Code of Conduct IRFU

Welcome to the new 2017/2018 season of Seahorses Mini Rugby, here at Instonians R.F.C. To all new players and parents a particularly warm welcome is extended from me and the rest of the Coaching Team at Seahorses.

At Seahorses our Mission Statement is, “Ensuring fun, inclusivity and enjoyment to develop confidence and self-esteem in all our young members through playing rugby”. The Club puts a strong emphasis on the whole child and as such operates an inclusive approach for all its players. Please sit down with your child and talk through the Codes of Conduct that are in this leaflet.

In addition to the rugby playing at Seahorses, Instonians R.F.C. is particularly keen this year to develop more social activities for parents, supporters and players off the pitch. Over the coming months the Mini Rugby ‘off pitch committee’ will be organising a series of activities and events to not only raise funds for the Section but also to develop the Mini Rugby Parents and Supporters Community off the field.

This is your child’s Club but we would like it to be your Club too and I would encourage you to support events so that the Seahorses will not only be a Saturday morning activity for your child but will develop to be a Seahorse’s Community that is integrated within the main Rugby Club at Shaw’s Bridge.

The Club is open to all in the Community so if you know of anyone else whose children have been thinking about playing rugby, they will get a warm and friendly welcome here.

If anyone would like to assist with any aspect of the running of the Section (as not everyone wants to be a coach!) your help would be valued and appreciated.

Contact any of your child’s Coaches in the first instance or seek me out on a Saturday morning,

Finally, I hope that we have a great season and that every child leaves their rugby on Saturday morning’s thinking, “I really enjoyed that!”
.

• Play for enjoyment and become part of the rugby family.
• Respect the ‘Game of Rugby’ and play within the Laws of the Game.
• Accept the referee’s decision and let your captain or coach ask any relevant questions.
• Play with control. Do not lose your temper.
• Always do your best and be committed to the game, your team and your club.
• Be a ‘good sport’. Applaud all good play whether by your team or the opposition.
• Respect your opponent. Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not ‘bully’ or take advantage of any player.
• Rugby is a team sport and make sure you co-operate with your coach; team mates and members of your club.
• Remember that the goals of the game are to have fun, improve your skills and feel good.
• At the end of the match thank your opponents and the referee for the match.
• Always remember that you owe a duty of care to your opponents. Tackle hard but fairly, do not intend to hurt your opponent.
• Winning and losing is part of sport: Win with humility – lose with dignity.
• As part of the team it is important that you attend training regularly and listen to your coach and help your team.
• As a team sport it is important to understand that all members are important to the team!
• Remember you are representing your team, club, family and the Game of Rugby.

• Remember, young people play rugby for their enjoyment, not only yours.
• Encourage your child always to play by the Laws of the Game.
• Teach young children that honest endeavour is as important as winning, so that the result of each game is accepted without disappointment.
• Help young people to work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship.
• Set a good example by applauding good play on both sides.
• Never ridicule, humiliate or shout at young players for making a mistake or losing a match.
• Do not place emphasis on winning at all costs.
• Do not force an unwilling child to participate in the playing of rugby. If the child is to play, he/she will do so in good time through your encouragement.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal & physical abuse from rugby.
• As a spectator do not use profane language or harass referees, coaches or players.
• Do not publicly question the referee’s judgement and never their honesty.
• Recognise the value and importance of volunteer referees and coaches.
• Identify and acknowledge the good qualities of the Game of Rugby and uphold these values.
• Remember you and your child’s contribution to the Game of Rugby is very important to the IRFU and be proud of your contribution.
• Understand the value of team sport and its importance.