1. The aim of the leagues is to promote veterans’ rugby in Devon and widen the player base for the Devon Wooden Spoon organisation to compete in the annual National Competition.

2. To encourage as many veteran teams as possible with very few regulations in place except the normal laws of the game and sanctions.

3. The league will start from August 2025 and run through to 28 March 2026. Clubs can run fixtures out of the normal season and make the most of good weather and pitches if they wish.

4. There will be two leagues South / East with six teams and the North / West with five teams. Each team will play each other once. This will then be reversed in the following year so each club gets the opportunity for bar takings.

5. The matches can take place any time during the week. The onus is on the clubs to arrange the fixtures to suit their programmes. The top two in each league will play in a place in the Wooden Spoon fundraiser final with a cup and medals as a prize. Teams finishing third and fourth in their respective leagues will play in the plate competition. The semi finals will be played in April 2026 and the finals in May 2026. The team with the least number of points will receive the Wooden Spoon Trophy. The winners of the leagues will also receive a trophy,

6. All players must be 35 years old on the day of the match or in their 35th year. If a club wishes to field a player under 35 to ensure there is a full squad, the opposition must agree to this before the match, and as much notice as possible should be given. If the clubs cannot agree, the club that is not able to field a team of over 35s will mean the club forfeits all points except the bonus try points. If there is a dispute over age, the club concerned, must produce evidence that the player is over 35 (photocopy of a driving licence). No player can play for two clubs within the league. Clubs can interchange players from their opponents to enable the game to take place or continue.

7. The numbers in a squad for a match is up to individual teams but should not exceed 25 players but can be increased by mutual consent of both teams.

8. Throughout the games rolling substitutions are permitted, except for red and yellow cards. This allows the more senior players to have a break.

9. There will be three points for a win. One extra bonus point for four tries scored. One point to be within seven points of the winner’s score. A draw –

one point per team plus any bonus points, nil points for a loss. There will be no points difference effecting the positions in the leagues.

10. If the more senior players do not wish to be tackled, they must wear a training bib over their shirt. Other players may tackle by a two handed touch (similar to touch rugby). The tackled player must pass the ball within a step and the tackler must stop and put one knee on the ground before continuing. The protected player should not be driving into rucks or get involved in the more physical aspects of the game.

11. Once fixtures have been confirmed, the home club should email the Admin Officer, so the DRFU website can be updated. It is also the responsibility of the home side to email the Admin Officer with the results. All fixtures should be placed on GMS, by the clubs, thus ensuring referees can be automatically appointed by DRRS. DRRS are likely to supply YMOs who can gain experience of refereeing senior matches.

12. The cost of joining the league will be £50 per club which will go towards the cost of a cup and medals for the finalists. The Devon RFU treasurer will send an invoice in due course to each club so there is an audit trail. The remainder of the costs will be met by the sponsor.

13. If the leagues are a success there could be an end of season Devon Vets Tournament along the lines of the Wooden Spoon Vets Fest or a League XV v overall winners game to end the season

14. All clubs should consider raising funds for the Wooden Spoon Charity. Those wishing to assist can at no cost become a Wooden Spoon Partner and they will receive a plaque to put in their club. The fundraising event could be a bucket collection or similar.

15. As mentioned before, this could feed players into the Devon Wooden Spoon team that competes each year in the National Vets Fest. Over recent years the Wooden Spoon has only taken about 20 players whilst other teams draw from their countries (Wales, Ireland and Scotland) and from bigger counties (Yorkshire, Eastern Counties Merseyside and Lancashire) therefore providing bigger squads. Therefore, the aim would be to win the league and go through to the knock out stages of the main cup competition and bring the trophy back to Devon.