Premier Division Criteria: Annexure I
Details of the Premier Division Criteria
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WRU National League Rules Season 2007-2008

1. Description: The Competition shall be called “The WRU National League” (Hereinafter called the National League).

2. Interpretation: For the purposes of this competition, the following terms have the meaning assigned to them:

- THE UNION means the Welsh Rugby Union Limited.

- THE REGULATORY COMMITTEE means the Committee appointed in accordance with these rules.

- CLUB means the Club being a member of the Union only and does not include affiliated organisations or associate members.

- PREMIER DIVISION CRITERIA means the criteria for entry into and prerequisite to remaining in the Premier Division as set out on the Annexure I to these league Rules.

All other terms must be interpreted in accordance with the Memorandum and the Articles of Association of the Welsh Rugby Union Limited.

3. Form: The League comprises 23 Divisions formed as follows:

Should a WRU Club withdraw from the National League either before or during the Season then that Club would automatically be relegated to Division 5 Level. In order to maintain the balance of Clubs in each Division, an additional Club may be promoted at the beginning of the following season from the Divisions below the Division, except from Division 6, in which the Club withdrawing from the National League was placed.

4. Eligibility to Participate:

a) Clubs
i) The Competition will be restricted to those Clubs who are members of the Union and in Divisions 5 North and 6 only, Clubs which are Members of the Welsh Districts Rugby Union, and who conform to the provisions for the time being of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Union and which, take part therein represented by each Club’s First XV.

ii) No matches may take place in Wales on the day of a senior Home International or the day of the Konica Minolta Cup Final unless authorised, in advance, by the Union’s Regulatory Committee.

b) Players
i) No player may represent a Club in the National League unless he is a registered or dual registered member of that Club, he is on loan to that Club or a permit has been granted for him to play by his parent Club.

ii) A player has to be registered in Wales with a Club, a Regional Team or Regional Academy, and his registration must be notified to the Union before he is eligible to play for a Club in the National League.

iii) All players must be named on the team sheet submitted by the Club to the Match official prior to the match. (see protocol for matches played in Wales) The team sheet must identify any player(s) on permit, dual registration or on loan and their parent Club.

iv) A Player who has suffered concussion shall not participate in any Match or training session for a minimum period of three weeks from the time of injury, and may then only do so when symptom free and declared fit after proper medical examination.  Such declaration must be recorded in a written report prepared by the person who carried out the medical examination of the player.

4.1) Subject to current criteria issued by Work Permits (UK) a Club may register 2 overseas players at any one time who will be eligible to play in the National League (i.e. if one or both overseas player(s) leave the Club he/ they may be replaced providing the number of overseas players does not exceed 2). However, a work permit application for a Professional Rugby Player has to be supported by the Union in which the player proposes to play. The WRU will not support a work permit application for Professional Rugby Players other than those who wish to register with a Regional Team or a Premier Division Club. The numbers of overseas players which may be registered by Regional Teams is governed by the Participation Agreements between the WRU and the Regional Members.

Any Premier Division Club registering more than two non Welsh qualified players, will forfeit £15,000 from their WRU Distribution monies for every additional non Welsh qualified registered player in the squad.

An overseas player will be one who has no right to work in the European Community other than by application for a work permit, and is not qualified to play for Wales.

4.2) Clubs in the Premier Division which run only one senior team will be limited to registering up to 32 players who will be eligible to play for the Club in National League Matches.  Clubs in the Premier Division which run two or more senior teams, the second team which plays at least 16 matches a Season, will be allowed to register more than 32 players who will be eligible to play in the National League.  Failure to fulfil 16 second team matches for clubs that register more than 32 players will result in the Club being penalised.

4.3) A Player will be ineligible to play for a Club in any National League fixture if he transfers or, is registered after 31st January in any season, unless such a player is:

a) A player, registered with that Club’s Youth team, who has attained the age of 18 and is subsequently registered as a Senior player with that Club.

b) A player who is subject to a permanent residential relocation from another area where extensive travel (in excess of 100 miles round trip) precludes the player continuing to play for his former Club (applies to Divisions 1 – 6 only).  Before such a player may play in WRU Competitions the player’s registration must be sanctioned by the Union’s Regulatory Committee.

c) A player not previously registered with any other rugby Club.   Before such a player may play in WRU Competitions the player’s registration must be sanctioned by the Union’s Regulatory Committee.

