Members of the Senior Club Community,
The Friday before last, USA Rugby released the new Athlete Safety Policy, issued in accordance with USOPC requirements. Without addressing the policy’s merits or drawbacks, we want to acknowledge that its release has generated a significant number of questions, suggestions, letters of support and of protest within your Unions and Clubs, as well as among event organizers.
The SCC ExCo has been gathering these questions and is working closely with our Committee Chairs to determine how best to implement these policies going forward. We are also working with USA Rugby to gain clarity on the policy’s impacts and to address your most immediate concerns.
First and foremost, we want to clearly communicate that there will be no changes to the schedules of teams currently competing in pathways leading to the Senior Club National Championship Series (NCS). All planned events—including Super Regionals and the National Championship —will proceed as scheduled.
Secondly, we will execute these events as we always have. Neither referees nor Competition Committees review player registrations for eligibility beyond confirming that the player listed on the roster is the individual taking the pitch and that they have met the minimum requirements to participate in the NCS.
Third, the Senior Club Council has not in the past—and will not in the future—review or adjudicate complaints submitted by members related to any claims involving transgender athletes. The established process remains unchanged: all such complaints must be submitted directly to USA Rugby. No complaint or protest on this topic will be accepted on the pitch, prior to an event, or after a competition by the Senior Club Council. This process was specifically designed to protect the privacy of our members, and it will continue to be enforced.
Complaints should be directed to USA Rugby Compliance Office: compliance@usa.rugby
This email is monitored during normal business hours. USA Rugby strives to respond to complaints within 48 hours. That said, circumstances may make delay some responses.
It is important to emphasize that USA Rugby will not tolerate discrimination or harassment, and making a bad faith complaint may constitute misconduct.
We appreciate your patience as we work through these developments and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Sincerely,
Al Lucas
Chair
USA Senior Club Council
