Western Rugby Union

PARTICIPATION PACKET

2009

Women’s Club Division 1 and 2 Championships

 

Last Updated - Sunday, September 27, 2009

 


RESULTS

 

Saturday, September 26

 

    Women's Division 1 Semifinals

        #1 Glendale 37 - #4 St. Louis Sabres 7

        #2 Austin Valkyries 34 - #3 Black Ice 15

 

    Women's Division 2 - Championship Finals

        #1 HARC 41 - Dallas Diablos 0

 

Sunday, September 27

 

    Women's Division 1 Consolation Finals

        Black Ice 17 - St. Louis Sabres 10

 

    Women's Division 1 Championship Finals

        Glendale 38 - Austin Valkyries 10

 

Order of Finish - Division 1
    1) Glendale

    2) Austin Valkyries

    3) Black Ice

    4) St. Louis Sabres

 

> Glendale and Austin advance to the Women's Competitive Region playoffs in Glendale, CO October 10-11

 

> HARC advances to the Women's Division 2 Invitational Tournament in Florida (date TBA)

 


Host and West Contact:
 
The West will be represented at the event by Ted Hill, who will serve as the West Event Coordinator.

Ted Hill

Email: tedh@lifeben.com

Cell#: 214-282-3000


DATE & VENUE - 26 and 27 September 2009 at Lake Highlands Park in Dallas, TX.

 

Directions from the Double Tree Hotel (see below) to Lake Highlands Park (click here)

 

MAP of Lake Highlands Park area

 

Lake Highlands Park – Rules that the City of Dallas HIGHLY enforces:

a. NO ALCOHOL in the Dallas City Parks.  You will be arrested and they could shut the event down.

b. Behavior - You are representing the West and Rugby.  While having fun is part of life, please don’t act like a fool

c. NO NUDITY - Just like alcohol, you will be arrested and they will shut the event down.


HOTEL

The host hotel is the Doubletree Hotel.  The room rate $74.00 room rate (4 to a room) and includes breakfast and drink specials.

Doubletree Dallas Campbell Centre
8250 North Central Expressway

Dallas, TX 75206‎

Tel: (214) 691-8700‎

Internet Link

The rate is $74.00 and includes a breakfast. We will be holding check-in at the hotel and it is very close to the fields, so please everyone book your rooms here.
 

We will have check in for ALL teams at this hotel and then we will have a Captains and Coaches Meeting with the West Refs and West Reps.
 


AIR TRAVEL
For teams that will be flying to Dallas, TX, American Airlines has teamed up with us. Book through American Airlines group travel, or individually on line. Use the Promotion Code 2499AU to get 5% discount on your rate.  Visit www.AA.com.

 

Also note that Southwest flies into Love Field (not DFW) which is closer to the hotel and the Lake Highlands Park

 


VAN RENTAL
AVIS has provided a Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number to receive the best available rates from Avis. West Code # AWD: G027999  The group discount number is designed to shop the best available rate, includes unlimited mileage and is available from seven days before to seven days after the event.  Reservations should be made by calling Avis directly at 888-754-8878 or by using the internet link provided below.

    https://www.avis.com/AvisWeb/reservation/ReservationsInitializer?&AWD_NUMBER=G027999

 


CAPTAIN'S MEETING

There will be a Captains & Coaches meeting with the West reps and the West Referee reps on Friday night for ALL participating teams at the Doubletree hotel.

 

On Saturday evening, we will meet again to hold a "Presidents and Leaders" meeting to discuss the future planning of these events and the progress of Women's rugby in the West.

 

Captains Meeting Topics

These topics are usually covered at the meeting. Please review them and discuss with your players.

  1. Lake Highlands Park rules (see above)

  2. Clubs are responsible for the conduct of their supporters and fans

  3. Jerseys for your reserves must be numbered 16-22.

  4. Reserve players when taking water onto the field during stoppages must NOT wear jerseys that match the kit of the players in the match

  5. Each club may have a single coach and medical staff on the sideline. ALL other coaches and players must be behind the five-meter barrier.

  6. No players may have exposed underwear while on the field of play.

  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 and when non-citizens must be in the USA. Please review those sections of this document and the USA Rugby Eligibility regulations.

  10. There will be ample time for warm up on the adjacent fields.  Do not warm-up in the end-zone of a field while a game is being played.

  11. If a club wants to arrange for practice time on Friday 25 September, please contact Ted Hill for access information.

   

Event Fees

There are no entry fees for any Western Rugby Union championship events.  The West eliminated the entry fees for championship events a number of years.  The West recognizes the high cost of participation in championship events.