NB. Player Registration forms must be lodged with the Operations Section of the Welsh Rugby Union Ltd by midnight on the 31st January or first business day after the 31st January if it is a weekend day. Otherwise, although the registration will be processed, the player will not be eligible to play in National League and/ or Konica Minolta Cup matches for the Club for the remainder of the season.

4.4) A player who transfers in the period between the end of the previous season and 31st January will be eligible immediately to play for his new Club in National League matches, provided the properly completed player transfer and registration form is received within the Union’s Operations Section, as follows:

i) At least 2 days prior to the match kick off time if the player has not been registered with another Club or if, transferring from another Club, the registration / transfer form has been countersigned by his previous Club. For avoidance of doubt, the deadline to allow a player to play in a Saturday fixture is 12 noon on the Thursday prior to the fixture; for a Wednesday fixture the deadline is 12 noon on the Monday prior to a fixture and so on.

ii) At least 7 days prior to the match kick off time if the player is transferring from another Club and the registration / transfer form has not been countersigned by his previous Club.

4.5. Player Loan scheme: Details of the Player Loan scheme are outlined in Regulation 6 of the Player Registration and Transfer Regulations.

4.6. Player Permits: The Player Permit scheme will operate as follows:

In any National league match:

i) A Club may play up to a maximum of 4 players on permit (in any position).

ii) No overseas players may play on permit unless that player is registered with a Regional Team.

iii) A Regional Team player may play on permit for a Premier Division Club.

iv) A player who is registered solely with a Regional Academy may play on permit for a Club in any Division. The requisite permits may be granted only by the Director of the Regional Academy, or nominated deputy, and lodged with the Union’s Operations Administrator and Union’s Elite Performance Unit (for monitoring purposes) before the match takes place.

v) Permits may be obtained as outlined in the following table:

vi) A permit must be sought for each match in which a player plays and such permit may be granted for a match at any time in the season. Any permit issued must be made in writing (via fax, posted letter or email), by both the Club with which the player is registered, and the Club with which he is to play on permit and lodged with the Union before the match takes place. In exceptional circumstances, where a permit is agreed during WRU office closure hours (e.g. a Saturday), the permit may be lodged by telephoning 02920 822407 or 02920 822404 and leaving a voicemail message. The written confirmation must be sent to the Union as soon as possible after lodging the voicemail message.

vii) A Permit is a letter of permission written by an Official of the Club with which the player is registered. All permit requests will be acknowledged in writing by the Union. (see Player Registration and Transfer Regulations)

viii) Team sheets submitted to the match official prior to the start of a match must identify players on permit, loan or dual registration and their parent Club.

4.7 Dual Registration scheme: Details of the Dual Registration scheme are outlined in Regulation 8 of the Player Registration and Transfer Regulations.

4.8 Replacements: In the Premier Division up to 7 replacements may be named for any National league fixture provided, of the 22 named players and replacements, there must be 5 (five) suitably trained and experienced players who can play in the front row to ensure that on the first occasion that a replacement hooker is required and, on the first occasion that a replacement prop forward is required, the team can continue to play safely with contested scrums.

In Division 1 up to 5 replacements may be named for any National league fixture provided, of the 20 named players and replacements, there must be five (5) suitably trained and experienced players who can play in the front row to ensure that on the first occasion that a replacement hooker is required and, on the first occasion that a replacement prop forward is required, the team can continue to play safely with contested scrums.

In Divisions 2 to 6 no more than 4 replacements may be named. If a Club does name 4 replacements there must 5 (five) players who are suitably trained and experienced who can play in the front row to ensure that on the first occasion that a replacement hooker is required and, on the first occasion that a replacement prop forward is required, the team can continue to play safely with contested scrums.

