Match Policies & Rules

For all programs, only players who are registered with USA Rugby and FHYAA and properly attired, prepared, and fit may play.  A player in a tackle program who does not have a personally fitted mouthguard will not play (Fort Hunt Rugby and Rugby VA policy).  Players who are ill or injured or otherwise determined by the coaching staff as unfit to play will not play; this is in the player’s best interest.

Only fully registered players will play in matches. “Fully registered” means the player has registered with both FHYAA and USA Rugby, and is a member in good standing with the club, having paid the registration fee.

For high school teams, as varsity-level programs, the best players will be selected and take the field.  That being said, only fully registered players are permitted to play.  Additionally, players who do not attend training are usually ineligible to play in matches.

Playing Up/Down

In high school rugby, any player may “play up,” that is, from the freshman/sophomore or JV level to varsity.  A junior or senior generally will not play down to the JV level, unless that player is a true novice.  It is rare for fresh/soph players to play for the varsity team; we field JV and fresh/soph sides for novices and younger players and will schedule matches against like teams.  Only high school students may play high school rugby (home-school are welcome).  High school teams will not play against college or adult teams.  Middle school players are not permitted to play up to the high school level; this is not waiverable.

Showtime for all matches, home or away, is minimum one hour before scheduled kickoff.  Showtime is specified by the respective coach for each event.  Players who arrive early or on time will start and may well have a choice in what positions they play; players arriving late run the risk of not starting and have considerably less say in what positions they play.

Individual team coaches may set different showtimes for their teams.

We will play away matches throughout the DMV region and beyond.  The high school program will travel extensively, to the Peninsula region, to Pennsylvania, and beyond for matches and tournaments.

Carpooling is always an option for travel, for all programs.  We will work this out on a match-by-match basis.  The meeting place for carpooling pickup and drop-off is set by the individual team coach for each event.

FHYAA policy prohibits alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs at all events. This goes for practices and home and away matches, and applies to players, coaches, volunteers, and attending parents/supporters.

Click here for the player, coach, and parent/supporter codes of conduct.