE HAVE A VALID MATCH TICKET)

10:45am - Games begin
- Under 7s, 8s and 9s: Main Pitch (subject to weather conditions - Richmond College back pitch in reserve)
- Under 10s, 11s and 12s: Cranford Way

1:45pm - Games due to finish

2:05pm - Guard of Honour: Under 10s, 11s and 12s ONLY - teams to meet in south-west corner by the Control Tower

2:15pm - KICK-OFF: NEC Harlequins v Connacht Rugby

Half-time (2:50pm) - Lap of honour by winning teams from each age group - teams to meet in the south-west corner of the ground by the Control Tower

Quins Curtain Raisers Rules and Format

• Games are played under Laws of Rugby Union and in accordance with the RFU Continuum
  
• RFU registration numbers should be provided on request
  
• Games must start promptly and teams must be ready to play 5 minutes before the time specified.
  
• Unlimited substitutes can be made at any time, on a roll on, roll off basis
  
• NEC Harlequins will provide independent referees, however there is sometimes a shortage, we then ask the clubs to help out.
  
• 4 Points are awarded for a win, 2 points are awarded for a draw and 0 points are awarded for a defeat. A team scoring 4 tries or more will be awarded a bonus point, as will a team losing by a single try.
  
• Any complainant pertaining to a referees decision may not be brought until one hour after the final whistle in that game via Nick Hyde, Community Development Officer
  
• Only ONE Coach is allowed on to the Main Pitch with their teams.
  
• Teams must not warm-up on the main pitch or the surrounding grass perimeter. Richmond College pitch or Cranford Way may be used.
  
• We would ask all teams to play hard, but fair and all coaches, players and spectators respect the referees and opposition.
  
  Changing Facilities
  
  Limited changing facilities are available at Richmond College and these will be open from 9:30am. Clubs will be sharing facilities with other clubs and schools. Harlequin FC Ltd accepts no responsibility for any lost, damaged or stolen items.
  
  Ticketing and Ground Admittance
  
  Any person wishing to watch any curtain raiser match that is played on the Main Pitch must have a valid match ticket. Individuals without a valid match ticket will not be allowed entry to the ground. It is the responsibility of the Associate / Junior Club to inform the parents and supporters. Tickets are allocated to a particular seat, however for the Curtain Raiser; please feel free to stand at the ground perimeter.
  
  Tickets should be purchased in advance via the designated Quins liaison at your club.
  
  South Stand - Children, players and 2 coaches £4, Adult £15
  North Stand - Children, players and 2 coaches £6, Adult £20
  East Stand - Children, players and 2 coaches £7, Adult £25
  
  Parking
  
  Clubs are strongly advised to travel in coaches or minibus. Parking for these is free on the council depot adjacent to the Twickenham Stoop. If your club or school intends to travel by coach or minibus, you should let Nick Hyde know by the Thursday before the game. All other parking is on the Rosebine, which is 200 metres past the main entrance to the Twickenham Stoop.
  
  Photography
  
  NEC Harlequins employ professional photographers to photograph all aspects of the matchday experience. These photographs are available to purchase by contacting Nick Hyde three days after the event.
  
  Parents and spectators should only take photographs in accordance with their clubs' child protection policy.
  
  Harlequin FC Child Protection Policy
  
  NEC Harlequins is fully committed to ensuring the well-being and safety of all young players who participate in activities organised by the club. It is recognised that all coaches, administrators and medical staff who undertake activities on behalf of NEC Harlequins acknowledge that they have a legal and moral responsibility to provide the highest standard of care to all young players and that all young players who participate in the activities organised by NEC Harlequins are treated in a fair and equitable way.