PACIFIC NORTHWEST OVER-40 RUGBY UNION
CODE OF PLAY

We can't all play a winning game - someone has to lose;
Yet we can play, so that our name, no one may dare accuse.
That when the Master Referee, Scores against our name,
It won't be whether we won or lost. But how we played the game.

- J.B. Downie

 
Recognizing that the Pacific Northwest Over-40 Rugby Union is unique in the rugby world, the following Code of Play has been agreed to by the Member Clubs of our Union.
 

GENERAL PLAY:

Given sufficient consideration to the age of the participants in Over-40 rugby, games should be played in accordance with the most recent Laws of the game of Rugby Union Football as sanctioned by the British Columbia Rugby Union.
 

PLAYING TIME:

The length of the game and the number of periods of play shall be determined by agreement between the captains of the teams playing. Games will generally be 60 minutes in duration.
 

SUBSTITUTION:

Substitutions should only be made at a stoppage of play. There is no limit as to the number of substitutions that may be made, nor as to the number of times that a player may rejoin a game.
 

SHORTS:

The age code for shorts shall be mandatory for all players as follows:

40-49

White

Full Play

50-59

Black

Full Play

60-69

Red

Can Be Held, Not Tackled

70-79

Gold

Cannot Be Tackled, Can Run 10 Metres With Ball

80 and over

Purple

Cannot Be Tackled, Can Run 10 Metres With Ball

Tackling and other physical contact that is a part of the game of rugby should be modified to take into account the age of a player as signified by the color of the shorts worn. Opponents should not be mismatched as to age.
 

SCRUMS:

If a club cannot field an experienced front row the "no-push rule" should be applied by the referee.
 

UNDERAGE PLAYERS:

As a rule no Over 40 club should use an underage player. This rule has been modified on occasion to assist developing clubs, however the following guidelines should be followed when a club wishes to play an underage player:

  1. Underage players must be identified as to name and age before the game and may only play with the agreement of the captain of the opposing team.
  2. If there is any question about the attitude of such a player in regard to playing Over 40 rugby he should not be allowed to play.
  3. Generally underage players should not be less than 38 years old.
  4. In no case should an underage player who is active in Senior Club rugby be allowed to play.

REFEREES:

Clubs should make every effort to have certified referees available to officiate games. The referee must officiate an Over 40 game with the same regard for the Laws of the game as he would have in officiating in any other Union affiliated with the B.C.R.U.

It is also desirable for clubs to schedule a session with a certified referee to review changes in the Laws of Rugby Union Football at the beginning of each season.
 

SUSPENDED PLAYER:

An Over 40 player who has been suspended from play by any Union affiliated with the B.C.R.U. or the C.R.U. or any other national Union is not eligible to play Over 40 games until the terms of his suspension have been met.
 

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