WRU Women’s Handbook
2014-15
All Women’s Teams,
Welcome to the 2014-15 season for Women’s & Girls Rugby. The previous season
has proved that the Women's game has the potential to create a really positive
future.
Your commitment last season resulted in a 22% increase in the number of
competitive games. Since the last world cup the amount of games played in a
season has risen by 114% and most importantly the amount of clubs participating in
the league/Cup Structure has grown by 58% in the last 5 years. The growth in
competitive games is vital to increase the standard of the players that we have.
Having just come out of the highest profile Women’s Rugby World Cup in history, the
game has never been seen in such a good place globally. The IRB are committed to
a growth in Women’s participation and see 15s and 7s a vital part of their
development strategy.
Looking forward to the next few years Women’s rugby is entering the Olympics in
2016, another World Cup in 2017 and Wales Women’s 7s have the opportunity to
compete in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast.
Women’s rugby will be getting exposure like never before and it is vital as Guardians
of the game the WRU and clubs continue to nurture and foster participation across
the country. Alongside an expanded league programme, a new U18s merit table and
an enthusiastic league management group. The clubs are creating a really fantastic
competition structure that will drive the development of our sport.
Over the next season a number of WRU events will be conducted to bring more
people to the game. Please see attached season Calendar that list all these events.
As clubs you can create your own events to attract people to the game. The WRU
are able to support the promotion of such events via www.wru.co.uk/jointhebeat and
the new Women’s call to action #tryourgame.
Good luck for 2014-15,
Ben Rose
WRU Rugby Development Manager
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Contents
1. Season Structure
2. Calendar of events
3. League Structure
4. League Rules
5. League Variations
6. Protests & Disputes
7. Disciplinary Sanctions
8. Code of Conduct
9. Pre and Post match protocols
10. Player Registration
11. Player Transfers
12. Player Permits
13. Overseas/cross Border Fixtures
14. Scratch & Charity Games
15. Prohibitions
16. Seven-a-Side Competitions
17. Annual Closed Season
18. Funding Opportunities
19. Useful Contacts
20. Club Contacts
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1. Season Structure
Phase 1
7th September to 21st December – Senior league season
Phase 2
28th December to 18th January – Regional programme (ID for
International Programme)
Phase 3
Sunday 25th January to 10th May – Cup Season
Phase 4
May 11th to July 19th – 7-a-side programme
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2. Calendar of Events
3. League structure
Premiership
Llandaff North
Pontyclun
Whitland
Seven Sisters
Skewen
Gwernyfed
Pencoed
Division 1
Caernarfon
Blaenau Gwent
Kidwelly
Maesteg Celtic
Barry
Croesyceiliog
Gorseinon
Division 2
Penallta
Pen-y-Banc
Haverford West
Bargoed
Lampeter
Nantyffyllon
Abergele
Division 3
Abergavenny
Porth Quins
Ynys-y-Bwl
Senghenedd
Bedlinog
Seaview
4. League Rules
1. Description
The Competition will be called “The WRU Women’s National League” (hereinafter
“the League”)
2. Form
The League will be comprised of 5 Divisions:
i. Premiership
ii. Division 1
iii. Division 2
iv. Division 3
v. Under 18’s Merit Table
a. Senior Leagues
i. The Senior League will run between 7th of September 2014 and 21st of
December 2014. All league fixtures must be completed between these dates.
b. Under 18’s League
ii. The League will run between 7th of September 2014 and 5th of April 2015.
ii. Clubs are responsible for organising their own fixtures through the season
and report results to the Competition Secretary.
iii. A Merit Table will be compiled each week with results from Under 18
matches.
iv. After 5th of April 2014, the 4 clubs situated in the top 4 positions of the Merit
Table shall advance to the Semi Finals of the “National Women’s Super Cup”
v. IRB Under 19 Law variations apply to League matches.
vi. Women’s League rules apply to League Matches, with the exception of the
variations listed in chapter 5.c
3. Entry of Conditions
a. Clubs that enter the League must have registered their Women’s team with the
WRU.
