Player’s
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Play for the fun of it, not just to please your parents or coach.
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Play by the rules and the laws of the game.
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Never argue with the referee’s decision.
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Control your temper.
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Work equally hard for yourself and your team, thus your team’s performance will benefit, and so will your own.
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Be a good sport. Applaud all good play, whether by your own team or the opponents.
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Treat all players, as you would like to be treated. Don’t interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of any players.
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Remember that the goals of the game are to have fun, improve your skills and feel good. Don’t be a show off.
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Co-operate with coaches, team-mates, opponents and referees; without them you don’t have a game.
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Just one more thing, cherish Rugby for what it is – FUN! No More, No Less.
Parent’s
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Do not force an unwilling child to participate in sport.
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Remember, children are involved in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
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Encourage your child to play by the rules.
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Teach your child that honest effort is as important as victory so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.
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Turn defeat into victory by helping your child to work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship. Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing a game.
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Remember that children learn best by example. Applaud good play by your team and by members of the opposing team.
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Do not publicly question the referee’s judgement and never their honesty. If you do you will be asked to leave the ‘field of play’.
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Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s sport.
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Recognise the value and importance of volunteer coaches. They give up their time and resources to provide recreational activities for your child.
Coach’s
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Be reasonable in your demands on the young players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
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Remember they have other interests.
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Teach your players that the rules and laws of the game are mutual agreements, which no one should evade or break.
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In contact games, group players according to age, height, skill and physical maturity.
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Avoid overplaying talented players. “Average” players need and deserve equal time.
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Remember that children play for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of it. Never ridicule or yell at the children for making mistakes or losing a game.
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Ensure that all equipment and facilities are appropriate to the age and abilities of the players.
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The scheduling and length of practice times and games should take into consideration the child’s maturity level.
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Develop team respect for the ability of the opponents, as well as for the judgement of referees and opposing coaches. Never publicly question a referees judgement or honesty.
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Make sure the team conduct themselves appropriately at the end of a game, even practice games, with 3 cheers and forming a tunnel for the opposition.
