2021 9 A SIDE COLLEGE COMPETITION HANDBOOK

Auckland Rugby League is pleased to be able to provide in association with College (CSA) the 2021 College Rugby League (CRL) competitions.

With the continued support of CSA, our partners and all participating schools our aim is to deliver a quality experience for all participants and to provide opportunities for these young men under our mantra “Community and Competition”.

Our strategic goal is to continually hold competitive and enjoyable competitions

Auckland Rugby League Vision:

• Provide the best secondary schools competition in ;

• Enhance career pathways for players and officials;

• Establish a whole of school/club model that links and sustains rugby league to be played at school and club level from primary to intermediate to secondary school;

• Promote rugby league as a safe and enjoyable sport as well as improving capability and confidence for all involved.

Outcomes:

• A sustainable, prestigious rugby league competition for all secondary schools to aspire to;

• Added value to students both in terms of competition and community;

• increase the quality and quantity of coaches, players and match officials;

• Raise the profile and status of rugby league within schools;

• Create and develop more effective school-club links.

INTRODUCTION 2020 SEASON:

Following a review of the 2020 season and the impact of Covid-19 in conjunction with CSA, some administration and delivery changes have been implemented to the 2021 competition. The key changes include:

1. Premier College Girls 9’s will commence 12th May 2021 U/15 9 a-side grade will commence 12th May 2021

2. A school representative and the Coach must sign the team card.

3. School Photo ID’s have been introduced and are required to be made available to the opposition school on request prior to a game.

4. Schools must notify ARL or CSA no later than 24 hours prior to their match any later the school will cover the cost for the match official.

CRL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To implement all policies and by-laws of CSA;

• Liaise with the Advisory Committee and CSA to continually enhance the competitions;

• Support CSA in the administration of the competition, it’s rules and regulations, draws and results;

• Promote the competition with schools, media and website updates.

• Collate player and school participation data in conjunction with CSA;

• Provide Referee’s and Match Managers for all games as best we can.

SCHOOL SPORT RESPONSIBILITIES

This added value support is provided on the basis that participating schools will in return:

• Abide by the competition rules and regulations as detailed by College Sport, Auckland Rugby League and as contained in this handbook;

• Play within the spirit of the game and its Code of Conduct;

• Provide sound administration;

• Play in the dedicated school sport uniform as per competition rules;

• Deliver playing fields as per competition guidelines, with suitable sideline seats and roped off field.

• Ensure effective crowd control as per competition guidelines and Health & Safety regulations for home games;

• Provide Linesman and ball boys for each game;

COMPETITION RULES:

The following is applicable for all participating schools:

1. To be eligible to play in this competition a player must be under 15 as at the 1st of January in the year of competition. This means a player must not be 16 at any time during the year. (Boys U/15 9 a-side only)

2. All players must be current students at a participating school. All schools must comply with CSA By-Laws on eligibility.

3. All participating schools must provide school Photo ID for all players per CSA Photo ID policy.

4. All team player lists must be registered per College Sport requirements no later than 5th May 2021. Player Lists are to be submitted to College Sport.

5. In conjunction with CSA checks will be made of team lists submitted to confirm players are eligible.

If a player is found overage you will lose points from that game and any game the player has played in so, please ensure all coaches and managers are aware of age eligibility definition. (Boys only)

6. All U/15 9 a-side games will be played on Wednesday afternoons at the venues per the College Sport published draw. All College girls 9 a-side games will be played on Thursday afternoons at the venues per the College Sport published draw.

7. Kick-off times will be 4.00pm however there is provision for games to start at 3.30pm where schools mutually agree. If this is mutually agreed, then the hosting school must notify CSA in writing no later than 2pm on the Monday prior to the scheduled fixture.

8. Defaults and re-scheduling – Please refer to College Sport defaults and re-scheduling policy:

http://www.collegesport.co.nz/content/res/1453073079Defaults_&_Rescheduling_Polic y.pdf.

9. Disputes/Protests. If for any reason a school wishes to protest or dispute a result, a written report must be submitted to ARL by noon on the Thursday following the scheduled fixture. ARL will then deal with the matter accordingly in conjunction with CSA

For any other protest, the protest must be lodged prior to the game through the Match Manager.

10. If any serious misconduct occurs resulting in a player being sent-off they will be subject to an automatic suspension relevant to the offence. Please refer to the automatic suspension offences and process outlined on page 11 of this handbook.

If a school wishes to contest a suspension, they may do so by contacting ARL before noon on the Friday following the game however if the player is still found guilty, their suspension may increase at the discretion of the judicial panel.

11. Any rules or matters not covered in this handbook will be adjudicated on by College Sport representative Collette Amai and ARL Coaching and development Officer Mary Passi (or their appointees) with CSA rules and regulations applicable or in the case of matters not covered, the rules and regulations of the ARL.

12. ARL is bound by the mandatory concussion policy of . Refer to the policy at the rear of this handbook for details.

13. Mouthguards must be always worn. No mouthguard = No play. Referees will send a player off if he is not wearing his mouth guard and they cannot return to the game. If a player is sent off for no mouth guard they may be replaced from the remaining listed reserves however this will count as 1 of your 8 allowable interchanges.

14. Team cards will be supplied and must be filled in correctly before each game and handed to the Match Manager a minimum of 20 minutes before kick-off. Up to a maximum of 13 players per game is permitted (9 on the field with 4 reserves).

15. Teams can use unlimited interchanges per game from the listed reserves and the team manager must notify the Match Manager when an interchange is to take place prior to the interchange being made. Interchange cards will be supplied to team managers.