b. Clubs participating in the League must comply with:
i. The Rules contained herewith
ii. The Regulations and Resolutions of the WRU
iii. The By Laws, Resolutions and Regulations relating to the Game of the IRB
iv. The Laws of the Game
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4. Responsibilities for Organisation
a. The League will be organised and administered by the Welsh Rugby Union
b. The Welsh Rugby Union shall carry out the organisation and administration of the
League through the appointment of a League Secretary and a League Committee.
c. The League Secretary shall organise the League on a day to day basis.
d. The League Committee, which shall comprise of 1 member from each club, shall
consider matters of policy and settle disputes relating to the rules contained herein
as they arise and shall be representatives of the clubs that play in the Leagues and
be appointed by the WRU annually.
e. When cases of an urgent nature occur the Chairman of the League Committee, in
consultation with the League Secretary, shall have absolute discretion to deal with
these cases whether provided for herein or not. Decisions made by the Chairman
and the League Secretary in such cases shall be binding
5. Eligibility to Participate
a. Clubs
i. The Club to which the team is affiliated must have registered its women’s team
with the WRU before it shall be eligible to play in the League.
b. Players
i. A player will not be eligible to play in the League unless she is registered with the
Club that she is representing in a League match or
ii. She plays in the League on permit for a Club, which permit being granted by the
Club with whom she is registered. See Chapter 12 of the Senior Women’s
Handbook.
iii. A player must be 18 years old to be registered by a Club as a Senior player and
become eligible to play for a Club in a League fixture. The only exception to this strict
rule applies to players who are registered with the National Academy. A National
Academy player may play on permit for a Club while still 17 years old provided that
the player has been given the written approval of her parents and the National
Academy Manager to play for a Club in a League match.
iv. An Under 18’s player must be aged 15, 16 and 17 (school years 11, 12 and 13)
as of 1st September at the start of the season. Players are not permitted to play
senior rugby until their 18th birthday except in the case of players selected for Welsh
under 20s or seniors with the consent of the Performance Manager.
v. Only those players named on the team sheet which the Club has submitted to the
Match Official prior to the match will be eligible to play in a League fixture.
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6. Finance
a. Home teams will retain all gate receipts for League matches.
b. The Away teams will be responsible to meet the costs of their travel to play
League matches.
c. For journeys over 140 miles, the WRU will make a contribution of £350 per journey
made to fulfil League matches.
7. General Rules
a. Fixtures
i. All League fixtures must be played and each Club must complete its programme of
League fixtures.
Except Under 18’s – see 5.c.i
ii. In the event of a League fixture not being played on the due date either because of
postponement, the failure to play the fixture must be reported to the League
Secretary on or before the date of the fixture. When the League Secretary receives a
report he will enquire as to the reason for the non-completion of the fixture. If the
League Secretary deems that a Club was at fault for the non-completion of a fixture,
an automatic sanction of a deduction of 4 league points shall be imposed. If the
sanctioned Club deems this to be inappropriate, they may dispute by following
actions in chapter 6 of the Women’s Handbook.
iii. Where a match has been abandoned, Clubs can mutually agree that a result may
stand and that agreement is endorsed by the League Secretary. If clubs fail to agree
that a result may stand, a committee of Inquiry will be asked to review the match and
decide whether the score is to stand or not.
iv. League matches must be played on the designated dates unless postponed
because of ground or weather conditions or postponed by mutual consent of the
participating Clubs with the prior agreement of the League Secretary, such
agreement to be made at least 3 days before the date of the due fixture.
v. If a League match is due to be postponed because of ground or weather
conditions, every effort must be made to reverse the fixture.
vi. Postponed or abandoned matches must be rearranged and played no later than
21st of December 2014, notice of the agreed rearranged date must be sent by both
Clubs to the League Secretary within 10 days, the League Secretary will set a date
for the new fixture and advise both Clubs accordingly.
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b. Declaration of Winners
i. The winners of a match will be the team that has scored the greater number of
points at the end of the match.
League points will be awarded as follows:Win – 4 points
Draw – 2 points
Loss- 1 point provided that the losing team is within 7 points of the winning team at
the end of the match.
Bonus Point-A team that scores 4 or more tries in a match will gain a bonus point.
