Match Officials Code of Conduct
When refereeing young players, match officials should;
- Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when officiating young players.
- Provide verbal feedback in a positive way during games.
- Appreciate the needs of the players.
- Be a positive role model.
- Recognise that safety is paramount.
- Explain decisions - most young players are still learning.
- Never tolerate verbal abuse.
Officials should not;
- Change in the same area as young players.
- Shower with young players - agree a timetable with coaches.
- Be alone with young players at any time - if a young players comes in the dressing room ensure that another adult is present.
- Check studs without a coach present.
- Administer first aid.
- Allow a young player to continue playing if there are doubts about his fitness.
- Tolerate bad language from any players.
- Engage in any inapropriate contact with young players.
- Give a lift to any young player unless there are other young players or adults in the car and the parents are aware.
- Take a young player to your home.
- Overtly critisize young players or use language which may cause the player to lose confidence or self esteem.
- Make sexually explicit remarks to young players, even in fun.
Officials must always;
- Report in writing, to the Club or CB Welfare Manager and/or Society Secretary, behaviour by adults which you feel contravenes RFU and RFUW recommended Policies and Procedures for the Welfare of Young People.
- Verbal bullying by coaches/parents/spectators.
- Physical abuse by coaches/parents/spectators.
- Inappropriate or aggressive contact by an adult to a young person.
- Verbal abuse directed at the official by young people or adults.
