Codes of Conduct
Melton Mowbray Rugby Football Club
Mini and Junior Section
THE PURPOSE OF THESE CODES
These codes are written for players, coaches, match officials, parents/carers and spectators. They are designed to ensure that everyone involved with the Club appreciate their role and responsibilities and understand the behaviour expected in Mini and Junior rugby.
All the roles undertaken by people at the club in the Mini and Junior section are performed on a voluntary basis and are unpaid roles. With this in mind, we ask that all volunteers are treated with respect and appreciation.
We as a club whole-heartedly support the RFU values of rugby. Core Values (englandrugby.com)
CORE VALUES
Rugby’s values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship are what makes the game special for those who enjoy the environment and culture they create.
They define the game and define England Rugby.
TEAMWORK
Teamwork is essential to our sport. We welcome all new team members and include all because working as a team enriches our lives. We play selflessly: working for the team, not for ourselves alone, both on and off the field. We take pride in our team, rely on one another and understand that each player has a part to play. We speak out if our team or sport is threatened by inappropriate words or actions.
RESPECT
Mutual respect forms the basis of our sport. We hold in high esteem our sport, its values and traditions and earn the respect of others in the way we behave. We respect our match officials and accept their decisions. We respect opposition players and supporters. We value our coaches and those who run our clubs and treat clubhouses with consideration.
ENJOYMENT
Enjoyment is the reason we play and support rugby union. We encourage players to enjoy training and playing. We use our sport to adopt a healthy lifestyle and build life skills. We safeguard our young players and help them have fun. We enjoy being part of a team and part of the rugby family.
DISCIPLINE
Strong discipline underpins our sport. We ensure that our sport is one of controlled physical endeavour and that we are honest and fair. We obey the laws of the game which ensure an inclusive and exciting global sport. We support our disciplinary system, which protects our sport and upholds its values. We observe the sport's laws and regulations and report serious breaches.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Sportsmanship is the foundation upon which rugby union is built. We uphold the rugby tradition of camaraderie with teammates and opposition. We observe fair play both on and off the pitch and are generous in victory and dignified in defeat. We play to win but not at all costs and recognise both endeavour and achievement. We ensure that the wellbeing and development of individual players is central to all rugby activity.
The Club wants our players to find enjoyment in their sport and fulfilment of their aspirations in the safe and positive environment which these codes seek to foster.
Further information on these topics can be found at: The Rugby Football Union (RFU) Rules and Regulations website: http://www.rfu.com/TheGame/Regulations
THE GOOD PLAYERS CODE
AS A PLAYER YOU SHOULD:
- Play because you want to do so, not to please coaches or parents/carers.
- Remember that skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important parts of the game.
- Be focused and attentive at all training and coaching sessions.
- Work as hard for your team as for yourself - both will then benefit.
- Be a sportsperson - win or lose - and recognise good play by all players on both teams.
- Play to the International Rugby Board (IRB) Laws of the Game and accept, without question, all referees’ decisions.
- Control your emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of teammates, opponents, parents, coaches or match officials is unacceptable.
- Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not abuse, bully, or take advantage of any player.
- Always respect and support the coach/es. Please always be respectful in your interactions with them, as we will not tolerate anything other than positive support for our volunteer coaches.
AS A PLAYER YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO:
- Recognise and appreciate the efforts of coaches, parents/carers, match officials and administrators in providing the opportunity for you to play the game and enjoy the rugby environment.
- Understand the values of loyalty and commitment to your team, teammates and adults who contribute to it.
- Recognise that every other player is entitled to play in a safe and abuse-free rugby environment.
- Understand that if any individual or group of young players is not being treated acceptably, then you have a right to tell an adult either at the Club or outside of the game.
THE GOOD COACHES CODE
REMEMBER: COACHES WORKING WITH YOUNG PLAYERS UP TO THE AGE OF 12 MUST FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES LAID DOWN BY RFU RUGBY CONTINUUM. COACHES WORKING WITH PLAYERS AGED 13 MUST BE AWARE OF THE UNDER-15 AND UNDER-19 LAW VARIATIONS, INCLUDING THOSE THAT APPLY TO CROSS-BORDER MATCHES.
AS A COACH YOU MUST:
- Ensure all youngsters are coached in a safe environment, with adequate first aid readily to hand.
