IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLUBS
THIS EFFECTS ALL CLUBS/TEAMS IN FLORIDA
SRRA Guidelines September 2010
Regarding the Technical Zone
All SRRA referees are to strictly adhere to the following guidelines from September 1, 2010 for all games in USA Rugby South jurisdiction.
IRB regulations specify that only medically trained personnel and 2 water carriers may locate themselves in the Technical Zones during play. The water carriers may only enter the Field of Play when there is a stoppage for injury or when a try has been scored. The head coach of a team may not be a water carrier.
If a team has 2 medically trained personnel available, they must situate themselves on opposite sides of the field from one another. Therefore, only one of them may be located inside the Technical Zone at any given point in time. The technical zones will be situated between the half way line and the 22 meter line.
No person within the Technical Zone may direct comments to the Referee or any other Match Official or make comments about any match Official.
Based on the above IRB Guidelines, the SRRA requires all coaching staff and players to stand behind the crowd restraints. If a coach (head or assistant) is nominated as the designated touch judge, s/he may not make any comments to their team or to the Referee while executing this role.
If a coach assumes the role of medical personnel they must stay within the technical zone, relinquish their role as coach and abide by the regulations with respect to communicating with match officials.
If the crowd restraints (e.g., restraining ropes) are insufficient for the purpose of keeping the crowd from the Playing Area and interfering with the Match Officials, the Referee should instruct the Match Organizer (home team organizers) the game will not start until sufficient arrangements have been made.
In the event that coaches take the field without the permission of the Referee, the Referee is required to report the incident to the Discipline Chair of their LAU or The Discipline Chair of USA Rugby South.
In the event that any non-playing person enters the Field of Play and touches a player of the opposing team that person should be dismissed from the Playing Enclosure immediately and the Referee is required to report the incident to the Discipline Chair of their LAU or The Discipline Chair of USA Rugby South.
In the event that a person within the Technical Zone directs comments, criticism or abuse at a Match Official, that person shall be required by the Referee to leave the Technical Zone and the Playing Enclosure and the Referee must report the incident to the Discipline Chair of their LAU or The Discipline Chair of USA Rugby South.
These guidelines are to make sure that the Referee is covered for liability purposes.
