Competitions Committee Winter 08 Meeting Summary

Competitions Committee Winter 08 Meeting Summary


I. State Championships
a. Format changes
i. 3 teams from each region qualify. The seeds will not change from year to year. Competition will be 5/24 and 5/25 (Sat. Sun.).

1. Columbus #1 1. Cleveland #1 1. Cincinnati #1
2. Cleveland #2 2. Cincinnati #2 2. Columbus #2
3. Cincinnati#3 3. Columbus #3 3. Cleveland #3

ii. The top team from each region advances to the semi finals with the fourth spot taken by a wild card team determined by Super 14 scoring - a team win gets you 4 points in the standings. A tie is 2 points. A loss of 0 points. If you score four tries in a game, even if you lose, you get a bonus point. If you lose a game by seven points or fewer, you get a bonus point.
iii. A team that fails to play its scheduled games will result in the entire region of the team losing the ability to gain the wild card spot for that tournament. The team will also be suspended according to the disciplinary code.
iv. Tournament hosts must have at least one championship field and one other playable pitch for pool games.
v. Teams finishing 5-9 will be offered to play on Sunday but not required to.
vi. Rosters must be names prior to the first game with a limit of 25 players named. Players may be replaced due to injury. Once a player is replaced he is not eligible to play for the remainder of the tournament.
vii. There will be a 3rd 4th game.
viii. We will hold an event to encourage all players to attend the games that day.
II. OYRA match policies.
a. Games will be 30 minute halves with a 10 minute Halftime (Captains may deviate if they feel it is appropriate)
b. Open substitutions may be used in the regular season
c. 25 player roster must be named for each City Championship and the State Championship
d. 4 coaches are allowed on the sidelines (violation may result in the captain receiving a yellow card)
e. Reserve players must not wear uniform on the sideline
III. Zero Tolerance policy on drug and alcohol use.
a. Offending players will receive a minimum Season long suspension
IV. Playing suspended players
a. Any coach who knowingly admits a suspended player into a match will be immediately and permanently suspended from coaching an OYRA team.
V. Midwest Qualifier
a. For this year the MQ will be 6 teams playing in a tournament style competition.
b. Competition and declaration rules will be discussed for following seasons at a later date.
VI. Coach minimum certification standard will be encouraged this year and required by next season. This will include but not be limited to
a. Safety training
b. USA Rugby certification

1/22/08 Update

- Play Rugby USA has chosen us as one of 3 pilot programs. This enables us input on the development of the program and a price break. Mark Griffin is currently finalizing materials to send out to start the training and implementation phase

- Online registration is LIVE! All Ohio teams are on board and some teams have already registered.

- Lee Pulver has agreed to put together an awards banquet for both the guys and the girls to recognize outstanding performance and sportsmanship. We will honor for both the guys and the girls - State MVP, 1st team All State, Spirit of the game award, Coach of the year. We also will award a State Cup trophy and winners medals for the State champs and plaques for all qualifying teams.

- The Ohio Classic has sponsored our first shipment of size 4 balls.

- We have established a gear affiliate program with World Rugby Shop and are finalizing group pricing on basic items. We will be building orders starting this week for an ETA of 3/1.

- Ohio has a possibility of 4 new teams starting this year and we are very close to signing a sponsor for startup kits for all new teams.

- We have banking materials and officers will receive accounting info this week.

I hope you are all doing well and please let me know if there are any questions or issues.

Thanks
Chris Hopps