Bugbrooke

BUGBROOKE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB

CODES OF CONDUCT

THE PURPOSE OF THESE CODES

These codes are written for players, coaches, match officials, parents and spectators. They are designed to ensure that all adults involved with the Club appreciate their role and responsibilities and understand the behaviour expected in Mini and Junior rugby.

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 RFU Rules and Regulations website: https://www.englandrugby.com/governance/laws/

 

THE GOOD PLAYERS CODE

AS A PLAYER YOU SHOULD:

• Play because you want to do so, not to please coaches or parents.
• 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.
• You will be expected to recognise the importance of being a team player as well as an individual and the need to recognise the needs of the team may come first.
• Be a sportsman - win or lose - and recognise good play by all players on both teams
• Play to the IRB Laws of the Game and accept, without question, all referees decisions.
• Control your emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of team mates, opponents, match officials or spectators is unacceptable.
• Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not abuse, bully or take advantage of any player.
• Be punctual for both training sessions and matches.
• Junior sides are expected to wear shirt and club tie post matches both home & away.

AS A PLAYER YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO:

• Recognise and appreciate the efforts of coaches, parents, 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, team mates 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

AS A COACH YOU MUST:

• Ensure all youngsters are coached in a safe environment, with adequate first aid readily to hand. Regulations now state minimum 1 trained 1^st aider per age group, present and on touchline.
• 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 player’s 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, this should follow the HALF GAME directive from the RFU. https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/coaching/age-grade-rugby/half-game
• 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 not watching.
• Appreciate the needs of the players before the needs of yourself & the sport.
• Winning isn’t the most important thing!
• Recognise success as growing squad numbers & positive behaviors, if an age group happens to win a league or trophies along the way then awesome.
• Recognise that as M&J coaches our responsibility is to prepare the players for senior rugby at Bugbrooke ideally but to continue playing the game wherever their individual journey takes them.
• Make yourselves available to parents who wish to discuss their child’s progress
• 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.
• Coach to create a positive environment that encourages your players to become “self-sufficient” within the framework of a game, to support this we encourage feedback from the sidelines only during breaks in the game, such as after a try, an injury or half time – we don’t believe shouting during the match is either effective or beneficial unless positive feedback. Allow them to make mistakes without fear of public criticism.

 

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, emphasizing 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 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 behaviour.

AS A PARENT, GUARDIAN or CARER YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO:

• Be familiar with the coaching and training programme so that you can ensure that your child is fully involved and that coaches are aware of your child’s availability.
• 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, we expect at least one parent / guardian to remain at the club / venue of any training sessions / fixtures or festivals. Be involved with Club activities and share your time and expertise.
• You will be required to support your child’s age group by actively supporting the Club in the food rota. Each age group is required to support the provision of food and drinks to spectators on average 3 x a season. Speak to your child’s coach or team adminstrator for more information.
• 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.
• Respect coaches decisions, if you wish to coach speak to a club representative and we will gladly arrange for any relevant training to be given. If you don’t we politely ask that you keep your opinions private and arrange to speak directly to your child’s coach to get feedback on how you can support their development.

 

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. If you feel you can do a better job the club would gladly support your training just speak to a club committee member for more information.
• Respect coaches decisions, if you wish to coach speak to a club representative and we will gladly arrange for any relevant training to be given. If you don’t we politely ask that you keep your opinions private.
• Verbalize from the touchline ONLY encouragement, praise and recognition, leave the coaches to coach and the referees to ref, any supporter verbalizing negative comments towards players, coaches or referees will be reminded once by the coaches regarding the code of conduct if the behavior continues you may be asked to leave the side of the pitch. This will apply to opposition spectators also.
• 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 behavior creates a negative environment for young players and presents an unacceptable example for them.
• Remain behind the designated “respect” barriers provided by the club do not encroach into the coaching area or sides of the pitches not barriered off.

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.