Now that the 2018-2019 Competitive 15s Season has ended, the RRRC has reviewed the Promotion and Relegation Policy. After reviewing, the results are below.
These are NOT FINALIZED as Clubs have the opportunity to appeal or request voluntary promotion or relegation.
Teams are encouraged to push themselves and “play up” to the best of their ability, and invited to request promotion to do so.
NEW FOR 2019-20: Although not yet finalized, it appears that USA Rugby will drop the “Contiguous Side Rule” for this Competitive Cycle, subject to Competitive Region Competition Committee approval. So, teams can now field a Division 1 and Division 3 side, even though they have no Division 2 side. However, Clubs that play in non-contiguous divisions will be subject to significantly more restrictive player movement rules than Clubs that play in contiguous divisions.
If the potential for playing in non-contiguous divisions is something your Club is interested in, please contact Red River CR Committee Chair, Dave Dodge, at Ddodge@TexasRugbyUnion.com, no later than June 26, 2019. Please include in your email an explanation of why you believe playing in non-contiguous divisions would be beneficial to the overall competition. Such requests will be considered by the Competitions Committee on a case-by-case basis, and any approval of the requests will be subject to USA Rugby actually dropping the contiguous side requirement, and any conditions to the elimination of that Rule that are adopted by USA Rugby.
Per the policy, these men’s and women’s teams are being Promoted and Relegated.
Men’s
D1
San Antonio relegated to D2 – Finished last in their current division for three years running AND had an average point differential of -28 points/game or worse in league games within that division. San Antonio has appealed to stay in Division 1.
D2
San Antonio D2 relegated to D3 – Finished last in their current division AND had an average point differential of ¬28 points/game or worse in league games within that division, and also forfeited more than one league match in their current division due to insufficient numbers or refusal to play scheduled matches. San Antonio has requested the ability to play in non-contiguous divisions (D1 and D3) in the 2019-20 Competitive Cycle.
Dallas Harlequins D2 relegated to D3 – Forfeited more than one league match in their current division due to insufficient numbers or refusal to play scheduled matches. The Harlequins have requested the ability to play in non-contiguous divisions (D1 and D3) in the 2019-20 Competitive Cycle.
D3
Denton relegated to D4 – Finished last in their current division, AND had an average point differential of ¬28 points/game or worse in league games within that division.
TRU MD4
The TRU and RRRC have created a viable men’s D4 competition. As a matter of efficiency, the RRRC creates the MD4 schedule, subject to TRU Board approval. Both bodies are committed to providing every club with access to a competitive league. MD4 will continue to have a TRU Championship with playoffs and trophies, but will not lead to a USA Championship and will continue to have more relaxed eligibility regulations.
If your club is interested in fielding a side in MD4 (2nd and 3rd sides are welcome!) please contact Kirk Tate at president@texasrugbyunion.com, with a copy to Dave Dodge at Ddodge@texasrugbyunion.com.
Women’s
D1
Dallas Harlequins relegated to D2 – Finished last in their current division AND had an average point differential of ¬28 points/game or worse in league games within that division.
D2
Bay Area relegated to D3 – Finished last in their current division AND had an average point differential of ¬28 points/game or worse in league games within that division. As The TRU WD3 league is developmental, at this time the women’s reps are recommending that Bay Area remain in D2.
TRU WD3
McAllen promoted to D2 – Only team to complete a league schedule (as much as possible) and showed a strong commitment to growing their club with over 20 CIPP’d players. McAllen has accepted promotion to D2.
The TRU will continue to offer a WD3 developmental league as a venue for teams to move into D2. If not enough teams are available, we will review on a case-by-case basis adding teams directly to D2. As a matter of efficiency, the RRRC creates the WD3 schedule, subject to TRU Board approval. Both bodies are committed to providing every club with access to a competitive league. WD3 will continue to have a TRU Championship with playoffs and trophies, but will not lead to a USA Championship and will continue to have more relaxed eligibility regulations.
If your club is interested in fielding a side in WD3 (2nd and 3rd sides are welcome!) please contact Kirk Tate at president@texasrugbyunion.com, with a copy to Wendy Young at wyoung@texasrugbyunion.com.
Appeals and voluntary promotion/relegation
A club may appeal automatic promotion or relegation or it may request voluntary promotion or relegation to a new division. Criteria that may be considered by the RRRC Competition Committee when ruling on an appeal may include, but are not limited to, forfeits, margin of loss/victory, club size and location, coaching, anticipated player turnover, past performance, and whether the club fields teams in other divisions.
Each club shall have until Saturday, July 6, 2019 to submit a written appeal regarding automatic promotion / relegation, or to request voluntary promotion / relegation. Appeals and requests should be submitted to Ddodge@texasrugbyunion.com, and Admin@TexasRugbyUnion.com. Please also be prepared to attend the Red River Competitions Committee Meeting at 8:00 P.M. on Monday, July 8, 2019, to answer any questions the Committee members may have regarding your appeal or request for promotion / relegation.
The RRRC Competitions Committee will rule on any appeals and notify all clubs of the final divisional alignment and preliminary schedule no later than August 5, 2019.
To submit an appeal or ask any follow up questions please contact your RRRC Divisional Rep or the Chair.