ACTJRU & ARU Policies

AGED COMPETITION
All ACTJRU players compete in an under age competition and as such all teams  in the under age group must consist of players whose chronological age, at the 1st  January, is between one and two years less than the age group.  The ARU has a Junior Age Limits Policy, where they state, "A junior age rugby player must be younger than the age group in which he/she is playing as of the 1st January of the playing year. For example: A player in the Under 15's must be  under 15 years of age as of the 1st January, in the playing season."   Players are eligible to play in an older under age group team if that team is:
1. No higher than one age group above the Player's 'Under Age Classification’ or if the under age group team is;
2. Two age groups above the Player's 'Under Age Classification' the player must have already reached a chronological age two years below that age group.

Players cannot participate in any under age group team that is higher than two age groups above the Player's 'Under Age Classification' without dispensation.   That being said, the ACTJRU will not sanction over aged players playing down a grade, unless they are in a class of team declared as a 'Development Team'.

• Under 7’s   Born: 2002 - at 1 January will be turning 7
• Under 8’s   Born: 2001 - at 1 January will be turning 8
• Under 9’s   Born: 2000 - at 1 January will be turning 9
• Under 10’s Born: 1999 - at 1 January will be turning 10
• Under 11’s Born: 1998 - at 1 January will be turning 11
• Under 12’s Born: 1997 - at 1 January will be turning 12
• Under 13’s Born: 1996 - at 1 January will be turning 13
• Under 14’s Born: 1995 - at 1 January will be turning 14
• Under 15’s Born: 1994 - at 1 January will be turning 15
• Under 16’s Born: 1993 - at 1 January will be turning 16
• Under 18’s Born: 1991 - at 1 January will be turning 18

AGE CUT-OFF for MIXED RUGBY
Due to safety reasons, boys and girls must not play against one another from the age of twelve years.  This decision is in line with the ARU’s Mixed Gender Policy - COM006, made due to the fact that with puberty, girls become much less aggressive and powerful than boys of the same age. 

In the ACTJRU Competition, if a girl turns 12 during the year she can continue to play in the Under 12’s until the end of the season.  

TWO-YEAR WINDOW POLICY
In accordance with the ARU’s protocol all Clubs considering playing Under 16’s Players up in the Under 18’s competition (or invitational games) are required to complete and forward to the Secretary an ARU Disclosure Form for each boy. 

To comply with the Disclosure, it is the Secretary’s responsibility to inform the opposing teams and Referee that these Players will be participating in a game outside the IRB Guidelines and the ARU’s Two Year Policy.  

For your information, updated policies, protocol and the Disclosure Form can be found on the ARU website under the Community Rugby section Policies and Procedures.  http://www.rugby.com.au/community_rugby/policies_and_procedures/two_year_window,41925.html 

"PLAYING UP" POLICY
As a safety consideration, no player should participate in a game more than one year above his or her chronological age.    For example, a player participating in an Under 12 competition must be turning 11 or 12 years of age during the calendar year.  A player turning 10 years of age will NOT be permitted to play in this competition.    This is inline with the ARU's preference 'that players play in their own age division.' 

When considering what boys play in what development team an argument supporting the request must be made.  The argument for what boys play in what age group, the following must be considered:

• The number and type of age dispensations applying for
• Player and team experience and participation history
• An assessment of the collective team and the each individual's
• Athleticism
• Stature
• Technical ability and
• Representative honours.

All requests to play boys up and down (and up) in a Development Team in a certain grade will be considered and approved by the ACTJRU Council.  The Council solely holds the discretion to approve Development Teams and their make-up not the Secretary.

ACTJRU GUIDELINES – To Play Boys Up or Down in an Age Group:
All requests for age dispensations are made under the ACTJRU's "Development Team Status" and "Playing Up" policies;

• All requests for age dispensations will be considered, individually on merit;
• Consideration to the child's stature for their age and their weight for age percentile, where possible, should be made;
• All decisions on Club Development Status are for the current year only;
• All decisions on age dispensation requests are for the current year only;
• Any decision on a request for age dispensations does not form a precedent;
• Teams playing with overaged players will be considered for the Black Division in that grade.
• Where a team has dispensations for overaged and underaged players playing in the one team, that team will be considered for the Black and or Gold Division.

