Code of conduct

In becoming involved in Junior Rugby, as a player, parent, coach, official or spectator, a person agrees to accept the governance of the Wellington Junior Rugby Executive (JRZE) over all related issues. Junior Rugby is all about the players not the Adults on the sidelines, However, as adults we seek your positive support and encouragement of the players at all times. There can be no justification for the use of foul language on the field or sidelines, aggressive behaviour or unpleasantness of any kind. Any disputes should be handled in the prescribed manner and kept away from the children.

Coaches and team management are responsible for the conduct and behaviour of any parents associated with their team. Accept the rulings, decisions and requests of any official, including the referee, at the time and agree to address such issues that may arise from the game. Unless an issue of player safety exists, the emphasis must be on allowing the game to continue.

Wests Junior Rugby supports the NZRU Code of Conduct and has signed up to the NZRU APPLAUD initiative. All players, coaches, parents and spectators are expected to adhere to these policies.

Coach Commitment

In taking on the role as coach of a Junior team you automatically agree to adhere to the Law, Rules & Policies of all governing bodies including:

• New Zealand Rugby Union
• Wellington Rugby Football Union
• Wellington Junior Rugby Executive
• Your Local Zone Committee and
• The Junior and Senior Committees of your Rugby Club
• Acknowledge the full authority of JRZE to control Junior Club Rugby played under the jurisdiction of the WRFU
• Agree to coach within the spirit of the Philosophy & Objectives of the JRZE
• Accept and agree to adopt the Code of Conduct for Coaches
• Agree to at all times carry and make available your Team Sheet, coaching and refereeing credentials

Behaviour at the game

Coaches and team managers are responsible for the behaviour of parents and other spectators associated with their team:

• Lead by example
• Cooperate fully with the referee and any officials attending the game
• Do not allow the use of foul language
• Do not allow parents or spectators to inappropriately address any player
• Do not allow parents and spectators to address the referee or other officials present at the game unless invited by that person to do so
• Parents, players and spectators should not get involved in sorting out problems
• At all times the emphasis must be to ensure that the game proceeds in a safe manner
• Keep winning in perspective

Dealing with incidents at a game

Verification of player eligibility: Where a coach is unable to verify the eligibility of a player, that player must take no part in the game as long as an issue of player safety is concerned. The incident must then be reported to the Club Convenor. Coaches shall take no further action

Qualification of coaches and referees: No person who is unable to, at the time prove that they hold the appropriate qualifications may referee a game. If no such person is available to referee a game then that game must not be played. Where a coach or referee is unable to verify their qualification this must then be reported to the Club Convenor. Coaches shall take no further action

Application or interpretation of rules

The referee shall be the soul judge of the interpretation and application of the rules and laws and the application of the advantage law. Unless there is a concern for player safety any disagreement with the decisions of the referee should only be discussed at half time or after the game and only by a coach of the teams involved in the game. If a referee does not wish to discuss any issue regarding the descisions made then the coach shall take no further action at the time and may make a report to his/her Club Convenor

Player Safety

Where in the opinion of a coach, an issue of player safety is present during a game, they should call out “Safety” or “Danger”.  The referee must then halt the game and be willing to discuss with both coaches the issue of concern. If the issue can not be sorted to the agreement of all parties then the game may be called off and the incident reported to the Club Convenor Coaches shall take no further action

Unsportsmanlike behaviour on field

This is a matter for the  referee and should be brought to their attention in the manner described above. No coach shall address a member of the opposing team without the consent, and only in the presence of that players coach. If in the opinion of a coach a referee does not deal with the issue satisfactorily, thegame should be allowed to proceed unless there is an issue of player safety present, and the incident reported to the Club Convenor.

All sending-offs (Not sin binning) must be reported to the Secretary of the JRZE. Coaches shall take no further action.

Unruly behaviour on the sideline

Coaches should only address people associated with their own team. The referee has the right to ask a person to leave the ground and shall besupported by the coaches. Only coaches or managers may address a referee or official, such as a grading convenor, attending a game.

At all times work simply to calm a situation and allow the game to continue. All other issues should be left to be dealt with by the Convenors of the clubs involved.