Rules and Regulations USA Rugby League LLC National Competition for the 2017 Domestic Season (Revised April 2017) USARL RULES & REGS REVISED 04/2017 1 ALL CLUBS SHALL HONOR THE SPIRIT OF THE USARL RULES AND REGULATION USARL RULES & REGS REVISED 04/2017 2 Table of Contents 1.0 USARL NATIONAL COMPETITION .............................................................................................. 5 1.1 General ............................................................................................................................................ 5 1.2 North and South Conference Competitions ..................................................................................... 5 1.3 Finals Series / Playoffs .................................................................................................................... 6 2.0 FORMAT OF MATCHES .................................................................................................................. 6 2.1 Match Commencement, Delays, Duration and Number of Players ................................................ 6 2.2 Postponed Matches .......................................................................................................................... 7 2.3 Abandoned, Incomplete and Forfeit Matches .................................................................................. 7 3.0 ON-FIELD ........................................................................................................................................... 7 4.0 PLAYING KIT .................................................................................................................................... 8 4.1 Colors ............................................................................................................................................... 8 4.2 Numbering of Players ...................................................................................................................... 8 4.3 USARL Logos ................................................................................................................................. 8 5.0 MATCH-DAY REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................... 8 5.1 General ............................................................................................................................................. 8 5.2 Field Markings ................................................................................................................................. 8 5.3 Posts and Post Protectors ................................................................................................................. 9 6.0 TEAMS ................................................................................................................................................ 9 6.1 Medical Provisions and Emergency Management Plan .................................................................. 9 6.2 Communication ............................................................................................................................... 9 7.0 REFEREE AND TOUCH JUDGES .................................................................................................... 9 7.1 Selection ........................................................................................................................................ 10 7.2 Appointment .................................................................................................................................. 10 7.3 Match Officials Costs .................................................................................................................... 10 7.4 Decision of Match Officials .......................................................................................................... 10 7.5 Interchange Procedure ................................................................................................................... 10 8.0 MATCH DAY PROTOCOL ............................................................................................................. 11 8.1 Match Balls .................................................................................................................................... 11 8.2 Team Sheets ................................................................................................................................... 11 8.3 Results & Match Reporting ........................................................................................................... 11 8.4 Athletic Trainer / Physiotherapist / Doctor .................................................................................... 11 8.5 Technical Areas / Interchange Bench ............................................................................................ 11 8.6 Bleeding Players ............................................................................................................................ 12 8.7 Contaminated Clothing .................................................................................................................. 12 9.0 MISCONDUCT ................................................................................................................................. 12 9.1 Behavior Considered Misconduct ................................................................................................. 12 9.2 Proceedings for an Offense or Breach ............................................................................................. 13 9.3 Judiciary Committee / Disciplinary Action ................................................................................... 13 9.4 Appeals .......................................................................................................................................... 13 10.0 MISCONDUCT OFFENSE ............................................................................................................ 13 10.1 Inducements ................................................................................................................................... 13 10.2 Betting ........................................................................................................................................... 14 USARL RULES & REGS REVISED 04/2017 3 10.3 Criticism of Match Officials .......................................................................................................... 14 10.4 Discrimination ............................................................................................................................... 14 10.5 Gestures & Foul Language ............................................................................................................ 14 10.6 Unruly Behavior ............................................................................................................................ 14 10.7 Conduct Prejudicial to the Interest of the USARL ........................................................................ 14 10.8 Safety ............................................................................................................................................. 14 10.9 Spectators ....................................................................................................................................... 14 11.0 MEDIA RELATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 15 11.1 Team Photograph ......................................................................................................................... 15 11.2 USARL National Championship Pre-Match Press Conference .................................................. 15 11.3 Weekly Press Briefings ............................................................................................................... 15 11.4 Pre-Match Venue Visit ................................................................................................................ 15 11.5 Post-Match Press Conference ...................................................................................................... 15 11.6 Official Spokesman ..................................................................................................................... 15 11.7 Media Interviews ......................................................................................................................... 15 12.0 PLAYERS’ REGISTRATION AND ELIGIBILITY ...................................................................... 15 12.1 Player Registration ...................................................................................................................... 15 12.2 Player Eligibility .......................................................................................................................... 16 12.3 Playoff & Finals Series Eligibility ............................................................................................... 17 APPENDIX A: USARL ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY ......................................................................... 18 USARL RULES & REGS REVISED 04/2017 4 1.0 USARL NATIONAL COMPETITION 1.1 General (a) All participating teams shall ensure that their players, coaches and club officials agree, without reservation, to abide by these Rules and Regulations pertaining to the USARL National Competition: Preliminary Rounds, Finals Series and Championship Final; as set out hereunder. (b) All matches in the Competition will be played in accordance with the International