Rocky Mountain Rugby Union Club Competition Manual - Senior Clubs
Last Updated: 2021
1. Membership & Registration
All members of Rocky Mountain Rugby are expected to register their club with USA Rugby by either the earliest of either a.) their first match or, b.) the Wednesday before Aspen Ruggerfest. Additionally, every player who is to enter a match played within Rocky Mountain Rugby must be individually registered (“CIPPed”) as a player before stepping on the field and adhere to all USA Rugby deadlines. The deadlines are: April 1 for Divisions 1-3 and the RMR Challenge League; July 1 for competitive 7s; October 15 for WPL. The Mountain League establishes its own registration/transfer deadline, and players may register for social participation (non-league/non-qualifying) at their leisure provided it is before participating. Failure to properly register your club or its members can result in fines, probation, suspension, expulsion, and/or loss of standings points within your competition(s). Please visit usarugby.org to make sure your club and its members are registered. If you have any issues with registration, please contact the USA Rugby Membership Department within normal business hours (8-5 Mountain Time) at 720-263-7475.
At the senior club level, USA Rugby collects $50.00 per player. Additionally, Rocky Mountain collects $65.00 per senior men's player, $25.00 per senior women's player, and $15.00 per affiliate club player. Most individuals will be charged their Rocky Mountain dues upon registration. If a player was not, your club will be contacted with an invoice for this player’s dues at a later date. Women's clubs pay a flat fee on behalf of their players.
All members of Rocky Mountain Rugby are expected to register their club with USA Rugby by either the earliest of either a.) their first match or, b.) the Wednesday before Aspen Ruggerfest. Additionally, every player who is to enter a match played within Rocky Mountain Rugby must be individually registered (“CIPPed”) as a player before stepping on the field and adhere to all USA Rugby deadlines. The deadlines are: April 1 for Divisions 1-3 and the RMR Challenge League; July 1 for competitive 7s; October 15 for WPL. The Mountain League establishes its own registration/transfer deadline, and players may register for social participation (non-league/non-qualifying) at their leisure provided it is before participating. Failure to properly register your club or its members can result in fines, probation, suspension, expulsion, and/or loss of standings points within your competition(s). Please visit usarugby.org to make sure your club and its members are registered. If you have any issues with registration, please contact the USA Rugby Membership Department within normal business hours (8-5 Mountain Time) at 720-263-7475.
At the senior club level, USA Rugby collects $50.00 per player. Additionally, Rocky Mountain collects $65.00 per senior men's player, $25.00 per senior women's player, and $15.00 per affiliate club player. Most individuals will be charged their Rocky Mountain dues upon registration. If a player was not, your club will be contacted with an invoice for this player’s dues at a later date. Women's clubs pay a flat fee on behalf of their players.
2. Competition Structure Overview [this section (only) out of date for 2021; to be updated at a later time]
In 2011, USA Rugby’s Club Strategic Committee (CSC) and USA Rugby’s Competitions Sub-Committee conducted a study of competitions across the United States and other rugby-playing nations. This study concluded that teams did not play enough matches to develop players and teams in a meaningful way. Further, the study concluded that cost was one of the biggest barriers to increasing the number of matches played.
As such, the Competitions Sub-Committee recommended to the CSC a plan to increase the number of matches at the local /regional level. Additionally, a reduction in the number of entrants to national playoff events was seen as a positive way to increase the value of local/regional competitions and spare teams the unnecessary expense of playoff travel if they aren’t even good enough to win their region.
Finally, it was also noted that the national championship structure used to consist of teams from only four unions (Pacific, West, Midwest, and East), so a reduction in playoff entrants would not be a radical departure from previous structures.
Clubs are now positioned into 8 geographic Competitive Regions (CRs) that roughly mirror the former Territorial Unions (TUs). Competition structures will be set by the CRs and administered by Geographic Unions (GUs), which have taken the place of TUs as part of the coinciding union restructuring efforts. Some competitions span across unions in a CR (example: the Northeast Division 1 competition), but many competitions will be within unions (example: New England Division 2). In the Frontier CR, the Frontier group ratifies the decisions made locally by the Rocky Mountain and Mid-America GUs.
Locally, Rocky Mountain Rugby (formerly Eastern Rockies RFU) is no longer a part of the West TU and Eastern Rockies ceased to exist as a local area union (LAU) after the 2013-2014 season. Eastern Rockies was replaced by Rocky Mountain Rugby, which in this case will roughly mirror the old LAU. In other regions of the country, some LAUs combined to form a GU (example: Palmetto & North Carolina merged to form the Carolinas GU) whereas other LAUs have followed the path that Rocky Mountain did (example: the Texas LAU became the Texas GU).
As part of the competition restructure, mandates have been issued by the CSC regarding the number of competitive matches a team must complete prior to the USA Rugby Quarter-Finals (Round of 8).
