1. Code of Conduct in Relation to Match Officials

Introduction.
This Code of Conduct is designed to ensure that all match officials attending the club are treated to a positive experience both on and off the field of play. Match officials are in short supply and without them the club cannot function, and we need to ensure that they are treated with the respect they deserve and the common decency that anyone visiting the club should receive. Officials give up their time to ensure that players can play the game, they do it for the love and enjoyment of the sport and we must remember this in our dealings with them.

If anyone is unsure about any of the following, then please get in touch with me.

As a club we value exceptionally highly our reputation and will take whatever action is necessary against individuals or teams that damage this reputation.

Prior to the Game and After the Game for Team Managers and Captains

• Ensure that you know who your referee is and that you have made contact to introduce yourself.
• Find out if they are male or female and ensure changing facilities are allocated accordingly (if you are unsure then ask either Simon Tomlinson (DOR) Roger Keegan (Referee Coordinator) Jon Gillgrass (M and J Chairman) how to achieve this.
• Allocate one person to be their liaison throughout the time they are at the club and make sure that the official knows who this person is.
• Show the official where they need to be to change and which pitch they are officiating on. (Think about what they do with their valuables during the game).
• Most referees will bring a drinks bottle make sure they know where to fill it up.
• Explain the process of where to go after the game and how to get a meal and a drink, (make sure you order and provide them with a meal ticket and a drink after the game).
• Engage with them in the bar afterwards as they will be genuinely interested in discussing how the game went, there is nothing worse as an official than being ignored after the game and remember they may be officiating next week!
• Make sure that the liaison offers them their expenses, it is embarrassing for officials to have
• to chase after teams to pay them their expenses and it should be done as a matter of course.

On the field of Play
No one should need to be told how to treat an official during the course of a game it should be ingrained within the core values of the club and the game. As a reminder of the games core values see below with the particularly relevant sections highlighted.

Teamwork
Teamwork is essential to our sport. We welcome all new team members and include all because working as a team enriches our lives. We play selflessly: working for the team, not for ourselves alone, both on and off the field. We take pride in our team, rely on one another and understand that each player has a part to play. We speak out if our team or sport is threatened by inappropriate words or actions.

Respect
Mutual respect forms the basis of our sport. We hold in high esteem our sport, its values and
traditions and earn the respect of others in the way we behave. We respect our match officials and accept their decisions. We respect opposition players and supporters. We value our coaches and those who run our clubs and treat clubhouses with consideration.

Enjoyment
Enjoyment is the reason we play and support rugby union. We encourage players to enjoy training and playing. We use our sport to adopt a healthy lifestyle and build life skills. We safeguard our young players and help them have fun. We enjoy being part of a team and part of the rugby family.

Discipline
Strong discipline underpins our sport. We ensure that our sport is one of controlled physical
endeavour and that we are honest and fair. We obey the laws of the game which ensure an inclusive and exciting global sport. We support our disciplinary system, which protects our sport and upholds its values. We observe the sport's laws and regulations and report serious breaches.

Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship is the foundation upon which rugby union is built. We uphold the rugby tradition of camaraderie with teammates and opposition. We observe fair play both on and off the pitch and are generous in victory and dignified in defeat. We play to win but not at all costs and recognise both endeavour and achievement. We ensure that the wellbeing and development of individual players is central to all rugby activity.

Simon Tomlinson

Director of Rugby