Emergency Meeting(s) Update...

A sincere thanks to all Managers, Coaches, Players, Referees, and CB Disciplinary Officers who gave up their time to attend the Colts League Emergency Meetings at either Bowdon RUFC or Preston Grasshoppers RFC on Weds 10th Jan 2024...

It was interesting and in the main encouraging to hear what those at the Sharp End had to say on the problems Colts Teams face in the Northwest in respect to discipline.

Those most likely to be able to alter & improve the situation are you – The CLUBS, The COACHES, The MANAGERS, and the PLAYERS.

The League Executive have now met with & fed back input from the meetings to the Referee Societies on the points raised regarding Refereeing standards. Both Manchester & Liverpool Societies are fully on board and committed to playing their part in a combined effort with the Clubs & the League in tackling the problems we are seeing around discipline on & off the pitch.

At the Meetings we gave an undertaking to provide information for circulation detailed as follows: Click the Hyperlinks...

1/. Disciplinary Power Point Presentation (Brian Stott)
     NB: Can only be opened on a Windows PC with PowerPoint loaded.

2/. RFU ~ MOA Guidance.

3/. RFU - Head of Judiciary MOA Sanctions Guidance.

4/. Details of 26 Red cards awarded.

Some Pointers worth considering...

Ask your Referee for his Appraisal Card (Manchester Society Only).

Liverpool Society Clubs can contact Ben Moore with Feedback concerns.

Ensure Technical Areas and Pitch-Side Barriers are in place and adhered to.

On-field communication for clarification on decisions MUST Only go through the Team’s Captain and NOT from the Coach.

Remind your Parents/Spectators about your own Clubs and the RFU's codes of conduct.

Whilst the Colts League do have powers to deal with Clubs not behaving appropriately this will only be exercised as a last resort. CB’s will in the main deal with disciplinary issues.

The League is considering introducing new Regulations for next season enabling additional sanctions for Miscreant Teams / Clubs with unsatisfactory discipline records.

Your Referee Societies are briefing their Referees to adhere to the steps below.

Managers – please make sure that your Coaches and Players are aware.

Age-Group Rugby - Key Messages for Referees.

1. Do not start the match unless there is marked Technical Area – Only start the match when satisfactory arrangements have been made. The Colts League asks that you do this.

2. Do not start the match unless there is a pitch-side barrier in place – Only start the match when satisfactory arrangements have been made. The Colts League asks you to do this.

3. During the match, enforce the Technical Area. Replacements; Coaches; Water Carriers; Kicking Tee Carriers are all obliged by Law 6.29 to remain in the Technical Area at all times before entering the field of play as the Laws permit. They are liable to sanction by a Penalty Kick at the place where play would re-start. Offenders should be told politely but firmly to return to the Technical Area. As to the imposition of a sanction, apply the principle of “Ask; Tell; Whistle” unless circumstances suggest a different approach.

4. During the match, Replacements; Coaches; Water Carriers; and Kicking Tee Carriers should not approach; address; or aim comments at Match Officials. Law 6.30. Don’t tolerate it. Deal with it.

“Approach the Referee” - Regulation 11.5 “no person can approach the Referee at half-time or within 30 minutes after the match” without the permission of the Referee. (By convention Captains can seek clarification or explanation of a decision – at a time convenient to the Referee – but not dispute it.) Repeat offenders should be cautioned. Persistent offenders should be dismissed from the playing enclosure. Anything which constitutes Match Official Abuse must be reported using the Match Official Abuse card

“Address; or aim comments at” the Referee – no specific sanction is provided for in the Laws. Repeat offenders should be cautioned. Persistent offenders should be dismissed from the playing enclosure. Anything which constitutes Match Official Abuse must be reported using the Match Official Abuse card

5. Match Official abuse by Coaches; Parents; and Spectators. The Club is responsible for disciplinary purposes for the behaviour of its players; officials; members; spectators; and employees. Regulation 19.1.4. Referees are advised to remind the home Club (through the Coach/Team Manager) of the Club’s responsibilities and should be asked to take action to deal with the abuse. Where abuse has occurred it should be reported using the Match Official Abuse card. The County Constituent Body of the RFU can institute proceedings under RFU Rule 5.12 “conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Game”.

6. Match Official Abuse by players - Issue a Red Card and report. “RFU Match Official Abuse – A Guide for Referees”, a pdf on the RFU website, gives valuable advice on reporting abuse. Further advice can be obtained by contacting the Society Secretary.

7. Match Official Abuse by others. This would include abuse after the match in the Clubhouse or elsewhere on the Club premises. Report using the Match Official Abuse Card. The RFU Match Official Abuse Guidance, a pdf on the RFU website, gives valuable advice on reporting abuse. Further advice can be obtained by contacting the Society Secretary.

We hope you find this Helpful and that we can now move forward in a positive vein with bad behaviour and discipline problems behind us.

Regards in Colts Rugby.

Chris Barrett - HonSec.
e: chrisb@colts-rugby.org.uk
Halbro NW Colts League.