Cancellations

There are new regulations relating to cancellations and postponements of League games.   Check in the latest RFU Competitions Handbook. Generally, a postponed League Match, MUST be played on the NEXT Saturday when an RFU League, RFU Cup or Final of the County Challenge Cup, is not scheduled. Clubs can, by advising the Competitions committee 3 months in advance, set aside one Saturday each Season for going on tour, and will not then be required to play on this Saturday.
Clubs must notify the League Results service by 5pm of cancellations.
The London competitions Website publishes the dates for Postponed matches go to                                   www.londonrfu.com

For Sussex Knockout competitions see rule 6 below

The County Disciplinary system deals with offences against the Laws of Rugby but Players must be aware that instances of foul play are also subject to Common Law and an assault is not justified just because it occurs during a Rugby match, and could be a cause for civil action.

Protective Clothing

The regulations relating to protective clothing are sent to every Club and must be adhered to. They are for the protection of both the wearer and the other players, and apply to all levels and ages.         
 Only IRB-approved items are permitted.

The RFU now automatically covers all players, officials and coaches
However this provides for compensation for death or serious injury only and does not cover
the loss of income, or medical expenses.
Players are strongly advised to take out their own
loss of Income and Injury  Insurance.

Replacements

 Note A - If, on the 1st or 2nd occasion any front row player requires to be replaced, his team must provide a suitably trained and experienced replacement so that the game can safely continue with contested scrummages.   If  a team cannot provide a suitably trained and experienced replacement aged at least 18, the Referee having confirmed this fact with the Team's Captain, (or other such person nominated by the Club) will order  uncontested scrummages. the Regulations of the Competition will govern the result of the match.

Note B - If, on the 1st occasion any front row player requires to be replaced, his team must provide a suitably trained and experienced replacement so that the game can safely continue with contested scrummages.   If  a team cannot provide a suitably trained and experienced replacement aged at least 18, the Referee having confirmed this fact with the Team's Captain, (or other such person nominated by the Club) will order  uncontested scrummages. the Regulations of the Competition will govern the result of the match.


Note D In all matches involving an off-shore Club in London 2 South (Jersey) and London Three South West (Guernsey), not more than FOUR replacements or substitutes are permitted. For the avoidance of doubt, this regulation applies to matches` taking place in the Channel islands and on the mainland.

Sussex Youth Leagues Regulations 2007-8

Sussex Youth (U 17 / U 18 Knockout  Rules 2007-2008

1. The Constituent Body's (CB) Management committee have determined that any youth section of a Club is responsible to that Club's senior management committee and should act through delegated authority of thatcommittee.   The CB's committees will only deal with matters relating to the transfer of players through the Club's elected senior officers.
   
2. All Club youth players under the age of 18 years on the 1st September of each season must be registered with a single Club that is a member of Sussex RFU, and with the RFU's Youth Registration Scheme
   
3. A change in registration to another club (with the exceptions noted below) can only take place at the beginning of a season, and be permitted provided that all arears of subscriptions have been settled and the club being left is notified in writing.    It is the duty of the receiving Clubto re-register the moving player, and to notify the CB youth Registrar by using the transfer section of the RFU Youth Registration form.   All changes of registration shall be completed within 14 days of arrival at the new Club.

Exceptions to this rule are permitted where:

    i)   Facilities at the appropriate age level for the player at the Club at which  the player is registered are unavailable.
    ii)   The player changes his permanent address within a season  to another distinct part of the CB, with written permission from both Clubs.
    iii)   Players registering for the first time.
    iv)    On appeal to the CB Youth Management Group.
    v)    The Senior managements of both clubs involved consent to the move.

4.          Registration of players is on an individual basis.   Teams or  substantial numbers of  players from a Club are not permitted to change registration except;
   i)      Where facilities for players at the appropriate age level are  unavailable.
   ii)      With written permission of the Senior management of the  Club being left.
 iii)       On appeal to the CB Youth Management Group in exceptional  circumstances.

    5.      Persons found to have incited, enticed or offered inducements to youth players, either singly or collectively, to change clubs, shall be deemed to have brought the game into disrepute and be subject to a disciplinary hearing by the Sussex RFU Disciplinary Committee.                                                                                                     

2.   Entry is voluntary and is restricted to Players registered for, or in ther case of non-league clubs, regular playing members mof fully paid up Clubs allocated to Sussex RFU, or whose main affiilation is Sussex RFU.    Applications for new entrants must be received by the Organiser by 1st June of the preceding season.

