Rugby
RUGBY
OFFICIAL RULES
RFU / IRB (World Rugby)
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (AGE AND EXPERIENCE)
RUGBY AGE CATEGORIES
U18 = Under 17 and Under 18 on 31st of August of the current school year
U16 = Under 15 and Under 16 on 31st of August of the current school year
An Under 16 player can train and play up in the U18 age category (but is not allowed in the front row of contested scrums), only if
appropriate assessment is carried out
permission given by an approved and designated assessor within the school
permission letter signed by the parent or guardian
communication is provided to the game or tournament organiser at least 48 hours in advance, submitting the name and age of the Under 16 player
No over age players are allowed at any times
COACH AND REFEREE EDUCATION/QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE
Schools entering in SGIS rugby games and competitions must have qualified or licensed coaches approved by World Rugby
Game and tournament hosts must use qualified and/or suitable experienced referees
RISK ASSESSMENT
Host schools, as well as travelling teams, have conducted a risk assessment for matches and tournaments to provide a safe environment for SGIS rugby competitions, including the use of pitches and facilities, arrangements for safeguarding, first aid provisions, etc.
CONCUSSION AWARENESS TRAINING FOR PLAYERS AND COACHES
School commit to a four-step concussion education code:
All staff coaching or refereeing contact rugby to have successfully completed the 30-minute Headcase Concussion Awareness Course for teachers and parents available here
All players in extra-curricular contact rugby in Year 10 and above to have successfully completed the 20-minute Headcase Concussion Awareness Course for players available here
All players in curricular rugby in Year 7 and above to have watched the 7-minute ERTV Concussion video available here
Rugby parents in the school to have been signposted to the Headcase Concussion Awareness programme here
IMMEDIATE CARE: AGREEMENT AND PROVISION
Each team MUST have at least 1 (one) certified Sports First Aider (e.g. coach) and an accompanying adult (chaperone) when attending SGIS rugby games and tournaments
All SGIS rugby games and tournaments MUST have an Immediate Care Practitioner (e.g. school nurse) on site at a designated place near the field(s)
Appropriate first aid equipment and facilities must be available at the host venue
FACILITIES
Tournament Directors must ensure that an appropriate/safe playing environment (e.g. protected posts, run outs, obstacles…) for players, coaches and spectators is provided.
PLAY TIME
Maximum 90 mins per day, over 2 consecutive days, but not over 3 consecutive days
Recommended length of games:
15’s = 15 minutes per half
10’s = 10 minutes per half
7’s = 7 minutes per half
FORMATS
The specific 7’s, 10’s or 15’s tournament formats for each age category and season will be decided on at the SGIS fall AGM.
ALLOWABLE VARIATION
It is allowed to reduce numbers, or have uncontested scrums, if appropriate or necessary:
15’s can be reduced to a minimum of 10 players per team
10’s can be reduced to a minimum of 8 players per team
Both teams have to take the same amount of players off. The same amount of players must be in the scrum.