The EPRU HS Championship will be played the weekend before the East Coast Championship. Only the 1st Division teams will participate. Seeding for the tournament will be based on the system currently in place for other EPRU divisions.
The winner of Division II will automatically move into Division I (no challenge match).
The last place team of Division I will move down into Division II.
Match Reports
All teams must report their scores via a Match Report form to the EPRU H.S. Chairman.
A forfeited match will be credited with a score of 3-0. There is no sudden death in divisional play.
Ties are entered into the standings and each team is awarded two points.
3 points for a win
2 points for a tie
1 point for match report form being turned in
0 for a loss
0 for match report NOT being turned in
CIPP
All teams must also be fully CIPP enrolled (club & all players and coach/es), have paid $50 EPRU dues and $10 renewal fee (if applicable) to EPRU to be eligible to compete in divisional play and be assigned referees.
Tie Breaking Procedure
Results between tied teams
Cumulative point differential for all divisional games (points for minus point against = differential) up to a maximum differential of 25 points. The purpose of capping the differential is to discourage teams from needlessly running up the score.
Number of tries scored in division games (tries must be reported on Match Report form)
Cumulative point differential of common non-division EPRU opponents in current season
Match Dates
Games are to be played on Sundays and mid-week in April (mutual agreement). Scheduling will be done by the H.S. Chairman for division matches only. Non-division match scheduling to be done between the teams.
EPRU certified officials to do all matches (1st side). Coaches are encouraged to do the 2nd side game.
Player Rules
Players must be 18 years or younger as of September 1 of each respective year. Players must be enrolled in high school full time or be enrolled full time in an equivalent program leading to a GED.
All players must enroll in CIPP (signed by parents) and provide proof of medical/sports accident insurance coverage of at least $100,000 and/or the maximum amount available through school-offered insurance programs.
Players who qualify to play high school rugby, but choose to play, full-time or occasionally, with a college or men's side during a competitive season may not participate in high school rugby during that particular competitive season.
No more than four non-resident exchange students may play for a club. No more than four GED enrolled students may play for a club.
A student has four years of high school eligibility that commences on the date of enrollment in 9th grade.
To participate in any match which in any way leads to any Men’s National High School Championship, players must have been enrolled full time in high school or enrolled full time in an equivalent program leading to a GED at the beginning of the current competitive season. If a player leaves school prior to graduation or receipt of their GED, they are ineligible to play. (If graduation occurs during the competitive season, but prior to the National Championship, the player is eligible).
A player must be enrolled prior to the start of the competitive season. A player may not change teams within the Local Area Union without the permission of the Local Area Union High School Chairman. A player whose family is relocated during the competitive season may apply for a waiver to the USA Eligibility Committee. If a waiver is granted, a player must have played in two games in the competitive season to be eligible for any playoffs.
Each player shall meet and remain in compliance with all amateur standards.
Games are to be played on Sunday unless known conflicts exist. Conflicts should be communicated promptly to the High School Chairman.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the pitch or on the sidelines. Drinking by players or spectators is forbidden.
Foul language by coaches, players and spectators is absolutely forbidden. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their team, spectators and assistant coaches. They should also be aware of their position as role models to young players, therefore encouraging good sportsman- ship and proper behavior no matter the circumstance.
Each team shall play a minimum of 3 halves to accommodate those teams with two sides.
Matches will be played under the "USARFU Guidelines, Directives and Variations for Youth Rugby" found in the USA Rugby Law Book.
Referees shall be assigned by the Referees Society.
All High School teams must be affiliated with:
a Full or Associate EPRU member in good standing OR
be a team fully affiliated with the high school as a recognized school activity
In order to participate in the EPRU High School game schedule, all participating teams must maintain membership in the EPRU and pay dues as set (see Treasurer's Guidelines). Delinquent accounts must be paid in full by the H.S. Organizational Meeting. Failure to pay all delinquent dues will eliminate the team from the schedule and the High School Tournament. Current yearly dues must be paid to the EPRU Treasurer no later than two weeks before the EPRU High School Championship Tournament or the team will be ineligible to compete.
All clubs, players and coaches must be fully enrolled in CIPP prior to April 1st or the team will be ineligible to compete. (see "CIPP Policy")
At the beginning of each new season, all teams must register their colors (jerseys, shorts, socks) with the High School Coordinator, and provide the name, address & telephone number of their Coach(es).
All high school coaches must attain and maintain, at a minimum, a Level I USA Rugby Coaching Certification and should work toward a Level II Coaching Certification.
All coaches must sign the "Coaches Code of Conduct" form and mail to the address on the form.
Beginning in January of 1999, all high school clubs must file the four page Permanent Application form membership in the EPRU. Returning high school teams must file the two page Renewal Application. Deadline for filing Permanent and Renewal Applications is January 15th. A check payable to "EPRU" for $10 must be enclosed with your application.
USARFU Guidelines, Directives & Variations on The Laws for Youth Rugby can be found in the USA Rugby Law Book available from any rugby supplier or the USA Rugby office. These variations are considered "Law" and will be enforced in the EPRU. The USA Rugby High School Eligibility Guidelines can found in the National Directory, however be advised that changes may have taken place from the time of their last printing.
