Rules for the Under 14 and Under 15 Trophy & Shield Competitions

1. Schools affiliated to the Kent Schools RFU shall be invited to enter one team to participate in the competitions, to be played under the Rules and Regulations of the Rugby Football Union.

2. Only pupils correctly aged (as per title of Competition) at midnight on 31st August at the start of the season and who are in full-time education at the school shall be eligible to play in a school team.

3. The first-drawn team in each match shall be the home team.

4. Schools shall make arrangements for fixtures to be played by the Round Completion Date. Annual fixtures between schools can be counted as competition matches.

5. In any one game a maximaum of 22 players shall form the squad, six of which shall be competent to safely play in front row positions. For clarity: In accordance with Age Regulations, rolling replacements are permitted. 

6. Half-Game Regulation: All players in the squad for a game MUST play for at least half the game.

7. The Final shall be played at a time and venue arranged by the Competition Organiser.

8. It is the responsibility of the home team:

(a) to contact the opposition as soon as possible to arrange the date and kick-off time
(b) to arrange for a suitable pitch,
(c) to supply the match ball,
(d) to make arrangements for an independent referee. If the home team is unable to supply an independent referee, the away team shall be asked to provide the referee, who need not be independent.

9. If a convenient date and time for a match cannot be agreed, the home team shall immediately contact the Competition Organiser, who will nominate a date and time for the match to be played, or name the team to proceed into the next round of the competition.

10. Each school shall provide a competent touch judge for its matches in the competition.

11. Each school is responsible for any expenses it incurs as a result of its participation in the competition.

12. In all matches, each half shall not exceed (a) for U14 25 minutes and (b) for U15 30 minutes, unless it is necessary to play injury time.

13. In the event of a player receiving a yellow card the time off the field will be (a) for 25 min halves; 6 min and (b) for 30 min halves; 7 min.
In the event of a yellow card or a red card,a replacement may be used

14. If the difference between the scores reaches 50 points the match will end immediately.

15. If the scores are equal at the end of normal playing time in any match NO EXTRA TIME WILL BE PLAYED.
In that case the winner shall be:

(a) the team which has scored more tries, or, if the number of tries is equal
(b) the team which has converted more tries, or, if the number of converted tries is equal
(c) the visiting team, except that in the case of the Final the trophy/shield shall be shared.

16.  IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNING TEAM TO INFORM THE COMPETITION ORGANISER OF THE SCORES AND THE NAME OF THE REFEREE IMMEDIATELY, SO THAT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF THE COMPETITION CAN BE MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND PUBLICITY CAN BE GIVEN ON THE UNION’S WEBSITE.

17. Any player sent off in the Competition shall, at the discretion of Kent Schools RFU Committee, take no further part in the Competition.

18. In any dispute, the decision of the Competition Organiser is final.

Amended February 2020