U19 Eligibility Finally Straightened Out
Courtesy - ERugby NewsFebruary 17, 2009 - This weekend the USA Rugby Board of Directors approved changes in the U19 club player eligibility.Once USA Rugby established a girls U19 National Championship, and also split the Boys Championship into separate High School and U19 tournaments, the discussion of what makes a U19 club player, became heated.Last year, the rules stated that a player on a U19 club must be under 19 and in high school. Several, (including opinions on ERugby News) argued that a U19 club should be played on age-grade eligibility only - if a player is young enough to be in high school, college, or neither, it shouldn't matter.This weekend, the change was made. Effective immediately, U19 clubs may field players not in high school, as long as they are the right age. Players must be under 19 on September 1, of the season in question (so for this season, a player who turned 19 on September 2, 2008 would be eligible as a U19 player).This change will be lauded by many who say it is simpler than the old way, and more inclusive. Young players not in college won't be forced to play senior club rugby.Following is the text of the rule. Note, these rules address games that lead to a National Championship. They do not address friendlies or leagues that don't lead ultimately to Nationals - those games and leagues can choose their own rules.NATIONAL U19 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP6.1. Club Eligibilitya) Club can be represented by players that meet the requirements of 6.2 provided there are not more than five (5) non-resident players on the Roster for any particular match that may in any way lead to the applicable USA Rugby Championship Event.b) Club may carry an unlimited number of players on its Roster.6.2. Player Eligibilitya) Players are eligible if they have not reached their 19th birthday by the September 1st that occurs at the start of the competitive season.b) Players must have played for the club in at least two (2) Qualifying Matches or second-side match associated with a Qualifying Match during the competitive season at least a week apart from each other prior to participating in a USA Rugby Championship event.c) The player must not have played in a Qualifying Match for any other club during the fifteens competitive season - including in High School, Collegiate or Senior competitions.
Courtesy - ERugby NewsFebruary 17, 2009 - This weekend the USA Rugby Board of Directors approved changes in the U19 club player eligibility.Once USA Rugby established a girls U19 National Championship, and also split the Boys Championship into separate High School and U19 tournaments, the discussion of what makes a U19 club player, became heated.Last year, the rules stated that a player on a U19 club must be under 19 and in high school. Several, (including opinions on ERugby News) argued that a U19 club should be played on age-grade eligibility only - if a player is young enough to be in high school, college, or neither, it shouldn't matter.This weekend, the change was made. Effective immediately, U19 clubs may field players not in high school, as long as they are the right age. Players must be under 19 on September 1, of the season in question (so for this season, a player who turned 19 on September 2, 2008 would be eligible as a U19 player).This change will be lauded by many who say it is simpler than the old way, and more inclusive. Young players not in college won't be forced to play senior club rugby.Following is the text of the rule. Note, these rules address games that lead to a National Championship. They do not address friendlies or leagues that don't lead ultimately to Nationals - those games and leagues can choose their own rules.NATIONAL U19 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP6.1. Club Eligibilitya) Club can be represented by players that meet the requirements of 6.2 provided there are not more than five (5) non-resident players on the Roster for any particular match that may in any way lead to the applicable USA Rugby Championship Event.b) Club may carry an unlimited number of players on its Roster.6.2. Player Eligibilitya) Players are eligible if they have not reached their 19th birthday by the September 1st that occurs at the start of the competitive season.b) Players must have played for the club in at least two (2) Qualifying Matches or second-side match associated with a Qualifying Match during the competitive season at least a week apart from each other prior to participating in a USA Rugby Championship event.c) The player must not have played in a Qualifying Match for any other club during the fifteens competitive season - including in High School, Collegiate or Senior competitions.
