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FAIR PLAY CODES THE GOOD COACHES CODE
IN RUGBY UNION, COACHES OFYOUNG PLAYERS SHOULD:
• Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment
when coaching young 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
young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
•Respect all referees and the decisions they
make (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 young players, both during coaching sessions
and games.
IN RUGBY UNION, COACHES OF YOUNG PLAYERS MUST:
• Provide experiences which are matched to the
young players’ ages and abilities, as well as their physical and mental
development.
• Ensure all youngsters 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 young players, both
on and off the field.
• Recognise that young 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 young players
under 18 to drink alcohol.
• 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.
• Be aware of, and abide by, the policies and
procedures outlined in the RFU Child Protection Guidance Booklet.
REMEMBER:
• COACHES WORKING WITH YOUNG PLAYERS UP TO
THE AGE OF 12 MUST FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES LAID DOWN BY RFU RUGBY CONTINUUM.
• COACHES WORKING WITH YOUNG PLAYERS AGED
13+ MUST BE AWARE OF THE UNDER-15 AND UNDER-19 LAW VARIATIONS, INCLUDING
THOSE THAT APPLY TO CROSS BORDER MATCHES.
THE GOOD PARENT’S CODE
PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO:
• Be familiar with the coaching and training
programme in order that you can ensure that your child is fully involved
and the
coaches are aware of their availability
• Be familiar with the teaching and coaching
methods used by observing the sessions in which your child participates.
• Be aware that the club has a duty of care and
therefore, where appropriate, assist coaches with the supervision of the
young players, particularly where numbers are large and there is a need
to transport youngsters to away games.
• Be involved with club activities and share
your expertise.
• Share concerns, if you have them, with club
officials.
• Be familiar with the Good Coaches Code. In
particular: - Coaches should recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment
when coaching young players. - Coaches should keep winning and losing in
perspective, encouraging young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
It is important that parents support coaches in instilling these virtues.
PARENTS 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 young players’ efforts, rather
than winning or losing.
• Be realistic about the young 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. Remember that persistant, negative messages will adversely
affect the players’ and referee’s performance and attitude.
• Always support the rugby 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
young players both from your own club and the opposition.
• Respect decisions made by the match officials
and encourage the young players to do likewise.
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
for you to play the game and enjoy the rugby environment.
• Understand the values of loyalty and commitment
to adults and team-mates.
• Recognise that every young 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
young players feel they are not being treated in a manner that is acceptable,
then you have a right to tell an adult either at the rugby club or outside
of the game.
PLAYERS SHOULD:
• Play because you 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.
• Work equally hard for yourself and your team
- both will then benefit.
• Recognise good play by all players on your
team and by your opponents.
• Be a sportsman - win or lose.
• Play to the Laws of the Game and accept, without
question, all referees’ decisions.
• Control your emotions. Verbal or physical abuse
of team-mates, opponents, or match officials is not acceptable.
• Treat all players, as you would like to be
treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take advantage of any player.
THE GOOD SPECTATOR’S CODE
SPECTATORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO:
• Act as positive role models to all young players.
• Be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU Child
Protection Guidance in relation to verbal and emotional abuse.
• Respect the rugby club with regard to spectator
behaviour.
SPECTATORS SHOULD:
• Remember children play sport for their enjoyment
not yours.
• Acknowledge good individual and team performance
from all youngsters irrespective of the team for whom they play.
• Respect match officials’ decisions. Remember
- they are volunteers providing an opportunity for youngsters to play rugby.
• Never verbally abuse young players, match officials,
fellow spectators or coaches.Such behaviour can create a negative environment
for young players and their behaviour will often reflect this.
• Acknowledge effort and good performance rather
than the ‘win at all costs’ ethic.
• Verbally encourage all youngsters in a positive
way. If you do want to shout make sure it is ‘for’, not ‘at’ the players.
• Encourage all youngsters irrespective of their
ability - never ridicule any individual player, regardless of the team
for whom they play.
THE GOOD MATCH OFFICIAL’S CODE
MATCH OFFICIALS SHOULD:
• Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment
when officiating young players.
• Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive
and encouraging manner during games.
• Emphasise the spirit of the game.
• Appreciate the needs of the young players before
the needs of the sport.
• Understand the physical, social and psychological
development of young players.
• Be a positive role model. You set an example,
and as such, comments you receive should be positive and supportive.
• Look to self-improvement e.g. participation
in Mini/Midi or National 15-a-side courses.
MATCH OFFICIALS MUST:
• Recognise that the safety of young players
is paramount.
• Explain decisions - all young players are still
learning.
• Always penalise foul play.
• Play advantage whenever possible in order to
let the game flow.
• Show empathy for the age and ability of young
players. • Be consistent and objective.
• Ensure that verbal abuse from players, coaches
or spectators is not tolerated and is dealt with by club officials immediately.
• Be aware of, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection
Guidance policies and procedures.
REMEMBER:
• OFFICIALS WORKING WITH YOUNG PLAYERS UP
TO THE AGE OF 12 MUST OFFICIATE TO THE RULES LAID DOWN IN THE RFU RUGBY
CONTINUUM, AND MUST KEEP THEMSELVES UPDATED ON RULES CHANGES.
• OFFICIALS WORKING WITH YOUNG PLAYERS AGED
13+ MUST OFFICIATE ACCORDING TO THE UNDER-15 AND UNDER-19 LAW VARIATIONS
AND KEEP THEMSELVES UPDATED ON RELEVANT
CHANGES.