Except Under 18’s – See 5.c.ii
c. League Placings
i. Divisional placings will be decided on the basis of League points gained in the
season. Where Clubs have gained an equal number of League points the Club that
has recorded the most wins shall be given preference. If the number of wins is equal
the higher place will be determined by the results between the two Clubs in the
League, the Club that won those two matches, or if the Clubs have won one match
each then the Club with the most points scored in the two matches will take the
higher place. If the Clubs are still equal then the Club with the higher points
for/against ratio will be the higher placed Club. The points for against ratio will be
decided by dividing the points awarded by a Club in the League season by the points
awarded against that Club in a Season
Except Under 18’s – See 5.c.iii
ii. Where games have not been played due to weather conditions etc by the cut off
date then the league will be decided by League Points Ratio by dividing the numbers
of points awarded by the number of games played in order to give average points
per game.
d. Duration of Play
i. Each match will be 80 minutes playing time, that is 40 minutes each half (Laws of
the Game – Law 5.1). At half time an interval of no more that 10 minutes is allowed.
Except in Division 3 – see 5.b.ii, Under 18’s – see 5.c.iv
e. Player Numbers and replacements
i. If a team names 15 players only, there is no requirement to name more than 3
players capable of playing in front row positions.
ii. If a team names 16, 17 or 18 players, 4 must be capable of playing in the front row
i.e. if a team has 1 front row replacement it may name 3 substitutes.
iii. If a team names 19, 20, 21, or 22 players, 5 must be capable of playing in the
front row i.e. if a team has 2 front row replacements it may name 7 replacements.
iv. Front row replacements must be listed on the team sheet prior to the match
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v. If a team has no front row and elects to play uncontested scrums, or has no front
row replacements that team may not play any substitutes.
vi. If a player is substituted, that player must not return to the field of play even to
replace an injured player except as a blood replacement or a front row replacement.
vii. If a referee deems during a match that it is unsafe to continue scrummaging and
calls uncontested scrums, Teams may still use replacements providing front row
cover was available at the beginning of the match.
viii. If a Club elects to playing uncontested scrummages that Club will not forfeit the
match. League matches may start using uncontested scrummages. If a Club elects
to play with uncontested scrummages in 3 successive League matches the WRU will
investigate the availability of suitably trained front row forwards in the club and
recommend ways in which the Club can in future play with contested scrummages.
ix. The team electing to play with non contested scrummages will not be allowed to
use substitutes
f. Match Results
i. The Home Club must advise the League Secretary of the results of a matches
played by telephone or email by 6pm on the day next following a match, in the case
of a Sunday fixture this will be by 6pm on Monday following the fixture.
ii. Both Clubs playing in a match must send the completed results sheet by e-mail or
post to the League Secretary no later than 3 days after a match has been played.
5. League Variations
a. Premiership, Division 1 & Division 2
i. In the event of a team being short of players a match can be played with a
minimum of 12 players in a team. If a League match starts with one team fielding
only 12 players the other team does not have to reduce its numbers from 15 players.
If because of injuries the team that has started with only 12 players is further
reduced in number the match may continue provided that that team can maintain a
front row and second row even if it has elected to play with uncontested
scrummages.
ii. Coaches must agree, within reason and with consent of the referee, to the format
of the game prior to kick off.
iii. Signed team sheets to be handed to the referee prior to the game and the
referee’s decision is final. All disputes are to be brought to the attention of the league
secretary.
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b. Division 3
i. League matches can be played with reduced numbers (minimum 10 a side) with
teams matching numbers at the start of the fixture. There is no requirement to further
match numbers due to injury, suspension or sending off.
ii. When league fixtures are played with 14, 13 or 12 players, time is reduced to 35
minutes each way, or is played with 11 or 10 players time is reduced to 30 minutes
each way.
iii. Teams must inform opposition at the soonest possible time, if they are likely to
begin a match with less than 15 players.
iv. Coaches must agree, within reason and with consent of the referee, to the format
of the game prior to kick off.
v. Signed team sheets to be handed to the referee prior to the game and the
referee’s decision is final. All disputes are to be brought to the attention of the league
secretary.
c. Under 18’s Merit Table
i. Clubs are responsible for arranging their own fixtures.
ii. The winners of a match will be the team that has scored the greater number of
points at the end of the match.