Champions of the eight CRs will advance to an 8-team playoff divided into two weekends. The first weekend consists of the USA Rugby Quarter-Finals, which are also known as the Western and Eastern Semi-Finals and are held each year the weekend before Memorial Day. The winners of those matches advance to the Western and Eastern Championships, which will also be played during the first weekend of playoffs. The champions from each league then meet for a single match to decide the USA Rugby champion in the first weekend of June.
The champion from Division 2, as well as the champion of Division 3, will advance to the CR playoffs (Frontier Conference Championships) against representatives from the Mid-America GU. The Mid-America GU is comprised of the former Great Plains, Heart of America, Missouri, and Ozark LAUs. This playoff, informally and traditionally known as ‘Westerns,’ will take place in May at a location to be announced.
In 2011, USA Rugby’s Club Strategic Committee (CSC) and USA Rugby’s Competitions Sub-Committee conducted a study of competitions across the United States and other rugby-playing nations. This study concluded that teams did not play enough matches to develop players and teams in a meaningful way. Further, the study concluded that cost was one of the biggest barriers to increasing the number of matches played.
As such, the Competitions Sub-Committee recommended to the CSC a plan to increase the number of matches at the local /regional level. Additionally, a reduction in the number of entrants to national playoff events was seen as a positive way to increase the value of local/regional competitions and spare teams the unnecessary expense of playoff travel if they aren’t even good enough to win their region.
Finally, it was also noted that the national championship structure used to consist of teams from only four unions (Pacific, West, Midwest, and East), so a reduction in playoff entrants would not be a radical departure from previous structures.
Clubs are now positioned into 8 geographic Competitive Regions (CRs) that roughly mirror the former Territorial Unions (TUs). Competition structures will be set by the CRs and administered by Geographic Unions (GUs), which have taken the place of TUs as part of the coinciding union restructuring efforts. Some competitions span across unions in a CR (example: the Northeast Division 1 competition), but many competitions will be within unions (example: New England Division 2). In the Frontier CR, the Frontier group ratifies the decisions made locally by the Rocky Mountain and Mid-America GUs.
Locally, Rocky Mountain Rugby (formerly Eastern Rockies RFU) is no longer a part of the West TU and Eastern Rockies ceased to exist as a local area union (LAU) after the 2013-2014 season. Eastern Rockies was replaced by Rocky Mountain Rugby, which in this case will roughly mirror the old LAU. In other regions of the country, some LAUs combined to form a GU (example: Palmetto & North Carolina merged to form the Carolinas GU) whereas other LAUs have followed the path that Rocky Mountain did (example: the Texas LAU became the Texas GU).
As part of the competition restructure, mandates have been issued by the CSC regarding the number of competitive matches a team must complete prior to the USA Rugby Quarter-Finals (Round of 8).
Champions of the eight CRs will advance to an 8-team playoff divided into two weekends. The first weekend consists of the USA Rugby Quarter-Finals, which are also known as the Western and Eastern Semi-Finals and are held each year the weekend before Memorial Day. The winners of those matches advance to the Western and Eastern Championships, which will also be played during the first weekend of playoffs. The champions from each league then meet for a single match to decide the USA Rugby champion in the first weekend of June.
The champion from Division 2, as well as the champion of Division 3, will advance to the CR playoffs (Frontier Conference Championships) against representatives from the Mid-America GU. The Mid-America GU is comprised of the former Great Plains, Heart of America, Missouri, and Ozark LAUs. This playoff, informally and traditionally known as ‘Westerns,’ will take place in May at a location to be announced.
3. Rocky Mountain Competition Format
Men
-Division 1: There is no Division 1; teams who wish to play at the Division 1 level may petition to enter the Red River Conference (Texas) or Pacific Rugby Premiership, which has already accepted the Glendale D1 program
-Division 2: Each team plays eight matches. The league is double round-robin and there is a championship match in mid-November.
-Division 3: Each team plays six matches. There is a championship match in mid-November.
-Division 4: All Division 2 and Division 3 teams are required to put forth teams for 10s matches.
Women
-Division 1: TBD for 2021-2022
-Division 2: TBD for 2021-2022
Men
-Division 1: There is no Division 1; teams who wish to play at the Division 1 level may petition to enter the Red River Conference (Texas) or Pacific Rugby Premiership, which has already accepted the Glendale D1 program
-Division 2: Each team plays eight matches. The league is double round-robin and there is a championship match in mid-November.
-Division 3: Each team plays six matches. There is a championship match in mid-November.
-Division 4: All Division 2 and Division 3 teams are required to put forth teams for 10s matches.
