USA Rugby

We are hoping to host our USA Rugby National Development Summit on February 21-23, 2014 in the Philadelphia area. This event is on track to be bigger and better than ever, featuring the best opportunity to learn and share about coaching, refereeing and administration. Last year featured all of our national team coaching staff, our national panel referees, and top administrators teaching and sharing over the long weekend.

I wanted to get this date and location to you early for both your feedback and the hope your can keep a light schedule that weekend in your home unions to encourage participation. I understand some parts of the country are in competition at this point, but we were forced to go a bit later due to an early USA Sevens and IRB Womens Sevens event.

This event is for rugby of all levels including Adults, Collegiate, High School and Youth, men, women, fans, coaches, referees, players and die hards alike. All our State Youth & High School Organizations gather at this event, as well as the Collegiate Management Council and potentially the GUs. We also feature a great exhibit space with all the latest rugby companies and folks wanting to get into the rugby community.

Prior events were in:
Nashville – 2006
San Diego – 2008
Dallas – 2009
Indianapolis – 2011
Atlanta – 2012
Los Angelas – 2013

Thanks for your consideration and I look forward to hearing any feedback you might have.

Thanks!

Kurt Weaver

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

 

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 4^thsub official and two ball boys to keep the ball in play

Notes:  We will have 3 referees for each game plus a 4^th 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 9^TH.  CALL AND RESERVE THEM NOW AS YOU CAN ALWAYS CANCEL!

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 12^th 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

***NOTE:

With the previously announced change of Texas from and LAU to a GU, membership registration with USA Rugby has been delayed one week to 8/22.

This was done so that USA can change/update its CIPP programming to accommodate the new organizational changes and fee structures that are in place as of this weekend by USA Congress.

~~~~~~~~~

Get Ready to Ruck! Membership Week Starts Today!

Dear Valued USA Rugby Member,

The time has come to register for the 2011-2012 USA Rugby Membership Season!  We have been hard at work ensuring our members receive the most value for their membership and we’re thrilled to offer exciting new benefits and extended customer service hours in September and October.

We’ll be highlighting membership benefits throughout the week and letting you know about some great new membership features this year!

2010-2011 Memberships expire on August 31, but don’t worry.  Registration for the 2011-2012 season opens TODAY so you can glide seamlessly between seasons!  Become a member or renew your membership today!

Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Be a USA Rugby Member

10) We’ve got you covered if you have a rugby accident.

USA Rugby members registered for the 2011-2012 Membership Season will receive up to $250,000 of accident insurance.  That means if you’re injured playing, refereeing, or even coaching, you’ll have medical coverage.  If you have primary health insurance,  your USA Rugby Accident Insurance coverage could pay the deductible and cover other out-of-pocket expenses.

9) Keep some money in your pocket by getting great discounts from USA Rugby’s partners!

Save money and support the game you love when you use USA Rugby’s corporate partners such as Hilton Worldwide, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, T-Mobile, Bank of America, and many more!  Click here to see a full list of member benefits.

8) Get a shot at glory! USA Rugby Members can compete for National Championships!

In 2010-2011, USA Rugby crowned 21 National Champions.  USA Rugby members get a chance at making American rugby history by becoming a National Champion in 2011-2012!

7) If you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

USA Rugby’s Membership Department will have extended service hours in September and October to provide better customer service.  They will be available to answer your questions and help if you should run into any problems with registration.  Business hours for September and October are 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Mountain Time and 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturdays!

6) Your USA Rugby Liability Insurance can help you find a place to play!

When you register as a USA Rugby member, you automatically receive third party liability insurance.  Most venues, facilities  and sponsors require this form of insurance, so you’ll be covered.  This policy also helps reduce your personal liability.

5) Become a better referee or coach!

Referee and coaching courses are held exclusively for USA Rugby members so you can hone your skills and knowledge to make you a more effective coach or referee!  Attending these courses is a great way to learn more about the game, connect with your local coaching and refereeing communities, and help to improve the quality of American rugby.

4) We keep our members safe!

In the 2011-2012 season, all Rookie Rugby, youth, high school and college coaches will undergo a thorough background screening to ensure members will enjoy a safe environment in which to play the game.

3) It’s REALLY easy to become a member!

Online registration is quick and easy!  If you run into any snags, our friendly Membership Department is ready to help!  Give them a call 303-530-0300!

2) Be the first to know about exclusive discounts and deals from USA Rugby and its partners!

When you register as a member, you will be the first to know about great new deals and discounts from USA Rugby and its partners!

1) Support the game you love and join the fastest-growing team sports in the United States!

Play the game you love and contribute to the growth of rugby in the United States.  YOU will play an important role in expanding the game in America and you will have a great time doing it!  

 

Become a member today!