MINUTES FOR: DATE/TIME: LOCATION: GIRLS RUGBY SPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, September 24, 2013 9:30 am Sport Alliance Building, Lobby Boardroom IN ATTENDANCE: REGRETS: Ryan Clancy Catherine Hall Carrie Bowie Duane Davis Kelly Sadowski Tyler Coad Stephanie Mason-Harris Stu Baillie Annemaree Peters WOSSAA - CHAIR TDSSAA NCSSAA GHAC LOSSA RUGBY ONTARIO OFSAA STAFF SWOSSAA SOSSA 1. Welcome & Roll Call Introductions Roll call see above Explanation of procedure for recommendations to Representatives Council Stephanie reviewed the process for making changes to playing regulations Changes suggested in the form of motions which get voted on by Representatives Council Motions relating to Rugby can come from outside this committee, but would be brought before the committee for consideration Motions from the committee go before Championship Review before being presented to Representatives Council Each Association has 2 reps (exception: TDSSAA has 4) one male, one female If you want to rally support for your motions, these are the people to reach out to in order to get motions carried Anyone wanting to get in touch with Association reps, Steph can help with providing contacts Motions that pass will take effect the following school year (September 2014) 1
Membership Terms Terms are 2 years, maximum of 4 consecutive terms Chair terms are 4 years, 1 term only Review of individual membership terms Ryan s term as Chair is up, will discuss appointing new person at the end of the meeting Welcome Kelly Sadowski, assuming the remainder of Nicole Watt s term, from Pickering HS in LOSSA 2. Adoption of Minutes from October 4, 2011 meeting Motion to adopt the Minutes of the October 4, 2011 meeting Mover: Catherine Hall, TDSSAA Seconder: Duane Davis, GHAC CARRIED 3. Business Arising Rugby 7s After last meeting, Elizabeth was to ask about sanctioning 7s tournaments Catherine TDSSAA has run some events 7s often not seen as a separate event, other sports will likely get funding first Tyler Rugby Ontario trying to target the point that 7s and 15s are in fact different sports 7s is what is in the Olympics, Pan Ams, etc. Investors are looking at high profile sports 7s is the future of the game in Canada and around the world Rugby Canada funding Centre of Excellence this way Carrie this is the first year she is getting random calls regarding 7s 7s run in the Fall (vs. 15s in the Spring) Profile of 7s has increased over the last two years (i.e. it s on TV more) Associations are interested and willing, but hesitant without endorsement of OFSAA OFSAA wants certain number of associations involved (this is the general perception of the committee and other coaches) Provincial tournament being run in the Fall for high school teams in 7s (see Rugby Ontario website) Last year run by TDSSAA, this year run by ROPSSAA Question how many teams to become a festival? A lot of clubs are running 7s, evidence of growth of sport 7s is the future of the game 2
Maybe something to bring up again with Championship Review given growth of the sport Steph will send out where to find info on becoming an OFSAA festival (OFSAA By-Laws, p. B-40: Appendix VII, Section C) STEPH Definition of sports therapist what is considered qualified? After last meeting, Elizabeth was to ask about OFSAA s definition of a qualified sports therapist Steph to follow up on this Is this something that that needs more emphasis given the accident in Ottawa in May, and the seeming increase in concussions? Should there be a more concrete definition? How are roles defined at post-secondary level? Perhaps look to them to help determine a definition Ref p. 9 of playing regs: what is sports therapist? Athletic therapist rather than sports therapist? Look to insurance and what is required with respect to liability, etc. Need someone with certification/designation, professional board (this is what the committee considers to be ideal) Consider access in smaller towns if we were to require a certain standard STEPH Ball Size Past discussion about using a smaller ball for the girls Tyler unless dealing with athletes under 14, this is not going to happen irb laws of the game say size 5 ball OFSAA COULD change it in their regs, but would create major inconsistency in the sport and would do a disservice to athletes wanting to move on to higher levels 4. 2012 & 2013 Championships Handout provided highlighting some main points of feedback/comments from previous two years championships, and updates on upcoming championships 2012 Carrie was one of the convenors and was able to report on this championship Holding both events as one is great, if you can do it Went very smoothly No sanctions Banquet facility and accommodations in the same place Banquet cap at $25 this is getting difficult Made a lot of money 3
Girls buy a LOT of clothing Banked on 1.5 per person, went above that At least 2 per person plus teams were ordering full team sets of sweatshirts after the championship Use a local private clothing supplier if possible Finding touch judges was difficult Had planned to go to local clubs, clubs were on board Ended up getting only 2 across the region Scrambled to make sure they had teams of 3 for each game Rugby Ontario there are not enough referees Can we set up billeting for refs? 2013 Coach Behaviour Major incident with a coach, a player, and a parent Ryan was there and was able to offer some explanation and comments on the situation 2 yellows, then a red Parent snapped first, then coach; parent refused to leave Happened during a water break Ref told the captain that the game would not resume until this person had left Steph talked about expectations of coaches No specific rules/regulations around dealing with coach