Women
-Division 1: TBD for 2021-2022
-Division 2: TBD for 2021-2022
4. Standings
-For each win, a team is awarded four standings points (PTS)
-For each draw/tie, a team is awarded two standings points (PTS)
-For each match in which a team scores at least four tries, one standings point (PTS) is awarded as a ‘try bonus’
-For each match in which a team loses by 7 or fewer points, one standings point (PTS) is awarded as a ‘loss bonus’
Standings are arranged by:
-Standings Points (PTS)
-Number of Wins
-Head-to-Head W/L
-Point Differential
-Head-to-Head Point Differential
-Points For
-For each win, a team is awarded four standings points (PTS)
-For each draw/tie, a team is awarded two standings points (PTS)
-For each match in which a team scores at least four tries, one standings point (PTS) is awarded as a ‘try bonus’
-For each match in which a team loses by 7 or fewer points, one standings point (PTS) is awarded as a ‘loss bonus’
Standings are arranged by:
-Standings Points (PTS)
-Number of Wins
-Head-to-Head W/L
-Point Differential
-Head-to-Head Point Differential
-Points For
5. Master Schedule
How is the schedule assembled?
Teams are e-mailed to offer input regarding home pitch availability, blackout dates, committed non-RMR matches/events, existing fixtures, etc. From there, a sheet for each division is set up inside of an Excel document, as is a sheet for each team with multiple sides.
Special requests are entered into the schedule first (for example: Park City requesting double-match away weekends) and teams with multiple sides have their schedules completed to best align the ability of their clubs to play in roughly the same place (same metro area if not same venue) on the same day.
Whenever possible, first and second sides have their competitions paired (e.g. Boulder Rugby vs. Denver Barbarians & Boulder Rugby D4 vs. Denver Barbarians D4). Further, whenever possible, gaps are left to pair sides when only a portion of their clubs were aligned to compete, with a suggestion to schedule friendlies around such fixtures (i.e. Colorado Springs Grizzlies (D3) vs. Boulder Rugby (D2); Colorado Springs D4 vs. Boulder D4 suggested for a friendly second-side match).
Cross-mountain trips (Utah teams versus Colorado teams) are capped at two per Fall and two per Spring for every team in the competition.
When should we play our make-up and/or re-arranged matches?
Fall make-up fixtures are expected to be completed in November.
Spring make-up fixtures are expected to be completed either Easter weekend, on Sundays, or during gaps in March/April (as the schedule permits). Teams with an extraordinary number of make-up matches may have to rearrange fixtures mid-week.
How is the schedule assembled?
Teams are e-mailed to offer input regarding home pitch availability, blackout dates, committed non-RMR matches/events, existing fixtures, etc. From there, a sheet for each division is set up inside of an Excel document, as is a sheet for each team with multiple sides.
Special requests are entered into the schedule first (for example: Park City requesting double-match away weekends) and teams with multiple sides have their schedules completed to best align the ability of their clubs to play in roughly the same place (same metro area if not same venue) on the same day.
Whenever possible, first and second sides have their competitions paired (e.g. Boulder Rugby vs. Denver Barbarians & Boulder Rugby D4 vs. Denver Barbarians D4). Further, whenever possible, gaps are left to pair sides when only a portion of their clubs were aligned to compete, with a suggestion to schedule friendlies around such fixtures (i.e. Colorado Springs Grizzlies (D3) vs. Boulder Rugby (D2); Colorado Springs D4 vs. Boulder D4 suggested for a friendly second-side match).
Cross-mountain trips (Utah teams versus Colorado teams) are capped at two per Fall and two per Spring for every team in the competition.
When should we play our make-up and/or re-arranged matches?
Fall make-up fixtures are expected to be completed in November.
Spring make-up fixtures are expected to be completed either Easter weekend, on Sundays, or during gaps in March/April (as the schedule permits). Teams with an extraordinary number of make-up matches may have to rearrange fixtures mid-week.
6. Adding Friendly Matches to the Schedule
Friendly matches, also known as social matches, are regular occurrences throughout the year for most clubs. Typically, these matches consist of club vs. college, old boys matches, and/or club vs. club in a non-league match setting.
Clubs may schedule as many friendlies as the schedule allows, but should always remember that these matches may need to be cancelled or reschedule when and if a date for a make-up match is necessary. When make-up matches are to occur, please work with the scheduled opposition, the league opposition, and the union to correct any and all dates/times on the schedules.
Remember, you must e-mail your men’s club representative (Erik Geib, [email protected]) to have your friendly matches added to the master schedule. If your friendly matches do not appear on the master schedule, the referee society will not assign a match official(s) to your match.
Friendly matches will also appear in the competition management system [usarugbystats.com] but you will only be required to enter scoring and discipline information for friendly matches. You may elect to enter your roster and/or your opposition’s roster for friendly matches, but this is not required such as in league matches. You are, however, required to give a roster to your opposition and the match official at the pitch when friendly matches occur.
Friendly matches, also known as social matches, are regular occurrences throughout the year for most clubs. Typically, these matches consist of club vs. college, old boys matches, and/or club vs. club in a non-league match setting.
Clubs may schedule as many friendlies as the schedule allows, but should always remember that these matches may need to be cancelled or reschedule when and if a date for a make-up match is necessary. When make-up matches are to occur, please work with the scheduled opposition, the league opposition, and the union to correct any and all dates/times on the schedules.
Remember, you must e-mail your men’s club representative (Erik Geib, [email protected]) to have your friendly matches added to the master schedule. If your friendly matches do not appear on the master schedule, the referee society will not assign a match official(s) to your match.
