Deutsche Bank Schools Six Nations 2014 Tournament Rules
1. General Rule:
a. The Tournament will be conducted entirely under the control of London Scottish Football Club (hereafter referred to as the organiser) whose decision, in all matters, is final. In the event of any complaint arising from a game the organiser's decision (which may be made with input from the Referee Manager and the Committee Chairmen) will be final.
2. Entry Rules:
a. Boys are eligible to play in the tournament if they are attending their school for the whole of the academic year 2013/14.
b. Schools may be one or two term rugby schools.
c. All boys must be aged 18 or under at midnight 31st August/1st September 2014.
3. Competition Rules:
a. Each side must notify the organiser one month in advance of the names and birthdays of all players in the squad.
b. The recommended squad size is 15 with a maximum of 17.
c. No player may play as a substitute or replacement for another school.
d. If, before its first game, a side is unable, for whatever reason, to field 10 players, then a reserve side will replace them. If a reserve side is not available, then the pool is reduced.
e. If, before any pool game other than its first, a side is unable to field 10 players, then the pool game is null and void, all previous results in the pool involving the side are also null and void and the side is removed from the Tournament.
f. If, before a knock-out game, a side is unable for whatever reason, to field 10 players, then that side forfeits the match.
g. In the event of a side being unable to continue to field 10 players during a game, other than through sending-off, then the game is abandoned and the points or win will be awarded to the opposition.
4. Competition Format:
a. All decisions regarding seedings of teams shall be sole responsibility of the Tournament Organisers.
b. Play will commence with the three teams in each pool concluding the seeding round to create an overall pool winner.
c. In each pool game 5 points will be awarded for a win. When a team is not ready on time (i.e. more than 5 minutes late) for the kick-off or is forfeiting the game, points will be awarded to the opposition.
d. Players will not be allowed to play in any of the finals, unless they have previously played at least one game (equivalent combined time of 1 full game) with the team they want to play in during that final.
5. Playing Rules:
a. Games will be played under the IRB Laws, U19 variations. Each item of protective clothing, padding or otherwise, must conform to IRB Laws.
b. Each game shall be played for 10 minutes each way with a 2 minute break, with exception to the finals.
c. A drawn match will be decided by “sudden death”. The first team to score points will be declared the winner.
d. In all matches if, at the end of normal time, neither side has won, captains will toss for the right to kick off or choice of ends and play will continue in periods of five minutes, changing ends after each period without further interval with the first side to score being declared the winner.
e. In any game, a maximum of 5 players from the named squad may replace those on the field. Substitutions/replacements must be made with the referee's permission and be made only when there is a stoppage or the ball is out of play.
f. Staff in charge must ensure that replacements are immediately available during each game.
g. A player replaced through injury may play in subsequent games subject to medical approval.
h. In the event of a sending-off, the player is not allowed to play again in the current tournament and the team plays with less than 10 players for the rest of that game. The team is, however, allowed to start with 10 players for the next game(s). The use of Temporary Suspension (Yellow Card/Sin Bin) for 5 minutes will be in force. The sin binned player shall stand behind the dead ball line of the opposition's In-Goal area.
i. Scrum (subject to agreement before the game commences and availability of suitably trained players)
i. a) the side putting in the ball may elect to form the scrummage with three or five players.
j. Any player who has left the field (other than blood bin), and has been replaced may not play again in the same game.
k. All kicks will be drop-kicks:
i. Following a score, the scoring side will restart with a drop kick from the halfway line.
ii. Kick-off is always a drop kick taken from the centre of the halfway line.
iii. All penalty (and if played conversion) kicks at goal must be drop kicks (and not place kicks)
l. All restarts “22's and kick-offs” not reaching the opposing 10 metre line or going out, the receiving team will be given a free kick at the centre of halfway or 22
m. Kicking in open play is allowed
6. Withdrawal from the Tournament:
a. Teams wishing to withdraw from the tournament must give written notice by fax, e-mail or first class post to the Organisers. Refunds of entry fees only given to schools/colleges whose written withdrawal is received by January 1st 2014. Any school/college withdrawing less than four weeks before the tournament risks not being invited to enter in 2015.
7. Provision of Medical Cover:
a. Medical cover will be provided by qualified paramedics and ambulance services to cover all pitches used during the conduct of the tournament.
NB: All players must hold their own individual insurance cover via their school/college. The Tournament Organisers are not responsible for any injury caused during matches or warm up sessions.
8. Roles and responsibilities of the school/colleges staff I/C:
a. The organisers require that at all times the masters i/c:
i. be responsible for ensuring that all players conduct themselves in a manner which reflects the true essence of the sport.
ii. be the first point of contact with individual participants.
iii. ensure all participants are insured and that there is a consent form for emergency medical treatment if required, signed by each participant's parent or guardian.
iv. adhere to the Tournament programme of matches.
v. advise the organisers of any non-sport related issues which may affect their participants' behaviour. These may include:
1. – Any child protection issues
2. – Any child who is in the care of Local Authorities
3. – Any child who is being bullied in another setting
9. Photography and the Media:
a. All photographers and invited members of the Press:
i. a) will be informed of the Tournament expectations of them in relation to child protection.
ii. b) will not be allowed unsupervised access to the participants or one to one photo sessions without an additional authorised adult being present.
b. The Schools will be informed that photographers will be in attendance at the Tournament. If they have any objections to photographs being used in subsequent Rugby or educational publications, these must be put in writing to the Organisers of the Tournament.