League points will be awarded as follows:Win
Draw
Loss
– 3 points
– 2 points
- 1 point
iii. Merit Table placings will be decided on the basis of League points gained in the
season. Where Clubs have gained an equal number of League points the Club that
has recorded the higher points for/against ratio will be the higher placed Club. The
points for/against ratio will be decided by dividing the points score by a Club in the
League season by the points scored against that Club in a Season
iv. Each match will be 70 minutes playing time, that is 35 minutes each half (Laws of
the Game – Law 5.1). At half time an interval of no more that 10 minutes is allowed.
v. League matches may be played with reduced numbers (minimum 10 a side) with
teams matching numbers at the start of the fixture. There is no requirement to further
match numbers due to injury, suspension or sending off.
vi. When league fixtures are played with 14, 13 or 12 players time is reduced to 30
minutes each way, or is played with 11 or 10 players time is reduced to 25 minutes
each way.
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vii. Teams must inform opposition at the soonest possible time, if they are likely to
begin a match with less than 15 players.
viii. Coaches must agree, within reason and with consent of the referee, to the format
of the game prior to kick off.
ix. Signed team sheets to be handed to the referee prior to the game and the
referee’s decision is final. All disputes are to be brought to the attention of the league
secretary
x. In the event of a club gaining a points lead over it’s opponent club of 50 points the
match shall stop at that time with the club that has a lead of 50 points being declared
the winner.
6. Protests and Disputes
a. Protests and Disputes
Protests or disputes in respect of League matches whether provided for within this
set of rules or not must be brought to the attention of the League Secretary within 24
hours of the match and confirmed in writing to the League Secretary within 48 hours
of the match. A Committee of Inquiry will be convened to consider each such protest
or dispute within 7 days of receipt by the League Secretary of the complaint.
The Committee of Inquiry will comprise officers from three clubs selected at random
in the division not directly involved in the match which is the subject of the dispute.
b. Penalties and Sanctions
The League Committee shall in cases where it finds a Club in default of the rules
herein have authority to impose sanctions upon a Club. The range of the available
sanctions shall be:i. The deduction of League Points from Club’s total, the norm being the deduction of
4 points
ii. The imposition of a fine
iii. The suspension of a Club
iv. Expunging a Club’s playing record for the season
c. Appeals
A Club shall have the right to appeal to the WRU’s Regulatory Committee appointed
by the WRU Board of Directors against a decision of the League Committee
provided that the appeal is made in writing, addressed to the League Secretary
accompanied be a cheque for £100 made payable to the WRU and received by the
League Secretary WRU no more than 14 days after the decision made by the
League Committee is delivered to a Club
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7. Disciplinary Sanctions
All WRU Disciplinary sanctions apply (see WRU handbook). In summary, players
who are sent off in Club matches in Wales will be allowed to continue playing until
their case is dealt with by the WRU Disciplinary Panel.
On receipt of the referees report, the Club will be notified by the WRU of the
forthcoming hearing and the options available to the player. These are: do nothing
and accept the sanction; send in an account of the incident for consideration; request
a personal hearing. Should a player request a personal hearing for a red or yellow
card offence, this request must be made in writing to the Disciplinary Officer at the
WRU within 7 days of receipt of the Disciplinary Notice. A cheque for £100 made
payable to the WRU Ltd is to accompany the request. This fee will be retained
should the personal hearing prove unsuccessful.
The player and Club representative must attend the hearing unless directed
otherwise. Whenever possible, the match referee should also attend the hearing.
If a player does not request a personal hearing the Disciplinary Panel will proceed to
deal with the Misconduct specified in the Disciplinary Notice in the absence of the
player.
Whilst each case will be dealt with on its merits, the WRU will apply the IRB list of
recommended sanctions for offences within the playing enclosure. The list of
sanctions can be found in the WRU handbook.
Players who are sin binned on three occasions during the season will be suspended
for one week following notification from the WRU.
If a player is issued with two yellow cards for technical offences in any one match,
this will constitute a red card and the player will complete a two week suspension.
In cases where one yellow card is issued for a technical offence and a second is
issued for foul play, this will constitute being awarded a red card and the appropriate
sanction will be determined by the Disciplinary Panel.