Friendly matches will also appear in the competition management system [usarugbystats.com] but you will only be required to enter scoring and discipline information for friendly matches. You may elect to enter your roster and/or your opposition’s roster for friendly matches, but this is not required such as in league matches. You are, however, required to give a roster to your opposition and the match official at the pitch when friendly matches occur.
7. Exploratory/Probationary Teams (New Clubs/New Teams)
New clubs and clubs with strong numbers are annually offered the chance to enter a team (or second team) on an ‘exploratory’ or ‘probationary’ basis. The difference in terminology is purely semantic.
Notably, matches for exploratory teams count in separate standings (i.e. they do not count towards the standings that determine entrance to the playoffs). Further, exploratory/probationary teams are not bound by league multi-side eligibility requirements but have been asked to make best efforts to follow them. New clubs should not borrow players from other clubs except in exceptional circumstances (e.g. borrowing players from an opponent on match day, with notice to the union), so as to protect the integrity of the union's existing clubs. The goal of the exploratory/probationary period is to get clubs enough momentum that they’ll be able to follow eligibility regulations without struggle once their exploratory/probationary period is completed. No team that goes through an exploratory/probationary period is guaranteed entry into formal competition. All teams must be evaluated at the end of the season to see if they can maintain competitive play without significant harm to existing clubs, and to determine their divisional level of competitiveness.
If clubs are interested in entering an exploratory/probationary side for next season, they should contact their current Rocky Mountain representatives immediately. Additionally, if you know of a club that is starting up and would like to join our union, please have them contact the union within this competitive cycle to see if they can be on probation during this cycle. Otherwise, they will have to be on probation during the 2019-2020 season.
If you would like to tag your second/third side as an exploratory team for this season, please contact the union immediately to see what friendly fixtures can be considered in advance for completion of exploratory/probationary status.
New clubs and clubs with strong numbers are annually offered the chance to enter a team (or second team) on an ‘exploratory’ or ‘probationary’ basis. The difference in terminology is purely semantic.
Notably, matches for exploratory teams count in separate standings (i.e. they do not count towards the standings that determine entrance to the playoffs). Further, exploratory/probationary teams are not bound by league multi-side eligibility requirements but have been asked to make best efforts to follow them. New clubs should not borrow players from other clubs except in exceptional circumstances (e.g. borrowing players from an opponent on match day, with notice to the union), so as to protect the integrity of the union's existing clubs. The goal of the exploratory/probationary period is to get clubs enough momentum that they’ll be able to follow eligibility regulations without struggle once their exploratory/probationary period is completed. No team that goes through an exploratory/probationary period is guaranteed entry into formal competition. All teams must be evaluated at the end of the season to see if they can maintain competitive play without significant harm to existing clubs, and to determine their divisional level of competitiveness.
If clubs are interested in entering an exploratory/probationary side for next season, they should contact their current Rocky Mountain representatives immediately. Additionally, if you know of a club that is starting up and would like to join our union, please have them contact the union within this competitive cycle to see if they can be on probation during this cycle. Otherwise, they will have to be on probation during the 2019-2020 season.
If you would like to tag your second/third side as an exploratory team for this season, please contact the union immediately to see what friendly fixtures can be considered in advance for completion of exploratory/probationary status.
8. Clubs Fielding Multiple Sides
Clubs fielding multiple sides have additional eligibility regulations per the USA Rugby Eligibility Regulations document. These additional regulations apply only to teams fielding multiple sides on a non-exploratory/probationary status (e.g. does not count Men's Division 4; for 2018-2019, these rules only apply to the Glendale Merlins women's program).
Men's Division IV is not bound to the USA Rugby rules regarding player movement for clubs with multiple sides. However, Division IV was launched with the intent of limiting the amount players 'play down' as close to the USA rules as possible. Teams should endeavor to keep their starters out of D4 games unless absolutely necessary.
Teams with exploratory/probationary second sides are encouraged, but not required, to follow the eligibility regulations for their second side(s).
As clubs will be required to use the competition management system, roster monitoring will take place throughout the season. Additionally, clubs should keep the rosters given to them by their opposition until the end of the season; this ensures that the data entered is an accurate reflection of the roster that takes/took the field for any given match
If you believe a club is failing to follow the eligibility regulations, or not acting in good faith concerning the regulations, you should contact your union representatives immediately. Please do not delay reporting your suspicions until the end of the season and/or wait to see if your complaint ‘matters’ in the larger scheme of things. To the extent possible, inquiries and complaints will be handled as confidentially as possible.
Clubs fielding multiple sides have additional eligibility regulations per the USA Rugby Eligibility Regulations document. These additional regulations apply only to teams fielding multiple sides on a non-exploratory/probationary status (e.g. does not count Men's Division 4; for 2018-2019, these rules only apply to the Glendale Merlins women's program).
