Membership : CIPP

CIPP Enforcement Policy

1. EPRU Policy: It is the policy of the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union that all players, coaches, referees, administrators and clubs must comply with the USA Rugby's Club and Individual Participation Program (CIPP) for ALL matches.
   
   
2. Proof of Enrollment: Players must be able to produce a valid USA Rugby card on game day to demonstrate compliance with the CIPP program. If the player has submitted an application to USA Rugby but has not received a card, a copy of the application form will serve as temporary (30 days) proof of enrollment. Teams may also use the current CIPP database available online.
   
   
3. Game Day Procedure:
   (a) The Team Captain must complete a CIPP Roster listing the name and USA Rugby CIPP identification number of each starting player and reserve. The CIPP Roster must be completed and handed to the referee prior to the start of the match. Team Captains are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the CIPP Roster (see Enforcement).
   
   (b) Captains may review the opposing team's CIPP Roster prior to the start of the match. The referee will make a reasonable attempt to resolve disputes over CIPP eligibility. If no resolution can be reached, team(s) may elect to lodge a protest with the EPRU Disciplinary Committee under the procedures outlined in the Divisional Play Rules & Regulations.
   
   (c) The Captains of each team will mail the completed CIPP Roster to the designated EPRU no later than one week after the match. Rosters should be mailed to EPRU, PO Box 393, Exton, PA 19341.
   
   
4. Enforcement: The EPRU Board, and by extension, its Disciplinary Committee, are responsible for enforcing the CIPP program. The EPRU Disciplinary Committee will levy sanctions on individuals and clubs that fail to comply with the CIPP program.
   
   (a) Penalty for non-enrolled individuals: The Team Captain and/or the offending player will be subject to a one to six week suspension for each violation of the CIPP policy. Any teams who do not have a minimum of 15 players enrolled by April 1st shall be suspended from play until proof of enrollment is received by the EPRU Executive Committee and all matches played will be declared forfeits. In addition, teams who do not enroll all their players by April 1st will not be eligible for divisional play in the Fall of that year (i.e. enrollment by March 1st for Fall Divisional Play). High school teams must be fully enrolled by April 1st.
   
   (b) Penalty for non-enrolled clubs: Any club not enrolled by April 1st shall be suspended from play until proof of enrollment is received by the EPRU Executive Committee and all matches played will be declared forfeits. In addition, clubs not enrolled by April 1st will not be eligible for divisional play in the Fall of that year (i.e. enrollment by April 1st for Fall Divisional Play). High school teams must be fully enrolled by March 1st.
   
   (c) Eligibility: Players registered in a previous year's CIPP are not eligible to play until they have registered in the current year's CIPP (i.e. registration in one year's program does not constitute eligibility to play in the next). Teams and Team Captains who complete CIPP rosters using previous years' or fraudulent CIPP numbers will be subject to disciplinary action.
   
   (d) Fees & Forms: Mailing in the application form without the requisite fee(s) is not fulfilling the requirements. Mailing in the requisite fee(s) without the form is not fulfilling the requirements. Waiting until anytime after the start of the season is not fulfilling the requirements. Make sure you mail your fees and forms into USA Rugby well before April 1st so that your club's cards can be processed, returned, and the club appears on the USA CIPP Enrollment Report. Processing at the beginning of the year may take several weeks due to the volume of forms received in the USA Rugby office. Bottom line is, the USA CIPP Enrollment Report is the official list of who is enrolled and who isn't. Enrolling early will insure that your club and players appear on the list and that you will have your cards with CIPP numbers in order to complete the CIPP Roster Forms.