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Lead: Neil Bibby
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Rules and Guidance for D&W Age Grade Competitions 2024-25
Introduction and Principles
Age Grade Competitions in Dorset & Wilts are organised by the Age Grade Department working through the Competitions Committee. They are player focussed with the aim being to support the development and retention of players.
There is an assumption that Coaches & Managers can be trusted to show common sense and approach these competitions in a fair and reasonable manner with clubs working collaboratively and flexibly within the spirit and letter of the cut down rules and guidance we are now providing.
It is expected that Clubs will be determined to get games played and in doing this will be as flexible and creative as possible with a willingness to overcome difficulties. Cancellation should only ever be the very last resort.
The Age Grade Playing Calendar is designed to avoid clashes with the PDG activities where possible, and also education needs, especially for U16 group.
There are some rules which have to be followed, mainly those that stem from RFU Regulations, and when referring to these we will use the word ‘must’. If these are ignored, then a sanction is likely to be imposed by the Competition Organiser or the matter referred to the Disciplinary Committee.
We will sometimes use the word ‘expected’. In these situations, Clubs should normally follow the rule or guidance but if there are extenuating circumstances these can be discussed with the Competition Organiser.
If the Competition Organiser discovers that such a rule is not being followed, they will normally initiate the conversation with the Club and only if the breach continues will a sanction be applied.
We will sometimes use the word ‘encourage’ when we would like Clubs to follow something we regard as good practice, and which may become a requirement in future seasons.
Player Eligibility
To play in any of these competitions’ players must be registered to the club they are representing (or one of the clubs involved if it is a combined team) and assigned to the team on GMS accept that players may be borrowed from the opposing team for a particular game to allow that game to go ahead.
Players must only play in their own Age Grade unless all the necessary procedure described in RFU Regulation 15 have been followed. Please not that combining Under 16 teams on block with Under 18s is not allowed but playing up or down in accordance with Regulation 15 is still permitted as long as the necessary conditions are met. This is done for individual players and is the exception rather than the norm. It must not be used to combine teams ‘by the back door’. All playing out of age grade approvals must be submitted on the Smartsheets forms which are automatically recorded by CB and RFU and players assigned to the new age grade team.
Fixtures
Other than Knock Out Finals and the U12 to U13 Waterfall Festivals all fixture dates are PLAY BY DATES and other dates can be used by agreement between Clubs. If agreement cannot be reached the default is the given date. The kick of time is determined by the home Club.
If a game is rescheduled for a date before the play by date the Competition Manager must be informed. If Clubs wish to arrange a date later than the play by date then the agreement of the Competition Manager must be obtained in advance. Note: This is unlikely to be approved except for exceptional circumstances – Usually pitch condition, see below.
If a game has to be postponed due to bad weather or ground conditions the default date becomes the next available Sunday where there is not a clash with County training or matches. If Clubs wish to play on a later date, they require the permission of the Competition Organiser.
If conditions are doubtful the home team are expected to arrange an inspection early enough to avoid the away team travelling unnecessarily.
Referees
The Referee’s Society is notified automatically, through GMS and WhostheRef, of Competition Fixtures and asked to appoint referees to as many games as possible.
All Clubs have one or more Referee Contacts registered with the Society who receive notification of all appointments. They can also log onto WhostheRef to check whether a referee has been appointed.
Competition Managers do not have access to information about referee appointments.
Where a society referee cannot be appointed it is responsibility of the home club to appoint the most appropriate referee they can.
- Ideally the referee appointed will be qualified but they must at a minimum have the competence and experience to referee the game safely and fairly.
- Ideally the referee appointed should be neutral – ie not from either club.
- If this is not possible than the next best option is to use a home club referee who normally works with a different group.
- If it is necessary to have a referee from within the group playing, then the home club is expected to invite the away club to referee half the game if they wish and have a suitable referee present.
- If the home club is unable to find a suitable referee the away club should be asked to do so.
Results
To avoid any confusion the Lead Coaches or Managers of both teams are encouraged to ask the referee to confirm the result at the end of the game. The referee’s decision is final.
All our competitions MUST now use Electronic Match Cards. All participating teams should ensure they have a match card administrator role holder. Results must be submitted on the EMC by midnight on the day of the game. Events are encouraged to be used to credit reserves with playing and prove half game rule.
Duration of Matches
The duration of matches will normally be the maximum time laid down for the Age Grade in Regulation 15.
Colts & Under 16s – 35 minutes each way, Under 15s & U14s – 30 minutes each way
No additional time can be played other than time added on for injury stoppages.
