Frequently asked questions

1. Can my team enter the Flanders Open Rugby Tens?
2. When is the tournament played?
3. How much is the entry fee and how do we pay it?
4. Why must the entry fee be paid so early?
5. What's the weather like in June?
6. Is there food and drink available at the pitches?
7. Why is it forbidden to bring beverages & food into the tournament site ?
8. How do you select which teams get a place?
9. What is the tournament format?
10. When can we see the Playing Schedule?
11. How does the tournament work?
12. How many players may we bring?
13. How long are the games?
14. When should I travel?
15. When are the games played?
16. I understand that the accommodation is not included
in the €250 entry fee?
17. What is included in the breakfasts on the 3 mornings?
18. Can I camp with my own tent at the tournament site?
19. Are there air mattresses or camp-beds in the tents?
20. Where is the tournament held?
21. Am I insured by the tournament?
22. How do I get to Dendermonde?
23. Are there supplementary costs for the party
on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday?
24. Do we have to wear silly tour gear?
25. What is the price of a beer?


1. Can my team enter the Flanders Open Rugby Tens?

Any team in the world can apply to play in the Flanders Open Rugby Tens. A formal invitation announcing the forthcoming tournament is posted on the web site and sent out in October to previously entered teams and other people that have made enquiries. We are currently planning a Men, Ladies, Old Boy competition and for the first time an Old Ladies (with all due respect) section.
All teams must apply using the on-line entry form on this web site. Any team at any level can apply. We welcome club sides, social sides, invitation sides and even full international sides. For health and safety reasons there is a restriction that all senior players need to be at least 18 years old unless explicitly allowed by the Organizing Committee.

2. When is the tournament played?

The 2012 tournament will be held on May 26th and 27th.
From Friday May 25th (16:00), you will be welcome on our grounds.
The last teams are asked to leave on Monday morning after breakfast around 10:00.

3. How much is the entry fee and how do we pay it?

The entry fee is 250 Euro for all teams.
125 Euro will be paid back at the tournament in the form of consumption tickets.
The ultimate date to book is January 15th.
The entry fee should be paid as soon as possible after submitting the entry form to ensure inclusion in the chosen class. The participation of your team will only be finalized once you have paid your entry fee. The entry fee is normally not refundable in the event of a withdrawal.
Please make sure you include the name of the team when making the payment. This is essential to identify the sender.
May we urge you to react quickly? There are limited team spaces available and we operate a very simple "first pay will play" rule.

4. Why must the entry fee be paid so early?

We regard payment of the entry fee as full commitment to take part and it ensures that the decision to enter is well founded. In the past with the entry fee deadline closer to the tournament, some teams have decided to withdraw after the draw was made and the playing schedule constructed. It is then often too late for wait listed "standby" teams to find economical flights and to fill the opening.

5. What's the weather like in May?

Most of our events have enjoyed sun and great weather, 20°C-30°C. There is always the risk for some rain and showers, so we advise bringing a rain jacket along.

6. Is there food and drink available at the pitches?

Yes we are fully licensed and have 4 bars and a number of food outlets. You will find everything from simple snacks to full meals: pasta, hamburgers, paella, fries, sandwiches, barbecue, fruit, soup, ice cream,... It is not allowed to bring food and beverages into the enclosed tournament area.

7. Why is it forbidden to bring beverages & food into the tournament site ?

There is a strict arrangement with the city-council and the Insurance company to make sure there is no glass on the tournament site. But most of all, this tournament operates with unprecedented logistics which are extremely expensive. The only means to pay all that have to come from the sale of food & drinks. Allowing the participants to BYO would ensure the end of the Flanders Open Rugby.

8. How do you select which teams get a place?

To be considered for the tournament you must fill out the application form and pay your entry fee. First come, first served. Teams that have played in the tournament before and have performed well get preferential treatment should any problems arise. Because of the pressure on places, we normally do not allow clubs to enter more than one team in each class.

9. What is the tournament format?

The ingenuity of the tournament system also helps to level things out for the knock-out games on day two, as follows:
The Men's will be broken down into three knock-out competitions: Flanders Ten's Cup (places 1-12), Plate (places 13-24) and Bowl (places 25-36)
The Ladies, the Old Boys and the Old Ladies (again with all due respect) will compete in a similar manner for the Flanders Ten's Cup (places 1-6) and the Plate (places 7-12).

