Saturday, 02 July 2011 11:29    PDF Print Write e-mail
No Doubling Up for 7s Clubs
Sevens - Club Sevens
Sidebar: USA Rugby Club 7s Eligibility Regs (emphasis ours).

9.1. Club Eligibility

a) A club must be in good standing by June 15th. Good standing includes but is not limited to: completed CIPP registration of the club with full payment; in good standing with the LAU, and in good standing according to USA Rugby playing requirements. A club may be registered solely to play 7‟s. Clubs already enrolled in the current year‟s CIPP do not need to re-register to participate in 7‟s.

b) Each participating club may carry a maximum roster of 12 players per event. No limit on number of players used by a club in multiple Qualifying events.

c) Each roster must include a minimum of ten (10) players who meet the criteria for player eligibility to participate on the National Team of the United States. Per IRB Regulation 8 a player may only play for the senior USA National Sevens Team if the player:

1) Was born in the United States; or

2) Has one parent or grandparent born in the United States; or

3) Has completed thirty-six consecutive months of Residence in the United States immediately preceding the time of the event; and

4) Has not played for the senior National Sevens Team of another Union; and

5) Meets all other IRB standards for National Team Representation

 

d) Clubs may qualify one team in the National Championship event.



New eligibility rules for club 7s instituted before the summer confirm that no club can enter more than one team in the USA Rugby Nationals 7s Club Championships.

Repeatedly in recent years, clubs have been able to qualify a 1st and 2nd team. That can't happen. (See sidebar for USA Rugby Eligibility Regulations, Section 9).

RUGBYMag.com reporters have run into more than one coach who has stated a hope to qualify two teams. This is not allowed anymore.

However, there is a loophole available for some clubs. If a player has not yet played in a qualifying tournament, he may be able to transfer to another club (perhaps one sympathetic to the first club), and if enough players do that, they can continue to play as a unit.

July 15 is the deadline for players to transfer for 7s. The deadline for forming a team for 7s has passed. It was June 15.