 


DISCIPLINE

Please download the Discipline Regulations from the West or USA Rugby web site.  Click here to download the USA Rugby Disciplinary Regulations. 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 the USA Rugby Eligibility Regulations. 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. You must review those regulations and insure you and your team are fully eligible to participate in Westerns. Club players must have been enrolled with the club they are representing no later than 15 September 2009. Players who are CIPP registered after that date are NOT eligible to participate and may NOT be replaced on your Event Roster. Players who are non-citizens/non Green Card holders must have been in the United States by 15 September 2009. Such players must be able to provide proof of entry via a passport stamp that precedes 15 September 2009. Players unable to provide such documentation are ineligible to participate and may NOT be replaced on the Event Roster.  All players must be 18 years of age or older.  Players under 18 years must possess a waiver approved by USA Rugby Eligibility Committee.

 

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, by contacting the USA Rugby National Office 303-539-0300. 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.

 


EVENT ROSTER - Do This ASAP ***

The form may be downloaded from the West web site.  Click here to view the required event roster.  This form must be completed and emailed to the Western Event Director Ted Hill (tedh@lifeben.com) AND Bill Sexton (wsexton@atsu.edu):

 

*** Close of Business on Monday, 21 September 2009 ***

 

NOTE:  Failure to pre-register your team=s event roster by the scheduled dates will result in:

 

1.     A 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.

 

Event Rosters for club championship events may list a maximum of 28 players

 

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 - in alphabetic sequence.
Residency Status
CIPP#

Position - What position does the player usually play?
DOB - Date of Birth
Resident Proof - Office Use Only
Registration List - Office Use Only

KIT COLORS

Each team is 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 REGULATIONS & PROCEDURES

Click here to view the USA Rugby West Event Regulations. We suggest you download and review these documents.

 

Club Membership (New Section!)

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. - USA Rugby Participation Agreement and Event Roster. 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 on the USA web site.  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 Competitive Region playoff by Friday, 2 October 2009. Click here to review this document.

Tab 3. - A completed West Event Roster.  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 should be included in this section.

Tab 4. - 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 5. - 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 6. - The original, and legibly completed, Waiver and Release Form for each player on the Event Roster.

Tab 7. - A clear and legible copy of the proof of citizenship for EVERY player on your Event Roster.  Players without such documentation will not be eligible to participate and may not be replaced on your Event Roster.

Note: Please see the Combined Regulations documentation 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.

 

Club Participation Agreement

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 the USA Rugby Club Participation Agreement.

 

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 the USA Rugby Waiver Form.  For teams advancing, they also require the USA Media Release - Click here for the Media Release.

 


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 contact Ted Hill at tedh@lifeben.com or

214-282-3000.

 

All check-ins will be done at a single designated location on site at Lake Highlands Park.  Look for signage and directions to the West table - ask for Ted Hill.

 

Each team is assigned 15 minutes to complete the check-in process.  If you have your paper work and players organized that will be 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 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 on the event or match rosters.

 

Player Check-In Process (Understand this Process!)

For club players, a valid government-issued photo ID is required (e.g., passport, driver’s license, military ID – see USA Rugby Eligibility Regulations).

 

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.

 

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

 

 

Team Check-in Schedule

Women’s Club Division 1 Championship
9:15 AM - Seed 1 = Glendale
9:30 AM - Seed 4 = St. Louis Sabres
11:15 AM - Seed 2 = Austin Valkyries
11:30 AM - Seed 4 = Black Ice

 

Women’s Club Division 2 Championship
1:15 PM - Seed 1 = HARC
1:30 PM - Seed 2 = Diablos

Seeding for the Championships

Women’s Club Division 1 Championship
Seed 1 = Glendale
Seed 2 = Austin Valkyries
Seed 3 = Black Ice

Seed 4 = St. Louis Sabres

Women’s Club Division 2 Championship
Seed 1 = HARC
Seed 2 = Diablos

Pairings for competitive pools

In the Women's Club Division 1 brackets, the first-round pairings will be pairings will be seed #1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3.  The brackets for the Women's Division 2 Championship will depend on the final number of teams in the bracket.  If there are 4 teams, the brackets will be the same as for the Division 1 Women.  If there are 6 teams, we will implement a 2 x team round-robin competition, and if there are 8 teams, we will implement an 8 team single-elimination bracket.  These bracket formats are described in the West Competitions information on the West website.

 


MATCH KICK-OFF SCHEDULE

The Women's Division 1 Championship will feature two semifinal matches on Saturday, September 26 and Consolation (3rd Place) and Championship matches on Sunday, September 27.  The two Division 2 representatives will play the Championship match on Saturday, September 26.

