The North Wales Society of Rugby Union Referees have asked that we remind all clubs of the protocol expected from their clubs. This applies to all games that take place in North Wales.
PLEASE PASS ON THIS NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR CLUBS, SUPPORTERS AND ANYONE YOU THINK WILL BENEFIT
THIS IS AN ABRIDGED VERSION APPLICABLE TO ALL SWALEC NORTH WALES TEAMS – IT IS ALSO AN EXPECTATION FOR ALL GAMES IN NORTH WALES
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Before the Match
Clubs are responsible for notifying match officials of the date, venue, kick-off time, and team colours at least 72 hours before the match.
1. Match officials will arrive at the ground at least 60 minutes before kick-off and Clubs should make their arrangements based on this. Failure to notify a match official of a postponement prior to his arrival at the ground may result in the home Club having to reimburse the referee’s travel costs.
2. Clubs are responsible for the safety of match officials during the time that they are at the Club in question. Where possible a referee liaison officer should be appointed by the home Club to be responsible for match officials.
3. Match officials will be available up to 30 minutes prior to kick-off to Club captains and coaches for discussions regarding the Laws of the Game, kit and other relevant matters.
4. Access to the match officials’ dressing room(s) is restricted to persons who have a legitimate reason for seeing them and then only with the express consent of the referee.
5. Clubs will submit their team sheet and replacements to the referee before taking the field for kick-off, indicating the replacement front row players. Once this has been submitted no changes should be made without the permission of the referee. A team sheet must identify any player(s) on permit, dual registration and/or loan and their parent Club.
6. Clubs must comply in full with the IRB Regulations relating to medical treatment of Players on the day of the game.
7. The referee will ensure that the two captains are available to toss up prior to taking the field before kick-off. Stud and padding inspection will take place immediately following the toss up.
8. The match balls should be available for inspection by the match officials at least 15 minutes prior to kick-off.
9. The home Club shall be responsible for ensuring that the playing area/enclosure is fit to play on and is free of all materials/substances that would prevent the match starting at the allocated time e.g. broken glass, animal droppings, etc.
10. The playing enclosure must be roped off.
Any person allocated to perform the role of Touch Judge in assistance to the referee does so as their sole role and priority. Said person should be nominated by their club and made known to the match referee before the game. This is in line with IRB Law 6
6.B.1 JUDGES AND ASSISTANT REFEREES
There are two touch judges or two assistant referees for every match. Unless they have been appointed by or under the authority of the match organiser, each team provides a touch judge.
6.B.3 CONTROL OF TOUCH JUDGES AND ASSISTANT REFEREES
The referee has control over both touch judges or assistant referees. The referee may tell them what their duties are, and may overrule their decisions. If a touch judge is unsatisfactory the referee may ask that the touch judge be replaced. If the referee believes a touch judge is guilty of misconduct, the referee has power to send the touch judge off and make a report to the match organiser.
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During the Match
12. Clubs must restrict entry to the playing enclosure to all but players, match officials, ball boys, replacements when required, two coaches, two water carriers, two medical support staff, (and where necessary, television personnel.)
13. Coaching staff must remain within the confines of their own 10m line and halfway line or take up a position behind the posts within the playing enclosure throughout the match. At no time will they be allowed to move along the touchline. Medical staff will be allowed to enter the playing enclosure to treat injured players or to supply drinks in the manner agreed by the referee. Replacements will only be allowed to enter the playing enclosure when warming up and also when nominated to participate in the match.
14. Clubs will provide an area clearly indicated for medical support personnel (Divisions 1-7) and coaches.
15. Replacements must remain seated outside the playing enclosure at all times during the match unless they are warming up in the agreed area or going into the playing area as a replacement. Where no seating is available replacements must still remain outside the playing enclosure.
16. An agreed warm up area may be designated following consultation between the Clubs and match officials.
17. Replacements will only enter the field of play at the half way line after the player being replaced has left the field. Replacements will only be allowed during a stoppage of play and when the match official has clearly signalled the replacement.
18. Drinks will be permitted during a stoppage in play. Drinks must not be taken on following the awarding of a penalty.
19. Clubs must ensure that spectators do not attempt to assault, intimidate, or verbally/physically abuse match officials.
20. Where match officials leave the field at half time, Clubs must ensure that there is no entry to their dressing room during that period by any Player, Coach, Club administrator, or spectator.
After the Match
21. At the end of the match Clubs should ensure that match officials are not assaulted, harassed or abused by Players, coaches, Club officials or spectators and are escorted safely to their dressing room.
22. There should be no unauthorised entry to the match officials’ dressing room(s) after the end of the match. Players, coaches and Club officials should not attempt to enter this area unless with the express permission of the match officials.
23. Clubs are responsible for ensuring that match officials leave the Clubhouse and ground safely without any harassment or abuse from Players, coaches, Club officials or spectators.
Sanctions for a breach of this protocol will be applied in accordance with Articles 14 – 17.
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