USARL 2015 National Championship | Open Invitation

[FortyTwenty]

Source: http://www.usarl.com/2014/08/open-invitation-to-join-usarl-in-2015/

Open invitation to join USARL in 2015
August 19, 2014

The USARL will be accepting applications of interest from clubs by way of this USARL 2015 COMPETITION APPLICATION.

Upon review, the USARL Board will seek further interest from those clubs that are willing to satisfy minimum standards to participate in the competition.

The USARL will welcome clubs and their personnel wishing to join the 2015 National Competition. Each club will become a member under the Constitution of the USARL and will have representation on the USARL Board. The USARL will conduct a national competition with a multi-regional conference format under current USARL Rules & Regulations. It will continue to support AYRLA in their youth development programs along with referee and coach education and training. The USARL will also continue its quest to aggressively seek renewable sources of income and maintain a transparent and democratic process of growth and development in 2015 and beyond.

The 2015 competition is expected to be based on a 10 week schedule between June and August including playoffs and a Championship Final. While the overall structure has yet to be finalized, the competition will be limited to the East Coast in an effort to reduce both cost and travel with the establishment of smaller conferences within regions. The aim is for Conference schedules to operate with ALL regular season home and away games played in local regions culminating in cross-conference playoffs and and Finals.

Submission of application does not guarantee entrance, as a minimum standards criteria must be met and also that clubs can meet league administration and operational requirements, for example: Insurance

DOWNLOAD CLUB APPLICATION FORM
[Contents of Application Form below]

Club: Name, established, colors & logo
Sponsors: List all
Operating Budget: Expected revenue & expenditure (include player dues)
Venue: Location, description EG: bleachers, change rooms etc
Personnel: List 3 club representatives and their role. Suggest LinkedIn Profiles
Marketing: Website, Facebook, Twitter etc
Administration: Owners and copy of LLC, Principle contact, Coach & Referee contacts if applicable
Players: # of players (or expected) and recruitment strategies
History: Background and brief history
Youth Programs: Previous, current and expected activities

Please submit applications to [email protected] deadline January 31, 2014.*


* NB: I assume the new deadline will need to be prior to the “Open Hearing” meeting of the US Association of Rugby League Inc. [501.c.3] ... which is to take place at 9.00am Sunday September 21, 2014 at the Valley Forge Casino Resort Hotel, 1160 1st Ave, King of Prussia, PA 19406. This will coincide with a USARL Board Meeting, which is to take place on Saturday September 20, and Sunday September 21.

But, please note, the application deadline needs be confirmed by the USARL and/or Chairman Illfield ... And I urge all interested parties to contact them directly.

 

[gyallop]

Deadline for 2015 is 31 January 2014..... Good start to the new era!

 

[deal.with.it]

What's the deal with the open hearing and the change in legal structure of the usarl? No updates? No transparency? Why is there an open hearing? Is this regarding US Sport requirements of governing bodies?
Seems strange a public hearing what have little detail.

 

[Rodney]

The open hearing may be to convert into a tax-exempt organization.
From memory the USARL used to be an LLC, which (if the USARL was making any money) is still taxable but a 501.c.3 is a non-for-profit structure which isn't taxable.

As a wild guess,
Considering this meeting is after the Nov 2 RLIF meeting they're trying to apply as a national sports organization (with the approval of the sport's international body).

i guess we'll find out more when we get closer to the meeting

 

[Fighter]

Source: http://www.usarl.com/2014/08/open-invitation-to-join-usarl-in-2015/

Open invitation to join USARL in 2015
August 19, 2014

The USARL will be accepting applications of interest from clubs by way of this USARL 2015 COMPETITION APPLICATION.

Upon review, the USARL Board will seek further interest from those clubs that are willing to satisfy minimum standards to participate in the competition.

The USARL will welcome clubs and their personnel wishing to join the 2015 National Competition. Each club will become a member under the Constitution of the USARL and will have representation on the USARL Board. The USARL will conduct a national competition with a multi-regional conference format under current USARL Rules & Regulations. It will continue to support AYRLA in their youth development programs along with referee and coach education and training. The USARL will also continue its quest to aggressively seek renewable sources of income and maintain a transparent and democratic process of growth and development in 2015 and beyond.