Men's Division IV is not bound to the USA Rugby rules regarding player movement for clubs with multiple sides. However, Division IV was launched with the intent of limiting the amount players 'play down' as close to the USA rules as possible. Teams should endeavor to keep their starters out of D4 games unless absolutely necessary.
Teams with exploratory/probationary second sides are encouraged, but not required, to follow the eligibility regulations for their second side(s).
As clubs will be required to use the competition management system, roster monitoring will take place throughout the season. Additionally, clubs should keep the rosters given to them by their opposition until the end of the season; this ensures that the data entered is an accurate reflection of the roster that takes/took the field for any given match
If you believe a club is failing to follow the eligibility regulations, or not acting in good faith concerning the regulations, you should contact your union representatives immediately. Please do not delay reporting your suspicions until the end of the season and/or wait to see if your complaint ‘matters’ in the larger scheme of things. To the extent possible, inquiries and complaints will be handled as confidentially as possible.
9. Matchday Procedures
Rocky Mountain matchday procedures include the following requirements:
-That clubs use the competition management system before and after their match in a timely manner (see Section 10 of this document)
-For home matches, clubs are expected to contact their match official(s) no later than three days prior to a match/event
-Clubs will confirm the pitch location and/or any special venue requirements during this communication
-Clubs may find their assigned match officials in the ‘Schedule’ section of rockymountainrugby.org or rockymountainrefs.com
-Clubs may find contact information for match officials in the ‘Referee Society’ section of rockymountainrugby.org or
rockymountainrefs.com
-For home matches, clubs are expected to contact their visiting opposition no later than three days prior to a match/event
-Clubs will confirm the pitch location, note any special venue requirements, and discuss any kit issues with their opposition during this communication
-Teams are expected to have three copies of their roster for each match played (competitive or not)
-The first copy is given to the match official for record-keeping
-The second copy is given to the opposition for record-keeping
-The third copy is retained by the club for record-keeping
-Rosters should be exchanged and given to the match official no later than 30 minutes prior to kickoff
-If a team wishes to protest a match for any reason (eligibility, field conditions, etc.), they must do so with the head match official (i.e. the center referee, not an AR or sideline official) before the match kicks off
-Protests lodged after kickoff can only result in a forfeiture of points for the opposition; teams that protest during/after a loss may only receive bonus points and are ineligible to receive a win for the protested match
-Teams are required to use a functional scoreboard, as defined by Rocky Mountain Rugby
-Teams are required to adhere to the USA Rugby Sideline Management & Technical Zones document, which was emailed to all clubs prior to the season starting
Rocky Mountain matchday procedures include the following requirements:
-That clubs use the competition management system before and after their match in a timely manner (see Section 10 of this document)
-For home matches, clubs are expected to contact their match official(s) no later than three days prior to a match/event
-Clubs will confirm the pitch location and/or any special venue requirements during this communication
-Clubs may find their assigned match officials in the ‘Schedule’ section of rockymountainrugby.org or rockymountainrefs.com
-Clubs may find contact information for match officials in the ‘Referee Society’ section of rockymountainrugby.org or
rockymountainrefs.com
-For home matches, clubs are expected to contact their visiting opposition no later than three days prior to a match/event
-Clubs will confirm the pitch location, note any special venue requirements, and discuss any kit issues with their opposition during this communication
-Teams are expected to have three copies of their roster for each match played (competitive or not)
-The first copy is given to the match official for record-keeping
-The second copy is given to the opposition for record-keeping
-The third copy is retained by the club for record-keeping
-Rosters should be exchanged and given to the match official no later than 30 minutes prior to kickoff
-If a team wishes to protest a match for any reason (eligibility, field conditions, etc.), they must do so with the head match official (i.e. the center referee, not an AR or sideline official) before the match kicks off
-Protests lodged after kickoff can only result in a forfeiture of points for the opposition; teams that protest during/after a loss may only receive bonus points and are ineligible to receive a win for the protested match
-Teams are required to use a functional scoreboard, as defined by Rocky Mountain Rugby
-Teams are required to adhere to the USA Rugby Sideline Management & Technical Zones document, which was emailed to all clubs prior to the season starting
10. Competition Management System
All clubs within Rocky Mountain Rugby will be required to use the USA Rugby Competition Management System (CMS), which is located at http://usarugbystats.com. As such, clubs will receive an access code to the system, a CMS handbook, and match data collection forms.
Clubs are to input their rosters within 24 hours of a scheduled league/playoff match. If changes are made to the club roster, clubs are expected to notify their opposition before the match is played and note any/all changes on their written/printed roster form.
In Rocky Mountain Rugby, both teams are responsible for collecting & entering the data of the match played. Further, both teams are responsible for verifying data accuracy and submitting their rosters.
Before a team enters match data, it should always verify that the rosters in the CMS are an accurate reflection of the teams that took the field (i.e. corrected for player/number changes).
All clubs within Rocky Mountain Rugby will be required to use the USA Rugby Competition Management System (CMS), which is located at http://usarugbystats.com. As such, clubs will receive an access code to the system, a CMS handbook, and match data collection forms.
