News of Rugby in Switzerland / International Junior Tournament U13 Luxemburg, 1 May 2010

International Junior Tournament U13 Luxemburg, 1 May 2010

A referee’s travel report

Once again RC Luxemburg had invited me to be a referee at their international junior tournament U13 on 1 May this year. Last year I also had received an invitation – a good friend of mine at RCL want to offer me compensation for a cancelled international in Basel. And this year it again was a special event. Just a pity that now Swiss team took part.

It started in the middle of the night (or rather half past eight in the morning), with the first matches for the altogether 12 teams. Prior to that the organisers had briefed coaches and referees about their particular laws for this tournament: 10 players each side (plus substitutes), seven minutes each half, played over half a pitch, uncontested scrums, opposing scrum-half remains behind last foot und one or two more particular alterations.

I got a surprise very early on. I had just awarded a try for RCL when the (apparently) successful Luxemburg player, still on the ground, said to me: “Sorry, Sir, no try, Ball held up” and pointed out the hand of his opposing tackler under the ball. I just would love to see such a fair attitude at matches in Switzerland…

It was all over at four in the afternoon. Winners Pont à Mousson (3-2 winners in final against RCL) received the trophy from Prince Sébastien, youngest son of the Grand Duke of Luxemburg and himself a member of Luxemburg’s national U18 rugby side. Afterwards referees, coaches and organisers enjoyed a well-deserved pint (or more) of excellent Luxemburg beer.

This impeccably organised tournament continues to grow. Although no English team took part, in contrast to last year (due to different cut-off dates), altogether nine clubs from five different countries came to Stade Boy Konen: RC Boyne (Ireland) with two teams, RC Roosendal and Amstelveense RC (both Netherlands), ASUB Rugby Waterloo (Belgium), RC Metz and RC Pont à Mousson (both France) plus RC Luxemburg, RC Walferdange and CSCE Rugby from the principality. Even the media covered the event – including a camera crew of TV station RTL.

In case Swiss clubs are interested in participating next year (2011) they should either get in touch with RCL head of juniors Alex van Zeeland (alex.vanzeeland@shrm.lu) oder with the head Media/PR, Steve Karier (stevekarier@gmx.de). I am looking forward to – hopefully – being there again next year.

Martin Pütter, Referee RFC Basel

By Martin Pütter, Commission de Communication | Wed 05.05, 21.04 Hrs

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