Featured Product

1st XV Replica Shirt (2009/2010)

£35.00

View Item

Popular Products

1st XV Replica Shirt (2009/2010)

£35.00

View Item

About Us

Life Members | Members Representing The Royal Navy v The Army or RAF

The above downloads are in Adobe Acrobat format, so you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them once they are downloaded.

Royal Navy Rugby Union Bye Laws

TITLE AND CONSTITUTION
1. The Royal Navy Rugby Union (RNRU) is a constituent body of the Rugby Football Union (RFU). It exists to organise, finance and oversee the administration of and all aspects of playing rugby union at all levels within the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

2. The RNRU is responsible to the RFU for the proper compliance by all RN Clubs with any laws and regulations made from time to time by the RFU. Any powers delegated by the RFU to Constituent Bodies are exercised on behalf of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines by the RNRU.

3. The RNRU is responsible to the RN and RM Sports Control Board, through the Director of Naval Physical Training and Sport (DNPTS), for the proper application of the Service regulations relating to the administration of sport as they effect rugby union within the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

4. The RNRU is comprised of all RN and RM Clubs in membership. These clubs are divided into three distinct classifications:
a. Section 1 Clubs. Those clubs which meet the criteria laid down by the RFU for affiliation to the RFU and which qualify to vote at any AGM or SGM of the RFU. (Since the RFU AGM 2002 not all RNRU Section 1 clubs have full voting rights.)
b. Section 2 Clubs. Those clubs which are affiliated as Section 1 clubs to another Constituent Body but wish to retain an association with the RNRU.
c. Section 3 Clubs. Those clubs (or teams playing for ships or units) which do not meet the minimum criteria laid down by the RFU to be fully constituted clubs and which do not qualify to vote at any AGM or SGM of the RFU.

5. All RNRU clubs are bound by the Rules and Regulations of the RFU, the Laws of the Game and the IRB Regulations relating to the Game and that any breach thereof shall be a breach of the Rules of the RNRU and shall be dealt with under the powers contained in its rules in accordance with powers which have been delegated to it by the RFU.

6. All RNRU clubs are entitled to be represented at any AGM or SGM of the RNRU and cast one vote each on any motion. Section 1 clubs, with RFU voting rights, are entitled to be represented at any AGM or SGM of the RFU and cast one vote each on any motion. If they are unable to attend, the RNRU will act as nominated proxy and vote on their behalf.

7. There is no subscription for membership of the RNRU, and the RNRU shall pay any annual subscription required by the RFU for affiliation on behalf of its clubs in membership.

ROYAL NAVY RUGBY UNION BOARD
8 The RNRU Board of the union consists of the senior members who have overall control of policy of the RNRU. They shall meet formally at least once per season to consider nominations for the succeeding season’s Executive Committee and at any other time when required. They shall delegate the day to day business of the RNRU to the Executive Committee. The RNRU Board consists of the following:
President RFU Member
Chairman Secretary

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
9. The Executive Committee is responsible for the day to day administration of the RNRU. With the exception of the Secretary, who will be a sports secretary serving in HMS TEMERAIRE on the staff of DNPTS, all members of the Executive Committee will normally be serving on the active list of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The Executive Committee is specifically charged with:
a. maintaining financial control of the RNRU funds and assets;
b. exercising those disciplinary powers delegated to the RNRU by the RFU;
c. transacting normal day to day business to do with the administration of playing rugby within the RNRU.

It comprises:
Chairman, Vice Chairman, RFU Member, Director of Finance (Hon Treasurer RNRU), Director of Marketing, Director of Rugby, Director of Community Rugby, Director of Communications, Secretary.

10. The Executive Committee may co-opt other members as and when required. Co-opted members of the Executive Committee shall be full members of the Executive for all voting purposes

11. If a casual vacancy shall arise in any position on the RNRU Board or Executive Committee, such vacancy may only be filled by the Executive Committee in its discretion and any person so appointed shall hold the office until the next Annual General Meeting.

12. The Executive Committee shall meet formally at least 6 times per season, the dates and venues being promulgated in the RNRU Handbook. A quorum for a meeting is the Chairman or Vice Chairman plus four other members. The meeting agenda will be promulgated two weeks before any meeting. Members who are unable to attend may nominate a representative from their sub committees to attend, and if necessary, vote on their behalf.

OFFICERS OF THE UNION
13. The RNRU Board may authorise the formation of Sub Committees and each such authorised Sub Committee will be entitled to one vote at RNRU AGM or SGM. The authorised Sub Committees of the RNRU comprise:
1st XV U23
Women Veterans
Sevens Coaching
Community Rugby Referees
Finance Marketing
Communication Discipline

14. Members of the Executive Committee or others nominated by a member of the Executive Committee shall chair Sub Committees and every member of those Sub Committees will be Officers of the RNRU in their own right. Appointments of personnel to serve on Sub Committees shall be the made by the relevant committee chairman.

15. Expenses may be claimed from public funds, chargeable to local budgets, by members attending Executive Committee meetings and Sub Committee meetings.

GENERAL MEETINGS
16. An annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held each year, not later than October, usually on the same day and venue as the RNRU Clubs Conference. A minimum notice of twelve weeks will be given for the date of an AGM. Clubs may send as many representatives as they wish to an AGM but each club shall only be entitled to one vote on any issue. A quorum for an AGM is fifteen clubs, and at least five members of the Executive Committee (including the Chairman). The President shall normally chair the AGM but may delegate this function to the Chairman.

