DRAFT - Western BOP Junior Rugby Dispensation Policy

DRAFT - Western BOP Junior Rugby –Dispensation Policy

When focusing on ensuring rugby is available to as many players as possible, WBOP Junior Rugby Committeehave adopted the policy of allowing dispensations, to players who may not meet grade criteria on either weight or age grounds. Not allowing dispensations may prevent those players from playing, and could impact on the ability to field a team, thereby affecting the meaningfulness of a competition.

On the other side, allowing dispensations of players may pose a risk to safety and enjoyment, of grade eligible players.

Also dispensations may also allow “win“ motivated adults to have players, play down and influence results.

Each dispensation will be determined on an individual basis. The factors the JRC will take into consideration are as follows:

a. Primary Factors (Players must meet one of the primary factors)

i. Safety/Risk of injury

ii. Medical reasons

iii. Exceptional circumstances

b. Secondary Factors

I. No impact on the grade

II. No other team to play for

III. Without this player not enough numbers to make at team

These remain the governing criteria in allowing or declining dispensations.

A. The following policy for junior rugby player dispensations will apply in 2017:

a. Girls are dispensated to play one year below their age grade if they wish.

b. Dispensations will apply to the following clubs i.e. Katikati, Eastern Districts on the basis that rural clubs may have difficulty in some age grades forming complete teams and therefore rural based players would lose the opportunity to play . ie no primary factors required.

c. Other clubs can apply but will only be considered where a Primary Factor exists. The expectation for other Clubs is where there is not a team available for a player at the preferred club, they will be sent to another club close by. All other WBOP clubs have this option or have a greater opportunityto recruit additional players.

d. Dispensation criteria and process will apply.

B. In 2017 WBOP JR requires that:

a. WBOP JR Club Delegates are responsible for ensuring that the dispensation criteriaare applied first by the club before dispensation application is made to WBOP JRC. Thisis to ensure applications for dispensation are made only for players that satisfy thedispensation criteria.

b. The application of the dispensation criteria by clubs in the first instance is a potential reputational issue for the club and delegate. Care needs to be taken to ensure the clubapplies the dispensation criteria honestly.

C. Dispensation Criteria

a. Weight restrictions (appended)

b. No Representative players will be dispensated (even if they are within the weightrestriction)

c. If the Player Dispensation Committee regard the player as highlyskilled relative to players in the grade they are playing in, the player’s dispensation willbe reviewed.

d. Dispensations can be reviewed at any time during the season.

e. Dispensated players may compete in the finals tournament.

D. 2017 Dispensation Process

a. WBOP JRC Delegates are responsible for seeing that the dispensation criteria areapplied first by the club before dispensation application is made to WBOP JRC. This is toensure applications for dispensation are made only for players that are highly likely tosatisfy the dispensation criteria. This is a reputational issue for the club and delegate.

b. Application for Dispensation of Player forms (appended) can be downloaded fromthe BOP RU website. The’ Application for regrading of player form’ on BOP rugby website under ‘clubs’ rules,forms and information can also be used.

c. Applications for dispensation must be received by 5pm 11th April 2017 andshould be addressed to “WBOP Dispensation applications” and emailed to or handed directly to the Chair of the Player Dispensation Sub Committee which handles dispensations.

d. Dispensation applicants will present themselves to dispensation committeemembers for weigh in anddispensationconsideration at BOP rugby HQ .Dispensation applicants are to provide both a copy of their birth certificate and acurrent 5cm x 5cm portrait photograph of themselves at that time.

e. Dispensated players will be observed if required by the dispensation sub committee (or co –opted people for that purpose) who may review the dispensation at any time. The viewing will include assessing skill level, aggression, technique and physical development.

f. Dispensated players are to be made aware to the opposition before kick off and highlighted on the team list on match card. The relevant authorized dispensation paperwork should be attached to the back of the players card in team booklet. Player cards should be marked clearly with the word ‘Dispensated‘ and highlighted with highlighter pen and or stickers . Player books may be audited to check if suitably visible. Failure to comply with thisrequirement may result in the player’s dispensation being withdrawn.

g. If an opposition team feels that a dispensated player is posing a safety risk to other players in that grade then the delegate shall contact the WBOP dispensation committee to request a player assessment.

h. A list of current dispensated players will be provided to all clubs via their delegatesfor their information and the list redistributed when changes occur.

i. The Dispensation Sub Committee will notify the respective club delegate if a player’sdispensation has been reviewed.

j. The Dispensation Sub Committee may convene from time to time throughout theseason as is required and will raise any issues and solutions with the WBOP JRCCommittee.

E. DISPENSATION FORM

Player Name:

DOB:

Gender:

Club:

Weight:

Has the Player played for a Rep team?

Age as of 1 Jan of the current year: