Established in 2024
Aim
The aim of the league is to encourage players aged 35 and over to remain in the game or come back and play in a friendly league with some competition.
Formation
Interested clubs from Devon attended a meeting at Topsham RFC where it was agreed to form a league where each club would play the other six during the season. The two top clubs would then play-off to determine the overall winner. This season will be a pilot, and if successful we hope that the league will continue to grow with more clubs coming on board next year.
Founder Members
The following clubs have agreed to enter teams for the 2024 /25 season:
Exmouth, Sidmouth, Topsham, Exeter Saracens, Crediton, Okehampton and South Molton.
Fixtures
The games can be played at any time during the week that is convenient for both teams – for 2024/25 fixtures and results can be seen below.
Funding
Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, has obtained funding to support the formation and operation of the league. Although Wooden Spoon is a national charity, with The Princess Royal and the four home unions as patrons, all monies raised in Devon remain in Devon to support local disadvantaged children. It is hoped that clubs will be able to hold a bucket collection at these matches to raise funds in support of the work of Wooden Spoon Devon Region.
Further Details
Mike Hawkes (Admin Officer) – devonadmin.vetl@btinternet.com – first port of call for anything admin related.
Garnet Mackinder – GarnetMackinder@rfu.com
David Fowler – dfowler@woodenspoon.org.uk
www.woodenspoon.org.uk
Devon Wooden Spoon Veterans’ League Fixtures
| Date | Home Team | Score | Score | Away Team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 21-SEP-24 | Okehampton | V | Exeter Saracens | ||
| Sat 05-OCT-24 | Topsham | V | Sidmouth | ||
| Sat 12-OCT-24 | Okehampton | V | Crediton | ||
| Sat 02-NOV-24 | Topsham | V | Exeter Saracens | ||
| Sat 02-NOV-24 | Exmouth | V | Okehampton | ||
| Fri 08-NOV-24 (7pm) | Sidmouth | V | Exmouth | ||
| Sat 14-DEC-24 | South Molton | V | Okehampton | ||
| Sat 25-JAN-25 | Exeter Saracens | V | Crediton | ||
| Sat 25-JAN-25 | South Molton | V | Sidmouth | ||
| Sat 08-FEB-25 | Sidmouth | V | Exeter Saracens | ||
| Sat 22-FEB-25 | Crediton | V | South Molton | ||
| Sat 01-MAR-25 | Okehampton | V | Topsham | ||
| Sat 01-MAR-25 | Exeter Saracens | V | South Molton | ||
| Sat 15-MAR-25 | Sidmouth | V | Crediton | ||
| Sat 29-MAR-25 | Crediton | V | Exmouth | ||
| Sat 12-APR-25 | Sidmouth | V | Okehampton | ||
| Sat 12-APR-25 | Crediton | V | Topsham | ||
| Sat12-APR-25 | Exeter Saracens | V | Exmouth |
Wooden Spoon Devon Veterans’ League Laws
1. The aim of the league is to promote veterans’ rugby in Devon and widen the player base for the Devon Wooden Spoon organisation to compete in the annual National Competition.
2. To encourage as many veteran teams as possible with very few regulations in place except the normal laws of the game and sanctions.
3. The league will start in August 2024 and run through to May 2025. It has been decided to extend the league a little so clubs can run fixtures out of the normal season and make the most of good weather and pitches if they wish.
4. There will be one league of seven teams. Each team will play each other once, and a draw will be decided before the season starts which will be home and away. This will then be reversed in the following year so each club gets the opportunity for bar takings.
5. The matches can take place any time during the week. The onus is on the clubs to arrange the fixtures to suit their programmes. The top two will play in a final Wooden Spoon fundraiser with a cup and medals as a prize.
6. All players must be over 35 years old on the date of the fixture. If a club wishes to field a player under 35 to ensure there is a full squad, the opposition must agree to this before the match, and as much notice as possible should be given. If the clubs cannot agree, the club that is not able to field a team of over 35s will mean the club forfeits all points except the bonus try points. If there is a dispute over age, the club concerned, must produce evidence that the player is over 35 (photocopy of a driving licence).
7. The numbers in a squad for a match is up to individual teams but should not exceed 25 players.
8. Throughout the games rolling substitutions are permitted, except for red and yellow cards. This allows the more senior players to have a break.
9. There will be three points for a win. One extra bonus point for four tries scored. One point to be within seven points of the winner’s score. A draw – one point per team plus any bonus points, nil points for a loss.
10. If the more senior players do not wish to be tackled, they must wear a training bib over their shirt. Other players may tackle him by a two handed touch (similar to touch rugby). The tackled player must pass the ball within a step and the tackler must stop and put one knee on the ground before continuing. The protected player should not be driving into rucks or get involved in the more physical aspects of the game.
11. Once fixtures have been confirmed, the home club should email the Admin Officer, in case Devon RFU members wish to watch the match. It is also the responsibility of the home side to email the Admin Officer with the results. It is then intended to forward the results/league tables to local media. All fixtures should be placed on GMS , by the clubs, thus ensuring referees can be automatically appointed by DRRS.
12. The cost of joining the league will be £25 per club which will go towards the cost of a cup and medals for the finalists. The Devon RFU treasurer will send an invoice in due course to each club so there is an audit trail. The remainder of the costs will be met by the sponsor.
13. If the league and subsequent leagues are a success there could be an end of season Devon Vets Tournament along the lines of the Wooden Spoon Vets Fest.
14. As mentioned before, this could feed players into the Devon Wooden Spoon team that competes each year in the National Vets Fest. Over recent years the Wood Spoon has only taken about 20 players whilst other teams draw from their countries (Wales, Ireland and Scotland) and from bigger counties (Yorkshire, Eastern Counties Merseyside and Lancashire) therefore providing bigger squads. Therefore, the aim would be to win the league and go through to the knock out stages of the main cup competition and bring the trophy back to Devon.