North Midlands Constituent Body Safeguarding Manager, Clive Haley, has passed on the element of this role that deals with Regulation 15 – Playing out of Age Grade. Judith Phelps has agreed to resume this undertaking in collaboration with Chair of Governance, Stuart Potts.
For clarity:
1. No playing up is allowed at U11 and below. Any movement in these younger age groups, eg combining age groups / individuals playing down, North Midlands, consent is required, in line with RFU Regulation 15.
2. An additional North Midlands requirement is that all movement of players in the age groups – U12 to U18 – also needs CB approval.
3. As they play in 2 or 3 year age bands, there is no playing up in the girl’s game. (U12-U18)
Extra work should not be created other than sending Judith Phelps (phelpsfam2@icloud.com) a copy of the necessary and completed “Player Playing Out of Age Grade” consent form. (See attached). Or for ‘combining’ age groups / individuals playing down, an email with brief details of circumstances.
Players playing up. Any movement upwards is for the ’star’ player(s) whose pathway would benefit from the experience. It should not be regarded as a way of overcoming a numbers issue. To quote the RFU Codes of Practice – “there are situations where a player, or a couple of players, may play up or down”
Consents for 17 year olds to play adult rugby will only be considered for after 1st January 2022 (Regulation 22.) They will still need to be approved via Gordon Wood (gjwood.nthmids@gmail.com).
Judith Phelps