Western Rugby Union
PARTICIPATION PACKET
2008
Boy’s and Girl’s High School Championships
as of Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Web Addresses
The West has a web site with additional information about the event. The address is: www.wrfu.org.
The host for the event
is the St. Louis Bombers RFC. The
contact for the club is: Dan Ward (Email) dward58@earthlink.net; (Cell#) 314-575-8151
Western Rugby Contact
The West will be represented at the event by: Bill Haffner, 32 Dartmouth Place, Woodland Park, CO 80863 (H) 719-687-0219 (C) 719-930-3183 (E) wthaffner@aol.com
Area maps have been provided by the host. They are located on http://www.marylandheights.com/index.asp?NID=499
The event will be held at the SportPort in Maryland Heights,
Missouri on the weekend of 10 and 11 May 2008. Maps to the park may be
found at Field number schematics are available
at the Western area of the pavilion. Also see www.marylandheights.com/index.asp?NID=499
We will be using Fields
#3 (the Stadium) and Field #5 and Field #13-14 for our matches. Warm up fields
are Field #2 and Field #4.
Captains Meeting
The West no longer
holds Captains Meeting at our championship events. This requires the
participating clubs to stay in close contact with the West and to provide
accurate contact information on your accommodations while in the St. Louis/
Maryland Heights area.
IMPORTANT TOPICS - WHAT YOU AND YOUR PLAYERS NEED TO KNOW
Please
review them and discuss with your players
1.
Clubs are responsible for the conduct of their supporters
and fans
2.
Jerseys for your reserves must be numbered 16-22.
3.
Reserve players when taking water onto the field during
stoppages must NOT wear jerseys that match the kit of the players in the match
4.
Each club may have a single coach and medical staff on the
sideline. All others must be behind the five-meter barrier and off the field.
5.
No players may have exposed underwear while on the field
of play. Such players will be removed from the match
6.
Teams are required to clean up their areas after their
matches and/or warm up areas. Do not leave water bottles, tape, or any other
debris on the sideline or on the field.
7.
Red carded players may not play again on the weekend and
may not be replaced on the Event Roster
8.
There are new regulations regarding the Match Roster. Please
carefully review that section of this document
9.
There are new eligibility regulations when a player must
be enrolled in CIPP. The regulations for multi school clubs both boys and girls
are new. Please review those sections
of this document and the USA Rugby Eligibility regulations.
10. In most cases there is ample time for warm up on the
fields teams will be playing on. Do NOT attempt to warm up on the sides or in
goal areas while a match is being played.
11. If a club wants to arrange for practice time at Sport Park
on Friday 9 May, please contact Dan Ward to check availability.
Discipline
Please download the Discipline Regulations from the West or USA Rugby web site. Click here to download this document. Review the regulations with your club members. Ignorance of the regulations is not an acceptable excuse.
If an ad hoc Disciplinary Committee is needed, it will be assembled and chaired by the representative of the Western Rugby Union in attendance at the event.
Eligibility Regulations
Current USA Rugby Eligibility Regulations should be downloaded
from the USA Rugby or West web site. Click
here to download this document. Each club is expected to fully understand
the regulations, strictly abide by them, and to complete all required
documentation. Failure to do so may result in the disqualification of any
player in question or the entire team. Please note the USA Rugby Eligibility
Regulations have changed since the last Western Championships.
On site questions, interpretations, etc. of these regulations will be handled by the Western Rugby Union representative. On site responses to eligibility questions will tend to focus on the letter of the regulations and to narrowly interpret any of the regulations.
If your team has questions about the eligibility of any player or players on your team, you should immediately address the questions or concerns to the Chairman of the USA Rugby Eligibility Committee. Questions should be addressed to the Eligibility Committee in care of the USA Rugby National Office 303-539-0300. Questions on Eligibility may also be addressed to the National Office to Dan Payne on extension 132. Requests for waivers on Eligibility issues should be sent to the office where they will be forwarded to the Eligibility Committee.