From Colts down to Under 14 a game shall finish when the points difference reaches or passes 50 Points
Those shall be deemed the finals scores for competition purposes and play can only continue if substantial adjustments (swapping players etc) are made in order to make it more balanced.
Expected & Minimum Numbers of Players
The expected numbers to play at each Age Grade and the minimum numbers required for a game to start or continue as part of the competition are given below.
If at least one team is unable to field sufficient players, the side with the greater number of players must either lend players or reduce their numbers so both sides have the same. Teams are encouraged to lend and accept the loan of players but are not obliged to do so. The numbers on each side do not have to be equalised following a yellow or red card.
If the numbers available at the start or at any point during the game drop below the minimum teams are encouraged to play some form of friendly rather than cancel a game. If a friendly is played for competition scoring purposes the game will be awarded with maximum points and score difference to the side that has the necessary number of players, but the other side will still receive their point as if they had lost a competition game.
If no game of any sort takes place this should be reported to the Competition Manager who will determine how the result will be recorded. A walkover will only be awarded if the side that is able to play has made every effort to help the game to take place.
Otherwise, the game may be declared null with no points awarded to either side or a 0-0 draw recorded depending on the circumstances. Clubs may not claim or concede walkovers without the agreement of the Competition Manager,
Colts through to Under 15 per side expected with 10 per side minimum for competition purposes.
Front Row
From Colts to Under 15, whenever possible teams are expected to include a trained and experienced front row and replacement(s). If this is not possible games may start or continue with uncontested scrums and the result will still count for competition purposes.
Match Day Squads
Unless agreed between the two Clubs or with the Competition Manager the maximum size of Match Day Squad will be:
Under 14 through to Colts – 22;
‘Rolling substitutions’ are permitted in all our Age Grade competitions and there is no restriction on the number of ‘rotations’.
Use of All Registered Players
The aim is to encourage participation. While it is still viewed as good practice to share competition experience widely across the players in large squads there is now no requirement that each player plays in a specific number of games. This method of sharing game time has been replaced by the Half Game Rule.
Half Game Rule
Teams in all levels of Age Grade Rugby are required by the RFU to implement the Half Game Rule (see RFU Reg 15.12). Using the premise that we trust coaches unless and until they prove otherwise this will initially be self-policed. If justified concerns are raised that this trust is being abused Competition Organisers would have to impose a more onerous logging system on the team involved. Deliberate abuse of this rule would be regarded as a serious breach of discipline.
Scoring in Groups and Leagues
In leagues, the scoring system will be:
Win 5pts
Draw 3pts
Lose 1pt (as long as game is played as a competition game)
Try Bonus 1pt (four or more tries scored)
Lose Bonus 1pt (lose by seven or less points)
Walkover 6pts and score of 20-0 (4 tries to nil)
The default score for a walkover is 20-0 (4 tries to nil) for Colts and Youth although Competition Managers may adjust this result depending whether or not both sides have made every reasonable effort to keep the game on.
Splitting Ties in Groups or Leagues
If teams are finish level in a table, the order will be decided by:
- The team with greater overall difference between points scored and points conceded in all games.
- The team scoring the higher total number of points in all games.
- The team scoring the higher total number of tries in all games.
- The result (or aggregate result in leagues which play home and away) between the tied teams.
Drawn games in Knock Out Competitions
No extra time (other than time added on for injury stoppages) is played.
- The winner is the team scoring the more tries
- The winner is the team scoring the more penalty kicks
- The winner is the team that scored the first try
- The winner is the team that scored first
- If there is no score the away team shall be declared the winner
Matters not covered, disputes and appeals
Matters not fully covered by these rules will be decided by the overall Competitions Organiser where necessary in conjunction with the Forum Chairs. Unless changed in these rules’ decisions will normally be based on previous rules and practice.
Disputes will be resolved initially by the Managers of individual competitions who may refer them to the overall Competitions Organiser.
Any disciplinary issues will be passed on to the Youth & Schools Discipline Officer.
Any appeals against decisions of the Competitions Organiser will be considered by a sub-group set up for that purpose.
Under 12 to Under 13 Waterfalls
These will be played under RFU guidance. The RFU provides layouts for these types of events which have to be played on a single day.
Team size and structure will follow that guidance and will be promulgated to participating teams by the volunteers running those events. These will be run as Wiltshire and Dorset separate competitions with perpetual shield awarded along with a keepsake to each. No Dorset and Wiltshire play off will be organised by Dorset and Wilts RFU.
Version 24/3 dated 31 May 2024