The 39th annual national schools rugby festival
The pinnacle of school rugby
There is no denying that the St Joseph’s College Rugby Festival, now in its 39th year, has cemented itself as one of the most prestigious sporting events in the school sport calendar. The calibre of school, standard of play and scale of event is certainly unrivalled across the country. As we continue to grow and develop the event, it really is a weekend for all to enjoy and one that will last long in the memory.
Fred Wenham, Director of Sport
Dates and times
- 12.30pm U15 Tournament
- 5.00pm Old Birkfeldian Netball Match
- 6.00pm Old Birkfeldian’s Rugby Match
- 7.00pm Old Birkfeldian Reception
- 8.00am Gates open
- 9.15am First game
- 12.00pm Bar opens
- 1.00pm VIP Lunch
- 4.30pm Final game
- 6.00pm Gates close
- 8.00am Gates open
- 9.00am First game
- 12.00pm Bar opens
- 1.00pm VIP lunch
- 4.00pm Final
- 4.30pm Trophy presentation
- 5.00pm Gates close
See who competed in the 2024 Festival
Entry Prices
Tickets can be bought on the gate on each of the two Festival days:
Cars:
£10 per car for one day or £15 per car for both days
Walk-in:
£1 per person
We also offer our VIP Tickets which includes an exclusive dining experience overlooking the rugby pitches.
VIP Tickets
We invite you to join us in the new and exclusive VIP marquee, placed in prime position at the side of Pitch 1.
Come and enjoy the luxury of breakfast, a wonderful three-course lunch, a private bar and table service throughout the day. You can stay there all day with allocated seating or come in to refuel then head back out to watch the pinnacle of school boy rugby.
Special guest appearances, meet and greets, plus a Q&A session each day. Guests to be announced closer to the time. Fully heated inside for ultimate comfort plus an enclosed outdoor seating area to watch the match and get in on the action. With livestreaming of the matches on screens inside, it is definitely a luxurious way to enjoy the Festival.
Tickets for 2025 will be released in the coming weeks. If you would like to reserve tickets ahead of release, please contact [email protected].
why sponsor the rugby festival?
Sponsorship Opportunities
Livestream
The festival’s livestream views extend the reach of sponsors beyond the physical event. This broad online visibility allows brands to engage with a wider audience who are actively interested in the event’s content. Livestreaming provides a dynamic platform for showcasing products and services, ensuring that the brand message resonates with fans in real-time, driving immediate engagement and interest.
Social Media
Last year we received 500,000 social media impressions offering extensive brand visibility across various platforms for our sponsors. This level of exposure helps to amplify the sponsor’s presence, engaging a diverse audience through impressions, likes, shares, comments, and interactions. For sponsors this coverage translates to enhanced brand awareness and engagement, creating a ripple effect that extends the sponsor’s reach far beyond the initial event.
Onsite Visitors
Sponsoring the rugby festival also provides valuable opportunities for brand visibility through physical placements such as shirts, banners, and face-to-face networking . These touchpoints ensure the sponsor’s branding and message are prominently displayed throughout the event, creating continuous exposure to attendees and viewers. This high-visibility branding reinforces the sponsor’s presence, making it a memorable part of the festival experience.
Website Traffic
The festival attracts 11,000 landing page views, where the sponsors’ logos are prominently promoted. This online traffic presents another channel for exposure, allowing sponsors to reach a targeted audience who are actively seeking information about the event. Featuring the sponsor’s logo on the festival’s website ensures ongoing visibility and brand recognition even before and after the event, providing sustained promotional benefits.
How did last year’s sponsors profit?
Available Sponsorship Packages
Kit Sleeve Sponsor: Feature your logo prominently on the players’ kit sleeves, ensuring visibility throughout the festival.
Ball Boy/Girl Shirt Sponsor: Have your brand worn by our dedicated ball boys and girls, seen by all attendees.
Warm-Up Top Sponsor: Showcase your company on the warm-up tops worn by players, gaining pre-match visibility.
Pitchside Advertising Boards: Position your advertisements around the pitch for maximum exposure to our audience and visibility across live streaming.
Pitch Sponsor: Be the standout sponsor with your brand name associated with our main pitch, offering unparalleled exposure.
