Introduction

All students must have written parental permission to play at intra, inter-school and higher representative levels. A proforma for permission is included in APPENDIX D. This form should be amended for students selected to play at zone or area representative levels.

Rugby League

Rugby league in primary schools must be played only under the rules of `Mod League for twelve (12) year olds, Mod League for eleven (11) year olds and Mini-Footy'.

The NSWPSSA State Open and 11 Years Carnivals are played under the rules of 'Mod League for twelve (12) year olds and incorporates the 'SAFEPLAY CODE'.

Students 15 years and under must play under the Australian Rugby League (ARL) SAFEPLAY CODE rules. Rule booklets are available from the ARL and local junior leagues.

Rugby Union

Rugby union in primary schools must be played according to the "AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR
PATHWAY".

The modified versions of rugby are to be played according to stages which are: Stage 1 - 'Walla', Stage 2 - 'Mini' and Stage 3 - 'Midi'. The NSWPSSA State Carnival and "The Bryan Palmer Shield" are played under the Under 19 Laws in conjunction with the 'PLAYING IT SAFE' code.

Students 12 years old to under 19 level must play under the International Rugby Board Under 19 Laws and adhere to 'PLAYING IT SAFE' published by the Australian Rugby Union. Rule booklets and kits are available from the ARU and the NSWRU.

Students are to be instructed to use adequate sun protection, eg. an SPF15+, broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen reapplied regularly.

Teacher/Instructor Qualifications and Experience

The coach must have appropriate expertise and/or training in the teaching/coaching of rugby league/rugby union. These details should be assessed and recorded by the principal. A proforma for this purpose is to be found in APPENDIX D.

A teacher must be present who has recognised current training in emergency care.

Supervision

Where an adult other than a teacher is engaged to provide instruction, a teacher must be present
to take overall responsibility.

It is recommended that qualified referees be used for inter-school competition.

In respect of supervision for spectators, principals should assess the proportion of supervising teachers to students on the basis of the number of students, their ages, maturity, special needs, the layout of the venue and spectator accommodation arrangements.

E Q U I P M E N T

Appropriate padding must be used on goal posts.

The state and national controlling bodies of these sports strongly recommend the wearing of a correctly fitted mouthguard during both training and competition.

Accordingly, students and parents should be advised of this recommendation and encouraged to comply. Information for students and parents concerning the selection of an appropriate mouthguard is found on page 281 of this manual.

Players should be encouraged to wear Standards Australia approved head gear designed primarily to protect the ears and head against abrasions.

Rugby league and rugby union players must wear only shoulder pads approved for their respective sport. For rugby union players, shoulder pads of the harness type (rugby league) must not be worn. Shoulder pads that cover only the shoulders and collar bone are acceptable. They must not have a sternum plate or reinforcing across the chest.

Boots must conform to the Laws of the game.

A well-equipped medical kit must be readily available.

Venues

Enclosed grounds are preferred for inter-school fixtures. Grounds must be free of obstructions and loose objects and marked avoiding the use of hydrated lime.

Spectators and reserve players must be positioned well back from the sideline during play.

Safety

Each school is required to have a structured training and coaching program and an agreed selection procedure for teams participating in intra and inter-school programs. Training must be specific to the player’s position and physique.

Coaches of intra or inter-school teams must be aware of the specific strength and physical requirements of the activity, for example, the most desirable and suitable body build for a front row forward.

Students must be selected on the basis of ability and suitability for the position they are to play (refer to the memorandum: Rugby League/Rugby Union as School Sports - 87/094).

Students assessed as having an inappropriate physique for selection in the front or second row must not be allowed in any circumstances to play in these positions. Particular care must also be taken to prevent students with such physiques from playing in these positions as replacements or by positional changes during the course of a game.

If a front row or second row forward is replaced, the coach must ensure the replacement player has the appropriate training and experience for the position to be filled and the physical requirements for the position.

Rugby League: If a suitable replacement for the front or second row position is not available, the team must play one short or forfeit the game.

If a front row or second row forward is sent from the field, the coach must be given the opportunity to make a change to the playing personnel to ensure that these positions are filled by players with the appropriate training and experience. This may require the voluntary substitution of another player. The team involved should remain one player short.

Rugby Union: If a suitable replacement for the front or second row position is not available, then non-contestable scrums shall be played. Rugby union coaches should note that they are
required to have at least four players who can play in the front row.

Any player ordered off shall be replaced. If a team is unable to provide a suitably trained front or second row replacement, the referee shall order non-contestable scrums. Students should only participate in vigorous activities if medically fit.

Students must not be allowed to play or continue to play if they are injured. If a teacher has reason to believe that a
student is injured, the student must be removed from the play. Coaches must not allow students to return to playing after injury until it is clear that the injury has healed. If there is any doubt, the student is not to play until medically cleared.

Where possible, but particularly for representative matches, there should be a person present at each sporting venue who has current first-aid qualifications. A well-equipped medical kit must be available at each venue.

Warm-up and cool-down are vital elements in preventing injury and should be included before and after all training and competition sessions. Stretching activities performed in the warm-up should move the muscles through the full range of movement to be performed during the training session or game.

The warm-up should be continuous and lead into the training session. It should include games/activities relevant to the session to be performed.

Students trialling for zone or area teams must present to the organisers, a permission note (similar to the school rugby union/league note) signed by the parent or caregiver.

Students must remove jewellery and other ornaments likely to cause injury.

A safety implementation checklist is provided in APPENDIX D.

Infectious Diseases (Blood Procedure)