To ensure these sanctions are applied, please ensure all red and yellow cards are
shown for both teams on the Match Details and Results Form.
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8. Codes of Conduct
For breaches of the Codes of Conduct the WRU Disciplinary Panel may impose
such penalties as it deems appropriate but subject to the provision of Articles 14
to 17 of the Union’s Memorandum and Articles of Association. In the 2010/2011
season where a breach of the Codes of Conduct is proved the Disciplinary Panel
will generally penalise by the imposition of a fine.
The person submitting a Code of Conduct Report will be requested to attend a
meeting of the Disciplinary Panel. If they do not attend the Panel may proceed to
a decision in their absence.
The Codes of Conduct and the Protocol for the Game are as follows:Code of Conduct for Players
1. Players shall accept and observe the authority and decisions of referees, touch
judges, match officials and all other rugby Disciplinary bodies, subject to IRB
Regulation 17 and shall not use crude or abusive language or gestures towards
referees, touch judges, other match officials or spectators.
2. Players shall not abuse, threaten or intimidate a referee, touch judge or other
match official, whether on or off the field of play.
3. Players shall not publish or cause to be published or make any public criticism
of any match official or any other Team Manager, Club Official or any player, or
employee of their or another Club, but will have recourse to the complaints
procedure of the Union and which procedure should be adhered to.
4. Players shall not publish or cause to be published criticism of the manner in
which the Disciplinary Panel handled or resolved any dispute or disciplinary
matter arising from a breach of the Bye Laws, Regulations or Laws of the
Game.
5. Players shall not do anything which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult,
humiliate or discriminate against any other person on the ground of their
religion, race, colour or national or ethnic origin.
6. Players shall conduct themselves at all times in an ethical and professional
manner and shall observe the highest standards of integrity and fair dealing
and shall not engage in any conduct or activity on or off the field that may
impair public confidence in the honest and orderly Conduct of a Match.
7. Players shall not commit an anti doping rule violation as defined in IRB
Regulation 21.
8. Players shall promote the reputation of the game of Rugby Union Football and
take all possible steps to prevent it being brought into disrepute.
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Code of Conduct for Coaches/Team Managers/Club Officials
1. Coaches/Team Managers/Club Officials shall comply with the Laws of the
Game, the Regulations of the IRB, the regulations of the WRU, the Rules of
any Competition in which their club participates and their Club rules.
Coaches/Team Managers/Club officials shall not encourage or incite any
person (including other employees of their Club) to act in breach of the same
but shall take all possible steps to ensure that they comply with them.
2. Coaches/Team Managers/Club officials shall use best endeavours to ensure
that there is in force at their Club a fair and effective disciplinary policy
applicable to players and other employees under their control and that it is
applied consistently.
3. Coaches/Team Managers/Club Officials shall take all reasonable steps to
ensure that Players and/or other employees under their control accept and
observe the authority and decisions of match officials.
4. Coaches/Team Managers/Club Officials shall not publish or cause to be
published or make any public criticism of any match official or any other Coach,
Team Manager, Club Official or any Player, and/or employee of their or another
Club but will have recourse to the complaints procedure of the Union and which
procedure should be adhered to.
5. Coaches/Team Managers/Club Officials shall conduct themselves at all times in
an ethical and professional manner and shall observe the highest standards of
integrity and fair dealing.
6. Coaches/Team Managers/Club Officials shall take all possible steps to promote
the reputation of the game of Rugby Union Football and to prevent it being
brought into disrepute.
7. Coaches/Team Managers/Club Officials shall not:
a) Abuse, threaten or intimidate a referee, touch judge or other match official,
whether on or off the field.
b) Use crude or abusive language or gestures towards the referees, touch
judges or other match officials or spectators.
c) Do anything which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult, humiliate or
discriminate against any other person on the ground of their religion, race,
colour or national or ethnic origin.
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Code of Conduct for Match Officials
1. Match officials shall not make any public criticism of any other match official or
any Team Manager, Club Official or player of any Club, but they will have
recourse to the complaints procedure of the Union and which procedure should
be adhered to.
