World Rugby identity begins in earnest after record ConfEx concludes
Cyprus welcomed to the World Rugby family
Head Injury Assessment trial extended until December 2015
The World Rugby Council and Executive Committee meetings on Wednesday brought to a close a busy programme of events around the 2014 World Rugby Conference and Exhibition in London.
The meetings of Rugby’s decision-makers were the first under the auspices of the new World Rugby corporate identity and brand as the international federation furthers its commitment to its mission statement to inspire and grow the Game globally.
ConfEx 2014 attracted a record number of delegates in excess of 700 over two days of what was a thought-provoking programme. The week also included the debut meetings of the Rugby Athletes’ Commission and the Growing the Game Conference as well as the sixth annual World Rugby Medical Commission Conference.
Membership
With Rugby experiencing record growth, the Council welcomed Cyprus Rugby Federation (CRF) to the World Rugby family as an Associate Member.
The CRF meets the criteria for associate membership as laid down by World Rugby regulations with a six-team domestic league now in place with four of those teams registered with the CRF. World Rugby is committed to the development of the game in Europe and this is another step forward for rugby in that part of the world.
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Cyprus as an associate member of World Rugby. Rugby is experiencing unprecedented global growth and interest with more than 6.6 million men, women and children playing the game. Today’s announcement certainly underlines rugby’s ability to reach out to new communities and countries in every region.”
Meanwhile, the Hellenic Federation of Rugby has been suspended from World Rugby membership pending the recognition of the federation by the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sport as well the federation meeting the World Rugby membership criteria in full. Currently, the federation does not have the 10-team domestic league in place that is required for full membership of World Rugby.
Armenia has also been excluded from associate membership of World Rugby following exclusion from Rugby Europe owing to inactivity of Rugby activities and administration.
Laws and Regulations
The Council approved the recommendation of Rugby Committee to extend the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) trial until December 31, 2015 following successful research outcomes from the initial trial in the elite Game, which has delivered further enhancements in the key area of concussion management.
Council also approved the ‘crouch, bind, set’ scrum engagement sequence into Law, following the recommendation of the Rugby Committee. The current TMO protocol was adopted by Council following global trials in the elite Game.
Underscoring its commitment in ensuring Rugby is a sport for all, the Council agreed to extend the global trial of goggles by 12 months following successful initial trials.
Standing Committee Appointments
Mark Robinson (NZR) was formally appointed to the World Rugby EXCO and the Rugby Committee and Gareth Davies (WRU) to the Regulations Committee, replacing David Pickering and Gerald Davies respectively.
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