TRU Board Meeting Notes – 11/18/24

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At the request of our members the TRU Board will be releasing their monthly board call minutes and notes. View all of the TRU archived minutes or read on for the most recent notes:

  1. Roll Call
    1. McPhail
      1. McPhail
      2. Tomsak
      3. Dodge – late
      4. Hiller
      5. Guitan
      6. Davies
      7. Hanson – late
      8. Ohmann-Wilson
        1. Regrets
          1. Young
        2. Absent
          1. Ohmann-Wilson
  2. Registration Numbers
    1. Club Compliance and Registration Numbers – Texas Rugby Union – As of 11/11/24
    2. Registered: 1,595 as of report date above.  Increase from 1,277 reported for three months (Sept-Nov) reported in 2024.  
      1. Players 1,437 
      2. Coaches 89
      3. Admin-Vol 64
    3. Teams that have compliance matters outstanding (Updated by Hansel 11/18/24):
      1. Alamo City – 9 players (11/18 – updated)
  3. RRRC League updates:
    1. David Notes:
    2. MD3 – had our first played forfeit.  McAllen traveled to Old Skool with 10 players (21 registered). 
    3. Cards – Per Hansel there were 15 citings (R/Y) over the weekend with only 6 matches.
      1. Ross – any feedback comments?
  4. RX – Hansel details below for Friday Match Compliance issues. None for Monday.  More to come on this.
    1. Friday Match Compliance Details
      1. Corpus Christi D3- No Roster
      2. Galveston D3- No Roster
      3. HARC D4- No Roster 
      4. Woodlands D4- No Roster
      5. Denton D4- Ineligible subs (WR 3)
  5. Dodge made two motions related to D1 cup season scheduling during last call.  One set of clubs came to mutual agreement.  The other asked Chair (David Mc) to resolve.  Thus, both matters were resolved prior to the deadline. 
    1. MD1 – No updates.
    2. MD2 – No updates.
    3. MD3 – No updates.
    4. Women’s – Not on the call
    5. Mary Graham Allstars
      1. As previously noted, MGA received approval for two grants: 1) USWRF Grant and 2) USA SCC Grant.  Dodge: $5K grant approved by 15’s, pending final approval by SCC on Wednesday night call.
      2. Additionally, has received several donations.  Good work!
      3. MGA has had several tryout events and took “TRU Toast” side to Little Rock for the 51st annual Ozark Tournament and finished the Women’s bracket championship over the STL Sabres.  Little Rock women finished 3rd. Note: Men’s division won by Dallas RFC over Little Rock men.
  6. Update on Hosting Bids rec’d to date. Deadline was Nov-1st.  Both bids were discussed on last week’s RRRC call.
    1. No vote was taken during the meeting as the group requested budgets from each.  
      1. Discussion of budgets over the call.  Two current options are:
        1. Choctaw OK 
        2. Dallas RFC
      2. Email containing the bids was shared with the RRRC.  A majority of votes were received via email and a Host was unanimously recommended by the RRRC.
      3. Based on the above, the Board discussed the merits of the bid as well as took into consideration the recommendation of the RRRC. Vote to approve the prospective Host was unanimous in the affirmative with one member abstaining.
      4. David M made a recommendation that a sub-committee be formed to work with the recommended Host, with a goal to finalize roles, expectations and budget parameters before a final agreement is reached and announced.  Sub-committee will make its final recommendation to the Board for final approval.  Sub-committee will include Jeff Wegman (D3), Wendy Young (Admin / Women) and Rob Walker (D3).  Vote to approve the sub-committee was unanimous in the affirmative with one member abstaining.
  7. Budget – McPhail
    1. Have been provided a template from Dodge and will review it for future use in consultation with David Pfleger.  Was hoping to accomplish it by tonight’s meeting but have been delayed, hoping to send it out prior to Thanksgiving.
  8. Law Changes – Reminder from last month:
    1. Resources below – Ross sent email to the clubs with a reminder regarding the below. Game Mngt guidelines are very good.
      1. Additional Law Changes Announcement
      2. Tackle Height 1 Pager
      3. Tackle Height Video 
      4. 2024-25 Game Management Guidelines
      5. Four current focus items: Tackle Height, Croc Roll, Blocking on kicks defended.
      6. More Law changes are being discussed for potential inclusion by World Rugby but have yet to be ratified by USAR. Upon ratification they will be published and shared with the members.
  9. Discipline – Hiller
    1. Resend of the prior two links below.  Needs to be updated on website: 
      1. This link for Discipline highlights. Please review and provide feedback to Zack asap.
      2. This link for existing procedures that are being proposed as replacements.
    2. Despite the volume of cards, the depth of the newly trained JO’s, the DC’s capacity was able to process quickly and efficiently.
  10. Senior Club Council – Dodge
    1. Reminder: There have been issues with touring sides coming to the US play without international clearance. This invalidates your insurance coverage. Referees should not be assigned nor matches scheduled until a clearance is produced. For more information see International Tours | USA Rugby 
    2. USA Youth & High School Rugby have updated their regulations. 
      1. They are a parallel organization to USA Club Rugby under the USA Rugby umbrella 
      2. High school and U18 players who join and participate in contact rugby with an adult rugby program have no further eligibility with youth/high school clubs.
      3. Any adult club that has a U18 player must have everyone in the club complete USA Rugby Safe Sport training. This includes all players, coaches, admins, etc. Everyone. No exceptions this year.
    3. Discussion regarding RX / USAR approval of tournaments for sanctioning purposes.  Prior noted Issues with RX were found (summer 7s) but USAR was not supportive of finding and working together to find a solution.  Additional concerns regarding timing on small vs large events.
  11. TRRA – Davies
    1. Reminder: Use the Match Change Form for changes.
  12. Attendance Policy – McPhail
    1. Dodge is to draft a formal letter to one of our current Board Members regarding their future status on the Board.  Summary of missed meetings and lack of communication was discussed and affirmed as a material concern for the Board and the members that are not being represented by their elected representative.
  13. New Business:
    1. Next meeting is set for Monday, Dec-16th. David M will not be available for the call.  Louis also has a conflict.  Will coordinate available dates and send out a proposal for alternate meeting dates. 
      1. Young (after call): Board members moved meeting to Wednesday, December 11 as others couldn’t attend on December 16.
    2. Hale lawsuit – group discussion.
  14. Meeting Adjournment 9:11 PM
    1. Motion: Dodge / Tomsak