Regulations...

Issue 61 - 20th February 2013

THESE REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL COMPETING COLTS TEAMS & PLAYERS and SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COLTS LEAGUE's CONSTITUTION,
THE CODE of CONDUCT AND THE RESPECTIVE SUB-REGULATIONS APPENDED HERETO.

In all cases click on the "Blue Hyperlink" to go to the respecitive Section or Sub-Regulation.

PREAMBLE...
Reference to Teams in all Colts League Documentation and Regulations refers to the Responsible Persons in charge of Team Admin, and is hereinafter assumed to mean the Team Manager or Head Coach, or both, as applicable...

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1. League Entry / Membership

(1). Entry / Membership Criteria is detailed in the Constitution.

(2). Teams must join their Local Referees Society and apply for the appointment of Society Referees to their Home Games in accordance with the Referee Protocol Regulations.

(3). Teams from Clubs not in membership of the Manchester or Liverpool Referees Societies must eMail proof of the support of their Local Referees' Society to the Hon Secretary by the last weekend of August before the start of each season.

(4). The League's Pre-Entry Meeting in March is to prepare Managers for the coming season. All Teams must be represented by their Manager and Head Coach. Teams who are not represented will have their entry seriously questioned, and may not be permitted to enter.

(5). The League's AGM & Pre-Season Managers Meeting will be held at the end of August. ALL TEAMS (ie : each age group) must send at least one Representative to this meeting who MUST be involved with the day to day running of the Team; on penalty of a 2 point deduction for not attending.

2. Player Eligibility & Registrations

(1) ALL Players must be eligible paid-up members of their Club and must be registered in accordance with the League's Squad Registration Regulations.

(2). RFU photo I/D's Cards MUST be made up and carried for every Player and MUST be available for inspection between Managers before each game.

(3). Checking of opponents RFU I/D Cards must be Done in line with RFU Guidelines at least 30 minutes before the scheduled Kick Off time.

(4). Teams failing to make their RFU I/D Cards and their Players available for checking are liable to be sanctioned, with the game forfeit.

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3. League Seeding  

(1). Teams will play in Senior Colts (Under 19/18's) Leagues or Junior Colts (Under 17's) Leagues which will be seeded to provide equitable matches of competitive Rugby where Players can develop their game.

(2). Seeding will be based on previous season’s results in consultation with Managers and Coaches - who will be asked to provide seeding information and to rate their own Team and all Teams entered at their age group.

(3). We aim to get the seeding as near right as possible - The Seeding process is not scientific being based on mean averages and opinion. It therefore requires feedback and co-operation from all Managers in accordance with the Seeding Regulations.

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4. Fixtures

(1). Fixtures will be published on the Colts League WebSite and Rugby First as soon as the Seeded Leagues have been agreed and ratified.

(2). Fixtures must be confirmed at least one week in advance by phone between Managers or Coaches or Fixtures Contacts.

(3). Although the League's eMail Contact System is a convenient method of Teams contacting each other it should not be relied upon as a failsafe method - telephone contact should be made.

(4). Home Teams must confirm the game with their Society Referee who must be arranged in advance and appointed in accordance with the Referee Protocol Regulations.

(5). Regulation Match Day and Kick-Off Times for Junior Colts are Sunday at 12.30pm and for Senior Colts are Sunday at 2.00pm. These time can be varied by mutual agreement between Teams and the Referee.

(6). Additional Matchday Criteria is governed by the Matchday Regulations.

(7). Games cannot be postponed as there are not enough weekends in the League Season.

(8). Should both Teams agree to switch venues this is permissable - BOTH TEAMS must inform their League Secretary by TEXT and eMail, who will then arrange for the game to be rescheduled in the Fixture List.

(9). Home Teams must immediately inform their appointed Referee and his Society of any switch of venue - so he can be re-appointed to another game. The new Home Team must also organise for a Society Referee to be appointed.

(10). League weekends are carefully planned and fixtures must be honoured above all else.

(11). There will be NO conceded games only Walkovers awarded against any Team failing to honour a scheduled fixture. League points will be awarded to the non-offending Team and the Offending Team will be sanctioned by the League Committee.

(12). If an Away Team causes a walkover then the next fixture between the two Teams will be reversed and played at the venue of the originally cancelled fixture.

