Skip to content Skip to footer
Eastern Counties Rugby Union
Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Discipline

HomeGovernanceDiscipline
Close
Ensuring Accountablity

Discipline at ECRU

ECRU is committed to fair play, respect, and accountability. Our disciplinary framework ensures that misconduct is handled consistently, transparently, and in line with RFU Regulation 19.

Regulation 19

Discipline Administration & Panel Contacts

If for any reason Pamela Clarke is unavailable, the point of contact should be Declan Gallagher. If neither Pamela nor Declan are going to be available, a senior member of the panel will assume their roles.

Disciplinary Chair

Declan Gallagher
Contact

HS Discipline

Pamela Clarke
Contact
Panel Members:
  • Alasdair Bovaird
  • David Broughton
  • Gary Lee
  • Ian Mortimer
  • Jeremy Kendall
  • Peter Wood
Disciplinary Hearings:
  • All hearings are held remotely via Microsoft Teams unless otherwise directed by the Panel Chair.
  • When an in-person hearing is required, it is scheduled at a time and location that is most convenient for all parties involved.
Club Guidance

Following the sending-off of a player

Adults

Clubs should review the following information and guidance on the RFU website to support them with a player send off
Discipline Procedures
Sanction Entry Points

The Club Discipline Secretary or Secretary should notify Pamela Clarke as Secretary to the Disciplinary Panel as soon as possible and in any event within 48 hours. This can be actioned using the form Red Card Notification Form. The form will require the following information:

• Date of match• Players/Individuals name, date of birth and RFU ID• Players/individuals club• Fixture details – home and away teams• Referee’s name and SocietyWe appreciate that not all of this information may be available, but providing as much as possible will speed the process.
Red Card Notification Form

Upon receipt of the referee’s report we will forward this to you with some guidance, for all offences the club should carry out their own disciplinary process following the guidance of the RFU (Discipline Procedures).

• It is recommended to use the RFU Short Judgement Form to record the outcome of the club hearing.• It is important to note that the player remains suspended until the CB panel has issued their decision.• Information regarding sanction levels can be found on the RFU website Sanction Entry Points
RFU Short Judgement Form

Straightforward matters may involve the adoption by the CB panel of a properly reasoned club sanction; but everything will be on a case-by-case basis.

If for any reason Pamela Clarke is unavailable, the point of contact should be Declan Gallagher.If neither Pamela nor Declan are going to be available, a senior member of the panel will assume their roles and we will post an addendum to this section.

Age Grade Rugby

The procedures for age grade rugby differ slightly. The process to be followed is outlined in the RFU guidance:
Age Grade Rugby Disciplinary Procedures

Schools and clubs have responsibility for carrying out the disciplinary process following one of their age grade players being sent off or cited.

The Eastern Counties Age Grade Disciplinary Secretary must be informed of their decision for their review - the CBAGDS in Eastern Counties is Pamela Clarke. Pamela should be notified of a red card within 48 hours using this form Red Card Notification Form.
Red Card Notification Form

Upon receipt of the referee’s report we will forward this to you with some guidance, for all offences the club should carry out their own disciplinary process following the guidance of the RFU above.

We ask that an outcome with reasons is notified within five days where possible. The reason for the rapid turnaround is the potential frequency of age grade fixtures.

Citings:

  • Citings must be submitted within seven days of the incident.

  • If you anticipate a citing, contact the Discipline Secretary promptly.

  • Follow Appendix 4 of Rule 19 in any event Adult Rugby Citing Procedures

  • Note there is a citing fee (refunded if citing accepted or substantiated with sufficient evidence) of £125.00 that must be paid within the seven days – an invoice will be provided for this on notification.

Match Official Disrespect or Abuse

Any offences relating to MOA will require a live hearing (note live hearings are held on Teams) and this applies to players, coaches, clubs and anyone else falling within our jurisdiction.

The club is to carry out their own disciplinary process following the guidance of the RFU (Discipline Procedures MOA Guidance) prior to the live hearing with Eastern Counties.

These hearings are to be attended by the offender and a senior club officer.

There is an mandated RFU uplift to the sanctions for any MOA case as detailed in their guidance MOA Sanction Uplift – this is in addition to the sanctions in the Regulation 19 – Appendix 2

Regulation 5.12

Eastern Counties has the power to discipline any player, official, member, or employee of a Member Club or a Rugby body (or any other person or body that submits to Rugby Football Union’s jurisdiction to discipline them) for any matter that brings the game into disrepute.

Sanctions are at large and at the discretion of the Discipline Panel, subject to natural justice and fairness.

Disciplinary Track Record of Clubs

Regulation 19.2.25 sets out where a club will be required to attend a Disciplinary Panel for a bad disciplinary record Bad Discipline Record

This will be:

  1. a) where a Club appears before a Disciplinary Panel eight or more times as a result of any of its players or members in a season; or
  2. b) when any team within the Club appears before a Disciplinary Panel on five or more occasions for any offence; or
  3. c) when any team appears before a Disciplinary Panel for the same offence on three or more occasions.

When dealing with a Club under this provision, the Disciplinary Panel has the power to impose sanctions as set out in Appendix 2.

Fees & Payment Details

*Refunded if citing is accepted or made out after the hearing.

Type of Case
Fee

Case death with on papers

£50

Any live hearing

£125

Citing Fee*

£125

Payment Details (BACS):

Account Number: 20346500
Sort Code: 20-97-40
Reference: An invoice will be provided. Please quote the invoice number.

Role Description Template

Club Fixture Secretary

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Organise matches and fixtures so players have regular games to enjoy.

Be the link between your club and others in the region.

The role

Working with coaches, team managers, and opposition clubs, you will:

Arrange fixtures for the season for all relevant teams.

Keep track of cancellations, rearrangements, and changes.

Coordinate pitch availability and referees as needed.

Communicate clearly with players, parents, and opposition teams.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Organised and good at scheduling.

A clear and friendly communicator.

Able to stay calm when plans change (as they often do!).

What you’ll get out of it:

Gain event and logistics management experience.

Build relationships with other clubs and coordinators.

Help keep rugby accessible and fun for all players.

Role Description Template

Club Safeguarding Officer

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Help create a safe and inclusive environment for all players, especially children and vulnerable adults.

Act as the club’s lead on safeguarding and welfare matters.

The role

Working with coaches, parents, and the committee, you will:

Ensure safeguarding policies are in place and followed.

Be the point of contact for welfare concerns or reports.

Support DBS checks and safeguarding training for volunteers.

Promote awareness of safeguarding through visible presence and communication.

Liaise with the Constituent Body Safeguarding Manager and the RFU Safeguarding team when necessary.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Approachable, trustworthy, and a good listener.

Knowledgeable (or willing to learn) about safeguarding procedures.

Calm and able to deal with sensitive issues appropriately.

What you’ll get out of it:

Play a vital role in keeping rugby safe and inclusive.

Learn safeguarding practices valued in many sectors.

Make a meaningful difference to young people’s experience of rugby.

Role Description Template

Club Secretary

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Be the key point of contact for club correspondence and administration.

Keep the club running behind the scenes.

Ensure important communications are managed efficiently.

The role

Working with the committee and club volunteers, you will:

Organise and minute committee meetings and the AGM.

Manage club correspondence and liaise with the Constituent Body and RFU.

Maintain up-to-date records of club membership.

Ensure key deadlines (affiliations, registrations, safeguarding, etc.) are met.

Support the Chairperson and Treasurer with administrative tasks.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Organised and detail-oriented.

Good at writing and managing communications.

Friendly, approachable, and discreet when needed.

What you’ll get out of it:

Gain valuable administrative and communication experience.

Play an essential role in your club’s operations.

Develop skills useful in the workplace or other voluntary positions.

Role Description Template

Club Treasurer

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Manage the club’s finances

Keeping everything running smoothly.

Help the club plan & budget

For current and future development.

Ensure transparency in all financial matters.

The role

Working with the committee and club volunteers, you will:

Keep accurate financial records of the club’s income and expenditure.

Prepare reports for the committee and members.

Manage the club bank account and payments.

Oversee fundraising, sponsorship, and grant applications where needed.

Ensure affiliation and insurance fees are paid.

Help set annual budgets for teams, events, and maintenance.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Comfortable with numbers and basic accounting.

Trustworthy and methodical.

Able to communicate financial information clearly to others.

What you’ll get out of it:

Develop budgeting and financial management skills.

Play a crucial role in sustaining your club’s future.

Gain experience valued by employers and voluntary organisations.

Role Description Template

Club Chairperson

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Provide leadership & direction

For the club as a whole.

Be the public face of the club

At events, meetings, and functions.

Foster a positive, inclusive, and respectful club culture

The role

Working with the committee and club volunteers, you will:

Chair committee meetings and the AGM, ensuring everyone has a voice

Help set the club’s goals and ensure plans are in place to meet them.

Support other committee members in their roles.

Act as a decision-maker in the club’s best interests, particularly on key issues.

Represent the club at Constituent Body or RFU meetings where required.

Lead on resolving conflicts and ensure the club operates fairly and transparently.

Ideally, you’ll need to be:

A good communicator & confident in leading discussions.

Organised, approachable, and impartial.

Passionate about rugby and the community.

What you’ll get out of it:

Be a central part of the club’s future success.

Develop leadership and management skills.

Build valuable experience for work or other voluntary positions.

Make a real difference to rugby in your community.

Role Description Template

Club Volunteer Coordinator (CVC)

This role description is for guidance – change to suit the needs of your club

What you can do for your club

Encourage other people to get involved in helping out

With an enthusiastic and friendly perpective

Be the first point of contact for new volunteers

Introducing them around the club & ensuring they understand what they are required to do.

Make sure everyone feels welcome and valued.

The role

Working with the other volunteers in your club, you will:

Plan how many volunteers you need every year

– remember to include special events, as well as the week-in-week-out running of the club

Consider the best places to find new volunteers

– remember to make sure your advertising and appointment's are as open as possible

Understand the reasons people get involved

- use this knowledge to attract more like-minded people.

Ensure well-fitting roles for volunteers

- giving people roles they enjoy will mean they are more likely to continue

Support, encourage & thank volunteers regularly

- recognise & reward success: nominating volunteers for club, Constituent Body, RFU or external awards & ensure volunteers get the training they need to do a great job

Create a succession plan

- so you always have volunteers ready and willing to step up or provide cover for key roles
Ideally, you’ll need to be:

Welcoming & easy to approach

A good listener & communicator

Confident, well-organised & happy to delegate

Enthusiastic & motivating

What you’ll get out of it:

This is a very social role. You’ll provide an important service to the club and community, and for a small investment of time you’ll :

Meet all kinds of people

Do something distinctive & worthwhile

Become more attractive to potential employers

Build transferable organisational & communication skills

Get Started

How To Book?

Go to Course finder (RFU)
  1. Go to the RFU Course Finder: Click the button above to visit gms.rfu.com/GMS/coursefinder.

  2. Search for a Course:

    • By Course Type: Select the ‘Coaching’ type of course.

    • By Location: Enter your town or postcode to find nearby courses.

    • By Date: Choose a date range to see courses available during that period.

  3. Select a Course: Click on a course title to view details, including description, dates, times, location, and prerequisites.​

Next Step...

Depending on your situation...

  1. Click “Book”: On the course page, click the “Book” button.

  2. Log In:

    • Username: Enter your email address or username.

    • Password: Enter your password.

    • Click “Log In”.

  3. Add to Basket: Click the basket icon to add the course.

  4. Checkout:

    • Review Your Basket: Ensure the correct course is listed.

    • Click “Checkout”.

  5. Payment:

    • Enter Payment Details: Provide your card information.

    • Confirm Billing Address: Ensure your address is correct.

    • Click “Pay Now”.

  6. Confirmation: You’ll receive a confirmation email with course details.

  1. Click “Book”: On the course page, click the “Book” button.

  2. Create an Account:

    • Click “Create Account”.

    • Fill in Personal Details: Name, email, date of birth, etc.

    • Set a Password: Choose a memorable password.

    • Click “Submit”.

  3. Verify Email: Check your inbox for a verification email and follow the instructions.

  4. Log In: Use your new credentials to log in.

  5. Proceed to Booking: Follow steps 3 to 6 from Scenario 1.

  1. Click “Book”: On the course page, click the “Book” button.

  2. Click “Forgot Password?”: Located below the login fields.

  3. Enter Email: Provide the email associated with your account.

  4. Check Email: You’ll receive a link to reset your password.

  5. Reset Password:

    • Click the Link: In the email.

    • Enter New Password: Choose a new password.

    • Confirm Password: Re-enter the new password.

    • Click “Submit”.

  6. Log In: Use your new password to log in.

  7. Proceed to Booking: Follow steps 3 to 6 from Scenario 1.​