Waiver Application Process
Players and clubs may submit an application to waive a regulation by including the following materials in an email to eligibility@usarugby.org:
Each request for waiver from the rules and regulations of Club 7s competitions must be in writing and supported by required documentation, including a personal statement from the player or club. Each request must be received by the USA Rugby National Office at least ten (10) business days prior to any Qualifying Tournament or USA Rugby Championship Event for which the player/club is requesting a waiver.
The USA Rugby Staff and 7s Working Group of the Performance Game Board will have up to ten (10) days from the date of receipt of all required documentation to respond to the applicant. Individuals seeking a waiver should consider that backlogs of requests can occur. Player eligibility should be investigated by the club and any waivers requested prior to the beginning of each 7s Season.
Regular waiver requests are considered and reviewed without charge when received at least ten business days prior to event for which eligibility is requested. Upon payment of a $50.00 expediting fee, waiver requests may be made within ten (10) days of initial event for which eligibility is requested. The cutoff for consideration is five (5) business days prior to an event for which eligibility is requested. Payment must accompany waiver request.
Players requesting an eligibility waiver from USA Rugby must receive USA Rugby approval of the waiver BEFORE participating in any Qualifying Tournament or Championship Event. Submitting a waiver request to USA Rugby does not provide temporary eligibility. The formal Waiver from USA Rugby must be received before the player may play for his/her Club.
All waiver requests must be submitted to the following address:
USA RUGBY Attn: Eligibility
2655 Crescent Drive Suite A, Lafayette, CO 80026
Phone: 303.539.0300 Fax: 303.539.0311
Email: eligibility@usarugby.org
Required Waiver Documentation:
All individuals requesting a waiver must provide the following:
-A cover sheet which includes the player's First Name, Last Name, Registration Number ("CIPP #"), Club, Contact Information (Address, Email Address, Phone Number), and the specific rule/requirement the player is seeking a waiver of eligibility for
-A personal statement
Individual circumstances must be thoroughly explained and documented in the personal statement with the following attachments:
-Any and all applicable medical documentation – only considered if medical condition was severe enough to prevent individual from participation in 7s tournaments
-Any and all other documentation relevant to the specific waiver request.
Circumstances in which a player might be awarded a waiver of eligibility:
Players may apply for a waiver of eligibility in the following circumstances:
1. In-Season Transfer due to Geographic Relocation for Non-rugby Reasons.
Players seeking an in-season transfer due to geographic relocation must apply for a waiver prior to the CIPP registration deadline (July 1). Each request must include the following documentation:
i. Non-rugby related job or military transfer, relocation for enrollment in educational program by player and/or spouse/family member; and,
ii. Dated document(s) verifying reason for relocation (military transfer papers; offer of employment including terms of employment and start date in the new location; acceptance or admissions notification); and,
iii. Release from original Club; and,
iv. Confirmation supplied by the Approved Governing Body of no outstanding disciplinary or financial issues.
The timing of the request (standing and remaining schedule of the original Club, standing and remaining schedule of the new Club) and will factor into waiver consideration.
The specified event minimum for a player demonstrating legitimate geographic relocation for non-rugby reasons may be waived if all other criteria within this section have been satisfied.
2. Missed Tournament Participation Requirement due to Legitimate Medical/Personal Hardship.
A request to have the Tournament participation minimum specified (See: National Championship Eligibility) must be initiated prior to the CIPP registration deadline (July 1) and must be accompanied with documentation of extraordinary circumstances:
i. Contemporaneous or other appropriate medical documentation from a physician (a medical doctor) which establishes the player’s inability to compete as a result of an injury or illness must be submitted with any waiver request; and
ii. Document from a Professional Medical Practitioner confirming the player has been cleared to return to full competition; and
iii. The specified event minimum for a player returning from injury may be waived if medical records substantiate the request; and
iv. A missed CIPP registration deadline (July 1) will not be waived on basis of early or unexpected return from an injury or illness; and
v. Contemporaneous or other appropriate documentation which establishes the player’s inability to compete as a result of a personal hardship.
A waiver from the participation criteria stated within these Regulations is not guaranteed. This shall be specified within the Eligibility Decision returned by USA Rugby.
3. Missed Tournament Participation Requirement due to High-Level Rugby Commitments
A request to have the Tournament participation minimum specified (See: National Championship Eligibility) must be initiated prior to the CIPP registration deadline (July 1) and must be accompanied with documentation of extraordinary circumstances:
i. Evidence of invitation to a National Team camp or tournament held during the time the player's club is scheduled to participate in a Qualifying Tournament
ii. Evidence of a U.S.-based professional contract with Major League Rugby that requires participation during the time the player's club is scheduled to participate in a Qualifying Tournaments
iii. Evidence of a historic participation connection with the club they are seeking to participate with
Players seeking a waiver of the Minimum Tournament Participation Requirement due to High-Level Rugby Commitments must play in at least one Qualifying Tournament with their club, and no player with high-level rugby commitments is guaranteed a waiver of eligibility from the 7s Working Group of the Performance Game Board. 'Mandatory Rest' required by a National Team or Major League Rugby club may be taken into consideration but is not considered on the same level as mandatory participation in a camp, tournament, or match.
