About Us
Life Membership of Rugby Union SA is available in recognition of exceptional service to the sport of rugby union and may be granted to individuals under the following criteria:
- A Director, Officer, Appointee or Servant having served on or at the direction of Rugby Union for an accumulated period of not less than ten calendar years. This includes a coach and manager. Eligible nominees must also display meritorious service to the game of Rugby Union within South Australia.
- A Player who shall have played no fewer than 25 state games of rugby or shall have played at least two-thirds of the scheduled games in each of 6 separate seasons, the senior state representative team in interstate or international competition (regardless of gender with selection based on merit) AND participated in a minimum of 180 RUSA sanctioned matches in not less than 10 seasons with one or more affiliated clubs. Eligible nominees must also display meritorious service to the game of Rugby Union within South Australia.
- A Referee who has been appointed to not less than 250 rugby matches in total in not less than ten seasons. Eligible nominees must also display meritorious service to the game of Rugby Union within South Australia.
Meritorious Service Meritorious Service is understood to mean performance beyond what might otherwise be considered as the service expected of a particular role or activity. This is a subjective criterion which will be applied differently to different people based on the context of their involvement. It may include but not be limited to a combination of the following:
- Performance levels or achievements above the norm such as
- Years of service or numbers of games significantly higher than the base criterion level:
- Captaining of State Teams;
- Selection for national teams or national roles/activities;
- Winning competition wide or national performance awards.
- Achievements and contributions which enhance the image and standing of RUSA in a national context;
- Contributions to enhancing the quality of RUSA performance through other roles such as coaching, managing, selection duties, or participation in Board, Committees, Judiciary, Appeal Tribunals, administration etc.
Consequences of Life Membership Each Life Member shall receive
- A life membership medallion;
- Placement of their name and year the honour was bestowed on an honour board designed for that purpose
- Free entry into RUSA official functions (including finals series and presentation nights).
Annual review of eligible persons A Committee comprising two Directors and all existing Life Members may recommend any eligible persons for life membership to the AGM of Rugby Union SA, where a 75% majority must agree with the nomination.
A copy of the nomination form can be found here