2. Match officials shall conduct themselves at all times in an ethical and
professional manner and shall observe the highest standards of integrity and
fair dealing.
3. Match officials shall take all possible steps to promote the reputation of the
game of Rugby Union Football and to prevent it being brought into disrepute.
4. Match officials shall attain, and subsequently maintain, a level of fitness to the
standards set by the WRU.
5. Match officials will endeavour to apply the Laws of the Game fairly and to an
agreed interpretation as specified by the WRU and to provide the style of play
as determined by the WRU.
6. Match officials must wear the agreed kit and adhere to any sponsorship
agreement as determined by the WRU.
7. Match officials are expected to attend disciplinary hearings involving them
personally whenever possible. The reason for non attendance must be given to
the WRU’s administration department in advance of the hearing.
8. Match officials are expected, whenever practicable, to attend all training
sessions arranged by the Manager of Match Officials. The same would apply
should these training sessions be incorporated into monthly District Match
Official meetings.
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9. Pre & Post match Protocols
(To be read in conjunction with the WRU Handbook)
Before the Game
1 week
1. Home team to confirm forthcoming fixture with away team by phone.
2. Referees for all scheduled senior fixtures (league, cup and plate) and under
18s league fixtures are to be appointed by the WRU regional appointment
secretaries who will be issued with the seasons’ fixture list and club contacts.
Referees are appointed on a weekly basis and clubs will be notified of the
appointment.
3. The home team are responsible for organising the referee for friendly fixtures.
Minimum requirement is a Level 2 referee for senior matches.
4. The home team are responsible for organising their own referee for pre-season
friendlies and 7s tournaments. The referee appointment secretary should be
notified who is refereeing.
Thursday (before a Sunday fixture)
5. Clubs are responsible for notifying the match officials of the date, venue, kickoff
time and team colours at least 72 hours before the game.
6. If a Club is unable to field a team, the opposition should be informed by phone
no later than 9.00pm on the Thursday prior to the fixture.
7. Teams should also notify the opposition of the number of players they will be
able to field, any permit players and whether the match will start with contested
scrums.
Match Day
8. If the pitch is unplayable on the match day and no alternative venue can be
found, the home team must contact the away team and the referee by phone
no less than 4 hours prior to the scheduled kickoff. If possible the fixture should
be reversed.
Match officials will arrive at the ground at least 60 minutes before kickoff and
Clubs should make their arrangements based on this. Failure to notify a match
official of a postponement may result in the home club having to reimburse the
referee’s travel costs.
9. Clubs are responsible for the safety of match officials during the time they are
at the club in question. Where possible a referee liaison officer should be
appointed by the home Club to be responsible for match officials.
10. Match officials will be available up to 30 minutes prior to kickoff to Club captains
and coaches for discussions regarding laws, kit, etc.
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11. Access to the match officials dressing room is restricted to persons who have a
legitimate reason for seeing them and then only with the express consent of the
referee.
12. Teams will submit their team sheets (Appendix B: Match Details and Results
Form) to the match official before taking the field indicating replacement front
row players. Once this has been submitted, no changes should be made
without the permission of the match official.
13. The team sheet must identify permit players and their parent club.
14. The match official will ensure that the two captains are available to toss up prior
to taking the field before kickoff. Stud and padding inspection will take place
immediately following the toss up.
15. The match balls should be available for inspection by the match officials a
minimum of 15 minutes prior to kickoff.
16. The Home Club shall be responsible for ensuring that the playing
area/enclosure is fit to play on and is free of all materials/substances that would
prevent the game starting at the allocated time e.g. broken glass, animal
droppings etc.
17. The playing enclosure must be roped off.
During the Game
18. Clubs must restrict entry to the playing enclosure to all but players, match
officials, ball boys, replacements when required, two coaches, two water
carriers and two medical support staff.
19. Coaching staff must remain within the confines of their own 10m line and the
half way line or take up a position behind the posts within the playing enclosure
throughout the match. At no time will they be allowed to move along the
touchline. Medical staff will be allowed to enter the playing enclosure to treat
injured players or to supply drinks in the agreed manner. Replacements will
only be allowed to enter the playing enclosure when warming up and also when
nominated to participate in the match.
