2021 9 A SIDE COLLEGE RUGBY LEAGUE COMPETITION HANDBOOK - Sporty.co.nz

2021
  9 A SIDE
  COLLEGE
RUGBY LEAGUE
COMPETITION
 HANDBOOK

Auckland Rugby League is pleased to be able to provide in association with College
Sport Auckland (CSA) the 2021 College Rugby League (CRL) competitions.

With the continued support of CSA, our partners and all participating schools our aim
is to deliver a quality experience for all participants and to provide opportunities for
these young men under our mantra “Community and Competition”.

Our strategic goal is to continually hold competitive and enjoyable competitions

                         Auckland Rugby League Vision:

• Provide the best secondary schools competition in New Zealand;

• Enhance career pathways for players and officials;

• Establish a whole of school/club sports model that links and sustains rugby league
 to be played at school and club level from primary to intermediate to secondary
 school;

• Promote rugby league as a safe and enjoyable sport as well as improving capability
 and confidence for all involved.

                                     Outcomes:

• A sustainable, prestigious rugby league competition for all secondary schools to
 aspire to;

• Added value to students both in terms of competition and community;

• increase the quality and quantity of coaches, players and match officials;

• Raise the profile and status of rugby league within schools;

• Create and develop more effective school-club links.

INTRODUCTION
2020 SEASON:

Following a review of the 2020 season and the impact of Covid-19 in conjunction with
CSA, some administration and delivery changes have been implemented to the 2021
competition. The key changes include:

   1. Premier College Girls 9’s will commence 12th May 2021
      U/15 9 a-side grade will commence 12th May 2021

   2. A school representative and the Coach must sign the team card.

   3. School Photo ID’s have been introduced and are required to be made available
      to the opposition school on request prior to a game.

   4. Schools must notify ARL or CSA no later than 24 hours prior to their match
      any later the school will cover the cost for the match official.

CRL RESPONSIBILITIES
•   To implement all policies and by-laws of CSA;

•   Liaise with the Advisory Committee and CSA to continually enhance the
    competitions;

•   Support CSA in the administration of the competition, it’s rules and regulations,
    draws and results;

• Promote the competition with schools, media and website updates.

• Collate player and school participation data in conjunction with CSA;

• Provide Referee’s and Match Managers for all games as best we can.

    SCHOOL SPORT RESPONSIBILITIES
This added value support is provided on the basis that participating schools will in
return:

    •   Abide by the competition rules and regulations as detailed by College Sport,
        Auckland Rugby League and as contained in this handbook;

    •   Play within the spirit of the game and its Code of Conduct;

    •   Provide sound administration;

    •   Play in the dedicated school sport uniform as per competition rules;

    •   Deliver playing fields as per competition guidelines, with suitable sideline seats
        and roped off field.

    •   Ensure effective crowd control as per competition guidelines and Health &
        Safety regulations for home games;

    •   Provide Linesman and ball boys for each game;

COMPETITION RULES:
The following is applicable for all participating schools:

1.    To be eligible to play in this competition a player must be under 15 as
      at the 1st of January in the year of competition. This means a player
      must not be 16 at any time during the year. (Boys U/15 9 a-side only)

2.    All players must be current students at a participating school. All schools must
      comply with CSA By-Laws on eligibility.

3.    All participating schools must provide school Photo ID for all players per CSA
      Photo ID policy.

4.    All team player lists must be registered per College Sport requirements no later
      than 5th May 2021. Player Lists are to be submitted to College Sport.

5.    In conjunction with CSA checks will be made of team lists submitted to confirm
      players are eligible.

      If a player is found overage you will lose points from that game and
      any game the player has played in so, please ensure all coaches and
      managers are aware of age eligibility definition. (Boys only)

6.    All U/15 9 a-side games will be played on Wednesday afternoons at the venues
      per the College Sport published draw. All College girls 9 a-side games will be
      played on Thursday afternoons at the venues per the College Sport published
      draw.

7.    Kick-off times will be 4.00pm however there is provision for games to start at
      3.30pm where schools mutually agree. If this is mutually agreed, then the
      hosting school must notify CSA in writing no later than 2pm on the Monday prior
      to the scheduled fixture.