No exceptions to these regulations will be made on site by the Western representative.
Click here to view this document. We suggest you download and review these documents.
Every
club in any level of competition including these Western Championships is
required to have a current and valid club membership in CIPP. Enrollment for clubs
is similar to that for players. A club can check its enrolment status on the
USA Rugby web site under “Membership”. Clubs without a current membership by
the Monday night prior to Westerns will be disqualified.
Eligibility Binder (This is NEW!!!)
USA Rugby has reconfirmed the responsibility of confirming all eligibility requirements to the TUs and LAUs. The West will continue to responsible for insuring that all clubs and players meet the current requirements to participate in Championship Events. Almost all of the requirements of USA Rugby have been long standing requirements of the Western Rugby Union. However the West is going to formalize some of these requirements by requiring all teams in Western championship events to produce required documentation in a three ring binder at check in time. These binders will be reviewed during and after check in and returned to the submitting teams during the first day of competition. It is suggested that each club include a cover on its binder that clearly identifies the owning club. This will prevent clubs from leaving with the wrong binder. The contents of the binder are as follows:
Tab 1. Current CIPP Roster for the club
Tab 2. A USA
Rugby Participation Agreement. The Western Representative will sign the form at
the conclusion of the event for the teams advancing to the USA Rugby event.
This form must also be signed by a representative of your LAU. This form is available of the USA web site. Click
here to view this document. A USA Rugby Event Roster which will be
signed by the Western rep in attendance.
This form must be in the USA Rugby office at least five business days
prior to the USA Rugby High School Championships.
Click here to review
this document.
Tab 3. A completed Western Event Roster for this event. See below for additional information about completing this form. The Event Roster for the West event is on the West web site. The completed West Event Roster that you submitted to the West should be included in this section.
Tab 4. A completed Registrar=s Form. See below for additional information about completing this form.
Tab 5. Copies of the photo IDs to be used by each of your players. Copies must be clear. Illegible copies are not acceptable. Players submitting illegible copies of IDs may be disqualified. Copies should be in alphabetical sequence by last name. This should match the sequence of your players during the check in process.
Tab 6. Copies of any eligibility waivers for any of your Event Roster players that were approved by USA Rugby. These forms should be in alphabetical order by last name.
Tab 7. The original, and legibly completed, Waiver and Release Form for each Event Roster player.
Tab 8. Match Rosters for your club matches leading up to Westerns are included here. Every player on your Western Event Roster must appear on at least two of the submitted Match Rosters. Match Rosters may be of any format.
FOR DETAILS OF USA RUGBY REQUIRED ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION AND SUBMISSIONS - Go to the USA Rugby website, and go to Eligibility - Championships Policy (Click here to view this page).
High School Eligibility Form/Registrar’s Form
Click here to view this document. It is essential this form be completed by the High School Registrar and include every player on the Event Roster. This can be a slow process, so we recommend the Registrar’s office be contacted ASAP to arrange for the form to be completed. Multi school teams need to have a completed Registrar’s Form for all the players on your Event Roster which means multiple schools must be contacted to have the forms completed.
NOTE #1: The Registrar’s Form must be dated by the Registrar any time between 25 April and 8 May. If you have completed the form prior to 25 April you must have the Registrar resign, date stamp and include the embossed school seal a second time. An original of the form must be presented at team check in at the event. Please note the SPECIFIC requirements for the completion of this form included on the form itself. The columns labeled: Date Student first enrolled at this high school; If transfer, date first enrolled in high school; Is student enrolled full time? ; ALL this information must be completed by the Registrar. Also note that a supervising agent of the High School must sign the form in addition to the Registrar. Officers of the rugby club may NOT sign the form.
There are NO acceptable alternatives to the above form.
Note #2: Please see the Combined Regulations documentation (Click here to view this document) on the web site for additional information on procedures to be followed in the event a team fails to provide a completed Registrar’s Form at check in. Essentially such a team will play all its matches, but the results of each will be a forfeit loss.
