The Rugby Season Starter information has been designed to support Clubs with your start of season activities by providing relevant information and resources to club administrators on the following area, including:
Please read the information below and distribute to relevant club officials. The club administrators checklist is provided for quick reference to see what your club need to do for the upcoming Rugby season.
RUGBY ADMINISTRATION
Running Rugby - Club Administration Resources
Running Rugby has been designed to assist clubs with the administrative and operational side of running a rugby club, and provides club administrators and volunteers with a variety of factsheets, templates and resources on the following topics, including:
- Getting Ready for Another Season
- My Club Volunteers
- Effective Meetings and Being on a Committee
- My Club Finances
- Club Fundraising, Sponsorship and Grants
- Rugby Services
“Find a Club” Tool
You may be aware that
www.tryrugby.com.au includes an online club search function – Find a Club – so that people who are interested in playing Rugby can easily find details about their nearest Rugby club.
To make sure this tool is accurate for the start of the Rugby season, we’re encouraging all clubs to update their contact details and information about their sign-on days and training sessions. These details can be updated through the online management system MyRugbyAdmin.
Registration Information
All Rugby clubs are responsible for the registration of their players and members, which is a necessity for coverage under the ARU National Insurance Scheme.
The registration process includes:
- Club Registrar logs into MyRugbyAdmin (MRA) and downloads the clubs registration forms, either
- a blank ARU registration form for new players/members (it may be easier to print one and photocopy),
- a pre-filled ARU registration form with last year’s registered players and member details, or
- activate on-line renewals on MRA to renew last year’s registered players/members on-line (including payment by Paypal in 2013).
- Players and other relevant club members complete or update and sign their membership form (parent/guardian must sign if member is less than 18 years of age).
- Club Registrar collects completed registration forms, logs into MyRugbyAdmin and registers the players and members; including updating any personal information included on the membership form.
Please note, all individual Rugby participants must be registered prior to participating in Rugby, including before playing any match, trials or training.
Insurance information
In February 2013, Gow-Gates, the ARU’s insurance broker will send an insurance information pack to each club with the following insurance related documents, including:
- Your clubs tax invoice for 2013 seasons ARU Sport Injury Cover and Insurance Plan
- A supply of rugby insurance information brochures
- A Club administrator’s sports insurance manual and
- Your clubs Certificate of Currency.
If your club has changed your insurance contact details since last season, you will need to notify your new contact details to Gow-Gates on (02) 8267 9999 or 1800 811 371.
Online Administration
The Australian Rugby Union provides three (3) online systems for Rugby administrators: one to manage registrations and accreditations, one to manage competitions and one to administer free websites. These online systems have been developed to assist and enhance the Rugby administration process and they are available free of charge.
MyRugbyAdmin
MyRugbyAdmin (MRA) is Australian Rugby’s online administration system that improves the efficiency of registrations, accreditations and membership communication for everyone involved in Rugby. It is important to enter your club’s player registration details as soon as possible.
For new or existing MyRugbyAdmin administrators who want to refresh their skills for the 2013 season, take a look through the MyRugbyAdmin Procedures Manual located in the Support section of MyRugbyAdmin.
To log into MyRugbyAdmin via this link, or visit www.tryrugby.com.au and use the link on the top right hand side of the page. (Enter your username and password.)
To gain access you need to speak to someone who already has access such as last year’s club commitee or registrar, your competition manager or state/territory union.
Competition Management System
The ARU's new Competition Management System is designed to manage draws, results and ladders for club, school and national Rugby competitions in Australia. Click here for more information or contact your Competition Manager.
Club Websites
The ARU provides clubs, State and Sub-Unions, and Referee Associations with access to administer their own free website.
ARU Policy Register
The Australian Rugby Union have developed a number of policies to provide players, administrators and any other entities involved in Rugby an additional reference for issues, that are outside the scope of the Laws of the Game and in addition to the IRB Regulations. These ARU policies are in the areas of:
- Code of Conduct
- Anti-Doping
- Member Protection
- Age Grade / Senior Rugby
- Game Regulations
- Operation Health and Safety
- Miscellaneous
ARU Code of Conduct
The ARU Code of Conduct seeks to establish standards of performance and behaviour to ensure that participants act in a professional and proper manner and to ensure that the game is played and conducted with disciplined and sporting behaviour.
All Participants and Rugby Bodies are bound by the ARU Code of Conduct, which seeks to deter all on-field and Rugby-related conduct that could damage the game of Rugby by impairing public confidence in the honest and orderly conduct of matches and competitions or in the integrity and good character of participants.
