iRB Womens Sevens Coming to Houston (Feb 1-2)

* The TRUand USA Rugby will need volunteers for the event, review details here.

Four rounds to take place in Dubai, USA, China and Netherlands.

The International Rugby Board has today announced the first ever IRB Women’s Sevens World Series.  It is set to take place in four global destinations, underscoring the IRB’s commitment to the ongoing growth and development of women’s Rugby around the world and is another significant step in the journey to Rio 2016.

In a ground-breaking move, the inaugural global series for the world’s top women’s Sevens players will feature rounds in UAE (Dubai), USA (Houston), China (Guangzhou) and Netherlands (Amsterdam).

The system mirrors the men’s series, with each 12-team event featuring six core teams who will play across all four events and six teams who will be invited based on regional tournament rankings, reflecting the IRB’s strategic aim to mix the top teams in the world with the best up and coming teams from each of the six IRB regions. The six core teams for the inaugural series are Australia, Canada, England, Netherlands, New Zealand and USA.

Women’s Rugby is one of the fastest-growing team sports in the world and, in 2016, the finest female players in the world will take their place alongside their male counterparts in Rio de Janeiro when Rugby returns to the Olympic Games summer programme. The inception of an international series is a key milestone in the ongoing development of both the competitive standards and the professionalism of the women’s Game.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The IRB Women’s Sevens World Series is an exciting and significant development, not only for the women’s Game but for all of Rugby, as we continue to grow the Game around the world. For the past 13 years, the top Sevens athletes in the men’s Game have competed in a world series environment, and now all women players can also aspire to compete at the same level, test themselves against the very best and hone their skills.

“This first international series for our top women’s players will shine a light on the sheer quality and athleticism they have reached in a relatively short time, and ensure that the women’s Game continues on its sharp rise towards its Olympic debut in 2016.”

“We are delighted to be going to Dubai, USA, China and the Netherlands in our inaugural year. Dubai will guarantee the Series tremendous global exposure with the event sitting alongside the men’s, while the events in USA, China and the Netherlands reflect the incredible appetite for women’s Rugby in these key markets, as seen with the superb results of their teams on the world stage in recent years.”

IRB Rugby Committee member and Women’s World Cup Sevens 2009 winning captain Cheryl Soon added: “This new series will not only provide competition, it will also increase the exposure and profile of the women’s Game globally. Whether running alongside the very successful HSBC Sevens World Series event in Dubai or reaching new and strategically important markets around the world, we believe the series will maximise the opportunities for growth of the women’s Game in all aspects.”

The IRB Sevens World Series concept is in line with key strategic objectives set out in the IRB Women’s Rugby Plan, expanding the women’s Sevens international competition model, particularly at the elite level of the Game.

IRB Women’s Sevens World Series 2012/13

Round 1 – UAE: Dubai, November 30 – December 1, 2012 – 7he Sevens Stadium
Round 2 – USA: Houston, Texas, 1-2 February, 2013 – BBVA Compass Stadium
Round 3 – China: Guangzhou, 30-31 March 2013 – Guangzhou University Town Stadium
Round 4 – Netherlands: Amsterdam, 17-18 May 2013 – NRCA Stadium

Rugby World Cup Sevens, Moscow, June 28-30 2013

 

Location for TRU Summer Meeting Aug-11th

Please note that the TRU’s Summer Meeting will be held at the same location as the infamous “Lost Afternoon” luncheon.

Meeting will be held as noted on the TRU Calendar being Saturday, August 11th with a start time of 10am and run until 5pm (or earlier).

Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2712 Southwest Freeway (Hway 59), Houston, TX 77098

The Hotel is on the “north” side of the freeway located between cross streets Buffalo Speedway and Kirby Drive.

Lunch will be provided to those that RSVP by deadline of Monday, August 6th COB.

Please let your Division Secretary know who from your club will be attending (Name and Title)

 

CIPP Policy Update for all matches and tourneys

Please be advised, effective IMMEDIATELY:

The TRU is reaffirming its policy that all teams entering a TRU sanctioned event must have both the respective Club and all its Players actively CIPP registered with USA Rugby.

 

Welcome USA Rugby New and Returning Members!

Registration for 2011-2012 is currently open

 

Become a Member|View Public Rosters|Check Member Status

 Compliance Reports

 

*Please remember, no one may play, coach or referee without a valid, current membership

If you are part of a “social” team, you will now be required to transfer your current membership to a “Sevens Only Club” or traditional “Club” via the USA Rugby Membership portal.

All TRU sanctioned tournaments will be required to collect team rosters from all participating teams, verify corresponding proof of CIPP registration and validate photo ID of all players listed on the roster.  No Teams and/or Clubs will be allowed to enter said tournament unless they are “actively” listed on USA CIPP database.

If you are an individual or group of individuals seeking to “join” on for the weekend you will still be required to be listed on a Team/Club roster AND you will still be required provide proof of active CIPP membership and a corresponding valid photo ID.  Teams entering as “Random Team Name” will NOT be allowed unless properly registered as a Club with corresponding members.  Alumni groups and the like will need to register under the existing underlying University affiliation or as a standalone Sevens Club under USA Rugby.

A “TRU Sevens Event Roster” has been added under “FORMS” on the TRU website for all teams to utilize when entering a sanctioned tournament.  A TRU sanctioned tournament is ANY event that the Host is utilizing the referee services of TRRA members.  There will be two required signatures (a) team manager who must have valid CIPP registration and (b) tournament representative who has verified all of the information provided.  These rosters will be completed and turned over to the onsite TRRA Referee Manager.

As USA clearly states: “please remember, NO ONE  may play, coach or referee without a valid, current membership.

This is USA policy and is also the TRU policy.

Anyone person, team, club or host who fails to be properly registered or is found to be guilty of failing to meet the this standard of compliance will be dealt with a lengthy suspension, meaningful monetary fines and/or other material sanctions as deemed appropriate.

During the course of the day, the TRRA Referee Manager or Appointee will conduct spot checks for compliance.  Any team and/or person failing to immediately comply with a request will be deemed to be non compliant and dealt with accordingly.

This policy applies to any tournament, scheduled friendly or otherwise scheduled match.

Texas Rugby Union

Attention All Referee’s – Please mark your calendar

Updated info regarding this event can be found here: https://texasrugbyunion.com/2012/07/13/referees-conference-on-the-game-trra-annual-general-meeting-agm-july-28-29-2012/


Please mark you calendar for the weekend of July 28 / 29.

The TRRA will be hosting a Conference on the Game on Saturday, July 28th.  The event will focus on referee training, growth and development.  The TRRA will be bringing in national and international trainers and educators for this event.

On July 29th, Sunday, the TRRA will hold its Annual elections at the same hotel / location.

This will be the single largest Referee event in several years and a very strong attendance is critical to our individual and collective success.

Additional details will be posted to the TRU website as they come forward.

The event will be located in the Dallas area.

 

 

TOLA Sevens Announcement – Important

TOLA Sevens Announcement:

The creation of the TOLA Sevens Series has grown from infancy to a highly desired competition over the past several years.    As this competition continues to grow and evolve alongside the increased focus on the Seven-a-side variation of Rugby, the time has come to formally merge the TRU and TOLA. Under this partnership, the TOLA structure will be used as the foundation upon which the TRU 7’s series will be based.

This merger will begin taking place during competition this Summer and will be complete by next year’s sevens season. The competition merger committee will be formed by Filip Keuppens who, in addition to being an original founder of the TOLA Series and current chairperson, has been very active in sevens as a player, coach and referee for many years at many levels. Filip and myself will enlist other TOLA and TRU officials and other key personnel to ensure that key operational items are employed and proper goals and objectives are upheld.

As with any competition there are growing pains that come with along with these successes.  As the number of Tournaments increase from year to year and Clubs desiring to be Hosts increases at an equally high pace, there comes a time when there are simply not enough dates or resources to support all of these great events.

