TRU Board Meeting Notes – 12/11/24

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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. McPhail
    1. McPhail
    2. Tomsak
    3. Dodge
    4. Hiller
    5. Guitan
    6. Davies
    7. Hanson
    8. Ohmann-Wilson
      1. Regrets
        1. Young
      2. Absent
        1. Ohmann-Wilson
  2. Registration Numbers & Other items:
    1. Club Compliance and Registration Numbers – Texas Rugby Union – As of 12/4/24
      1. All teams have paid, have coaches, and above 15+ players.
    2. RRRC YTD registrations are still tracking ahead of the prior cycle but the margin has shrunk.  Currently we have 1737; +229 from Dec 2023.
    3. RX current number has the TRU at 1778; +270 from Dec 2023.
    4. Transfers into Texas from other GUs
      1. To keep clubs from inadvertently playing ineligible players they should request waivers for any transfers into Texas.  
      2. We always recommend that players first submit Waiver requests to USA Rugby Eligibility.
      3. This ensures that there are no mistakes in the paperwork process and ensures that Clubs are staying in line with required documentation from RRRC league play and through the National Championship Series.
      4. The waiver form is available on this page: https://usaclub.rugby/resources/ 
  3. RRRC League Forfeits – Recommend Board approve Fines per policy on the NON played matches.
    1. Nov-16th – McAllen vs Old Skool.  Played forfeit by McAllen.
      1. Young: Sending written warning per policy.
    2. Dec-7th – Shreveport vs Blacks.  Shreveport Non-played.  Large portion had military drills.
      1. RRRC recommends that fines and/or points deduction based on RRRC policy be applied.  The TRRA was not notified.  Reminder: Clubs should contact TRRA, RRRC Rep and Match Officials.
      2. Upon further discussion, David Mc will discuss the situation with both Clubs as there seems to have been adequate notification early in the week. Action is on hold.
        1. Young: No action was taken.
    3. Dec-7th – Galveston vs Huns.  Galveston forfeit – Non-played.
      1. RRRC recommends that fines and/or points deduction based on RRRC policy should be applied.
      2. Huns have sent a proposed figure to GRFC for payment.  The referee was reassigned; albeit late.
        1. Young: Notice and invoice sent via Paypal to Galveston.
  4. RX – Hansel details below for Friday Match Compliance issues. None for Monday.  
    1. https://sites.google.com/texasrugbyunion.com/truclubs/match-compliance?authuser=0
    2. Recommend that one last Compliance / RX reminder be sent to all Clubs as we are still early in season.  Sanctions of points deductions, in addition to the unlock fee, is recommended.
    3. Friday Match Compliance Details for matches on Dec-9th.
      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)
    4. Reminder that ALL TEAMS SHOULD BE USING RX FOR ROSTERS, PLAYER MOVEMENTS, SCORES, YELLOW/RED CARDS, ETC.  
      1. We are still having teams that are failing to do this and we are having non-registered players taking the field. This may result in Player and/or Team sanctions as well potential forfeits or other penalties depending on the severity and number of occurrences.
  5. Mary Graham Allstars
    1. Event looks to have been another success, other than mother nature intervening with heavy rain over the weekend.
    2. Written report from Wendy / Traci to be requested.
      1. Per social media – Midwest Green won their 3rd consecutive Cup Championship. Beat TRU Toast 17-5. The TRU Toast beat the South Panthers 19-5 in their prior match.
      2. Capital beat Southwest Selects 47-5 in the Plate Final.
      3. 3rd place matches for Cup and Plate were cancelled due to weather / conditions.
    3. Team Notes: This year’s All Star team reflects the incredible diversity and depth of rugby talent within the TRU. Players represent a broad spectrum of teams and programs, including:
      1. Houston sHARCs: 10 players, showcasing the powerhouse of talent from this program.
      2. Dallas Quins: 6 players, highlighting the continued strength of this club in producing top-tier athletes.
      3. Little Rock: 6 players, underlining the program’s significant contribution to the regional rugby landscape.
      4. Austin Valkyries: 4 players, bringing experience and skill to the team.
      5. Dallas RFC: 2 players, emphasizing the breadth of talent across the TRU.
      6. OKC Boomers: 1 player, showcasing representation from Oklahoma in this regional team.
      7. College programs: 2 players from the Oklahoma Roses, representing the promising future of rugby with young talent stepping up.
  6. Budget – McPhail
    1. David Mc was provided a template from Dodge and will review it for future use in consultation with David Pfleger.  At this point I have emailed him but have not gotten a date on the calendar to discuss a sit down meeting.  Only material item that would be added, as an expense, would be an allocation for the Men’s All Star Program that was previously mentioned. Allocation would be similar and we already have an individual that has offered significant financial support to get the program jump started.
  7. TRRA – Davies
    1. Reminder: Use the Match Change Form for changes.
  8. Law Changes – Reminder from last month.  USAR has shared notice.  Effective Jan-1st.
    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 .
  11. New Business:
    1. Grant Request from Zach G to support costs related to playing with USA Maccabi team at the Maccabi games.  Approved without objection in the amount of $250; in line with historical awards.
      1. Young: Let Zach know he was approved and cc’d Pfleger.
    2. Hansel has received an inquiry regarding a future Club in the Bryan / College Station area.  No application at this time but looking to start on a Social basis; likely Summer Sevens.
    3. Email notification has been sent to Whitney as of this evening.
  12. Meeting Adjournment 8:32 PM
    1. Motion: Drew / Louis