2010 Women’s 7s National Inviational Tournament – LOCATION SELECTED

Hello Women 7’s Teams!

I am pleased to announce that the 2010 W7NIT (Women’s 7’s National Invitational Tournament) will be held on August 7-8th in Providence, RI at Marvel Field (Brown University’s Rugby Field) and hosted by Brown University and the Boston Belles. Marvel Field is full regulation size (70M * 100M and has permanent rugby uprights with 15M try zones!) I was in amazement with the amount of teams who expressed interest in hosting – over 10 clubs from 5 different territories contacted me over the last two weeks. It gave me a great feel about the interest in women 7’s and the camaraderie of the rugby community in general.

The next step is to determine the amount of interest in participating in this year’s tournament. We had 10 teams in 2009, our Inaugural Year! This year we hope to have between 12-16 teams. After I determine the interest level from each territory, I will determine the best way to seed/invite teams. For example, if we have 16 teams (or less) interested, then it will be easy – all teams will be invited and I will base the seeds off of the 2009 W7NIT. If we have more than 16 teams, then I will limit the teams per territory.

I would like to determine the structure as soon as possible to give teams enough advance notice to make travel arrangements. After reading the below logistical information, if your club is interested in participating/qualifying for the 2010 W7NIT, please send me the “Information Needed” to stacy.c.bennett@saic.com, no later than Thursday, July 1st.

Similar to last year, this is not an official USA Rugby Event. However, USA rugby is potentially looking to make it official as early as next year. As we gain more interest across the country, our “case” to make it an official event becomes even stronger. I hope your club can participate this year!

Thank you!! I am looking forward to another great Women’s 7’s National Invitational this Year!!
Stacy Bennett

INFORMATION NEEDED

CLUB Name:

Interest Level: (Maybe, Likely, Definite):

If a Maybe, by what date would you be a no or likely/definite?:

Contact Name, Phone #, Email Address:

Territory:

Does your Territory have a 7s Championship or a way to determine 7’s rank within your territory?:

If so, by what date will the ranking be determined?: (i.e the date of the territorial championship or the date of the last 7’s tournament used determine ranking?)

Does your club have any issue with following the Modified USA Men’s 7s Cipping Guidelines Below?:  I would like to follow the men’s rules to the extent possible  since the rules have already been established and because when USA rugby makes this an official event, the women’s rules will likely be the same or very similar).  I have made a couple modifications to fit the women’s structure better though (my changes are in red for transparency).

Logistics

Date: August 7-8

Location: Marvel Field at Brown University in Providence, RI
401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence, RI 02906

Airports: PVD (Providence) is very close to the field. BOS (Boston International) is 1 hr from the field
Tournament Hotel: TBD

Friday Practice: Available (same as tournament field)

Friday Night Check-In: We will likely have a check-in on Friday night at Tournament Hotel or Saturday morning at the Field)
Cost: $250 or less per team. This is to cover the cost incurred by the host teams (the host team is not making a profit – this is just to offset the costs usually covered by USA Rugby).

CIPPing Guidelines:

9.1. Club Eligibility

a) A club must be a full member of their LAU or TU as defined by the LAU or TU. They cannot be held for partial requirements for the sevens season only.
b) A club must be in good standing by June 1st. Good standing includes but is not limited to: completed CIPP registration of the club with full payment; in compliance with LAU or TU requirements.
c) Each participating club may carry a maximum roster of 12 players.
d) A maximum of two (2) non-resident players may be on the roster. For the purposes of this event, a non-resident player is defined as a person who is not a U.S. Citizen and does not possess permanent or conditional resident alien status in the United States at the time of the competition.
e) A maximum of five (5) players may be on the Match Roster who played 15’s for a different senior Club in the United States in the immediately preceding 15’s Spring Season (there are no restrictions on transfers from collegiate Clubs).
f) Cubs may qualify and participate multiple teams in this USA Rugby Championship Event provided the teams have completely separate rosters for the event.

9.2. Player Eligibility

The purpose of these regulations is to prevent club hopping and the importation of guest players late in the season to strengthen teams for this USA Rugby Championship Event – players must meet all of the following criteria in order to participate in this USA Rugby Championship Event:

a) If you have players on your roster who were CIPPED in the previous Spring 15s season with another Senior Women’s club (maximum of 5, does not include college players), then those players must play in at least two sevens matches at least a week apart from each other prior to this USA Rugby Championship Event (in sevens qualifiers or other matches) for the club.
b) Be CIPP enrolled for the club, through initial enrollment or transfer, prior to the earlier of (i) playing in any match pursuant to a) above and (ii) July 15th.
c) Have not played in any qualifying tournaments (unless outside the qualifying division) for any other club.
d) Player must be at least 18 years of age, unless granted a waiver by USA Rugby Eligibility Committee.