Terms, Privacy & Supplement Policy

Terms & Conditions

Booking Form Terms — Rugby Academy Ireland Limited

In this Booking Form the word "Organiser" means Rugby Academy Ireland Limited (RAI), trading as Rugby Academy Ireland, having its registered office at Emo Court, Emo, Co. Laois, Ireland, Company Registration Number 623831. "Consumer" means you, the person who takes or agrees to book a RAI programme, or any person on whose behalf you agree to purchase the RAI programme and who is listed on the Booking Form.

1. The Contract

(A) Bookings: No contract shall arise until the Organiser issues you with a Booking Reference Number. The terms of the contract between the Consumer and the Organiser are contained solely in this Booking Form, the Organiser's confirmation, and the Organiser's brochure or other descriptive material.

(B) The Organiser reserves the right to terminate the contract with the Consumer if the behaviour or conduct of the Consumer during the programme is likely to endanger the safety or wellbeing of other Consumers, the Organiser, or the Organiser's representatives, contractors, agents or employees, and the cancellation charges are payable by the Consumer. Where, as a result of the Consumer's actions or the actions of any other person listed on this Booking Form, accommodation is damaged, the Consumer agrees to indemnify the Organiser against any claim (including legal costs) made against the Organiser in relation to such incidents.

2. Special Requests

Special requests shall be communicated by the Consumer in writing to the Organiser or Retailer at the time of booking. The Organiser shall use reasonable endeavours to fulfil such requests, but the granting of such requests is the sole responsibility of the property management. No liability shall attach to the Organiser for failure to comply with a special request and such requests do not form part of the contract.

3. Consumer Responsibilities

• The Consumer accepts that any participant under 18 years of age must have the explicit permission of their parent or guardian before taking part in any activity/course offered by the Organiser, and acknowledges awareness and acceptance in full of the risks involved.
• To partake in the Full Time Academy programme, the booking process must be followed in full: Application, Interview, Registration, Payment and Confirmation.
• The Consumer acknowledges the requirement that all information provided in the application process is true and correct.
• The Organiser can cancel the booking at any stage if any information provided is untrue, or if the Organiser's code of conduct and policies are not followed.
• A certain level of fitness is required to partake in RAI programmes, and it is the Consumer's responsibility to inform the Organiser of any relevant illnesses or medical conditions during registration and in advance of any unsuitable activity.
• Certain activities have an element of danger; the Consumer is fully aware of this risk before taking part of their own free will. Risks include physical or psychological injury, pain, suffering, illness, disfigurement, temporary or permanent paralysis and/or death, and the Consumer accepts all related risks.
• The Consumer agrees to be bound by the safety regulations of any venues used and of the Organiser, including wearing appropriate safety equipment, following staff instructions, and not being under the influence of alcohol or drugs during programme activities.
• The Consumer accepts and authorises the Organiser, in the event of requiring medical treatment, to get appropriate medical assistance, accepting responsibility for the cost of any such action.
• The Consumer accepts responsibility for the safekeeping of equipment provided for specific programme activities; the Organiser reserves the right to charge for any equipment lost or damaged through misuse, excepting standard wear and tear.
• The Consumer shall check all documentation immediately upon receipt and notify the Organiser of any query or error without delay.
• The Consumer agrees to abide by all instructions or directions given by Organiser staff and to indemnify the Organiser against any loss or injury suffered by any other person as a consequence of failing to act in accordance with any such direction.
• It is the sole responsibility of the Consumer to look after their own possessions.

4. Liabilities

The Organiser shall not be liable for any damage caused to the Consumer by the failure to perform, or improper performance of, the contract where this is not due to any fault of the Organiser or Retailer, because: (a) the failure is attributable to the Consumer; (b) it is attributable to a third party unconnected with the services and therefore unforeseeable or unavoidable; or (c) it is due to unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the Organiser's control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even with all due care.

The Organiser will operate to the highest safety standards but cannot be held liable for damages, injuries or loss of possessions, and Consumers are advised to obtain personal insurance. We strongly advise valuable items be left at home. Misbehaviour will result in suspension from the Academy with no refund given. The Organiser is not responsible for any minors left unsupervised outside the hours set out within the programme purchased.

5. Complaints

If the Consumer wishes to make a complaint in relation to the course, they must immediately inform the Organiser's representative at the location where the complaint arises, and complete a complaint form if required. The Consumer must notify the Organiser in writing of any complaint no later than 28 days after the programme is completed — no complaint received thereafter shall be entertained.

6. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

The terms of the contract are interpreted under, and subject to, the laws of the Republic of Ireland, and each party submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of Ireland in regard to any matter arising from or touching upon this Agreement.

7. Payment

(A) Programmes excluding the Full Time Rugby Academy: Payment must be made in full at least 8 weeks before the scheduled programme start date, or in full on completion of the Booking Form if made later than 8 weeks before start. If not paid by the due date, the Organiser may cancel the programme; cancellation charges are non-refundable and apply as follows:

• 12 weeks prior to arrival — 30% of total cost
• 8–12 weeks prior to arrival — 50% of total cost
• 4–8 weeks prior to arrival — 75% of total cost
• Within 4 weeks of arrival — 100% of total cost

All cancellation charges apply to each person covered by a booking.

(B) The Full Time Rugby Academy: Successful applicants pay a 15% deposit of the full package fee upfront, with the remaining total paid in equal monthly instalments in advance. Non-payment on 30-day standard terms may result in the Consumer's place being withdrawn. If the Consumer cancels their own participation, or the Organiser cancels for material breach of contract terms, one month's advance payment is forfeited.

8. Substitution

Where the Consumer is prevented from proceeding with a booked programme, they may transfer the booking to a person who satisfies all required conditions, having given the Organiser at least 7 days' written notice before the programme start date. The transferee must sign a Booking Form and comply with all applicable requirements. A Consumer who transfers a booking remains jointly and severally liable with the transferee for any balance due.

9. Alteration By The Consumer

If, after acceptance, a Consumer wishes to alter a programme booking, the Organiser may do so at its discretion where practicable, following a written request. No alteration is effective until the Organiser issues written confirmation of acceptance. Where a change affecting some Consumers on the same booking requires a price adjustment, this must be discharged by the date shown in the Organiser's written confirmation. Default in complying with these requirements entitles the Organiser to cancel, with cancellation charges applying as in Clause 7.

10. Alterations & Cancellations By The Organiser

Without prejudice to the Consumer's statutory rights, the Organiser reserves the right to alter, change, curtail or cancel a programme. Where this is due to force majeure — unforeseeable circumstances beyond the Organiser's control, including Acts of God, natural disasters, adverse weather, fire, strikes, industrial action, fraud perpetrated against the Organiser, or any other reason beyond the Organiser's control — the Consumer shall not be entitled to claim compensation for loss arising from the curtailment, alteration or cancellation.

A minimum number of bookings is required for each programme. If the minimum is not reached, or falls below the minimum due to cancellations or transfers, the Organiser may cancel or curtail the programme up to 4 weeks prior to the start date without liability for loss. The Organiser will notify the Consumer within 7 days of any such cancellation or curtailment.

11. Data Protection

The Organiser is committed to protecting your privacy and information. A copy of our privacy policy is available below. Information provided is held on Rugby Academy Ireland Ltd systems for the purpose of fulfilling the Organiser's contractual obligations. By entering into a contract with us, you agree to the use and disclosure of information as described. You have the right to have any inaccurate personal information rectified or erased, and can request a copy of your personal information held by RAI at any time.

12. Communications

As part of the booking process for all programmes, the Consumer will be asked to opt in to: (I) the use of their photo and video images by the Organiser for promotional purposes; and (II) future marketing communications from the Organiser. Consumers may change these preferences at any time via links in marketing communications, or by contacting the Organiser directly.

Privacy Policy

Rugby Academy Ireland Limited

Who We Are

Rugby Academy Ireland Limited respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy notice explains how Rugby Academy Ireland collects and processes your personal data gathered through any of the ways we engage with you — such as using our website, engaging with us on social media, attending an event we've organised, communicating following a commercial or business meeting, or where we've identified you or your business as a prospect or supplier.

What Personal Data Do We Collect From You?

Personal data you provide to us: when using our website, or if we are in touch with you in a professional capacity, you may provide us with personal data — all personally identifiable information ("PII") that directly or indirectly identifies you, such as your name, email address, phone number and location data.

Personal data we collect through your use of our website: we collect limited personal data beyond what you choose to provide — your IP address, browser software, operating system, and the time and date on which you visited the website.

For What Purpose Do We Use Or Process Your Personal Data?

