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Every Pathways to Rugby we generate a PDF Photosheet with your selfie & Name so that we can remember you, and so you can get to know each other. Oh and we will be testing the coaches on names at the end of Pathways!

1. Program and voluntary participation

In consideration of permission to participate in the San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club’s (the “Club”) Pathway to Rugby program, I agree to this waiver for the introductory on-field sessions scheduled October 6–27, 2026, including any rescheduled, supplemental or additional sessions identified by the Club, and optional Club-organized social activities for participants in the program (the “Program”).

On-field activities are anticipated to include, but are not limited to, warm-ups, fitness drills, running, passing, catching, conditioning, falling, tackling drills, pad work, rucking, scrums, and controlled scrimmage as introduced by the coaches. For this waiver, “contact activities” means activities designated by Program leaders as involving planned rugby contact, including tackling, rucking, scrums and contact scrimmages. Beginner activities may include contact. Week one is planned as non-tackling. Later sessions will progressively introduce tackling and other rugby contact when Program leaders determine it is appropriate for the participants. Participants will be informed at least one practice before designated contact activities begin, and coaches will identify the contact activities before each drill begins.

I participate voluntarily. I may decline to participate in any drill, sit out, take a break, or stop at any time. I will follow coaching instructions, use required equipment, including a mouthguard for contact activities, and promptly report injuries or unsafe conditions. I will stop if I feel unwell, injured or unable to participate safely. I am not aware of any medical condition which would prevent my participation in or cause undue risk to me or others by nature of my participation in the Program. I will seek medical advice prior to beginning the Program if uncertain about my ability to participate.

This waiver covers the Program only. It does not cover regular squad or preseason training, matches, tournaments or out-of-town travel, regular season or preseason social events, or replace any separately required USA Rugby agreement. I am responsible for my own transportation to and from any activity in the Program. 

2. Risks and assumption of risk
Even beginner and “non-contact” activities involve risk. Risks include falls, unintended collisions, contact with people or equipment, uneven or slippery ground, weather, exertion, dehydration and communicable illness. Contact activities add additional risks from activities including, but not limited to, tackling, rucking, scrums and scrimmages. Possible consequences for both contact and non-contact activities include strains, sprains, cuts, fractures, dislocations, tears, ruptures, dental injuries, concussion or other brain injury, spinal injury, permanent disability, paralysis and death; property loss and lost income; as well as possible exposure to and illness from infectious diseases including but not limited to MRSA, influenza, and COVID-19. Coaching, precautions, supervision and protective equipment cannot eliminate these risks.

Risks may arise from my own actions, others’ actions, field or equipment conditions, and ordinary negligence in coaching, supervision, participation or emergency response. Optional social activities may involve additional risks, including those related to alcohol consumption, travel to and from events, and the conduct of other attendees or the general public.

I KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY ASSUME THESE RISKS, INCLUDING RISKS NOT PRESENTLY KNOWN OR FORESEEABLE, SUBJECT TO THE EXCLUSIONS IN SECTION 5.

3. Health coverage and medical expenses

The Club strongly recommends that I maintain medical or health insurance that covers injuries from the rugby activities I choose to undertake, whether as a policyholder, dependent or beneficiary. For designated contact activities, I must meet the insurance or registration requirement in section 4. For non-contact activities, the Club recommends but does not require personal medical or health insurance under this waiver; any separate registration or eligibility requirements still apply.

I am responsible for checking the scope, limits and exclusions of any insurance on which I rely. Meeting the Club’s participation requirement does not establish that a particular activity or injury is insured or that a claim will be paid.

I am responsible for any medical, ambulance, hospital, rehabilitation and other injury-related expenses to the extent not paid by insurance or another responsible source, including deductibles, copayments and excluded expenses. Subject to section 5, this includes expenses arising from ordinary negligence of a Released Party. Neither signing this form nor attending the Program guarantees insurance coverage or payment. This acknowledgment does not waive insurance benefits or any claims that section 5 preserves.

4. Contact participation requirements and USA Rugby registration

Before participating in designated contact activities, I must have either current medical or health insurance covering injuries from those activities, or current USA Rugby player registration appropriate to those activities, or both. This is the Club’s participation requirement; it does not override any separate registration or eligibility requirement imposed by USA Rugby, an event organizer or another applicable governing body. An intention to obtain insurance or register later does not meet this requirement.

