In the latter half of this season, there have been an increasing number of incidents of referee and officials abuse involving players, members and spectators during and after games. This is a gathering storm throughout the game that the governing bodies are doing their very best to clamp down on and eradicate it from the game. For example, since January this year, any player sent off for abuse will attract additional sanction over and above that for a ‘normal’ red card. So, for instance, a six match ban would automatically become a nine match ban.
The club has recently seen players and spectators disciplined for such behaviour and will not tolerate it occurring in future. Spectators have been and will be banned from watching any club matches in any location if they transgress. Players will find themselves attending hearings and being suspended from playing for long periods. The club will impose the strongest sanction they think fit.
If we, as a club, don’t stop this, the ultimate sanction will be that the club will be punished and the First XV will be deducted points from their league. Had the incidents of abuse involving the club that occurred this season been dealt with together, a possible penalty of twenty league points could have been imposed and would have seen the club relegated from their current league. That’s how it works!!
This all sounds very heavy handed and we have no desire for the situation to get to this.
We are asking for everyone’s help to stop this.
• If you are on the touchline and consider making adverse comments about a referee, in email terms, ‘DON’T PRESS SEND!’
• If you hear anyone else making adverse comments, stand up for right and ask them to stop
• If they don’t, report them to their respective team coach and tell the coach that you want action taking.
Our team coaches will be advised that if they hear abuse or have any incidents reported to them, they will ask the person responsible to leave the area.
Players, members and spectators attend games to enjoy participating in the game of rugby.
So do referees.
They have a right to experience a welcoming, pleasant time at our club, without being abused and baited during their time with us.
It’s got to stop. Please help us to achieve this.

ALWAYS REMEMBER – NO REF – NO GAME