1. Divisional Competition

Divisional games will be played from September through November of the Fall Season with the schedule provided by the Metropolitan New York Rugby Football Union (Met NY RFU) Collegiate Coordinator. The Met NY RFU Collegiate Coordinator may request team rosters at any time.

Divisional play requires:

• Players must be C.I.P.P. compliant.
• A permenant club/team mailing address.
• An advisor from the college faculty or administration.
• Authorization to participate from the college administration.
• Union & Referee dues paid in full.
• Medical box at the field, and a properly marked out field.
• Proof of insurance.
• The goal posts must be padded.
• There must be access to medical help.
• There must be a restraining barrier/rope between spectators and the field.
• (Failure to comply may result in a referee refusing to oversee a game.)
• Each club must have a USA Rugby Level 1 Certified Coach.
• Usually kick0ff times are 12 noon or 1 pm. If the time is to be other than these, then the home team needs to provide sufficient notice, preferably 5 days as a minimum. In the event that there are extenuating circumstances please contact the Collegiate Coordinator immediately and explain.

2. Standings

• Divisional points will be awarded as follows:
• 4 points for a win
• 2 points for a tie
• 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match
• 1 bonus point for losing by seven points or fewer
• No points for a loss by eight points or more.
• A forfeited game will earn 4 points for a win and a bonus point.

N. B. If a regular season game is tied at the end of play there is no overtime. The result is a tied game.

Please remember to e-mail your game result with scoring details to the Collegiate Coordinator ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

3. Final Standings Tie-Breakers

If at the conclusion of regular season league play, two teams are tied with the same number of league points, the first tie breaker will be the result of the head-to-head game. If this game was tied, then the side with the better points differential *in all of the regular season games will earn the higher position. Forfeited games will be recorded as a 14-0 win (2 converted tries). If the points differential is tied then it will be the side that scored the most tries. If the teams are still tied then it will be the most total points scored in all regular season games, and if still tied a playoff game will be arranged. In the event of three or more teams being tied, the best points differential between the teams tied will determine the order of finish. If the teams are still tied then points differential in all regular season games will determine the order, and if still tied then most tries scored in all regular season games will determine the standings. The regular season top 4 will playoff for the Division Championship - 1 v 4 & 2 v 3. See item 10. This will determine the Northeast Rugby Union playoff teams

In cases where 2 regular season games are played if each team has a win and a loss in head-to-head competition the tie breaker shall be the points differential and subsequent tie breakers as outlined in this section.

*Points differential is determined by taking the points scored and deducting the points conceded. The higher the score the better the points differential.

4. Field & Game Requirements

• A team should have a cell phone at every game in the event that they need to call 911 for emergency medical care.
• The field should be 75 yards wide x 110 yards long (try line to try line), and an end zone minimum of 10 yards minimum length.
• Lines should be as set forth in "The Laws of the Game" - USARFU.
• All league games shall be 2 forty minute halves.
• For all questions on law and field dimensions please go to the International Rugby Board link at http://www.irb.com

5. Uniform

• Team uniform must match and be clean - no tears in shorts, socks or jerseys. If sleeves are cut they must be hemmed and at least cover the bicep. No clothing may show below the rugby shorts eg: boxer shorts. If spandex shorts are worn their color must completely match the rugby shorts or jersey.
• Numbers on jerseys are mandatory. Both teams must conform with all USARFU uniform requirements.
• In the event of a clash between opposing team jerseys the home team is responsible for providing alternative jerseys.

6. Reporting Requirements

• Each team must report scores Sunday evening to the Met NY collegiate coordinator. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Failure to report the score by the day following the game will result in no points being awarded for the game in question.

