National Clubs Association

Regulations and Administrative Instructions

Season 2008-09

 

National Clubs Association (NCA) issues these regulations and administrative instructions pursuant to the powers granted to it by the Rugby Football Union in the regulations for the English Clubs Rugby Union Championships (the Principal Regulations) in its delegated role as the Organising Committee for National Leagues Two, Three North and South (NCA Leagues).

 

These regulations and procedures are binding on the Clubs playing in the NCA Leagues (the Clubs) who by commencing their first match in NCA Leagues confirm their agreement to them.

Please note that the NCA Secretary has the delegated authority to act on behalf of the NCA Executive Committee in all matters pursuant to these Regulations except where the powers are expressly stated to be a matter for the NCA Executive Committee.

 

REGULATIONS

 

The Principal Regulations in so far as they affect and are applicable to the Clubs govern the NCA Leagues save for the amendments set out at A and B hereunder and the instructions that follow

 

A             Club Positions  

 

(a)                The position of a Club in the League shall be established by awarding four League points for a win and two points for a draw.  In addition, one bonus point will be awarded to a team

i)    on each occasion it scores four or more tries in a League game

ii)   on each occasion it loses a League game by seven points or less.

                               

                If two or more Clubs have the same number of League points at the end of the season the final league positions shall be determined firstly by the number of wins achieved and then on the basis of match points scored.   A Club with a larger number of wins in the League shall be placed higher than a Club with the same number of League points but fewer wins. If Clubs have equal League points and an equal number of wins in the League then a Club with a larger difference between match points  “for”  and match points “against” shall be placed higher in the League than a Club with a smaller difference between match points “for” and match points “against”. Should two Clubs have the same number of League points and an equal number of wins and the same match points difference, a Club having scored more match points “for” shall be placed higher in the League than a Club having the lesser number of match points “for”.  If this still does not establish the positions then the Clubs involved shall be ranked according to the number of matches won, excluding the first League match of the season.  If necessary this process shall be extended to exclude the second match, third match and so on until the final positions are established.

 

B.            Kick Offs – Game Regulation 16

 

Regulation 16.1. of the Principal Regulations shall be deemed to be deleted and there will be substituted the following:

 

Dates

All matches must be played on the Saturday of a scheduled weekend unless some other date is specified by the committee or agreed by both Clubs and approved by the Committee

 

(a)    Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this Regulation, the Home Club shall fix the time of kick-off of its League match as follows:

 

i)                    between 2.00p.m and 3.00 p.m. in each case for a League match played on a Saturday or Sunday of a scheduled weekend

 

ii)                  between 12.00 noon and 3.00 pm for a League match played on a Bank or other public holiday or between 12.00 noon and 4.00 pm when a game is scheduled on the same day as an England home International match 

 

ii)            between 7.00 pm and 8.00 pm for a match played on a Friday.

 

(b)          All matches shall be played on the weekends scheduled in the fixture list approved prior to the start of the season unless postponed in accordance with paragraphs 1.1 – 1.8 below.

 

(c)           The Home Club shall notify the Visiting Club and the NCA Secretary in writing of the date and time of its League match with that club at least twenty-eight days prior to the date of such a League match.

 

(d)          Any variations to the timings referred to in paragraph (a) of this Regulation shall only be made by the Home Club with the prior approval of the NCA Secretary. In the event of a variation in the time fixed for the kick-off of a League match, the Home Club shall forthwith notify the Visiting Club in writing of such variation.

 

(e)    The last league game of each season shall only be played on a Saturday and the kick off time shall be 3.00 p.m.

 

INSTRUCTIONS

 

1.                   Postponement of Fixtures

                The following procedures must be followed.

 

1.1.         If a fixture is in doubt due to the pitch being unplayable because of bad weather or the forecast of bad weather, the visiting team must be informed as soon as practicable.  A suitably accredited RFU Referee (not a person, whether a Referee or not, who regularly acts as a Clubs' 4th Official or who is a member of the home club) must confirm the postponement after an inspection of the match pitch. Such a pitch inspection by an independent Referee must take place before the time the visiting team intend to travel to fulfil the fixture.

 

1.2          If the inspecting Referee deems the pitch unplayable and/or likely to be unplayable the home club must act on that judgement and immediately postpone the fixture. If the inspecting Referee deems the pitch playable and/or likely to be playable the home club must act on that judgement and notify the visiting team and NCA Secretary accordingly.

