Code of Conduct 

Code for Players/Members

• Play for enjoyment and to be part of the Vipers Rugby Family

• Respect the 'Game of Rugby' and play within the laws and spirit of the game

• Accept the referee's decision and let your Teams Captain or Volunteer Coach ask any relevant questions

• Play with control. Do not lose your temper under any circumstances

• Be a “great sport”. Applaud all good sportsman play whether by your team or the opposition

• Always do your best and be committed to the Game, your Teammates, and The Ellenbrook Vipers Rugby Union Club

• Respect your opponent. Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not 'bully' or take advantage of any player

• Rugby is a team sport, so make sure you co-operate with your coach, teammates, and members of The Club

• Remember that the Goals of the Game are to have fun, improve your skills and feel good

• At the end of each round, thank your opponents and referee for the match by shaking hands.

• Always remember that you owe a duty of care to opponents. Tackle hard, but fairly, and do not intend to hurt your opponent even if influence comes from the sidelines, remember this is about your happiness

• Winning and losing are part of sport: Win with humility - Lose with dignity

• As part of the team, it is important that you attend training regularly and listen to coach; helping your team unify

• Remember you are representing yourself, your team, The Club, and the Game of Rugby regardless of whether you are playing at home or travelling and playing an away fixture

• Ellenbrook Rugby Union Club INC, (herein referred to as The Club) reserves the right to take all necessary steps in relation to a player or member who is found to be in breach of this Code of Conduct. A Disciplinary Committee will be formed. This committee will be formed to deal with any incident/incidents pertaining to a breach of this Code to enable a full investigation to take place. The Disciplinary Committee will inform the Management Committee of its findings and make recommendations in each case on an individual basis.

• An appeal of such sanction handed down by the Management Committee must be in writing and will only be heard within five working days from the date of the decision. If no appeal is lodged within that period, the sanction will be carried out to its full extent.

ALL PLAYERS/MEMBERS ARE HERE FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE SPORT RUGBY UNION AND THE PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR TEAM

Code of Conduct for Parents

• Remember, young people play Rugby for their enjoyment, and not yours

• Positively encourage your child to always play by the Laws of the Game and with good standing

• Teach your young children that honest endeavour is more important than winning, so that result of each game is accepted without disappointment

• Help young people to work towards skill improvement, self-esteem, and good sportsmanship

• Set a moral example by applauding good play on both sides and inspire others to do the same

• Never ridicule, humiliate, or shout at any players for making a mistake or losing a match

• DO NOT PLACE EMPHASIS ON WINNING AT ALL COSTS

• Do not force an unwilling child to participate in playing the game of Rugby. If the child is to play, he/she will do so in good time through your encouragement and positive reinforcement

• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from Rugby

• As a spectator do not use profane language or harass referees, coaches, or players. You will be asked to leave the field should your actions be found offensive and in breach of our conduct

• Do not publicly question the referees’ judgement and never their honesty

• Recognise the value and importance of volunteer referees and coaches

• Identify and acknowledge the good qualities of the Game of Rugby and uphold the clubs Core Values of:
  RESPECT | RESILIENCE | RESULTS

• Remember you and your child’s contribution to the Game of Rugby is very important to The Ellenbrook Vipers Club and Rugby Australia; be proud you are a part of your club’s history

• Understand the value of team sport and the importance there of

• Always chip-in, by way of Volunteering or Club Donations, we are ALL volunteers, and we are all here for our children
  
  

OUR COMMUNITY WATCHES HOW YOU BEHAVE, SO INSPIRE,
SUPPORT AND POSITIVELY ENCOURAGE

Code of Conduct for Coaches

• Remember as a Coach of an 'age grade team' you are looked up to, whether you want to or not. That extents your duty of care to be more onerous than that of a coach to an adult team

• Lead by example – ALWAYS - young people need a coach who they respect and will guide them with values

• Be generous with your praise when it is deserved. Never ridicule or shout at players for making mistakes or losing a match and under NO CIRCUMSTANCES exclude a child or make them feel unwelcomed or insignificant

