Youth and Schools Discipline

The regulations given here, are subject to confirmation before the start of the Season.   Consult the RFU Website or Handbook.
These details apply to Youth and Schools Players under 18 years - for Adult discipline go to CLUBHOUSE > DISCIPLINE

CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESSES  - YOUTH & SCHOOLS DISCIPLINARY MATTERS

Schools Disciplinary Officer (CSUDS)                                                    Secretary of the Sussex Referees Society
Youth Disciplinary Officer    (CBYDS)                                                     Mr. Iain Mitchell
Dr.Roger Edmondson,                                                                                26 Little Bridges Close
1 Ryefield Close,                                                                                       Southwater, Horsham RH13 9HH
Eastbourne  BN21 2XJ)                                                                              Telephone 01403 731716 (P) 07909 962085 (M) 
Telephone 01323 501893 (P)                                                                      e-mail - iainmitchell@tinyonline.co.uk
e-mail  - rogeredmondson@therfu.com 

CLUB DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEES

Extract from Sussex RFU Rule 10
Each Club shall form a Disciplinary Committee and such Committees shall have the power to inflict appropriate punishment on any player, official or member of the Club for an infringement of any Laws of the Game provided that such powers are without prejudice to the powers of Sussex RFU to deal with such matters in accordance with the powers delegated to them by the Rugby Football Union. Each club shall notify, within 4 days, the County Disciplinary Committee Secretary of any disciplinary action taken for any infringement of the Laws.

A Player need not have been disciplined by an Official in order to appear before a Club Disciplinary Committee.
If a Player is punished by his own Club for a foul play offence, which was undetected by an Official, Clubs should inform the Secretary of the opposing Club of the verdict and action taken

When a Player is dismissed the field of play  - Who does what - and when

1.1   The Referee
Informs the Player that he is dismissing him/her from the field of play, and the offence committed. Obtains details of the player immediately following the Match.

The Player
Must ensure that the Club Secretary or Teacher i/c Rugby is informed of the dismissal.

1.2 Within 48 hours, must complete and send  the 'Ordered off' form to the Youth/Schools Disciplinary Secretary (address above), with a copy to the Secretary of the Sussex Referees Society  (address above). 
For players from outside Sussex the form is to be sent to the Youth/Schools Disciplinary Secretary of the Constituent Body to which his Club or School is allocated.

1.3 The Club Secretary
Within 72 hours of a dismissal, must inform the Youth/Schools Disciplinary Secretary of the full name and address of any Player who has been sent off. 
See note above about Club Disciplinary Committees, informing the Youth/Schools Disciplinary Secretary of any action taken by the Club, and the Player's right to continue to play until a hearing has been held.  Failure to report the sending-off at this time will result in the Administration Fee being increased.

1.4  The Club Disciplinary Committee
The Club Disciplinary Committee shall be convened with 4 days and decide what sanction should be taken against the player.   The result to be notified in writing
to the Youth/Schools Secretary (address above), within 48 hours.   Details of the matches missed (both Clubs and Schools count) must be stated in the report. 

1.5  A player sent off will appear before the Sussex Discipline Committee within 21 days, accompanied by a Club representative.   If found guilty the player has the right to appeal to the RFU within 14 days of the hearing.

The Youth/Schools Disciplinary Secretary
Will advise the Club and the Player of the Date, Time and Place of the Tribunal, and that it is their duty to have available any evidence t hey wish to call .
In some instances, depending on the circumstances, and whether the player has been sent off before, a Player will be asked in the calling notice if he wishes to be dealt with in his absence. In this event, he will receive the norm for the offence, shown in the recommended penalties laid down by the RFU. (see below)

The Club Secretary
On receipt of the notification of a hearing, will Immediately inform the Youth/Schools Disciplinary Secretary
 1. If the Player will be attending the meeting.
 2. The names of any Club representatives attending.
 3. Whether he wishes the referee to be present*
 4. Forward the appropriate fee.

FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN EXTRA COSTS OR FURTHER ACTION BEING TAKEN AGAINST THE CLUB

1.6  Having received the Referee's report, the player will be asked if he requires the presence of the referee at the Discipline Hearing.  If he does not want the referee to be present, he cannot dispute the referee's report at the hearing.   However, he has the opportunity to request the referee's presence at the hearing when he can challenge the referee's report, but the player is responsible for all the expenses incurred by the referee (and touch judge) in attending the meeting. 

Rules for the conduct of Disciplinary Tribunals are laid down in the RFU Handbook

PLAYERS SENT OFF IN CLUB MATCHES

If a School or Club imposes what appears to be an unduly lenient sentence, they will be asked to review this and justify to CBSYDS.   If a CBYDS remains unconvinced that the matter will be considered further by the National Schools and Youth Disciplinary Secretary who can by consent reopen the case and request an independent panel sits to sentence: or he can refer the case to the RFU Disciplinary Officer to see. RFU Regulation 14.3 applies.

*It is assumed that Schools and Clubs would apply other sanctions for serious breaches of conduct. If not, then higher match suspensions should be applied.

PLAYERS SENT OFF IN SCHOOLS MATCHES

3.1   It is accepted that Discipline in Schools Rugby is within the province of the Head Teacher

3.2   The completed sending off form shall be sent to the Head Teacher and the Schools Disciplinary Secretary (CSUDS) within 48 hours.

3.3   The Head Teacher has three possible sanctions:
               a)    Sending off is sufficient punishment
               b)    A Caution is given, laying down expectations as to future good conduct.
               c)    A period of playing suspension from all Rugby matches.

3.4   The Head Teacher shall consult the Schools Disciplinary Secretary (CSUDS) before coming to a decision, 
        and then write to the CSUDS, stating the sanction     

Youth players - Recommended Sanctions for Offences within the playing enclosure

The following range of recommended sanctions for offences in the playing enclosure is set down in the R.F.U. Handbook. However, they may be increased or decreased according to the individual circumstances of the offence and the previous disciplinary record of the Player. Note that to use threatening actions or words at Match Officials can be punished by a ban of 12 - 24 months, and physically abusing Match Officials can attract a ban of 2 years to Life.    

Sussex RFU panels are mandated to take  a severe view in any case where such action is proved.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOUTH PLAYERS MUST LEARN FROM THEIR ACTIONS.   
THE FIRST SANCTION IMPOSED WILL BE LESS THAN IN SENIOR RUGBY SINCE HOPEFULLY THE PLAYER WILL LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKE.

Citing

5 CITING
5.1      A Citing can only be made by: 
  
     a)  Unions or Clubs participating in the relevant match          
     b)  An accredited Referee Assessor/advisor who has been officially appointed to attend the match by the RFU, a Referee's Society or by the Federation of   
          Referee Societies. 

5.2      Where a player is alleged to have committed an act of foul play (but has not been sent off for that act), then the organisations listed above shall have the
          discretion to cite that  player to show cause why he should not be held accountable in the same way as the  player who has been Sent Off (the red card test) 
5.3     The Citing must be in writing, stating:
           
    a)  date, venue and teams participating in the match;          
    b)  details of the alleged act of foul play, including as accurately as possible the point of  time in the match, the score at the time and position on the field when
         and where the  incident is alleged to have occurred; and           
    c)  the identity of (or means of identifying) the player alleged to be guilty of foul play

5.4    The citing must be:           

    a)  signed by the President, Chairman, Secretary or nominated person acting on behalf of the  Union or Affiliated Organisation or the accredited Referee
         Assessor/Advisor seeking to cite:          
   b)   addressed to the Discipline Secretary of the Constituent Body to which the player's Club  is allocated.          
   c)   accompanied by any video evidence that the complainant intends to adduce in support of  the citing; and          
   d)   received by the Constituent  Body not later than the first post on the 14th day immediately  following the match in which the incident giving rise to the citing
         occurred. 

5.5    Save in the cases of a citing by an accredited Referees Assessor/Adviser the citing must be  accompanied by a cheque for £100.