Ellon Rugby Football Club

1. ENTRIES
Each competition will be contested by teams from Caledonia Midlands and Caledonia North.

2. STRUCTURE OF COMPETITION
2.1 The Cup/Shield competition will be on a knock-out format.

2.2 A Bowl/Plate competition, also on a knock-out format, will be run for teams eliminated in Round 1 of the Cup/Shield.

2.3 The finals of all competitions will be played at St Andrews, Station Park. All match arrangements for these finals will be communicated to the clubs concerned by the Competition Organiser.

2.4 Dates for the U18 Cup/Shield Competition
Round 1 Saturday 11th February 2012
Quarter-finals Saturday 18th February 2012
Semi-finals Saturday 31st March 2012
Final Sunday 29th April 2012

Dates for the U18 Bowl/Plate Competition
Round 1 Saturday 18th February 2012
Semi-finals Saturday 31st March 2012
Final Sunday 29th April 2012


Dates for the U16 Cup/Shield Competition
Prelim Round Sunday 12th February 2012
Quarter-finals Sunday 19th February 2012
Semi-finals Sunday 1st April 2012
Final Sunday 29th April 2012

Dates for the U16 Bowl/Plate Competition
Prelim Round Sunday 19th February 2012
Quarter-finals Sunday 26th February 2012
Semi-finals Sunday 1st April 2012
Final Sunday 29th April 2012


Dates for the U15 Cup/Shield Competition
Prelim Round Sunday 12th February 2012
Round 1 Sunday 19th February 2012
Quarter-finals Sunday 4th March 2012
Semi-finals Sunday 1st April 2012
Final Sunday 29th April 2012

Dates for the U15 Bowl/Plate Competition
Prelim Round Sunday 26th February 2012
Quarter-finals Sunday 18th March 2012
Semi-finals Sunday 1st April 2012
Final Sunday 29th April 2012

Stand by dates
U18 U15 & u16
25th February 2012 26th February 2012
10th March 2012 4th March 2012
17th March 2012 11th March 2012
24th March 2012 18th March 2012
21st April 2012 25th March 2012
22nd April 2012


3. LAWS OF THE GAME
All games will be played according to the IRB Laws, including the Under 19 Law Variations.


4. DURATION OF MATCHES
4.1 All U16 and U18 matches shall be 70 minutes, i.e. two halves of 35 minutes. All U15 matches shall be 30 minutes, i.e. two halves of 30 minutes. (IRB Law 5: Time (Under 19 Variation))

4.2 No extra time will be played at any stage of the competitions. If at full time the result is a draw then the team which has scored the greater number of tries shall be declared the winner. Should both teams have scored the same number of tries in a drawn match, then the away team shall be declared the winner.

4.3 In the event of a draw in a final the trophy shall be shared.


5. ARRANGING OF FIXTURES AND NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
5.1 The home team must contact the opposition team at least 72 hours before the kick-off to confirm the match details. If there is a change to the date and/or venue and/or kick-off time for the match, the home team must inform the opposition, referee and Competition Organiser without delay.

5.2 Before each match the home team must notify the Competitions Organiser of the venue and kick-off time. The home team must advise the Competitions Organiser of the result no later than 10.00am on the Monday after the match.


6. FITNESS OF THE GROUND
Determination of the fitness of the ground for play shall be by mutual consent of the team coaches. In the event of a disagreement the referee shall decide.


7. POSTPONED OR ABANDONED MATCHES
7.1 Where a match is postponed due to weather or abandoned it must be played on the first available stand-by date listed in Rule 2.4 above. In the event of a failure to agree a suitable date the Competition Organiser will allocate a date and, if necessary, a venue.

7.2 When a match is abandoned before 55 minutes of play (before 20 minutes of the second half have elapsed) the match will be replayed. When a match is abandoned after 55 minutes of play then the score at that time will be the match result.

7.3 In the event that the scores are level in a match abandoned after 55 minutes of play then the winner will be decided under the terms of Rule 4.2 above.

7.4 For the avoidance of doubt, National Competition Rule 4.4 regarding red cards, yellow cards, and other discipline matters will apply to an abandoned match.


8. TEAM COLOURS
The coach in charge of the home team must establish if there will be a clash of colours. In the event of such a clash of colours it shall be the responsibility of the home team to change.


9. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
9.1 All players must be eligible in line with Scottish Rugby Age Eligibility and “Are You Ready To Play Rugby?” policies.

9.2 Outwith application for exemptions through the Scottish Rugby’s “Are You Ready To Play Rugby?” policies:

9.2.1 All players participating in the National U15 Caledonia Youth Cup must be born in or after 1st September 1996 (under 15 on 1st September 2011).

9.2.2 All players participating in the National U16 Caledonia Youth Cup must be born in or after 1st September 1995 (under 16 on 1st September 2011).

9.2.3 All players participating in the National U18 Caledonia Youth Cup must be born in or after 1st September 1993 (under 18 on 1st September 2011).


For full details please refer to the “Are You Ready to Play Rugby” section of the Scottish Rugby website: www.scottishrugby.org.


10. PLAYER NUMBERS AND SUBSTITUTES
10.1 The minimum number of players in a team for a Cup or Bowl fixture to go ahead is 13. Should a team have fewer than 15 players the match may go ahead and the result will stand providing that each team has a suitable front row to start the match.

10.2 Up to seven substitutes per team may be used. All directives from Scottish Rugby regarding the use of replacements in matters of safety must be followed.


11. PLAYER REGISTRATION
All players must be registered on the Scottish Rugby online player registration system before each match. Any team found to have played a non-registered player shall be disqualified from the tournament under the terms of National Competition Rule 5.5.1.


12. TEAM SHEETS
For every match each team must provide a completed team sheet to the referee and the opposition at least half an hour before kick-off and send a copy to iain.bowles@sru.org.uk on the Monday immediately following the match.


13. MATCH OFFICIALS
13.1 For all matches, except the finals, the home team shall arrange for a suitably qualified referee (can be appointed by the local referee society for U18), and a competent adult touch judge must be appointed by each team.

13.2 Scottish Rugby will appoint all match officials for the finals.

13.3 Match arrangements, especially venue and kick-off time, must be confirmed to the referee at least 72 hours before kick-off. If there is a change to the date and/or venue and/or kick-off time for the match, the home team must inform the referee without delay.

13.4 It is advisable for the home team, where possible, to have a local Level 1 qualified referee available to cover any late call-off or injury to the referee.


14. DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES AND CODE OF CONDUCT
14.1 Scottish Rugby’s Discipline Procedures shall apply to all matches.

14.2 Players, coaches and spectators are obliged to abide by Scottish Rugby’s Code of Conduct. All clubs must make every effort to promote the Code of Conduct to all participants, including spectators.


15. TRAVEL EXPENSES
15.1 Where a club is required to fulfil a Cup or Bowl competition fixture with a return journey of either (a) 200 or more miles or (b) 400 or more miles, Scottish Rugby will make a travel contribution in respect of each of these trips. Where a club is required to travel to or from a Scottish Island to fulfil a Cup or Bowl competition fixture, Scottish Rugby will make a separate travel contribution in respect of each of these trips.

15.2 All travel payments will be made directly to clubs via BACS payment at the end of the competition. Only journeys made to Orkney, Shetland and Stornoway need to be claimed for using the island travel claim form.



Competition Organiser
U16 & U18 Cup Competitions: Iain Bowles– Caledonia Regional Administrator.
Telephone: 07736 783755 Email: iain.bowles@sru.org.uk