A Club may play without any named replacements. If that Club names 15 players only there is no need to name more than three (3) suitably trained and experienced front row players.

For clarification, the Laws of the Game (3.5) state:

Each player in the front row and any potential replacement(s) must be suitably trained and experienced.

When 16, 17 or 18 players are nominated in a team there must be four players who can play in the front row.

When 19, 20, 21 or 22 players are nominated in a team there must be five (5) players who can play in the front row to ensure that on the first occasion that a replacement hooker is required and, on the first occasion that a replacement prop forward is required, the team can continue to play safely with contested scrums.

The replacement of a front row forward must come from suitably trained and experienced players who started the match or from the nominated replacements.

If after a front row player has been sent off or during the time a front row player is temporarily suspended, and there are no further front row players available from the nominated team, then uncontested scrums will be ordered.  It is not the responsibility of the match official to determine the suitability of trained front row replacements nor their availability, as this is a team responsibility.

To avoid confusion and to make everyone aware of the rules relating to the number of substitutes that can be used, please see the following examples, relating to IRB Law 3 (Number of Players) and WRU National League Rules.

a) If Team A have only fifteen players (or less) available and they have three suitably trained front row forwards, then the match will start with contested scrums.

b) If  Team A has fifteen players (or less) and do not have three suitably trained players to play in the front row, then the match will start with uncontested scrums.  Obviously Team A do not have any replacements.

c) If  Team A turn up with only three suitably trained front row forwards and Team B turn up with four suitably trained front row forwards, then the match will start with contested scrums. Team A are not entitled to any substitutes,  but Team B will be able to have two additional replacements (i.e. total of three replacements).

d) If Team A turn up with less than three suitably trained front row forwards and Team B have five suitably trained front row forwards, either on the field or on the replacements bench, then Team A are not entitled to any substitutes and Team B will be entitled to the full complement of replacements. The match will start with uncontested scrums.

In all cases, in relation to Team B, for them to have the full benefit of the replacements bench, they must start with the required number of suitably trained front row players and also the ability of replacing a front row forward with a nominated suitably trained front row replacement.

As currently required, all suitably trained front row players must be highlighted on the official team sheet prior to the match.

If a match goes to uncontested scrums the relevant details are to be forwarded by the Match Official  to the Operations Manager at the Welsh Rugby Union.

AT ALL TIMES SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT.

In relation to uncontested scrums IRB  Law 3.13 (e) defines:

“An uncontested scrum is the same as a normal scrum, except that the teams do not compete for the ball, the team throwing in the ball must win it, and neither team is allowed to push.”

The above allows the Number 8  to pick up from the base of the scrum.

5. Entry Conditions: All Clubs participating in the National League shall conform with:

a) the rules contained herein

b) the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Welsh Rugby Union Ltd, Regulations and Resolutions of the Board of the Union

c) the Bye Laws, Resolutions and Regulations relating to the Game of the International Rugby Board, and

d) the Laws of the Game

6. Responsibility for Organisation

i) All matches in every Division of the National League will be under the control of the Union.

ii) The Regulatory Committee will deal with matters relating to the rules for the Premier Division and Divisions 1 to 6 of the National League.

7. Finance: In the normal National League programme, all gate receipts will be retained by the Home side and match expenses to the match official(s) being claimed in the normal way.  The Away side will be responsible for meeting its travelling expenses subject to the Board of Directors authorising the payment of £1.75 pence per mile expenses incurred in a round journey in excess of 60 miles.

The Regulatory Committee will be responsible for the apportionment of money attributed to the National League on the following basis:

a) That each of the Divisions (except for Divisions 6) should be allocated a proportion of the total money attributed to the National League remaining following the deduction of travel costs and the Union’s administrative costs.

b) That each of the Clubs in the Premier Division shall receive an equal sum from the money allocated to that Division whilst Clubs in Divisions 1 – 5 will receive the basic core grant and where appropriate, a variable development grant.  Prize money will be determined by the Club’s League position.

c) The reimbursement of allowable travel expenses of participating Clubs will be undertaken.