Part of the fundamentals that will be considered, weighed and resolved are:

  • Application and advance notice to be a Hosts
  • Criteria that Hosts must meet in order to be part of the Series
  • Number of Events during the summer
  • Competition Format being size of tourneys, eligibility, discipline and common sizing event to event
  • Referee resources provided by the TRRA
  • Referee resources provided by host Club
  • Standardization of Referee compensation (TRRA Assignments) versus Club provided referee’s (aka Volunteers)
  • TOLA / TRU recognized tournaments versus Club organized “Social” tournaments
  • Creation of Club and Collegiate Championships

 

In the interim….PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ANY TOURNAMENT THAT IS REQUESTING TRRA ASSIGNED REFEREES SHOULD COMPLETE A PRE-TOURNAMENT APPLICATION 30 DAYS IN ADVANCE OF THE EVENT.  As always, go to Referee Corner on the TRU website to find the form or other TRRA related information and should be prepared to provide, at a minimum, an equal amount of club provided volunteer officials to the amount of TRRA sanctioned officials for any event.

 

https://texasrugbyunion.com/referee-corner/referee-resources/tournament-bid/

 

Please direct all comments, concerns and questions to Filip Keuppens email: FKeuppens@texasrugbyunion.com

 

Regards,

Filip Keuppens, TOLA Director

David McPhail, TRU President

Coaching of Match Officials 1 Course (CMO 1) – Denton, TX – May 19, 2012

[CANCELED] – Due to no participants.

The Texas Rugby Union will be hosting a Coaching of Match Officials 1 Course (CMO 1)
Date: Saturday May 19th, 9:00 to 5:00

Location: Miller of Denton– 2421 N Interstate 35 Denton, TX 76207Lunch will be provided by TRU.Local Contact: Ben Outland 469- 693-6690 benoutland@hotmail.com

TRU Contact: Traci Schmidtke 512-968-4888 traci.schmidtke@texasrugbyunion.com
Course Educator: Steve Parrill 985-974-1134 sparrill@usarugby.org

Level 1 Coaching of Match Officials – Introduction to the Coaching of Officials
Approximate delivery time: 8 hours

Cost: $50 – Register online at USAR before for $50.00. Please sign up at the USA rugby web site: https://89.185.144.30/Coaching/OnlineSignup/SelectCourses.aspx?Category=EVENTCAT_REFEREE

Prerequisites: Current USA Rugby membership, including registration as a referee and Level 1 Officiating certification or equivalent. Also, at least three seasons of officiating experience and a desire to support other referees through the medium of coaching

Requirements for Certification: Attend and participate in all course modules. Complete IRB laws test and rugby ready.

Items needed to attend the course:
Rugby Ready Certificate https://www.irbrugbyready.com/index.php?language=en
iRB Laws Exam Certificate https://www.irblaws.com/

Description: The purpose of this course is to introduce the concept and role of referee coaching to enable assistance and guidance to develop the referee.

Referee L1 Course – (Introduction to Officiating) – Denton, TX – Saturday May 19, 2012

UPDATE 5/18 – ADDRESS CORRECTION – MILLER OF DENTON!

UPDATE 5/12 – Course has been moved to Saturday May 19, 2012.

Referee L1 Course – (Introduction to Officiating) has been scheduled for:

Date: Saturday May 19, 2012, 8:30 am until 4:30pm
Location:  Miller of Denton 2421 N Interstate 35  Denton, TX 76207

Local Contact: Ben Outland 469- 693-6690     benoutland@hotmail.com
TRU Contact: Traci Schmidtke 512-968-4888  traci.schmidtke@texasrugbyunion.com
Course Educator: Steve Parrill 985-974-1134   sparrill@usarugby.org

Register online at USAR before for  $50.00,  walk-ins will be charged $75.00.  Please sign up at the USA rugby web site:

https://89.185.144.30/Coaching/OnlineSignup/SelectCourses.aspx?Category=EVENTCAT_REFEREE

There will be a practical training session as part of the course, please dress for activity. Lunch will be provided by TRU.

Items needed to attend the course:
Rugby Ready Certificate       https://www.irbrugbyready.com/index.php?language=en
iRB Laws Exam Certificate   https://www.irblaws.com/

Level 1 Officiating – Introduction to Officiating
Approximate delivery time: 8 hours

Cost: $50
Prerequisites:  CIPP, Rugby Ready Certificate, iRB Laws Exam Certificate
Requirements for Certification: Current USA Rugby membership, including registration as a referee, attend and participate in all course modules, pass online law exam and rugby ready exam prior to course, and complete short safety quiz administered at course site.