• Teach your players that the Laws of the Game are mutual agreements which no one should evade or break

• Be reasonable in your demands on the players' time, energy, and enthusiasm

• Ensure that all players equally participate in matches. All players deserve equal field time. Remember, with the right kind of encouragement, you could unlock the most incredible player you’ve ever coached. You will never know if you keep your mind closed to the possibility of greatness

• Remember that young players PLAY FOR FUN AND ENJOYMENT and that skill learning and playing for fun have priority over highly structured competition

• Develop player and team respect for the ability of opponents, as well as for the judgement of referees and opposing coaches

• Insist on fair and disciplined play. Do not tolerate foul play, fighting or foul language. Be prepared to take off an offending player and teach your kids that they will be penalised should they mouth off, use foul play, fighting or foul language.

• Encourage young players to develop basic skills and sportsmanship, always. Avoid over specialisation in positional play during their formative years, understanding who they are as humans before their ability

• Set realistic goals for the team and individual players. Do not push young players into adult like competition or unsafe and harmful play

• Create a Safe, Stable and Enjoyable Environment in which to train and play

• Do not over burden young minds with too much information, short, sharp and to the point drives the instruction home

• Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles and methods, and on the principles of growth and development of all young people of our community

• BE AWARE OF THE EFFECT YOU HAVE ON GROWING CHILDREN.
  WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREATER RESPONSIBILITY

• Never criticise the referees and touch judges during or after a match in front of the players or spectators. Should you have a disagreement, follow the proper procedure and report through the correct channels

• Always thank the Match Officials and if they have made decisions that require clarification, discuss the problem after everyone has changed. Never cause a scene for the wrong reason’s

• Seek and follow the advice of a doctor in determining an injured player is ready to play again.

• Do not risk a concussed child physical future for the sake of one season’s points

• Ensure that proper equipment and facilities, in so far as is possible, are always available

• Support the Code of Ethics and all policies regarding Children in Sport, especially the values of the Ellenbrook Vipers

• Ensure you and your players are proud of your team, club, and the efforts of all during the season
  
  

A TEAM CONSISTS OF YOUR PLAYERS AND YOUR PARENTS ~ ELLENBROOK VIPERS ARE A FAMILY, EMBRACE EVERYONE FOR THEIR DIFFERENCE AND THEIR STRENGTHS. REMEMBER, THOSE WHO ARE UNITED ON AND OFF A FIELD ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE TOGETHER.

Code of Conduct for Spectators

• Remember that although our communities young people play organised Rugby Union they are not 'miniature internationals'. FUN AND INCLUSIVENESS IS OUR TOP PRIORITY

• Be on your BEST BEHAVIOUR and LEAD BY EXAMPLE. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will the use profane language, discrimination, segregation or harassment of referees, players, spectators, or coaches be tolerated

• Applaud good, fair play by celebrating visiting teams and your own

• Show respect for your teams’ opponents and remember that without their dedication and common love for Rugby Union there would not be a match to attend

• CONDEMN THE USE OF VIOLENCE IN ALL FORMS AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY

• Verbal abuse of players or referees will NOT be accepted in any shape or form

• Players or referees are not fair targets for ignorant behaviour, this is a FAMILY ENVIRONMENT

• Encourage young players to play by the Laws of the Game and should the opposition not play fairly, that it will NOT be your duty to seek redemption. Hold your head high knowing our club played with integrity

• Spectators can contribute to the enjoyment of games and boost the entire feel of a venue. Be involved positively, encourage, support, and inspire those around you

• Show other clubs just how special our community is and why we work so hard to incorporate and welcome all

• Be proud of your Ellenbrook Vipers Rugby Union Club and the Game of Rugby
  
  

WHO YOU ARE, ON AND OFF THE OVAL, IN LIFE AND IN PRIVATE, IS WATCHED BY OUR CHILDREN, BE A PART OF RAISING A GENERATION OF AMAZING HUMANS!