National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) is pleased to announce the formation of the NCR Referee Committee Laws Subcommittee and is now actively accepting applications for several vital positions ahead of the upcoming fall season. Building on the recent launch of the Collegiate Referee Laws Committee (CRLC), this new subcommittee will play a critical role in supporting consistency, transparency, and constructive engagement surrounding the application and interpretation of the laws of the game across all NCR competitions.

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Working collaboratively with coaches, referees, competition staff, and NCR leadership, the subcommittee is tasked with ensuring that law interpretations and review processes support player welfare, competitive balance, and the overall vision for collegiate rugby in the United States.

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The committee’s primary strategic and operational goals are to ensure consistent law application nationwide, create a transparent, credible review process for coach-submitted clips, and foster constructive dialogue. By proactively identifying law trends and providing clear communication on inquiries, the subcommittee will deliver actionable insights while maintaining strict accountability through regular reporting to the NCR Referee Executive Committee.

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The Laws Subcommittee is chaired by Christopher Chopra Micheletti, who leads the group, manages coach-submitted inquiries, and presents recommendations to the Executive Committee. He is joined by NCR Referee Director Dave Haines, Men’s Competition Director Brad Dufek and NCR Women’s Competition Director Alycia Washington.

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To round out the committee, NCR is seeking qualified candidates for four open positions: a Referee Coach, a Men’s Team Coach Representative, a Women’s Team Coach Representative, and a Member at Large.

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The Referee Coach will serve as the secondary lead on law interpretation, stepping in when the Chair must recuse themselves. This role requires high-level technical expertise and a strong, current knowledge of World Rugby laws and game management principles.

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The Men's and Women's Coach Representatives will ensure the interests and perspectives of NCR coaches and teams are strongly represented. These individuals will participate in law review discussions and help identify trends within their respective competitions. Applicants must currently coach within NCR—with an initial preference given to Division 1 coaches—and must secure two recommendations from peers within their division.

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Finally, the Member at Large position is open to any individual in good standing within the NCR community, including players, referees, parents, or administrators. This role provides an independent, broader perspective to support communication across the rugby community. Applicants must demonstrate a solid understanding of the laws and submit recommendations from at least two NCR organizations with which they are not currently affiliated.

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To ensure broad representation and avoid conflicts of interest, all appointed coaches and the Member at Large must be affiliated with different college programs. Furthermore, these individuals may not sit on the Executive Committee or any other NCR subcommittee, ensuring their dedicated focus on the Laws Subcommittee.

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Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by submitting a letter or email outlining their background in NCR, their suitability for the role, and the unique perspective they will bring to the committee. Applications and the required position-specific recommendations should be directed to Christopher Chopra Micheletti at lawscommittee@ncr.rugby. 

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