Rules and Policy for Senior Club Contests

These rules for senior club contests are the regulations drawn up by the Competitive Region Committee for the playing and controlling of the game of Rugby Union in accordance with the Bylaws of the Midwest Rugby Football Union (MWRFU), and in conjunction with the rules of Rugby Union in the United States as determined by USA Rugby (USARFU).
 
The Rules and Policies shall apply to all Men’s and Women’s Senior Clubs, their Teams, Coaches, Players, and affiliated bodies involved in Rugby within the Midwest Competitive Region.

1. Each Division will have a Commissioner, and each League will have a Coordinator;
2. The Competition Committee members are the Midwest Vice President of Competition, Division Commissioners, and League Coordinators;
3. The Competitive League Season will begin in August, and end the following November;
4. The Competitive Region (CR) will be split into two geographical conferences of East and West for Division 1, 2, 3 and 4; 
5. The senior competition will use a linear model based on the geographical conferences to define league play, and for promotion and relegation.
   1.  Division 1 clubs will play in a two-conference system, with one league in each conference.  The teams in each conference (and each league), will be determined by the Division Commissioner with the approval of the Competitive Region’s Competition Committee.  The season will entail home and away matches within the conference with final league standings determining the championship match.
   1. Women’s Division 1 may be structured differently due to constraints.  
6. Division 2 clubs will play in a two-conference system.  The teams in each conference (and each league), will be determined by the Division Commissioner, with the League Coordinators, with the approval of the Vice President of Competition.
7. Division 3 clubs will play in a two-conference system.  The teams in each conference (and each league), will be determined by the Division Commissioner, with the League Coordinators, with the approval of the Vice President of Competition.
8. Division 4 clubs will play in a two-conference system.  The teams in each conference (and each league), will be determined by the Division Commissioner, with the League Coordinators, with the approval of the Vice President of Competition.
9. When reading ‘Competition Committee,’ authority is referred to the Midwest Vice President of Competition, acting on behalf of the Midwest Territory in the best interests of Rugby in Competitive Region.