| The TACKLER |
FRFC Codes of Conduct – Whole Club
Chairman’s Introduction
We are a friendly, family orientated and progressive club where new players and
members of any age and ability are always welcome. We have attained the RFU
Whole Club Seal of Approval and this demonstrates that the Club has reached the
standards required of a sustainable rugby club; providing a safe, effective and
enjoyable experience for its players and other members. The following ensures
that this will always be the case.
Fordingbridge Rugby Football Club (FRFC) fully endorses the Rugby Football
Union (RFU) Core Values, namely: TEAMWORK, RESPECT, ENJOYMENT, DISCIPLINE
& SPORTSMANSHIP and these values form the foundation for the whole club codes
of conduct set out below.
1 FRFC MATCH OFFICIALS’ CODE OF CONDUCT
Match Officials provided by FRFC should:
1.01 Always put the safety of players first.
1.02 Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when officiating matches.
1.03 Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging
manner during games.
1.04 Be a positive role model and set a good example
1.05 Take responsibility, with the FRFC Club Referee Coordinator (CRC), for
the currency of their own RFU refereeing qualifications and Continuous Personal
Development (CPD) participation.
1.06 Explain your decisions clearly and concisely to help players and
spectators understand what is happening.
1.07 Try to be positive, play advantage whenever possible in order to let the
game flow and always penalise foul play.
1.08 Show empathy for the age and ability of players.
1.09 Be consistent and objective.
1.10 Be familiar with the FRFC Codes of Conduct and proactively ensure that
they are followed. If appropriate an FRFC Referee or Match Official may decide to
take further action in line with the Post Match Procedure set out in Appendix 2.05.
1.11 Be aware of, and where they apply, abide by the RFU Child Protection
Guidance policies and procedures.
1.12 Officiate to the rules laid down in the RFU Rugby Continuum and keep
themselves updated on rule changes.
1.13 Check that a risk assessment has been carried out and that a qualified
first aider, unobstructed ambulance access and any necessary first aid equipment
is available along with someone trained in its use before starting play.
1.14 Check the playing surface is free of any potential hazards.
1.15 Check that players’ studs and clothing are in accordance with the iRB
Laws of the Game.
2 FRFC COACHES’ CODE OF CONDUCT
FRFC Coaches should:
2.01 Always put safety first.
2.02 Be a positive role model and set a good example.
2.03 Be punctual, reliable and properly equipped.
2.04 Communicate in advance with the relevant FRFC administrator in the
event of their unavailability to coach.
2.05 Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment, as well as performance,
when coaching players.
2.06 Keep winning and losing in perspective – encourage players to behave
with dignity in all circumstances, win or lose.
2.07 Respect all referees and the decisions they make.
2.08 Recognise that verbal or physical abuse of players, other coaches, match
officials and/or spectators is not acceptable and will not be tolerated and should
never behave in a way that could be considered to be bullying.
2.09 Plan and deliver sessions which recognize that most learning is achieved
through doing.
2.10 Provide players with positive verbal feedback in a constructive and
encouraging manner.
2.11 Plan and deliver sessions which match the players’ ages, abilities, and
level of physical and behavioural development.
2.12 Ensure the availability of first aid facilities and equipment, and
unobstructed emergency vehicle access at each session.
2.13 Never allow a player to train or play when injured.
2.14 Ensure that young players are well supervised both on and off the field.
2.15 Protect players from adverse weather conditions and any risk of injury.
2.16 Recognise that it is illegal for players under 18 to drink alcohol and for
those under 16 to smoke cigarettes.
2.17 Take responsibility, with the FRFC Club Coaching Coordinator (CCC), for
the currency of their individual RFU coaching qualifications and Continuous
Personal Development (CPD) participation.
2.18 Be aware of, and abide by, the RFU recommended procedures for taking
young people on residential tours at home and abroad.
2.19 Know and abide by the policies and procedures outlined in the Policy and
Procedures for the Welfare of Young People in Rugby Union.
2.20 Plan and deliver sessions which align with the rules laid down in the RFU
Rugby Continuum.
2.21 Follow the FRFC pre and post-match procedures as set out in Appendices
1 & 2.
2.22 Ensure that players know, understand and respect the FRFC Players’
Code of Conduct.
3 FRFC PLAYERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT
FRFC players should:
3.01 Know, understand and respect the RFU core values, namely:
Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.
3.02 Recognise that every player and official in rugby has a right to expect
their involvement to be safe and free from all types of abuse.
3.03 Remember that coaches will prioritise fun, enjoyment, and skill
development, as well as performance, as the most important aspects of games and
coaching sessions.
3.04 Be punctual, reliable and properly equipped.
3.05 Communicate in advance with their team administrator in the event of
their unavailability to play or train.