 

1.3          If this procedure is not followed and the fixture is postponed, because the pitch is unplayable, after the visiting team have travelled to fulfil the fixture the home club will be responsible for 50% of the costs of travel and accommodation incurred by the visiting team. Such costs will be payable by the home club within 28 days from receipt of the relevant invoice and supporting copy invoices from the visiting team.

 

1.4          When a late decision (i.e. within 3 hours of kick-off) as to the fitness of the pitch for playing a match is necessary, the decision shall be made by the captains of the teams involved. If the captains are not able to agree, the decision as to the fitness of the pitch should be made by the appointed Referee in accordance with Clause 17.5 of the Principal Regulations. If the match is postponed the home club must notify the NCA Secretary immediately or as soon as possible of the decision to postpone. If the Referee declines or fails to make a decision, and the captains disagree about the fitness of the pitch, the match shall be immediately postponed and the circumstances notified to the NCA Secretary immediately or as soon as possible of the decision to postpone.

 

1.5          When the decision to postpone is made before 5pm on the day preceding the match, the home Club must immediately inform the RFU Tournaments and Competitions Department, the NCA Secretary and the match officials as well as the visiting team. If after 5pm on the day preceding the match, the home Club must immediately notify the visiting team, the NCA Secretary and the match officials.

 

1.6      A postponed match must be re-arranged for the next available weekend (as the same is defined in the Principal Regulations).   The NCA Secretary will notify each club of the date on which the match is to be played.

               

1.7          If the game is postponed for any reason other than the weather, the home Club must follow the procedure outlined in 1.5 and 1.6 above. If a Club postpones any match, for any   reason other than the weather, without prior approval by NCA it will be deducted such number of League points as the NCA deems appropriate (subject to the appeals procedure set out in the Principal Regulations and summarised in Paragraph 8 below) and any other sanction which NCA deems appropriate. In addition at the NCA’s discretion the match will be re-arranged in accordance with 1.6 above.

 

NB The sanctions set out in paragraph 1.6 may at NCA’s discretion also apply in the event of postponement due to bad weather where the correct procedure has not been followed.

 

2.                   Match Result Cards

                                                                                                                                               

2.1          The Match Result Card MUST be faxed or emailed within one hour after the final whistle to:

 the NCA Secretary (Fax 0870 0510711 email nca@silver.demon.co.uk) and Steve McCormack (Fax 0161 926 8900).  

 The match result card whether faxed, emailed or sent by hard copy must be received by the RFU (Fax 0870 143 2423 or email tombrewis@rfu.com.) within 72 hours of the final whistle.

 

Failure to comply with this requirement will give rise to a fine of £25.00 on the first occasion. Non payment of fines within 14 days or a second or subsequent failure to submit a results card within the prescribed time may give rise to further sanctions including point’s deductions as decided by the NCA.

 

2.2          The match cards will be supplied to all clubs by the NCA in electronic form.

 

2.3          The Home Club must ensure that the card is completed in accordance with RFU Game Regulations.

 

2.4      Both clubs must ensure that the information is accurate and legible. The card should be completed in upper case, as should the names of the signatories. Any discrepancies caused by lack of clarity or incorrect information may be regarded as a breach of the regulations, as will non-completion by both Clubs. This will also apply in the event of 'frivolous' entries. Either or both Clubs may be sanctioned in such cases. These sanctions will include a financial penalty of £50.00 on the first occasion and £100.00 for each occasion thereafter during that season.

 

2.5          In accordance with RFU instructions, the home club must pass to the referee a completed match card (signed by both Clubs) and the appropriate Player Registration Certificates to the referee at least 15 minutes before kick off. The Cards cannot be altered after passing them to the referee without a valid and unavoidable reason (e.g., injury during warm up). A change of mind or late arrival of a player is not “exceptional”.

 

2.6          After the match, the referee will return the card, signed by him and containing the match result, to the home club, which is then responsible for returning the card to the RFU as per 2.1 above.

 

2.7          In the event that due to exceptional circumstances it is not possible to fax the results Cards immediately after the match as per 2.1 the card must be received by the RFU within 72 hours of the end of the match. If sent by post, the onus for proof of posting lies with the home club. If it is not received on time, the offending Club will be fined £50.00 on the first occasion in a season and £100.00 for each occasion thereafter during that season. It is recommended that each club photocopy the match card before posting to the RFU in order that a further copy can be submitted in the event of loss.

 

2.8                The timely receipt of the Cards will enable the RFU and NCA to check player eligibility prior to the next League or Cup match. (See Section 2.1 above).