8.    Defaults and re-scheduling – Please refer to College Sport defaults and
      re-scheduling policy:

      http://www.collegesport.co.nz/content/res/1453073079Defaults_&_Rescheduling_Polic
      y.pdf.

9.    Disputes/Protests. If for any reason a school wishes to protest or dispute a
      result, a written report must be submitted to ARL by noon on the Thursday
      following the scheduled fixture. ARL will then deal with the matter accordingly
      in conjunction with CSA

      For any other protest, the protest must be lodged prior to the game through the
      Match Manager.

10.   If any serious misconduct occurs resulting in a player being sent-off they will be
      subject to an automatic suspension relevant to the offence. Please refer to the
      automatic suspension offences and process outlined on page 11 of this
      handbook.

      If a school wishes to contest a suspension, they may do so by contacting ARL
      before noon on the Friday following the game however if the player is still found
      guilty, their suspension may increase at the discretion of the judicial panel.

11.   Any rules or matters not covered in this handbook will be adjudicated on by
      College Sport representative Collette Amai and ARL Coaching and
      development Officer Mary Passi (or their appointees) with CSA rules and
      regulations applicable or in the case of matters not covered, the rules and
      regulations of the ARL.

12.   ARL is bound by the mandatory concussion policy of New Zealand Rugby
      League. Refer to the policy at the rear of this handbook for details.

13.   Mouthguards must be always worn. No mouthguard = No play. Referees
      will send a player off if he is not wearing his mouth guard and they cannot
      return to the game. If a player is sent off for no mouth guard they may be
      replaced from the remaining listed reserves however this will count as 1 of your
      8 allowable interchanges.

14.   Team cards will be supplied and must be filled in correctly before each game
      and handed to the Match Manager a minimum of 20 minutes before kick-off.
      Up to a maximum of 13 players per game is permitted (9 on the field with 4
      reserves).

15.   Teams can use unlimited interchanges per game from the listed reserves and
      the team manager must notify the Match Manager when an interchange is to
      take place prior to the interchange being made. Interchange cards will be
      supplied to team managers.

16.   Each team is required to supply a touch judge before the game kicks off.

17.   If the sin bin is needed it will be for a max of 5 minutes and the Match Manager
      will be responsible for monitoring time. Time will only commence when the
      player is seated next to the Match Manager.

18.   Game points will be allocated as follows:

             •   2 points for a win
             •   1 point for a draw
             •   0 points for a loss

19.   If teams are on equal points at the conclusion of the grading or premiership
      rounds rankings will be determined firstly by:

         •   Percentages (points for x 100 divided by points against)
         •   If still drawn, then the team that scored the most tries for round play
             and then competition play if applicable.

20.   For all semi-final matches that end in a draw in normal playing time, an extra
      5 minutes each way will be played as golden point. The teams will toss a coin
      to see which end of the field a team will play and an extra 2 interchanges will
      be given to both teams. If a game is still a draw at the end of the two 5-minute
      periods of extra time, the game will be awarded to the highest qualifying team
      at the conclusion of competition round play except in the case of a grand final.
      The team who scores first in the grand final will be crowned the winner.

      The Match Manager will submit the official Match Managers sheet to College
      Sport.

9’S RULES
9-a-side Rules (International rules and competition regulations also apply)

1.    Scrum Formation - All scrums will consist of 3 forwards only (front row) leaving
      6 backs, one of whom must take the half-backs position.

2.    Games will comprise of two (2) twenty (20) minutes periods with a half-time
      period no longer than three (3) minutes.

3.    Teams can name up to thirteen players, (13) with no more the nine (9) players
      on the field at any one time.

4.    Unlimited interchange will apply using the four (4) pre named substitutes. All
      substitutions must be made from the half-way line.

5.    Each half must start with a place kick.

6.    Conversions after a successful try take the form of drop kicks. Players from the
      team that has conceded the score do not have to retire behind the try line but
      must not interfere with any conversion attempt.

7.    When points have been scored, the team against which points have been
      scored will receive a drop kick from the team that scored to restart play (must
      travel at least 10 metres).