3.   The Management Committee shall appoint a Competition Organiser, who will arrange the Draws, collate the results, and, together with the Chairman of the County Competitions Committee, or in his absence, the County President or Chairman,  deal with any disputes.  The Management Committee shall, at the request of the Organiser, or in its own right, suspend or withdraw a Club for misconduct or contravention of the rules.   A Club shall have the right to be represented when its case is considered.

4.   The finalists shall receive the trophies determined by the Management Committee.

5.   Subject to the approval of criteria by the General Committee, the Organiser shall determine the level at which clubs enter the competitions, and any necessary byes, seeding or additional rounds.   Draw for the first and preliminary rounds of each Competition will normally be made at the meeting following the AGM.   The Draws will consist of all eligible Clubs, excluding those who have opted out, and suspended or seeded Clubs.  If a Club subsequently withdraws, the Organiser may, at his discretion, award a bye to the remaining club or arrange a match with another club previously given a bye.

 6.  Clubs drawn at home shall be responsible for informing the Organiser by telephone of the result, in a manner determined by the Organiser.   Both Clubs shall return results cards within 3 days.

7.  If a Club, drawn at home is unable to play on the appointed day due to ground conditions, they MUST:
     a) Find another (neutral) venue
     b) If they cannot, the opposition must be invited to host the match
     c)  If the opposition cannot then they may find another (neutral) ground.

8.  The side originally drawn AWAY will retain Away advantage at any NEUTRAL ground, but concede it if they play at HOME.

9. The rules of the RFU Senior competition shall apply in the following areas (except where specifically amended by these rules), - Eligibility, Replacements, Colours, Postponed or Abandoned matches, Kick-offs and Delayed arrivals, Grounds.    (Note especially RFU rules relating to ground safety and keeping the touchline free of spectators, replacements and officials.) 

Note that the RFU regulations provide that if, in a Final (which is played on a neutral ground), the above procedure does not produce a Winner then the teams are declared joint winners.   Rule 11 provides that, in Sussex, a replay is ordered.      

*Sussex Challenge Cup

1.   The Competition, for First XV's of Clubs affiliated to Sussex RFU, shall be called 'The Bob Rogers Challenge Competition.

2    By July 1st each year, the Sussex Competition Committee will nominate the two Clubs, for approval by the Management Committee, to contest the competition.   Unless extra-ordinary circumstances prevail, they will be the two clubs who finished the previous season in highest positions in the RFU League structure.   A Club promoted to a League will be deemed superior to a Club relegated from that League.  These Clubs will be known as the 'Selected Clubs'.

3.  The highest placed Selected Club will play a home semi-final against the losing finalist of the Sussex Knock-out Trophy, and the second Selected Club will play a home semi-final against the Sussex Trophy winner.   The winner of these two matches will play each other for the Bob Roger Challenge Cup. 

4.  The playing rules shall be as those of Rules 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13  for the Sussex Knockout Competition.

5.  The winning Club shall be nominated by Sussex RFU as their entry into the RFU National Knockout Competition.   If they already qualify for entry, or if Sussex RFU are permitted more than one nomination, the other Challenge finalist will be nominated.  Any further nominees shall be Clubs with the best record in the Challenge semi-finals.

6.  The winner shall be declared the Sussex Champion Team and will be awarded a perpetual Trophy to be presented by RAG Rogers to mark his tenure as President of the RFU, 2006-7.

PROMOTION AND RELEGATION IN THE SUSSEX LEAGUES

SUSSEX DIVISION 1

AUTOMATIC Promotion for League winner. Runner-up to play off against runner-up of Kent One. Bottom two teams relegated to Sussex Two East/West (but see Reg. 1 above)

SUSSEX RESERVE LEAGUE

No promotion. Bottom two teams relegated to Sussex Two East/West (but see Reg. 1 above)

SUSSEX DIVISION 2 EAST
  WEST

The 1^st XV finishing highest in each League, will be promoted to Sussex Division One. The non- Ist XV finishing highest in each League will be promoted to the Sussex Reserve League. The bottom side in each League will be relegated to Division Three. The two teams finishing second to bottom in each League will play-off to decide the Third team to be relegated. (subject to Reg. 1 above)

SUSSEX DIVISION 3 EAST,
  WEST
 CENTRAL

The top side in each League will be promoted to Division Two East or West, (but see Reg 1 above)