ACT Veterans Rugby Union

"The most powerful rugby club in Australia" according to The Canberra Times


2014 team photo

Patron in Chief:

The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC, DSC (Retd)

Honorary Patron:

General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC (Retd)

Honorary Patron:

Air Chief Marshal Sir Allan Grant “Angus” Houston, AK, AFC (Retd)

Honorary Patron:

Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AO, CSC RAN (Retd)

Honorary Patron:

Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell AO, DSC

Patron:

Lieutenant General John (JJ) Frewen, AO, DSC

ABOUT ACT VETERANS RUGBY

If you're 35 or older and would like to play rugby in Canberra, join us every three weeks (or so) for a friendly game at Portsea Oval, RMC Duntroon and post-match social drink at Mercure Hotel.

We have raised over $750,000 for our charities of choice; Legacy, the George Gregan Foundation, Menslink as well as Clare Holland House and the Paediatrics Unit of the Canberra Hospital thanks to our sponsors. We look forward to continuing to support these people as we put our bodies on the line against a variety of Defence Force teams in charity matches. Not bad for a group of blokes who just want to run around and have some fun!

If what we do sounds interesting or the idea of rediscovering (or finding for the first time) your love of Rugby is something that you’ve been meaning to do something about, come and see us at training every Wednesday evening at Kapyong Field, RMC Duntroon or see our fixtures for game dates and join the fraternity that is ACT Vets Rugby.

To find out more details on enjoying a match or 20 every season with a group of like-minded ex and current rugby players from in and around the ACT either drop by or email: enquiries@actvetsrugby.org.au


Laws


The laws for Veterans Rugby are those as writ by the International Rugby Board with the following concessions:

  • You must be at least 35 years of age at time of kick off to play.

  • There is no kicking outside the 22 metre line in general play.

  • There is no pushing in the scrums.

  • Rucks are not contested.

  • You may only cross one unbroken line (22 or halfway) when running with the ball.

  • Over vigorous play will not be tolerated.

  • Games will be played over three X 20 minute halves.

  • There is unlimited interchange.

  • Tackling is not mandatory. We are there to have fun.

  • The final score will be 9-all.

  • The referees will enforce the laws to the best of their ability. No correspondence will be entered into regarding any decision taken.


Registration


PLAYER REGISTRATION IS OBLIGATORY AND A REQUIREMENT OF OUR INSURANCE POLICY

Players can either register for the whole year or pay week by week when they are available to play. Receipts can be issued for either payment option upon request.

The registration fee is:

  • $160 for the whole season (paid at the commencement of the season), or

  • $30 per game (to be paid before taking the field).

To register please go to the Rugby Xplorer website, or the Rugby Xplorer app, and follow the instructions to register with the ACT Veterans Rugby Club. Rugby Xplorer will require that you have a Rugby ID and, if you don’t already have one, will take you through the process to set one up.

The registration fee covers the cost of:

  • Player Insurance;*

  • Footballs, water bottles and associated gear; and

  • Laundering of jerseys.

* Please see the Quick Guide for insurance details.

The other little incentive for players to pay a full year's registration 'up-front' is that the opportunity to play in the 'Curtain Raiser' for a Brumbies’ home game of the Super Rugby season at Canberra Stadium (when applicable) will only be available to those players who have paid their full year’s registration before, or at, the first ACT Vets game of the year.