Description: The purpose of this introductory course is to enable officials to acquire basic skills to officiate safe, enjoyable competition. Course certification is required for anyone who wishes to referee any match that could potentially lead to a National Championship.

TRU Division III Championship Information

TRU Division III Championships

Championship Event Roster (West): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fetRtn-QmYF3z-audIkzhETSae41cfR4pCDJHWM6x9k/edit?hl=en&authkey=CI7GuKIL&pli=1

Match Roster (West): https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7dz6Iz7LhOeNmViOGIxZWEtNzljYy00MzJhLWE2MjItYjM2NjM5NWZmMDkx/edit?hl=en&pli=1

TRU Front Row Waiver (TRU): https://texasrugbyunion.com/forms/

USA Eligibility:

3.1. Club Eligibility

Clubs may carry a maximum Roster of 28 players per Event Weekend. The Match Roster may list a maximum of 23 players and include up to five (5) non-resident players. For such events, a nonresident is defined as player who is not a U.S. citizen and does not possess permanent or conditional resident alien status at the time of the competition. All matches shall be governed by IRB Law 3.4, subject to iRB Law 3.14 “Union Specific Variations”, with respect to substitutions and front row replacements.

3.2 Player Eligibility

All players must meet each of the following criteria in order to participate in a USA Rugby Championship Event:

a) Player must be CIPP enrolled for the club, through initial enrollment or transfer, prior to the earlier of (i) playing in a Qualifying Match or (ii) March 15th for men’s competitions and October 1st for women’s competitions.

b) A player must have played in at least two (2) Qualifying Matches.

c) The player must not have played in a Qualifying Match for any other Club, regardless of the division of, or the geographical distance between the two clubs, during the Fifteens Competitive Season.

d) Players in the front row under 19 years of age and players in other positions under 18 years of age must meet all of the provisions of Section 2.5 of the USA Rugby General Eligibility Regulations.

e) See Section 13.5 for additional information about potential waivers.

3.3. Senior Clubs Fielding Multiple Sides

The intent of these regulations is to control the movement of players on upper sides to lower sides. Movement of players from lower divisions to upper divisions is allowed except where specifically prohibited by these regulations.

a) The movement of lower division players to upper division sides in Qualifying Matches played on the same day and/or weekend is allowed only when the lower division match is played before the upper division match. Up to three (3) players may be listed as a RESERVE PLAYER for the higher division Qualifying Match. That limit may be increased to four (4) RESERVE PLAYERS if at least one of those players is a front row specialist. Otherwise a player is permitted to play for only one divisional side per weekend.

b) In addition to the two (2) match minimum cited in Section 3.2-b, a player must play in at least one additional Qualifying Match, for a minimum of three (3) Qualifying Matches, at the divisional (or lower) level entered in the USA Rugby Championship Event.

c) Any player who has started in at least two (2) or played in three (3) or more of a club’s Rugby Super League or Women’s Premier League matches, or has played in the RSL or WPL Playoffs during the current competitive season, is not eligible to play in any other division of a USA Rugby Championships.

d) Any player who has played in 50% or more of a club’s Qualifying Matches in a higher division is not eligible to play in a lower division of the USA Rugby Championships.

e) Each TU and/or LAU may create additional eligibility restrictions to govern their local competitions or structure their competitions to help prevent higher divisional players from competing at lower divisions.