Further, the Code of Conduct outlines procedures for monitoring and disciplining breaches of the Code.
For more information on the ARU Code of Conduct visit www.tryrugby.com.au/policies
Expectations of Behaviour
The expectations of behaviour guidelines are a simple outline for parents, teachers, coaches and players to ensure everyone is given the opportunity to maximise their enjoyment of the game. Rugby has always been a game that prides itself on fair play and enjoyment for all, so please adhere to these guidelines to ensure this continues.
For more information on the Expectations of Behaviour visit www.tryrugby.com.au/policies
2013 IRB Laws of the Game
The Laws of the Game are formulated by the International Rugby Board (IRB) and circulated by the Australian Rugby Union in the Laws of the Game, and include:
SAFETY AND EDUCATION INFORMATION
Smart Rugby
SmartRugby is Australia's Rugby occupational health and safety program for participants and is mandatory requiring qualification every two years. It is a compulsory minimum requirement for every coach and referee participating in Rugby where there is a tackling component.
The SmartRugby program, therefore, focuses on correct body position and correct technique in performing skills in a range of contact situations. These include Tackle, Ruck & Maul, Scrum, Lineout and Restart.
For more information on SmartRugby program and courses visit www.tryrugby.com.au/smartrugby
ARU Medical and Safety Recommendations
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and International Rugby Board (IRB) encourage clubs and schools to take recommended measures to ensure that the game of Rugby is both safe and enjoyable to play. The following medical and safety recommendations are in the interest of player safety.
For more information on ARU Medical and Safety Requirements visit www.tryrugby.com.au/policies
ARU Concussion Management Factsheet
The Concussion Management Factsheet provides a summary of the key principles, signs and actions in the management of concussion, as outlined in the IRB Concussion Guidelines.
The IRB Concussion Guidelines ensure that Players suspected of or diagnosed as suffering concussion are managed effectively to protect their long term health and welfare. The guidelines are designed for use by medical practitioners and/or healthcare professionals, as well as, clubs/schools, coaches/teachers, team management/ support staff, match officials and players/parents.
For more information on IRB Concussion Guidelines, Factsheet and Education tools visit www.tryrugby.com.au/policies
ARU Serious Injury Protocol & Report
The Serious Injury Protocol outlines the steps a club/school is to follow in the event of a serious injury to a player’s head or neck (i.e. suspected spinal injury) or fatality, including notifying the ARU Hotline on 1800 036 156.
The protocol ensures that each stakeholder is aware of their responsibility and is underpinned by the appointment of the ARU Serious Injury Case Manager to provide support for the injured player, their family and club/school during these difficult times.
A Serious Injury Report must be completed for the following match or training related injuries:
- ANY HEAD OR NECK INJURY THAT RESULTS IN A PLAYER BEING TREATED AT AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, HOSPITAL OR AFTER-HOURS MEDICAL CENTRE, OR
- ANY INJURY THAT RESULTS IN THE ADMISSION OF A PLAYER INTO HOSPITAL.
It is the responsibility of the team coach, manager, or designated club nominee to accurately record details on the Serious Injury Report and e-mail or fax within 48 hours of the time of the incident to the ARU and their State Union.
For more information on ARU Serious Injury Protocol & Report visit www.tryrugby.com.au/policies
RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT ACTIVITIES
Customisable Flyers/Posters, Tips and Tools
The retention and recruitment of members is critical for all Rugby clubs. A planned approach in addressing retention and recruitment is essential, and the following includes some excellent tips and tools to assist clubs in this important function.
Check out the new customisable flyers and posters.
Detailed information on tips & tools
Media and Marketing
There are many opportunities for you to use media, public relations and marketing activities to help assist your Club with your start of season activities.
Further information on PR and Marketing
Contacting Schools
There are many opportunities for your club to let schools in your local area know about the Rugby season ahead and your club's sign-on day details.
Further information on contacting schools
Rewards Program
The Australian Rugby Union has established the Member Benefits Rewards Program for all members of the Rugby family to reward and thank individuals and clubs for their ongoing participation and support in Rugby. These include opportunities to rub shoulders with the Qantas Wallabies at Fan Days & Open training sessions, even training with the team; playing a junior rugby match on the field before a test match; carrying the competing nation’s flags out before kickoff to name just a few. Additionally we have exclusive Test match ticket offers available and we encourage you to take advantage of these great deals.
Detailed information on the Rewards Program