Email from RFL to amateur clubs

[dkw]

Not sure if anyone's seen this but the RFL have sent a communication to all amateur clubs and associations to demand respect for officials on the back of some walking away from the game. Talks of fixtures being suspended and officials being withdrawn from teams with abuse issues etc.

Good to see them getting a grip of this, though it's definitely late. 

[dealwithit]

An email is a start. Banning people for life should help. Supporting officials to press charges would also help. 

[cookey]

Rugby Union have a very strict and successful policy on this. 

I'm afraid threats / warnings etc, do little good. At ru, any abuse, even relatively mild, is simply not accepted. Even coming from the crowd, that individual, together with the competing officials are warned and told that the game will be abandoned and league points deducted. Repeat offences, result in relegation. 

Frankly, with some of the players, officials and supporters involved in rl, I'm not sure this would be possible. I fear the official would merely receive even more abuse if he abandoned a game. Clubs just have to control their own players, officials and supporters. 

[dealwithit]

7 minutes ago, cookey said:

Rugby Union have a very strict and successful policy on this. 

I'm afraid threats / warnings etc, do little good. At ru, any abuse, even relatively mild, is simply not accepted. Even coming from the crowd, that individual, together with the competing officials are warned and told that the game will be abandoned and league points deducted. Repeat offences, result in relegation. 

Frankly, with some of the players, officials and supporters involved in rl, I'm not sure this would be possible. I fear the official would merely receive even more abuse if he abandoned a game. Clubs just have to control their own players, officials and supporters. 

What a great opportunity for an institution to change societal norms for the better

[sam4731]

From a player point of view, it should be simple.

Only the captain is allowed to talk to the ref. Anyone else the questions a decision or speaks out of turn, automatic sin bin. Got a grievance, go through your captain.

Obviously if the ref calls any other player over that wouldn't be the same.

[RigbyLuger]

Anyone who abuses the match officials from the stands should be dealt with by the clubs. If they're too scared to, they'll face the consequences. Good.

[fighting irish]

Who's policing it?

The referee's society? The clubs?

I suggest neither is an appropriate suggestion.

The referees only have the ability to refuse to officiate at the offending club and the clubs have a vested interest in cover ups, obfuscation and leniency. 

This should be policed by the local league's administrators.

For god's sake accept some responsibility for the game in your locality (including development).

Put the dummy back in and play your part! 

[dkw]

15 minutes ago, fighting irish said:

Who's policing it?

The referee's society? The clubs?

I suggest neither is an appropriate suggestion.

The referees only have the ability to refuse to officiate at the offending club and the clubs have a vested interest in cover ups, obfuscation and leniency. 

This should be policed by the local league's administrators.

For god's sake accept some responsibility for the game in your locality (including development).

Put the dummy back in and play your part! 

Probably read it before throwing out accusations, as they have placed the responsibility on everyone involved, and said referees societies and the leagues will take action.

[Gooleboy]

The abuse match officials get from spectators at amateur open age and junior RL games is a disgrace. No wonder some of them are walking away from the sport.

[LeeF]

1 hour ago, RigbyLuger said:

Anyone who abuses the match officials from the stands should be dealt with by the clubs. If they're too scared to, they'll face the consequences. Good.

From my own personal experience clubs in the main don’t deal with abuse from the touch lines and the leagues don’t make them deal with it. 

[fighting irish]

3 hours ago, dkw said:

Probably read it before throwing out accusations, as they have placed the responsibility on everyone involved, and said referees societies and the leagues will take action.

I wasn't throwing out accusations, I was asking a question. Thank you for attempting to answer it. 

I was also repeating (for emphasis) something I've said before and that I believe to be a pretty big brake on the development of our game, which is the at best, apathy towards and at worst outright rejection of accepting responsibility for the administration of our amateur game.

In my opinion, simply managing the status quo is insufficient and tantamount to a dereliction of duty to the game/sport. A key element of the work of the custodians of our game, is to increase participation and as far as I can see, the amateur game (BARLA et al) have downed tools. 

 

[The Blues Ox]

Thought this might be an email about clubs and the conditions of their pitches as apparently one of those went out this week as well. I were discussing it with someone last week that I always think its strange we call games off when pitches are frozen but we are totally fine with players playing on bone dry pitches that resemble concrete.