West Championship Event Roster - Do This ASAP ***
The form may be downloaded from the West web site. Click here to view this form. This form must be completed and emailed to the Western Administrative Office at WTHaffner@aol.com no later than:
Close of Business on Monday, 5 May 2008
NOTE: Failure to pre-register your team=s event roster by the scheduled dates will result in:
1. A much longer on-site check-in process with your team required to bring extra proof of good standing. You also suffer the possibility that some of your players will be declared ineligible at the event.
2. A $100 fine levied against your club.
The office will compare your roster of players to CIPP Registration Rosters lists provided by USA Rugby. You may ONLY list players who have paid their dues to both organizations. Other names will not be eligible to participate in the event. Clubs will be notified of players that are ineligible. Such players may NOT be replaced on the Event Roster. Clubs which no longer have enough eligible players will be disqualified.
The
roster for high school events is open -- i.e., there is no limit to the number
of players a club may include on their Event Roster. You may to need to use two
pages for your roster. If you need additional copies of the form, please
feel free to make them.
Players’ names must be clearly legible and in alphabetical sequence by the last name. Illegible names will be disqualified from participation in the event.
The Event Roster contains columns to be completed as follows:
Last Name, First - see above. In alpha sequence.
Residency Status/Academic Yr. – What year is the player? Freshman, Soph, etc.
CIPP# - CIPP # from USA Rugby.
Position - What position does the player usually play? Center, Wing, Lock
DOB - Date of Birth.
USA $ - Office Use Only
W$ - Office Use Only
L$ - Office Use Only.
Res Proof - Office Use Only
Regist List - Office Use Only
Club Participation Agreement for USA Rugby
The form may be downloaded from the West or USA web site. The section dealing with Western RFU signatory is covered above. Click here to view this document.
Waiver and Release Form
This form may be downloaded from the West or USA Rugby web site. It must be completed legibly for every player on the Event Roster. Click here to view this document.
Club Check-In Schedule (React to this Proposed Schedule)
A schedule of on site check-ins is included below. Please refer to it and confirm your club’s ability to make the scheduled time. If you prefer a different time or your travel schedule makes it impossible for you to meet the assigned period, please call the Administrative Office at 719-687-0219 or email wthaffner@aol.com.
All check-ins are done in the Western areas of the stadium at SportPort Park.
Each team is assigned 15 minutes to complete the check-in process. If you have your paper work and players organized that is sufficient. If you have neither, it will take longer and you will be asked to return to the check in location after the last team is finished to complete your check-in.
Note that the Western Board of Directors has approved the imposition of a $100 fine against clubs who fail to check in their full roster of players. Note also the new regulations regarding the use of ineligible players including the use of players not of the event or match rosters.
Club Check In Schedule:
Boy’s Single School Teams
St. Thomas – 7:45 AM
Westside – 7:45 AM
Dallas Jesuit Prep - 8:00 AM
Bixby HS – 8:00 AM
DeSmet HS – 8:45 AM
St. Thomas Aquinas HS – 8:45 AM
Broken Arrow HS – 9:00 AM
Westside HS (Texas) 9:00 AM
Boy’s Multi School Teams
Katy Area HS – 9:45 AM
Olathe – 9:45 AM
Eureka HS – 10:00 AM
Alliance – 10:00 AM
Junior Blues – 10:45 AM
Austin Area HS – 10:45 AM
Brethren – 11:00 AM
St. Louis Druids – 11:00 AM
Girl’s Teams
Kansas City Dragons – 12:15 PM
St. Louis Sirens – 12:15 PM
Seeding for the Championships
Boy’s Single School Teams
Seed 1 = TX1 – St. Thomas High School
Seed 2 = MO1 – DeSmet High School
Seed 3 = OZ1 - Broken Arrow High School
Seed 4 = TX2 - Dallas Jesuit Prep
Seed 5 = OZ2 – Bixby High School
Seed 6 = TX3 – Westside High School (Texas)
Seed 7 = HOA1 – St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Seed 8 = GP1 - Westside
Boy’s Multi School Teams
Seed 1 = HOA1 – Junior Blues
Seed 2 = TX1 – Katy Area High Schools
Seed 3 = MO1 – Eureka High School
Seed 4 = OZ1 - Brethren
Seed 5 = MO2 – St. Louis Druids
Seed 6 = TX2 – Alliance
Seed 7 = HOA2 – Olathe
Seed 8 = TX3 – Austin Area High Schools
Girl’s Teams
Seed 1 = Kansas City Dragons
Seed 2 = St. Louis Sirens
Match Kick Off Schedule, Field Assignments and Initial Match Official Appointments
The schedule has been posted on the West web site for some time. It may be viewed by clicking here.