 

 

 

3.            Player Eligibility

 

3.1          All Match Cards will be checked against the current RFU Computerised Registration list. Any irregularity will be notified by the RFU to the NCA

 

3.2.         In the event of any irregularity the NCA Secretary will inform the Club as soon as possible. If any club is found to have been guilty of fielding an ineligible player, then points deductions will apply for that/those match/matches.

 

3.3.         In the event of a proven transgression, either the deduction of League points or Cup sanctions will be applied in accordance with the Principal Regulations. In either event the NCA Secretary will inform the Club in writing. The Club will then have the right of Appeal.

 

4.            Half-time

 

4.1          The half-time interval shall normally be ten minutes and both teams may leave the field of play during this interval if they wish to do so.

 

4.2          With the agreement of the captain of each team the referee may reduce the half-time interval in exceptional circumstances but in this case the interval shall not be less than five minutes.


5.            4th Official

 

Each home Club must provide a nominated 4th Official for each match.  The 4th Official will:

 

5.1.         Ensure that he/she is introduced to the Referee.

 

5.2.         Be responsible for the administration of ALL substitutions and replacements (blood or otherwise). He/She should have boards carrying the player's numbers, and these should be displayed on each occasion a substitution takes place, indicating clearly the player leaving the pitch and the player joining the match.

 

5.3          Be responsible for logging all such movements, noting the names, reason and time of substitution on the Match Result Card. He/She is also responsible for ensuring the correct nomination of front row replacements, and informing the referee of their identities at least 15 minutes prior to kick-off.

 

5.4          Be responsible in conjunction with the referee and an official of the visiting team for accurately completing the match result card and obtaining the necessary signatures.

                Copies of the match result Cards should be retained by the home Clubs until the end of the season to which they apply in case reference is needed in the future.

 

5.5          Be responsible for monitoring the time penalty for a player sent to the sin-bin. He/She will ensure that the suspended player remains in the designated area, separate from the replacements bench, until the full time penalty has elapsed. The 4th Official will then notify the referee via a touch-judge that the player can rejoin the game.

 

5.6          At all times during the match be readily available at the pitch side. He/She must not sit in the stand nor leave the pitch-side during the match.

 

  1. Replacements/Substitutions    

 

6.1    A substitution card will be used for the management of replacements on and off the pitch.   These cards will be supplied to all NCA Clubs electronically this will enable clubs to print as many substitutions card as necessary.

 

6.2          Procedure during match.

 

6.2.1           On match day, the team’s nominated person will be situated during the match in the Technical Area  The team’s nominated person will have at his disposal as many replacement cards as he/she requires.

 

6.2.2           When it is decided that a player must be replaced, he/she then completes the details on the card, giving all the requested details (names, numbers, reasons, times etc). 

 

6.2.3           Once this form is completed, it is handed to the 4th Official instructing him of the replacement at the next opportunity.

 

6.3          In the interests of safety each team playing in the NCA Leagues must have at least five players in their nominated match squad aged at least 18 years suitably trained and experienced to be capable of playing in the front row to ensure that on the first or second occasion a front row player is required to be replaced the team can continue to play safely with contested scrums.

 

6.4          If on any occasion any front row player requires to be replaced and his team cannot provide a replacement or other player suitably trained and experienced from those who started the match or from the nominated replacements to enable the match to continue safely with contested scrums the referee having confirmed this fact with the Captain of the team or such other person nominated by the Club as the manager or other person responsible for the team will order uncontested scrums. If the match is completed with uncontested scrums the result of such match will stand and not be altered by the NCA. However the NCA may take other action in respect of any suspected, alleged or actual breach of Regulation 7.3.1

 

7.            Appeals Procedure

 

In the event of the application of any sanction (points deduction, the imposition of fines or the application of any other sanction) the following procedure will apply:

 

7.1.         The NCA Secretary will inform the offending Club in writing.

 

7.2                If the Club wishes to appeal against the NCA Secretary’s decision, the Club will have fourteen days, in which to lodge a written appeal to the NCA Appeals panel, such appeal must be accompanied by a payment of £75.00. 

 

7.3          If the club wishes to appeal against the NCA Appeals panel decision, the club will have fourteen days or whatever period the RFU have in force at the time, in which to lodge an appeal directly to the RFU in writing. The RFU Appeals Panel decision will be final.