If you are interested contact : [email protected]
Allica Bank were thrilled to be Official Media Sponsor at the 37th St Joseph’s College National Schools Rugby Festival 2023. Our sponsorship furthered our UK wide #SupportUs Grassroots Sports Campaign – designed to celebrate the ambition and resilience that unites sports players and business owners across the UK. As a Business Bank dedicated to collaboration – partnering with St Joesph’s College was an easy decision. We look forward to being involved in future Rugby Festivals which will no doubt continue to showcase the very best of Schoolboy Rugby in the UK.
“I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone involved in the 2023 37th National Schools Rugby Festival at St. Joseph’s College. As a long-time supplier and sponsor, I can confidently say that this year’s event was nothing short of extraordinary. From the impeccable organisation by Lucy to the outstanding catering service provided by the Thomas Franks team, every aspect was top-notch. Special recognition goes to Pete and his crew for maintaining the pitches despite the storm. The dedication of Mr. Winter and the coaching team in fostering a culture of excellence among the players was truly inspiring. As a proud parent and supporter, I’m already looking forward to this year’s event. Thank you for creating a sporting extravaganza that stands out on the national stage.”
“2023 was the 2nd Year that Source One were one of the main sponsors of the Festival. We always find it a great opportunity to give back to the community. The visibility that our business enjoys before, during and after the weekend is outstanding and plays a part in our overall marketing objectives. It also gives us the opportunity to thank our own clients, suppliers and friends for their support of Source One! Great Sport, Great People, Great Food, Great Business!”
Rugby Festival gallery
The Festival’s history
FAQs and Entry Criteria
FAQs & Entry Criteria
Can I bring dogs?
Unfortunately, as St Joseph’s College is a school, safety is of the utmost importance and whilst we are sure you will clear up after your precious pooches, it takes just one to make it unsafe for pupils.
Can I park on site?
We do have car parking nearby, it’s £10 per car or £15 for both days and this can be paid on the day at Birkfield Drive which you can get to using the post code Ip29 SU
Can I get food at the event?
We will be hosting a range of street food suppliers, all serving a variety of delicious options, such as Mac Street Kitchen, Suffolk Spice Kitchen, WoknRoll, Hadleigh Real Thai, Combat2Coffee, Jerk Chicken, Fish&Chips and more!
How does a school apply to take part in the National Schools Rugby Festival?
Schools must formally register their interest by completing the official registration form before the published deadline. Unfortunately, late applications cannot be considered under any circumstances.
What happens after a school registers its interest?
Once registration forms have been submitted, each school is assessed against a set of selection criteria. This process ensures the Festival maintains its high standards, competitive quality, and unique spirit.
What criteria are used to assess applications?
Applications are reviewed based on three key areas:
Geographical Representation
We aim to include schools from across the United Kingdom to ensure a diverse mix of playing styles and team cultures. We are also working towards welcoming international schools to enhance the global profile of the Festival.
Previous Participation
Preference may be given to schools with a history of involvement in the Festival, particularly those that have shown a strong commitment to its values and traditions.
Recent Rugby Performance
A school’s rugby performance over the past 12 months will be carefully considered, including match results, consistency and the strength of opposition. Schools demonstrating strong form, discipline and a high level of play will be prioritised to maintain the elite standard of competition.
Who decides which schools are selected?
Applications are reviewed by a dedicated Selection Committee comprising:
The Director of Rugby
The Director of Sport
Members of the Senior Leadership Team at St Joseph’s College
Key representatives from the Festival organising team.
This committee ensures a fair and balanced assessment of all applications, considering both quantitative data and qualitative factors.
How will schools be informed of the outcome?
All schools will be notified in writing once the assessment process is complete. Those selected will receive a formal invitation to participate in the Festival.
Why are these entry criteria important?
The entry requirements are in place to uphold the quality, tradition and inclusive spirit of the Festival. They help ensure a high-calibre competition and a memorable experience for all involved.
Travelling to St Joseph’s
Conveniently located just one mile from Ipswich Railway Station, the College and all its facilities sit within 60 acres of beautiful, spacious parkland.
Close to the A12 and A14, St Joseph’s College serves commuters well. It is an hour away from London and Cambridge by train, and with Heathrow Airport just two hours away by car, it is ideally suited for international families.
With a network of St Joseph’s College’s minibus servicing Essex and Suffolk as well as a daily shuttle service to and from the train station, everything is done to ensure a student’s journey to school is as easy as possible.
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