behaviour Carrie they had a situation with the boys this year, said they would report to OCT and would contact principal Gave the coach a serious talk about bringing conduct to professional level No one wants to have to have a coach leave and in turn have a team unable to play Can t, as organizing committee, impose discipline on principal or school board Duane look toward OFSAA policy where two staff are required with teams? Had situation in past where team had 1 coach, wife went into labour, couldn t attend got last-minute replacement Similarly, what if a player gets injured and has to go to hospital, and there is only one coach? Who goes with the player, and who stays with the team? Is it feasible to require two staff members? DDSB requires 1 staff to 10 students How do community coaches factor in? They can t be left with the team It is a cost issue, some boards don t do on-calls NCSSAA doesn t have the ability to do this 4
Make it a recommendation rather than a requirement Take a guidance counselor, or a VP? Coaches sign off at association level, dealt with at OFSAA level It s in the constitution Last year was somewhat unique with so many non-teacher coaches competition committee is there to deal with this Use the OCT ticket (doesn t apply with community coaches; need to be screened and approved by Principal) Letter can go to Rugby Ontario about any sanctions A lifetime ban may be reviewed, but otherwise Rugby Ontario upholds decisions made by other unions Catherine TDSSAA has space for community coaches on eligibility sheet; state date they attended new coaches meeting where they sit down with coaching development officer, how to deal with issues, etc Another level of accountability OFSAA paperwork asks for coach and staff advisor Principal signs off on sheet, which approves community coaches, etc. Spirit of the game in rugby Associations are different, but ultimately some additional level of accountability for community coaches Seeding Kelly concern with seeding Association Championship game happened very close to registration deadline Ranked 4 th all season, ended up seeded 12 th Tournament play should impact seeding Seeding committee is looking at things like this, including tournament play, players on team, Rugby Ontario rankings This past year there were teams missing during this process Carrie has been on seeding committee, make a lot of phone calls to get information Toronto Star rankings aren t always accurate In Ottawa, if they know that a championship is going to be late, ask both teams to register and have convenor call Have both situations ready Refer to refs, they have great info Every convenor does it a different way should there be a more consistent process? (LOSSA) Some coaches are more honest than others when registering with AELS Catherine Toronto has so many teams, they don t get to play much outside of 5
Toronto; so many local games Seeding is done in consultation with SAC chair There is a lot of information gathering Committee does the best with the information they have available Suggestion from Kelly can we do a Coaches poll? Coaches rank teams in a poll via email based on experience at tournaments, etc Steph is there a need for a more concrete process for seeding? Catherine can we put something to the effect of possible considerations would include returning players, etc as per AELS Another consideration: when Association championships are late, have both teams register Duane transparency clause, address coaches at coaches meeting as to what the process was Chair of seeding committee is ready to address coaches with notes as to reasoning behind individual ranking New Structure Jay said problematic in getting fields and more referees Bronze medal game took place before semi-final for consolation side In that respect, it was good Someone at coaches meeting asked why we were playing more games Ryan explained the need for more meaningful games rather than friendlies Hopefully for the betterment of the sport Allows more teams to compete and succeed Needed a 5 th field for the second day for those extra games, potentially for the 3 rd day in the morning as well Consider rest time between games Does increase costs Kelly for travelling teams, great to have an extra day of playing It s a lot of rugby, the girls were really beat up by the end The positives outweigh the negatives Could we play 2 games on Monday? Coaches meeting the Sunday night, so teams need to arrive Sunday and can be ready to play on Monday morning Have to wait 2 hours from end of previous game Keep this structure in place at least until the next SAC meeting in 2 years in order to give it a chance, and get more feedback 5. 2014 Championship Update Handout provided highlighting some main points of feedback/comments from previous 6
two years championships, and update on upcoming championships A/AA Belleville Convenor Dave Whitney Finding refs will be a challenge for Belleville this year There are 3 good refs in Belleville Last event in Belleville they had phenomenal refs Will draw from Kingston Dave has done this before, he at least knows what he s up against AAA/AAAA Hamilton Convenor John Pataracchia Duane is the co-convenor Hamilton will be fine for refs, lots from the Niagara area They have a local contact person, will set it all up All set for fields, banquet, accommodations Mohawk sports complex Used it for the boys last year, was great Have warm-up fields ready Accommodations at Mohawk Carmen s banquet centre for banquet Steph to follow up with Duane about timing and scheduling for coaches meeting STEPH 6. Update from Rugby Ontario Coaches Area Some concern over the coaching zone in the playing regulations this is not irb rule Coaches are never needed in the playing enclosure In the irb, the playing enclosure is extended Technical zones are 12m in length and 3m in width All coaches, etc, are to stay in technical zones not feasible at OFSAA events, space-wise In-goal area: the fact that they are allowed on the field of play is not permissible It is a safety issue Referees should be removing coaches from this area Coaching zone vs. playing zone what is the difference? Playing enclosure = field, try zone, 3 m all around Field of play = everything between dead ball lines and touch lines (minus 3 m around) 7
