2018 USA Rugby Club Eastern Championships Columbus, OH May 19Th & 20Th, 2018

2018 USA Rugby Club Eastern Championships Columbus, OH May 19th & 20th, 2018

VENUE Fortress Obetz 1841 Williams Road Columbus, OH 43207

CONTACTS USA Rugby National Office: Aaron Kaylor – [email protected] USA Rugby On-Site: James Wilber – [email protected] USA Rugby Eligibility: Justin Holshuh – [email protected]

HOTELS Hotel availability in the immediate vicinity of the venue is limited due to a large music festival. USA Rugby was able to secure a hotel block, but it is likely to fill up quickly so please make hotel arrangements sooner rather than later.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Columbus Airport 4300 International Gateway, Columbus, OH 43129 $139/night including breakfast Call (614) 237-2100 and reference the USA Rugby Senior Club Championships or us the event Booking Site.

ELIGIBILITY Please contact Justin Holshuh ([email protected]) with any questions related to eligibility or to request a waiver of eligibility. Championship paperwork should be directed to [email protected]

Step 1 Team Contact Information: Complete online form with general club and contact information.

Step 2 Team Participation Agreement (Attached): This form must be signed and dated by your team representative as well as a representative from your Territorial/Geographic Union. This affirms that you understand what is required of you and your team at a USA Rugby National Championship Event. Completed forms should be forwarded to [email protected].

Step 3 *If any rostered member of your team has received an eligibility waiver for any purpose, please include a copy of that waiver along with your form. Senior Club 15s Roster: To be completed prior to competition in USA Rugby College Playoffs and Championship Events. Completed forms should be forwarded to [email protected]. 2018 USA Rugby Club Eastern Championships Columbus, OH May 19th & 20th, 2018

Step 4 Participation Waiver (Required of all participants): The participation waiver is no longer separated into adult and minor forms, but combined in a single document. A complete copy of this form must be presented by all players at check-in. Should a minor player have completed a waiver for participation in college rugby, please ensure that the athlete’s parent/guardian provides the appropriate signatures on the participation waiver and that the completed U18 Participation in Adult Rugby Waiver is present at check- in.

Step 5 Event Media Release Agreement (Attached): This form must be signed and dated by all members of your tour party. All members are to sign and date the form. If a player is under the age of 18, the player and his/her parent or legal guardian must complete the form and also complete the final page of the document.

Please use the attached Championship Checklist to confirm achievement of all five steps. Championship paperwork should be returned to [email protected].

FRIDAY TRAINING Field space is available on Friday for team walkthroughs and training. Please email Tim ([email protected]) to reserve field space.

CHECK-IN Eligibility Check-In will be conducted the evening of Friday, May 18th at the venue. Each team will have a 15-minute block for their eligibility check-in based on travel distance from the venue. - 5:30 PM Cincinnati Kelts & Fort Wayne Rugby - 5:45 PM Detroit Rugby & Detroit Tradesmen - 6:00 PM Chicago Lions & Harrisburg Rugby - 6:15 PM Charlotte Rugby & Raleigh Venom - 6:30 PM Phoenixville White Horse & Doylestown Dragons - 6:45 PM Morris Lions & New York Athletic - 7:00 PM Atlanta Renegades & Norfolk Blues - 7:15 PM Long Island Rugby & Providence Rugby - 7:30 PM Boston Rugby & Mystic River - 7:45 PM Palm Beach Panthers & Repechage Winner *The following documents will be required at check-in on Friday in addition to Steps 1 thru 5 Proof of Identification can be verified with: a. Current government issued photo identification. b. Official school ID for students. Proof of Citizenship can be verified with: a. Original or copy of U.S. birth certificate OR b. Original or copy of photo page of U.S. passport OR c. Original or certified copy of Permanent (Green Card) or Conditional Permanent Resident. The Coaches & Captains Meeting will take place from 8:00 – 8:30 PM at the same location.

VENUE Fortress Obetz is the home venue of the Ohio Machine of Major League Lacrosse. Matches will be played on the Regulation 22 stadium turf and an outer grass field. A map of the complex will be handed out at the Coaches & Captains meeting on Friday evening 2018 USA Rugby Club Eastern Championships Columbus, OH May 19th & 20th, 2018

VISITOR INFORMATION Tickets are available for the event now at Universe.com and at the door. • Single Day GA $12 • Weekend GA $20 The venue will be offering drink and concessions sales at the stadium throughout the weekend.

MATCH SCHEDULE All matches will be streamed live on USA Rugby TV.

**USA Rugby reserves the right to switch these matches based on Saturday winners and attendance 2018 USA Rugby Eastern Club Championships Columbus, OH May 19th & 20th, 2018

2018 Championship Checklist - USA Rugby Senior Club Playoffs Championship paperwork may be returned to [email protected]

Form Due Date Format Complete 1. Team Contact Information Form Monday, May 14th Online ______

2. Team Participation Agreement: Must Monday, May 14th Email ______include signature of Territorial/Geographic Union representative.

3. Senior Club 15s Roster: Monday, May 14th Email ______Teams may have a maximum of 28 players and 8 staff on their roster

4. Participation Waiver Check-In Hard Copy ______(required of all participants) May 18th Minor players will require parent/guardian signatures on the waiver AND U18 Participation in Adult Rugby paperwork, present at check-in.