7. Met NY Eligibility Requirements (scroll down for Northeast)

• The USARFU eligibility rules will be in effect for all league competition.
• Only full time undergraduate students in good standing may compete in league games. USARFU has a five year eligibility rule that states students playing rugby in a competition leading to a national championship must be undergraduates working towards a bachelor's degree and have first enrolled at any college or university (including junior or community colleges) no sooner than 5 years before the beginning of the competition.
• A college photo I.D. card is required & drivers license.
• Go to the USA Rugby web site for full details on eligibility. (http://www.USARugby.org)

8. Protest Procedure

• The team captain must advise the referee BEFORE KICK-OFF that his or her team wishes to register a protest and give the reason. The referee must notify the opposing team captain that the game is going to be played "under protest" and state the reason. The referee should give the suspected offending team a reasonable time to correct the matter. If the circumstances are not corrected, the referee and the protesting team must notify the Collegiate Coordinator, the Union President, and the Union Secretary IN WRITING within 72 hours of the circumstances of the protest. The protest will be reviewed by the executive Committee and the teams notified of the decision.
• In the event of a Society Referee not being present to referee the game the coaches of the teams should discuss a mutually agreeable alternative official, preferably the best qualified to referee the game, and the game shall be played. If neither team registers a protest PRIOR to the kickoff with the opposing coach, and/or the appointed referee, then the result shall stand. Team coaches may referee their own games. In the event that there is no consensus as to who the referee should be, the best qualified official shall be used with the game played under protest. (In the event of 2 equally qualified officials the away team should have the choice of official.)

9. Cancellations

• If any team fails to honor a league game for any reason the club may be liable for a fine of $100.
• Failure by the home team to notify the referee of a cancellation may result in a $50 fine.
• In the event of a game not being played the collegiate coordinator may, at his or her discretion after consultation with the Met. Executive: 1. award points to either side, 2. divide the points equally, 3. decide that no points be awarded, or 4. order a replay.

10. Contingencies

The Met NY Union Collegiate Coordinator, with the agreement of the Met NY Union officers, reserves the right to add new teams and to adjust the league structure and these regulations as may become necessary.

Seedings - In the event of a team dropping out of the Met NY Championship playoffs the seedings will be adjusted to reflect the regular season standings without that team, and the playoff will be adjusted accordingly. If there is insufficient time to to do this, as determined by the Collegiate Coordinator, then the seedings shall remain as originally earned and a bye awarded to the team without a game.

Divisional Play - Fall Season

The schedule is compiled by the collegiate coordinator and distributed to the colleges, and the referee's society. Every attempt is made to be fair and equitable with regard to when and where teams play. Where possible the venue is switched from the year before, however, this is not always the case. For example, an attempt is made to schedule colleges that have one coach for their men's and women's programs so that the coach can attend both teams games. Special circumstances are also considered, for example, Kings Point are not allowed off campus prior to third week in September and have a special leave Columbus Day weekend for their student body. Clubs may request special circumstances to be taken into consideration. There is no guarantee that the request will be honored, but an effort will be made on a first come first served basis. Please review your schedule and if you want changes try to make them prior to the summer vacation. All colleges have the right to request a change to their schedule to suit their own situation. They must realize that a change must be mutual and a RRNY referee must be scheduled. Please check with the referee's society and the collegiate coordinator before you make changes.

Met. NY Promotion, relegation, and challenge matches.

At the conclusion of the Fall Season the collegiate coordinator may schedule challenge matches for the following Spring. These games will be played between the last placed team of a division and the first placed team of the lower division. Should the lower division team win they have the right to move up to the higher division. However, this is not mandatory and the team shall have the choice. The logic being that colleges and universities will graduate students and the squad strength may well make promotion impractical. Teams may submit written requests regarding divisional alignment to the collegiate coordinator.
Met. NY & Northeast Playoffs

Regular season play determines which teams will advance to the Met. NY Championships. The teams will compete for the Met. NY Championship Shield in their respective division. The number of teams that advance to the Northeast Rugby Union Championships is determined at the start of the Fall season.
Number of sides for regular season play

All clubs should try to provide 2 sides . A club may declare an exclusion and thus field just 1 team. This should be done at the start of the season. Communication early and often is essential. If in doubt call your opponent and reach a consensus.