Coaching zone/technical zone = space on one side of pitch = 3m x 12 m box painted on ground on either side of half (same side for ease of sideline management) Players shouldn t be in the playing enclosure unless they are on the field of play OFSAA should have technical zones, if playing enclosure is large enough to permit Volunteer/field marshalls at half ensuring teams stay to their enclosures Issue of coaches going as water people, without water; or multiple players are taking water New regulation is inviting more people into water breaks Should be using players as water carriers Identify with coloured pinnies or different shirts We need to keep this regulation to keep consistent with the boys Refs can make the call in event of safety Wish to remove last sentence from 9(c) Committee says no to adopting addition made to the boys rules do not feel that anyone should be inside the playing enclosure, with the exception of players playing on the field of play MOTION #1 Page P-5, Section: 9(c) Rules & Officials (Coaching Zone) Whereas: It is a safety issue to have someone, other than the players on the field, within the playing enclosure And Whereas: Rugby Ontario does not allow coaches within the playing enclosure for safety reasons Be it Resolved That: Coaches are no longer permitted to coach from the try zone area, and that 9(c) be changed to read as follows: Where possible, players and coaches from opposing teams shall be on opposite sides of the field. When teams must be on the same side of the field, players and coaches will be located between the try line and the 10m line on their respective half for the duration of the game. MOVER: Catherine Hall, TDSSAA SECONDER: Kelly Sadowski, LOSSA 7. Review of Playing Handout outlining changes made to playing regulations for Boys Rugby was distributed 8
Regulations and reviewed Roster limits Currently there are no roster limits for the girls; there is a limit of 30 for the boys Teams are coming with 30, 40, 50 girls Carrie discussed her experience as a convenor, and the difficulties that large, unpredictable, and inconsistent numbers pose Experienced this with both boys and girls Particularly difficult for accommodations and banquet; finding a place that can accommodate and feed 1000+ people for $25 is very challenging There is a lot of scrambling Did a banquet registration form; will allow more as space is available Had some pushback about enforcement of this limit with the boys Had to submit a roster, capped at 30 Roster limit is needed for the girls This needs to be communicated to convenors at association level so that they are not registering large teams Can AELS cut off at a certain number? NO 30 is a good number (if it s higher, people will just keep pushing higher) Have a roster sheet typed up and sent in beforehand, posted Only those who score are named What about injured players that would have come as water carriers? Do those players count as part of the 30? MOTION #2 Page P-5, P-6; Section: 9(d) Rules & Officials (Roster Limits) Whereas: The sport of rugby traditionally has a roster limit in place. And Whereas: Boys Rugby currently has a roster limit in place. And Whereas: Girls Rugby currently allows teams to bring an unlimited number of players to a Championship. Be it Resolved That: Section 9(d) be changed to read Each team may have a maximum tournament roster of thirty (30) players. Each team shall submit an eligibility list of players (maximum 30) who shall be eligible to play in the tournament. as per page Q-4, Section 9(d) of the Boys regulations. 9
MOVER: Carrie Bowie, NCSSAA SECONDER: Kelly Sadowski, LOSSA *If this passes, communicate at this year s coaches meetings Suspensions Re. page Q-5 from the Boys regulations, under Rules & Officials a player is ineligible for OFSAA competition if previously suspended for a breach of the rules while playing under jurisdiction of school Association or Ontario Rugby Union Sort of goes without saying, but maybe it should be added in to be clear Rugby Ontario currently discipline is not published (Tyler is working on changing this) Can OFSAA just take it on faith on the word of another coach? The suspended party can challenge it if it is not true There is no good way to adequately police this Perhaps the issue is more at the association level than in ORU; ORU is not really in season during OFSAA Devil s advocate from Carrie if a kid has been punished in one arena, should they be punished elsewhere? If it depends on the nature of the offense could this be overly punitive? At a previous OFSAA, a kid got a red card for swearing in general (not at anyone) and was kicked out of the game Two yellow cards for killing the ball it s a rugby play is this something that deserves carry-over from one venue to another? This creates a gray area But what about the severe cases? If we don t put something in place, less-ethical coaches will allow their players to play at OFSAA Anything received at association level should be reported to OFSAA Rugby Ontario what if competition committee reviews prior offenses and has ability to exercise discretion This is covered on page P-4, (e) Everyone agrees that it would be redundant to add something similar in another section Can we bold/underline a portion of 6(e) to make it stand out? Video Citing Boys regulations have added a rule permitting the use of video citing for red card offenses (within 60 minutes of end of game, full game footage only) STEPH STEPH 10
