Requirements for MARFU Collegiate Quarterfinals

To All MARFU Division 1 and 2 Collegiate Playoff Teams:

Here is ALL [hopefully] you need to know to make your quarterfinal playoff match successful in terms of meeting administrative requirements. It is up to you to be a good host, sportsmanlike on and off the field to opponents and referee, etc.

Item 1 - Eligibility Requirements - DEADLINE IS MARCH 5!!!!!!!!!!

These requirements have been previously issued and ALL teams should be well underway in meeting this deadline. Don't risk being disqualified from the playoffs for an administrative oversight!!

All details can be found at the MARFU Playoff website at:

http://www.runet.edu/~runderwo/rugby/vru/calendar/marfucollegeplayoffs.html

Item 2 - Championship Weekend - March 27-28

All teams should have received area hotel information from the host clubs and have made their plans as needed for rooms. Do not wait any longer if you haven't.

Item 3 - CIPP Registration for all players and coaches

All teams should have registered for CIPP for this year [last year's CIPP is out of date] by now.

Item 4 - March 20 - Quarterfinal Matches Scheduled and Assigned Referee (with LAU)

(1) Subject to weather conditions at Penn State, this match may have to be played at Mary Washington's home field - both Mary Wash and Referee are to be aware of this. Fraser Grigor of Penn State is responsible for advising all parties concerned in a timely fashion.

(4) This match shall be played on Sunday, March 21 as mutually agreed to by both clubs and referee.

Item 5 - Confirmation of Match Details

All HOME clubs MUST confirm with both their opponent and assigned referee NO LATER THAN 5 days before the match, all pertinent details, such as date, time, directions to field, number of matches (if both teams want to play a "B" side match, that is fine), etc.

Item 6 - Reporting of Match Results - CRITICAL

The winning side MUST notify me by telephone [609-983-1094] within 24 hours of the match, with a followup by email, of the score. This score is to be verified with the referee immediately after the match.

Item 7 - Prior to Match Requirements

Referees will delay kickoff until the following requirements are met:

# The referee has checked that each player has a current school picture ID. If the player cannot provide a school ID, clearance to play is up to the opponent's team captain. If the referee forgets to check this, please remind him or her, to do so.

# Both sides have submitted a clearly completed CIPP Roster [one form is preferred - provided by the home team] to the referee [who will send it within 24 hours to Steve Cohen 346 Shady Lane Marlton, NJ 08053-2717]. The referee shall note any protest or question on the roster.

# Goal posts must be padded.

# The field is correctly lined and marked in accordance with The Plans of the Game. If it is not, acceptance of field and markings is subject to the referee's decision.

# Field Surface - There shall be no dangerous obstructions or holes on the pitch between the touchlines and the endlines.

# Medical Preparedness - either a certified doctor must be present or proven access to a phone at the field. All teams should have a First Aid Kit and someone familiar with First Aid at the field.

# Protests - If either team feels that they have a basis for protesting the match, they MUST do so prior to the match with the referee. If the basis for the protest is not within the realms of the referee to decide upon in accordance with The Laws of the Game of Rugby Football, then the match shall be played as is. The protesting team shall provide clear written details of the protest to me within 24 hours of the match kickoff or it will not be considered.

# Kit Requirements - both teams are to be properly outfitted in a rugby kit. The following applies:

    1. Except as specifically noted herein, MARFU adopts and recommends enforcement of all provisions of Law 4 of the Laws of the Game of Rugby Football, including USA Rugby Football Union directives.

    2. Jerseys

    (a) Cotton and synthetic materials and blends are permitted.

    (b) Must be collared, of full length, with sleeves of at least 2 inches when measured from the inset seam. Body and sleeve must be hemmed or banded. No t-shirts will be allowed [unless as required due to Jersey Conflict Procedure].

    (c) May be of any color or pattern, but all players wear the same matching color and pattern.

    (d) Must be clean and in good repair and free from holes, tears and rips.

    (e) Must be numbered 1 through 15 in not less than 4" size with numbers worn by players according to proper position. Numbers to be contrasting color, located in mid-center back. Reserves must also wear properly numbered jerseys.

    (f) No "mesh" jerseys (open weave) will be allowed.

    (g) No tearaway jerseys will be allowed.

    3. Shorts

    (a) Must be cotton or cotton blend of at least 50%.

    (b) May be of any color or length between two inches and knee length, but all players must wear same matching color, pattern, and length.

    (c) Must be clean and in good repair and free from holes, tears and rips.

