Rules Guidelines

1: Principal Rules and Laws

The competition shall be known as ‘The Dragons Cup’.

The format and all playing aspects of The Dragons Cup (“Competition”) shall be governed and overseen by The Dragons Cup Management Committee as appointed by the Gwent Junior District Association Committee.

In addition, the competition shall be played under the WRU Player pathway directives and World Rugby laws of the game and in accordance with the WRU Code of Conduct relating to the game of rugby.

2: The Teams

In the first year of the Competition only teams within the Under 12 and Under 13 age groups will take part. In future seasons this may expanded to other Junior Rugby age groups.

The Competition is open to all teams within the Gwent Junior District Association area (Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen).

All teams wishing to take part in the competition must complete the relevant entry form prior to the first round draw taking place. All Junior fixture secretaries are requested to discuss team registration numbers and team capabilities with each coach prior to entering teams into the draw. Once the first round draw has been made each team taking part in the competition must submit a detailed squad list prior to playing their first round fixture.

Clubs who enter the competition and withdraw without a notable or supported reason may impact on future requests for that Club take part in The Dragons Cup Competition. Once Entry forms have been received that Team will be deemed to have entered the competition and to have accepted the terms and conditions of entry.

3: Registration & Playing Squads

No player may represent a team in the competition unless he is a registered playing member of that team. No ‘permits’ are granted at junior level.

Each team entering The Dragons Cup competition must take the field of play in a set of clearly numbered shirts. Blanks or Names are judged to be unsatisfactory for the competition.

Teams will be limited to registering no more than 25 players for The Dragons Cup competition.

All players must be registered correctly with their respective clubs and clubs officials must be satisfied that all registrations are justifiable and up to date prior to any game taking place. Cards will be examined by opposition officials prior to the game taking place.

When multiple age groups participate in The Dragons Cup a player can only be registered for one team (age group) within his or her club and cannot switch to another team if the team that they are registered to are knocked out of the competition. In additional a player who is registered to a club and has played in the competition is cup tied for that season and cannot play for another club in the competition.

Evidence that a Team or a Player have breached this ruling will result in the offending team being removed from the competition and the result being overturned if the offending team won.

Each team entering the competition (The Dragons Cup) must submit a detailed squad list prior to the first round draw taking place (Appendix 1). Contact numbers of the coaches are to be included on the sheet along with Club Colours. In cases where there is a colour clash the home side are requested to change playing kit unless otherwise agreed with opposition. Should there be a colour clash at the semi-final or final stages a draw will take place prior to the day of the match to decide which team will wear their home shirts.

The Registration Forms must be emailed to prior to the first round matches being played.

4: Matches

All fixtures and information relating the competition will appear on The Newport Gwent Dragons website, The Gwent JDA Facebook page and will be sent out to affiliated clubs within the Gwent Junior District Association.

Each round of fixtures will be drawn by The Dragons Cup Management Committee following completion of the previous round.

Each round of fixtures will be given a ‘play by or on date’. Clubs are requested to make every effort to play on these dates to avoid a back log of fixtures from round to round. It would be highly advisable to schedule the match prior to this date to allow for postponements due to inclement weather or other factors.

No refreshments, hire costs of transport or fuel allowance will be reimbursed by the WRU, Newport Gwent Dragons or the Gwent Junior District Association.

Should a tie be postponed due to inclement weather or the home side pitch being unplayable then the tie can be switch to the opposition if they have a pitch available. If both sides agree and the fixture is reversed then the original appointed ref may take charge of the game. If in the case that a referee is unwilling to travel then the team now deemed the home side will take the responsibility to appoint a match official.

Early communication with this ruling is advisable to ensure players are not dropped off at the ground and left by the parents. The team who travel will now have the advantage of the away side should the game finish in a draw (see below).

We ask that The Dragons Cup matches are given priority over friendly fixtures between teams. Clubs must endeavour to play postponed fixtures at the earliest opportunity.

If for any reason a team wishes to opt out of the competition at any time they need to send their request in writing to the competition committee. Additionally they must inform their opponents immediately. Forfeiting games is not acceptable and may result in a team or club being omitted from the competition the following season.

In the event of a game being unable to go ahead due to clashes with school trips, tours or tournaments etc. then notification must be given to The Dragons Cup Management Committee and their opponents at the earliest opportunity. School trips must be supported by a letter from the School Head or PE Department.

Each match day squad will consist of no more than 23 players. These must be recorded on the team sheet and submitted to the match official in advance of kick-off (see below).

With regard to injuries affecting the ability to play a Dragons Cup fixture each case will be looked at individually. However, teams are encouraged to play the game and use squad players.

In the event of a 50 point margin opening up between two sides the referee is to stop the game immediately (in line with WRU Pathways guidance). The result will then be the final score before the game was stopped.

5: The Competition

The Dragons Cup is a knock-out competition with the team scoring the most points in the tie deemed the winner. Points are scored in line with WRU Pathways directions (Tries, Conversions, Penalties and Drop-Goals). If at the end of the game the teams are level on match points then the following criteria will be used in the following order to determine the winner:

i. Most tries scored.

ii. If still level: fewest numbers of cards received during the game wins (Yellow & Red).

iii. If still level: the Away side go through.