Clubs are to input their rosters within 24 hours of a scheduled league/playoff match. If changes are made to the club roster, clubs are expected to notify their opposition before the match is played and note any/all changes on their written/printed roster form.
In Rocky Mountain Rugby, both teams are responsible for collecting & entering the data of the match played. Further, both teams are responsible for verifying data accuracy and submitting their rosters.
Before a team enters match data, it should always verify that the rosters in the CMS are an accurate reflection of the teams that took the field (i.e. corrected for player/number changes).
11. Fines and Penalties
These fines are from Rocky Mountain Rugby only. The Rocky Mountain Rugby Referee Society (RMRRS) may impose additional fines for violation of RMRRS protocols. UPDATED: The imposition of fines is at the discretion of each competition's league commissioner.
Forfeits
1st Unplayed Forfeit: $500 + $0.50 per mile (round-trip distance between clubs’ home fields)
-Teams must contact the union at least 72 hours before their scheduled kickoff if they wish to forfeit in advance. All forfeits within 72 hours of a scheduled kickoff will count as an unplayed forfeit.
-If a team has an unplayed forfeit, that club will be ineligible for the postseason the year of the forfeit (2019-2020).
-Forfeits are entered as 28-0 results with a bonus point to the winning team.
2nd Unplayed Forfeit: $1000 + $0.50 per mile (round-trip distance between clubs’ home fields)
-Teams must contact the union at least 72 hours before their scheduled kickoff if they wish to forfeit in advance. All forfeits within 72 hours of a scheduled kickoff will count as an unplayed forfeit.
-If a team has two unplayed forfeits, that club will be ineligible for the postseason the year of the forfeit and the following year (through 2020-2021). All results for the team will also be turned to 28-0 results for the current season, and they will be removed from the standings.
-Forfeits are entered as 28-0 results with a bonus point to the winning team.
3rd Unplayed Forfeit: $1500 + $0.50 per mile (round-trip distance between clubs’ home fields) OR expulsion from competition
-Teams must contact the union at least 72 hours before their scheduled kickoff if they wish to forfeit in advance. All forfeits within 72 hours of a scheduled kickoff will count as an unplayed forfeit.
-If a team has three unplayed forfeits, that club will be ineligible for the postseason the following two years (through 2021-2022).
-If the club does not pay this fine within 90 days, the club will be kicked out of RMR for no less than 3 years
-Forfeits are entered as 28-0 results with a bonus point to the winning team.
Played Forfeit: No fine.
-Match goes down as 28-0 victory (5 PTS) for winning team.
Second Played Forfeit: No fine.
-The forfeiting team’s entire season schedule is turned to 28-0 victories for all league opposition.
Ineligible Players
Fielding an ineligible player: $100 or $2 per minute played, whichever is greater
-The team with the ineligible player(s) forfeits the match and receives a deduction of 1 league point
-If the match was played under protest, the opposing team receives a bonus point win (5 standings points)
-If the match was not played under protest, the opposing team receives no league points other than bonus points accrued in the match (i.e. if the team scored 4 tries, it still receives a bonus point)
Match Management
Failure to properly report score(s) in a timely manner: $100 per league match
-Timely manner (in this case) is defined as having entered data into the competition management system no later than 12:00 PM (Noon) on the Monday following a match
-If a match occurs on a day between Tuesday and Friday, clubs must enter match results no later than 12:00 PM (Noon) two days after the match (e.g. if a match is played on Wednesday, clubs must submit data by Noon on Friday)
-Clubs will receive one warning per season regarding the entering of match data; failure to enter data within 24 hours of that warning will incur a fine
-If data is not entered within 3 days of a match’s conclusion, $20 will be added to the fine for each day the data is not entered
Failure to properly contact opposition and/or match official in a timely manner for a league match: $100 for one; $150 if both
-Timely manner is defined (in this case) as 3 days prior to a the match (e.g. if a match is to be played on Saturday, teams must contact their opposition and their match official(s) by Wednesday)
Failure to adhere to the USA Rugby Technical Zone Guidelines: $100/match
-Both teams must adhere to the USA Rugby Technical Zone Guidelines for each match in formal competition. Failure to adhere to the technical zone procedures will result in a fine to the offending team(s). It is requested that home teams provide at least one volunteer to help police the technical zone (TZ) at home matches, though failure to provide such a volunteer is not a fineable offense.
Failure to use a functioning scoreboard: $150/match
-Home teams must provide a functioning scoreboard for each of their home matches in formal competition. Scoreboards must be visible for spectators up to 100 meters away and actively operated by an on-site volunteer throughout the match. Examples of union-approved scoreboards include the scoreboards used by the Denver Harlequins and Queen City Rams.
These fines are from Rocky Mountain Rugby only. The Rocky Mountain Rugby Referee Society (RMRRS) may impose additional fines for violation of RMRRS protocols. UPDATED: The imposition of fines is at the discretion of each competition's league commissioner.