The Men's will be broken down into four knock-out competitions: Stockholm Ten's Cup (places 1-8), Plate (places 9-16), Bowl (places 17-24) and Shield (places 25-32)

Round 1 - Saturday May 26th
36 Men Teams (9 groups of 4 teams)
12 Ladies Teams (3 groups of 4 teams)
12 Veterans (Old Boys) Teams (3 groups of 4 teams)

Round 2 - Sunday May 27th MEN
The first 12 qualifiers of the first day will play for the "Cup";
The next 12 (13-24) will play for the "Plate";
The last 12 (25-36) will play for the "Bowl".

LADIES - OLD BOYS - OLD LADIES
The first 6 qualifiers of the first day will play for the "Cup";
The next 6 (7-12) will play for the "Plate".

10. When can we see the Playing Schedule?

As soon as the draw is made - normally mid May - it is sent out to all teams entered along with a playing schedule and both will be sent out to all team responsibles. It is important that you check your schedule to make sure you know when your first game is to be played.
NOTE! In order to fit in 176 matches in the allotted time, we have a very tight playing schedule. Both teams must be on the pitch at the scheduled time or within two minutes after the previous game is over - there is no waiting time. The referee will whistle for kick-off at the designated time even only one team is on the pitch.

11. How does the tournament work?

The Tournament is split into two parts: The Saturday Pool Games and the Sunday play-offs and finals. We use six pitches. According to the planned playing schedule each team will get at least 5 games. The purpose of the Saturday Pools is to make sure the teams are playing in the right competition on Sunday and to make the seeding for the draw for each of the Sunday tournaments.
The last few years we have played with pools of 4 teams. Each pool is played in a round robin fashion (every teams meets once). This means that every team should get at least three games on the Saturday.
The draw for Day 2 is usually available shortly after the last game finishes.
On Sunday we play three Men's Tens tournaments: Cup, Plate and Bowl. The winners and the runners up of the pool go to the Cup; the third ranked play in the Plate and the fourth ranked play in the Bowl. Each tournament starts with quarter-finals on the Sunday morning. If you lose your quarter the tournament is over for you. Fortunately the bar opens at lunchtime. This means that every team gets at least one game on the Sunday.

12. How many players may we bring?

Currently you can register up to 20 players for the Tens tournament. There are strict rules to follow in case you wish to replace an injured player for the rest of the tournament. These rules are explained in detail on the web site: See Rules.
Our experience is that all teams need a minimum of 15 players to meet all of their commitments on the pitch. We often get players trying to find a team to play for and can usually help to supplement teams who are short of players.
For health and safety reasons there is a restriction that all senior players need to be at least 18 years old unless explicitly allowed by the Organizing Committee.

13. How long are the games?

All games except finals will be 12 minutes per half with a 1-minute break.
The duration of all Sunday Cup finals will be 15 minutes per half with a 2-minute break.
In Saturday pool games, there will be no extra time to determine a winner.
During "knock out" phases, when there is a drawn match and extra time is required, the extra time is played in periods of five minutes. After each period, the teams change ends without an interval. The team that scores points first is immediately declared the winner, without any further play.

14. When should I travel?

Arriving in Dendermonde
From Friday (16:00), you're welcome on our grounds.
Certainly be there in time for the Welcome Reception on the Friday evening. This is planned to be held from around 20:00 until around 22:00 in our clubhouse.
It is also the opportunity to get some of the administration done, handing out information to the teams. If you do not make the reception then you need to be at the Tournament well before 10:00 on Saturday to sort out the administration.
Leaving Dendermonde
The final game finishes around 18:30 on Sunday. This is followed by the prize-giving ceremony followed by the final tournament party until 03:00.
If you are booking a flight, try to get one on Monday. Leaving early and missing the final is not fun. Missing the plane is also not good. The final party is also well worth staying on for.
The last teams are asked to leave on Monday morning after breakfast around 10:00.

15. When are the games played?

The first games are at 09:30 sharp on Saturday (You may best arrive on Friday-evening!).
On Saturday the last games can finish as late as 19:00.
The final draw for Sunday's knock-out stages is made when all games are finished on Saturday.
With the traditional pitch side BBQ and Tri-Nations game being shown on the big screen at the main pitch the wait is not so tedious. The draw is usually available shortly after the last game finishes.
Sunday's playing schedule also starts at 10.00 sharp. From just after midday and onwards the serious end of the competition (Semi-Finals and Finals) begins, culminating in the Old Ladies', Old Boys', Ladies' and Men's Finals, starting around 16:00. The Cup Grand Men's Final will be played around 18:00 on Sunday.