8. Match Programmes: Receipts from separate programme sales may be retained by the Home Club. Similarly, any loss sustained in the production of a programme shall be borne by the Home Club.

9. General Rules
a) All National League matches must be played and each Club must complete its National League programme. In the event that a National League match is not played the matter will be reported to the Regulatory Committee who will conduct an inquiry to establish why the match was not played.

Where a match does not take place it is the responsibility of the Honorary Secretary of each Club to inform, within 4 working days, the Union’s Operations Administrator, in writing, of the reasons for the postponement. If the Regulatory Committee is not satisfied with the explanation of the Club or Clubs concerned it may apply whatever sanction it deems appropriate.

Sanctions available to the Regulatory Committee include the deduction of League points, the imposition of a fine and / or the Club’s League points total may be expunged.

b) Passive Scrums

i) For all divisions other than the Premier Division:

No game may be postponed because of the lack of suitably trained/experienced front row forwards. The game must be played on the due date with uncontested scrums. If prior to any match a Club becomes aware that it will be unable to field for that match a sufficient number of suitably trained/experienced front row forwards it shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, notify the opposing club and match officials that it will elect to take uncontested scrums during that match. Following the match an enquiry may be undertaken by the Regulatory Committee to consider the conduct of the Club and the reason for uncontested scrums and to consider whether any sanction is appropriate. The Regulatory Committee may apply any sanction it deems fit if not satisfied with the club’s explanation.

ii) For the Premier Division: 

If a club postpones a match because of the lack of suitably trained/experienced front row forwards the Regulatory Committee will conduct an inquiry into the postponement. It shall be a matter for the Club which caused the match to be postponed to justify its decision. The Regulatory Committee may apply any sanction it deems fit if not satisfied with the Club’s explanation.

iii) For all Divisions:

If during the course of a match the team elects to take uncontested scrums the matter will be reported to the Regulatory Committee. The Regulatory Committee may conduct a post match inquiry into why passive scrums had been necessary during a match. It shall be a matter for the Club which opted for passive/uncontested scrums to explain to the inquiry why it did so. The Regulatory Committee may apply any sanction it deems fit if not satisfied with the Club’s explanation.

c) Declaration of winners.

Winners of matches will be teams which have scored the greater number of points at the end of each match.  League points awarded are as follows:

Win - 4 points
Draw - 2 points
Defeat - 0 points
Bonus Points - 1 point for a team scoring 4 or more tries, 1 point for a team losing by 7 points or less

d) National League placings will be decided on the basis of League points gained in the season. Where teams have gained equal numbers of League points, the team with the most wins shall be given preference. If the number of wins is equal then the Club having recorded the most tries in the Season shall be given preference. If the number of tries is equal the points ‘for’ shall be divided by the points ‘against’ and the team with the highest factor shall be declared to have the better record.

e) Duration of play – 80 minutes each match (40 minutes each half) plus any time permitted by the Match Official for delays (Laws of the Game – Law 5). At half time an interval of not more than 10 minutes is allowed.

f) Fixture Arrangements. National League matches must be played on the dates allocated unless otherwise previously agreed by the Regulatory Committee. These will be decided by the Regulatory Committee and circulated to the Clubs as soon as practicable. The match will take place on the home Club’s first pitch or on a suitable alternative.

g) Notification of Results. The appointed Match Official will notify the Union of the result of each match by completing a result card which should be signed by an official of each Club and sent to the Union’s Operations Section within 4 postal delivery days of the match having been played. Each notification must be accompanied by team lists, which must be completed by officials of each team and handed to the match official prior to the kick off.

h) Postponed, rearranged and abandoned matches

1) Postponed or Rearranged Matches: National League fixtures must be played on the allocated dates unless a match is postponed because of ground or weather conditions or the Clubs concerned have mutually agreed to the postponement and have received the prior consent of the Union to the rearrangement. Consent to postpone fixtures in such circumstances will not be given if sought less than seven (7) days prior to the fixture. Where Clubs have received the consent of the Union to postpone a fixture, then that fixture must be played, where practicable, within 21 days of the postponement. If the Clubs cannot agree on an alternative date, within 21 days, the Union will determine the date of the rearranged fixture and will, where practicable, give the Clubs 7 days’ notice of the rearranged date.

