2010 Senior Competition Rules

Updated 23 July 2010

Contents

1. 0 DEFINITIONS Defines the terms used in the Rules.

2.0 LAWS OF THE GAME

3.0 TEAM NOMINATIONS Sets out the requirements for nomination of teams.

4.0 REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS Sets out what must be done for a player to be registered and provisions to dispute the registration of a player.

5.0 COMPETITION Describes how the competition is to be conducted.

5.1  The Draw
5.2  Competition Points
5.3  Postponed/Abandoned Matches
5.4  Forfeits
5.5  Duration of Play
5.6  Player’s Attire and Equipment
5.7  Playing Field
5.8  Replacements, Reserves, Uncontested Scrums
5.9  Temporary Suspensions
5.10 Players Ordered Off The Field
5.11 Match Results and Team Sheets

6.0 FINALS SERIES MATCHES Describes how the finals will be conducted and any restrictions on participation.

6.1     Venues, Times and Duration
6.2 Player Eligibility
6.3 Dispensation

7.0 PROTESTS Describes how complaints are lodged against breaches of the rules

1. DEFINITION OF TERMS

For the purposes of this document:
(a)        iRB is the International rugby Board.
(b)       ARU is the Australian Rugby Union Ltd.
(c)        QRU is the Queensland Rugby Union Ltd.
(d)       UNION is the Sunshine Coast Rugby Union Board Ltd being the governing body of the local union district.
(e)        COMPETITION COMMITTEE is the committee elected to oversee the management of the competition.
(f)        Competition MANAGER is the person deemed responsible for the day to day operational management of the competition.
(g)       CLUB is the rugby body that is a participant of the competition.
(h)       JUDICIARY is the Sub Committee as appointed by the Competition Committee.
(i)         MRA is My RugbyAdmin being the online registration service provided by ARU to administer Unions personnel and competitions.

2. LAWS OF THE GAME

Matches must be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game of Rugby Football and the rulings thereon, as published by the International Rugby Board (iRB) including, Under 19 and 7 a side variations, together with all by-laws and directives of both the ARU and QRU.

3. TEAM NOMINATIONS

• Participation and, or, competitions shall be initiated by the calling of nominations annuallyin every grade.
• Team Nominations must list the name of the team and all information requested by the Competition Committee for the purpose of placing the team in the most appropriate competition.
• Team nominations must list the Names of coaches and Management staff for that team and their accompanying MyRugbyAdmin registration numbers to the Competition Manager by no later than one(1) week prior to the commencement of the competition so that their Qualifications and mandatory SmartRugby compliance be assessed .
• Team Nominations must be accompanied by the Team Nomination Fee as set by the Union and must be paid by the first Competition round.
• Each team shall supply one accredited touch judge for each match except for the Finals Series.
• A team will be considered accepted on approval of its nomination by the Conduct Committee.

Penalties: Failure to comply with Rule 3(ii, iii and iv) Non Acceptance to Competition

                  Failure to comply with Rule 3(v) Loss of one (1) competition point

4. REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS

A player may play for the club of his/her choice.

• No player shall be eligible to play with a Club within the Union in the actual year of competition unless that player has signed an ARU registration form and is registered by the club, via MRA, with the ARU within seven (7) days of participating in a fixture. Players under the age of eighteen (18) must have their registration form signed by a Parent or Legal Guardian.
• Each registration form is to be retained by the club as per ARU policy.

NOTE: School competitions do not register with MRA
NOTE: Proper registration of players will ensure that the club administration has fulfilled their responsibilities under duty of care to the players as prescribed by SmartRugby.

• Senior players are to 18 years of age to be eligible to play in any open age competition.
• Clubs must prove to their satisfaction the eligibility of players to participate.  Failure to confirm the eligibility will make the club and/or player liable to suspension and/or penalty.
• No permission to play will be granted to a registered player of another Association, outside Queensland, unless he/she produces the written consent on the appropriate form provided by the ARU / iRB.
• A player officially registered with a club may only change clubs across competitions in Queensland with the written permission of the QRU.  Applications for permission to change clubs must be submitted to the QRU.
• A player officially registered with a club may only change clubs within the same competition with the written permission of the Competition Committee. Applications for permission to change clubs must be submitted to the Competition Manager. Such player shall not play with the club to which he/she wishes to transfer until written consent has been obtained.

