This course is designed to address the common issues and misconceptions associated with senior club rugby eligibility. 

While this course will cover eligibility with a broad scope, not every eligibility regulation will be covered. Those with specific questions or very unique circumstances should contact the USA Rugby office directly - eligibility@usarugby.org

Helpful Definitions:

CIPP: USA Rugby’s Club and Individual Participation Program. All clubs and players must CIPP register before participating in any competition in accordance with the Regulations contained herein.

Competitive Region (CR): Eight competitive regions of the United States loosely defined along geographical lines, with four regions contained within the western (‘American’) and four regions set in the eastern (‘National’) halves of the country.

Competitive (League/Qualifying/CR) Match:  A match between teams from the same Competitive Region that leads to any post-season/play-off competition leading to an USA Rugby Championship Event. Jurisdiction of this competition lies with the Competitive Region Committee.

Friendly (Social) Match: Game between two teams specifically noted as not meeting criteria of a ‘competition’ per the USA Rugby Terms and Definitions and does not lead to a USA Rugby Championship Event. All players must be CIPP registered with USA Rugby (at large or with any club) in order to participate.

GU - Geographical Union. Local administrative and organizational governance model for Senior Club rugby.

Higher/Upper Division: Intended division for experienced and continuing senior club players seeking and able to compete at the highest level possible with the largest and most competitive clubs. The top rugby players on a club fielding teams in more than one division.

LAU: Local Area Union.

Lower Division: intended division for less competitive clubs or the developmental squad(s) of larger clubs providing opportunities to less experienced and emerging players, as well as team members returning from injury. This division provides an avenue for clubs fielding teams in more than one division to develop their own players. A lower division side is literally in a lower division of play than an Upper Division side.

Non-Resident Player (NR): A player who lacks U.S. citizenship, a Permanent Resident (“Green”) Card

Senior Club USA Rugby National Championship Event: Designates those events under the authority and jurisdiction of USA Rugby. Includes:USA Rugby Playoffs starting with any Repechage/Cross-CR/Play-In Games required by a Competitive Region Committee, the National Competitions Committee, and/or USA Rugby, and which leads to the CR ‘Round of 8’, and USA Rugby Round of 8, Semi-Finals and Finals.

Senior Club National Championship Series: Includes the 15s playoffs for Men’s Division I, Division II, and Division III, as well as the 15s playoffs for the Women’s Premier League, Women’s Division I, Division II.

Transfer:  Official process of changing club affiliation. Subject to all rules of USA Rugby Eligibility contained herein. Waivers may be needed for transfers during the Competitive Season

USA Rugby Championship Event: Designates those events under the authority and jurisdiction of USA Rugby. Includes: USA Rugby Playoffs starting with any Repechage/Cross-CR/Play-In Games required by a Competitions or Competitive Region Committee, the National Competitions Committee, and/or USA Rugby, and which leads to the College Quarterfinals, the CR ‘Round of 8’, and USA Rugby Round of 8, Semi-Finals and Finals.

USA Rugby Senior Club National Championship Series: Includes the 15s playoffs, starting with any Repechage/Cross-CR Play-In games required by the NCC, for Men’s Division I, Men’s Division II, and Men’s Division III, as well as the 15s playoffs for the Women’s Premier League,Women’s Division I, and Women’s Division II.

Waiver: Relief from the specified requirement(s) of these Regulations, granted in writing by USA Rugby in response to a formal, written request,made by the affected player or club

Spirit of the Rules (World Rugby Charter): The responsibility for ensuring that rugby is played both to the letter of the rules and within the spirit of the laws lies not with one individual, it involves coaches, captains, players and referees.