3.06 Be attentive and positive at all training and coaching sessions.
3.07 Feel able to offer constructive feedback to their coach and team mates in
an appropriate manner.
3.08 Work equally hard for themselves and their team.
3.09 Be sportsmanlike, win with dignity, lose with grace and recognise good
play by all players on both teams.
3.10 Play to the iRB Laws of the Game and accept all Referees’ and Match
Officials’ decisions – never showing dissent.
3.11 Recognise that verbal or physical abuse of team mates, opponents,
coaches, match officials and/or spectators is not acceptable and will not be
tolerated and should never behave in a way that could be considered to be
bullying.
3.12 Recognise and appreciate the efforts made by coaches, parents, match
officials and administrators in providing them the opportunity to play rugby and
enjoy the rugby environment.
4 FRFC PARENTS’ CODE OF CONDUCT
FRFC requests that Parents and Guardians of FRFC players should:
4.01 Understand that FRFC fully endorses the RFU core values, namely:
Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.
4.02 Encourage their child(ren) to follow the FRFC Players’ Code of Conduct.
4.03 Feel able to offer constructive feedback to their child’s coach in an
appropriate manner and to share any other concerns, if they have them, with the
relevant FRFC official.
4.04 Be familiar with the FRFC Coaches’ Code of Conduct and, in particular, be
aware that FRFC coaches:
• recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment, as well as performance, when
coaching players; and
• understand the importance of keeping winning and losing in perspective –
encouraging players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
4.05 Try to focus on the players’ efforts, rather than purely winning or losing.
4.06 Provide positive verbal feedback both in training and during the game.
4.07 Support FRFC in its efforts to eradicate loud, coarse and abusive
behaviour from the game.
4.08 Always show appreciation of good play by all players from both sides.
4.09 Respect decisions made by the Referee and Match Officials and
encourage players to do likewise.
5 FRFC SPECTATORS’ CODE OF CONDUCT
FRFC encourages all its spectators to:
5.01 Understand that FRFC fully endorses the RFU core values, namely:
Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.
5.02 Be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection Guidelines in
relation to verbal and emotional abuse.
5.03 Remember children play sport primarily for their own enjoyment, not for
that of spectators.
5.04 Be positive and acknowledge good individual and team performance from
all players on both sides
5.05 Respect Referees’ and Match Officials’ decisions and always remember
they are volunteers providing an opportunity for players to play rugby.
5.06 Never verbally abuse players, coaches, referees / match officials or fellow
spectators.
5.07 Verbally encourage all players in a positive manner.
5.08 Encourage all players irrespective of their ability and to never ridicule any
player.
5.09 Respect FRFCs responsibility to preserve a 2 metre clear zone around all
marked out playing areas.
5.10 Abide by the FRFC Spectators Code of Conduct.
Appendix 1
PRE-MATCH PROCEDURE
1.01 When playing at home meet and greet the referee and show them to their
designated changing room.
1.02 When playing at home meet and greet the opponents and their officials
and show them to their designated changing room.
Appendix 2
POST-MATCH PROCEDURE
2.01 When playing at home make the Referee and any other Match Officials
welcome in the clubhouse.
2.02 Remember that the Referee’s jurisdiction is in place from the moment the
Referee arrives at the Recreation Ground and remains in place until the Referee
leaves the Recreation Ground.
2.03 For home and away games, in the event that there are any serious issues
or concerns in relation to a Referee’s or Match Official’s performance these
should only be disclosed to and discussed with one or all of the following: the
FRFC Chairman, the FRFC Mini Chairman, the FRFC Junior Chairman, the FRFC
Director of Rugby, the FRFC Club Referee Coordinator. Any such disclosure or
discussion should take place as soon as possible after the match in question and
will be treated in the strictest confidence.
2.04 For home and away games, in the event of foul play by an FRFC or
opposition player that may warrant further reprimand or disciplinary action such as
citing, this may be drawn to the attention of opposition club officials, where
relevant, and should always be disclosed to and discussed with one or all of the
following: the FRFC Chairman, the FRFC Mini Chairman, the FRFC Junior Chairman,
the FRFC Director of Rugby, the FRFC Club Referee Coordinator. Any such
disclosure or discussion should take place as soon as possible after the match in
question and will be treated in the strictest confidence.
2.05 Any FRFC Referee or Match Official who considers that an FRFC player,
coach or spectator is in breach of the FRFC Codes of Conduct should draw this to
the attention of one or all of the following: the FRFC Chairman, the FRFC Mini
Chairman, the FRFC Junior Chairman, the FRFC Director of Rugby, the FRFC Club
Referee Coordinator. Any such disclosure or discussion should take place as soon
as possible after the match in question and will be treated in the strictest
confidence.