20. Where possible, Clubs will provide an area clearly indicated for medical support
personnel and coaches and a seated area for replacements on the same side
of the ground, where applicable under the control of the fourth match official.
21. Replacements must remain seated outside the playing enclosure at all
times during the match unless they are warming up in the agreed area or
going into the playing area as a replacement. Where no seating is available
replacements must still remain outside the playing enclosure.
22. Prior to kick off, depending on the ground, an agreed warm up area will be
designated following consultation between the Clubs and match officials.
23. Replacements will only enter the field of play at the half way line after the player
being replaced has left the field. Replacements will only be allowed during a
stoppage of play and when the match official has clearly signalled the
replacement.
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24. Drinks will be permitted during a stoppage in play. Drinks must not be taken
on following the awarding of a penalty.
25. Throughout the game, Clubs must ensure that spectators are not allowed to
molest or otherwise attempt to interfere with or intimidate or verbally/physically
abuse match officials (see Article 15 regarding available sanctions).
26. Where match officials leave the field at half time, Clubs must ensure that there
is no entry to their dressing room during that period by any player, Coach,
administrator or spectator.
After the Game
27. At the end of the game Clubs should ensure that match officials are not
harassed by players, coaches, Club officials or spectators and are escorted
safely to their dressing room.
28. There should be no unauthorised entry to the match officials’ dressing room
area after the end of the match. Players, coaches and Club officials should not
attempt to enter this area unless with the express permission of the match
officials.
29. Clubs are responsible for ensuring that match officials leave the Clubhouse and
ground safely without any harassment from players, coaches, Club officials or
spectators.
30. Payment of the match official will be made by the Club and claimed back on the
form provided to the Club, in two instalments, the end of December and the end
of the season.
31. The home team is expected to provide after match food for the opposition and
the referee.
32. The Match Details and Results form must be submitted for all fixtures,
including league, cup and friendly fixtures.
33. The referee completes the final score and any red or yellow cards and signs the
form. If a match starts or becomes uncontested the time and reason must also
be stated by the match official on the form.
34. The team captains/managers add individual’s scores.
35. The form must be signed by an official of each Club and the match official and
be sent to League Secretary by the home team by email or fax within 3 days of
the match. The League Secretary must also be notified of the result by phone,
text or email by 6pm of the day after the fixture.
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10.
Player Registration
Teams are to register their intention to play at specific age groups by 1 st July for the coming
season and as soon as possible where new teams are created.
No player may represent a club in any fixture, league, cup or friendly, unless she is one of
the registered playing members of that Club or has been granted a permit to play for that
Club. A registered player is one who has signed the appropriate union registration form and
has been duly registered with the union.
All players must complete a Player Registration and Transfer Form, which must be signed
on behalf of the Club and returned to Deborah Nicholas at the WRU. Only on receipt of the
form will the registration be processed. A letter will be sent confirming the registration and
player ID number.
The deadline for receipt of a registration form to allow a player to play on a Sunday is noon
on the Friday prior to the fixture.
Player registrations will automatically move from under 15s to under 18s but players must reregister for senior rugby.
Team managers will be requested to update the registration list annually. Players who are
de-registered become free agents and can re-register with another Club without the formality
of transfer.
IRB Regulation 4 prohibits players being registered with more than one union simultaneously
except for students and members of the armed services.
Application form for Duel Registration can be found on line.
11.
Player Transfers
For a player to be transferred from one club (current club) to another (new club) a Player
Registration and Transfer Form must be completed and signed by the player and both Clubs
and sent to the WRU. If the transfer form is signed by the current club the transfer will take
immediate effective with the deadline being noon on the Friday for a Sunday fixture.
If the Transfer Form has not been signed by the current club the transfer will take place after
seven days providing that the new club notifies the old club and the WRU of the transfer in
writing or by other verifiable method e.g. fax, email, recorded post.
The registration and transfer deadline is 31st January with the exception of new players not
previously registered to the Union, transfers due to permanent residential relocation or if the
player was deregistered in a previous season or the team disbands or a player reaches the
age of 18.
In order to register a player transferring from another union the following documents must be
sent to the WRU (Deborah Nicholas).
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12.