HOST SCHOOL & RESPONSIBILITIES
1.    The host school is required to set up the field as per international standard.
      This includes sideline flags, padded posts and both sidelines roped off.

2.    The host school is to provide a table and 2 chairs set out sideline for the Match
      Manager.

3.    The host school is required to provide and set up sideline chairs for both team’s
      substitutes and coaching staff.

4.    The host school must have changing sheds and toilets clean and available for
      the visiting team.

5.    The home team manager is required to meet the referee and visiting team
      manager on arrival.

6.    Health and Safety – Each team is responsible for their first aid supplies. The
      home team is required to have a first aid emergency plan.

7.    Ground control – It is the responsibility of each school to ensure all sideline
      behave in an orderly manner. Fields must be roped off and if possible staff
      and/or student helpers designated to monitor sidelines and applicable Health &
      Safety regulations have been implemented.

8.    Team cards - All teams must submit a team card to the Match Manager at least
      20 minutes prior to kick off. Please ensure the numbers on the card match the
      jersey number of the player. All players must sign the card.

9.    Team cards must be given to the Match manager directly after the game has
      concluded.

There will be no Match Managers required at any U/15 9 a-side games.

Game result will be sent to ARL by the match official

Sending - Off Offence Schedule
Automatic Suspensions:

   Offence                     Severity                      Penalty

   Fighting / Striking         Grade 1/Grade 2               4 Week / 8 Week
   Reckless / Careless high    Grade 1                       2 Weeks
   tackle                      Grade 2                       4 Weeks
   Foul Play                   Grade 1                       2 Week
                               Grade 2                       4 Weeks
   Match Official abuse
                                                             8 Weeks
   Conduct contrary to the                                   4 Week
   spirit of the game
   Re-entering field of play   Grade 1                       4 Week
                               Grade 2                       8 - 10 Week
   Serious misconduct          Grade 1                       4 Week
                               Grade 2                       8 – 10 Weeks

Process:

If a player is sent off he must leave the field of play and change out of his playing
uniform before returning to the side line. He can take no further part in the game and
that includes running water or messages.

The referee will then submit a written report to the ARL. The school will be advised in
writing including receiving a copy of the Referees Report. The player will then have
the option of taking the automatic suspension period to the ordering-off offence or
they can choose to contest to a judicial hearing.

Schools will have until noon on Friday to contest via email to ARL. If the player chooses
to contest the mandatory suspension penalty to the offence the suspension period
may be increased if found guilty.

The Judicial Committee shall comprise of:

i.      A representative of the ARL
ii.     A representative of College Sport
iii.    A representative of the Advisory Committee

Please note the ARL can issue a suspension notice for a player for unsportsmanlike
behavior without the player being sent off. If this should happen the school will be
notified immediately.

Should a school appeal any suspension or decision pertaining to judicial, an Appeals
Committee is in place.

Auckland Rugby League
Mary Passi
Football Development Officer
Ph: (09) 571-2000
M: (021) 340 - 8811
E: mary.p@aucklandleague.co.nz

College Sport
Collette Amai
Sport Manager
Ph: (09) 845 8496
M: (027) 493 5073
E: collette@collegesport.co.nz

Annual Awards – CRL Premier Boys 1st XIII:

Prior to the Grand Final of the SAS Premier 1st XIII championships, an awards
function will be held. The awards to be presented include:

   • MVP of the Year

   • Coach of the Year

   • Manager of the Year

   • Referee of the Year

   • College Girls 9’s team of the year

Auckland Rugby League Clubs:
Auckland Rugby League clubs are the backbone of the game of rugby league and
historically it was the clubs that nurtured and developed players in their formative
school years. Over the years this has evolved with school competitions and kiwi greats
such as Stacey Jones, Manu Vatuvei and current such as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, and
David Fusitua all derived their skill and passion for the game at club and school
competition during this period of their lives.

The CRL competition provides an opportunity to strengthen clubs and schools by
providing links between both. The prospect of a club/school association promises to
deliver a sharing of resources which can only benefit both the club and school
communities as a whole. The ARL will assist and co-ordinate where requested a range
of club-school links that build sustainable support and meet the targeted needs of all.
If you require assistance or support from your local rugby league club the contacts
are as follows: