QRU Policy FAQs
Senior Rugby Policy
Q: My son is 17 years old, turning 18 in a few months; can he play senior
rugby now?
A: Not until his 18th birthday.
Q: Can a 17 year old train with a senior team?
A: Not until their 18th birthday.
Punching or Stomping Policy
Q: Is the referee the only official who can adjudicate on these incidents?
A: At the discretion of the referee, the referee may accept a report from a
touch judge.
Q: As a spectator, I see a player throw a punch clearly in the view of the
referee, but the referee doesn’t act on the incident; what can I do?
A: Advise the local union, or referees’ association, in writing.
Q: Is an air swing a punch?
A: Such a decision is at the discretion of the referee.
Q: What is the difference between stomping and rucking?
A: Stomping generally involves the foot moving up and down in a motion
perpendicular to the ground, rucking generally involves the foot moving in
a motion from in front of the player drawn back underneath the body.
Q: Does a player who is sent off for punching or stomping receive an
automatic suspension?
A: No, this will be determined according to the judiciary of the local union.
Two Year Window Policy
Q: My son is in the Under 9 age group, but he is the same size as his brother who plays in an Under 12 competition; can he receive an exemption to play in the Under 12 competition?
A: No, the oldest age group he could play in is an Under 10 competition.
Movement between Dispensated and Non-Dispensated Rugby Policy –
Q: Can a player return to the dispensated competition to play in the finals?
A: Only if the player meets the eligibility criteria of the local competition.
Q: If a player is injured while playing in a non-dispensated competition, can
this injury period be counted towards eligibility for the finals in the
dispensated competition?
A: This will be determined by the local competition manager, but it is
recommended that it not be counted.
Q: If a player returns to a dispensated competition because it is believed
his/her skills are not sufficient for the non-dispensated competition, can
he/she return to the non-dispensated competition after up-skilling to the
appropriate level?
A: No, the player can only move from dispensated to non-dispensated then to dispensated ONCE in a calendar year.
Q: If a player starts in a dispensated competition, moves to a nondispensated competition and is then chosen in an age grade
representative team, can the player then return to either type of
competition?
A: Yes, age grade representative teams are not included in the policy.