Appendix 3
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE
3.01 Any FRFC member who is found to have breached the foregoing Codes of
Conduct may be called before the FRFC Disciplinary Committee. The process for
Discipline and Appeals is set out in the FRFC Constitution.
President’s XV v Chairman’s XV
Fundraising Match
Sunday 25th July 2010
I write with information regarding the
above match & the background. As
you know two sides totalling 50 players
with supporting team have been asked
& agreed to participate. We have all
been requested to endeavour to raise
£100 each in the form of
sponsorship/donations. We hope that
Tony Spreadbury will referee the
game. The day also involves a live
band, hog roast, BBQ, lucky
programme draw, raffle & the launch of
an Auction of Promises.
If we can get to our target of £5,000
minimum then this will be fantastic &
contribute hugely to our immediate
need for funds for our new pitch. I
know how difficult it is to ask others for
money & so I thought some information
on the reason why we are doing this
might help you in talking to your
potential sponsors/donors.
Currently we have just under 200
children, U6 through to U16, playing
mini and junior rugby at our club on a
Sunday. Also we have 3 senior teams,
& all play their rugby on our one pitch
& surrounding training area. As you will
appreciate this leads to heavy wear &
tear on the ground.
We have been pursuing additional
playing space for a number of years
without success; however we now have
the opportunity to obtain an additional
pitch adjacent to our own. We are
working in conjunction with the District
Council & the Town Council &
negotiations are nearing their end with
a successful conclusion in sight.
This will require us to raise around
£60,000 to convert the new land to an
acceptable standard for playing,
primarily for our minis and juniors. Our
Club Development Plan has been
approved by the RFU & we have also
just achieved major recognition from
the RFU with the award of the coveted
Seal of Approval (SoA), not just for
minis and juniors but for the whole
club. We were, at the time of the
award in May, only the third club in
Hampshire - the others being Andover
& Trojans – & the 34th in England to
be afforded this accolade.
This SoA shows we are equal to the
high standards demanded by the RFU,
from playing & coaching to
volunteering & community involvement.
We have now been invited by the RFU
to apply for funding to assist with the
new pitch project & all the signs are
positive for a successful funding
application for approximately 50% of
the total project cost.
In the past month we have raised
£2,000 from various events towards
The “Tony O’Connell Founders Fund”
which has been launched to develop
investment in the club, e.g. support our
pitch ambitions as well future plans
that could include a new club house &
continued investment in our youth
policy.
Fundraising Match
Sunday 25th July 2010
I write with information regarding the
above match & the background. As
you know two sides totalling 50 players
with supporting team have been asked
& agreed to participate. We have all
been requested to endeavour to raise
£100 each in the form of
sponsorship/donations. We hope that
Tony Spreadbury will referee the
game. The day also involves a live
band, hog roast, BBQ, lucky
programme draw, raffle & the launch of
an Auction of Promises.
If we can get to our target of £5,000
minimum then this will be fantastic &
contribute hugely to our immediate
need for funds for our new pitch. I
know how difficult it is to ask others for
money & so I thought some information
on the reason why we are doing this
might help you in talking to your
potential sponsors/donors.
Currently we have just under 200
children, U6 through to U16, playing
mini and junior rugby at our club on a
Sunday. Also we have 3 senior teams,
& all play their rugby on our one pitch
& surrounding training area. As you will
appreciate this leads to heavy wear &
tear on the ground.
We have been pursuing additional
playing space for a number of years
without success; however we now have
the opportunity to obtain an additional
pitch adjacent to our own. We are
working in conjunction with the District
Council & the Town Council &
negotiations are nearing their end with
a successful conclusion in sight.
This will require us to raise around
£60,000 to convert the new land to an
acceptable standard for playing,
primarily for our minis and juniors. Our
Club Development Plan has been
approved by the RFU & we have also
just achieved major recognition from
the RFU with the award of the coveted
Seal of Approval (SoA), not just for
minis and juniors but for the whole
club. We were, at the time of the
award in May, only the third club in
Hampshire - the others being Andover
& Trojans – & the 34th in England to
be afforded this accolade.
This SoA shows we are equal to the
high standards demanded by the RFU,
from playing & coaching to
volunteering & community involvement.
We have now been invited by the RFU
to apply for funding to assist with the
new pitch project & all the signs are
positive for a successful funding
application for approximately 50% of
the total project cost.
In the past month we have raised
£2,000 from various events towards
The “Tony O’Connell Founders Fund”
which has been launched to develop
investment in the club, e.g. support our
pitch ambitions as well future plans
that could include a new club house &
continued investment in our youth
policy.