CODES OF CONDUCT
The following codes of conduct (Players, Coaches, Spectators, Parents, Match Officials and Social Media) should be followed by all persons taking part or watching Rugby Football Union matches involving Oadby Wyggestonian RFC teams:
PLAYERS
Players should recognise that the club is working to provide a safe and enjoyable game in which they can develop both as a player and as an individual.
Players are encouraged to:
Recognise and appreciate the efforts made by coaches, parents, match officials and administrators in providing them with the opportunity to play the game and enjoy the rugby environment.
Understand the values of loyalty and commitment.
Recognise that every player has a right to expect their involvement in rugby to be safe and free from all types of abuse.
Understand that if an individual or group of players feel that they are not being treated in a manner that is acceptable, they have a right to tell an officer of the club.
Treat the clubhouse, grounds and equipment with respect.
Players should:
Play because they want to do so, not to please coaches or parents.
Be attentive at all training / coaching sessions.
Recognise good play by ALL players on their team and by their opponents.
Be a good sportsman – win or lose.
Play to the laws of the game and accept, without question, all the referee’s decisions.
Control their emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of team-mates, opponents or match officials is not acceptable.
Treat all players, as they would like to be treated.
PARENTS
At Oadby Wyggestonian RFC we acknowledge that parents are an integral part of the partnership, which ensures that young players enjoy their involvement in the sport and experience an environment in which they can flourish.
Parents are encouraged to:
Be familiar with the coaching and training programme in order that they can ensure that their child is fully involved and the coaches are aware of their availability.
Be familiar with the teaching and coaching methods used by observing the sessions in which your child participates.
Be aware that the club has a duty of care and therefore, where appropriate, assist coaches with the supervision of young players, particularly where numbers are large and there is a need to transport youngsters to away games.
Be involved with club activities and share your expertise.
Share concerns, if you have them, with club officials.
Support coaches in keeping winning and losing in perspective, encouraging young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
Parents should:
Remember that young people play rugby for their own enjoyment not that of their parents.
Encourage young people to play – do not force them.
Be realistic about the young players’ ability; do not push them towards a level that they are not capable of achieving.
Provide positive verbal feedback both in training and during the game.
Always support the club in their efforts to eradicate loud, coarse and abusive language from the game.
Respect decisions made by the match officials and encourage the young players to do likewise.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Match officials are an integral part of the development of young players. They have a responsibility to ensure that games are managed in such a way as to ensure both the safety and enjoyment of all players. Equally match officials should gain respect from players, coaches and spectators through the quality of their officiating.
Match officials should:
Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner during games.
Emphasise the spirit of the game.
Appreciate the needs of the young players before the needs of the sport.
Be a positive role model.
Match officials must:
Recognise that the safety of young players is paramount.
Explain decisions – all young players are still learning.
Always penalise foul play.
Play advantage whenever possible in order to let the game flow.
Show empathy for the age and ability of young players.
Be consistent and objective.
Ensure that verbal abuse from players, coaches or spectators is not tolerated and is dealt with by club officials immediately.
Remember:
Officials working with young players up to the age of 12 must officiate to the rules laid down by the RFU continuum.
Officials working with young players age 13+ must officiate according to the Under 19 and Under 15 law variations.
COACHES
People come into rugby for a variety of reasons; it is the duty of the coach to recognise this and stimulate continued participation. Coaches have a responsibility to ensure that all players are given the opportunity to fulfil their aspirations in a caring environment where the emphasis is on fun, enjoyment and skill development.
Coaches should:
Understand that most learning is achieved through doing.
Appreciate the needs of the players before the needs of the sport.
Be a positive role model – think what this implies.
Keep winning and losing in perspective – encourage players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
Respect all referees and the decisions they make (remember it could be you refereeing next week) and ensure that the players recognise that they must do the same.
Provide positive feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner, to all players both during coaching sessions and matches.
Coaches must:
Ensure all players are coached in a safe environment, with adequate first aid readily to hand.
Never allow a player to train or play when injured.
Ensure good supervision of players, both on and off the field.
Develop an awareness of nutrition as part of an overall education in lifestyle management.
Be aware of, and abide by, the policies and procedures outlined in the RFU Safeguarding guidance booklet including
First aid cover and equipment must be available at all contact training sessions and matches. Any injury which results in the player being admitted to hospital and results in an overnight stay must to be reported to the club’s Safeguarding Officer within 12 hours.
Remember:
Coaches working with young players up to the age of 12 must follow the guidelines laid down by the RFU continuum.
Coaches working with young players’ age 13+ must be aware of the Under 19 and Under 15 law variations, including those that apply to cross border matches.
SPECTATORS
Rugby players are impressionable and their behaviour will often reflect that of spectators around them. At Oadby Wyggestonian RFC we welcome spectators on our touchlines who embrace the ethos of the game as one of fun, enjoyment and skill development.
Spectators are encouraged to:
Act as positive role models to all players.
Be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU Safeguarding guidance in relation to verbal and emotional abuse.
Respect the club’s policy with regard to spectator behaviour.
Spectators should:
Remember individuals play sport for their enjoyment not yours.
Respect match official’s decisions. Remember that they are volunteers providing an opportunity for individuals to play rugby.
Never verbally abuse players, match officials, fellow spectators or coaches. Such behaviour can create a negative environment for players and their behaviour will often reflect this.
Verbally encourage all players in a positive way.
Condemn bad language, rude behaviour and violence.
Encourage all players irrespective of their ability – never ridicule any individual player, regardless of the team they play for.
THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Social networking, such as Twitter, Facebook, internet blogs and other online sites, offers tremendous opportunities for rugby to communicate and engage with a growing audience as well as its existing members, supporters and players.
Oadby Wyggestonian RFC is keen to promote the safe and responsible use of social networking technology but also to make its members aware of the potential risks and to share best practice.
Participants should be aware that comments which bring the game into disrepute, or are threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting, may lead to disciplinary action. Comments that include a reference to a person’s ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, faith, gender, sexual orientation or disability may attract a high disciplinary sanction.
Comments can also attract civil and criminal action. For example nearly 5,000 offences involving Facebook and Twitter were reported to police in 2012 and 653 people charged.
General guidance
These are public forums, so treat them as such
Individuals and organisations are strictly responsible for any posting on his/their account/s
Re-posting or re-tweeting inappropriate content represents an endorsement of that content and can be actionable
Do not use abusive, derogatory, vulgar or sexual language
Do not criticise or imply bias in match officials
At all times, exercise discretion and respect for clubs, players and supporters
Deleting or apologising publicly for an improper posting does not prevent disciplinary action being taken
Consider “protecting” Tweets and changing security/visibility of Facebook accounts
Players and officials
Individuals need to understand that they are personally responsible and liable for their comments and postings. At all times you should exercise discretion and be respectful of other players, teams, officials, organisations and brands. What you regard as “banter” could be regarded as embarrassing or hurtful by a wider audience and bring the game into disrepute.
In short, follow the general guidelines above and:
Don’t comment if you have any concerns about the consequences
Don’t link to unsuitable content
Don’t get into disputes with audience
Don’t share or elicit personal detail