(13). Repeat offenders who cause walkovers will be sanctioned and are liable to be excluded from the League on a 3 Strikes & Out basis. ie: following a third failure to honour a fixture.

(14). Teams who allow two walkovers will not proceed to the League Cup Competitions without giving assurances to the Colts League Committee.

(15). Any Team so excluded or any Team which withdraws from the League for any reason or any Team which reneges on a League Cup Competiton Fixture shall incur a financial administration charge equal and in addition to the Entry Fee payable by their Club to cover the extra admin costs caused by that Team's withdrawal.

(16). County Training or Selection outside the Structured Season (inc U20's), the End of the Cricket Season, East Mids Colts Cup games, Tours, Schools 7's, or Exiles call-up… are not satisfactory reasons to postpone a Club Colts League or Cup Match...
It is of greater importance the rest of a Club’s Colts Team "Play Rugby" and develop their game and that Opponents and Referees are not let down.

(17). If a Home Team’s pitches are unavailable or unfit Teams must make their best efforts to find another local pitch. This failing the Home Team MUST forgo their home advantage, the fixture must be reversed, and your League Secretary and Referee must be informed immediately.

(18). Teams who's pitches have known problems must make themselves aware of the state of their pitches in advance and must be prepared to make arrangements as per the above Reg 17.

(19). Adverse Weather Conditions are the only acceptable reason to postpone. Managers must inform their League Secretary and the Referee immediately any such decision is made.

(20). Failure by the Home Team to immediately inform their appointed Referee of any cancellation postponement or switch of venue will result in a sanction by the League in addition to any financial penalty the Society may impose. 

(21). Teams unable to agree on the suitability of a pitch should seek assistance from the Referee as to whether a match may start or continue.

(22). Should a game be abandoned for any reason the score at the time shall stand provided 50 minutes have been played otherwise the League may order the game to be replayed. In exceptional circumstances the League Committee may determine the result or award the game.

(23). When a fixture is postponed or abandoned needing re-arranging BOTH TEAMS must advise their League Secretary immediately by TEXT.

(24). Failure to inform your League Secretary of a postponement will result in the game being treated as void - applicable to both Teams, plus a possible sanction.

(25). ALL re-scheduled dates will be arranged and advised by the League ASAP and will normally be the next available weekend.

(26). Re-scheduled Fixtures must be honoured and cannot be reneged upon. Teams awaiting revised fixture dates should prompt their League Secretary.

(27). DO NOT assume you can simply re-schedule your own games when you have a postponement as there are knock on effects and other Teams' fixtures to consider. Suggestions can however be discussed with your League Secretary.

(28). Home Teams must notify their Referees Society of any new fixture dates immediately.

(29). Games unplayed at the end of the League Season will normally be determined a 0-0 draw with 2 points to each Team.

(30). In exceptional circumstances the League Committee may determine the result of or award any game or points.

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5. Referees

(1). Home Teams must apply to their Local Referee Society for the appointment of a Society Referee in accordance with the Referee Protocol Regulations. This will normally be arranged through your Club’s Referee Society Contact (Senior Section).

(2). Coaches or Club Members refereeing their own Team is not a satisfactory arrangement for competitive Colts League matches where Referees should be independant and must have been officially appointed by the Local Society. Referees must not be associated with the Home Club.

(3). Should any Team experience difficulty with the official appointments channel from their Local Society they should inform the League who will give them every assistance.

(4). Should the Home Team be unable to provide an Independant Society Referee they should inform their Visitors before the day of the game as Visitors may be able to access and provide a Society Referee to officiate.

(5). Failing all of the aforementioned the Visitors must be invited to provide a Club Referee to officiate.

(6). As a final resort the Home Team may provide their Club Referee - only by agreement with their Visitors.

(7). All avenues must be explored to ensure games go ahead. If games are postponed through No Referee there are very few opportunities to re-arrange them.

(8). In any event the Home Team is obliged to cover the Referee’s expenses.

(9). When a match is re-arranged in the Fixtures Calendar do not assume your Referees’ Society will know. Other than in exceptional circumstances Teams must give their Society at least 7 days notice of all re-scheduled dates.

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6. Law 

(1). The iRB Laws of the Game the iRB Under 19 Variations and the Colts League Variation Regulations are the applicable Laws and Variations which govern all Colts League matches.