Post Season Play

Last weekend in October - Met NY Championships
First weekend of November - NRU Playoffs
Second weekend in November - NRU Championships
Northeast Rugby Union
Collegiate Championships
Northeast RFU Collegiate Championships

Event requirements

• A roster of 30 players must be submitted to the Event Coordinator prior to the competition with their Name, College ID numbers, CIPP #, Date first enrolled in any college or university. The roster must be sealed (with seal) by the University or College Registrar certifying that each and every individual listed on the player's roster is a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a first degree at their university or college.
• An affidavit must be signed by each player that they have the required health and medical insurance as required by USARFU. In addition, the team must submit for inspection proof of health and medical insurance, e.g., clear photocopy of medical insurance card (both sides).
• Each player must have a valid Identitity Card with a photograph from the college or university and present it for inspection at the eligibility clearance and prior to the matches.
• Each player must have a valid CIPP card from USARFU and present it for inspection at the eligibility clearance and prior to the matches. No exceptions!

Eligibility Requirements

• All participating clubs and players must already conform to the USARFU Collegiate Eligibility requirements. During the screening prior to the competition, each club and each player will present documentation certifying his eligibility.
• Participants are forewarned that all players over 23 years of age will be asked to present evidence that less than five years have elapsed since they first enrolled at any college or university. Sufficient documentation is no less than a complete transcript.

Kit Requirements

• Each team must have matching jerseys numbered 1 through 15 with numbers worn by players according to position.
  Jerseys, shorts and socks must be clean and free from tears, rips, and holes. If sleeves are cut, they must be hemmed and must at least cover the biceps. Boxer shorts must not show below rugby shorts. Spandex shorts may be worn under rugby shorts only if they are a matching color.
• Each participating team is expected to have a medical kit and at least paramedical assistance available.

Northeast RFU
Collegiate Eligibility Requirements
USARFU Club Eligibility Requirements

• The university or college club must be authorized and recognized by the administration of the college or university it represents and be CIPP registered.
• The club must have a faculty member who serves as an adviser to the club.
• The club must have a permanent mailing address (N.B. This address should not be that of a student officer, but a permanent P.O. Box or address at which members can be contacted regardless of changes in administration.
• The club must have an appointed coach.
• The club must be a full member of a local area union recognized by the USARFU.
• The club must follow all USARFU directives regarding player eligibility and competition.

USARFU Player Eligibility Requirements

Championship Participation

Only FULL-TIME, UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN GOOD STANDING, playing for the rugby club at his/her university or college, may compete in matches leading to a national championship. The definitions of full-time equivalency and good standing are standards set by each institution of higher education. The university or college club must be a full member of a local area union within USARFU. Students, playing rugby in a competition leading to a national championship, must be undergraduates working towards a first bachelor's degree and have first enrolled at a college or university (including junior or community colleges) which has a rugby program no sooner than 5 years before the beginning of the competition. As an example, if the national championship ends in the spring of 1997, to compete in the championship final, the student must have enrolled no sooner than the summer of 1992. There are no restrictions regarding the number of alien students. Any alien who is full-time undergraduate student in good standing may play for his/her college or university and is subject to the same regulations as any other student.

All-Star Participation

Only FULL-TIME, UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN GOOD STANDING playing for the rugby club at his/her university or college may compete in matches in the competition leading to USARFU Collegiate All-Star Team. The definitions of full-time equivalency and good standing are standards set by each institution of higher education. The university or college club must be a full member of a local area union within USARFU. Students, playing rugby in a competition leading to the selection of the USARFU Collegiate All-Star Team must be undergraduates working towards a first bachelor's degree and have first enrolled at any college or university (including junior or community colleges) no sooner than 5 years before the beginning of the competition. As an example, if the competition ends in the summer of 1995, the student must have enrolled no sooner than the fall of 1990. Only alien students with a "green card" (immigrant status) and satisfying all other criteria for eligibility may be considered as eligible for All-Star competition

Appeal Process

Appeal for a waiver of the eligibility regulations must be filed prior to the start of the LAU competition. The procedure for the appeal is as follows:

• A letter of appeal and the appropriate documentation for the appeal must be filed with the Chair of the USARFU Eligibility by 15 September.
  Notification of the decision regarding the appeal within 10 days.

Northeast RFU Eligibility

In competitions leading to USARFU events, eligibility follows all the USARFU regulations. In other competitions, no such restrictions exist, save those for the particular event, as set by the event organizer, and those of the local area union.
Local Area Union Eligibility

The eligibility requirements for competitions within Local Area Unions are the responsibility of the Local Area Unions. The criteria set by Northeast RFU and USARFU are minimal requirements which may be more strict in any given LAU.