Player Permits
A permit is required to allow a player to play for a Club other than the Club with which the
player is registered. Permits must be sought for each match in which a player plays.
a. The permit must be in writing from the Club granting it and lodged by the club given the
permit with the League Secretary before the match in which the player plays.
b. In any one League match a Club may use no more than 4 players on permit.
c. There will be no permits allowed from Clubs outside of Wales.
d. Players may only permit to Clubs in their own league, leagues above their own or the
league below their own. Players may not permit 2 leagues below their own.
e. International players may only permit in their own league or league above their own.
International players are those that have been named in the 6 Nations or World Cup squad
during the last 12 months.
f. Clubs may only begin a match with permit players if the Club has less that 15 of its own
registered players. A permit may not begin a match before a registered player. If a Club has
15 fit registered players it will only be able to use players on permit as replacements or if
those permit players provide cover in specialist front row positions.
13.
Overseas/Cross Border Fixtures
No Club shall be permitted to play against a National Team or a Club of another union
without the consent of the Board.
Applications for consent to play overseas or cross border fixtures, either home or away must
be made in writing/email to Martyn Rees [email protected] (seniors). Applications must be
made 6 weeks in advance giving full details of the matches to be played and that in the case
of away fixtures the club has consent from its home union. The usual match details and
results form should be submitted after the fixture.
14.
Scratch & Charity Games
No club shall be permitted to organise or play in any match staged for a special or charitable
purpose in which both teams are “scratch teams” or between clubs without first obtaining
written consent of the Board. Requests should be sent in writing/email to Martyn Rees
[email protected]
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15.
Prohibition
No Club or player shall knowing play in any match with any suspended players.
No Club or player shall accept invitations to play in games organised for charitable or other
special purposes, staged anywhere outside of Wales, without the prior permission of the
Board. Requests should be sent in writing/email to Martyn Rees [email protected]
16.
7-a-Side Competitions
No Club or person in a Club shall be permitted to arrange a seven-a-side competition without
first obtaining the written consent of the Board. Requests should be sent in writing/email to
Martyn Rees [email protected]
No Club team can play in a seven-a-side competition in Wales which has not first been
approved by the Board.
17.
Annual Closed Season
The playing of Rugby Union between the dates of 1st June and 31st July inclusive (closed
season) is prohibited except when club trial games take place, Board approved seven-a-side
or special rugby events take place or overseas tours are arranged and approved.
18.
Funding Opportunities
1. If your women’s section has a separate bank account they can apply to Sport Wales for
Community Chest funding. This funding is up to £1500 a year for things such as Coach
Education, First Aid training, Referee courses and training equipment. Further information
can be found at http://www.sportwales.org.uk/funding--support.aspx
2. Join the Beat – The WRU have a legacy programme by which clubs can apply for
marketing assistance for Recruitment Events. Clubs can register their event at
www.wru.co.uk/jointhebeat and receive a banner, posters, fliers, T shirts for volunteers and
give aways such as pens, key rings, balls etc.
3. WRU Recruitment Funding – this fund is available for other volunteer recruitment and
training events that may not fit under the guise of Join the Beat or in support of a Join the
Beat event where additional funding is required.
For more information on available funding and support contact [email protected]
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19.
Useful Contacts
Ben Rose
WRU Regional Development
Manager
[email protected]
07584 488298
Deborah Nicholas
Rugby Operations Administrator
[email protected]
02920 822404
Paul Adams
Match Officials Community
Development Officer
[email protected]
02920 822420
Ade Howell
Competition Secretary
[email protected]
07533 821530
01639 701290
Martyn Rees
Regulations and Protocol
[email protected]
Referee Appointment Officers
Blues
Gwyn Bowden
[email protected]
07790 689959
02920 409851
Gogledd Cymru
Mervyn Picton
[email protected]
07971 594871
01745 332959
Scarlets
Bryan Phillips
[email protected]
07970 966594
01267 23159
20.
Dragons
Dai Williams
[email protected]
07977 990337
01291 430710
Ospreys
Kevin Hawkins
[email protected]
07585 837543
01656 871494
Club Contacts
See the #tryourgame page on the WRU website for an up to date list of all club
contacts.
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