[gingerjon]

11 minutes ago, The Blues Ox said:

Thought this might be an email about clubs and the conditions of their pitches as apparently one of those went out this week as well. I were discussing it with someone last week that I always think its strange we call games off when pitches are frozen but we are totally fine with players playing on bone dry pitches that resemble concrete.

Local RU calls off matches for the pitches being too hard in no rain periods.

[Mr Plow]

5 hours ago, fighting irish said:

Who's policing it?

The referee's society? The clubs?

I suggest neither is an appropriate suggestion.

The referees only have the ability to refuse to officiate at the offending club and the clubs have a vested interest in cover ups, obfuscation and leniency. 

This should be policed by the local league's administrators.

For god's sake accept some responsibility for the game in your locality (including development).

Put the dummy back in and play your part! 

Being involved in amateur rl, I can tell you junior rugby league is a cesspit for abuse. It happens in open age but no where near as bad as junior leagues.

I know at open age if they’re short of refs they won’t send someone to a club who have a ‘bad reputation’ if you like.

57 minutes ago, The Blues Ox said:

Thought this might be an email about clubs and the conditions of their pitches as apparently one of those went out this week as well. I were discussing it with someone last week that I always think its strange we call games off when pitches are frozen but we are totally fine with players playing on bone dry pitches that resemble concrete.

What if they play on 3G pitches?

[Oxford]

When I saw the title of the thread I was gobsmacked that anyone was computer literate at the RFL, secondly I thought they might be offering Salford players to any amateur club with spare cash. It's not surprising that refs are feeling threatened  when players and pundits analyse refs decisions and find them wanting as well as professional players. And social media might just as well give people a large stick to hit them with.

[Pie tries]

Sanction for poor behaviour should be that clubs offending coach refs a game…

[The Blues Ox]

9 hours ago, Mr Plow said:

What if they play on 3G pitches?

Then its probably not applicable to them but have you ever played on one of those bad boys in soaring sunshine. 

[north yorks trinity]

19 hours ago, RigbyLuger said:

Anyone who abuses the match officials from the stands should be dealt with by the clubs. If they're too scared to, they'll face the consequences. Good.

Agree with this. I do hope we can start taking this seriously but I also hope we're sensible enough to distinguish between criticism (which should be OK, even when one-eyed and not valid) and abuse which isn't. There may be a fine line at times but there are also too many instances which have clearly crossed the line and we should start making examples of these.

I also like the idea of no player except the captain speaking to the referee unless spoken to. It would not only make the game a better spectacle but would remove one of the triggers for poor spectator behaviour.

Edited May 10 by north yorks trinity

[sheddingswasus]

59 minutes ago, north yorks trinity said:

Agree with this. I do hope we can start taking this seriously but I also hope we're sensible enough to distinguish between criticism (which should be OK, even when one-eyed and not valid) and abuse which isn't. There may be a fine line at times but there are also too many instances which have clearly crossed the line and we should start making examples of these.

I also like the idea of no player except the captain speaking to the referee unless spoken to. It would not only make the game a better spectacle but would remove one of the triggers for poor spectator behaviour.

Personally I would make referees March players 10m every time this walk to the referee, this used to be the case in the old days and referees commanded much higher respect than they do today. If they continue to speak out of line, it’s 10 minutes. I would also end this the referees calling players by first names. By all means of the pitch but on the pitch they should be Mr thus and  Mr. The referee should be referred to as, sir.

Edited May 10 by sheddingswasus

[Just Browny]

1 hour ago, north yorks trinity said:

 I also hope we're sensible enough to distinguish between criticism (which should be OK, even when one-eyed and not valid) and abuse which isn't.

No. Nobody on the sidelines or on the pitch should be offering criticism or abuse in community rugby. In a professional ground, where the officials enjoy a bit of protection, moaning from the stands is fair enough, but if you're a 16 year old kid reffing on your own in some unfamiliar town you shouldn't be copping criticism for giving up your time to do a job.

