1ST XV TEAM NEWS

ARE YOU RUGBY READY

Date of Article: 30 July 2012

ARE YOU RUGBY READY 2012-13
REVISED SAFETY POLICIES AT YOUR CLUB AND SCHOOL


The “Are You Ready to Play Rugby?” campaign was launched by Scottish Rugby in 2009 to ensure that a consistent approach to player safety is adopted and maintained across Scotland by all coaches, teachers, referees and volunteers.
During the last four years, Scottish Rugby has been working in close collaboration with the Scottish Committee of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeons (SCOT) and the Scottish Government to implement safety changes.
Scottish Rugby has now revised the “Are You Ready to Play Rugby?” policies for the start of the 2012-2013 season.

All involved in club and school rugby should be aware of the policies which apply to:
Male Under-18s in Senior Rugby Policy - main policy update:
It is Scottish Rugby policy that the age for which male players are permitted to participate in senior rugby shall be 18. The policy must be followed unless specific exceptions are met.

Two years ago Scottish Rugby reported that it was concerned about the number of U18 players that were being placed at an increased risk of serious injury by playing adult rugby. At that time, a commitment was made to monitor the situation closely with a view to making further changes to the U18 in Adult Rugby Policy if the number of players did not decrease significantly.
Last season some 305 applications to play senior rugby were received which represented an increase of 72 from season 2010-11. As a result, the Scottish Rugby Board has made the following changes to the Male U18 in Adult Rugby Policy for season 2012-13.

The main points are as follows
No 16-year-olds can apply. As a result no 16-year-old can play in senior rugby.
Only 17-year-old players who are involved in Scottish Rugby's representative programme (see full policy for definition) can apply to play senior rugby
Specific dispensation for student rugby (see full policy for details)
Please click onto www.scottishrugby.org for the full Male U18 in Senior Rugby Policy for 2012-13.

NOTES: There are no significant changes to the female age banding and exceptions policy, except that September 1 shall be used as the cut-off date ;

Under-16s in under-18 rugby The first rounds of physical maturity assessments will be held in August to suit clubs and a further round will take place in early September to accommodate schools and clubs. Physical maturity assessment dates can be found by clicking onto www.scottishrugby.org.


RugbyReady practical courses (venues, dates and online booking Please click onto www.scottishrugby.org for a list of proposed venues and dates.)

It is a requirement for all coaches, teachers and referees to complete the RugbyReady practical course annually, to ensure that the game continues to be coached and played in a safe and enjoyable manner. This is a free, annual course suitable for anyone involved in the coaching of both adults and children. Details of the 2012-13 RugbyReady Practical courses being run in your areas from next month as well as online registration can be found by clicking onto www.scottishrugby.org.