- Recognise that young players should never be exposed to unacceptable risk of injury, nor allowed to train or play when injured nor to face extremes of heat or cold.
- Ensure safe and proper supervision of young players, on and off the field.
- Develop an awareness of nutrition as part of players education in lifestyle management.
- Recognise that it is illegal for players under 18 to drink alcohol or for those under 16 to smoke. By your conduct and example, actively discourage both.
- Ensure that your knowledge and coaching techniques are up to date and in line with RFU philosophy.
- Avoid overplaying any player; use a squad system to give every player satisfactory playing time.
- Be aware of, and abide by, the policies and procedures which the RFU require for Child Protection, the Safety of Young People in Rugby and for young players tours.
AS A COACH YOU SHOULD:
- Recognise when coaching the importance of enjoyment for young players and treat all fairly.
- 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, encourage young players to behave in all circumstances with dignity and in accordance with the laws and to keep winning and losing in perspective.
- Respect referees and their decisions; ensure your players recognise that they must do the same.
- Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner, to all young players in both coaching sessions and games.
PLEASE SEE APPENDIX A FOR LIST OF SUSPENSIONS SHOULD ANY INFRINGEMENT OCCUR
THE GOOD MATCH OFFICIALS CODE
AS A MATCH OFFICIAL YOU SHOULD:
- Recognise that the safety of players is paramount; before starting play check that the home team has provided a qualified first aider, ambulance access has not been obstructed and that appropriate equipment is available along with someone trained in its use.
- Check before training sessions and matches that studs and other clothing are in accordance with the IRB Laws of the Game.
- Be aware of, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection and Safety of Young Players policies and procedures.
- Officiate to the rules of the Rugby Continuum and keep yourself updated on rule changes.
- Be a positive role model; be consistent and objective and always penalise foul play.
- Play advantage whenever possible in order to let the game flow.
- Explain decisions - young players are still learning and spectators will understand the game better.
- Be familiar with the Good Spectators Code and ensure that verbal abuse from players, coaches or spectators is not tolerated and is dealt with appropriately.
- Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when officiating players, appreciating their needs before those of the sport.
- Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner during games, emphasising the spirit of the game.
- Understand the physical and behavioural development of players and show empathy for the age and ability of players.
- Look to self-improvement through participation in training courses.
THE GOOD PARENTS CODE
AS A PARENT, GUARDIAN, or CARER YOU SHOULD:
- Recognise that the safety of players is paramount.
- Remember that young people play rugby for their own enjoyment not that of their parents and they learn much, both good and bad, by example.
- Encourage but do not force young people to play. Focus on their efforts and be realistic about their abilities; do not push them beyond the level they can achieve.
- Respect coaches, match officials and encourage young players to do so.
- Provide positive support at training and during games; show appreciation of good play by players from every team.
- Stay positive: negative messages adversely affect the performance and attitude of players, officials and coaches.
- Support the Clubs efforts to rid the game of unacceptable, abusive and violent behavior.
- Always respect and support the coach/es. Please always be respectful in your interactions with them, as we will not tolerate anything other than positive support for our volunteer coaches.
AS A PARENT, GUARDIAN, or CARER YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO:
- Be present during coaching sessions and matches. Any child under the age of 18 should have a parent in attendance. Coaches are there for instruction and development not to act as ‘loco parentis’. Rugby is a physical game and the support of a parent that is present is valuable.
- Be familiar with the coaching and training program so that you can ensure that your child is fully involved and that coaches are aware of your child’s availability.
- Respect the coaches and speak with them if you have concerns. We encourage open collaborative dialogue. The coaches do not have to tolerate any unsubstantiated accusations. Please remember without volunteers we would have no club and your child would not be playing rugby.
- Understand 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 with the supervision of sessions, particularly where numbers are large or where players need transport to away games.
- Be involved with Club activities and share your time and expertise.
- Share concerns, if you have them, with Club officials.
- Be familiar with the Good Coaches Code and support coaches in instilling the virtues it advocates.
THE GOOD SPECTATORS CODE
AS A SPECTATOR YOU SHOULD:
- Remember children play rugby for their enjoyment not yours.
- Acknowledge good individual and team performance from young players of all teams.