Penalties:
As well as the Penalties prescribed in Sect 4(v), the offending team breaching any other Rules in Sect 4, will lose one (1) match point and in addition be penalised a further four(4) points from the Competition total for Subsequent  offences. Subsequent offences may also result in a Show Cause Notice being issued to the offending Club and/ or Team Management, resulting in the suspension of a club or player for such time as the Competition Committee deems fit.

5. THE COMPETITION

5.1 THE DRAW

The competition will be conducted in accordance with a schedule of matches drawn up by the Competition Committee prior to the start of the playing season and varied as necessary from time to time.

5.2 COMPETITION POINTS

(i) Position on the competition table will be determined by competition points.                                   

(ii) In the event of two(2) or more teams being equal on competition points for any position, the higher placed team will be determined on;

• a count back on points "for and against", if still equal;
• the most number of wins during the competition, if still equal;
• the most number of tries scored during the competition, if still equal;
• on the most wins over the equal team.

5.3 POSTPONED/ABANDONED MATCHES

(i) In the event that the venue of a match or matches is unavailable for any reason, it will be the responsibility of the "home" club to advise the Competition Manager by noon on the day prior to the match that the ground is considered unplayable or doubtful of being playable.
The Competition Manager, after consultation with clubs involved, will direct that (a) the match or matches be played at a suitable alternative venue (the visiting club's home ground) as the first option or (b) the match or matches be postponed to a date (within 28 days of the original date) as set by the Competition Committee.
(ii) In the event of a match having to be abandoned for any reason beyond the control of match officials, the following procedure will apply:

• Where a match has been abandoned during the first half the result will be declared as a draw and no points for or against will be awarded.
• Where a match has been abandoned after the completion of the first half; the result will stand.

(iii)       In the event of a match having to be abandoned for any reason involving unacceptable behaviour on the part of players, any other persons or any other similar reason, the Competition Committee will determine if any competition points will be awarded for the match.
(It should be noted that such action should neither prejudice or replace individual action that may be required under the citing, judicial or breaches of the code of conduct).
Penalties:     Sect 5.3(i)1st Offence - Caution: Subsequent Offences - Loss of Home Games.
                       Sect 5.3(iii) Loss of Competition Points and possible Suspension of Players.
(iv)       In the event of the appointed Match official not being present at the venue within five (5) minutes of the scheduled commencement of the match; clubs are to refer to Laws of the Game, specifically ARU Law 6.A.1. In terms of ARU/QRU Policy, the appointed person MUST be SmartRugby compliant.  

5.4 FORFEITS

(i) Each match forfeited by a club will be regarded as having been won by the opposing club on the day on which the match, but for such forfeit, would have been played.  The opposing team team will be awarded the maximum competition points in that round in that grade. Their points "For " will be increased by the largest winning margin of any other match played in that round and in that grade.
(ii) In the case of a club withdrawing a team(s) from the competition, match points (“for and against”) in all matches of such team(s) shall not be counted, and any competition points shall be cancelled.
(iii) A forfeit in A Grade automatically causes a forfeit in Reserve grade, even though these matches may have been played.
(iv) If a team forfeits three (3) matches in any one season, the Competition Manager will issue a Show Cause Notice asking why that team should remain in the competition.
(v) The Competition Committee may impose further penalties for withdrawing teams from the competition.

5.5 DURATION OF MATCHES

(i)         All matches are to be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game, specifically Law 5 and the appropriate Under 19 Variations.
(ii)        Any team not prepared to commence a match five (5) minutes after the designated kick-off time shall forfeit the match (as determined by the Referee). (Law 6.A.4(b) )
(iii)       Any time lost in commencing a game for whatever reason will be taken off that match so that the following matches may commence at the scheduled time.

5.6 PLAYERS ATTIRE AND EQUIPMENT

(i) Every player taking part in a match shall wear the approved club jersey, shorts and socks. Players taking part in a match shall wear on the back of their jersey a distinguishing number. Such numbers shall be of a minimum length of 150 millimetres and of such a colour as to be easily discernible within a reasonable distance of the match.
(ii) No two players shall wear the same number jersey.
(iii) The distinguishing number shall correspond with the information supplied by the club on the team sheet for that match.
(iv) The home club is to provide three (3) match ball for the competition they are be size 5
Penalties:     1st offence - Caution: Subsequent offences - Loss of one (1) Competition Point
Restrictions

• Reference should be made to the current edition of the Laws of the Game and the IRB Regulations are available at www.irb.com