I must maintain the insurance or registration on which I rely throughout my contact participation. If it expires, lapses or changes so that I no longer meet the requirement, I will notify the Club and stop contact participation until I meet the requirement again. I must not participate in designated contact activities unless I meet the Club’s requirement and any separate registration or eligibility requirements that apply. The Club may restrict or stop my participation if these requirements are not met or if coaches or other authorized Club personnel determine that participation would be unsafe.

The Club strongly recommends completing an appropriate, current USA Rugby player registration through Rugby Xplorer before the first Program session. Program signup and Club dues do not themselves complete USA Rugby registration. Any registration fees are determined by and paid to USA Rugby, not to the Club. I am responsible for ensuring that my registration is appropriate and current for each activity in which I participate.

Eligible registered participants may receive accident medical benefits for covered rugby injuries, subject to the applicable policy. Eligibility and payment depend on the policy terms, including registration before injury, eligible activities, sanctioning and Club and participant compliance. Benefits are subject to limits, exclusions, deductibles and claim requirements. Registration alone does not guarantee that a particular session or injury is covered; USA Rugby accident coverage is not comprehensive health insurance.

Registration: https://usa.rugby/members 
Insurance and current coverage information: https://usa.rugby/insurance 
Program assistance: recruiting@fogrugby.com

Select exactly one option below confirming your status for the Program. You acknowledge you understand the requirements and limitations above and affirm you will abide by them and update the Club if your status changes.

5. Release of liability for ordinary negligence & indemnification

The “Released Parties” are the San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club, and the officers, directors, administrators, coaches, employees, staff, volunteers, agents, members, players and other Program participants, each with respect to their involvement in the Program, as well as the Club’s fiscal sponsor, Dancers’ Group, and its officers, directors, administrators, employees, staff, volunteers, agents, and members, and the owners, lessors, licensors, and operators of any facilities, fields, or premises where Program activities take place.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, I RELEASE AND AGREE NOT TO SUE THE RELEASED PARTIES for claims arising from my participation in the Program for personal injury, illness, disability, death, property damage or related loss, INCLUDING CLAIMS CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF A RELEASED PARTY, including negligent coaching, supervision, instruction, participation, equipment use or emergency response.

Indemnity. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from third-party claims, and related costs and reasonable attorneys' fees, to the extent caused by my own negligence, willful misconduct or breach of this waiver during the Program. This indemnity does not apply to claims arising from the gross negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct of the party seeking indemnity, or to claims I bring myself, which are governed by the release above. This indemnity does not impose a duty to defend or advance defense costs. Any obligation to reimburse reasonable defense costs is limited to the extent those costs are attributable to my negligence, willful misconduct or breach of this waiver.

Exclusions. This agreement does not release gross negligence, recklessness, willful misconduct, fraud or any liability that cannot lawfully be waived. These exclusions apply to every provision of this waiver, including assumption of risk, expense responsibility and indemnification. Nothing here prevents an insurance claim for benefits available under an applicable policy.

6. Agreement and Signature

Agreement. This waiver binds me and my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. California law governs this waiver. Any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this waiver or the Program shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the city and county of San Francisco, California, and I consent to the jurisdiction of such courts. If a provision is unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain effective to the extent permitted by law. Changes require a written agreement signed by me and the Secretary of the Club, or their written designee.

No reliance on other statements. This waiver is the entire agreement between me and the Club about the matters it covers. I am not relying on any oral or written statement by any coach, volunteer, officer or other Club representative about the safety of the Program, the risks of rugby, insurance coverage, or my eligibility for USA Rugby benefits unless it is stated in this waiver. This paragraph does not excuse compliance with coaching or safety instructions, amend any USA Rugby agreement or insurance policy, or limit liability preserved under section 5, including liability for fraud.

Electronic signature and records. I agree that my electronic signature and electronic initials on this waiver, including by typing my name or initials, drawing my signature, or checking a box, have the same legal effect as handwritten ones. I consent to conduct this transaction and receive a copy of this waiver electronically. The Club may keep an electronic record of this waiver, and a copy or printout of that record is as valid as the original. I understand I can request a paper copy at any time by contacting secretary@fogrugby.com.

I am at least 18 years old. I have read all pages of this waiver, understand that I am giving up substantial legal rights, have had the opportunity to ask questions and seek independent advice, and sign freely and voluntarily.