Cir 120- 2017
To
Club Presidents , Club Captains, Senior Grade Coaches and Managers, Club Secretaries, U1
Coaches and Managers
From
Ross Dixon
Re
Changes to Combined Competition Regulations – also affects U18
I have set out on separate pages the significant changes and additions to the Combined Div 1
Competition Rules , these will also be reflected in our NCRSU Competition Rules
1. Introduction of Blue Card Concussion regulations including extract JAB Rules .
2. Luisetti Seeds Ltd Combined Div 1 Competition – defaults in play offs,semi finals finals
etc and subsequent penalties .
Please advise if any clarification is required, or any other concerns.
Please also note that ALL 2017 TEAM LISTS are required to be be submitted to NCRSU before
competition play begins for each team. Special note to Div 1 teams, by Friday 24th March.
APPENDIX 1
Blue Card – concussion regulations as provided by NZRU.
2.25 BLUE CARD
The Blue Card system will operate in the Senior and U18 Competition this year.
The Blue Card Concussion Initiative is an “On-Field” process introduced to enhance
player safety and welfare. It enables the referee to initiate a formal process when a
player sustains a head and/or concussion or suspected concussion injury during a
match. If the referee believes a player has been concussed, or suspects a player has
been concussed, the referee must show a Blue Card to that player, and that player
will be required to leave the playing area. This player cannot return and play in that
match.
Further, the player shown a Blue Card should not return to train and must not return
to play in any future match without first meeting the requirements of the return to play
protocol, as set out in Appendix 1.
In situations where a player sustains a head and/or concussion injury at training or
such injury is noticed after a match, team management must adopt normal care and
responsibility for player safety and welfare by implementing the Graduated Return to
Play practices and procedures detailed in Appendix 1..
OFF-FIELD FOLLOW UP PROCESSES/PROCEDURES
REFEREE AND TEAM COACH
Issuing of Blue Card (by Referee) initiates
a) Identification of concussed player on Provincial Union official team sheet.
b) Provincial Union will forward a letter to the Club and player confirming that the
player has been stood down from playing rugby because of a concern
regarding concussion. This letter will outline the procedure to facilitate the
player’s return to training and playing.
c) Provincial Union will enter player and incident details into the Blue Card
Concussion Initiative Player register.
OFF-FIELD FOLLOW UP PROCESSES/PROCEDURES – PLAYER
The issuing of a Blue Card by the Referee initiates implementation of the Graduated
Return to Play (GRTP) outlined in Appendix 1.
The following specific details are noted:
All players suspected of being concussed should not drink alcohol after the game.
It is strongly recommended that a suspected concussed player seek medical
attention within 24 hours.
The player must have completed the return to play requirements as stipulated in the
NZ Rugby – Community Rugby – Returning to Play Following Concussion
Guidelines.
These include:

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Having rested until they have no on-going symptoms; and
Having completed the minimum rest period from playing; and
Having undertaken a Graduated Return to Play Protocol (NZ Rugby DSLV
Law 10.3 (b)); and
Having seen a medical doctor to obtain a clearance to resume playing.
As a Blue Carded player, you must return to play via NZ Rugby’s GRTP
process. This involves a mandatory stand down period. Mandatory Stand
Down Period for Blue Carded Players:
• U19 Players – 23 days
• 19+ Players – 21 days
The player must produce a signed copy of the required Medical Clearance
from a medical doctor.
This must be provided to the Provincial Union office at least 24 hours before
scheduled match in which a return to play is planned.
Your Provincial Union will reimburse you for any non-ACC cost involved in one visit
to a doctor. Please contact your club if you require assistance with this process.
2.25.1 Sanctions for Breaching Blue Card Protocol
Sanction for failing to comply with the Blue Card procedures and playing a player
who is not cleared to play is:
(a) 4 Competition points, plus;
(ii ) A $500 fine for the Club , plus;
(iii ) A misconduct charge may be laid against any team official party to
allowing the breach to occur.
Extract From NCRSU JAB Rules and Regulations.
BLUE CARD
The Blue Card system will operate in the Senior and U18 Competition this year.
For full information please refer to the information contained in 2.25 of the NCRSU
Senior Competition Rules
APPENDIX 11
5.(vii) If a Club defaults a match in the play-off rounds the penalty will be 4
Competition points deducted from their competition points tally in the
local Senior competition being played immediately after the
conclusion of the Luisetti Seeds Combined Country Competition