July 1ST & 2ND , 2017 Nor’ Westers Athletic Association Ivor Dent Sports Park Edmonton, Alberta

Hosted by:

OPERATIONS MANUAL 2017 TOURNAMENT GUIDELINES

Introduction

This manual will be the central procedural document of the Rugby Alberta Regional Competition. It will serve as the competition rules and regulations manual as well as the competition operational guidelines.

Additional information may be sent out from time to time and should be inserted in the appropriate section of this document.

This will be the pinnacle of regional U16 and U18 rugby in Alberta as we develop a broader player pool. The ARC is the primary selection tool for the Provincial U16/U18 male and female teams who will compete in the Canadian Rugby Championships in Calgary from the 14th-20th August 2017

Tournament Venues

2016: Calgary 2017: Edmonton 2018: Lethbridge 2019: Red Deer

Important Contacts

The Commissioners for the tournament will be Rugby Alberta Board member Sean Hofstetter and Sandy Nesbitt.

Competition Administrators:

Graeme Moffat – Technical [email protected] 403.862.7505

Eve Fletcher – Event Logistics [email protected] 780.415.1774 (direct) 780.952.8717 (cell)

Communication Contacts

Rugby Alberta Staff:

Technical Direction: Graeme Moffat 403 862 7505 [email protected] Event Logistics: Eve Fletcher [email protected] Technical Support: Janelle Romanchuk [email protected] Entertainment/Rookie Rugby: Brady Bailey [email protected]

Executive Committee

Sean Hofstetter 403 630 5434 [email protected] Sandy Nesbitt 780 983 9884 [email protected] Denise Fisher 780 638 4547 [email protected] Graeme Moffat 403 862 7505 [email protected]

2017 ARC Team Representatives: Edmonton Gold: Danielle Weran [email protected] Calgary Mavericks: Greg Wolfe [email protected] Central Alberta: Kenton Poelzer [email protected] Southern Alberta: John Seaman [email protected] Wolf Pack: Graeme Moffat [email protected]

PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT 2017

ARC: Provincial Regional Competition Participating teams: All teams participating in the ARC Host Union: Edmonton

Title and Trophy 1.1 The tournament will be called the Alberta Regional Competition 1.2 The ARC will consist of 16 teams, 8 teams of each gender 1.3. A championship cup will be presented to the winning male and female teams.

Competition 2.1 The 8 participating teams in the competition will be representing the following provincial unions. a) Southern Alberta (Alberta) b) Calgary Mavericks (Alberta) c) Central Alberta (Alberta) d) Edmonton Gold (Alberta)

Administration and Organization 3.1 Rugby Alberta will host the ARC and shall make all necessary arrangements for the organization and holding of the matches in the tournament at the designated host facility. 3.2 The ARC will be governed by the operation manual. In the event that an issue is not addressed in the ARC manual the decision will be referred to the CRC executive committee. 3.3 The tournament is charged with the responsibility of ensuring all risk, safety considerations and medical concerns are of the appropriate standard and this responsibility shall not be transferred to any other body. 3.4 Rugby Alberta will assign a local liaison officer to assist with local arrangements.

Risk Management 4.1 All coaches and match officials are required to adhere to ’s policy regarding safety accreditation. 4.2 All players will not be permitted to enter the field of play without a mouth guard as per Rugby Canada Policy. 4.3 In the event of a catastrophic injury to player Rugby Alberta will ensure prompt emergency attention.

Restrictions on Liability and Insurance 5.1 For insurance purposes, all involved personnel from each participating team (players, coaches, managers etc.) must be registered with Rugby Canada.

5.2 Save in the event of any negligent or willful act or omission on the part of the person or entity concerned, none of the following, that is to say the Executive Committee, Rugby Alberta, any of their respective officers, agents or employees shall be liable to any member of any squad or any participating team for the death of, or personal injury, damage to property or other loss suffered by any member of the squad of any participating team whether on or off the playing enclosure.

5.3 Participating teams are responsible for the insurance of team kit and personal effects.

Medical 6.1 A match day doctor will be appointed for the tournament 6.2 A well planned and documented emergency action plan is in place to cater to the safety and welfare of all players, officials, team administrators and spectators. 6.3 Ambulance access to the grounds must be clearly outlined to all medical personnel for quick and safe transport to/from the venue. 6.4 The management of each team is responsible for keeping adequate and proper medical records of his/her teams. 6.5 Medical costs/fees is the responsibility of each participating team and cost of treatment associated with illness or injury to its squad member. 6.6 Each team must provide its own athletic therapist or physiotherapist.

Cost and Tournament Financial Arrangements 7.1 Each participating team is solely responsible for the financial requirements of operating their team in accordance with the terms and conditions of this agreement. 7.2 Each participating team will be responsible for any costs associated with additional staff members in addition to what is sanctioned in the operational guidelines. 7.3 Rugby Alberta will cover the costs associated with the match officials. 7.4 Tournament fee is $3240 per team, ($135 per player) 7.5 All tournament fees will be paid 14 days in advance of the tournament. 7.6 Any profits generated will be put towards the CRC U’16 U18 National Festival

Travel and Accommodation Arrangements 8.1 Each team is responsible for Inbound/outbound travel and is required to make and pay for all its travel arrangements excluding hotel shuttles on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. 8.2 Rugby Alberta will cover hotel costs for each team on Saturday night up to 8 rooms per team either at Delta South, 4404 Gateway Blvd NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 5C2 or TownePlace Suites 1115 103A St SW, Edmonton, AB T6W 1A1

Local costs 9.1 Each participating team is responsible for meals, excluding post games BBQ on Saturday night, breakfast (included with hotel deal) and a boxed lunch on Sunday 9.2 Rugby Alberta will cover ground transportation on Saturday evening from to the hotel and suites and from the hotels and suites to Ellerslie Rugby Park on Sunday morning. 9.3 Rugby Alberta shall make all necessary arrangements relating to holding other events as part of the tournament (i.e. managers meeting, selection meetings, medical meeting, post match functions etc.) 9.4 Each participating member of the tournament will receive a tournament T Shirt (28 per team) 9.5 Each participating team will receive bagged ice, 2 bags per day.

Venues, Facilities and Equipment Rugby Alberta accepts, represents, warrants and undertakes all of the following. 10.1 The match venue will satisfy the requirements set out in the IRB Laws of the game and IRB technical zones. 10.2 The venue will be adequately and appropriately staffed and policed and provided will all necessary emergency medical services and facilities to a standard satisfactory to Rugby Canada. 10.3 Changing room that includes washbasin, shower and toilet facility exclusively to the match officials. 10.4 The area around the changing areas will be restricted to players, match officials and tournament officials. 10.5 Rugby Alberta shall provide match balls for the tournament. Teams are expected to travel with their own supply of training balls. 10.6 Rugby Alberta will endeavor to satisfy the practice requirements of traveling teams for the tournament.

Playing Minutes Policy 11.1 Each player in the squad of 24 must start at least one of the games in the tournament.

Actions to be completed for each match 12.1 Submit a match team sheet to the tournament commissioners 30 minutes prior to the commencement of each match 12.2 Complete the teams required section of the official game sheet. 12.3 Verify all scorers in each match with the match commissioner

ARC Participation Requirements 13.1 A signed participation agreement must be submitted 13.2 A completed final squad selection must be submitted by June 27th 13.3 Submit match kit colors to the tournament commissioner by June 1st

Acceptance Each team participating in the ARC is required to complete and sign the Participation Agreement, thereby, agreeing to the terms and conditions of the participation agreement and tournament rules. A signed copy due no later than June 1st 2017. See Appendix 1