Every home game is assigned to 2 year groups* to attend the home game with their families, and welcome the teams to the pitch.

The children will be asked to meet their coaches at the gate nearest the front car park 15 mins before the game. The coaches will bring the Hornets onto the pitch where they will line up in 2 lines just outside the tunnel entrance to the pitch. When the players come onto the pitch the kids can shout, cheer and get hi-fives from both teams as they run on.

Coaches/Parent Helper information

Remind parents ahead of time that kids need to be in full Melrose kit & studs.

You will need 2 coaches/parent helpers for this (they will need to be wearing studs)!

• Have all the kids meet at the main gate of the pitch 15mins before kick off.

• Once the teams head into the changing rooms bring the kids onto the pitch

• Get the kids to form two lines just outside the tunnel

• 1 Coach/Parent Helper will stay with the kids and get them ready to cheer, clap, hi-five the players as they run on

• 1 Coach/Parent Helper will stand further back to get photos/videos of the kids/players as they run on

• Once all the players are on the pitch; take the kids back to the gate and don’t let them away without a parent.

*some home matches are for all Hornets to attend e.g. Guard of Horror (Halloween) and Guard of HoHoHo (Christmas)

All Mascots and Guard of Honour participants will be given a flag but they must be returned before they leave the pitch (they are not for the children to keep)

2 Mascots will be selected for each Match day takeover. Generally this will be a player from each year group taking part.

The coaches can select the Hornet for any reason; names out of a hat, its their birthday, great team attitude, etc...

They will go onto the pitch with the Guard of Honour (mentioned above) and taken into the tunnel with one of the coaches where they will be given their special Mascot Melrose top (this will need returned when they come off the pitch).

They will then join the Melrose Captain onto the pitch, running through the Guard of Honour.

They will then get their photos taken on the pitch with the Captain and returned to the coach.

The mascots will be presented with a Signed Melrose Flag to take home. This is not the same flag they run onto the pitch with. The signed flags should be left next to the ball pump in the tunnel. If you can’t find them; contact Stevie Holitz who will organise the mascots signed flags.

Coaches/Parent Helper Information

Coaches select 1 mascot from each year group. Email gm@melroserugby.org the Wednesday before the match to let him know the Mascot names and reason they were selected (this will be read out over the tannoy as they run out)

You will need 1 coach/parent helper for this (they will beed to be wearing studs and cannot be the same as the ones helping the guard of honour)!

• Have the Mascots meet at the main gate of the pitch 15mins before kick off.

• Once the teams head into the changing rooms bring the Mascots onto the pitch and into the tunnel

• Wait inside the tunnel just infront of the Ned Haig door next to the ball pump

• Explain to the Mascots that they will go out with the Melrose Captain, they will take them into the centre of the pitch where they will have their photos taken. They should then run back to the tunnel where you (the coach/parent helper) collects them and returns them to their parent/guardian.

• When the Melrose players go past - make sure the Captain collects the children (you may need to shout as they go past to remind them)

• Once all players, medics, coaches, etc... are out the tunnel; follow them out and collect the Mascots from the players.

• Take the Mascots back to the gate and don’t let them leave the pitch without a parent.

The famous Hornets Tuck shop will also be available at all home matches. This is operated by parents/coaches of the Guard of Honour year groups.

This features lots of tasty treats and drinks for the kids (and big kids) to enjoy while watching Melrose first XV play!

Coaches/Parent Helper Information

On the Monday before the game; contact the office and request a float for the Tuck Shop. This needs to include 20p’s and 5p’s (as well as the normal floats)

• Erect the Gazebo in the corner of the car park nearest the gate to enter the pitch (formerly the presidents car parking space). You will find the gazebo in the portacabin. You will get the key for the portacabin from the office, it is on the key hooks to the left as you go in, it has a blue/pink fluffy pom-pom key ring.

• You will find tables within the Club Rooms

• You can collect the card machine and floats from the office as well (they will be in the safe). The office will tell you the code for the card machine. You just need to search for the item(s) on the card machine and select card or cash payment.

• Ensure ALL transactions (Card or Cash) go through the card machine. This is also our stock system so keeping a log of what is sold is important as it allows us to quickly see what needs refilled before the next match)

• The tuck shop items are all in the book case to the left of the kit store (the small room on the left as you enter the Portacabin) - Do not sell the loose pick and mix sweets - these are just for making up the sweet bags.

• You will also find the laminated price lists and Hornets banner in the portacabin - hang these up around the gazebo/on the table

• Once the match finishes; feel free to pack up the tuck shop.

• Once the tuck shop is closed - please return all items back to where you found them ready for the next Youth Takeover.

• Cash - you will find a slip within the bag the floats came in. Please complete this and return the card machine and cash to the office/safe.

Coaches/Parent Helper Information

In the event of a player injury the parents/coaches operating the tuck shop or fire pit may be asked to wear hi-vis vests to help usher the children and adults in the car park to a safe place allowing an ambulance close to the pitch to collect the injured players.

Depending on the weather the parents/coaches of the Guard of Honour year groups may choose to put on the fire-pit and sell toasted marshmallows along with the tuck shop.

Coaches/Parent Helper Information

• The fire guard should be around the fire pit at all times.

• Children are not allowed to toast marshmallows without a parent present

• A bucket of water should be kept beside the fire pit at all times

• There should be a coach or parent helper in attendance at the fire-pit at all times

• Plastic gloves should be used when adding Marshmallows to the sticks

• There are multiple stick lengths, the longer ones should be used for smaller children (to keep them as far away from the fire as possible)

• Marshmallows should be bought at the tuck shop and brought to the fire pit.

• The fire pit should NOT be positioned under a gazebo

• When the fire pit is no longer required; pour the bucket of water over the flames