ACTJRU DEVELOPMENT TEAM STATUS POLICY
A Club whose player catchment area is distant, isolated and not heavily populated may apply for Development Status.  A Club, which is granted Development Status can, on a year-by-year, team-by-team basis, apply for and be approved to play up to four (4) players over age and up to four (4) players under age to play in the same team.   Players will not be approved to participate in a game where they are more than one year above or more than one year below their chronological age.  In other words, a player turning 10 years of age will NOT be permitted to play in an Under 12's team or, for example, a player turning 14 years of age will NOT be permitted to play in an Under 12's team.

ACTJRU DEVELOPMENT TEAM STATUS RULING
At the 2003 AGM, it was agreed, Development Status could be applied to certain Clubs (teams) whose player catchment area was distant, isolated and not heavily populated.  It was also agreed that, on a year by year, team by team basis, teams could apply and be approved to play up to 4 players over age provided that overage gap was no more than one year.  In other words, it would not be possible to play an under 12 boy in an under 10 team.

PLAYER’S CLOTHING - SHOULDER PADS POLICY
Player’s additional clothing (including shoulder pads) must be in accordance with IRB Specifications (Regulation 12).   The ACTJRU does not deviate from IRB Law 4 - Players' Clothing that is, an ACTJRU Player may (only) wear shoulder pads or other items of clothing bearing the IRB Approval Mark (Regulation 12).  

MOUTHGUARD POLICY
The ACTJRU does not have a specific policy on the wearing of mouthguards, although we do encourage it.  Essentially we follow the guidelines as defined in the ARU Junior Pathway Laws (attached) particularly with reference to Players gear in Section 3: “Dress and Ball Size” which states, “Players must not wear dangerous projections such as buckles, rings, earrings or baseball caps. The wearing of beads in a player’s hair is also prohibited. The referee may inspect players before or during a match and require dangerous items to be removed. Footwear: Players shall not play without footwear. It is recommended that footwear with studs, moulded or screw in spikes or blades NOT be worn. Mouthguards: It is recommended that a mouthguard be worn.
 
The above recommendations relates to all Pathway players (ACTJRU Under 7’s to 11’s inclusive).

APPOINTMENT OF REFEREES
The ACTJRU Rules of Competition at section 33 (A) states, “A Referee will be appointed for each match by the Australian Capital Territory Rugby Referees’ Association (Incorporated) or by the Honorary Secretary of the Australian Capital Territory Junior Rugby Union (Incorporated).”

All requests for Referee appointments to junior rugby games in the ACT, (competition, representative or invitational games) must be formally requested, in the first instance, to the Secretary.  The Secretary will liaise with the Referees’ Association (ACTRRA) for the appointment of a Referee to the game.  To assist in planning and assigning the most appropriate Referee to a game, the ACTRRA require a minimum of 7 days notice.    This procedure is not in place to impede but rather assist your team in attaining appropriate sanction for the game and guaranteeing appropriate insurance coverage.

ACTJRU GRADING & COMPETITION POLICY and GUIDELINES

Team Grading
The Gradings Committee shall determine appropriate competitions for players within each age group and allocate teams to divisions so as to ensure viability of competition.

• A competition is required to contain at least six or more teams for the duration of the competition.
• The Gradings Committee may cap team numbers in each division.
• If there are sufficient teams, the Gradings Committee may grade an age group into two or more competitions.
• Where there are insufficient teams to conduct a competition, the Gradings Committee may join a graded competition (say Gold and Green Division competitions) or allocate teams to another competition other than an ACTJRU competition.
• On considering advice from current and former team coaches and respective Club Presidents, the Gradings Committee will determine the competition qualifying teams.

Grading Criteria
Teams will be assessed by the Gradings Committee in relation to;

Viability as a team in the specified division (grade) for the season of competition.

