Referee Abuse – Players, Coaching Staff & Spectators

1 Jun 2021

An Important Message from Cronulla JRL.
Please read and speak to your players.

Hi all,

I trust all the clubs are into the thick of season 2021 now.

The executive and general committee members have been around the grounds over the past few weeks and it is pleasing to see all clubs engaging in their weekly responsibilities. Well done!

However, I have been quite alarmed over the last few weeks with the amount of reports being submitted by ground managers, club officials and referees about spectator, coaching staff and player behaviour directed towards referees.

There has been a rise in reports relating to referee abuse and we need club assistance in curbing the behaviour.

So this is a timely reminder of the following:

  1. We are all bound by the NRL Code of Conduct – including those that attend a match only to watch.
  2. Under the code of conduct there are many consequences to poor behaviour – not limited to fines, stripping of competition points and teams being stood down.
  3. Players can be punished for parents behaviour.
  4. Referees are learning too – just as the players are.

Lastly, following a referee being approached in the car park on the weekend by a club spectator (and caught on camera) the following is to be enforced from this round.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE IS A REFEREE TO BE APPROACHED BY ANY COACH, TRAINER OR PARENT BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE MATCH FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN TO SHAKE THEIR HAND AND THANK THEM FOR THE GAME.

The junior league will take action on any person found to breach the above and options such as stripping teams of their competition points will be considered.

We need to keep these young kids in our game, in order for us to have a game.

It is only a minority of people in our society that behave poorly, don’t let them ruin it for your team.

Please pass this message on to all your members, coaching staff and players.

Good luck to everyone this coming weekend.

Kind Regards,

NATHAN WAUGH | CHAIRMAN
CRONULLA JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE

De La Salle JRLFC, part of the local community since 1962.

@DELASALLEJRLFC