Rules on in season and out of season activity

In light of a number of posts on social media, Devon RFU have contacted clubs to remind them of the RFU’s age grade regulations on out-of-season activity.

The relevant regulations are as follows:-

8. SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON ACTIVITY 

1. In Age Grade Rugby the season shall be: 

Season 2019-2020 will run from Saturday 7 September 2019 until Sunday 10th May 2020.  

Season 2020-2021 will run from Saturday 5 September 2020 until Monday 3 May 2021

For the purposes of this Regulation 15, the season shall mean the Age Grade Season. 

2. The RFU has specifically developed best practice principles on out of season activity to ensure players have sufficient rest and recovery over the summer. In particular, children of primary school age are to be encouraged to participate in non-rugby activities that develop fundamental movement and core skills. The RFU expects those involved in age grade rugby to respect these principles in the interest of player welfare. These principles can be found at www.englandrugby.com/codesofpractice. 

3. Rugby activity is permitted during the season and outside of the season as set out below (and summarised in the table at 15.8.7): 

U13s and below 

4. In the 13s and below age grades, all rugby activity is permitted throughout the year (during the season and outside of the season) except: 

a. U5s and U6s are not permitted to participate in: (a) contact at any time of the year; (b) contact or non-contact matches and competitions at any time of the year; and (c) Outgoing Tours outside of the season. 

b. U7s and U8s are not permitted to participate in: (a) contact training at any time of the year; (b) contact matches and competitions at any time of the year; 

c. non-contact matches and competitions outside of the Season; and (d) Outgoing Tours outside of the Season. 

d. U9s to U11s are not permitted to participate in: (a) contact training outside of the season; (b) contact matches and competitions outside of the Season; (c) non-contact matches and competitions outside of the season; and (d) Outgoing Tours outside of the Season. 

c. U12s and U13s are not permitted to participate in: (a) contact training outside of the season; (b) contact matches and competitions outside of the season; and (c) Outgoing Tours outside of the season. 

U14s and above 

5. In U14s to U18s age grades, all rugby activity is permitted throughout the year (during the season and outside of the  Season)  except  that  no  training,  matches and competitions involving contact are permitted save that: 

a. at U14, U15 and U16, XRugby 7s matches and competitions (including preparation for those matches and competitions) are permitted; 

b. at U17 and U18, XRugby 7s or 7-a-side matches and competitions (including preparation for those matches and competitions) are permitted; 

c. if a competition match scheduled to be played within the season is abandoned or postponed due to adverse weather conditions, such match may be replayed up to and including the last May Bank Holiday Monday, at all times in accordance with Regulation [15.9] which requires prior written approval; 

d. in the last two weeks immediately prior to the start of the season pre-season training and training matches are permitted; 

e. Academy or Centre of Excellence activity is permitted if pre-approved by the RFU. 

6. Outgoing Tours and preparations for such tours at U14 and above are permitted as long as Regulation 15.9 is complied with. 

7. Overview of rugby activity that is permitted during the season and outside of the season:

  AGE GRADE  
                                           IN SEASON ACTIVITY  
NON-CONTACT CONTACT OUTGOING TOURS  
Training Matches & Competitions Training Matches & Competitions  
U5s & U6s YES NO NO NO YES  
U7s & U8s YES YES NO NO YES  
U9s,  U10s & U11s   YES   YES   YES   YES   YES  
U12s & U13s YES YES YES YES YES  
U14s,  U15s & U16s   YES   YES   YES   YES   YES  
U17s & U18s YES YES YES YES YES  
  AGE GRADE OUT OF SEASON ACTIVITY  
NON-CONTACT CONTACT OUTGOING TOURS  
Training Matches & Competitions Training Matches & Competitions  
U5s & U6s YES NO NO NO NO  
U7s & U8s YES NO NO NO NO  
U9s,  U10s & U11s   YES   NO   NO   NO   NO  
U12s & U13s YES YES NO NO NO  
U14s,  U15s & U16s   YES   YES NO, SAVE AS PERMITTED IN 15.8.5 NO, SAVE AS PERMITTED IN 15.8.5   YES  
  U17s & U18s   YES   YES NO, SAVE AS PERMITTED IN 15.8.5 NO, SAVE AS PERMITTED IN 15.8.5   YES  

1.9 APPROVAL OF COMPETITIVE ACTIVITY, RUGBY CAMPS AND TOURS 

1.9 Competitions, tournaments, festivals, rugby camps and tours are permitted but the following conditions must be met: 

a) Regulation 15 is complied with in full; 

b) they are in line with the Age Grade Playing Calendar and competition format of the specific age grade; and 

c) written prior approval is obtained as set out in the table below. 

ACTIVITY ORGANISED FOR APPROVED BY 
In Season & Out of Season Competitions Clubs CB 
Locally organised Festivals, Tournaments and Competitions Schools CSU 
Colleges ECRFU 
National Festivals, Competitions and Camps Clubs CB 
If participating teams are from more than just neighbouring CBs and there are more than six entrants Schools ERFSU 
Colleges ECRFU 
Rugby Camps – Local/County All & other providers CB 
Rugby Camps – Regional/National All & other providers RFU 
CB & Regional Competitions and Rep Rugby   All   RFU 
Annual activity beyond club and school/college level (incl domestic Unions), to be submitted in Age Grade Playing Calendars 
Rugby Tours See Regulation 10 and Guidance at www.englandrugby.com/governance/gamesupport/rugby-tours 
Outgoing and Incoming tours in England and abroad