Briars Rugby Code of Conduct

Briars Rugby Union have adopted the following Code of Conduct for all players, officials, parents and supporters. The code is derived from the NSW Junior Rugby Union Code of Ethics and the Australian Sports Commission.

The Code is designed with the following in mind:

• The game is played for the enjoyment of players with sportsmanship emphasised at all times.
• To improve our physical fitness and encouraging participation and camaraderie in Rugby by making it attractive, safe and enjoyable for all people.
• To remind administrators, coaches, referees that rugby must be administered, taught and provided for the good of all who wish to play the game. It is their game.
• Rugby provides the opportunity to meet new people and establish life long friendships.
• Basic skills and the laws of Rugby shall be imparted to all.

PLAYERS CODE

• Play for the enjoyment.
• You will be encouraged to play hard and strive to win within the laws of the game
• Work equally hard for yourself and your team – thus your teams` performance will benefit as well as your own.
• When you commit yourself to a team for the season, honour that commitment. Attend all training sessions and games each week for the whole of the season.
• Treat all other players, as you yourself would wish to be treated.
• You will play by the rules, never argue with an official, referee or other players. Let the coach or manager sort out any problems.
• You must cooperate with coaches, team mates and opponents. Without them you do not have a game.
• Players shall take pride and enjoy participating in sport.
• Learn to win with grace and lose with dignity. Be modest in success and appreciate your opponents’ performance, even when defeated.
• At the conclusion of the game, the opponents are to be thanked for the game as should the referee and officials who have made the game possible.

AT MATCHES AND TRAINING

• Ensure that you are always dressed in the correct Briars uniform for all games.
• Be punctual to all games. You should be at the ground at least half an hour before the match starts. If you arrive late you can expect to be a reserve if there is a surplus of players.
• Thursday is the official training night. If you are unable to attend you must notify your manager or the coach as to the reason why you were unable to attend. Failure to do this or supplying an unacceptable excuse may result in you not being selected in the run on side for the following match.
• If you are unsure of what to do or need to be assisted in any way, speak to the team manager for help. You will be provided with the telephone numbers of the coach and the manager.
• Rugby is a winter sport and the game should be considered on despite inclement weather.
• You are expected to help with the equipment at both training and at all matches. Equipment should be looked after and cared for by the whole team. Always thank your coach after all training sessions and all games.

SPECTATORS CODE

• Show respect for your own team`s opponents. Without them there would be no game.
• Condemn the use of violence in all forms.
• Respect the referee`s decisions. If there is any concern about a referee`s decision or any other aspect of the game, it should be raised with your child`s coach. Under no circumstances is the official`s honesty or judgement to be questioned in public.

In addition Briars Rugby Union is subject to the Sydney Junior Rugby Union Code of Conduct which states:

• A member, coach or official shall not at any time act in a manner detrimental towards the game or the spirit of Rugby Union.
• All clubs must take reasonable steps to ensure that Club players, officials, and supporters do not act in a manner detrimental towards the game or the spirit of Rugby Union.
• During the course of, or after a match a club member, player, coach, official, supporter or any other person associated with a Suburban Rugby Union Club, shall not abuse or address a referee or a touch judge in insulting terms, or act in an intimidating manner towards a referee or a touch judge.