Forfeits
1st Unplayed Forfeit: $500 + $0.50 per mile (round-trip distance between clubs’ home fields)
-Teams must contact the union at least 72 hours before their scheduled kickoff if they wish to forfeit in advance. All forfeits within 72 hours of a scheduled kickoff will count as an unplayed forfeit.
-If a team has an unplayed forfeit, that club will be ineligible for the postseason the year of the forfeit (2019-2020).
-Forfeits are entered as 28-0 results with a bonus point to the winning team.
2nd Unplayed Forfeit: $1000 + $0.50 per mile (round-trip distance between clubs’ home fields)
-Teams must contact the union at least 72 hours before their scheduled kickoff if they wish to forfeit in advance. All forfeits within 72 hours of a scheduled kickoff will count as an unplayed forfeit.
-If a team has two unplayed forfeits, that club will be ineligible for the postseason the year of the forfeit and the following year (through 2020-2021). All results for the team will also be turned to 28-0 results for the current season, and they will be removed from the standings.
-Forfeits are entered as 28-0 results with a bonus point to the winning team.
3rd Unplayed Forfeit: $1500 + $0.50 per mile (round-trip distance between clubs’ home fields) OR expulsion from competition
-Teams must contact the union at least 72 hours before their scheduled kickoff if they wish to forfeit in advance. All forfeits within 72 hours of a scheduled kickoff will count as an unplayed forfeit.
-If a team has three unplayed forfeits, that club will be ineligible for the postseason the following two years (through 2021-2022).
-If the club does not pay this fine within 90 days, the club will be kicked out of RMR for no less than 3 years
-Forfeits are entered as 28-0 results with a bonus point to the winning team.
Played Forfeit: No fine.
-Match goes down as 28-0 victory (5 PTS) for winning team.
Second Played Forfeit: No fine.
-The forfeiting team’s entire season schedule is turned to 28-0 victories for all league opposition.
Ineligible Players
Fielding an ineligible player: $100 or $2 per minute played, whichever is greater
-The team with the ineligible player(s) forfeits the match and receives a deduction of 1 league point
-If the match was played under protest, the opposing team receives a bonus point win (5 standings points)
-If the match was not played under protest, the opposing team receives no league points other than bonus points accrued in the match (i.e. if the team scored 4 tries, it still receives a bonus point)
Match Management
Failure to properly report score(s) in a timely manner: $100 per league match
-Timely manner (in this case) is defined as having entered data into the competition management system no later than 12:00 PM (Noon) on the Monday following a match
-If a match occurs on a day between Tuesday and Friday, clubs must enter match results no later than 12:00 PM (Noon) two days after the match (e.g. if a match is played on Wednesday, clubs must submit data by Noon on Friday)
-Clubs will receive one warning per season regarding the entering of match data; failure to enter data within 24 hours of that warning will incur a fine
-If data is not entered within 3 days of a match’s conclusion, $20 will be added to the fine for each day the data is not entered
Failure to properly contact opposition and/or match official in a timely manner for a league match: $100 for one; $150 if both
-Timely manner is defined (in this case) as 3 days prior to a the match (e.g. if a match is to be played on Saturday, teams must contact their opposition and their match official(s) by Wednesday)
Failure to adhere to the USA Rugby Technical Zone Guidelines: $100/match
-Both teams must adhere to the USA Rugby Technical Zone Guidelines for each match in formal competition. Failure to adhere to the technical zone procedures will result in a fine to the offending team(s). It is requested that home teams provide at least one volunteer to help police the technical zone (TZ) at home matches, though failure to provide such a volunteer is not a fineable offense.
Failure to use a functioning scoreboard: $150/match
-Home teams must provide a functioning scoreboard for each of their home matches in formal competition. Scoreboards must be visible for spectators up to 100 meters away and actively operated by an on-site volunteer throughout the match. Examples of union-approved scoreboards include the scoreboards used by the Denver Harlequins and Queen City Rams.
*New for 2018-2019*
Failure to self-report a disciplinary action (yellow/red card; match official abuse; other disciplinary action): 1 additional match added to disciplinary sanction and/or fine between $100/match and $500/match (severity judged by RMR Executive Committee)
-Any card received by a club must be reported using the Match Incident Report Form (http://www.rockymountainrugby.org/submit-a-match-incident.html) and the USA Rugby Competition Management System (usarugbystats.com).
-Any perceived disciplinary failing by a club (old boy shouting at a match official, etc.) should be reported to the Executive Director for the group participating (example: a Men’s Club D2 incident should be emailed to the Men’s Club Rugby Executive Director).
*New for 2018-2019*
Failure to verify identity of players participating: Unplayed forfeit, including fine for unplayed forfeit
-Any player that cannot prove his/her identity shall not participate in a Rocky Mountain Rugby match. Opposing teams have the right to request an identity verification check up to 30 minutes prior to kickoff.
-Match officials are not required to be involved in identity checks; teams must conduct their own identity verification checks with each other.