We suggest you copy the schedule and ensure that all your players know their match times.
Length of Matches
The above
Kick Off Schedule includes the length of the halves in each match.
Tie-Breaker Procedures
The above
Kick Off Schedule notes which matches can end in a tie and which cannot.
Tie-breaker procedures will be available on site and are included below.
Under 19 Variation for Multiple Matches in a Day
The Under 19 variations provide for two 35 minute halves and total playing time of 70 minutes. The rules governing the IRB Under 19 World Championship provide for matches to be decided first by try differential and then by a penalty shoot-out. Accordingly, the extra time protocol for Under 19 competitions will be as follows:
- Match is not decided in regulation time (ends in a “tie” score), the team with the greater number of tries will be declared the winner.
- If the match is still not decided (teams have equal number of tries), the team with the greater number of converted tries will be declared the winner.
- If the match is still not decided (teams have equal number of converted tries), the winner will be determined by a penalty shoot-out between the two teams to take place as follows:
- The kicks at goal should be part of the match and be the responsibility of the referee. The touch judges and match commissioner may help the referee. Before the kicks at goals, the two captains shall toss a coin to decide which goal posts and toss again to decide who will kick first. The match commissioner may move the penalty shoot-out to another field if necessary to the competition schedule.
- The first series will consist of five placed kicks taken on the 22 meter line in front of the posts.
- The kicks at goal will be taken, for each Team, by each of the five players, nominated by the Captains, who were on the field of play at the end of that match. In the event of an injury, a player initially nominated to kick, may be replaced however his replacement shall be a player who was on the field of play at the end of that match.
- The five players shall take it in turns to kick at goal. Teams will alternate: Team A, Team B, Team A, Team B, etc.
- In the event of a tie after the first series of kicks at goal, additional kicks shall be taken, still from the 22 meter line in front of the posts, alternatively by each Team, until one Team has an advantage for the same number of kicks taken.
- Each of these additional kicks shall be taken by a different player who did not participate in the first series of kicks.
- For a Final Match still not decided after #2 (teams have equal number of converted tries), then both finalists shall become joint cup holders
Under 19 Variation for a Single Match in a Day
As noted above, the MAXIMUM of playing time allowed in a day is 70 minutes. If a match is scheduled for 35 minute halves ends in a tie, then the regulations noted above must be implemented to resolve the tie.
However, if the match is scheduled for less than 35 minutes halves ends in a tie, there are other possible methods of resolving the tie.
Matches with scheduled 30 minute halves, have an additional ten minutes of playing time available to resolve the tie. In this scenario, the teams will have a five minute water/rest break. The referee and captains will conduct a coin toss to determine direction and kicking team. A five minute sudden death over time period will commence. If neither team scores during the first OT period, there will be a two minute water/rest break. Team will switch direction and begin a second and final sudden death period. If neither team again scores, the tie will be resolved by using the tie breaker regulations noted above for Under 19 Variation for Multiple Matches in a Day.
It is not recommended that matches in USA, TU, or LAU final competition involving a SINGLE match in a day be scheduled for less than 25 minute halves.
