WORLD EGGTHROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS FROM ENGLAND!

   The World Egg Throwing Federation is based at Swaton, in the county of Lincolnshire, England. This ancient village has stood on this ground since before Roman times. The occupying army created a canal that ran from Lincoln to Cambridge which was fed by, and crossed, by the River Eau at Swaton. Much of the canal is still extant today. The village is mentioned in the Dooms Day book of 1068 as possessing a moated site. It’s known that this small village had a market, its own gibbet and the Church is considered to be one of the finest in England. The first female Sherriff of Nottingham is buried here.
   The organised sport of Egg Throwing is thought to date back to at least 1322 when the newly appointed Abbot took possession of the Parish of Swaton by royal decree. It is said that he was the only person to own chickens and ensured the attendance at church of his peasant by providing them alms of one egg for each attendee. However, when the River Eau flooded, preventing people getting to church, the monks would hurl the eggs over to the waiting peasants. It’s also said that when the flood was even wider that they used small trebuchets to get that extra distance required. It is from these humble beginnings that the sport of egg throwing started and has been played ever since in the village.

   The World Egg Throwing Federation was set up in 2004 in order to regulate Egg Throwing as a number of variations of the sport have come into existence, including nefarious use of eggs in political demonstrations. From its formation the Federation has been joined by local and national groups that practice the sport, and now acts as a central body, offering advice, ideas and as organiser of the annual world championships. Its aims and policies have been adopted by many as the sport continues to grow in popularity and in doing so the Federation raises thousands of pounds for local, nationals and international charities.

Disciplines

Sport egg throwing comprises of the following disciplines;-Egg Throwing. -Egg Static Relay. -Egg Target Throwing -Russian Egg Roulette -Egg Trebuchet Challenge Egg Throwing   This comprises of a two-person team, the winner is the team who can throw and catch an egg over the greatest distance. The team start off 10 metres apart. After each throw each member will move further apart. The team members alternate their throwing and catching roles after each throw.     A successful toss allows progression onto the next round and is adjudged when the egg is moved between players without breakage or touching the ground.     A catcher may not move from his start position until the egg to be caught is in the air en route to that catcher.     Where more than 1 team is successful the players move backwards to a designated spot and repeat with the roles reversed until a winner is identified.     Where more than 1 team is successful the distance is extended.     Where no team completes a successful toss at a distance then the throw is repeated, on a knock out basis until a team, or teams achieves success.     The team that manages a successful toss of the greatest distance is judged to be the winner.    There are two events; all comers and "under 13" Egg Static Relay      A team consists of 11 players.     Each player stands at a predetermined mark along a route 100 metres long.     Players may not move more than 5 metres from their mark.     Upon the start signal a packet of 12 eggs is passed, egg-by-egg, from player to player until the final team member has collected successfully all 12 eggs.     Eggs must travel individually.     Where a breakage occurs a 3 second penalty is added to the time.     The competition is held in heats with a play off to decide the championship title. Egg Target Throwing     A selected (volunteer) target is placed 24 feet forward from the throw line in front of a safety net to prevent overthrow.     The thrower is provided with 4 eggs     The thrower must warn the target that he a throw is about to commence and receive acknowledgement before each throw.     Eggs are hurled at the target.     Points are awarded for strikes on specific areas.     Eggs that do not break upon impact with the target or rear safety net may be re-thrown.     If an egg falls outside the safety net area or throw line the thrower is disqualified. Russian Egg Roulette     Individual challenge against an opponent on a knock out basis Players sit opposite each other, across a table.     Each player wears a provided head bandana for protection. In appropriate bandanas may not be worn.     The toss winner decides whether to go first or second.     A tray containing 6 specially selected eggs will be proffered. 5 hard-boiled, 1 raw.     Each player takes it in turn to select one and then smash the egg onto his or her own fore head until one-player finds the raw one.    The finder of the raw egg loses the game or match.    Inspired by one Montegue Blister of Strange Games Egg Trebuchet   A team of (at least) 2 players construct a gravity powered machine based upon the ancient trebuchet design. The base of the legs is restricted to 2 square metres (outriggers may protrude beyond this). The power source must be contained within a 9 litre container. Team member 1 targets a set distance. Team player number 2 becomes the target and positions self at that set distance. When the trebuchet releases the egg projectile team player number 2 may move from his start point. Points are awarded for striking the target. Additional points are received is the target catches the projectile unbroken. 3 eggs are provided for each distance. In the event of a tie a different distance is set until a winner is identified. PPE will be worn. WETF Egg Throwing Rules All competitors must be aware of the following generic rules: 1. Team members will be provided with protective clothing that must be worn when taking part in the competition. Eye protection goggles will be available. 2. Eye injuries are possible if struck by an egg. Players must be aware of the potential for harm. Eggs thrown in a reckless manner towards unprepared players or others may result in disqualification. 3. In order to reduce the risk of infection from of avian flu or subsequent shortage, all eggs will be stockpiled during the preceding 6 months to guarantee that they are free from any virus. 4. All eggs will come from organically fed, free range, sustainable and happy sources.             5. The organiser will supply all eggs used. They will be marked for security purposes and required to be broken by the heat or final winner, to prove that they have not been switched or tampered with, at the conclusion of each heat or final. 6. Players are not permitted to use any physical, hand held or worn aid when catching or throwing eggs. Aids include any kind of glove, net, propelling instrument (mechanical or otherwise), stick or any other object that gives and unfair advantage to the team.    As a responsible sporting governing body, we have banned the use of performance enhancing drugs, including doping agents. Any competitor may be subject to drug testing, people may be chosen at random, or targeted in the case of any allegations. We reserve the right to give any competitor a drug test, and in case of refusal, the competitor may be disqualified. Swaton Micro Brewery “Happy Jack” real ale is a permitted and indeed recommended, substance. All competitors must be aware of the following generic rules:1. Team members will be provided with protective clothing that must be worn when taking part in the competition. Eye protection goggles will be available. 2. Eye injuries are possible if struck by an egg. Players must be aware of the potential for harm. Eggs thrown in a reckless manner towards unprepared players or others may result in disqualification. 3. In order to reduce the risk of infection from of avian flu or subsequent shortage, all eggs will be stockpiled during the preceding 6 months to guarantee that they are free from any virus. 4. All eggs will come from organically fed, free range, sustainable and happy sources. 5. The organiser will supply all eggs used. They will be marked for security purposes and required to be broken by the heat or final winner, to prove that they have not been switched or tampered with, at the conclusion of each heat or final. 6. Players are not permitted to use any physical, hand held or worn aid when catching or throwing eggs. Aids include any kind of glove, net, propelling instrument (mechanical or otherwise), stick or any other object that gives and unfair advantage to the team.    As a responsible sporting governing body, we have banned the use of performance enhancing drugs, including doping agents. Any competitor may be subject to drug testing, people may be chosen at random, or targeted in the case of any allegations. We reserve the right to give any competitor a drug test, and in case of refusal, the competitor may be disqualified. Swaton Micro Brewery “Happy Jack” real ale is a permitted and indeed recommended, substance.