Match Kick-off Schedule: Saturday, September 26

    Match #1 - Division 1 Semifinal #1 (#1-Glendale vs. #4-St. Louis Sabres) - 10:30 AM

    Match #2 - Division 1 Semifinal #2 (#2-Austin vs. #3-Black Ice) - 12:30 PM

    Match #3 - Division Championship (HARC vs. Diablos) - 2:30 PM

 

Match Kick-off Schedule: Sunday, September 27

    Match #4 - Division 1 Consolation Match (loser Match #1 vs. loser Match #2) - 10:30 AM

    Match #5 - Division 1 Championship Match (winner Match #1 vs. winner Match #2) - 12:30 PM

We suggest you copy the schedule and ensure that all your players know their match times.

 

Length of Matches

All matches have full 40 minute halves.

 

Match Roster - Women's Club Matches
Before each match begins, each club must name the fifteen starters and must list the names of the seven reserves they plan to use in the match by jersey number. The identities of the front row capable players must be noted on the list of reserves. Only those players listed on the match roster at the start of the match may be used in said match.
 
As per USA Rugby directive, all club rosters are limited to the pre-match identification of 22 players. High school teams may select from an open roster of all players on the event roster who were check-in approved for this competition.
 

Match rosters may be downloaded from the web site.  Click here to view the Match Roster.  You must complete a match roster for each match during the competition.  You will need to make FOUR (4) copies of each match roster at your hotel or a local copy shop.  At least 30 minutes before kick-off you should have someone on your team - preferably not a starting player - give one copy to the #4 official and 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 you should note the names of reserves that have been used in the match and the names and method of scoring for all their points.  The completed form MUST BE 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.

 

Player Substitutions

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 substitutions will be handled by the #4 official who will be stationed near midpoint of each field during all matches. Do not send players directly into the game without first going checking in with the #4 official. All substitutions must see the #4 official who will check them into the game, and who will then contact a touch judge to provide them access to the match.

 

The Competition Regulations require a team to be ready to play within 10 minutes of the scheduled kick off time or face a forfeit loss.  Familiarize yourself with the regulations in the event of ties. Have a plan ready should this eventuality occur.

 

Tie-Breaker Procedures

The kick-off schedule for this events notes which matches can end in a tie and which cannot. Tie-breaker procedures will be available on site and are included below.

For senior club matches that require resolution, the following will occur after full time:

  1. a five minute rest period, then

  2. a ten minute period (coin toss for KO or receive), then

  3. a two minute rest period, then

  4. a ten minute period ( reverse KO of first overtime), then if still tied

  5. a two minute rest period, then

  6. a sudden death period not to exceed 15 minutes (with a new coin toss) to determine KO or receive, then if no score

  7. a two minute rest period, then

  8. a sudden death period not to exceed 15 minutes. If still no score continue 15 minute sudden death periods until a score occurs

 


OTHER INFORMATION
 
Water and Half Time Refreshments

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 one 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

Trainers will be on site for both days of the competition.

 

Hospitals

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.

 

Water and Ice

It is suggested that you purchase an inexpensive cooler and fill it with bottles of water and ice for each of your matches.

 

Laundry

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.

  

Medical Support

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?

 

Uniforms and Equipment

The following is from USA Rugby and will be enforced during all matches in this competition:

 

Jerseys

  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 should be 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, cotton blend, or rugby-specific shorts of a synthetic fabric.

  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.

  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.

 


MATCH OFFICIALS

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.

 

Contact for Match Officials

Gary Hartzel

(H) 719-388-4681

(C) 719-290-1111

(E) rugbyref10@aol.com

 


ADVANCEMENT TO USA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIPS

From the event this weekend in Dallas, 2 Division 1 teams and 2 Division 2 teams will advance to the USA Rugby Championship series.  Click here for USA Rugby Women's Club Championships information

 

The top 2 West Women's Division 1 Clubs will participate in the Competitive Region Competition against the Midwest RFU representatives in Glendale, CO 10-11 October 2009.

 

The top 2 West Women's Division 2 Clubs have been invited to participate in the Invitational Women's Division 2 Club Championships in Florida at the end of October 2009.  (Note, we are still seeking details regarding this event.)

 

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 websites.  On the USA web site, it can be found under Club Roster/Checklist.  Please note the completed form must be signed by a representative of the West -- either Event Commissioner Ted Hill, or Bill Sexton (wsexton@atsu.edu) or Alan Sharpley (sharpley@dynastat.com). The completed and signed form must be in the National Office in Boulder, CO by the close of business 2 October  2009.  Note, Western Rugby Union officials will not sign anything but a completed Event Roster.

 


 

Please remember to describe the colors and patterns of the kit your team will be using at the Championships

in the space provided on the Event Roster

 

*** The End ***