2026 FRU AGM Minutes

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August 16, 2026
Call to Order: 11:02am

Roll Call: Ave Maria University , Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Men, University of North Florida Men, Bay Area Pelicans, Boca Raton, Brevard Old Red Eye, Florida Atlantic University Men, Florida State Men, Florida State Women, Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville, Jacksonville Men, Miami Tridents, Saint Thomas University Men, Saint Thomas University Women, SWFL Hammerheads, Tallahassee, Tampa Bay Krewe Women, Treasure Coast Men, University of Florida Women, University of South Florida Men, University of South Florida Women, University of Miami Men, Fort Miami, MAU Men, FIU Men

Presidents Report

Club accomplishments: 

  • Tampa Krewe Women – State & Gulf Coast Regional Champions; D2 National Runner-Up
  • Fort Lauderdale Men – State Champions; Gulf Coast Regional qualifier; D2 National Top 16
  • Brevard Men – State Champions; Gulf Coast Regional qualifier; D2 National Runner-Up
  • Hammerhead Women – Gulf Coast Regional D3 representatives; finished #2
  • MAU Men – D1AA 15s, 3rd Place
  • UNF Men – D2 National Champions
  • UF Women – #1 in Florida 15s; CRC 7s National Round of 16
  • FSU Women – CRC 7s National Round of 16
  • Phoenix Women 7s – #1 South Region seed; 9th nationally & Bowl Champions
  • Orlando Women 7s – #2 South Region seed; 13th nationally & Shield Champions
  • Blitzbird Men 7s – 4th in the South Region

Thank you to Sarasota for hosting states. 

Treasurer Report

2025 – 2026 Budget

Policy Reminders

Insurance Reminders

  • Impact of non-registered players
  • Playing against other NGBs
  • International Clearances
  • Changes in coverage
  • You should not play rugby if you do not have your own primary health insurance

Referees

  • Referee Course in Tallahassee 9/12. 
  • Need an additional referee course in the fall. The union needs more refs!
  • Ref Course Requirements:
    • Need an indoor facility and an outdoor field
    • 10 participants 
  • Confirm Referees by Wednesday before the match
  • Increase this year in match fees. FRRA increasing to $120 for 15s game. 7s is $40 a match. 

Match Week Procedures and RX

  • Match rosters due by 8pm Friday
  • Need dedicated admins, need to ensure substitutions are entered
  • Player Transfers, these should be in by Wednesday before matches. Ensure player goes back in and register for the club

Communications

Events

  • Fall Florida Series. Union will help subsidize the refs for these series.
    • Has to be at least four clubs
    • Min of six matches
    • Halfs need to be at least 25 minute 
    • Provide area for officials and refs
    • Need to be entered in Rugby Xplorer 
  • FCC 7s-TBA and more information to come
  • 2027 State Championship in Leesburg, April 17th
  • 2027 Regionals Bid for Senior Clubs and we are bidding in Lakewood Ranch, May 
  • 2027 Summer 7s. Try to host at least qualifier 
  • College Women is Love at first Ruck in Valentines weekend 
  • Women College All Stars, January 17-19th at Austin Tindall
    • There will be a youth showcase during this and contact Ashford (admin@floridarugby.org) if your youth team is interested in playing

The Rugby Site and Coaching Development

  • If you are a coach and you are interested please reach out to us and we will give you access

Law Changes

  • There have been law changes this year. Please ensure you review them

Select Sides/All Stars

  • Talk to you VP
  • Shoutout to the Florida Fury (representatives from Florida College Women) for coming in 3rd in the country last year

Acknowledgements

  • Thank you to the union officers
  • Thank you to Ashford for being an amazing administrator
  • Thank you to Michael Gomez for stepping up while Kerri was out with some medical issues 

Election of Union officers

President-Graham Knoop-Nominated by Tampa Krewe Men. 2nd by Sarasota

  • Vote by acclamation approved

VP Men-Terry Keyzer. Nominated by Orlando Me. 2nd by Daytona 

  • Vote by acclamation approved
  • Tallahassee Abstains 

VP Club Development-Michael Gomez. Nominated by FSU Men. 2nd by FAU Men

  • Vote by acclamation approved

Treasurer-Kerri O’Malley.Nominated by FSU Men. 2nd by UF Men

  • Vote by acclamation approved 

New Business

  • New Clubs and Removal of Inactive Clubs
    • Hammerhead Women
      • Tampa moves to accept Hammerhead Women. 2nd by Fort Miami. 
        • Approved
    • Miami Sirens, table acceptance as they are not attending 
      • UF, Brevard 2nd. 
        • Approved

USF Women, FSU Women to close

End meeting 1:07pm