5. Event Media Release Agreement: Check-In Hard Copy ______Must include signatures of all May 18th participants and sideline staff. Minors must also complete a minor media waiver form. Team Participation Agreement - ______[Team Name]

As conditions for participation in the USA RUGBY Playoffs and Championships we affirm that:

1. The Team noted below accepts the responsibility for participation in the USA RUGBY Playoffs and Championships in accordance with the rules, regulations, and guidelines of USA Rugby.

2. The Team will make its best efforts to arrive at the tournament site no later than the USA Rugby designated check in time posted to the USA Rugby web site. a. In the event that unavoidable circumstances prevent the team from timely arrival, the team will notify the USA Rugby designated person (see Tournament Information Packet at www.usarugby.org) as soon as possible.

3. The Team representative will participate in all meetings and functions as designated by USA Rugby to include the Captain’s/Manager’s Meeting. a. In the event that unavoidable circumstances prevent the team from attending such a meeting a team representative will notify the USA Rugby designated person (see Tournament Information Packet at www.usarugby.org) as soon as possible.

4. The Team will participate in all assigned matches, and be at the pitch prepared to play no later than 15 minutes prior to kick off.

5. The Team accepts responsibility for ensuring all team members are in like uniforms, i.e. matching socks, shorts, jerseys numbered 1-23 with players wearing numbers appropriate to the position played, to include the wear of IRB approved protective garments and boots.

6. By virtue of its acceptance of the opportunity to play in this championship, the Team, and any and all clubs with which it is affiliated, affirm that all team members are CIPP registered, and have, through the execution of a CIPP registration form, confirmed that they will have a minimum of $100,000 in medical coverage throughout the USA RUGBY season, including this tournament, and that any member who does not have such coverage has an affirmative responsibility to withdraw from play.

8. The team understands that all applications of Regulation 20 in the World Rugby Handbook regarding misconduct and discipline will be applied and enforced at all USA Rugby National Championship Series events. a. Misconduct shall mean any conduct, behavior, statements and/or practices on or off the playing enclosure during or in connection with a Match or otherwise, that is unsporting and/or cheating and/or insulting and/or unruly and/or ill-disciplined and/or that brings or has the potential to bring the Game and/or any of its constituent bodies, World Rugby and/or its appointed personnel or commercial partners and/or Match Officials and/or judicial personnel into disrepute.

b. USA Rugby will appoint a designated disciplinary officer who shall administer this Regulation and shall be entitled to undertake such investigations (personally or through a nominee(s)) as he may consider necessary into incidents that constitute or may be capable of constituting Misconduct on the part of the Players and/or Persons and/or Rugby Bodies within their jurisdiction in accordance with Regulation 20.

Team Rep Initial College/University Rep Initial Conference Rep Initial 9. The Team accepts responsibility for ensuring that all team members are eligible to participate in the USA RUGBY Playoffs and Championships in accordance with USA Rugby’s Eligibility Guidelines. a. The Team accepts responsibility for ensuring to the best of their ability that all team members have accurately represented their enrollment information and eligibility status to USA RUGBY and have the appropriate documentation to verify such status.

b. All team members have been informed that any member who does not meet the USA Rugby requirements for enrollment and eligibility has an affirmative responsibility to withdraw from play.

10. The Team accepts responsibility for informing all team members and coaching staff of their responsibility to display sportsman-like conduct and appropriate behavior on or off the field.

11. The Team agrees that this agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the rules, regulations and guidelines of USA Rugby.

12. The Team accepts that the failure of any player to honor this agreement may place the player(s) and/or their team, Conference, and/or Union in jeopardy of sanctions and disciplinary proceedings, including, but not limited to the potential for disqualification from this event, fines to players, clubs or teams, and/or loss of a seed in future USA Rugby sanctioned events.

Team Representative Name (Print): Team:

Signature of Representative: Date: *Please include initials at bottom of Page 1

Conference Rep Name (Print): Conference Rep Title:

Signature of Representative: Date: *Please include initials at bottom of Page 1

College/University Rep Name (Print): College/University Rep Title (Print):

Signature of Representative: Date: *Please include initials at bottom of Page 1

Team Rep Initial College/University Rep Initial Conference Rep Initial Event Media Release Agreement - ______[Team Name]

We hereby authorize and give our full consent to USA RUGBY to copyright and/or publish any and all photographs, videotapes, film, web casts/podcasts, and any other form of visual/audio communications in which we appear (separately or together) while attending any USA Rugby Championships event. We further agree that USA Rugby may transfer, use or cause to be used, these above mentioned communications for any exhibitions, public displays, publications, commercials, art and advertising purposes, and television programs without limitations or reservations.

Signature Printed Name Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

**NOTE: All players under the age of 18 MUST fill out the form signifying parental permission on the final page of this document. If a parent/guardian signature is missing prior to the event the under-18 player will not be allowed to participate. Event Media Release Agreement

Signature Printed Name Date 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 **NOTE: All players under the age of 18 MUST fill out the form signifying parental permission on the final page of this document. If a parent/guardian signature is missing prior to the event the under-18 player will not be allowed to participate. Event Media Release Agreement

Signature Printed Name Date 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68

I hereby authorize and give my full consent to USA RUGBY to copyright and/or publish any and all photographs, videotapes, film, web casts/podcasts, and any other form of visual/audio communications in which I appear while attending any USA Rugby Championships event. I further agree that USA Rugby may transfer, use or cause to be used, these above mentioned communications for any exhibitions, public displays, publications, commercials, art and advertising purposes, and television programs without limitations or reservations.

Signature Printed Name Date

Parent/Guardian must sign:

Signature of Parent/Guardian Printed Name of Parent/Guardian Date