(2). Each match shall consist of two periods of 35 minutes each with no extra time and no longer than 70 minutes playing time. The Referee is the sole judge of Time.

(3). For the benefit of the Referee shirts must be numbered with traditional large sized distinctive numbers on the back. Letters or other markings as an alternative are not permitted.

(4). It is the Home Team’s responsibility to change kit in the event of a colour clash.

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7. Discipline / Conduct / Fair Play 

(1). The Colts League encourages Fair Play and Good Sportsmanship and awards a Senior Colts Fairplay Trophy and a Junior Colts Fairplay Trophy at the end of the season to reward the same.

(2). All Managers Coaches Players and Spectators must respect and abide by the RFU Regulations, the Laws of the Game, the Colts League Regulations and Variations, and the Colts League Code of Conduct.

(3). The League has a responsibility to its Member Teams and Players and will not hesitate to take steps to remove any Team from the Competition for Player or Referee abuse by Players Coaches other Officials Club Members or Spectators, or for other misconduct (as defined in the RFU’s Definitions) on or off the field, whether by Players Coaches other Officials Club Members or Spectators which in the opinion of the League Committee amounts to conduct which is prejudicial to the interests of the game or brings the game into disrepute.

(4). Should the League Committee receive a written report of misconduct from the Referee or other named person then having obtained any further and necessary written evidence in support of the allegation(s) the League Committee may refer the matter to the appropriate County Disciplinary Committee with a request that formal disciplinary proceedings are taken against an individual and/or Club.

(5). In so referring the matter the League Committee shall also be at liberty to make a recommendation to the appropriate Disciplinary Committee as to the appropriate punishment as defined in paragraph 8.2.2 of the RFU’s Disciplinary Regulations. In this respect it should be noted that appropriate punishment shall include but not be limited to for a person, a reprimand, a financial penalty or suspension from playing, administration or both, and for a Club or Team, in addition to these penalties, deduction of league points, relegation or exclusion or disqualification from any competition.

(6). If the Referee abandons a match for any reason other than the weather conditions then irrespective of the number of minutes played the result of the match may be determined by the League Committee.

(7). If any Player or Coach is Red Carded before during or after a League match they will be subject to a Disciplinary Hearing and possibly a ban. Referees are obliged to submit a Sending off Report and Colts Team Managers must report Red Card offenders on the Match Result Card as well as to their own Senior Club Secretary as per the Disciplinary Regulations.

(8). If a Player, Team, or Club is found to be repeatedly appearing before the County Disciplinary Committee the League may itself convene a Hearing to consider further sanction.

(9). Disputes or complaints should be notified to the Hon' Secretary by phone and eMail within 24 hours of the relevant game or situation.

(10). The Colts League Committee shall be the arbiter in all cases involving disputes or complaints and shall have the authority to make decisions at any time on matters which are not covered by either these Regulations or Sub-Regulations the League Cup Regulations or the Constitution of the North West Colts League.

(11). A Club shall have the right of Appeal against any such decision made by the Colts League Committee. The appeal procedure is detailed in the Constitution #7.7.

8. Match Results / League Points / League Tables 

(1). Results must be reported back By TEXT by Both Managers as per the Post Match Regulations.

(2). Completed Match Cards must be returned by FAX or scanned and eMailed as a PDF attachment. Full instructions are detailed in the Post Match Regulations.

(3). League Points towards the League Tables will be awarded as follows :~
        Win     -    3 Points
        Draw    -    2 Points
        Loss    -    1 Point

(4). In the event of a points tie weekly table position is automatically calculated on Points Difference.

(5). At the end of the season points difference will not be the deciding criteria between two Teams tied on equal points. Un-played games forfeits and sanction points deductions will be taken into account and a determination will be made by the League Committee; final placing will be decided by the agregate results of games between the two Teams concerned less any of the aforementioned.

(6). Trophies will be awarded to the League Champions and to the FairPlay Winners at the League's Presentation Evening which will be held at the end of the League Season.

9. League Cup, Cock-O-The-North, and Other Competitions

(1). Dependant on the Leagues running to schedule there will be additional League Cup Competitions at the end of the League season in March & April.

(2). The Colts League Cup is governed by the League Cup Regulations.

(3). The Cock-o-the-North U19 Challenge is governed by the Cock-o-the-North Regulations.

(4). The RFU National Under 17's Competition is governed by the RFU National U17 Regulations.

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