If the ground of the Home Club is not fit because of weather or ground conditions, or for any other reason unavailable and the away fixture has not yet been played Clubs should endeavour to switch the venue to the Away Club so that the fixture is played on that date.

Any postponed National league fixture must be rearranged by the Clubs and the date of the rearrangement notified to the Union’s Operations Administrator within 21 days of the postponement. If details of the rearrangement are not supplied by the due date then the Union will determine the date on which the rearranged fixture will be played. Where practicable, the Clubs will be given 7 days’ notice of the rearranged date.

Both Clubs must notify the Union’s Operations Administrator, in writing, of the new fixture date at least 4 working days prior to the match being played.

Any dispute in respect of such cancellation, postponement or rearrangement shall be immediately referred to the Regulatory Committee.

Postponed Konica Minolta Cup matches will take precedence over National League matches when postponed or abandoned matches are rearranged.

Where Clubs cannot agree on the date of a rearranged fixture the Union will arbitrate on the new date. Clubs will be given, where practicable, at least 7 days notice of that date.

When ground or weather conditions demand, and if requested to do so, an opportunity must be given to an official representative of the visiting Club, a WRU Match Official living locally of similar standing to the appointed match official or an Officer of the Union to view the situation in sufficient time to allow matches to be postponed to prevent unnecessary travelling. Clubs should undertake ground inspections no earlier than 3 hours before the scheduled kick off time except in cases where an earlier inspection is required to prevent an Away Club undertaking a long journey or in cases where the match official is travelling from a long distance. Should the Clubs disagree on the condition of the ground, the matter must be referred to the match official whose decision will be binding on both Clubs.

2) Abandoned Matches: All matches must be played to full time. The match official is to be the sole judge of the amount of time played. If a match is abandoned then both Clubs’ Honorary Secretaries must notify the Union of the fact in writing within 4 postal delivery days of the abandonment.

If both Clubs agree then the Union may permit the score, at the time of the abandonment, to stand. Such permission to be granted by the Regulatory Committee. Where such an agreement is not reached then:

All such matches may be played at the original venue or at a venue determined by the Home Club. Any National league fixture which has been abandoned must be rearranged by the Clubs and the date of the rearrangement notified to the Union’s Operations Administrator within 21 days of the original date. If details of the rearrangement are not supplied by the due date then the Union will determine the date on which the rearranged fixture will be played. Where practicable, the Clubs will be given 7 days’ notice of the rearranged date. Both Clubs must notify the Union’s Operations Administrator, in writing, of the new fixture date at least 4 working days prior to the match being played.

i) Protests and Disputes - Protests or disputes arising out of the National League Competition or the rules relating thereto must be made in writing to the Group Chief Executive of the Union and accompanied by a fee of £100.00 which may or may not be refunded. No protest or dispute relating to matches played in the Competition will be entertained if made more than 10 days after the match in question has taken place. The Regulatory Committee shall have discretion to investigate any breach of rules at any time and to take such action as it shall deem appropriate.

Any Club dissatisfied with a decision of the Regulatory Committee shall have the right to appeal to a Sub Committee appointed by the Board of Directors provided that the Club’s appeal is lodged in writing, with the Group Chief Executive of the Union within 14 days of the Regulatory Committee’s decision being received in writing by the Hon Secretary of the Club, accompanied by a fee of £100 which may or may not be returned.

j) Penalties:

a) The Regulatory Committee may apply any appropriate sanction it deems fit to any Club, found to be in default, or failing to comply with the rules of the National League.

b) Where any Club has been found to have included an ineligible player(s) that is a player who is not registered with a Club or a player whose name does not appear on the team sheet submitted by the Club in a National League match, the Regulatory Committee shall have the power to penalise the offending side further by the loss of any league points and scores it may have accrued during the match, and expunge the result from the League table.

