For Immediate Release

September 1st, 2021

College Rugby

In the effort to have teams play safely this fall with Covid-19 still a factor in the general public, the Tri-State Conference is publishing a list of university and college administrators who oversee the Rugby teams at their respective schools. Together with a list of the head coaches it is hoped that quick and efficient communication can take place so that teams may compete.

A number of scenarios could emerge that need the leaders and decision makers to act swiftly.

At one end of the scale it may be that a game time or location has to be switched; in the event of a cancellation by an opponent it may be possible to have another fill in; the referees may need confirmation at late notice of the game being on; or at the other end of the spectrum it could be a Covid-19 issue that requires all participants being informed of a possible exposure.

Please click on the links below to access the contact information:

TS Men Club Sport Directors & Coaches Fall 2021

TS Women Club Sport Directors & Coaches Fall 2021

The student leadership of each team, in conjunction with the school administrator and head coach, is expected to be very proactive and make the effort to physically talk with their competition to confirm details and resolve issues. Despite the convenience of email often it is not retrieved in a timely manner whereas a conversation solves that problem.

Please feel free to contact the Tri-State Director, Tony Brown, if you are unable to get in contact with another team when it is a time sensitive matter. (Tony Brown 845-380-9052).

For Immediate Release

July 26, 2021

Poughkeepsie, NY

Be Sure to Comply

Commissioners, Coaches, Administrators & Players,

Please note that the Women’s Teams in the Tri-State Conference are members of USA Rugby and the American Collegiate Rugby Association.

The Tri-State Men’s Teams are members of National Collegiate Rugby (NCR).

What does this mean?
If your team elects to play an opponent that is not of the same affiliation then there are requirements in place with which you must adhere.

The USA Rugby affiliated teams will need verification from the NCR team that:

1. Your opponent is a full member of USAR, or

2. Your opponent is a temporary 3-day member of USAR for the specified date of your match, or

3. Your opponent has secured a game-specific sanctioning agreement from USA Rugby for your intended game.

NCR affiliated teams scheduling a USA Rugby opponent need to comply for the game to be scheduled, sanctioned and officiated.

Obviously, with the Conference Schedule there are no issues but any out of conference games and spring schedules need to be verified.

Thank you for your attention to these requirements.

For Immediate Release

College Rugby

July 8, 2021

Poughkeepsie, NY

Tri-State Conference and the Fall 2021 Season

Following a Zoom Meeting in late June there was a consensus that many teams would be very much in a rebuilding phase in the Fall following the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The hope is that Conference play resumes in the Fall of 2021 but a good number of teams have indicated that squad numbers could be very low. In addition since there been less physical activity and no rugby experienced gained over the last 16 months that teams will struggle to fulfill games.

It is imperative that teams COMMUNICATE in the first 3 days of the week prior to the scheduled game. Actually person to person phone calls should be made so that everyone is on the same page. (Send an e-mail and it might not be read in time or by the right person!) The Tri-State website has cell phone numbers for you to use.

Coaches and team leaders were all in agreement that if we do play in the Fall that the schedule should be followed and results counted toward divisional standings. But in the true spirit of the game it was felt that accommodation be made for those programs with low numbers. In the event of teams having fewer that 15 to play a game teams should opt for the highest number of participants available. 14 v 14, 13 v 13, 12 v 12 etc… in these situations a reduction in the number of forwards at set piece would be permissible but teams should match numbers in the scrum. If necessary substitutes may be used and then return to play if agreed upon prior to kick-off and the referee is informed.

Game examples: If Team A has only 10 players and Team B has 20 players a game of 10s, 12s 13s, 14s or 15s could be played. Teams should agree prior to kick-off the parameters. Team B could loan players to Team A.

It was further discussed that teams need to communicate details to their assigned referee each week with a view that the official is not blindsided by a 12 v 12 game for example.

If necessary when the Conference convenes in August, prior to the season, 3 or 4 teams may be scheduled at the same venue thus allowing full games. A big onus will be on the coaches of each team to reach a consensus as to the number of game participants. Our sport has always been a participatory sport and we need to do all we can to get players on the field playing.

Any questions should be directed to Tony Brown, 845-380-9052 or email tobrown@vassar.edu

For Immediate Release

College Rugby

Saturday May 8, 2021

The Tri-State Collegiate Rugby Conference is pleased to announce the addition of HomeLight as an official sponsor of the Conference.

HomeLight is a real estate referral company that utilizes the Internet as a marketing medium with the use of real estate technology.

For Immediate Release

College Rugby

Poughkeepsie, NY

Monday March 1st, 2021

Tri-State Collegiate Rugby Conference Defers to Member Schools

Following a Zoom meeting last night, Sunday February 28th, 2021, of the Tri-State Rugby Conference membership the Conference decided not to sanction any championship events this spring on account of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Each school representative briefly outlined their situation with regard to participation and practicing and it was clear that any kind of competitive season was not viable.

The majority of the teams are practicing with varying conditions applied (masks, social distancing and sanitation of equipment) and in most instances the hope is that intra-squad games can be played.

Importantly, the Conference did state that it would review this decision at the end of the month and if the situation allows for games to be played, i.e. lower infection rates, more vaccination coverage and accepted protocols employed by member institutions, then member schools could work with their Club Sport Directors and school administrations and set up games.

It could be that an in-state schools with similar protocols might be willing to allow the students to play a game. The risk of infection seems to be more likely as a result of gatherings of people in confined spaces for periods of time and not through the playing of rugby itself.

A recent study, admittedly of Rugby League not Union, addresses this issue – see link

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2021/02/10/bjsports-2020-103714

The Tri-State Conference will publish the Fall 2021 Schedules in the next 10 days and is very optimistic that by September 2021 championship play will resume.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Tony Brown

tobrown@vassar.edu

(845) 380-9052

Tri-State Rugby Conference, Inc.
Director
http://www.tristaterugby.com

Please review the USA Rugby Return to Play Guidelines for the Fall of 2020 by clicking on the link below:

USAR-R2P