Role definitions
Items specific to the community game are highlighted in yellow
Within your role of Tournament Manager, you will come into contact with many other individuals involved in the process of staging the Tournament. First let’s look at some role titles along with their commonly-used abbreviations.
| Abbreviation | Role title |
|---|---|
| ADC | Anti-Doping Commissioner |
| AO | Appeal Officer |
| CC | Citing Commissioner |
| CPVM | Commercial Programme Venue Manager |
| DCO | Doping Control Officer |
| DDO | Disciplinary Designated Officer |
| FM | Field Manager |
| JO | Judicial Officer |
| LO | Liaison Officer |
| MDD | Match Day Doctor |
| MM | Match Manager |
| MOs | Match Officials |
| MPO | Match Press Officer |
| RNS | Rugby News Services |
| TC | Tournament Commission |
| TCC | Tournament Coordination Committee |
| TD/TML | Tournament Doctor/Tournament Medical Lead |
| TM | Team Manager |
| TMO | Television Match Official |
| VM | Venue Manager |
| VBM | Venue Broadcast Manager |
Key interactions
You’ll work with a wide variety of other individuals in your role as Tournament Manager. Here we’ll look at some key interactions.
Team Manager (TM)
Each participating team has a Team Manager who is responsible for team conduct and adherence to the Terms of Participation. This Team Manager will be your primary point of contact for all team-related matters related to the Tournament.
Liaison Officer (LO)
The Liaison Officer (LO) is sometimes also called the Team Attaché. Their duties are:
- to accompany the team to which they are assigned during the tournament (matches, activities and events), from the time they arrive until their departure
- to coordinate all important team information and distribute it as necessary
- to ensure the team is receiving all relevant information from the tournament organisers
- to assist the team and carry out any other tasks which can be reasonably expected of them.
The LO receives the same accreditation as the team so has access to the same zones in the venue, the official accomodation and the training grounds. They will stay with the teams at their accomodation during the during the tournament.
Match Manager (MM)
The Match Managers are the lead organising committee person in match planning and delivery. They will be the main operational contact for the Tournament Manager.
Their key responsibilities include the coordination of Tournament venue staff, tournament suppliers, functional area managers and key commercial stakeholders in the planning and delivery of matches.
Field Managers (FM)
Field Managers, if available, are assigned to each field in a multi-field tournament, to
- Implement the tournament schedule and Terms of Participation,
- Address any delays and communicate as needed to affected teams,
- Ensure that scores are recorded accurately and reported as directed,
- Liaise with the Tournament Manager to address any other issues at their field in a way that meets the tournament expectations.
Match Officials (MOs)
A relevant number of Referees and Assistant referees will have been appointed to the tournament. Additionally, depending on the tournament and/or level of the matches, the following additional Match Officials may have been appointed:
- Television Match Official (TMO)
- Relevant Technical Zone Staff.
Key interactions with the Tournament Manager will include addressing any issues with team compliance in connection with the Technical Zone protocols, field of play issues and team kit specifications while team members are on the field.
Team member compliance with the team kit specifications is the responsibility of the Tournament Manager while team member compliance with the Laws of the Game (e.g. leg strapping, forearm guards, etc) is the responsibility of the Match Officials.
Tournament Managers will also liaise closely with Match Officials on potential implementation of the Delays, Postponements and Cancellation policy and the implementation of extra-time and kicking competitions at knockout matches.
Match Press Officer (MPO)
The MPO is responsible for media operations in the venue. Primary interaction with Tournament Manager will be on any issues related to media positions on the field of play and team compliance with media elements of the Tournament Run Sheet.
The Tournament Manager generally is not required to make public comments to the media. This is facilitated through the Match Press Officer.
Anti-Doping Commissioner (ADC)
The ADC is the senior official responsible for the implementation of the Tournament Anti-Doping Programme. Key interactions with the Tournament Manager involve any assistance in addressing issues with Team Managers and Team Members.
Venue Manager (VM)
The Venue Manager is responsible for all the logistics connected with the running of the venue.
Venue Broadcast Manager (VBM)
If the tournament with which you are engaged is being televised, there will be a VBM. The VBM will not report to the Tournament Manager, however the two positions should liaise to address and resolve any relevant issues.
Tournament Doctor (TD)
The Tournament Doctor's responsibilities are:
- Co-ordinate medical services delivered during the Tournament
- Support the Team Doctor with an injured player (if requested)
- Adjudicate whether blood injuries merit temporary substitution as per regulations
- Request a HIA on a player if criteria defined in HIA procedures are identified
- Enforce permanent removal from field of play if a player has signs as defined in the HIA procedures for permanent removal
- Observe the HIA with the Team Doctor delivering the HIA unless assigned this responsibility by the Team Doctor
- Undertake HIA if the TD is assigned the responsibility for undertaking a HIA by the Team Doctor. The TD will complete the HIA and be responsible for deciding return to play unless there are simultaneous HIAs being completed
- If the TD is concerned regarding a return to play following a HIA, this should be discussed with the Team Doctor. If an ongoing dispute persists, the TD can request a repeat of the HIA before or after the player returns to play
- Remove a player from further match participation in a game if indicated as per Regulation - If the nominated Tournament Doctor gives his opinion that a player should not continue playing on account of his injury, (whether such injury is a blood injury or otherwise) that player shall not be allowed to resume playing. The opinion of the nominated Tournament Doctor shall be conveyed to the player’s Union or its representative and it is then for that Union to decide whether or not a replacement shall be introduced
- Confirm that Team Doctors have completed a post-tournament, same-day HIA2 on all players removed permanently or temporarily with a head injury during a game
- Confirm that Team Doctors are aware that all HIA paperwork is to be forwarded to the relevant authorities including the post-match, same-day HIA2
- Confirm if World Rugby Heat Guidelines require implementation on days of extreme temperatures.
Tournament Medical Lead (TML)
The Tournament Medical Lead responsibilities are:
- Co-ordinate medical services delivered during the Tournament
- Support the Team medical personnel with an injured player (if requested)
- Adjudicate whether blood injuries merit temporary substitution as per regulations
- Remove a player from further participation that day if indicated as per Regulation - If the nominated TML gives his opinion that a player should not continue playing on account of their injury that player shall not be allowed to resume playing. The opinion of the TML shall be conveyed to the player’s Manager or Coach.
- Apply World Rugby Player Welfare Guidelines as appropriate, e.g. determining if the World Rugby Heat Guidelines require implementation of a 2-minute cooling break in matches.
- Ensure adherence to the Recognise and Remove Protocol.
- Coordinate any required injury reporting.