Catherine video is definitely out there It can be good, it can be bad If we were to move this forward, need footage of the entire game to provide context Is this necessary? Are there enough red cards with the girls to warrant this? Carrie not for red cards/foul play, but for outcome of games perhaps Rugby Ontario not having something in there about video being permissible makes it questionable to have it used in the event that it comes up Better to just include it in the playing regulations and have it covered Can t necessarily count on video a referee is not going to stop a game to review; refs have provisions in place on what to do if something cannot be determined with certainty Regarding scores, it is dangerous to do this if you don t have the technology and resources to do it consistently Hold it to use with disciplinary matters only Do we just allow video, or include audio as well? Photographs do not provide context Interviews with primary witnesses should be immediate go-to; video should be considered supporting MOTION #3 Page P-10, Section: 18 Competition Committee Whereas: There are have been times when incidents occur behind the play involving serious foul play, such as acts of intent to injure. And Whereas: Officials are focused on the play and may not witness such an incident. And Whereas: The Committee would like to ensure mechanisms are in place to deter this behaviour. Be it Resolved That: The following new 18(b), regarding use of video citing, be added: In the event of foul play (red card offenses only), video evidence may be submitted to the competition committee, within 60 minutes of the conclusion of the game. Full game footage must be provided. Incidents dealt with by officials on the field may not be submitted for review. Be it Further Resolved That: The current 18(b) will become 18(c) Mover: Ryan Clancy, WOSSAA 11
Seconder: Catherine Hall, TDSSAA Question from Tyler about OFSAA referee requirement Why only irb level 2 officials that can referee at OFSAA? (heard this from Brian Chapel, who appoints officials, and Andrew McMaster) Steph points out that this is not seen in the playing regulations, not sure where this is coming from This is not a fitting quality control measure; anyone can do their level 2 There are a lot of level 1 officials that are better than level 2 officials Carrie does not remember having this stipulation as a convenor; Andrew was the ref assigner for her championship Perhaps coming from refs associations? Not at the convenor level Level 2 is not a requirement 8. Review of OPHEA Safety Guidelines Knee Braces Safety issue that came up at championships last year Challenging situation head official has to approve them (an athlete had been using one all season, it was approved at association level, but head official at OFSAA said no) Hard to do anything about this Make this information very clear to local convenors and coaches ahead of time Head Injuries and Concussions This is a significant issue Concern around concussion safety and awareness People need to be educated What are different associations and schools doing regarding this matter? Attendance at a clinic TDSSAA is doing return to play forms yes in LOSSA, yes in NCSSAA, no in WOSSAA Need to have those forms available for medical/therapy team at championship Form has steps to be followed Coaches need to know what the form is, also needs to be addressed at coaches meeting by convenor OPHEA document for return to play needs to be used and enforced Some associations (TDSSAA and GHAC) have athletic therapists at all games Tyler wouldn t start a game without one as a referee Some associations just have at playoff/championship games 12
Death in Ottawa first injury was at a tournament, there were therapists present She didn t report the first two injuries, wouldn t have mattered Liability there needs to be that one person responsible Facilities Turf being used more and more in GHAC Are other associations finding this? Question to Tyler regarding ORU s stance on using turf fields The only compliant surface is at Queen s ORU runs a tournament at MAC that is a non-compliant field Turf is considered the rainy-day alternative As long as the surface is considered safe, it can be used Some schools in GHAC are defaulting games if they are scheduled on turf Have to have plastic cleats for turf Coaches need to know and have enough studs Ottawa doesn t have any turf Suggest long sleeves for burns Metal cleats are rarely ever needed 9. Other Business Participant Numbers Catherine what about a designated number (with a max) of non-player members on the team (injured players, water carriers, etc) Should there be a cap on non-player participants? At discretion of organizing committee? New Committee Chair Ryan s term as committee Chair is expiring Carrie had expressed interest prior to the meeting Concern over seeding process and being able to provide adequate input Ryan discussed involvement of SAC chair in seeding process Carrie doesn t coach anymore, she only convenes now Other committee members can be involved in seeding No other committee members interested Steph will reach out to absent committee members via email to see if there is interest Can Ryan repeat? He is willing to continue as Committee chair, if no one else is interested STEPH 13
10. Adjournment Motion to adjourn Mover: Ryan Clancy, WOSSAA Seconder: Kelly Sadowski, LOSSA CARRIED Recording Secretary Stephanie Mason-Harris 14