Player Check In Process (Understand this Process!)
Each player must have, a valid and current student ID, and/or a current photo ID.
A High School Club must present its completed Registrar’s form at the beginning of the check in process. The Western rep will confirm that all the event roster players are listed on the form and are still eligible to participate in high school rugby events.
We suggest that a club administrator gather the required information, copy for each player, and mount the various forms on the sheets of stock paper. Put the information for each player on one side of a page, with another player's information on the back side. Place the completed sheets in a three-ring binder. The player sheets should be in alphabetical sequence. See above for content and format of the required binders for the presentation of information.
At check in, line up your players in alphabetical sequence. Each player’s information will be checked, and if complete and current, the player will be approved for participation in the event C assuming that all dues have been paid. See Event Roster above for the process to verify that dues have been paid.
Teams that have not pre submitted their event roster must bring the following additional information:
1. Proof of Club CIPP membership
2. Proof of CIPP payment for each player
3. Proof of Western dues payment for each player
4. Proof of LAU dues payment for each player.
From the event this weekend in Maryland Heights, three Western teams will advance to the USA Rugby Championship series. The documentation required by the West is essentially the same as that required by USA Rugby. Most of the forms used by the West are the same as those used by USA Rugby. Almost all of the work already done can be resubmitted to USA Rugby for their championship series. A random check of teams participating in the USA Rugby series will be announced about twelve days before the USA Rugby playoffs. Clubs that are informed they will be checked will be required to submit the above three ring binder to the National Office in Boulder. Teams undergoing the random check will be notified twelve calendar days in advance of the USA event and will have three days to get the binder to the office. There will a zero tolerance for late, missing or incomplete information.
In addition, ALL clubs qualifying for participation in the USA Rugby series are required to submit a completed Event Roster. That form is downloadable from either the West or USA Rugby web sites. On the USA web site it can be found under High School Roster/Checklist. Please note the completed form must be signed by a representative of the West -- either President Bill Sexton or Administrator Bill Haffner. The completed and signed form must be in the National Office in Boulder by close of business Friday, 23 May 2008. There are no exceptions to this time line. Neither Western official will sign anything but a completed Event Roster.
There will be severe penalties to the West and to offending teams for failure to provide complete, accurate and timely information to USA Rugby.
These forms may be downloaded from the web site. Click here to view this document. They are to be filled out for each match during the competition. You will need to make four copies of each match roster at your hotel or a local copy shop or on the copier available at the Western area at the event. About 30 minutes before a kickoff you should have someone on your team - preferably not a starting player - give one copy to the #4 Official or Referee, one copy to the Western Representative, and the third copy to a member of the opposing team. Each team keeps a copy. During the match they add the note the names of reserves they have used and the names and method of scoring for all their points. The completed form is delivered to the Western RFU rep within 30 minutes of the end of the match. There is a $50 penalty for failure to submit the completed forms.
The Match Roster lists the players by their jersey number. You must highlight the two players who are your alternate front row players if the starters cannot finish the match.
See the Schedule as noted above and the West web site for this event on the web site (It may be viewed by clicking here). Please download the schedule. We suggest making copies of at least the KO schedule for the members of your traveling party.
Note the Regulations - on the web site, as well - that requires a team to be ready to play within ten minutes of the scheduled kick off or face a forfeit loss. Familiarize yourself with the regulations in the event of ties. Have a plan ready should this eventuality occur.
Each team will be asked to describe the kit they will be using during the event. There is space on the Event Roster for use in describing the kit colors and patterns your team will use. Please note the procedure that will be used to determine which team will be required to change kit should there be a conflict in kit colors. The Referee and/or the Western representative will determine whether a conflict does exist. See Event Regulations on the West web site.
Event Fees
The Western Rugby Union has eliminated the entry fees. The West recognizes the high cost of participation in championship events. In a continuing effort to assume more of the costs of the events, the West Board approved a motion to eliminate the entry fees for 2008.