The 2015 competition is expected to be based on a 10 week schedule between June and August including playoffs and a Championship Final. While the overall structure has yet to be finalized, the competition will be limited to the East Coast in an effort to reduce both cost and travel with the establishment of smaller conferences within regions. The aim is for Conference schedules to operate with ALL regular season home and away games played in local regions culminating in cross-conference playoffs and and Finals.

Submission of application does not guarantee entrance, as a minimum standards criteria must be met and also that clubs can meet league administration and operational requirements, for example: Insurance

DOWNLOAD CLUB APPLICATION FORM
[Contents of Application Form below]

Club: Name, established, colors & logo
Sponsors: List all
Operating Budget: Expected revenue & expenditure (include player dues)
Venue: Location, description EG: bleachers, change rooms etc
Personnel: List 3 club representatives and their role. Suggest LinkedIn Profiles
Marketing: Website, Facebook, Twitter etc
Administration: Owners and copy of LLC, Principle contact, Coach & Referee contacts if applicable
Players: # of players (or expected) and recruitment strategies
History: Background and brief history
Youth Programs: Previous, current and expected activities

Please submit applications to [email protected] deadline January 31, 2014.*


* NB: I assume the new deadline will need to be prior to the ?Open Hearing? meeting of the US Association of Rugby League Inc. [501.c.3] ... which is to take place at 9.00am Sunday September 21, 2014 at the Valley Forge Casino Resort Hotel, 1160 1st Ave, King of Prussia, PA 19406. This will coincide with a USARL Board Meeting, which is to take place on Saturday September 20, and Sunday September 21.

But, please note, the application deadline needs be confirmed by the USARL and/or Chairman Illfield ... And I urge all interested parties to contact them directly.

Not sure where you got the January 31, 2014 date from, but on the Fight website it is listed as September 15, 2014 for the application deadline so that they can be approved by the executive board and then voted on at the board meeting.

 

[Boston13s]

The open hearing may be to convert into a tax-exempt organization.
From memory the USARL used to be an LLC, which (if the USARL was making any money) is still taxable but a 501.c.3 is a non-for-profit structure which isn't taxable.

As a wild guess,
Considering this meeting is after the Nov 2 RLIF meeting they're trying to apply as a national sports organization (with the approval of the sport's international body).

i guess we'll find out more when we get closer to the meeting

I know the basics of this, being the 13s USARL board representative, and yes we are moving to a 501 (c) (3) as it is required to achieve NGB status and US Olympic committee accreditation etc.

 

[Evil Homer]

Screwing up the application deadline like that is really not good news.

 

[deluded pom?]

That link takes me to the USARL website but they don't recognise the page.

 

[FortyTwenty]

That link takes me to the USARL website but they don't recognise the page.

New link here: http://www.usarl.com/2014/08/“open-hearing”-meeting-of-the-us-association-of-rugby-league-inc/

Not sure where you got the January 31, 2014 date from, but on the Fight website it is listed as September 15, 2014 for the application deadline so that they can be approved by the executive board and then voted on at the board meeting.

@Fight: Thanks for the clarification. (The incorrect date was only listed at the bottom of the downloadable Club Application Form .docx which is hyperlinked within the Press Release ... not in the body of the release.)

Have checked out www.FightRugby.com and saw the Press Release you mentioned here: http://www.fightrugby.com/open-invitation-to-join-usarl-in-2015/ which does, correctly list the Club Application Deadline as September 15, 2014.

[I?ve copy-pasted it below for all to see & read.]


Open invitation to join USARL in 2015

The USARL will be accepting applications of interest from clubs by way of this USARL 2015 COMPETITION APPLICATION. Upon review, the USARL Board will seek further interest from those clubs that are willing to satisfy minimum standards to participate in the competition.