    4. Socks

    (a) Cotton, wool, synthetic materials, and blends permitted.

    (b) Must be of at least over-the-calf length.

    (c) Any color or pattern permitted, but all players must be wear the same matching color and pattern. Different colors may be worn on each leg provided all players wear the same combination.

    5. Underclothing and Additional Garment and Accessories

    (a) Players may wear clothing beneath jerseys and shorts provided:

    i. It otherwise conforms to the laws.

    ii. No portion extends beyond the sleeve and shorts hem (NO bike shorts).

    (b) In exceptional and extraordinary climate conditions, for player safety, additional garment or accessories may be authorized by the referee. Such authorization shall be rarely given.

    (c) Medical devices, otherwise conforming to the laws, may be worn to protect existing injury.

    (d) Specific reference to Law 4(5) is made to prohibit bandannas and do-rags.

    (e) Subject to the above, additional garments, accessories, and protective devices shall not be worn, except as provided in Law 4.

    6. Advertisements and Logos

    (a) MARFU teams shall conform to USA Rugby and IRB regulations on advertisers' and manufacturers' logos as drafted and implemented, subject to the following restrictions.

    i. No more than one advertiser's patch or logo may appear upon a player's kit and each player; upon the team fielded, must wear matching logos or advertisement.

    ii. Manufacturer's logos for which no remuneration is paid to the club or team shall not be deemed an advertiser's logo, but shall otherwise conform.

    iii. No remuneration for wearing of advertisement shall be paid or benefit any player individually.

    iv. Advertisers' logos shall be located only upon the left or right breast or either sleeve on jerseys, provided the location shall be uniform on all players' kit.

    v. Advertisers' logos shall be located only upon the left or right front short leg on shorts, provided the location shall be uniform on all players' kit.

    vi. MARFU shall retain the right to prohibit and require removal of any advertiser logo deemed offensive, inflammatory, or not in the best interests of promotion of the sport of Rugby.

    vii. No advertiser's logo of a direct competitor of any national sponsor shall be permitted.

    viii. No advertisement for tobacco, alcohol, or any bar, tavern, or saloon shall be permitted upon the kit of any college club or team or youth club or team.

Item 8 - Rules

1. ALL MATCHES WILL CONSIST OF 40-MINUTE HALVES.

2. IF ANY MATCH IS TIED AFTER FULL-TIME, IT WILL BE BROKEN AS FOLLOWS:

1) TWO 10-MINUTE OVERTIME PERIODS.
2) IF STILL TIED, 10-MINUTE SUDDEN DEATH PERIODS [SWITCHING ENDS BETWEEN PERIODS]
UNTIL THERE IS A SCORE.

3. ANY TEAM FAILING TO TAKE THE FIELD, READY TO PLAY, WITHIN 60 MINUTES OF THE
SCHEDULED KICKOFF TIME, WILL FORFEIT THE MATCH BY A 7-0 SCORE.

Item 9 - Jersey Conflict Procedure

Teams that are playing each other should check to see if there may be a conflict with similar jersey colors. If so, it is up to the home club to use their alternate jersey or if neither team has an alternate, it is up to the home team to work it out to the satisfaction of the referee; this may require wearing same color t-shirts over the jerseys. If the home team does not have an alternate jersey and the visitors do, then the visiting team must oblige.

Item 10 - Code of Conduct

Collegiate rugby players represent their universities and are ambassadors of United States collegiate rugby. As such, each collegiate rugby player and coach is expected to be a lady or a gentlemen on and off the field. Collegiate rugby players should not tolerate obnoxious, impolite or antisocial behavior of any sort which could adversely affect the image of collegiate rugby as a serious and disciplined athletic endeavor. Any breach of this Code of Conduct at this event, either at the event site, area hotels, public facilities, etc., as witnessed and reported by any individual will be forwarded to the appropriate disciplinary committee for action.

Item 11 - Alcohol Policy

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED. Please be sure that your players, coaches, fans, etc. abide by this requirement. The onus of responsibility for this is on the individual club they are associated with. Failure to comply may result in team and/or player disqualification and/or enforcement by either college/university or city police.

The above items may seem like a lot to do, but if we are to provide a high standard of excellence in collegiate rugby that is needed to insure its future and a bright one for student-athletes, then it is really not much to ask for at all!

Thank you all for your cooperation. If you have ANY questions, feel free to contact me. Good luck to all on and off the field.

Cheers,

Steve Cohen, Event Director
MARFU Collegiate Playoffs
609-983-1094