Following report kindly supplied by the Welsh Rugby Union.
WRU Disciplinary Regulations
Ahead of the new playing season, I would like to draw your attention to the WRU Disciplinary Regulations, which are available via the MyWRU Library Section and WRU Website (https://community.wru.wales/governance/policy-and-integrity/discipline/), and are currently in force.
Striking an opponent and Violent Conduct
As you are all well aware, World Rugby has continually indicated its intent on contact to the head, by mandating all Unions to treat offences of this nature seriously. This edict has demanded a strict approach to tackles, charges, strikes or kicks that make contact above the shoulder line and calls for firm sanctions for offenders when contact is made to the head. Player welfare is paramount and striking (punching) another player to the head with force means running the risk of causing serious and grave injury.
It must be recognised that there is a high degree of risk associated with triking/punching. The risks and potential consequences reach beyond the playing enclosure and could result in the matter becoming a civil and/or criminal matter.
The WRU Disciplinary Committee will consider cases of this nature very seriously and trust that a message is driven throughout the Club of the dangers and potential consequences and implications of strikes to the head.
Verbal Abuse of Match Officials
For any player or any Coach or Club official to verbally or physically abuse a match official is a fundamental breach of the core values of rugby.
It must be recognised that behaviour such as this flies in the face of the core values of Rugby. Referees and assistant referees, in the main, give up their time and without them, there would be no match to play in or to watch.
Those officials must be protected and the Rugby community must understand that any abuse of officials will be met with severe sanctions both to the Clubs and players. Clubs, their members and players have a responsibility to ensure this sort of behaviour is removed and eradicated from the game.
If players or spectators have complaints about the manner in which a game is officiated, there are appropriate channels for constructive comments to be raised. We urge you all to consider our values and work together to promote good sportsmanship and values of our game.
Touchline behaviour
Similarly, you all have a duty to create and sustain a safe and positive environment for all involved in the Game. Club Officials are wholly responsible for the safety of Match Officials during their time at the Club and must ensure measures are in place to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for the MO to conduct his/her duties.
Club officials are reminded that in accordance with the WRU Disciplinary Regulations, officials are wholly responsible for the behaviour of their respective spectators irrespective whether they are Members of the Club or not).
As such, we urge you to consider the following guidelines to implement ahead of the coming season:
• Where possible, the playing enclosure must be roped off and/or suitably protected.
• As best practice, Clubs should identify an individual to act as a match day marshall
• Players and Replacements must warm up warm up behind their own goal line
High Tackle Framework
The High Tackle Framework remains in force and will be applied accordingly. The Framework is available to download via the WRU website
https://community.wru.wales/governance/policy-andintegrity/discipline/)
Standards of Behaviour
We are returning to the Game from a significant period of absence. We all recognise that the past year has been extremely frustrating. A sense of normality is on the horizon, which brings the opportunity for us all to play rugby union again.
You will all readily appreciate, it has been some considerable time since we’ve played, coached, officiated and spectated. With this in mind, I need to remind you of the need to adhere to the published Codes of Conduct (“the codes”) and to maintain a standard of behaviour, which upholds the values and ethos of our Game. We must support and respect opposition players, coaches, Club officials and most importantly, we must
support and respect our match officials.
Yours sincerely,
Leah Thomas
WRU Disciplinary Manager
There are no events to show yet.