5.7 PLAYING FIELD

(i) Clubs hosting matches played under these rules must comply with the ARU Safety Directives with respect to Medical Requirements.  Both teams are responsible for ensuring that matches do not progress if the requirements for medical care are not in place.  Reference should be made to the ARU Safety Directives when seeking any clarification.
(ii) For all competition games the host club shall be responsible for ensuring that the field of play is correctly marked in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
(iii) Goal Posts
All Goal posts within the playing enclosure must be padded.
(iv) Playing Enclosure:
Entry to the playing enclosure must be restricted by a fence, barricade or rope a minimum of five (5) metres from the playing area perimeter.
(v) Persons authorised to enter Playing Enclosure:
a)   Medically Qualified Person;
b)   Teams (2 x);
c)   Referee;
d)   Touch Judges (2 x);
e)   Sports Trainer: Seated inside the playing enclosure (maximum 2 persons per team); and
f)    Designated Ball boys/girls.

Restrictions for Authorised Persons

• The sports trainer is a person or persons from each team who is or are responsible for immediately attending to a player who may appear to be injured, and who provides water to the players.
• Note that authorised persons does not include a coach with the following exceptions:
• a)         Where it is permitted under the ARU Pathway Laws
• b)         Where the nominated coach is required to fulfil one of the above listed roles. No coaching or technical instruction can take place while fulfilling one of the listed roles.
• Penalties:     The individual is issued a caution by the Competition Manager and any subsequent incidents will result in the individual removed from the playing area for one (1) match.

5.8 REPLACEMENTS, RESERVES, UNCONTESTED SCRUMS

(i) Nominated number of players:
Unless specifically nominated by the Competition Committee the nominated number of players as per Law 3.5 shall be fifteen (15) players.
(ii) Replacements:
When the number of players is not nominated or is fifteen (15), any number of players may be replaced due to illness or injury at any time during any match as per the Laws of the Game i.e. does not exceed seven (7).
The number of replacements/substitutes will not exceed seven (7) as per the Laws of the Game.
Penalty: Loss of five (5) competition points
(iii) Uncontested Scrums:
If a team cannot field a suitably trained front row because players are either not available, are injured or sent off, the referee must order uncontested scrums. The period/s of play during which uncontested scrums occurred must be noted on both teams’ score sheets and signed by the referee and entered on the online team sheet at MRA.
(iv) Commencing with Uncontested Scrums:
All matches within the competition are permitted to commence with uncontested scrums, provided the opposing team is notified 24 hours in advance of the original starting time.
NOTE – All matches played under the Under 19 Laws, even if the number of players is stipulated, can commence with uncontested scrums as per Under 19 Law 20.1 (f).
(iii) In the event of a team creating the need for uncontested scrums in four (4)matches in any one season, that club must report to the Competition Committee on the reasons for the shortage of suitably trained front rowers.
Penalty: Loss of five (5) competition points

5.9 TEMPORARY SUSPENSION – MANAGEMENT

(i) The temporary suspension of a player must be recorded on the team sheet prior to the signing by the referee  and entered on the team sheet at MRA.
Penalty:First offence Caution followed by one (1) Competition point
(ii) Should a player incur three (3) temporary suspensions in one season, he/she will automatically be suspended from playing in the next round of scheduled fixture matches.
Once a full suspension has been served, the number of temporary suspensions attributed to the player shall revert to nil. This does not apply in the case of two temporary suspensions in one game. This scenario will be treated as per a player ordered from the field.
Temporary suspensions do not transfer to the next season.

5.10 PLAYERS ORDERED OFF FOR MISCONDUCT

(i) Match officials will, by noon on Monday or the first business day following the day of the match, report in writing to the Competition Manager (or designated person) on the approved form, any player or players ordered off the field of play.
(ii) Any player ordered off the field will be suspended from playing until his/her case has been decided by the Judicial Committee.
(iii) The Judicial Committee will meet as directed by the Competition Manager or when the Judicial Committee deems necessary throughout the season to hear cases. Any player ordered off the field will attend the next meeting of the Judicial Committee.  The player/player’s club must contact the Competition Manager by noon on Monday or the first business day following the match in which he/she was ordered off. Where possible, the Judicial Committee will meet at 1900hrs Wednesday the following the week.
(iv) Should a player be unable to attend a regular meeting of the Judicial Committee, he/she may give written (signed) permission to be represented by an official of his/her club.
(v) In the event of a match official's report not being before the Judicial Committee when a player appears before that committee, the player will be permitted to play without suspension.  Subsequently, should the report be received, the Competition Manager will summon the player to appear before the next meeting of the Judicial Committee.
(vi) There will be a right of appeal against decisions of the Judicial Committee to the Judicial Appeals Committee.
(vii) The final right of appeal for any decision by an affiliate or member rests with the QRU. Such appeals will be heard against the current competition rules maintained by the QRU for that affiliate or member. All other versions will be regarded as null and void for the purpose of competition management.