No extra time is to be played.

In the case of the final being drawn, then the team scoring the highest number of tries will be declared the winners. If both teams are equal on try count then the trophy will be shared. Each club will hold the cup for a period of six months.

The Dragons Cup Management Committee will regulate on any disputes and their decision will be final.

6: Actions Prior to Kick Off

Team sheets are to be drafted prior to the game and presented to the referee on request. These will be on the normal Gwent JDA Team Sheets. Sharing of this information with the opposition team will follow Gwent JDA procedures.

The WRU requires that both teams shall field the same number of players. If a team cannot start with the required numbers then the opposition must match the starting line-up of players in accordance with the pathway rules. However, If a team cannot start a 15 a side game with a minimum of 13 players then the game is forfeited without question.

In the event of a yellow card at Under 12s or Under 13s level a period of 5 minutes suspension will apply.

In the event of a sending off, the non-offending team do not have to remove a player from the field or be disadvantaged in any way.

In the event of an injury where no replacements are available the opposing team do not have to match the playing numbers left on the field of play.

All players who are sent off will be reported by the referee to the WRU Under 19 Disciplinary Committee. Yellow cards will come into play for all age groups. If a team receives 2 red cards for code of conduct breaches by players, coaches, administrators, volunteers, supports or parents then that team in question will be immediately withdrawn from the competition.

An accumulation of cards, disciplinary issues or poor codes of conduct reports may result in the offending Mini and Junior Section being withdrawn from the competition across all participating age groups.

7: Scrums

Passive scrums are permitted from the start of the game and the score will stand. However, notification of the possibility of passive scrums must be disclosed to the opposition prior to the fixture. If a side cannot field a front row this is NOT a viable reason to cancel the game. Scrums will then become exclusively non-contested and there will be no striking on the opposition ball. All other pathway laws/directives will apply.

8: Match Officials & Referees

The Referee for matches during the round stages will be appointed by the home side. The appointment of the Referee will carry the flowing criteria:

·  They must carry a valid and up-to-date refereeing qualification (Level 1 minimum).

·  The Referee can be from the home side club but must be a totally neutral appointment.

·  They must not be connected with that team as a coach or in a voluntary capacity.

·  The must not be related to any of the players in the squad.

In the event that the home side cannot allocate a referee for a scheduled fixture then the away side are to be notified at least 48 hours prior to the game and offered to appoint a neutral referee (with the criteria set out above). This ruling is applied to eradicate any undue delay in playing matches.

Each of the competing teams must allocate a linesman to assist the Referee if required. They must act impartially. The Referee may choose to dismiss the services of one or both of the linesmen if they see fit or may choose to start the match without the services of linesmen. This is entirely the decision of the referee and must not be influenced by either team.

All results must be sent in via email within 48 hours of the game finishing. Result recording is essential to the smooth running of the competition.

Match officials at the Semi-Final and Final stages will be totally neutral and appointed by The Dragons Cup Management Committee.

All relevant disciplinary issues will be reported to the Welsh Rugby Union Disciplinary Panel. Issues concerning the Dragons Cup specifically will be reported to the Dragons Cup Management Committee.

The Referee is responsible for completing a match report (Appendix 2) and ensuring that a coach or manager from each club signs this as a true and accurate record. The report must then be emailed to by the referee within 24 hours of the match and the original form submitted to the next Gwent JDA meeting by the Home Club.

9: The Final

The Competition Final is provisionally scheduled to take during the month of April. The venue and match officials will be neutral. When multiple age group competitions take place there will be one show piece Finals Day featuring all group finals.

Gwent Junior District Association

The above sets out a summary of certain provisions of the competition rules for information purposes. As such, each participating Mini & Junior section must have a full and proper understanding of the provisions and rules of the competition prior to entering.

Appendix 1

Squad Registration Form

To be completed and forwarded to the Dragons Cup Committee prior to the holding of first round fixtures.

Once completed please email to:

First Name / Surname / Position / DoB / Reg. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

Head Coach:………………………………………………………………Contact Number: …………………….…

Team Colours: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Appendix 2

Match Results Sheet

To be completed by the match referee and a copy emailed to:

The original report must then be taken to the JDR Meeting following the match by representatives of the Home club.

Dragons Cup Match Report

Fixture

Home Team` / Away Team

Date

Venue

Referee Name / Registration Number
HOME Team
Final Score
Tries / Conversions / Drop Goals
Penalties / Yellow Cards / Red Cards
AWAY Team
Final Score
Tries / Conversions / Drop Goals
Penalties / Yellow Cards / Red Cards

REFEREE SIGNATURE .……………………………………………………......

HOME COACH/MANAGER SIGNATURE …………………………………………………………………………

AWAY COACH/MANAGER SIGNATURE …………………………………………………………………………

Gwent JDA | THE DRAGONS CUP: Rules & Guidelines version 3.0 / 1