SCHOOL COMBINING OUT OF AGE GRADE APPROVAL FORM

SCHOOL COMBINING OUT OF AGE GRADE APPROVAL FORM

Playing Out of Age Grade – Important Information

The priority is always for age grade players to play in their defined age/year group, with their peers/friends and where those that support them are most closely connected. Playing out of age grade is the exception. For any player to do so, the circumstances, conditions, assessments and approvals required in regulation must be in place beforehand. The ultimate consideration must be the welfare and safety of all the players involved.

Playing Up, Down and Adult Rugby is about individual players for whom it is appropriate. Combining is applicable to groups of players joining another age group. Please note, there is a separate form for England Academy and Player Development Group Players.

Please read Regulation 15.2 and 15.5 in detail before completing this form.

Please read the accompanying advice in the Age Grade Codes of Practice

Constituent Body/County Location*

Where is your school based?

Select

Applicant Organisation Type*

This form is for playing Schools rugby and competitions only. For Club rugby, you must apply using the club-specific approval form.

Select or enter value

Please note, for school rugby, approval is obtained from an individual who has parental responsibility for the player (usually the principal/headteacher in loco parentis). This form is to be submitted with the Headteacher/Principal Approval section below ticked to confirm that an internal school approval has been processed, as per Regulation 15.

Applicant School Name*

Applying for Boys/Mens, Girls/Womens, Mixed Rugby?*

Select

Group Details

Which Age Groups are to be Combined?*

No. of players available in younger age group*

No. of players available in older age group*

Period of permission, including dates*

eg a series of matches or the season etc

Reason to play the players out of age grade*

Include why you have taken the decision to combine ages and not to play reduced numbers or join with another school at the same age group

Are any of the older group capable of playing up?*

This should be considered and actioned before they rest of the group are combined with a younger group of players

Group Player Assessment

To include the detail of your risk assessment of bringing two years of players together (ie. Differences in skill levels & ability, physical, emotional, social development and how this was measured). It is recommended that a coach of at least England Rugby Coaching Award level (previously Level 2) makes this assessment. The Age Grade Codes of Practice provide guidance on supporting evidence and measurement.

Provide detail of your group assessment here*

Include why you believe it is safe to play players together who may have an age and physical/mental/emotional difference of up to 24 months

What will the implications be for the opposing team?*

Include how will you address any mismatch in size, age, ability, etc. to safeguard the opposition players? And how you will ensure your players and their parents are fully aware and buy-into this

What's your plan if older players join in-season?*

Share your approach to re-evaluate combining and assessing these new players in relation to your current players and opponents

Additional comments & considerations*

Include details if any of the players are or have previously been in the player pathway/representative rugby system

Upload any supporting files here.

Drag and drop files here or

Declaration

We certify that all the information on this form is correct, that a full risk assessment has been undertaken, that it has been verified against our institution safeguarding policy, that those named have been fully involved in agreeing the application, that parents across the wider group have been briefed and we agree, if approved to play the above player in accordance with RFU Regulation 15 (Age Grade Rugby) and the spirit and values of rugby union.

I declare in line with the above statement*

Select

Proposer Name*

Who has completed this form

Proposer Role in relation to the Player(s)*

Usually Head of or Teacher in Charge of Rugby. This should not be a parent of the player. Even if they are the coach, for transparency, an alternative proposer should complete the application

Proposer E-mail*

Date*

Director of Sport/Head of PE Name*

Director of Sport/Head of PE E-mail*

Headteacher/Principal Approval*

Please click here to confirm that the Head/Principal has been informed of, and agrees to, this player playing out of age grade

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