17. The AGM shall:
a. Appoint a President for the following season and elect members of the Executive Committee
b. Receive reports from the members of the Executive Committee relating to the previous season;
c. Endorse the financial strategy for the current season;
d. Ratify the RNRU Board’s recommendations for appointment to the Executive Committee;
e. Debate and vote on any motions relating to the administration of the RNRU.

18. Nominations from clubs for appointments to the Executive Committee must be forwarded to the Secretary RNRU by no later than 1 April each year. Those nominations will be considered by the RNRU Board who will make recommendations to the Executive Committee and AGM. Where there is more than one nomination for any post, the RNRU Board will indicate their preference and the Executive Committee shall select one of those candidates by secret ballot (the candidate receiving the most votes being elected). The selection will be endorsed by the next AGM. If the AGM (by a majority vote) wish to challenge the Executive Committee nomination, a Special General Meeting will be called within the time scale specified below to vote on any nominations. The person elected by the SGM must then be endorsed by the RNRU Board and the Executive Committee.

19. Motions proposing changes to the RNRU bye laws shall be forwarded to the Secretary of the RNRU by no later than 8 weeks before the date of the AGM. Such proposals must have the support of two clubs and will be passed at the AGM provided that there is a two-thirds majority in favour.

20. Special General Meetings (SGM) may be called at any time to discuss the business of the RNRU provided a written request is made to the Secretary RNRU containing the signatures of at least 15 clubs, or as specified above following an AGM. The Secretary is to convene an SGM not earlier than 8 weeks and not later than 12 weeks from the date of receipt of a written request or vote at an AGM.

LIFE MEMBERS
21. The Executive Committee may at their discretion, as a mark of esteem for service rendered to Naval Rugby Football, elect life members of the RNRU. Life members will not normally be elected until they are about to retire from active service in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines and will be afforded the following privileges:
a. 2 complimentary stand tickets at Inter Service and Combined Service matches;
b. application through the RNRU for International Tickets held at Twickenham;
c. entitlement to copies of fixture lists, team lists and minutes of Executive Committee meetings, AGMs and SGMs;
d. invitations to dinners and social functions at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
22. The RNRU Board may from time to time invite the outgoing President to fill the post of Immediate Past President. This post would not normally be filled when the President has accepted Life Membership of the RNRU.

VICE PRESIDENTS
23. The RNRU Board may from time to time, invite senior officers to become Vice Presidents who, by virtue of their appointment are able to provide assistance and support to the RNRU or who have given outstanding support and service but are not yet in a position to be elected as life members.

POLICY
24. The RNRU aims to encourage, and where possible, assist players to reach their full playing, coaching or refereeing potential.

25. All members of the RNRU shall recognise the priority of claim on players laid down in the RN/RM Sports Board Section of BR4006. Where there is a fixture clash, no member shall thus play for any civilian club if selected for a representative RN team without the express permission of the Chairman RNRU.

26. Personnel of other Navies of the Commonwealth are eligible to play for the Royal Navy when they are attached for duty to the Royal Navy for a period of at least six months, or in accordance with BR 4006.

27. A cap shall be awarded to each player who represents the senior Royal Navy XV against the Army or the Royal Air Force on the first occasion of his playing. The cap shall be of dark blue velvet trimmed with silver and having a naval crown and wreath on the front. Each capped player shall also be given a ‘silver’ navy tie, which shall be dark blue background with silver device consisting of the Royal Crown surmounting the monogram interwoven at interval upon it. All other players, committee and supporters may purchase the ‘gold’ tie.

28. Complimentary tickets shall be provided for Inter Service matches at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

FINANCE
29. The RNRU’s income shall be obtained annually from interest on investments, from gate monies and ticket receipts from representative matches, from sponsorship, from grants from the RFU and Service funds, from the marketing of the RNRU and from any other available source. The profits of the RNRU shall be applied only in furthering objects of the RNRU.

30. The Treasurer shall prepare a budget for the RNRU to be approved by the Executive Committee by its September meeting. The Treasurer is then authorised to meet all normal running expenses of the RNRU in accordance with that budget and the delegations within and to bring to the attention of the Executive Committee any requests that are out with the approved budget. The treasurer shall prepare a financial statement for each Executive Committee meeting.

31. The accounts of the RNRU shall be made up to 30 June in each year and shall be signed by the Chairman, the Treasurer and at least one other member of the Executive Committee. They shall be audited by the Auditors and a printed copy of the signed financial statement, together with the auditors’ report, shall be presented to the AGM. The Treasurer will submit a copy of the audit report and financial statement to the RFU no later than 31 December each year.

32. Applications from clubs for financial assistance or grants should be forwarded to the Secretary RNRU, copy to the Treasurer. These applications must be accompanied by a statement of accounts with explanatory notes. The Executive Committee shall consider applications for financial assistance or grants at the next convenient meeting.

DISCIPLINE
33. The RFU has delegated powers to the RNRU to hold enquiries and award punishment, or take other such action as is seen fit (subject to a right of appeal to the RFU) with respect to disciplinary incidents relating to RNRU clubs and members. This authority is exercised by the RNRU Disciplinary Sub Committee under a Chairman who shall act as the RNRU Disciplinary Officer. The Secretary RNRU will be the Disciplinary Secretary for the RNRU. They are responsible for giving advice to RNRU Clubs on discipline policy and casework.

34. The Disciplinary Sub Committee will act in accordance with the Instructions for the guidance and assistance of Disciplinary Committees on the Procedure and Conduct of Disciplinary Hearings as laid down in the RFU Handbook.

35. Every club of the RNRU shall appoint a Disciplinary Committee charged with the responsibility of maintaining high standards of discipline within the club. Club Disciplinary Committees are to take action within 48 hours of any player being sent off or cited, and are to report such action to the Secretary RNRU.