Uniform Policy

There’s a requirement to standardise the play uniforms at the 2016 Touch Nationals and beyond. This policy document is designed to set out these requirements.

1 General

1.1. A standard approach in relation to physical appearance and presentation of participating player sat England Touch Nationals is required to promote a successful and professional tournament.

1.2. Although there may be situations where circumstances could benefit individual regions, especially financially and related to sponsorship, there remains a need to establish and maintain a high standard with regards to the nature and design of player uniforms.

1.3. Sponsorship of Regional representative teams and the promotional aspects associated with sponsorship insignia on player uniforms is acknowledged. However any sponsorship slogan, text, motif, logo or similar inclusion on any player uniform used at England Touch Nationals must be appropriate and meet the policy set by the England Touch Association (ETA).

1.4. Because of the similarity of Regional sporting colours there is potential for player uniform conflict and the respective ETA policy details are contained in paragraph 3, below.

1.5. There is a requirement for Regional representative team uniforms to meet and be approved by ETA guidelines as detailed in this policy prior to competition. Completion of the registration process includes the receipt of acknowledgement and approval from the ETA as detailed in paragraph 6, below. Registration also includes endorsement of any sponsorship slogan, text, motif, logo or similar inclusion on or within playing attire.

1.7. All player uniforms used at Touch Nationals for a particular Region must be the same design and colour for each match. The particular design of player uniforms participating under the same Region name must be the same (i.e. Men’s, Women’s and Mixed teams from the same region must keep the same design). Teams that represent a different Region category on the basis of the boundaries set by the ETA and have a different logo may use a different design (i.e. Master’s and Junior divisions that have a different regional boundary and logo to Men’s and Women’s Open sides may use a different playing uniform)

2 Uniform Design Requirements

2.1. All player uniforms must meet the requirements of current ETA Playing Rules. This applies to both upper and lower garments, one-piece uniforms, playing numbers, any head wear (caps or visors) and to footwear (shoes and socks).

2.2. Player uniforms should meet the colour requirements approved by the ETA for that region. These must be acknowledged and approved by the ETA before the competition and not be considered too similar to other regions. The ETA hold the right to make the final decision on the design and colour of uniforms and approval must be granted before ordering and producing any player uniforms.

2.3. Registered player uniform design and colour for respective Regions will be advertised on the England Touch website prior to competition.

2.4. Player uniform design and colour must avoid being similar in design and colour of the referees officiating at England Touch nationals. Official referee design and colour will be advertised on the England Touch web site.

2.5. Caps, sun-visors and socks are part of a player’s uniform and must meet registered colour requirements. Players may wear either a cap or a sun-visor. Short socks should be worn.

3 Potential Uniform Conflict

3.1. Where more than one Region has the same or similar colours and where potential conflict in uniform colour or design may occur, acceptance of any new player uniform colour or design will be subject to the following:

3.1.1. When a potentially conflicting design is received, England Touch will negotiate with respective Regions to resolve any conflict, with any necessary decision on the matter being approved by vote by the England Touch Board; and

3.1.2. Preference for a particular design will normally be given to the Region that has the longest continuous membership and has the longest current, registered player uniform design and colour; and

3.1.3. A new Region or the Region with the least period of continuous membership will be required to adapt or amend the preferred player uniform design to ensure that it will not conflict or clash with that of all other Regions, or with referee uniforms.

3.2. A Region may produce and use a second or “reverse colour” player uniform as long as all uniform policy requirements have been met.

4 England Touch, Nationals and Regional Logos

4.1. The respective ETA recognised, Regional logo, shield or appropriate team name should be positioned on the left breast area of the upper garment, approximately half-way between the edge of the sleeve and the garment mid-line, of an approximate dimension of not more than 10 cm wide and 10 cm high, depending on shape. These must be approved and registered with the ETA before use.

4.2. The ETA Touch Nationals logo should be positioned on the right breast area of the upper garment, approximately half-way between the edge of the sleeve and the garment mid-line, of a size approximately the same as that for the Regional logo, shield or appropriate team name.

4.3. If sleeved playing garments are used, the England Touch logo must be placed on the right sleeve. If vests are to be worn the England Touch logo must be placed on the front on the garment but not in the areas described in 4.1 or 4.2

4.4. If the right breast area is allocated to a clothing manufacturer or sponsor then the Touch Nationals logo should be positioned centrally on the front of the upper garment of a size in accordance with paragraph 4.2 above.

4.5 Shorts must have the Regional logo, shield or appropriate team name positioned on the left leg, of an approximate dimension of not more than 10 cm wide and 10 cm high, depending on shape.

4.6 The England Touch Nationals logo and England Touch logo must be placed on any other visible aspect of the shorts

5 Sponsorship

5.1. Sponsor/s name/s or logo/s, Region/ or an individual player’s name may only be positioned on the back of the upper garment provided that the individual player’s number is clearly visible and the requirements of 5.2.1 to 5.2.3 are met.

5.2. A sponsor/s name/s or logo/s may be positioned on the front of the upper garment or on the front and / or back of the lower garment of player uniforms provided the following criteria apply:

5.2.1. The size of any sponsor/s logo/s or name/s must not occupy more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the visible space of the upper garment, nor be large enough or of a different colour to change the overall Region player uniform design, colour/s or appearance; and

5.2.2. The name/s, icon/s or nature of the sponsor logo/s are considered appropriate by the ETA; and

5.2.3. The sponsor name/s or logo/s must not conflict with any name/s or logo/s of an ETA sponsor.

5.3. Sponsor/s name/s or logo/s may be positioned on any sleeve of player uniforms provided the requirements of 5.2.1 to 5.2.3 are met.

6 Registration Requirements

6.1. Each Region is required to complete and submit a player uniform registration form no less than three months before the date of England Touch Nationals. It is essential that the player uniform registration process is completed prior to player uniform production and / or procurement for approval.

6.2. A player uniform registration form must be submitted if there has been a change to the colour, style or design of the previously registered playing uniform of the Region. A change includes any re-positioning of a logo or any amendment to any sponsorship inclusion or attachment.

6.3. Registration of uniform design is complete once approval of the design by the England Touch Board has been confirmed in writing. Each registered player uniform design will subsequently be advertised on the England Touch web site.

7 Application of Policy

7.1. This uniform policy applies to Regions participating in England Touch Nationals.

7.2. Any matter of interpretation of, or matter not provided for in this policy, shall be determined by the England Touch Board.

7.3. This policy was endorsed by the England Touch Board as a final draft on 2 April 2016 and the policy and any subsequent amendment of this policy, will take effect immediately upon communication to Regional Leads.

7.4. The policy is due for review in January 2017