Before taking action under (a) or (b) above the Club will be offered the benefits of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Union.

c) The Regulatory Committee will deduct League points from any Club’s total number of League points when directed to do so by the Union’s Disciplinary Sub Committee in accordance with the list of Disciplinary sanctions in being at that time.

d) An official representative of both home and visiting teams will hand to the match official a team and replacement sheet prior to the kick off. Only those players named on this list will be eligible to play in the match. An official representative of each Club has the right to examine their opponents’ team list before the match. A Club wishing to make an objection will bring it to the notice of the match official who will record the same. The Club raising the objection will bring it to the notice of the Union within 10 days of the match taking place, accompanied by a deposit of £100.00 which may, or may not be returned. The match official will also bring the matter to the notice of the Union in writing.

k) Match Officials - Shall be appointed by the Union’s Manager of Match Officials for all matches. Match Officials shall be appointed on a national basis and without geographical qualification.

l) Kick Off - The time of the kick off shall be in accordance with the Union Resolution 16, however, it is recommended that it is standardised at 2.30pm for Saturday matches for Divisions 1 to 6 while Premier Division matches will kick off at times by agreement between the Clubs the Union and the Broadcasting Authorities.

m) Adjudication - The Regulatory Committee shall have discretion in dealing with any protest or dispute relating to the National League, whether or not provided for in this scheme or rules.

10) Play Off Matches: Play off matches will be played at neutral venues and on dates to be determined by the Union. A draw will take place in advance of any play off match to determine the home and away Club. The Union will appoint match officials.

a) If the match ends in a draw the rules applied for the Konica Minolta Cup will be used to determine the winning Club. For the avoidance of doubt the winner of the match will be: The Club which has scored the greater number of points at the end of the match

b) In the event of an equal number of points being scored by each Club at the end of the match winners will be declared in the following priority:

i) The Club which has scored the greater number of tries
ii) the Club which has scored the greater number of goals
iii) If after (i) and (ii) have been applied no clear winner has emerged extra time of 20 minutes (10 minutes each way) will be played and the winning Club declared in accordance with (a) and (b) (i) and (ii)
iv) If the result is still a tie then the ‘Away’ Club will be declared the winning Club.

c) If a Club elects to take uncontested scrummages the matter will be dealt with by the Regulatory Committee by way of an inquiry.



Annexure I to theNational League Rules 2007-2008: Criteria for entry to the Premier Division wit effect from 24th August 2007

1. At the end of season 2007/2008:

1.1 - the Champion Clubs in Division 1 East and West will play off to determine which club may be promoted to the Premier Division, subject always to those Clubs satisfying the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division by 31st January 2008 as a condition precedent. There will be no extensions to this deadline. There will be no play off if only one (or neither) Champion Clubs in Division 1 East and West satisfy the Premier Division Criteria.

1.2 - the 12th placed Club in the Premier Division will be relegated to Division 1 for season 2008/2009 if the winner of the play off between the Champion Clubs in Division 1 East and West at the end of season 2007/2008 shall have satisfied the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division by 31st January 2008;

1.3 - if only one of the Champion Clubs in Division 1 East and West shall have satisfied the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division by 31st January 2008, the 12th Club in the Premier Division will be relegated and only that Division 1 Champion Club which meets the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division will be promoted to the Premier Division;

1.4 - any Club(s) in the Premier Division which fail to meet the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division by 31st January 2008 will drop to the bottom of the table for the final league placings for season 2007/2008 in the order of their playing records if more than one

1.5 - if both the Champion Clubs in Division 1 East and West fail to satisfy the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division by 31st January 2008, there will be no promotion and no relegation, even if one or more Clubs in the Premier Division at the end of season 2007/2008 have failed to meet the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division by 31st January 2008 (or at any time thereafter). Further, and for the avoidance of doubt, under no circumstances will any Club below the Champion Clubs in Division 1 East and West qualify for promotion.

2.1 - Any Clubs in the Premier Division that failed to meet the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division as at 31st January 2007 or at any time thereafter will not receive any:

a) funding from WRU; nor
b) Ticket Allocation for international rugby matches

until the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division shall have been satisfied and if and when satisfied, in the case of (a) will only receive such funding on a pro rata basis and in the case of (b), if the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division is satisfied after 30th August 2007 but before 31st December 2007 for season 2007/2008 or after 30th August 2008 but before 31st December 2008 for season 2008/2009, the relevant Club shall be entitled to its normal allocation for RBS Six Nations matches.

2.2 - For the avoidance of doubt all four sections of the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division must be satisfied and the number of points which must be obtained under section four (Minimum Ground Facilities) shall be 155 for season 2007/2008 and 160 for season 2008/2009.

3. Any Club in the First Division which wishes to qualify for promotion from the First Division to the Premier Division at the end of season 2007/2008 for season 2008/2009 must:

3.1 - submit an application accompanied by a self assessment form supported by a Statement of Truth by 1st September 2007; and

3.2 - satisfy all aspects of the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division no later than 31st January 2008 (in respect of which time is of the essence). In respect of Section Four of the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division the number of points which must be obtained by 31st January 2008 shall be 160; and

3.3 - provide any information and/or documentation in relation to all four sections of the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division no later than 31st December 2007

3.4 - submit a Statement of Truth in respect of and with any information upon which they intend the WRU to rely.

4.1 - The WRU will publish a list of all applications which it receives under paragraph 3.1 above, by 8th September 2007.

4.2 - Any inspections of facilities will be completed by 31st December 2007 and any requests for re-inspections undertaken must be upon not less than 5 working days notice. No re-inspections will be undertaken after 31st January 2008.

4.3 - Existing Premier Division clubs will be re-audited between 1st September 2007 and 31st January 2008.

4.4 - The results of the audits will be sent to the individual Clubs by 7th February 2008 and published (pass/fail only) to all member clubs of the WRU by 14th February 2008.

5. “Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division” shall mean the document which is printed at pages 436 to 440 of the 2006-2007 Handbook of the Welsh Rugby Union Limited omitting all but the last paragraph under the sub-heading “implementation”, a copy of which is attached as Appendix “A”.

6. A “Statement of Truth” shall mean a statement in the form set out in Appendix B.

7. There shall be no further amendments to the League Rules in relation to Divisions below the First Division.

8. This document and the Entry/Participation Criteria to the Premier Division shall form the basis of a formal Participation Agreement to be entered into by all Clubs in the Premier Division.



WRU Appendix A - Welsh Rugby Union Limited Criteria for Entry to the WRU Premiership
The Premiership Division is fundamental to the sustainability of the professional game in Wales. It has therefore, a responsibility to provide a game which provides a bridge between our amateur game not only in playing standards but also in facilities, - in resources to enable the players at this level an opportunity to continue to improve and perform in the shop window for our professional game, to reduce the step up for these players and to provide our spectators with an appropriate level of accommodation for their enjoyment of the game.

The WRU has prepared a handbook for Premiership Clubs which provides clear guidelines to attain and/or maintain semi professional status and it is recommended that this handbook provides a model against which the performance of Premiership Clubs can be audited. It highlights the standards and criteria expected of such a club.  It is not exhaustive and it is not an attempt to tell clubs how to run their businesses, it is however, a guidance document, outlining the expected structures, standards and procedures expected from a semi professional club in order to bridge the gap between the grass roots community game and elite professional rugby.

Being a semi professional rugby club is not about short term success on the playing field.  It is about having a clear purpose, sound structures, standards and procedures, - it is about sustainability.  This takes time and requires investment of both a financial and developmental nature.  Being a semi-professional club means having a clear understanding of the club’s role in the overall scheme of professional, regional rugby.

There are four main areas of criterion:

1. Finance and Administration
- A management committee with clearly defined individual roles and responsibilities, and where appropriate a constitution.
- A management flow chart for the whole club.
- A business plan, including cash flow forecasts, for a three year period on confirmation from the WRU of its funding level for those three years.
- Adequate insurance cover, including club (Public Liability), player and coaching risks.
- A capital expenditure plan for a corresponding period where a minimum of 20% of the annual WRU grant is spent on capital expenditure, i.e. ground and structural improvements. Clubs must provide a clear audit trail for such disbursements.
- An agreed repayment plan for any outstanding WRU loans.
- A schedule of current assets and liabilities.
- A schedule of all employee contracts including terms and remuneration.
- A copy of the previous years audited accounts.
- Adherence to the WRU broadcasting contracts.

2. Regulatory Compliance
- Compliance with WRU and IRB rules and regulations

3. Player Development Programme
- Commitment & adherence to the national and regional player development structures and programmes
- A management structure for the rugby management team showing reporting lines and clear role descriptions and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- A 1st XV rugby management team comprising the following roles:

  Director of Rugby
  Team Manager
  Two Level 3 coaches or above
  Conditioning Coach
  Physiotherapist
  Baggage Man
  Doctor

- A Rugby Manual setting out all the procedures governing all aspects of the work of the rugby management team
- A maximum of 2 non-Welsh qualified players.

4. Minimum Ground Facilities

4.1 Security of Tenure:

- The club should own its own ground, or
- Provide written proof of security of tenure for a minimum period of 5 years from August 2005 or from their date of entry into the WRU premiership, whichever is later.

4.2 Spectator Facilities:

- A ground capacity of a minimum of 3,000 which meets all the relevant health and safety regulations:
  a) Total spectator cover of a minimum of 1,100, of which a minimum of 499 must be provided in a Grandstand.
  b) Off Road Car Parking minimum 200 cars
  c) Disabled Facilities for 10 disabled spectators plus 1 carer each, plus toilet and car parking facilities.
  d) Match day programmes of a high standard with appropriate content including correct and relevant team news for both sides.
  e) On site catering and clubhouse facilities.

4.3 Changing Facilities:

- Adequate and separate changing facilities for each of the home and away teams, which are on site, adjacent to the playing field and enclosed within the ground.

4.4 Playing Surface:

- A well drained and level pitch, maximum size, which meet the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) standards and which is entirely enclosed by a permanent barrier. The STRI to be retained by the WRU Premiership Clubs on an independent basis to assess the playing surfaces at every Premiership Club. WRU to receive copy reports.

4.5 Training Facilities:

- A separate training pitch with changing/showering and toilet facilities.

4.6 Match Officials:

- Separate and adequate changing, showering and toilet facilities for a minimum of 6 match officials which are on site, adjacent to the playing field and enclosed within the ground.

- Separate car parking spaces (6) in a secure, designated area within the boundaries of the ground or immediately adjacent to it.

- Separate private area at the ground for use by referees, advisors and assessors.

- Club official assigned to the match officials from arrival to departure responsible for their security, hospitality and integration into post-match celebrations throughout their visit.

4.7 Medical Facilities:

- Qualified medical doctor/paramedic for the duration of the game and at least one qualified physiotherapist available at all times during home matches for the assessment and treatment of injury to players of both sides.
- Separate medical, physiotherapy and drug testing rooms, suitably equipped and staffed by qualified personnel.
- Ambulance access to the area immediately adjacent to the playing field.

4.8 Lighting, Media, Press & PA:

- Floodlighting (min 300 lux) and media facilities of a standard which meets the broadcasters’ requirements for coverage of midweek/night games. To include, but not limited to:

  a) Television gantry for accommodating television cameras,
  b) Adequate power points, radio points and ISDN lines or equivalent for use by press, TV and radio,
  c) Separate, private media facilities pre and post match for TV, radio and press interviews,
  d) Clear, audible and competent PA system to all parts of the ground for spectator safety and enjoyment.

4.9 Electronic Communication:

- The ability to comply with the electronic transfer of information between clubs, themselves and the WRU. This will include, but not be limited to:

  a) Email
  b) Fax
  c) Telephone/Answerphone
  d) Match day hotline, with details of cancellations, team changes, etc.
  e) Club website updated regularly which includes directions to the ground, and relevant news and information about the club.

Implementation See attached PDF for scoring criteria, weighting and minimum overall “pass” mark.