The USARL will welcome clubs and their personnel wishing to join the 2015 National Competition. Each club will become a member under the Constitution of the USARL and will have representation on the USARL Board. The USARL will conduct a national competition with a multi-regional conference format under current USARL Rules & Regulations. It will continue to support AYRLA in their youth development programs along with referee and coach education and training. The USARL will also continue its quest to aggressively seek renewable sources of income and maintain a transparent and democratic process of growth and development in 2015 and beyond.
The 2015 competition is expected to be based on a 10 week schedule between June and August including playoffs and a Championship Final. While the overall structure has yet to be finalized, the competition will be limited to the East Coast in an effort to reduce both cost and travel with the establishment of smaller conferences within regions. The aim is for Conference schedules to operate with ALL regular season home and away games played in local regions culminating in cross-conference playoffs and and Finals.
Submission of application does not guarantee entrance, as a minimum standards criteria must be met and also that clubs can meet league administration and operational requirements, for example: Insurance

DOWNLOAD CLUB APPLICATION FORM

The USARL Executive Board will independently review club applications, promptly respond to all submissions and all accepted applications will be considered at the USARL Board Meeting on Sept 20/21.

Submit applications to [email protected] deadline September 15, 2014.

I know the basics of this, being the 13s USARL board representative, and yes we are moving to a 501 (c) (3) as it is required to achieve NGB status and US Olympic committee accreditation etc.

Couldn?t agree more. The number one best model for good governance within sport is to operate under a not-profit entity; wherein no single entity (i.e. third-party company or person) can hold any equity in / ownership of the body (or the sport, as a whole). And, due to the tax exemptions of a US 501[c][3] corporate structure, it also ensures the optimal economic foundations for fiduciary responsibilities & long-term growth.

Screwing up the application deadline like that is really not good news.

@Evil Homer: Don?t think we need to go overboard on this one mate. It?s obviously a very slight oversight, which was only listed within the downloadable .docx form. But the important things are:
1. It?s better to have the form & information available for interested parties, than not at all.
2. There is an extremely transparent and open process for additional clubs' applications to join the USARL for 2015.
3. The process is properly initiated ahead of time, allowing for diligent review from the USARL Board and acceptance of new member clubs, all well before the start of the next operating financial year.

All in all, I genuinely commend the USARL Executives on all they?re doing (with such finite and limited resources), especially as they work pro bono public.

 

[Fighter]

I took the downloadable form from last winter and used it again. When I open it on my new computer, I do not see anything but the actual form, no dates, no email so I thought it was ok. Obviously I have proven yet again that I am not Mr. IT

 

[Choo Choo]

Looking forward to reviewing all the applications and I suspect we will see applications from the Bulls, Sharks, Knights, Wildcats, and the new Charlotte Lions.

Really hope we also see applications from the Raiders, Dragons, Stockyarders, Avalanche.

That would take the USARL to 20 active teams; simply amazing.

 

[Boston13s]

Dragons & Stockyarders will be applying from what I understand. Looking forward to adding Teddy (Dragons), Mike (Stockyarders) and others to the board. Very passionate rugby league people who can offer a lot to the game here.

 

[IowaRL]

From what I understand, Mike filled out an application for a developmental team earlier this year. We hope to have 4 teams involved in Super Nines this coming season 2015.

 

[FortyTwenty]

I took the downloadable form from last winter and used it again. When I open it on my new computer, I do not see anything but the actual form, no dates, no email so I thought it was ok. Obviously I have proven yet again that I am not Mr. IT

No worries, Ryan. Apologies from my end for opening up the small oversight here.

Looking forward to reviewing all the applications and I suspect we will see applications from the Bulls, Sharks, Knights, Wildcats, and the new Charlotte Lions.

Really hope we also see applications from the Raiders, Dragons, Stockyarders, Avalanche.

That would take the USARL to 20 active teams; simply amazing.

Danny, I have to echo your sentiment ... that would be truly amaaaaazing!

Have there been any thoughts / discussions regarding how the USARL: 2015+ Conferences would be structured? The Open Invitational Press Release did mention the 2015 National Championship would be East-Coast -centric. But just wondering the ideal Conference & Regional structure(s) that the USARL Board / Executive Directors envision as a long-term strategic orientation? (Or is this on the agenda for discussion at the USARL Board Meeting on Sept. 20/21?)