Each request for waiver from the rules and regulations of Club 7s competitions must be in writing and supported by required documentation, including a personal statement from the player or club. Each request must be received by the USA Rugby National Office at least ten (10) business days prior to any Qualifying Tournament or USA Rugby Championship Event for which the player/club is requesting a waiver.
The USA Rugby Staff and 7s Working Group of the Performance Game Board will have up to ten (10) days from the date of receipt of all required documentation to respond to the applicant. Individuals seeking a waiver should consider that backlogs of requests can occur. Player eligibility should be investigated by the club and any waivers requested prior to the beginning of each 7s Season.
Regular waiver requests are considered and reviewed without charge when received at least ten business days prior to event for which eligibility is requested. Upon payment of a $50.00 expediting fee, waiver requests may be made within ten (10) days of initial event for which eligibility is requested. The cutoff for consideration is five (5) business days prior to an event for which eligibility is requested. Payment must accompany waiver request.
Players requesting an eligibility waiver from USA Rugby must receive USA Rugby approval of the waiver BEFORE participating in any Qualifying Tournament or Championship Event. Submitting a waiver request to USA Rugby does not provide temporary eligibility. The formal Waiver from USA Rugby must be received before the player may play for his/her Club.
All waiver requests must be submitted to the following address:
USA RUGBY Attn: Eligibility
2655 Crescent Drive Suite A, Lafayette, CO 80026
Phone: 303.539.0300 Fax: 303.539.0311
Email: eligibility@usarugby.org
Required Waiver Documentation:
All individuals requesting a waiver must provide the following:
-A cover sheet which includes the player's First Name, Last Name, Registration Number ("CIPP #"), Club, Contact Information (Address, Email Address, Phone Number), and the specific rule/requirement the player is seeking a waiver of eligibility for
-A personal statement
Individual circumstances must be thoroughly explained and documented in the personal statement with the following attachments:
-Any and all applicable medical documentation – only considered if medical condition was severe enough to prevent individual from participation in 7s tournaments
-Any and all other documentation relevant to the specific waiver request.
Circumstances in which a player might be awarded a waiver of eligibility:
Players may apply for a waiver of eligibility in the following circumstances:
1. In-Season Transfer due to Geographic Relocation for Non-rugby Reasons.
Players seeking an in-season transfer due to geographic relocation must apply for a waiver prior to the CIPP registration deadline (July 1). Each request must include the following documentation:
i. Non-rugby related job or military transfer, relocation for enrollment in educational program by player and/or spouse/family member; and,
ii. Dated document(s) verifying reason for relocation (military transfer papers; offer of employment including terms of employment and start date in the new location; acceptance or admissions notification); and,
iii. Release from original Club; and,
iv. Confirmation supplied by the Approved Governing Body of no outstanding disciplinary or financial issues.
The timing of the request (standing and remaining schedule of the original Club, standing and remaining schedule of the new Club) and will factor into waiver consideration.
The specified event minimum for a player demonstrating legitimate geographic relocation for non-rugby reasons may be waived if all other criteria within this section have been satisfied.
2. Missed Tournament Participation Requirement due to Legitimate Medical/Personal Hardship.
A request to have the Tournament participation minimum specified (See: National Championship Eligibility) must be initiated prior to the CIPP registration deadline (July 1) and must be accompanied with documentation of extraordinary circumstances:
i. Contemporaneous or other appropriate medical documentation from a physician (a medical doctor) which establishes the player’s inability to compete as a result of an injury or illness must be submitted with any waiver request; and
ii. Document from a Professional Medical Practitioner confirming the player has been cleared to return to full competition; and
iii. The specified event minimum for a player returning from injury may be waived if medical records substantiate the request; and
iv. A missed CIPP registration deadline (July 1) will not be waived on basis of early or unexpected return from an injury or illness; and
v. Contemporaneous or other appropriate documentation which establishes the player’s inability to compete as a result of a personal hardship.
A waiver from the participation criteria stated within these Regulations is not guaranteed. This shall be specified within the Eligibility Decision returned by USA Rugby.
3. Missed Tournament Participation Requirement due to High-Level Rugby Commitments
A request to have the Tournament participation minimum specified (See: National Championship Eligibility) must be initiated prior to the CIPP registration deadline (July 1) and must be accompanied with documentation of extraordinary circumstances:
i. Evidence of invitation to a National Team camp or tournament held during the time the player's club is scheduled to participate in a Qualifying Tournament
ii. Evidence of a U.S.-based professional contract with Major League Rugby that requires participation during the time the player's club is scheduled to participate in a Qualifying Tournaments
iii. Evidence of a historic participation connection with the club they are seeking to participate with
Players seeking a waiver of the Minimum Tournament Participation Requirement due to High-Level Rugby Commitments must play in at least one Qualifying Tournament with their club, and no player with high-level rugby commitments is guaranteed a waiver of eligibility from the 7s Working Group of the Performance Game Board. 'Mandatory Rest' required by a National Team or Major League Rugby club may be taken into consideration but is not considered on the same level as mandatory participation in a camp, tournament, or match.
