Asia Rugby Membership FAQ
FAQ
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- Which unions can become members of ARFU?
Unions within ARFU’s approved jurisdiction or those that have received special consent from World Rugby. - How long must a union be an Associate Member before applying for Full Membership?
A union must hold Associate Membership for a minimum of two years before applying for Full Membership. - What documents and information are required when applying for ARFU Associate Membership?
Applicants must provide a detailed presentation on rugby development in their country, evidence of rugby activity (players, clubs, referees, competitions), union’s constitution and organizational structure, financial information, player insurance details, anti-discrimination declarations, and a safeguarding policy. - What competitions must a union organize to achieve ARFU Full Membership?
Unions must annually organize domestic competitions with at least four teams in each category: Senior Men’s 15s, Adult Men’s Sevens, Adult Women’s Sevens (if permitted by national legislation), and Age Grade National 15s and/or 7s (ages 16-20). - What obligations do ARFU Full Members have?
Full Members must attend at least one ARFU Council meeting and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) annually, submit annual rugby development reports, maintain governance and administrative programs, and participate in at least one ARFU international competition annually. - Can a union lose ARFU membership?
Yes, membership can be suspended or terminated if the union fails to meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). - What financial entitlements do Associate and Full Members receive?
Members may receive financial assistance to attend ARFU meetings, funding to participate in competitions, and Associate Members may also apply for ARFU Development Grants. - What are KPIs and how do they affect membership?
KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are requirements unions must meet to maintain membership. They include attendance at ARFU events, evidence of continued or increased rugby activity, effective governance, and regular participation in competitions. - Is it necessary for a union to have a dedicated staff member responsible for rugby?
Yes, having at least one dedicated staff member responsible for rugby is a requirement for Full Membership. - Must unions adopt World Rugby Anti-Doping regulations?
Yes, Full Members must adopt World Rugby’s Anti-Doping regulations, which comply with WADA standards. - What format should be used for KPI compliance reporting?
Unions must submit evidence of rugby activity annually or as requested by ARFU, in a format prescribed by ARFU. - Can KPIs be modified during membership?
Yes, ARFU may periodically amend, supplement, or introduce new KPIs at its discretion. - Which events are mandatory for ARFU Full Members to attend?
Full Members are required to attend at least one ARFU Council meeting and the Annual General Meeting annually with voting rights. - What does the union’s strategic plan include, and how frequently is it updated?
The strategic plan, developed jointly with ARFU, includes rugby development objectives, programs for clubs, schools, and communities. Progress is regularly evaluated, and periodic updates are required. - Is it mandatory for unions to have a Safeguarding Policy?
Yes, having a safeguarding policy is a mandatory requirement for both Associate and Full Members of ARFU.
- Which unions can become members of ARFU?
- How is the number of international participations counted?
According to ARFU regulations, the number of international participations is counted as follows:
- A union must participate in at least one international competition organized by ARFU during the calendar year.
- Participation means the official registration and actual involvement of a national representative team in one of the following formats:
- Senior Men’s Fifteen-a-side
- Men’s Sevens
- Women’s Sevens (where women’s rugby is permitted under national legislation)
- Age Grade National Fifteen-a-side or Sevens (ages 16–20)
To meet the membership criteria, participation in just one of the above categories per year is sufficient.
Participation is recognized if the national team officially competes in the tournament, plays at least one match, and the participation is recorded and acknowledged by ARFU.
- What qualifies as evidence of a domestic rugby competition?
The following documents and materials are considered valid evidence of organizing national/domestic rugby competitions. These demonstrate the occurrence, structure, and consistency of domestic competitions:
Primary Evidence:
- Official competition calendar
– An approved document listing tournament dates, names, age groups, and gender categories. - Championship regulations
– Details on the tournament format, number of teams, point system, and participation requirements. - Match sheets / official match records
– With results, team lineups, referees, match locations, and dates. - League tables / final standings
– Showing rankings, points, and statistics. - Photos / video recordings of matches
– Visual confirmation of games taking place. - List of participating teams and players
– Including club names, player license numbers, and age categories. - Championship reports
– Internal reports or media publications summarizing the competition. - Website or social media publications
– Announcements, match reviews, coverage of finals, etc. - Sanctioning request or approval (if required)
– Document confirming the competition was officially sanctioned by the national federation or league. - Proof of match officials and staff involvement
– Referee appointments, delegate reports, or match inspector records.
ARFU places importance not only on whether the competition occurred, but also on the structured, documented, and sustainable nature of the league. Each discipline must involve at least four (4) teams to be recognized.
- What qualifies as evidence of a domestic rugby competition?
The following documents and materials are considered valid evidence of organizing national/domestic rugby competitions. These demonstrate the occurrence, structure, and consistency of domestic competitions:
- What are the deadlines for membership applications?
Applications are accepted twice a year. The submission deadlines are May 1 and October 1.
