Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Teamwork - Respect – Enjoyment - Discipline - Sportsmanship

After the Covid-enforced break from rugby that we had to endure through 2020 and 2021 it has been refreshing to see our great game return and the renewal of friendships and rivalries across Eastern Counties.

Not all aspects of the game have returned smoothly with a shortage of referees at some levels and in some areas being a particular concern. Eastern Counties has met the three referees’ societies that serve our area to discuss what we can do to improve the number of officials available and ensure that matches take place.

Sadly, some of our referee colleagues reported that the standards of behaviour they are experiencing from supporters, coaching teams and players has not always been at the level we would expect. Indeed, in a minority of cases, abuse of match officials by players, coaches or spectators has been a significant concern and has led to some officials questioning their willingness to continue to offer their services to clubs.

It is clear from posts in social media that this is a concern in other areas as well. One of our counties – Norfolk – has already written to clubs to remind them of their responsibilities. Eastern Counties makes no apology for adding our support to that letter or for ensuring that clubs throughout our area are aware of the issue. ECRU is body responsible for administering the community game in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. We want to be clear that we will not stand by and ignore any decline in the standards of behaviour at rugby matches and will fully support any official who finds themselves subject to anything other than exemplary levels of respect.
Clubs are reminded that:

• They are responsible for the behaviour of their players, coaching teams and supporters;
• That there are regulations that require spectators to be separated from the playing enclosure;
• That there are also regulations that require all coaches and substitute players to remain in a defined technical area with only first aiders permitted to wander around the pitch.

Without a referee, there is no game. The referees are volunteers and entitled to enjoy not endure their matchday experience. If we cannot rely on clubs to ensure that the values of our game are upheld then we will not hesitate to apply appropriate sanctions to those clubs. Clubs who are not providing a good experience to visiting officials cannot be surprised should it prove more difficult to get referees for their matches.

Thankfully, the vast majority of those involved in rugby recognise and demonstrate the core values of our game: Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship. We will be providing some publicity material over the next few months to support clubs in encouraging high standards of behaviour but, in the meantime, we ask that all clubs consider what they can do to ensure that visitors to their grounds, especially visiting match officials, leave with a clear wish to return some day.

Sincerely

Alasdair Bovaird, Chair of Eastern Counties