Event Information
Booking
- This is a Open Festival level event.
- If an event reaches capacity, schools will be placed on a waiting list and advised accordingly.
- MSSP will contact schools if places become available in the lead up to the event.
Please confirm in the comments box upon sign-up if you aim to bring a:
- Yr 3/4 team
- Yr 5/6 team
- 1 of each (or more)
Age Category
Year 3/4 OR Year 5/6
Squad Size
Maximum of 8 players in a squad.
6 players on the pitch at any time.
Eligibility
Mixed gender event – no gender requirements.
(There is a Girls only Dodgeball event if this is preferred.)
- The intent and principles of the festival have been designed to support pupils learning of the different activities and not be restricted by enforcement of the rules.
- The festival is primarily focused on fun, participation and skill development.
- We anticipate that many children may not have attended one of our sports events before and aim for children to learn more about the sports and skills throughout the day.
Kit & Equipment
- All schools MUST provide their own First Aid kit along with a first aid qualified member of staff.
- This event will be played on hardcourt surface. Trainers are permitted. No studs required.
- Players of the same team should wear the same colour tops/bibs.
- No jewellery, baseball caps etc.
- It is advised that if eyewear is essential, it should be made from plastic rather than glass.
Rules – Open Dodgeball Festival
- Teams must try and get all opposition players out by hitting them under waist height by throwing a dodgeball.
- Usual game length is 4 rounds of 2 minute quarters.
- If a team gets all of the opposite out before the end of the time, teams will wait and reset for the next quarter.
- Play will start with a set of balls laid out in the middle of the court and players’ with one foot on the back line. Play begins when whistle is blown. Players must exit the ‘safe zone’ before they can throw the ball at the opposition. Any balls thrown in the initial ‘safe zone’ will not count.
- If the ball hits a player under waist height, before bouncing first, they must walk off court and wait in the ‘out zone’.
- If a player catches a ball without it bouncing, the player who threw the ball is out. The team who caught the ball then get back ALL players who had previously been waiting in the ‘out zone’.
- Players cannot exit the court lines during the match, unless to retrieve a stray ball.
- Players who are out must wait in the ‘out zone’.
- Balls cannot be kicked.
- Any players showing foul play will be taken off court and disqualified for that match.
- Foul play consists of: purposely aiming at the opposition above waist height, not going out when hit below waist height, dissent towards any player or official.
Event/Draw Format
- This is a Festival event. No scores will be recorded or placings awarded.
- The event will take place on hardcourt surface.
- Number of fixtures will be dependent on entries.
- Round robin groups. Teams will play against as many other teams in their group as time permits on the day.
Awards and Results
Awards
REFSPECT winners – Certificates
Participation certificates will be presented to all participants.
This is a non-medal event.
Results
Results and event report will be available on the news webpage within 24 hours of the event ending.
Progression Pathway
There is no planned pathway from this event.
Staffing and Spectators – IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- Due to a range of safeguarding concerns, spectators will not be permitted entry at any MSSP events as of 8th October 2025.
- Primary schools must inform parents in advance when inviting students to take part.
- All staff attending the event must have enhanced DBS clearance and have been fully vetted by their primary school.
- DBS numbers, full name and school photo ID will be required in advance by the host school for events on school sites.
- Upon arrival, all staff members must sign a Code of Conduct form to confirm their intent to support the safeguarding of children at MSSP events.
- Staff must complete a team-sheet ready for registration.
- Staff may be asked to keep score during the games.
MSSP Duty of Care
At Merton School Sport Partnership, the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of every participant is our highest priority. Our Duty of Care framework outlines the measures we take to ensure all events are safe, enjoyable and accessible, covering key areas including safeguarding, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, risk assessments, medical provision, codes of conduct, photography and data protection.
We ask all schools, staff, volunteers and participants to familiarise themselves with these expectations before attending MSSP events.
For full details, please download the MSSP Duty of Care document or visit the relevant section of our website HERE for further guidance, policies and event information.