32 Dartmouth Place
Woodland Park, CO 80863
(H) 719-687-0219
(c) 719-930-3183
Your team is responsible for bringing the necessary supplies to the field. Since the usual object is to refresh as many players as possible in the shortest period of time, it is suggested that you serve water in small bottles. You may wish to purchase half-gallon jugs of water to save money, but you should have at least a half dozen smaller containers to serve the water. Water may be brought onto the field during stoppages of play or at the Referees direction. Players bringing water onto the field at breaks may NOT wear playing jerseys worn by their club for that match. They should be covered with another jersey or T-shirt.
Trainers will be on site for both days of the competition.
While there will be trainers on site for the event, as well as local access to the campus emergency treatment center, there are several local hospitals available should serious injuries occur. Maps to the nearest hospital will be available on site.
It is suggested that you purchase an inexpensive cooler and fill it with a few bags of ice for each of your matches. Coolers and ice may be purchased at:
Several stores along the streets around the complex
It is suggested that you organize team members to launder your playing kit after the first match. Playing in a dry, clean kit will be an advantage. Laundry facilities are available at:
Your host has provided the names of local restaurants in the area. See the above web site for further information.
Remember you are representing your high school and our sport while at any public place.
You are encouraged to reserve hotel space as soon as possible. As a reminder any inappropriate behavior in hotels does a disservice to our sport and your University. Any reported discipline problems at hotels will be dealt with under existing discipline procedure.
All officials have been appointed by the Western Rugby Union=s Referee Association. The names of the officials assigned to the Saturday matches maybe found in the Kick Off Schedule document.
Gary Hartzel
(H) 719-388-4681
(C) 719-290-1111
(E) gharzell@adt.com
Substitutes for injury, blood or tactics are allowed by the laws of the game. Please see Event Regulations on the web site for further information on substitutions. Law # 3 provides additional information. All player exchanges will be handled by the #4 Referee who will be conveniently stationed near midpoint of each field during all matches.
Further information regarding the nearest hospital will be available on site. There are hospital facilities a few minutes from the rugby fields.
Each team should have a procedure in place in case emergency
services are required for an injury. Who will travel with the player? How and
when should University officials be notified? How and when should family
members be notified?
The following is from USA Rugby and will be enforced during all matches in this competition:
1. Cotton and synthetic blends are permitted
2. Must be collared, of full length, with sleeves of at least 2" when measured from the insert seam. Body and sleeve must be hemmed or banded. No T-shirts will be allowed.
3. May be of any color or pattern, but all players must be of the same or approximately matching color and pattern.
4. Must be clean and in good repair and free from holes, tears, and rips.
5. Must be numbered 1-22 in not less than 4" size, numbers assigned to the proper position, in contrasting color, located in mid-center back. Jerseys won by reserves need are numbered 16-22.
6. No mesh jerseys (open weave) will be allowed.
7. No tear-a-way jerseys will be allowed.
Shorts
1. Must be of cotton or cotton blend of at least 50%.
2. May be of any color or length between 2" and knee length, but all players must be of the same or approximately matching color, pattern, and length.
3. Must be clean and in good repair and free from holes, tears, and rips.
Socks/Stockings
1. Cotton, wool, synthetic materials, and blends are permitted.
2. Must be of at least over the calf length.
3. Any color or pattern permitted, but all players must be of the same or approximately matching color and pattern. Different colors may be worn on each leg provided all players do so.
4. Must be clean and in good repair and free from holes, tears, and rips.
i. It otherwise conforms to the laws.
ii. No portion extends beyond the sleeve or shorts hem (no bike shorts).
5. In exceptional and extraordinary climate conditions, for player’s safety, additional garment or accessories may be authorized by the referee. Such authorization shall be rarely given.
Please note the space on the Event Roster to describe the colors and patterns of the kit your team will be using at the Championships
********* The End *********