16. Each team is required to supply a touch judge before the game kicks off.

17. If the sin bin is needed it will be for a max of 5 minutes and the Match Manager will be responsible for monitoring time. Time will only commence when the player is seated next to the Match Manager.

18. Game points will be allocated as follows:

• 2 points for a win • 1 point for a draw • 0 points for a loss

19. If teams are on equal points at the conclusion of the grading or premiership rounds rankings will be determined firstly by:

• Percentages (points for x 100 divided by points against) • If still drawn, then the team that scored the most tries for round play and then competition play if applicable.

20. For all semi-final matches that end in a draw in normal playing time, an extra 5 minutes each way will be played as golden point. The teams will toss a coin to see which end of the field a team will play and an extra 2 interchanges will be given to both teams. If a game is still a draw at the end of the two 5-minute periods of extra time, the game will be awarded to the highest qualifying team at the conclusion of competition round play except in the case of a grand final. The team who scores first in the grand final will be crowned the winner.

The Match Manager will submit the official Match Managers sheet to College Sport.

9’S RULES

9-a-side Rules (International rules and competition regulations also apply)

1. Scrum Formation - All scrums will consist of 3 forwards only (front row) leaving 6 backs, one of whom must take the half-backs position.

2. Games will comprise of two (2) twenty (20) minutes periods with a half-time period no longer than three (3) minutes.

3. Teams can name up to thirteen players, (13) with no more the nine (9) players on the field at any one time.

4. Unlimited interchange will apply using the four (4) pre named substitutes. All substitutions must be made from the half-way line.

5. Each half must start with a place kick.

6. Conversions after a successful try take the form of drop kicks. Players from the team that has conceded the score do not have to retire behind the try line but must not interfere with any conversion attempt.

7. When points have been scored, the team against which points have been scored will receive a drop kick from the team that scored to restart play (must travel at least 10 metres).

HOST SCHOOL & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The host school is required to set up the field as per international standard. This includes sideline flags, padded posts and both sidelines roped off.

2. The host school is to provide a table and 2 chairs set out sideline for the Match Manager.

3. The host school is required to provide and set up sideline chairs for both team’s substitutes and coaching staff.

4. The host school must have changing sheds and toilets clean and available for the visiting team.

5. The home team manager is required to meet the referee and visiting team manager on arrival.

6. Health and Safety – Each team is responsible for their first aid supplies. The home team is required to have a first aid emergency plan.

7. Ground control – It is the responsibility of each school to ensure all sideline behave in an orderly manner. Fields must be roped off and if possible staff and/or student helpers designated to monitor sidelines and applicable Health & Safety regulations have been implemented.

8. Team cards - All teams must submit a team card to the Match Manager at least 20 minutes prior to kick off. Please ensure the numbers on the card match the jersey number of the player. All players must sign the card.

9. Team cards must be given to the Match manager directly after the game has concluded.

There will be no Match Managers required at any U/15 9 a-side games.

Game result will be sent to ARL by the match official

Sending - Off Offence Schedule

Automatic Suspensions:

Offence Severity Penalty

Fighting / Striking Grade 1/Grade 2 4 Week / 8 Week Reckless / Careless high Grade 1 2 Weeks tackle Grade 2 4 Weeks

Foul Play Grade 1 2 Week

Grade 2 4 Weeks

Match Official abuse

8 Weeks

Conduct contrary to the 4 Week spirit of the game Re-entering field of play Grade 1 4 Week Grade 2 8 - 10 Week Serious misconduct Grade 1 4 Week Grade 2 8 – 10 Weeks

Process:

If a player is sent off he must leave the field of play and change out of his playing uniform before returning to the side line. He can take no further part in the game and that includes running water or messages.

The referee will then submit a written report to the ARL. The school will be advised in writing including receiving a copy of the Referees Report. The player will then have the option of taking the automatic suspension period to the ordering-off offence or they can choose to contest to a judicial hearing.

Schools will have until noon on Friday to contest via email to ARL. If the player chooses to contest the mandatory suspension penalty to the offence the suspension period may be increased if found guilty.

The Judicial Committee shall comprise of: i. A representative of the ARL ii. A representative of College Sport iii. A representative of the Advisory Committee Please note the ARL can issue a suspension notice for a player for unsportsmanlike behavior without the player being sent off. If this should happen the school will be notified immediately.

Should a school appeal any suspension or decision pertaining to judicial, an Appeals Committee is in place.

Auckland Rugby League Mary Passi Football Development Officer Ph: (09) 571-2000 M: (021) 340 - 8811 E: [email protected]

College Sport Collette Amai Sport Manager Ph: (09) 845 8496 M: (027) 493 5073 E: [email protected]

Annual Awards – CRL Premier Boys 1st XIII:

Prior to the Grand Final of the SAS Premier 1st XIII championships, an awards function will be held. The awards to be presented include:

• MVP of the Year

• Coach of the Year

• Manager of the Year

• Referee of the Year

• College Girls 9’s team of the year

Auckland Rugby League Clubs: Auckland Rugby League clubs are the backbone of the game of rugby league and historically it was the clubs that nurtured and developed players in their formative school years. Over the years this has evolved with school competitions and kiwi greats such as , and current such as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, and David Fusitua all derived their skill and passion for the game at club and school competition during this period of their lives.

The CRL competition provides an opportunity to strengthen clubs and schools by providing links between both. The prospect of a club/school association promises to deliver a sharing of resources which can only benefit both the club and school communities as a whole. The ARL will assist and co-ordinate where requested a range of club-school links that build sustainable support and meet the targeted needs of all. If you require assistance or support from your local rugby league club the contacts are as follows: