Description
1.1 The competition will be organised by the Competitions Committee of the East Midlands Rugby Union. The decision of this committee will be binding and final on any matter not covered by these regulations and on their interpretation.
Eligibility
2.1 The competition
is open to all clubs in membership of the East Midlands Rugby Union not playing
in the National leagues, as defined by the Rugby Football Union.
2.2 Preliminary rounds will
be played as the four sub-county cup competitions and will be subject to the
rules of those competitions. The finalists of those competitions will provide
the quarter finalists of the East Midlands Knock-Out Cup.
2.3 The two finalists from each sub-county should be known by the Sunday of
Rugby Football Union week 23. This is the weekend of the third Saturday in
February.
Players
3.1 A club in the competition may only play or select as a replacement, players who hold effective registration for that club in accordance with the RFU Registration of Players Regulations.
The Draw
4.1 The draw for
the East Midlands Knock-Out Cup will be made each year at the Annual General
Meeting of the East Midlands Rugby Union.
4.2 The form of the draw will be: a) the winners of the sub-county cup competitions
will be drawn as the home teams of the quarter final round. If a sub-county
cup competition has not been completed a 'winner' from the finalists will
be nominated by the organisers of that competition. b) a seeded draw of defeated
finalists of the sub-county cup competitions will place clubs in the opposite
half of the draw from the winners.
Clash of Colours/Identification of Players
5.1 In the event of
clubs having similar or clashing colours, the home team shall be responsible
for changing its colours subject to the satisfaction of the appointed referee.
5.2 The jerseys of teams competing in the competition should all be numbered
as per Regulation 17.1 of the International Rugby Football Board.
Postponed and Abandoned Matches
6.1 If conditions prevent a match being played or a match is abandoned at any time before full time, it shall be played before the date of the next round on a day to be agreed between the two clubs concerned or, failing agreement, as directed by the committee.
Notification of Results
7.1 The winning club will be responsible for informing the secretary of the East Midlands Rugby Union of the result.
Grounds
8.1 The home club is responsible for correctly and clearly marking its pitch and it must make proper provision to ensure that (with the exception of the touch judges) all spectators, replacements and officials are kept at a reasonable distance from the field of play.
Drawn Matches and the Final
9.1 In all rounds,
except the Final, if after 40 minutes of play each way the scores are level,
there shall be an immediate period of replay between the same teams of 10
minutes each way, with a one minute interval. If the scores are then still
equal, the team that has scored the most tries shall go forward into the next
round. If this does not produce a result, the team that has scored the most
goals from tries goes forward into the next round. If the scores still be
equal, the tries still be equal and the goals from tries still be equal, the
visiting team shall go forward into the next round.
9.2 In the final, if after 40 minutes play each way the scores are level,
there shall be an immediate period of replay between the same teams of 10
minutes each way, with a one minute interval. If the scores are then still
equal the team that has scored the most tries shall be the winner. If this
does not produce a result, the team that has scored the most goals from tries
shall be the winner. If no result is then achieved the match shall be adjudged
a draw.
9.3 The two finalists will normally be the two clubs nominated by the East
Midlands Rugby Union to be entered into the following season's Rugby Football
Union National Knock-Out Cup, however the Executive Committee of the East
Midlands Rugby Union reserve the right to decide which club or clubs will
be nominated.
Finance
10.1 The home club
is responsible for the proper promotion of a fixture.
10.2 The home team shall bear all match expenses.
10.3 The visiting team shall pay its own travelling expenses.
10.4 Clubs which host a match may, at their own discretion, make a charge
for spectator admission. Should a charge be made, which can include car parking
and programmes, the visiting club must be informed at least 10 days in advance
of the match day, what the charges are.
10.5 When the home team makes a spectator charge, it shall also produce a
match account within 21 days of the match being played. A copy to be sent
to the visiting club and the competition organiser.
10.6 The clubs participating in any match in the competition where spectator
charges are made, shall share the gross gate (excluding VAT where applicable)
which shall include car park and programme receipts (less the cost of printing).
The home team will bear all match expenses and the visiting team will pay
its own travelling expenses, each from their half-share of the gross gate.
10.7 At any match in the competition where a gate is taken, arrangements shall
be made for free admission for: a) the visiting club players, substitutes
and team officials, b) 15 members of the visiting club committee.
Referees and Touch Judges
11.1 Referees and
touch judges for all matches in the competition shall be appointed by the
East Midlands Referees Society and the RFU Regulation relating to Law 6 shall
apply. Match Arrangements
11.2 Home teams will be responsible for match arrangements and must advise
the appointments secretary of the East Midlands Referees Society at the earliest
possible date.
11.3 When staging the Final, it is a requirement of these competition rules
that the 'home' team shall make arrangements for:
a) A pre-match reception with invitations to: · The East Midlands Rugby Union
Committee · The committee of the home team · Guests of the home club as required
· Officials of the visiting club · Representatives of the East Midlands Referees
Society · Where appropriate, representatives of the sponsors of the East Midlands
Knock-Out Cup
b) A gate taking facility
c) The production of a match
programme
d) A public address system
e) The presentation of trophies at the conclusion of the match
f) An after-match reception to include players and match officials.
Protests, Disputes and Trangressions
12.1 Any matters in dispute or any transgressions of these Rules, shall be referred immediately to the Secretary of the East Midlands Rugby Union by telephone if necessary, providing written confirmation follows within 48 hours. The Competition Committee shall have an absolute discretion to resolve any such protests or disputes as it shall think fit and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing may decline to act upon a protest validly made if it considers doing so to be in the interests of the Competition generally. As under Rule 1, the decision of the Competitions Committee shall be final and binding on all parties.