5.11 MATCH RESULTS AND TEAM SHEETS

(i)       It is the responsibility of each team to furnish, on official forms, to the Club Registrar, the results and team sheets for all matches played, no later than the times specified.
(ii)       Match results sheets showing team lists, scores, scorers,  any players given a temporary suspension or sent from the field and Uncontested scrums, in each grade, will be completed by each team for both home and away matches.  The referee is to confirm the result of the game by signing each teams team sheet.  Teams are to exchange a copy of the team sheet and retain their original and the oppositions copy.  A copy of the team sheet is to be provided to the Competition Manager on REQUEST.
(iii)       Home Teams must advise the result of the game to the SCRU Results Line (TBA) within one hour of the completion of the game

• INFORMATION MUST INCLUDE
• i.    Date;
• ii.    Competing Clubs;
• iii.   Results of Game; and
• iv.  Point Scorers (full names and details for both teams) i.e. tries, conversions, penalties, drop goals and penalty tries.
•  

(iv)       All club registrars must enter the results on line via the ARU Competition Manager by no later than noon ON MONDAY OR THE FIRST WORKING DAY - following the completion of the game.

• INFORMATION ENTERED MUST INCLUDE
• i.    Results of Game
• ii.          Players, Point Scorers i.e tries, conversions, penalties, drop goals, penalty tries, players temporarily suspended - yellow cards (both teams), players sent from the field of pay - red cards (both teams) and uncontested scrums.

Penalty:        1st  Offence: Caution
                       Subsequent Offences: Loss of one (1) competition point for each offence there after .

6. FINALS SERIES MATCHES

6.1  TIMES AND VENUES

All semi-final, preliminary final and grand final matches in all grades will be played at the venues, and commence at such times, as determined by the Competition Committee.
If scores are equal at the conclusion of normal time in semi finals and preliminary finals and grand finals there will be, except in Under 19 Colts Grade, extra time of a maximum of 10 minutes each way as per the Laws of the Game.
If the scores in a semi final or preliminary final or grand final are equal after the designated time period then the team which was placed higher on the points ladder at the end of the “home and away” competition will be deemed the winner.

6.2 FINALS SERIES PLAYER ELIGIBILITY.

Competition Committee requirements for players to be eligible to participate in the finals.
i)         A Player shall not be eligible to play in the Finals Series unless he/she has played a minimum of 6 weekends in competition matches for his/her club prior to the Finals Series. Representative fixture games in the QCRU Championships, and for the Queensland Country Heelers, will count as eligible weekends when those games occur on the same dates as fixtures in the local competition.  Senior (Open Grade) Premier Stingrays Players are required to play a minimum of five local competition games to qualify for the Sunshine Coast Rugby Union Competition Finals.
(ii)        Other Premier Rugby competition players imported specifically for the Premier competition will not be eligible for the Finals Series unless he passes the Dispensation application process in terms of Rule 6.3. What happens if an imported player is registered with a club and has played the required number of qualifying games, are we going to discriminate against them?
(iii)       A player shall not be eligible to play in the Finals in a lower grade after having taken part as a member of the “run on” team in a higher grade in more than seven (7) games during the season except for:
•           Players from a lower grade taking the “run on” place of Representative or Premier players in a higher grade when those Representative or
Premier players are on genuine Representative or Premeir duty;
•           Players from a lower grade taking the “run on” place of injured Representative or Premier players up until the date that the Representative or Premier player returns with a medical certificate clearance to A Grade or Reserve Grade; and
•           Unless the club’s higher Grade is playing on the same weekend in which case clubs may select on merit.