[NB: I realise the answer to my question would be principally dependent upon the number, location & span of clubs. But just wondering if there are any future-facing geographically structural strategies the USARL is using as a model for operational expansion?]

 

[deal.with.it]

Words, words, words

 

[Rugger]

Words, words, words

Why such poor and negative attitude...

 

[IowaRL]

The goal we have set for ourselves in the Midwest is to get a Midwest Overall division, and 2 conferences within eventually, Lakes and Plains. Split like in 40/20's first picture. This is a long term goal, with wanting at least 4 teams in each before we split them up.

 

[deal.with.it]

Why such poor and negative attitude...

My comment was in reply to FortyTwenty's post. He enjoys using his full and eloquent vocabulary at every opportunity.


Thanks to those who clarified the change to association. I thought this would have been released publicly, however?

 

[jim_57]

Will there be any thought given to running any regional 2nd division comps? This would be extremely helpful for newer and weaker teams IMO. Looks at the Baltimore Blues for example, they could play a few years in a second division to get experience in the game and step up when they were good and ready. Also it gives an opportunity for stronger teams to run a 'B' side as well if numbers permit.

I don't pretend to be an expert but after reading through this thread I've come up with a rough conference & divison set-up.

North East

1st Division - Boston 13’s, Brooklyn Kings, Connecticut Wildcats, New York Knights, New York Raiders, Rhode Island Rebelion.

2nd Division - Southampton Dragons, 'B' Teams, Any New Teams


East

1st Division - Bucks County Shark, Charlotte Lions, D.C. Slayers, NOVA Eagles, Pennsylvania Bulls, Philadelphia Fight.

2nd Division - Baltimore Blues, Pittsburgh Sledgehammers (?), 'B' Teams, New Teams


South East

1st Division - Atlanta Rhinos, Central Florida Warriors, Jacksonville Axemen, Tampa Mayhem

2nd Division - Jacksonville Axemen B, Miami?, Orlando?, Daytona?


Midwest - (2nd Division only to start perhaps?)

Chicago Stockyarders, Iowa City Crash, Utah Avalanche?, ???


Just a rough guess at what it could look like, I'm sure some of the people here based in the US could give a more accurate version of what such a system could look like.

 

[Chicago Saints]

Will there be any thought given to running any regional 2nd division comps? This would be extremely helpful for newer and weaker teams IMO. Looks at the Baltimore Blues for example, they could play a few years in a second division to get experience in the game and step up when they were good and ready. Also it gives an opportunity for stronger teams to run a 'B' side as well if numbers permit.

I don't pretend to be an expert but after reading through this thread I've come up with a rough conference & divison set-up.

North East

1st Division - Boston 13?s, Brooklyn Kings, Connecticut Wildcats, New York Knights, New York Raiders, Rhode Island Rebelion.

2nd Division - Southampton Dragons, 'B' Teams, Any New Teams


East

1st Division - Bucks County Shark, Charlotte Lions, D.C. Slayers, NOVA Eagles, Pennsylvania Bulls, Philadelphia Fight.

2nd Division - Baltimore Blues, Pittsburgh Sledgehammers (?), 'B' Teams, New Teams


South East

1st Division - Atlanta Rhinos, Central Florida Warriors, Jacksonville Axemen, Tampa Mayhem

2nd Division - Jacksonville Axemen B, Miami?, Orlando?, Daytona?


Midwest - (2nd Division only to start perhaps?)

Chicago Stockyarders, Iowa City Crash, Utah Avalanche?, ???


Just a rough guess at what it could look like, I'm sure some of the people here based in the US could give a more accurate version of what such a system could look like.

I would think Utah is too far for us. As Brad alluded to earlier we will work with Iowa and St. Louis towards a Midwest conference concept over the next few years and we've had interest from one or two other surrounding states.

Unfortunately applying for the USARL national championship is not feasible for us next year (as much we would love to apply Robin) but we will run our local spring comp within the college scene again featuring the Stockyarders and we plan on playing some 9's with the Crash and Storm under the USARL banner. Exciting times!