• Pre-Season results.
• The team's preceding year's competition standing / results.
• Player and team experience and participation history.
• If granted, the team's development status.
• The number and type of age dispensations approved.
• Other considerations include, assessment of the collective team players':
• Athleticism.
• Stature.
• Technical ability
• And representative honours.

More Than One Team Entered By A Club In The Same Age Group
Where a Club enters more than one team into an age group, and within that age group are two or more divisions (Black, Gold and/or Green), then it is expected that at least one of the teams will be entered in the Black division.
 
In this case the Club shall nominate their teams in the most suitable division taking into account that where there are two or more divisions within an age group, selection is on ability and experience and the A side is deemed to be the better side.

Re-Grading of Competitions
The first three weeks of the season are used to monitor the progress of teams and evaluate their grading. The ACTJRU Secretary reserves the right to alter or amend a team's grading from time to time. Teams may request a grade change but the decision of ACTJRU Secretary shall be final.

Teams who, after 3 competition rounds, are placed in the top 2 of a Gold division competition or the bottom 2 of an Black division competition may be considered for re-grading by the Gradings Committee. If a team is concerned about a possible re-grading they are encouraged to make a submission to the ACTJRU Registrar by 5:00 pm of the Monday following the completion of Round 3. These submissions will be taken into account when the Gradings Committee considers re-grading after Round 3.

The Gradings Committee's decision on re-grading is final.

The ACTJRU Secretary may at any time during the course of the competition, re-grade any team or competitions as it, in its absolute discretion, shall so determine.

The ACTJRU Secretary's decision on re-grading is final.

ACTJRU “DEVELOPMENT TEAM STATUS” POLICY

Ruling
At the 2003 AGM, it was agreed, Development Team Status could be applied to a particular Club (team) whose player catchment area was distant, isolated and not heavily populated. 

Policy
A Club whose player catchment area is distant, isolated and not heavily populated may apply for Development Team Status. 

A Club, which is granted Development Team Status can, on a year-by-year, team-by-team basis, apply for and be approved to play up to four (4) players over age and up to four (4) players under age to play in the same team.   Players will not be approved to participate in a game where they are more than one year above or more than one year below their chronological age.  In other words, a player turning 10 years of age will NOT be permitted to play in an Under 12’s team or, for example, a player turning 14 years of age will NOT be permitted to play in an Under 12’s team.

ACTJRU INVITATIONAL GAME SANCTIONS
All invitational games played in the ACT must be sanctioned by the Secretary.  With a sanction the Players, Coaching staff, Volunteers and Spectators are protected by ARU insurances and bound by the Laws of Rugby, particularly the Code of Conduct.  The Secretary through the ACTRRA will provide the game with an accredited Referee and if required the ACTJRU Judiciary will arbitrate on any indiscretions.
 
For a sanction, all domestic Players (local and interstate) must be registered on the ARU's MyRugbyAdmin system.  Visiting international team Players must be registered on their own domestic Registration System.

All invitational games will be played under the ACTJRU's Rules of Competition and in accordance with the Laws of the Game of Rugby Football together with by-laws, particularly the Australian Under 19 Laws (with variations) and directives from both the ARU and ACTJRU.  Both Team's Coaching and Management staff must be respectful of ARU Policies, particularly in relation to Under Age Grades, the "Two-Year-Window" Policy and the ARU’s Insurance Scheme.

Prior to kick-off, the visiting Tour Manager must sign a Participation Agreement.  In this Agreement, the Manager affirms compliance with the ACTJRU's Rules of Competition, our "Code of Conduct" and our "Expectations of Behaviour".  By signing the Agreement the Tour Manager declares, inter alia, that all of his Players are registered on the ARU's MyRugbyAdmin system, (or another relevant system), all his Players are eligible to play in the specified age group and for domestic touring teams, that the Coach is SmartRugby Compliant.

ACTJRU PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
The Touring Manager of an invitational team participating in an ACT Junior Rugby Union (ACTJRU) sanctioned game or competition, must acknowledge and declare the following:

That it will at all times be bound by the provisions of the ACTJRU Constitution, the ACTJRU Rules of Competition, the ARU and ACTJRU’s Code of Conduct and this agreement made hereunder.