6.3 DISPENSATION

A Club may apply, on behalf of a player, to the Competition Committee, for dispensation from the provisions in Section 6.2 above on reasons of injury, forfeits by other clubs, forced absence from the district work, or on other reasons considered valid by the Competition Committee. The application must be with the Competition Manager by no later than 1700hrs on the Wednesday prior to the commencement of the Finals Series.
Clubs must indicate the players for whom dispensation is required to play in the grade so selected. Such details must be supplied in writing to the Competition Manager by 1500 hrs on the Monday prior to the match. The Competition Manager will ascertain the eligibility of the players and submit to the Competition Committee by 1700on Tuesday, the names of players who require dispensation to participate in the grades so selected. The Competition Committee may exercise its discretionary power to approve application where failure to be in the run-on team in six (6) matches has been caused by injury or forfeits.

Any further changes in teams (including reserves) must be advised in writing to the Competition Manager by 1000 hrs on the Friday preceding the match. The Competition Manager will rule on the eligibility of the nominated player/s.

Any club contravening any section of this rule or found to have provided false information will be liable to disqualification or suspension for such time as the Competition Committee decides. The club concerned will lose the match for which false information has been supplied or in which an ineligible player took part. The player will be suspended for such time as the Judicial Committee may determine and the Competition Committee will ask the club to show cause why further action, including monetary penalty and/or disqualification from future competition, should not be taken against it by the Management Committee.

7. PROTESTS

i) All protests must be made in writing and signed by either the Club President or Club Secretary.

ii) Protest must be received by the Competition Manager by no later than close of business on the second business day after the alleged breach of the
competition rules.

iii) All protests must specifically nominate the competition rule (by number) under which the breach occurred.

iv) All witness statements must be tendered on a signed statutory declaration form.

v) The decision on the protests shall be determined by the Competition Manager and such decision will be advised to all affected parties by no later than close of business on the second business day after the alleged breach of the competition rules.

vi) The Competition Manager shall determine if a club is guilty of a breach of the competition rules. The Competition Manager will then recommend to the
Competition Committee that penalties shall be imposed. The Competition Committee shall make the determination in this regard.

vii) The Club, if they are not satisfied with this decision on receipt of the decision, has the right to appeal to the QRU’s Judicial Appeals Committee at their discretion. Appeals from the decision of the Competition Committee must be received by the Competition Manager by no later than close of business on the third business day after the decision of the Competition Committee is advised to the relevant Club. The Management Committee and Judicial Appeals Committee shall be entitled to consider the appropriateness of the penalty, having regard to all of the circumstances, and shall have the discretion to vary the penalty if they see fit.

ADDITIONAL LOCAL RULES
FOR UNDER 19 COLTS GRADE

(i)         All Colts games must be played with equal numbers of players on the field at all times, except at times of suspension or send off’s. This applies to training and competition games.

(ii)        A competition game must START with equal numbers of 11 or more players determined by the Club with the fewer numbers available at the start time. The Club with the fewer numbers must field all its available players at the START of the game. If more players arrive after the START of the game then both teams must add players to the field subject to always maintaining equal numbers, except during suspension or send off’s to the maximum up to 15 players per team.

(iii)       If a team has fewer than 11 players available at the start time, they must forfeit but Rule (vi) applies.

(iv)       A competition game which is under way must be forfeited if a team can’t continue to field a minimum of 11 players at any particular time during the game but Rule (vi) applies.

(v)        Should players leave the field during a competition game due to injury and be unable to be replaced within the Laws of the Game, the other team must remove player/s so that the player numbers are always equal.

(vi)       In the event of a forfeit a training game of equal numbers should be conducted to maximize participation.

(vii)      The maintenance of minimum numbers is not to occur by permitting a non-replaced player to remain on or to retake the field.

(viii)     These rules will also apply in the Finals Series.
(iix)      Grade Restrictions: Under 19 Colts grade players (aged 18 years) may play three games of open grade after which they will be become ineligible for further local competition colts fixtures.
These competition rules should be read in conjunction with Under 19 Laws, ARU Pathway Laws and the ARU Policies and Procedures, which form part of the Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby Union Competition Rules.

Reference should be made to the ARU Website Community Rugby Section.

ARU Policy Register

Policy Register of the Australian Rugby Union as of 1 January 2005, includes

• Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Blood Policy
• Code of Conduct
• Anti Doping Policy 
• Declaration of Medication For Use of Prohibited Substances
• Expectations of Behaviour
• Harassment Policy
• Judicial Procedures
• Lighting Criteria
• Two Year Window
• Ninety Minutes Playing Time (Australian Under 19's Laws)
• Minimum Requirements
• Safety Directives
• Pregnancy Policy
• Protocol for Serious Injury

For Full Calendar please click here