GRFU Disciplinary Procedures
These procedures have been drawn up by the GRFU Disciplinary Committee in accordance with the RFU's requirements.
Club Secretaries must:
• Familiarise themselves with RFU Disciplinary Regulations as set out in the current edition of the RFU Handbook. (Note: following the implementation of International Rugby Board Regulation 17 in Season 2005-2006 RFU Disciplinary Regulations have been rationalised and all disciplinary procedures are now covered in the RFU Handbook 2007-2008 including those relating to School and Club Youth Rugby).
• Ensure that all team captains know they must report dismissals to you or any other designated officer who deals with matters of discipline.
• Report the name and address of a player dismissed from the field to the Secretary of the GRFU Disciplinary Committee within 72 hours of the dismissal.
• Produce any video (made by or on behalf of the Club) at any game in which a player is dismissed or cited or a Rule 5.12 case arises. This requirement applies even if the player concerned is a member of the opposition.
• Respond fully and quickly to any correspondence.
• Ensure the player is advised of the time, date and venue of the disciplinary hearing and is provided with copies of the disciplinary papers relating to that hearing.
• Advise the GRFU Disciplinary Secretary if the player is unable to attend the hearing.
• Advise the GRFU Disciplinary Secretary whether the attendance of the Referee is requested where it is intended to question the sending off report.
• Where a player has been offered a 'postal plea' and wishes to plead guilty and have the case heard in his absence, ensure that the GRFU Disciplinary Secretary is so advised within 14 days together with all the requested information.
• Ensure all sanctions are correctly applied and disciplinary costs are paid within 21 days of the date of the hearing. If the costs are not paid the player shall remain suspended until such time as they are paid.
Club Disciplinary Committees must:
• Be appointed, with a Chairman, and charged with the responsibility of maintaining the standards of discipline within the Club.
• Meet within 7 days of a dismissal, ensuring that disciplinary procedures are formally complied with (including those for players under 17 years of age) and any actions and sanctions decided upon are applied correctly.
• Ensure that the GRFU Disciplinary Secretary is advised of any action taken.
• Ensure that the support/defence of a player at a disciplinary hearing is consistent with the Club's own disciplinary action.
• Note: if no sanctions are imposed by the Club a player may continue to play until the GRFU Disciplinary Committee deal with his case.
Match Officials must:
• Report all players dismissed by them or cases of abuse, taking care to record the correct name of the accused and ensure the report is accurate and complete. Use the current RFU form for reporting (a copy can be downloaded from the RFU web site).
• Sign the completed form and send it (by e-mail if possible) to the Secretary of the Constituent Body Disciplinary Committee to which the player's club belongs within 48 hours of the match, with a copy to his own Referees' Society. In the case of players dismissed in School/Club Youth matches a copy of the report should also be sent to the Head Teacher/Club Secretary.
School and Club Youth Rugby
• Guidelines for Discipline in School and Club Youth Rugby have been revised and are now detailed in Section 10 of the Disciplinary Regulations set out in the RFU Handbook 2006-2007. The procedures described are applicable to School and Club Youth Rugby up to and including U18 teams. It should be noted that the various sanctions applicable have been brought more into line with those introduced by International Rugby Board Regulation 17 and are tiered to reflect the different age groups involved. Those responsible for schools and youth rugby are advised to have a full understanding of the procedures and, as set out in those procedures, are required to report the outcome of disciplinary cases to the Schools & Youth Disciplinary Secretary.
• Where a player is age 17 or over and is playing in an U19 or an adult team, he is subject to the RFU rules which apply to all adult players.
Club Disciplinary Record
Please note that if a Club has a bad disciplinary record they are required by the RFU to be called before the County Disciplinary Committee. Such things as the nature or number and type of offence and the actions of Club officials when reporting, confirming and supporting the disciplinary offences will be taken into account in considering the appropriate punishment. In addition to suspension(s) etc the punishment may be financial and/or the deduction of league points.
Chairman GRFU Disciplinary Committee
Matt Bayliss, 3 Popes Mead, Highnam, Gloucester GL2 8LH Tel. No: 01452 501157 Mobile: 07971 737578 E-mail: mattbayliss1@btinternet.co.uk
GRFU Disciplinary Secretary
Dave Chambers, Harewood Grange, Bushcombe Lane, Woodmancote, Cheltenham GL52 9QJ Tel. No: 01242 678357 Mobile: 07812 723822 E-mail: davechambers@dsecgrfu.wanadoo.co.uk
GRFU Schools & Youth Disciplinary Secretary
Brian (Ben) Jordan, 17 Royal Close, Henbury, Bristol, BS10 7XF Tel. No: 0117 95047237 Mobile: 07732 406910 E-mail: brainjordan@blueyonder.co.uk