• Performing our services
• Providing you with information about the event you are attending
• Analytics and market research to perform or improve our services
• Sending emails or making sales/operational phone calls
• Processing complaints or customer service inquiries, handling disputes, performing audits and meeting statutory requirements

We do not use automated decision-making when processing personal information.

With Whom Do We Share Your Personal Data?

Personal data may be transferred to third parties who act for or on our behalf, for further processing in accordance with the purpose(s) for which the data were originally collected, or may otherwise be lawfully processed — such as service delivery, evaluating the usefulness of this website, marketing, data management or technical support.

Legal Requirements & Law Enforcement

We process data in accordance with Data Protection Legislation: the EU Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC, the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003, the Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive 2002/58/EC and the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 ("GDPR"), together with equivalent legislation of any other applicable jurisdiction and all other applicable laws, regulations, approved codes of conduct, certifications, seals or marks relating to the processing of personal data.

Security Of Your Personal Information

In accordance with applicable laws and regulations, we have taken adequate technical and organisational measures to safeguard the security of your personal information. We store personal information on a secure database protected by technical access controls, and periodically review our collection, storage and processing practices — including physical security measures — to guard against unauthorised access to systems.

We restrict access to personal information to employees, contractors and agents who need to know that information to process it for us, and who are subject to strict contractual confidentiality obligations, with disciplinary or termination consequences for failing to meet these obligations.

While we strive to protect your personally identifiable data, we make no guarantees or assurances about our ability to prevent any loss, access or misuse, and are not responsible in the event that such loss or misuse occurs.

What Are Your Rights?

Under EU GDPR law, you may: withdraw consent for processing your personal information at any time; object to or restrict processing; or request Rugby Academy Ireland to provide you a copy of your personal information, information about processing, or a correction or deletion of your personal information.

Supplement Policy

Authored by David Nolan — September 2019

General Policy

Rugby Academy Ireland (RAI) advocates a food-first approach to performance nutrition. The diet of an athlete should consist predominantly of whole foods. Nutritional supplements can play a beneficial role in an athlete's nutritional strategy, but supplements cannot make up for an inadequate diet overall.

RAI does not advocate the use of ergogenic nutritional supplements for players under the age of 18. RAI agrees with the supplement policy of the IRFU, which states:

1. Young rugby players should focus on good eating and drinking practices to support optimum performance.
2. The use of protein supplements should not be recommended by schools, coaches, teachers or others involved in the training of young rugby players.
3. The IRFU strongly advises against the use of nutritional ergogenic aids, in particular creatine, in young rugby players under 18 years of age.
4. Young rugby players with medical conditions (for example diabetes, asthma, coeliac disease and nutritional allergies) should receive appropriate medical and nutritional advice to assist their optimum performance.

The full IRFU guidelines can be viewed at irishrugby.ie/playing-the-game/nutrition/supplements.

The use of whey protein by underage players is acceptable, as whey protein is a food supplement rather than an ergogenic aid.

For senior players, RAI acknowledges the role nutritional and ergogenic supplements can play in addition to a high-quality diet. RAI advocates the use of a small, select number of supplements which have been well researched and shown to have a positive effect on performance when used appropriately.

The Advocated Supplements

1. Whey Protein Powder

Whey protein is a by-product of cheese making. It is a high quality, food-sourced nutritional supplement which can act as a convenient source of protein to meet daily protein needs. RAI advocates a daily protein intake for its players of 1.6–2.0 grams per kilogram of bodyweight per day.

2. Creatine

Creatine is found naturally in foods such as steak and fish. It is a highly researched supplement shown to be beneficial for muscle growth, strength increase and sports performance, with no negative health consequences shown in those with no pre-existing medical conditions. Creatine monohydrate is the most researched and efficacious form.

RAI recommends a dose of 5 grams per day for players under 90kg and 7 grams per day for players over 90kg. It is not necessary to engage in a "loading" phase.

3. Multi-Vitamin & Mineral

Vitamins and minerals are essential components in an athlete's diet. A diet with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables will supply a sufficient amount for most athletes. If an athlete is lacking in specific vitamins or minerals, a multivitamin may be beneficial to account for dietary shortfalls.

4. Fish Oils

Fish oils such as Omega-3s may have a small, beneficial effect on health. Including oily fish 1–2 times per week in the diet should supply adequate levels.