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Playing: Junior Rugby - Code of Conduct 
The Good Player’s Code. Players are encouraged to:
- Recognise and appreciate the efforts made by coaches, parents, match officials and administrators in providing the opportunity to play and enjoy the rugby environment
- Understand the values of loyalty and commitment to adults and team mates
- Recognise that every player has a right to expect their involvement in rugby to be safe and free from all types of abuse.
- Understand that if an individual or group of players feel they are not being treated in an acceptable manner, they should tell an adult at the rugby club or outside of the game.
Players should:
- Play because they want to do so, not to please coaches or parents.
- Remember that skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important parts of the game.
- Be attentive at all training and coaching sessions and behave in a respectful and polite manner
- Work equally hard for themselves and their team - both will then benefit.
- Recognise good play by all players on their team and by their opponents.
- Be a sportsman - win with dignity, lose with grace.
- Play to the laws of the game and accept, without question, all referees’ decisions even if they appear to make a mistake.
- Control their emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of team mates, opponents, coaches, match officials or spectators is not acceptable.
- Treat all players, as they would like to be treated themselves. Do not interfere with, bully or take advantage of any player.
- Not to be disruptive during training and playing matches, especially if playing as a substitute.
- Not to expect to play in all matches. To accept playing as a substitute and supporting the rest of the team.
- To have the correct kit for training and matches – especially gum-shield – no gum shield, no game
- Be punctual – arrive on time and to notify others if there is a problem attending, especially before matches.
- Be respectful of facilities (e.g. the club house), equipment (e.g. tackle bags) and others (e.g. players, parents etc).
- Not to wear jewellery or watches when training or playing matches.
- Not to play in the brook when training and playing matches at home.
- Not to play or train unless a Code of Conduct has been read and understood.
The Good Parent’s Code. Parents are encouraged to:
- Be familiar with the coaching and training programme in order that they can ensure their child is fully involved and the coaches are aware of their availability.
- Be familiar with the teaching and coaching methods used by observing the coaching and training sessions in which their child participates.
- Be aware that the club has a duty of care to ensure the safety of players and therefore, where appropriate, assist coaches with the supervision of the players, particularly where numbers are large and there is a need to transport players to away games.
- Be involved with club activities and share their expertise.
- Share concerns, if they have them, with club.
- Be familiar with the Good Coaches’ Code (attached) and in particular support coaches in instilling the following value
- coaches should recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching players; and
- coaches should keep winning and losing in perspective, encouraging players to behave with dignity in all circumstances
Parent should
- Remember that young people play rugby for their own enjoyment not that of their parents.
- Encourage young people to play - do not force them.
- Focus on the players’ efforts, rather than winning or losing. Praise fair play and good behaviour
- Be realistic about the players’ abilities; do not push them towards a level that they are not capable of achieving.
- Provide positive verbal feedback both in training and during the game.
- Not shout instructions to players, the Coaches will provide this information (too much confuses players and can spoil their enjoyment). If you would like to help the team on a regular basis, please approach the coaches.
- Remember that persistent, negative messages will adversely affect the players’ and referee’s performance and attitude.
- Always support the club in their efforts to eradicate loud, coarse and abusive behaviour from the game.
- Remember young people learn much by example.
- Always show appreciation of good play by all players both from their own club and the opposition.
- Respect decisions made by the match officials, even if they appear to make a mistake, and encourage the players to do likewise.
- Display patience – children are not mini adults therefore please do not expect too much either physically or mentally.
- Not to use rugby as a childcare facility.
Coaches should:
- Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching players. Most learning is achieved through doing.
- Appreciate the needs of the players before the needs of the sport.
- Be a positive role model - think what this implies.
- Keep winning and losing in perspective - encourage players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
- Respect all referees and the decisions they make, even if they appear to make a mistake, (remember it could be you refereeing next week) and ensure that the players recognise that they must do the same.
- Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner to all players, both during coaching sessions and matches.
Coaches must:
- Provide rugby experiences which are matched to the players’ ages and abilities, as well as their physical and behavioural development.
- Ensure all players are coached in a safe environment, with adequate first aid readily to hand.
- Avoid the overplaying of the best players by using a squad system which gives everybody a satisfactory amount of playing time.
- Never allow a player to train or play when injured.
- Ensure good supervision of players, both on and off the field.
- Recognise that players should never be exposed to extremes of heat, cold or unacceptable risk of injury.
- Develop an awareness of nutrition as part of an overall education in lifestyle management.
- Recognise that it is illegal for players under 18 to drink alcohol and those under 16 to smoke.
- Ensure that their knowledge and coaching strategies are up to date and in line with RFU philosophy.
- Be aware of, and abide by, the RFU recommended procedures for taking young people on residential tours at home and abroad.
- Coach to the rules laid down in the Rugby Continuum and keep themselves updated on rule changes.
- To create coaching sessions that follow the “APES” principals:
- Activity – all players involved at all times
- Purposed – ensure there is a clear objective
- Enjoyment – make the session varied and fun
- Safety – make sure the activities and playing areas are appropriate
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