Club Rules
It is expected that you abide by the following rules of the club:
- All members must play within the rules (www.rfu.com) and respect officials and their decisions.
- All members must respect their opponents.
- All members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their team coach or manager if they are going to be late.
- All members must wear suitable and safe kit – for training and matches, to be agreed with team coach.
- All members must pay fees promptly.
- Youth members are not allowed to smoke, to consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on the club premises or whilst representing the club.
Codes of Conduct
On these pages you will find the codes by which Haverhill Rugby Club hope to develop the right attitude to Rugby in their members. The idea of Fair Play should be a constant reference point for everyone involved in the club.
Player’s Code
- Play because you want to play, not just to please your parents or coach.
- Remember, as well as enjoyment, the aims of the game are to improve your skills and feel good.
- Be willing and enthusiastic at all training sessions.
- Don’t lose your cool. Verbal or physical abuse of teammates, opponents or match officials is not cool and not acceptable
- Keep trying - even when it seems hopeless. “You’ll never know, if you don’t have a go”.
- Be a good sport. Acknowledge good play, whether by your team or by your opponent’s team.
- Play by the rules of the game and accept without question the referee’s decision on all matters.
Coach’s Code
- Provide coaching at a level which matches the young player’s age and ability, as well as their physical and mental development.
- Teach our players that the rules of the game are mutual agreements, which no one should break.
- Ensure good supervision of young players both on and off the field
- Avoid over playing the talented players. The “just average” need and deserve equal time.
- Remember that children play for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of it. Never ridicule or yell at the players for making mistakes or losing a competition.
- Develop team respect for the ability of opponents as well as for the judgment of officials and opposing coaches.
- Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner to all players, both during coaching sessions and competitive games.
Referee’s Code
- Behave at all times in a manner becoming to your responsibility.
- Know the rules and regulations and apply them to match the skill level of the players.
- Vary the tone of your whistle to seek control with enjoyment rather than dominate with ill humor.
- Play an advantage whenever possible in order to let the game flow.
- Ensure you are fit to keep up with the play, to enable you to be in the right place, at the right time, to make the right decision.
- Explain your decisions; be consistent, objective and courteous.
- Penalise deliberate foul play as being unsportsmanlike, thus retaining the players’ respect for fair play.
- Complement players on good play whenever praise is deserved. Always complement both teams at the end of the match.
- Keep yourself informed of all rule changes affecting rugby at the level you officiate.
Parent’s and Spectator’s Code
- Emphasize respect for referees by not publicly questioning the referee’s honesty or decision-making.
- Try not to shout continually and “at” the children. Shout encouragement for the team when they need it.
- Encourage a child who has made a mistake during a game, never ridicule.
- Applaud good play by your team and by members of the opposing team, children learn best by example.
- Teach your child that honest effort is as important as winning so that defeat is accepted without disappointment.
- Condemn bad behaviour and bad language.
- Don’t lose your cool. Verbal or physical abuse of team players, opponents or match officials is not acceptable.
- Remember, “It’s only a game”.
- Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles and principles of growth and development of children.
- Parents of Under 7s should where possible remain at the club ground during training sessions.
- Siblings, which are not registered players, remain the responsibility of the parent whilst at the club’s ground.
Club officials and volunteers
- Consider the well-being and safety of participants before the development of performance.
- Develop an appropriate working relationship with performers, based on mutual trust and respect.
- Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part
- Promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play)
- Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance
- Follow all guidelines laid down by the national governing body and the club
- Hold the appropriate, valid qualifications and insurance cover
- Never exert undue influence over performers to obtain personal benefit or reward
- Never condone rule violations, rough play or the use of prohibitive substances
Adult Members
- All members must take responsibility in ensuring they are up to date with the rules, understand and adhere to them.
- All members must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, cultural background, religious beliefs or sexual identity.
- Members should recognise the valuable contribution made by coaches and officials who are usually volunteers. They give their time and resources to provide netball for you.
- All members must respect officials and publicly accept their decisions.
- All members should be a positive role model, treat other players and officials with the same level of respect you would expect to be shown to you.
- Use correct and proper language at all times.
- Members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late.
- Members must wear suitable kit for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach/team manager.
- Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly.
- Bullying of any sort will not be tolerated.
- Bullying of any sort will not be tolerated. Encourage everyone to enjoy sport and understand that people have different motivations for taking part.
Junior & Youth members
- All members must play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions.
- All members must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, cultural background, religious beliefs or sexual identity.
- Members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late.
- Members must wear suitable kit Boots and Gum Shield for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach/team manager.
- Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly.
- Junior members are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions.
- Junior members are not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on the club premises or whilst representing the club.
