USA Rugby Injustice

[Kris]

All,
We were done a great injustice by USA Rugby this weekend. Apparently, they recently declared the Midwest Division II playoffs violated USA Rugby policy. However, USA Rugby absolutely FAILED to do anything about it.

I will sort through the various emails and shortly post information online. The information will be made available on our website. I will keep you posted.

In the meantime, the play of the women on Saturday was commendable. Although the score may not reflect it, they never once gave up.

I am proud to say I am, and will always be, a Mary Wash rugger.

-Kris

[Kris]

All,
I've slowly been putting stuff together. However, there is lots of info. Here is the email from USA Rugby declaring "the Midwest Collegiate Pool structure does, in fact, violate the principal established for USA Rugby Competitions by advancing the 2nd place team directly into the MW Div. II playoffs without going through any other Div. II competition".

I'll keep you posted.

-Kris

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From: Kristin Richeimer <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
CC: Nigel Melville <[e-mail]>,TU Presidents Distribution List <[e-mail]>
Subject: [TU-PRES] Re: [Competitions] Midwest Collegiate Decision
Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2007 10:07:56 -0600

Below please find the decision of the USA Rugby Competitions Committee (pasted into body of email).


To: TU Presidents
From: USA Rugby Competitions Committee
Date: April 5, 2007
Re: Midwest Women’s Collegiate Div. II Competitions
______________________________________________________________________________

The Competitions Committee has agreed that the Midwest Collegiate Pool structure does, in fact, violate the principal established for USA Rugby Competitions by advancing the 2nd place team directly into the MW Div. II playoffs without going through any other Div. II competition. The teams in the Pools are, in fact, playing for two Championships – a win means they are in the Div. I Playoffs, a lose means they are in the Div. II playoffs.

The timing of the complaint by MARFU and the delay in receipt of the competition structure from Midwest has left us in an untenable position. Furthermore, Midwest implemented the structure despite its rejection by the USA Rugby Competitions Committee three years ago. Unfortunately, the playoffs are looming and most teams have arranged for their travel and accommodation. We feel it would be too disruptive to the entire Collegiate Championship to invalidate the results of the Midwest playoffs at this late date. In addition, we would be punishing the wrong people if we declared the Midwest's teams to be ineligible – the collegiate teams and players only played through the structure designed by their TU administrators.

Accordingly, the Competitions Committee recommends that the USA Rugby Collegiate Playoffs proceed with the Midwest representatives filling the seeds allocated by the Competitions Committee at the conclusion of last year's competition. The Competitions Committee will take into account the actions by Midwest in the allocation and assignment of seeds for next year's competition.

Prior to the next competitive cycle (Sept.2007-June 2008) each TU will be required to submit a complete description of their league and playoff structure to the Competitions Committee for review and approval. Failure to submit a competitions structure and to follow a pre-approved structure will be grounds for loss of playoff slots in next year's Championship.

Given the time sensitive nature with Championships approaching, any Appeal of this decision must be made within 5 (five) business days. Any Appeal request should be brought immediately to the attention of Kristin Richeimer, Director of Membership Relations ([e-mail]).

USA Rugby Competitions Committee
by Alan Sharpley, Chair


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Kristin Richeimer
Director, Membership Relations
USA Rugby
2500 Arapahoe Avenue, Suite 200
Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: [phone] x103
Fax: [phone]