- Respect match officials’ decisions. Remember these volunteers provide the opportunity for youngsters to play rugby.
- Acknowledge effort and performance rather than the win at all costs ethic; never ridicule any player on any team and verbally encourage all players, irrespective of ability, in a positive way when supporting your team.
- Never verbally abuse young players, match officials, other spectators, or coaches. Such behaviour creates a negative environment for young players and presents an unacceptable example for them.
- Always respect and support the coach/es. Please always be respectful in your interactions with them, as we will not tolerate anything other than positive support for our volunteer coaches.
AS A SPECTATOR YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO:
- Act as a positive role model to all young players, showing respect for your Club and for the game in your behaviour as a spectator.
- Be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection and Safety of Young Players guidance in relation to abuse of all kinds.
CHILD PROTECTION & SAFEGUARDING VULNERABLE PEOPLE
ALL ADULTS WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PLAYERS IN A RUGBY ENVIRONMENT MUST:
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person with whom they work and treat them equally in the rugby context.
- Place their physical and emotional well-being above all other considerations, including the development of performance.
- Ensure the relationship that a rugby coach develops with them is based on mutual trust and respect.
- Ensure that all activities are appropriate to the age, maturity, experience and ability of young players.
- Encourage them to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.
- Clarify with the young players (and their parents/guardians) what is expected of them both on and off the rugby field and also what they are entitled to expect from the coach.
- Work in partnership with others within the game (officials, doctors, physiotherapists, sports scientists) to ensure the well-being, safety and enjoyment of all young players.
- Promote positive aspects of the sport such as fair play. Violations of the Laws of the Game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or relevant regulations and the use of prohibited techniques or substances must never be condoned.
SOCIAL MEDIA
- With the increasing use in social media within our everyday culture we are mindful that we expect players, parents, coaches and club officials to live the values of rugby through any social media channel. The club will take a very dim view of any cyber related bullying or inappropriate behaviour on social media.
- Unofficial sites or threads representing MMRFC will be disassociated, and the individual will be asked to remove the site/stream. Failure to comply will result in a ban from membership and the club for the individual and any related family member as directed by the relevant authorised committee.
APPENDIX A
Whilst it is understood that sport in general can be emotive, Rugby Football Union prides itself on discipline and respect for all. Melton Mowbray Rugby Football Club will not tolerate any infringement of the values of our game. This applies to spectators, parents/guardians, coaches, club officials and players.
- Any play/aggression towards a player/coach/match official or spectator (home or away) that goes beyond the normal on field accepted play as judged by the referee or coach, will be dealt with in the initial instance by the referee and/or coach. Depending on the severity/seriousness of the issue, escalation to the Mini and Junior Disciplinary Panel may be required.
- The Mini and Junior Disciplinary Panel consists of three members of the following cross section of roles from the club who will determine the length of suspension following any infringement of the above regulations.
- Mini and Junior Safeguarding Officer
- Mini and Junior Lead Coach
- One Minis Coach
- One Juniors Coach
- One Girls Team Coach
- Mini and Junior Vice Chair
- Mini and Junior Chair
Mandatory requirement for attendance would be safeguarding officer, the coach for the appropriate age group and a member of the MJ leadership committee.
In all instances the MJ leadership and safeguarding must be advised of any investigation or allegation before a disciplinary hearing is convened. The disciplinary process as outlined in Appendix C of the MMRFC complaints and disciplinary procedure – Senior will be followed where appropriate.
Occasions when prior interventions have not been positively responded to the following suspension from playing, training and socialising within the Melton Mowbray Rugby Football Club environment will be enforced:-
- Extreme/foul or abusive language towards a player (home or away) a 2-week
- Extreme/foul or abusive language towards a coach or parent (home or away) a 4-week
- Extreme/foul or abusive language towards players, coaches, or parents in relation to age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity (home or away) a 6-week
- Any physical assault of a coach or match official will result in a lifetime ban from the club.
- Social media abuse directed towards a player, team, coach, parent or club official will result in an 8-week
These suspensions are to be passed for first occurrences in breach of the above, if repeat behaviour occurs a doubling of the suspension will occur apart from the lifetime ban. If there are instances of three incidents that result in disciplinary action, the committee reserve the right to cancel the individuals membership and ban them from taking part in any activities at MMRFC.
