DIVISIONS
The age cutoffs for matches played during the for 2023 TROPICAL 7s are listed below::
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U18 Boys: born on or after 1 September 2004 (elite and open divisions)
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U18 Girls: born on or after 1 September 2004 (elite and open divisions)
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U16 Boys: born on or after 1 September 2006 (elite and open divisions)
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U16 Girls: born on or after 1 September 2006 (open division only)
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U14 Boys: born on or after 1 September 2008 (elite & open divisions)
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U14 Girls: born on or after 1 September 2008 (open division only)
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U12 Coed: born on or after 1 September 2010 (open division only)
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U23/University Mens/Womens: born on or after 1 September 1999 (elite and open divisions)
The decision to hold separate elite and open divisions at any given age group will be dependent on achieving sufficient number of registrations in both divisions and may be combined if there are insufficient team number in either division. The Tournament Director's decision is final in deciding whether a team plays in the elite or open division.
Overage exemptions (U18/U16/U14/U12 divisions): Up to 2 overage exemptions are allowed per team for players born within 3 months of the birthday cutoff as listed above (i.e. June/ July/Aug birthdates).
Overage Player Exemptions (U23/University divisions): An exemption can applied for up to 2 players per team who are born within 12 months of the birthday cut-off date as listed above (i.e. born on or after 1st September 1998).
University teams: All players must be fully matriculated in recognised programme at the University. Please note the age cutoff and overage player exemption for U23 teams also apply to University teams.
Playing 'up' an age grade: Players can play up an age grade as long as the player is eligible to do so under the rules and regulations of its home union and the player concerned has completed the necessary waivers/release forms. The Team Manager or Coach is obliged to notify the Tournament of any players in their roster that are playing up an age grade and provide copies of waivers/release forms prior to submitting their roster.
All age exemption requests (overage and underage) need to be submitted and approved in advance by the Tournament Director by applying HERE.
U14 divisions: Max player weight: 185lb
U12 division: Max player weight 135lb
Maximum squad size: The maximum squad size per registered team is capped at 15 players. Please note only 12 players can be made available for any match.
TEAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
A team's successful registration is subject to the payment in full of the tournament registration fee and satisfactory receipt of the following documents as required by the event sanctioning body, USA Rugby:
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For non-US registered teams, successful registration is subject to the receipt of an acceptable permission to tour letter from the team's home union.
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For US-registered teams, successful registration is subject to both the club and all rostered players & appointed coaches are in good standing with USA Rugby (or a USA-Rugby approved affiliated body). The team's coach must be certified by USA Rugby (USAR Level 200 or World Rugby Level 1), hold up to date Safesport Certification and background checked. These requirements will be checked by USA Rugby in advance of he tournament.
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All teams must hold appropriate insurance cover for all members of their party while they are participating in the Tropical 7s and any related activities e.g. training. Teams may be requested to provide details of their insurance coverage.
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A club can only register 1 team per division unless otherwise pre-agreed with the Tournament Director.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
All players must must be in good standing with its own approved governing body and players have completed any applicable waivers and/or release forms to play in the tournament from its home Union. Every player must be registered in the Tournament’s registration system and is required to submit:
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Supporting player information including name, date of birth, emergency contact, relevant medical information etc.
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Proof of date of birth
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A completed ‘Player Consent & Medical Release’ form via the registration portal. If the player is under the age of 18 at the time of submitting the waiver, this form must be completed by the player’s parent or legal guardian.
A player once registered for a team, irrespective of whether he or she has taken part in the tournament, cannot register or make themselves available for registration in any other team. All teams, their staff and players are required to be appropriately insured for all rugby and non-rugby activities while attending the event.