• That it will at all times accept, subject to the appeals provisions provided for in the Rules of Competition, a decision of the Secretary of the ACTJRU or his delegate.
• That all Players, Coaches, Managers, Volunteers and Team Support Staff are registered on the ARU’s MyRugbyAdmin,
• All Players are eligible and qualified under the Rules of Competition.
• That the Team will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the Rules of Competition and the ARU’s ‘Code of Conduct’, is adhered to.
• That it will uphold and enforce any ACTJRU judicial decision in their home Union for any Player, Team Coaching Member or Official suspended or expelled from the game or event.
• That every Team Coach has completed the requirements of the ARU SmartRugby Program.

The Team Manager will declare on the Participation Agreement that he agrees to be bound by the Agreement.

DOMESTIC INVITATIONAL TOUR SANCTIONS
All domestic (invitational) tours must be sanctioned by the Secretary ACTJRU.  Requests for sanction must be made on an ACTJRU Application to Tour Domestically which includes a Declaration by Officials. 

The Application to tour must include a complete Tour Itinerary outlining all matches to be played (including the age grade of the touring team), the opposition team/s, dates, and venues. 

On receipt of an Application to Tour, the ACTJRU Secretary will contact the respective Australian Union(s) within whose territory such match, tour or series of matches is due to take place and request for 'Permission to Tour'.  When approval is received, the Secretary will notify this approval direct to the club/team/school.

PLAYER TRANSFERS TO A NEW CLUB OR UNION
ACTJRU Rules of Competition - Eligibility of Players clause 16 states; a registered player is not permitted to transfer from one Club to another during the season without the consent of the Registering Club.  Where the Registering Club withholds its consent to such a transfer, the ACTJRU Judicial Committee will determine the matter. 

All ACTJRU Registered Players MUST be released by their current Club, before they are eligible to register and play for another Club either in the local Competition and or another Union’s Competition.  That is, if a Player has signed a Club or ARU Registration Form at the beginning of a season and wishes to change Clubs during that season, the ACTJRU requires the Player to submit an “ARU Domestic Clearance Form”.  This requirement will ensure that the Player is not under any financial or other obligation to their current / former Club.

All Player transfers MUST be made on an “ARU Domestic Clearance Form”.  Regardless of the signature and date on the Clearance Form, the Clearance shall only become effective when:

i The ACTJRU has received the original, signed, version of the Clearance;
ii The new Club has received an original version (or a facsimile copy of the original version) of the Clearance;
iii The Player’s written agreement with his former Club has expired or been terminated; or he/she has been released.

Players can change Clubs or Unions at the end of a season without the need to submit an “ARU Domestic Clearance Form”. 

ARU Policies -  Click here for the following

Age Grade Rugby

• Junior Age Limits
• Junior Pathway Policy - COM008
• Maximum Playing Time
• Mixed Gender Policy - COM006
• Two Year Window Policy - COM009 
• Senior Rugby Policy - COM007

Game Regulations

• Anti Doping Policy
• Abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemption (ATUE) Application Form
• Explanation of Therapeutic Use Exemption Process
• Blood Policy 
• Domestic Judicial Procedures 
• Players Suspended from Other Sports - RS001

Member Protection

• Code of Conduct  
• Anti-Discrimination Policy 
• Harassment Policy 
• Pregnancy Policy 
• Expectations of Behaviour Guidelines

Occupational Health and Safety

• Insurance Scheme Policy - COM002
• Safety Directives
• Serious Injury Report and Protocol
• SmartRugby Policy - COM004
• Lighting Criteria

Miscellaneous

• Charity Request Policy - COM003

Privacy

• Other Policies & Procedures
• Player Transfer to New Union 
• Permission to Tour 
• Visa Options

Harassment

iRB Regulations

ACTJRU Playing Times

Sanctions - For Foul Play

Working with Children

ACTJRU Judicial Committee Manual

Please click on the following link to view the ACTJRU Judicial Committee Manual