Bridgnorth RFC

BRFC CODES OF CONDUCT

The Good Player Code

At Bridgnorth RFC we expect that Young players (whether home players or visiting players from other teams) should recognise that many people in Rugby Union are working to provide a safe and enjoyable game in which they can develop both as a player and as an individual.

At Bridgnorth RFC 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 to adults and teammates

• To understand that if an individual or group of young players feel that they are not being treated in a manner that is acceptable, they have the right to tell an adult either at the rugby club or outside of the game

At Bridgnorth RFC, we expect that our young players should:

• Play because they want to and not to please coaches or parents;

• Remember that skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important parts of the game;

• Be attentive at all training / coaching sessions;

• Work equally hard for yourself and your team and as a result, both will benefit;

• Check your kit on a regular basis to ensure that you comply with the Laws of the Age Group that you play in;

• Recognise and acknowledge good play by ALL players on your team and by your opponents;

• Be a sportsman / woman and appreciate that the game is about winning and losing and be graceful and respectful in both;

• Play to the laws of the game for your age group and accept, without question, all of the decisions of the referee;

• Keep control of your emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of team-mates, opponents or match officials IS NOT ACCEPTABLE and will be dealt with accordingly by Bridgnorth RFC;

• Treat ALL players equally and as you would like to be treated, regardless of their age, gender, or race. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of any player. Any such conduct will be dealt with accordingly by Bridgnorth RFC.

 

THE DISCIPLINARY CODE

Any report of misbehaviour by a player or coach, on the pitch or off it will be considered by the Bridgnorth RFC Mini and Junior Disciplinary Committee, regardless of whether the players are hosting a match / training session or are representing Bridgnorth RFC away at another club, with a report of the findings being forwarded to the main Committee of the club if necessary.

Players sent off by a referee, or players and coaches reported for misbehaviour / misconduct before, during or after a Mini, Junior or Senior Colts Training Session or Rugby match should expect a report to be made to the Bridgnorth RFC Mini and Junior Disciplinary Committee and may result in a referral being made to RFU for further consideration.

Players and Coaches should recognise that matters related to incidents which occur away from the field of play may affect an observer’s perception of Bridgnorth RFC and will not be tolerated either.

Misbehaviour on a coach could threaten the life of all those travelling.

Following any report received, the Mini Junior Executive will establish a panel to conduct an investigation and report thereon. Dependant on circumstances, this panel may include the designated ‘Person In Charge’ under the Child Protection provisions.

 

THE GOOD PARENTS’ CODE

In Rugby Union generally, and at Bridgnorth RFC in particular, coaches and administrators fully acknowledge that parents are an integral part of the rugby partnership.

This ensures that our young players enjoy their involvement in the sport and experience an environment in which they can flourish.

 

In Rugby Union and at Bridgnorth RFC parents are ENCOURAGED TO:

• Familiarise yourself 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 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 the young players, particularly where numbers are large;

• Be involved with club activities and share any expertise that you may have for the improvement of the team and / or club as a whole;

• Share any concerns about young players, parents or coaches / officials with club officials;

• Be familiar with the ‘Good Coaches’ Guide’. In particular:

1. Coaches should recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching young players;
2. Coaches should keep winning and losing in perspective, encouraging young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.

IT IS EXPECTED AT BRIDGNORTH RFC THAT PARENTS SHOULD SUPPORT COACHES AND MATCH OFFICIALS IN INSTILLING THESE VIRTUES.

In Rugby Union and at Bridgnorth RFC PARENTS SHOULD:

• Remember that young people play rugby for their own enjoyment and not that of their parents;

• Encourage young people to play because they want to – DO NOT FORCE THEM;

• Focus on each young player’s efforts in each training session or match, rather than winning or losing;

• Be realistic about each 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.

 

 

REMEMBER THAT PERSISTENT NEGATIVE MESSAGES WILL ADVERSELY AFFECT A YOUNG PLAYER’S AND REFEREE’S PERFORMANCE AND ATTITUDE.

 

• Always support BRIDGNORTH RFC in our efforts to eradicate loud, coarse and abusive behaviour from our game;

• Remember that young people learn much by example;

• Always show appreciation of good play by ALL young players, both from our own club and the opposition;

• Respect decisions made by the match officials and encourage the young players to do the same;

• Please come forward and volunteer to help in whatever way you can, whether is assisting to coach, assisting to referee, or in any other way that may assist the young players and their teams or the club as a whole. At Bridgnorth RFC we can always use some more  assistance!

 

THE GOOD SPECTATOR’S CODE

At Bridgnorth RFC we know that young rugby players are impressionable, and their behaviour will often reflect that of the adults or others around them. In Rugby Union we welcome spectators on our touchlines who embrace the ethos of the game as one of FUN, ENJOYMENT and SKILL DEVELOPMENT.

 

In Rugby Union and at Bridgnorth RFC spectators are ENCOURAGED TO:

• Act as positive role models to all young players, regardless of whether they are members of our teams, from an away team or spectating;

• Be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection Guidance in relation to verbal and emotional abuse.

 

In Rugby Union spectators SHOULD:

• Remember that children play sport for their enjoyment and not yours;

• Acknowledge good individual and team performance from ALL youngsters whichever team they play for.

• Respect match officials decisions. REMEMBER, they are volunteers providing an opportunity for youngsters to play rugby.

 

YOU SHOULD NEVER VERBALLY ABUSE YOUNG PLAYERS, MATCH OFFICIALS, FELLOW SPECTATORS OR COACHES – SUCH BEHAVIOUR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AT BRIDGNORTH RFC. Such behaviour can create a negative environment for all young players and their behaviour will often reflect this.

• Acknowledge effort and good performance rather than the ‘win at all costs’ ethic;

• Verbally encourage all youngsters in a positive way. If you do want to shout, make sure that it is ‘for’, not ‘at’ the players;

• Condemn bad language, prejudice, intolerance, abusive or rude behaviour and violence;

• Encourage all youngsters, irrespective of their ability – never ridicule any individual player, whichever team they play for.

 

Remember – “IT IS ONLY A GAME”

 

HERE AT BRIDGNORTH RFC WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON THESE CODES AND STANDARDS AND IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT AS TO ANY CONDUCT OR BEHAVIOUR THAT YOU FEEL IS UNBECOMING OF BRIDGNORTH RFC THEN PLEASE REPORT THE SAME TO A MEMBER OF THE BRIDGNORTH RFC MINIS AND JUNIORS COMMITTEE.