Participation Agreement, Waiver and Release of Liability

Who signs. If the Participant is under 18, a parent or legal guardian signs and "I" refers to that parent or guardian. If the Participant is 18 or older, the Participant signs for themselves.

Medical information (for event medical staff; kept on this paper form, not entered into the tournament platform):

In consideration of the Participant being permitted to participate in the Event, I agree to every term of this Agreement.

I understand that rugby union is a full-contact sport and that participation in the Event involves inherent and significant risks that cannot be eliminated regardless of care taken, including but not limited to: sprains, fractures, dislocations and soft-tissue injuries; concussion and other traumatic brain injury; spinal cord injury and paralysis; heat-related illness; cardiac events; injuries arising from contact with other players, the ground, equipment, or field fixtures; conditions of the playing surface and weather; transmission of communicable disease; and, in rare cases, permanent disability or death.

I confirm the Participant is in suitable physical condition to compete, that I have disclosed above and to the Participant's team any medical condition relevant to safe participation, and that the Participant will wear appropriate protective equipment. I knowingly and voluntarily accept and assume all such risks on the Participant's behalf.

To the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law, I, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Participant and our heirs, successors, assigns, and personal representatives, hereby release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue the following (together, the "Released Parties"): Give it a Try, LLC, including in its operation of the Pathways and Rising Tide services, and its members, managers, officers, employees, contractors, coaches, volunteers, and agents; Mount St. Mary's University, its trustees, officers, employees, and agents, as venue host; match officials and event staff; participating teams and academies and their staff; and Event sponsors and vendors; from any and all claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, and causes of action arising out of or related to the Participant's presence at or participation in the Event, including claims arising from the ordinary negligence of any Released Party.

This release does not extend to gross negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct; does not extend to professional medical malpractice by a licensed health care provider; and nothing in this Agreement waives rights that cannot be waived under applicable law.

I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from claims brought by third parties to the extent arising from (a) the Participant's or my own conduct at the Event, or (b) my breach of this Agreement, including reasonable attorneys' fees. This section does not require me to indemnify any Released Party against a claim brought by or on behalf of the Participant.

I authorize Event staff and medical personnel to secure emergency medical treatment for the Participant, including first aid, ambulance transport, and hospital care. Event staff will make prompt, reasonable efforts to notify me, but treatment is not conditioned on reaching me. I understand and agree that: I am financially responsible for all medical care and transport the Participant receives; GIAT does not provide medical, accident, or health insurance for participants, and I am responsible for maintaining adequate coverage; and Event medical staff may evaluate the Participant and remove them from play where continued participation appears unsafe, and that decision is final.

I have received the concussion information sheet provided with this form (CDC HEADS UP concussion fact sheet for parents, or equivalent provided by the Event) and have reviewed the signs, symptoms, and dangers of concussion, including the risk of continuing to play after a suspected head injury. I understand the Event follows a remove-from-play protocol: any participant suspected of sustaining a concussion will be removed from play immediately, will not return to play that day, and will not return to play in the Event without written clearance from a licensed health care provider.

I confirm the information provided for the Participant, including date of birth and division eligibility, is true and accurate, and I understand that falsified eligibility results in the Participant's removal from the Event. The Participant agrees to abide by the laws of the game, the direction of match officials and Event staff, and basic standards of sportsmanship. Abuse of officials, players, or spectators may result in removal from the Event.

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Maryland; any dispute shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Frederick County, Maryland. If any provision is held unenforceable, the remainder remains in full force, and the unenforceable provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permitted. A signature provided electronically has the same force as an original under the federal E-SIGN Act and the Maryland Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. This Agreement, together with the Media and Likeness Release and the Digital Services Disclosure and Data Use Consent executed for the Event, is the entire agreement concerning its subject matter.

I have read this agreement, I understand it is a release of liability including for ordinary negligence, and I sign it freely and voluntarily.