Game / Field Location:

Location is Lake Highlands Park, Dallas

Lake Highlands Park, 1000 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, TX 75218-3306

Corner of Buckner Road and Lake Highlands Blvd

Plenty of free parking all over the area

Lots of trees to get under the shade

Concessions

Alcohol is not allowed in city parks

We will be offering food and non-alcoholic drinks

There is water in the park but it is slow

Port-a-johns will be provided

Game times:

Game 1: Saturday @ 2:00pm = OKC Crusaders versus Galveston

  • Referee: Traci Schmidtke (Shafto / Kelly) with radios
  • Check in will be at 12:30pm for OKC
  • Check in will be at 12:45pm for Galveston

 

Game 2: Saturday @ 3:30pm = Alamo City versus Austin

  • Referee: Pablo Septien (Shafto / Kelly) with radios
  • Check in will be confirmed with each Club / Contact Kolberg by WED 5pm
  • Parking can become limited, please allow adequate time for parking / arrival

 

Game 3: Sunday @ 12:00pm = Winner Game # 1 versus Winner Game # 2

  • Referee: Pablo Septien (Schmidtke / Savage) with radios
  • Any players not checked in on original 28 man roster will need to be checked in prior to KO
  • Parking can become limited, please allow adequate time for parking / arrival
  • Trophy and MVP presentation following game

Note: We will have 3 referees for each game plus a 4thsub official and two ball boys to keep the ball in play

Notes:  We will have 3 referees for each game plus a 4th sub official and two ball boys to keep the ball in play

  • Teams (Players, Subs, Staff) will be on the “far” sideline
  • One Coach in front of the rope (22m to 22m)
  • Water, as allowed by match officials

Check in information

28 man roster for the weekend in CIPP order (all available at check in) – Link to form listed above

23 on game day roster – Link to form listed above

TRU Front Row Waiver – Link to form listed above

All players must have proper ID with pictures

Teams must have Eligibility Book with players information/ID’s in CIPP order

Please be on time for check in and be organized = No picture ID, no play

No proof of citizenship (birth cert, passport or valid green card), you will be considered a “non-resident” player  (up to 5)

Post game social

We will have a social following the 3:30pm game at the O/T Tavern on Greenville Ave

Location: 3606 Greenville Avenue, Dallas

Beer, shot and food specials

Location is about 8 minutes from the fields and 1 minute from the freeway which leads you back to the hotel

 Hotel

Doubletree Club hotel

11611 Luna Road, Farmers Branch Texas 75234, Phone 972-506-0055

Rooms reserved under the Dallas Rugby Club

$79.00 per night includes a great buffet breakfast.  Rooms are all two beds (doubles or king/sleepers)

This is a great deal AND A REALLY NICE HOTEL.  Right off the freeway and you cannot get lost going anywhere

CUT OFF DATE FOR RESERVATIONS IS MONDAY, APRIL 9TH.  CALL AND RESERVE THEM NOW AS YOU CAN ALWAYS CANCEL!

USA Rugby vs Italy Ticket and Group Info – June 23 in Houston, TX

Come to the Rugby Rally BEFORE the match. Get all the details here!

Purchase Tickets!

Group/Team Order Information – Group sales will open on Monday, March 12th at 9 a.m. so please communicate that message to all your constituents as seating is limited and secured on a first-come-first-served basis. Also note that group pricing is only available to those groups that secure 10 or more tickets. Call Derek Beeman to secure tickets at: (832) 667-2390.

Promo Video

Facebook Event

Notes from the Texas Rugby Union:

  • Volunteers:  There will be a need for Volunteers.  A listing of positions will be posted to the TRU website once announced.
  • Houston Astros:  The Astros currently have an afternoon (3pm?) game schedule with the Cleveland Indians.  This will make Downtown Houston a very busy place so plan your trip accordingly.
  • Hotels:  There is a large, very large, Medical conference downtown the same weekend.  They have all ready secured 90% of all downtown hotel rooms.  Hotel partners will be announced accordingly.
  • Parking:  Parking will be at a premium!  With the Astros, Conferences and general construction going on downtown, it will be imperative that you come early, be loud and stay late!
  • Fan Festival: Plans are in the works for a Rugby Fanfare area and possibly music and other outdoor entertainment leading up to the event.

As previously published there is the “Lost Afternoon” on Friday, June 22nd.  This event benefits Rugby Texas (Youth) and is certain to be the largest event to date.

There are tentative plans for the TRU hosting Coaching and/or Referee Clinics in conjunction withe the weekend, making Houston the destination of choice for all.

More information will be posted as it is available.

Texas Rugby Union