 

7.4          No sanction will be applied until the appeals procedure has ended.

 

7.5          Clubs must be aware that the imposed sanction(s) may be increased as well as decreased on appeal. (This may also apply to an appeal, which is deemed to be frivolous.) All costs (including travel, hire of ancillary equipment etc.) of an appeal regardless of the outcome will be at the discretion of the panel hearing the appeal. Costs will not be invoiced until the appeals process has ended.

 

7.6          Appeals not lodged within the prescribed period will adjudged to be 'out of time’.

 

8.            Persons within the Perimeter Fencing and Sin Bins.

 

8.1          Regulation 17.2 of the Principal Regulations should be noted carefully and must be strictly observed.  The referees have the power to report non-compliance to the NCA and RFU.

 

9.            Clash of colours       

 

9.1          In the event of clubs having similar or clashing colours the away Club shall be responsible for changing its colours for the match between the clubs where a clash of colours would otherwise occur.

               

9.2          The away Club shall be responsible for checking for a potential colour clash at least one week prior to a match and shall notify the colours its team will wear to the home club in time for programme printing.

 

9.3          In the event of the away club failing to comply with this guideline there will be a financial penalty of £50.00 on the first occasion in a season and £100.00 for each occasion thereafter during that season.

 

10.          Match Videos or DVD’s                  

 

Regulation 21 shall be deleted and there will be substituted the following:

 

The home club is responsible for supplying an un-edited copy of the match video or DVD to the visiting team at each match between two NCA clubs. The visiting team should receive the copy within 72 hours of the final whistle or as otherwise agreed by the two clubs. If it is agreed that the Video or DVD should be sent by mail it must be posted by recorded next day delivery on the first working day following the match. Failure by the home club to provide the Video or DVD within the agreed time-limits will incur disciplinary sanctions. The receiving club will be responsible for the cost of production of the Video or DVD.   The failure of the home club to provide a match Video or DVD within the time limits will result in the home team suffering a financial penalty on the first occasion of £50.00 and £100.00 for each occasion thereafter.

 

11.          Citing for violent conduct.

 

The club citing must inform the League Secretary, in writing, within the RFU stipulated time frame. All details must be sent directly to the RFU.

 

12.          Touch Judges

 

The home club is responsible for ensuring that a suitably trained and kitted out person is available at each home match to take over as a touch judge should one of the appointed officials have to be replaced for any reason. His duties will be determined by the match referee but will not normally extend beyond indicating when the ball or a player carrying the ball is in touch and indicating a successful or unsuccessful kick at goal.

 

13.          Club Accounts

 

The NCA has been delegated by the RFU to submit audited club accounts annually for its entire Member Clubs.      Each Club must submit its audited accounts to the NCA Treasurer by the 30th November of each year.    In the event of a club failing to comply with this requirement for whatever reason, a penalty of £50.00 will be imposed in addition to any financial penalty imposed under RFU rules.     The RFU may impose other sanctions.

 

14.          Floodlighting   

 

Any club with the facility of and which plays matches under floodlights at any time of the rugby season is required to provide lights of sufficient lux value so as to ensure the playing of the match is safe.    Illumination levels should be checked by a suitably qualified electrical engineer and recorded against the levels of light required for the standard of play and shall be not less than 200 lux for competitive matches and 100 lux for training.    Clubs who use floodlights for competitive matches are required to have them turned on at the start of the match.

 

15.          Website

 

Each member club of the NCA which has a website is required to place a link on their website to the NCA website www.ncarugby.org.

 

 

16.          Value added Tax

 

The NCA is registered for VAT and VAT at the standard rate will be added to any invoice issued under these regulations.

 

17.          Finance

 

Each Club participating in NCA Leagues shall pay an annual management fee to the NCA to cover the administrative operating expenses of the Leagues.  Such sum to be determined at the Annual General Meeting of the NCA.

 

 

18.          Non-payment of financial penalties.

 

In the event of failure to pay any or each of the financial penalties or charges imposed under these guidelines within 14 days of notification (subject to any appeal), non-payment of fines will be subject to deduction of league points or Cup sanctions (subject to any appeal) as per RFU Regulations.

 

19.          Definitive Regulations

 

The Principal Regulations shall apply to NCA Clubs save where they are excluded or modified by these regulations in which case these regulations shall prevail.

ALL CLUBS WILL RECEIVE THE PRINCIPAL REGULATIONS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SEASON AND, IN THE EVENT OF ANY BREACH, IGNORANCE OF THE REGULATIONS WILL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE AN EXCUSE.