16. I understand that the accommodation is not included in the €250 entry fee?

No it's not. A rugby tournament doesn't necessary have to be expensive. With teams staying onsite in large and comfortable team tents that are provided near the pitches, the unrivalled atmosphere over the weekend is something that your team will not forget. This provides us with a unique tournament-atmosphere. Our tents will only be available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tent 20 people
2 nights: €475 - 3 nights: €700
Tent 30 people
2 nights: €700 - 3 nights: €1025
Tent 40 people
2 nights: €900 - 3 nights: €1300
Breakfast is included in the price of bed/tent.

I am afraid we have to be firm about teams not staying ON the premises. In the past we have experienced much too often that teams which stay in hotels, and which for example do not qualify for the Cup on Sunday simply don't show up and ruin our format and the fun of the teams that are present. On top of that most teams with hotel-accommodation prefer (of course) staying in hotels in Antwerp, Brussels or Gent, and experience important traffic problems on their transfer to our Tournament.
I think you should know that our tournament deserves its reputation by a couple of very strong points, amongst which a very strict (and well announced before) timing and a marvellous evening-atmosphere. It is both our conviction and experience that both totally depend on the presence of the teams in the accommodation that we provide around the grounds.

17. What is included in the breakfasts on the 3 mornings?

Breakfast? Whatever you want ... as much as you want: Coffee, tea, fruit juice, cornflakes, sandwiches, cakes, eggs, meats, chocolate, jam, cheese,...

18. Can I camp with my own tent at the tournament site?

No, the venue is located in a public sports center and camping is strictly prohibited.

19. Are there air mattresses or camp-beds in the tents?

No. It is absolutely necessary for your members to bring along:
- an air mattress or a camp-bed
- their own sleeping bag
- a flash-light


20. Where is the tournament held?

The Flanders Open Rugby Tens will be held at:
Sportcomplex Sint-Gillis Dendermonde, Van Langenhovestraat 203, 9200 Dendermonde

21. Am I insured by the tournament?

No, the organizers have no liability what so ever. As we have always guaranteed a high quality organisation, we will ensure leaving nothing to chance.
We have a very professional set-up with doctors and physios at the venue. Minor injuries, cuts and bruises can be treated immediately on site. In case of a serious injury that requires hospital treatment, you need to be insured. This is your own responsibility. You might be insured via your club or union. Any insured person in an EU, EES country or Switzerland has the right to receive medically required health care from a public health care provider within the EU.
To prove that you are insured in your country you must have a "European Health Insurance Card". The cardholder will be treated in the same way and charged with the same patient fees as an insured person in the country he or she is visiting. You must apply for this card from your local health insurance agency well in advance.
It should look like this:

A copy of your identity card will do as well. You will receive the invoice of the hospital at your home address and you can present it to your insurance company after having paid the invoice.
The easiest thing to do is that you ask all the players to take a copy of their identity card, and to put them in a folder. In case of a serious injury that requires hospital treatment, you can easily give the copy of the passport of the concerned player to the ambulance if a transport to the hospital is required.

22. How do I get to Dendermonde from the airport to your pitch and what does that cost?

Dendermonde is fairly easy to reach, depending which means of transport you would be using. It is situated exactly in the middle of the "golden triangle" Brussels-Gent-Antwerp.
There are two airports within reasonable reach of Dendermonde:
The nearest airport is Brussels Airport (Zaventem)
In Zaventem you can take a train to Brussels-North (5 minutes). There you take the train to Dendermonde (2 trains each hour). Takes you about 20-25 minutes. Our clubhouse is about 5 minutes walking distance from the railwaystation.
The second airport is Brussels-South Charleroi. Ryan Air is flying to that airport
If you should consider coming over from the airport by coach, we can arrange a coach if you want us to. They will be waiting in Zaventem or Charleroi for you. We just need to know when you're landing on Friday and when your plains leave on Monday.
Zaventem Coach one way: €175 - One way and back: €350
Charleroi Coach one way: €215 - One way and back: €430

If you have plenty of time you can do what our Russians girlfriends from Moscow did a few years ago, drive...

23. Are there supplementary costs for the party on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday?

All three parties' are for free!!

24. Do we have to wear silly tour gear?

No, but your trip might be a bit more fun if you do. Prizes will be handed out for best individual and best team effort on the Saturday night party.

25. What is the price of a beer?

€2,00

More info: Gert Van den Steen