January 2009

Youth & High School Committee responded to a question from a State Based Rugby Organization concerning USA Rugby’s position on High School teams playing against College teams.  In summary, we stated that USA Rugby neither encourages nor discourages such matches, but leaves it in local hands to do what makes good sense in the particular set of circumstances.

We circulated the response to all Youth Leaders in the USA , and since then some Leaders expressed concern that the muscular and orthopedic disparities between men and women in this age range make it inappropriate for USA Rugby to grant wide discretion to coaches and match organizers in making such decisions.  We have, therefore, looked further into the matter, and have worked with USA Rugby’s Medical and Safety department to develop some guidance for local decision makers when considering such matches.

As a result, effective immediately, any match played between a High School or Under 19 team and a College team:

1.) Must be played under the Under 19 Variations to the Laws of the Game as framed by the IRB, and
2.) Must be refereed by a referee that has been certified by USA Rugby’s Referees and Laws Committee, or by an equivalent body,and
3.) A parent or legal guardian of any player that is less than eighteen years of age must be made aware, before the event, of that player’s possible participation in the match.

Such matches have been played for many years in the USA .  With the above guidelines in place we believe that coaches, in conjunction with match organizers, can be trusted to, and indeed will, make responsible and sensible decisions at the local level, with full regard for the safety of all players.

Katie Wurst
Youth Manager, USA Rugby