THE NSW JUNIOR RUGBY UNION CODE OF CONDUCT

Rugby is steeped in tradition and has a reputation for good sportsmanship. Under no circumstances will the Union condone any verbal abuse of opposition players, officials or referees by our players or supporters. Please remember the referee’s decision is final!

The NSW Junior Rugby Union have prepared a Code of Conduct designed to ensure that Rugby must be administered, taught and provided, for the good of those young people who wish to play the game. To view a full copy of the Code of Conduct click here.

CODE OF CONDUCT - PLAYER

• Be a good sport. Respect all good play whether from your team or the opposition. Form a tunnel after the game and shake hands with and thank the opposition players and referees after the game — win, lose or draw.
• Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit.
• Except when acting as a Captain of a team, never question a referee’s decision.
• Never become involved in acts of foul play.
• Honour both the spirit and letter of the competition rules and live up to the highest ideals of ethics and sportsmanship; and respect the traditions of the game.
• Never engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort including profanity, sledging, obscene gestures, offensive remarks, trash-talking, taunting or other actions that are demeaning to other players, officials or supporters.
• Care for and respect the facilities and equipment made available to you during training and competition.
• Safeguard your health; don’t use any illegal or unhealthy substances.
• Recognize that officials, coaches and referees are volunteers who give up their time to provide their services. Treat them with the utmost respect.

CODE OF CONDUCT - COACH

• Actively discourage foul play, unsportsmanlike behavior, dissent or querying of referee decisions by players or coaching staff during games.
• Seek to maximise the participation and enjoyment for all players regardless of ability; avoid the tendency to over-use a talented player; treat all players as equals, regardless of their talent.
• Show concern and caution towards all sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a physician and/or sports trainer to the letter when determining when an injured player is ready to recommence training or playing.
• Teach players that an honest effort and competing to the best of their ability is as important as victory.
• Maintain appropriate, professional relationships with players at all times.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of the laws of the game and keep abreast of current coaching methods; maintain or improve your current accreditation level.
• Always consider the health, safety and welfare of the players.
• Teach young players to realise that there is a big gap between their play and the professional game; do not coach them as if they are professionals.
• Ensure that your coaching reflects the level of the competition being played; do not be a “winner-at-all-costs” coach.
• As coach, conduct yourself at all times in a manner, and in all situations, that shows leadership, respect for the game of Rugby Union and respect for all those that are involved in the game — the players, officials, the fans, the parents, the referees and the media.
• Encourage your team to form a tunnel for your opposition at the conclusion of every game.
• Seek to shake hands with the referee and opposition coach at the conclusion of every game.

CODE OF CONDUCT - REFEREE / TOUCH JUDGE / OFFICIALS

• Apply all the laws fairly and to both teams. Be consistent, objective and courteous.
• Place the safety and welfare of the players above all else; be alert to minimise dangerous play.
• Accept responsibility for all of your actions.
• Do not debate any issues of law with coaches, team officials, parents and spectators during play.
• Avoid any situation, which may lead to a conflict of interest, both on and off the field.
• Maintain an appropriate level of fitness for the standard of game at which you are officiating.
• Deal firmly and decisively with foul play.
• Set a good example by the way you dress, speak and act towards players, coaches, officials, parents and spectators.
• Show concern and caution towards sick and injured players.
• Officiate to the age and/or experience of the players.

CODE OF CONDUCT – SPECTATOR / PARENT

• Condemn all violent or illegal acts, whether they are by players, coaches, officials, parents or spectators.
• Respect the referee’s decisions — don’t complain or argue about calls or decisions during or after a game.
• Behave! Unsportsmanlike language, harassment or aggressive behavior will not be tolerated.
• Encourage players to play by the laws and to respect opposition players and officials.
• Never ridicule or scorn a player for making a mistake — respect their efforts.
• Understand that sport is part of a total life experience, and the benefits of involvement go far beyond the final score of a game.
• Participate in positive cheering that encourages the players in the team you are supporting; do not engage in any cheering that taunts or intimidates opponents, their fans or officials.
• Remember that children participate in Rugby Union for their own enjoyment, not yours!
• At all times, follow the directions of the Ground Marshall and/or other match day staff.
• Never arrive at a game under the influence of alcohol.

CODE OF CONDUCT - PENALTIES

1. No person attending a match shall:
• Use offensive or obscene language;
• Enter the Field of Play during the course of a match without the prior approval of the Ground Marshall appointed by the home club and/or union;
• Dispute the decision of a referee or touch judge;
• Assault or act with aggression to any person/s;
• Behave in a way contrary to this Code of Conduct and/or the spirit of the game;
• Behave in a way which disturbs the enjoyment of the match by any other person/s, or brings discredit to the home club and/or union;
• Act in such a way as to exhibit racial intolerance;
• Refuse to accept the reasonable direction of the Ground Marshall, official of the home club and/or union, or official of the team/club which that person/s is supporting.
1. Any person/s contravening Rule 1 (above) may be reported by the Ground Marshall to the Team Manager or other official of the team which that person/s is supporting. Where a team does not have a Team Manager present, a request or direction from the Ground Marshall to any official of the team or the team’s club shall be regarded as a direction to the Team Manager for the purposes of this Code.
2. The Ground Marshall and/or Team Manager must advise the offending person/s of the relevant breach of the Code. The Ground Marshall must note the details of their report to the Team Manager on the reverse of the team sheet.
3. In the event that the inappropriate conduct continues, the Ground Marshall and/or Team Manager may request the offender/s to immediately leave the ground. This should also be noted on the team sheet.
4. In the event the person/s refuses to obey the direction of the Ground Marshall and/or Team Manager, the Ground Marshall will call the police and ask them to come and eject the person from the ground. The person should be informed that this is the next step to be taken so that they can voluntarily leave the ground if they wish.
5. Clubs which do not exercise all reasonable control over their players, parents/carers of players, coaches, officials or spectators may be requested by the NSWJRU or its affiliates to accept responsibility for their actions and the following penalties may apply (in addition to penalties which may be imposed by the appropriate judiciary):

FIRST OFFENCE

A fine, and/or loss of competition points, and/or suspension of the player from playing, and/or suspension of the offender/s from attending future matches.

SECOND OFFENCE

Suspension of the offender and/or team and/or club either for the remainder of the season, or permanently.