*New for 2018-2019*
Failure to have a representative arrive at least 30 minutes before scheduled kickoff: Forfeit
-Any team that has been properly notified of a match time and location (should be 3 days before event), and fails to appear at the match location at least 30 minutes before the scheduled kickoff time, shall forfeit the match
-If a late-arriving team is unable to perform an opponent-requested identity verification check prior to kickoff, the match shall be an unplayed forfeit.
*New for 2018-2019*
Unapproved change in kickoff time: Forfeit
-Any team that does not get permission from the union to change its kickoff time from the assigned time will forfeit the match in question.
*New for 2018-2019*
Failure to use CMS-printed (usarugbystats.com) rosters: Forfeit and $100 fine/match
-*All* league matches and Eastern Rockies Cup matches must use rosters printed from usarugbystats.com for the proper corresponding match with properly registered players. Teams are to have 3 copies at kickoff: one for the match official, one for their opposition, and one for their own records.
-Exception: Participants in Men’s Division IV may use the Rocky Mountain Rugby Match Roster Addition(s) Form prior to a Men’s Division IV match as a *supplement* to a completed CMS roster. Participating players using this form must still be registered members of USA Rugby and RMR.
-As a first warning, teams may use screenshots of their roster from the CMS (usarugbystats.com) if texted/emailed to their opposition and the match official at the match site.
-If a team cannot produce a roster at all, they have an unplayed forfeit.
-If a team can produce a roster of some sort and play under protest, the match may be considered a played forfeit.
Failure to self-report a disciplinary action (yellow/red card; match official abuse; other disciplinary action): 1 additional match added to disciplinary sanction and/or fine between $100/match and $500/match (severity judged by RMR Executive Committee)
-Any card received by a club must be reported using the Match Incident Report Form (http://www.rockymountainrugby.org/submit-a-match-incident.html) and the USA Rugby Competition Management System (usarugbystats.com).
-Any perceived disciplinary failing by a club (old boy shouting at a match official, etc.) should be reported to the Executive Director for the group participating (example: a Men’s Club D2 incident should be emailed to the Men’s Club Rugby Executive Director).
*New for 2018-2019*
Failure to verify identity of players participating: Unplayed forfeit, including fine for unplayed forfeit
-Any player that cannot prove his/her identity shall not participate in a Rocky Mountain Rugby match. Opposing teams have the right to request an identity verification check up to 30 minutes prior to kickoff.
-Match officials are not required to be involved in identity checks; teams must conduct their own identity verification checks with each other.
*New for 2018-2019*
Failure to have a representative arrive at least 30 minutes before scheduled kickoff: Forfeit
-Any team that has been properly notified of a match time and location (should be 3 days before event), and fails to appear at the match location at least 30 minutes before the scheduled kickoff time, shall forfeit the match
-If a late-arriving team is unable to perform an opponent-requested identity verification check prior to kickoff, the match shall be an unplayed forfeit.
*New for 2018-2019*
Unapproved change in kickoff time: Forfeit
-Any team that does not get permission from the union to change its kickoff time from the assigned time will forfeit the match in question.
*New for 2018-2019*
Failure to use CMS-printed (usarugbystats.com) rosters: Forfeit and $100 fine/match
-*All* league matches and Eastern Rockies Cup matches must use rosters printed from usarugbystats.com for the proper corresponding match with properly registered players. Teams are to have 3 copies at kickoff: one for the match official, one for their opposition, and one for their own records.
-Exception: Participants in Men’s Division IV may use the Rocky Mountain Rugby Match Roster Addition(s) Form prior to a Men’s Division IV match as a *supplement* to a completed CMS roster. Participating players using this form must still be registered members of USA Rugby and RMR.
-As a first warning, teams may use screenshots of their roster from the CMS (usarugbystats.com) if texted/emailed to their opposition and the match official at the match site.
-If a team cannot produce a roster at all, they have an unplayed forfeit.
-If a team can produce a roster of some sort and play under protest, the match may be considered a played forfeit.
12. Matchday Checklist
Item
Contact the Match Official (Home Team Only) Contact the Opposition (Home Team Only) Enter Roster into the CMS (Both Teams) Print Roster for Opposition (Both Teams) Inspected field for safety/technical issues (Both Teams) Give Copy of Roster to Opposition (Both Teams) Give Copy of Roster to Match Official(s) (Both Teams) Printed copies of Match Tracker / #4 forms (Home Team) Assigned a Match Tracker / #4 for Match Data (Home Team) Verified Match Data w/ Opposition & Ref (Both Teams) Entered Match Data into CMS (Home Team) |
Timeline
At least 3 days prior to match At least 3 days prior to match 24 hours before kickoff Before kickoff Before kickoff Before kickoff Before kickoff Before kickoff Before kickoff After match concludes By Monday at Noon or Noon 2 days after match concludes (whichever is earliest) |
Updated items (red-line) for 2018-2019
Rocky Mountain Rugby - Fines and Fees for 2018-2019.pdf |