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Notice to the club
21st September 2009

Important Sussex RFU disciplinary update

At the Sussex RFU clubs meeting on Tuesday 1st September there were things that I was unable to mention because of an appeal to the RFU by one of our clubs, Hove RFC.

That appeal was heard on Monday 14th September. Hove RFC appealed to the RFU against a decision made against them to a charge of having a bad disciplinary record. Their appeal was dismissed and the primary finding of Sussex RFU upheld. The appeal panel varied the sanction imposed upon the club, the varied sanction being:-

I. Hove RFC is formally issued with a caution in relation to the disciplinary record of its youth section.

II. Hove RFC is accordingly warned as to its future conduct.

III. The youth section (U.13 to U.18 teams inclusive) of Hove RFC is suspended for a period of 1(one) month. That period of suspension is however suspended during the 2009/2010 season and will only become operative in the event of 3 (three) separate sanctions being imposed on players, officials or supporters (including parents) of the youth section arising out of any game played, after the date of this judgment, by any of the youth section teams.

IV. Hove RFC is further required to comply with the positive obligations set out below:

a) To ensure that at least one Club officer or official is on duty at each youth section home match during the season 2009/2010 specifically to monitor behaviour and address problems as they arise.

b) To ensure that all members are aware of the Code of Conduct relating to the playing of the game.

c) To publish guidance on "rules of behaviour" expected by players, officials and supporters. These should be sent by e-mail to each Club member and copies posted in the Clubhouse.

d) To ensure that all youth section players and officials attend a meeting, to be held as soon as is practicable, and addressed by senior club officials advising them of their responsibilities and of the serious consequences of failing to meet those responsibilities. It is to be hoped that a parent or guardian of each youth section player may also attend this meeting.

This case was initiated by me when Hove RFC were considered to have a bad disciplinary record, having had 8 (eight) players appear before a disciplinary panel in any one season.

The RFU Disciplinary Regulations, 2.5.9 states more than 5. It is not necessary to go into the full details of the hearings, nor do I seek to cause any further insult to Hove RFC, but I use these circumstances to remind all clubs of their own responsibilities for the greater good of the game, as I did at the meeting.

The specific mention of how many players constitute a bad record was introduced into the RFU Disciplinary Regulations for season 2008/2009, and at that point the process by which it was decided by in Sussex was abolished...

I have only recently received the current RFU Handbook and when I have had the opportunity to see if there are changes to the disciplinary regulations I, together with the secretary of the disciplinary panel, will put together full details of how disciplinary procedures should be followed, which will also be place on our website.

The calling notice will be updated too.

Regards,

Frank Edmonds.

Chairman of Disciplinary Committee

Sussex Rugby Football Union Ltd. 
Registered Office
23 Havelock Road
Hastings TN34 1BP

Registered number 29136R Industrial & Provident Societies Act 1965

PS- Should any club wish to have sight of the full RFU Decision, please contact Peter Silk cb-honsec-sussex@therfu.com

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