[moorside roughyed]

It's about time the RFL got to grips with this. I watch Saddleworth Rangers whenever I can. I would never abuse officials or players in the amateur game,this type of thing should not be tolerated.Some folk need to learn some respect,manners and actually enjoy our fantastic, inclusive sport. I was brought up,not dragged up. 

[LeeF]

Dewsbury Celtic have posted a copy of the letter/ email on their Facebook page. 

It’s fair in what it says but just now needs the powers that be to follow through with sanctions as appropriate. 

[LeeF]

2 hours ago, sheddingswasus said:

Personally I would make referees March players 10m every time this walk to the referee, this used to be the case in the old days and referees commanded much higher respect than they do today. If they continue to speak out of line, it’s 10 minutes. I would also end this the referees calling players by first names. By all means of the pitch but on the pitch they should be Mr thus and  Mr. The referee should be referred to as, sir.

Players respond quicker/ more often to being called by their name (either first or last). No need to call a player Mr Whatever etc.

Players, as a general rule do call the referees “sir” and are in the main respectful. Again, from my own experience, more grief/ abuse comes from those the other sides of the white line

[fighting irish]

18 hours ago, fighting irish said:

I was also repeating (for emphasis) something I've said before and that I believe to be a pretty big brake on the development of our game, which is the at best, apathy towards and at worst outright rejection of accepting responsibility for the administration of our amateur game.

In my opinion, simply managing the status quo is insufficient and tantamount to a dereliction of duty to the game/sport. ......... and as far as I can see, the amateur game (BARLA et al) have downed tools. 

 

16 hours ago, Mr Plow said:

Being involved in amateur rl, I can tell you junior rugby league is a cesspit for abuse. It happens in open age but no where near as bad as junior leagues.

I know at open age if they’re short of refs they won’t send someone to a club who have a ‘bad reputation’ if you like.

You reinforce my point. This is a disgrace.

If anyone thinks that this kind of behaviour doesn't negatively affect the growth of our game, they're deluded.

It seems to be taking place in a vacuum. Who's in control? Who's minding the shop? What kind of ''administration'' allows this to go on? 

16 hours ago, Oxford said:

When I saw the title of the thread I was gobsmacked that anyone was computer literate at the RFL, ...... And social media might just as well give people a large stick to hit them with.

When I read it, I thought ''the RFL have sent an email?'' ''Really?, is that it?'' No wonder we can't grow the game.

Is it really headline news, when the RFL sends an email?

As long as I've been reading these threads, I've never (before) seen notice of the RFL sending an email!!!!!

Is that the extent of the governance the amateur game ''enjoys''? Ha ha ha.

Now let me make something clear, while I'm taking the mick out of the RFL,

I don't think they are to blame. In my opinion, the blame lies with the amateur leagues administrators, who are shamefully remiss right across the country. 

1 hour ago, Just Browny said:

No. Nobody on the sidelines or on the pitch should be offering criticism or abuse in community rugby. In a professional ground, where the officials enjoy a bit of protection, moaning from the stands is fair enough, but if you're a 16 year old kid reffing on your own in some unfamiliar town you shouldn't be copping criticism for giving up your time to do a job.

I agree mate, isn't it self-evident though?

Where's the governance? Who's responsibility is it to stamp it out?

The clubs? who someone thinks may be too scared, or who have a vested interest in turning a blind eye, or obfuscating the issue, or the referees, who are embarrassed and humiliated and even coerced by the thugs? Who might never referee a game again because of it?

(Clue: I've already answered it 3 times above). 

36 minutes ago, moorside roughyed said:

It's about time the RFL got to grips with this. I watch Saddleworth Rangers whenever I can. I would never abuse officials or players in the amateur game,this type of thing should not be tolerated.Some folk need to learn some respect,manners and actually enjoy our fantastic, inclusive sport. I was brought up,not dragged up. 

The RFL can't even wash it's own face ''Rough...'',

This is the domain of the amateur leagues administration.

Where TF are they? Absent without leave, your honour. 

Edited May 10 by fighting irish

[Griff]

6 hours ago, The Blues Ox said:

Then its probably not applicable to them but have you ever played on one of those bad boys in soaring sunshine. 

I've seen some bad grazes on frozen 4G pitches too.