Date of Eligibilty
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:41 pm
The following is a copy of a document (less tables) currently being circulated by IRFU, the implications of its implementation are yet to be discussed
IRFU POLICY: DATE OF ELIGIBILITY
CHANGES FROM BEGINNING OF 2009/10 SEASON
The focus of the IRFU Strategic Plan (2008 to 2012) is to create a quality game across all levels aligned with the IRFU Long Term Player Development Pathway (LTPD). A quality game will increase the transition of players from Youth and School Rugby into the Adult Game and after consultation with the Irish Rugby stakeholders the following policy will be implemented from the start of the 2009/10 season across both Men’s and Women’s Rugby/
Date of Eligibility
From September 2009, the IRFU will implement the International Rugby Board (IRB) date of eligibility, which is defined as the age of any player on the 1st January of that season (in 2009/10 an U15 player will be defined as a player “Under 15 years of age on the 1st January 2010”) viz born in 1995 or later.
After consultation with the relevant Branch and Union stakeholders regarding the most appropriate age bands, to maximize transition of players through youth and schools rugby to the adult game, the following age categories has been agreed:
Leprachaun Rugby 7s
Mini Rugby 8s, 9s, 10s, 11s, and 12s
Youth Rugby 13s, 15s, 17s and 19s (Branches have the ability to operate intermediate ages at 14s, 16s and 18s if there is appropriate numbers)
Schools 13s, 14s, 15s, 16s and/or 17s and 19s
Leprechaun and Mini Rugby
In Line with the IRFU LTPD Pathway, Leprechaun and Mini Rugby should encourage skill development, participation and enjoyment: therefore, the IRFU policy is that clubs and teams do not engage in leagues or cups emphasizing results. Clubs should only participate in blitzes and or club days whish are operated according to the IRFU National Mini Blitz framework, which allows for the ethos as set out in the above paragraph, and this policy will be enforced by the IRFU from the commencement of the 2009/10 season.
Competitions
Branches will be responsible for arranging competitions at 13s/15s/17s and 19s Level and the current All Ireland U16 and U18 Club Competition will be replaced by a National 17s and 19s Club Competition from September 2009. Branches will have the flexibility to determine the appropriate competition structures to support the numbers of players at each of the age categories as well as the development of the Adult game at the age bands above 19s.
Schools
Branches will be responsible for administrating schools competitions in line with the IRFU policy as follows:
1. Schools Senior Cup will become a U19 (1st January) Cup, Branches to decide in exceptional circumstances whether players repeating their Leaving Certificate should be ineligible.
2. Branches will have the discretion to implement regulations at the pre-U16 Cup Level to maximize the development and participation of players.
Player Development and Representative Rugby
16s Development Squads
17s Development Squads
18s Development Sessions/Squads and Representative Matches
19s Development Sessions/Squads and Representative matches
Provincial and International Matches will take place at U18s (Inter-Provincials and Internationals/Tournaments) and 19s (Inter-Provincial and Internationals) level as per the current arrangement.
Transition from schools/youth to adult club game
This is the area where there is an unacceptable level of drop out and the future of the adult club game depends on a successful transition from underage rugby into adult club rugby. At the present moment a number of Branches run U20 competition with an U20 IRFU National Competition. However with the change in the eligibility date ti will be up to the Branches to determine whether an ‘age band’ [in line with 1st jan] in adduolt rugby will assist the increase with the transition of players into Adult Game. A national competition at 20s or 21s level could take place should the majority of Branches elect to run a league competition.
IRFU POLICY: DATE OF ELIGIBILITY
CHANGES FROM BEGINNING OF 2009/10 SEASON
The focus of the IRFU Strategic Plan (2008 to 2012) is to create a quality game across all levels aligned with the IRFU Long Term Player Development Pathway (LTPD). A quality game will increase the transition of players from Youth and School Rugby into the Adult Game and after consultation with the Irish Rugby stakeholders the following policy will be implemented from the start of the 2009/10 season across both Men’s and Women’s Rugby/
Date of Eligibility
From September 2009, the IRFU will implement the International Rugby Board (IRB) date of eligibility, which is defined as the age of any player on the 1st January of that season (in 2009/10 an U15 player will be defined as a player “Under 15 years of age on the 1st January 2010”) viz born in 1995 or later.
After consultation with the relevant Branch and Union stakeholders regarding the most appropriate age bands, to maximize transition of players through youth and schools rugby to the adult game, the following age categories has been agreed:
Leprachaun Rugby 7s
Mini Rugby 8s, 9s, 10s, 11s, and 12s
Youth Rugby 13s, 15s, 17s and 19s (Branches have the ability to operate intermediate ages at 14s, 16s and 18s if there is appropriate numbers)
Schools 13s, 14s, 15s, 16s and/or 17s and 19s
Leprechaun and Mini Rugby
In Line with the IRFU LTPD Pathway, Leprechaun and Mini Rugby should encourage skill development, participation and enjoyment: therefore, the IRFU policy is that clubs and teams do not engage in leagues or cups emphasizing results. Clubs should only participate in blitzes and or club days whish are operated according to the IRFU National Mini Blitz framework, which allows for the ethos as set out in the above paragraph, and this policy will be enforced by the IRFU from the commencement of the 2009/10 season.
Competitions
Branches will be responsible for arranging competitions at 13s/15s/17s and 19s Level and the current All Ireland U16 and U18 Club Competition will be replaced by a National 17s and 19s Club Competition from September 2009. Branches will have the flexibility to determine the appropriate competition structures to support the numbers of players at each of the age categories as well as the development of the Adult game at the age bands above 19s.
Schools
Branches will be responsible for administrating schools competitions in line with the IRFU policy as follows:
1. Schools Senior Cup will become a U19 (1st January) Cup, Branches to decide in exceptional circumstances whether players repeating their Leaving Certificate should be ineligible.
2. Branches will have the discretion to implement regulations at the pre-U16 Cup Level to maximize the development and participation of players.
Player Development and Representative Rugby
16s Development Squads
17s Development Squads
18s Development Sessions/Squads and Representative Matches
19s Development Sessions/Squads and Representative matches
Provincial and International Matches will take place at U18s (Inter-Provincials and Internationals/Tournaments) and 19s (Inter-Provincial and Internationals) level as per the current arrangement.
Transition from schools/youth to adult club game
This is the area where there is an unacceptable level of drop out and the future of the adult club game depends on a successful transition from underage rugby into adult club rugby. At the present moment a number of Branches run U20 competition with an U20 IRFU National Competition. However with the change in the eligibility date ti will be up to the Branches to determine whether an ‘age band’ [in line with 1st jan] in adduolt rugby will assist the increase with the transition of players into Adult Game. A national competition at 20s or 21s level could take place should the majority of Branches elect to run a league competition.