Participant Welfare
Our priority is to keep rugby participants safe on and off the field, and keep rugby matches running smoothly and without interruption. These resources help to ensure the safety of our players, coaches, match officials, and volunteers, as well as build community knowledge, empowering them to take action, and prevent incidents from happening on and off the pitch.
Concussion Safety
Rugby Ontario is committed to being a leader in the support and implementation of concussion safety practices. Knowing how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion, and what to do if a concussion happens – whether you’re an athlete, a student, a parent, a coach, a team trainer, an official, or an educator – saves lives.
Age-Grade Law Variations
Standard age-grade law variations provide a consistent set of age- and stage-appropriate modifications to the game, with a focus on enjoyment, player development, accessibility, and player welfare. All participants, coaches, and match officials should be knowledgeable about their respective age variations.
Age Banding
To protect the safety and welfare of all age grade rugby players, age banding guidelines exist, as outlined by Rugby Canada and World Rugby, to ensure that participants with aligned physical development and skill levels play with and against each other.
If you have an athlete who you believe should be participating in a different age grade than assigned, review Rugby Ontario’s Eligibility Requirements to Participate in a Different Age Category document for more information.
Mouthguard Use
To support the commitment to player safety, Rugby Ontario has introduced a new Mouthguard Use Policy leading into the 2026 rugby season. Research shows that wearing a properly fitted mouthguard during contact play helps to protect against dental and jaw-related injuries. While wearing a mouthguard does not prevent concussions, it is an important part of safety that supports Rugby Ontario’s approach to concussion management in line with Rowan’s Law.
Additional Resources on the Benefits of Mouthguard Use
- Ontario Dental Association on Mouthguards
- Mouthguard Use and Care, The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association
- Mouthguards Protect More than Your Mouth, The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association
- Mouthguard Types, Properties and Influence on Performance in Sport Activities: A Narrative Review
- Mouthguard use in youth ice hockey and the risk of concussion: nested case–control study of 315 cases
Safety and Welfare Resources
Playing Up Process
Given the physical nature of rugby, it is important to ensure that any individual looking to participate in a different age category is doing so to better match their physical development, skill, maturity, and experience level. Rugby Ontario works to ensure that all players participate in the league and team that is best suited for their safety and development, as well as that of their teammates and their competitors.
When it is believed that a safer environment can be created by moving into a different age category, pre-approval must be obtained from Rugby Ontario before the player can participate. Some key considerations:
-
-
- Players are only able to play up; playing in a lower age grade of contact rugby is prohibited.
- A 3-year age band must be kept; players can only play in an age grade that is a maximum of two years higher than their age on January 1st of the playing year.
- Players must match the physical guidelines outlined by the Age Grade they want to move into.
- When playing up, players may be limited in the rugby positions they are able to play.
- Players are only allowed to play up in a front-row position if they are turning 18 in the calendar year and requesting to play at the senior level
- Athletes playing up at the Junior level are not eligible to play up in the front row
- Only a Level 2-trained coach can sign off on the Playing Up Application
- Review the Eligibility and Process to Compete in a Different Age Grade guidelines for more information.
-
After reviewing the Eligibility and Process to Compete in a Different Age Grade document, if you still believe that a player should be playing in a different age category, fill out the Playing Up Application (League) or Playing Up Application (Tournament) forms and submit to Rugby Ontario at memberservices@rugbyontario.com.
Rugby Ontario will respond to requests within 10 business days, and approvals last for 1 calendar year (May-April). Until written approval has been obtained from Rugby Ontario, players cannot participate in any rugby activities in a higher Age Grade.