Western District Junior Rugby Union Club Player/Parent Handbook
Codes of Conduct
Introduction
These codes are designed to:
- Maintain the element of enjoyment and satisfaction in junior rugby.
- Make adults aware that young people play to satisfy themselves and not
necessarily to satisfy adults or members of their own peer group
- Improve the physical fitness of youth by making it attractive, safe and enjoyable for all young people.
- Constantly remind administrators, coaches, parents, that rugby must be
administered, taught and provided, for the good of those young people who
wish to play our game.
PLEASE REMEMBER - WE ARE HERE FOR THE KIDS. IT S THEIR GAME!
- Players Play by the rules: they are there for the good of all.
- Never argue with an official: if you disagree, discuss the matter with your
coach after the game.
- Control your temper: verbal abuse, racial or religious vilification of other players, and provoking an opponent or the other team are never appropriate.
- Be good sport: acknowledge all good plays by your team, opponent or the
opposition team.
- Treat all players fairly: treat all players, as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another player.
- Cooperate willingly: cooperate with your coach; teammates and opponents, without them there would be no game.
Play for fun: Play for the 'fun of it' and not just to please parents and coaches.
Talk to your coach or manager if you are unhappy or concerned about
something that has happened at a game or training
Parents & Spectators
• Remember young people play sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
Encourage young people to participate, do not force participation upon them.
• Focus on efforts and self-esteem rather than whether they win or lose
Encourage participation according to the rules.
Never ridicule or yell at players or officials for making a mistake or if their team
loses a game.
Remember young people learn best by - example - applaud the efforts of all
players in both teams.
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
Show appreciation of volunteer coaches, officials and administrators - without
whom your child could not participate.
Respect referees' decisions and teach young people to do likewise.
Remember smoking and the consumption of alcohol is unacceptable at junior
sport.
Dogs are not allowed at sportsgrounds during training or games
Talk to your team coach or manager of you have any concerns about training or
games, if you feel you can't talk to them please contact the club executive.
Follow instructions from ground marshalls and officials at all games.
Coaches and Managers
Remember that young people participate for pleasure and winning is only part
of the fun.
- Never ridicule or yell at a player for making a mistake or not winning.
- Be reasonable in your demands on players' time, energy and enthusiasm.
- Operate within the rules and spirit of rugby and teach your players to do the
same.
- Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience. All players are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.
- Avoid overplaying the talented players; the just-average need and deserve
equal time.
- Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport. This includes referees, opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, parents and spectators. Encourage players to do the same.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
- Contact the club executive if you have any concerns about players, parents or officials.
- Attend coaches / managers meetings and the AGM
- Be Smart Rugby accredited
- Obtain your Working with Vulnerable People clearance: www.ors.act.gov.au
Training
All teams from U7 to our 1 st XV (U18s) train at our home field-Weetangera Playing Fields-as per the below training schedules*:
Under 7s to Under 9s
Thursdays: 5-6pm
Under 10s to 1stXV
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 5-6pm
In the case of inclement weather, please contact your team manager to check if training is on.
* Correct at time of printing. Training days/times are subject to change. Speak to your team manager to confirm.
What to bring
All players are to be appropriately attired to participate in training including football boots, mouthguards and headgear (if desired). It is recommended to arrive at training fully prepared for sessions that will involve contact work.
Drink bottles should also be brought to ensure that players can rehydrate during session breaks.
Players should also consider cold and/or wet weather and bring a towel or dry clothes to change into after training.
Season Format
The draw is managed and released by the ACTJRU and can be viewed on their website.
The finals series apply from the U9s age group and above.
In the case of a cancelled round the club will communicate directly to your
team's coaches and managers, and via our Facebook page.
Team & Player Selection
It is the preferred position of Wests Juniors that children play in the correct age group. The child's age as of January 1 determines the age group that they are eligible for. We believe that players who play in the correct age group are easily able to extend their friendship/peer group and that they develop better in rugby, social and intellectual aspects.
Please get in touch with us if you’d like to know what age group your child falls into.
- Under 'exceptional circumstances' Wests Juniors may give favourable consideration to allowing a player to play up an age group. Players will not be granted 'exceptional circumstances' to play down an age group. Both the request and permission would be given with the understanding that any arrangement would not provide for automatic continuation into future seasons. - The committee of Wests Juniors assesses all requests made under 'exceptional circumstances'.
- A younger player [identified herein as a Supplementary Player] may fill in for an older age group if there is a shortage of players within the following guidelines:
- The Supplementary Players' on field playing time must not exceed the on field time of any regular team members who are participating in the match (excluding injuries or send offs).
- A Supplementary Player may only be utilised in instances where there are less than 20 regular players available on one given day. (22 for finals matches)
- The team utilising the Supplementary Player must have the express permission of the player's regular coach and/or team manager.
- The team employing the Supplementary Player must have the explicit consent of the Supplementary Player's parents.
- Every effort will be made by coaches to ensure that all players get sufficient
opportunities to play an entire game of rugby. It is often difficult to deliver exactly 'equal time' to all a players within a team, especially as players get older as size and ability restricts some players to certain positions.
- In the lower age groups, U7 to U9, the club may often have more than one team in each age group. Both teams in their age groups will be encouraged to train together in the first half of the training session as a group when doing skills and drills. In the second part of the session they may separate to build up team cohesion.
- There are many factors in choosing separate teams in each age group. These factors include: Physical attributes, Positional preference and suitability, Friendship, Ability, Division that the team is in, Length of time players have been in the team in.
- These are objective factors considered for the younger age groups. Two equal teams selected at the start of the year is ideal, although the 'team' factor can alter the balance of skills by the end of the year.
Under 10 to Under 18:
These age groups are deemed to be in a competitive environment and it is the club's it policy that if there were to be more than one team, the coaches may be able to select an 'A' team (usually Division 1) and a development team (Division 2 or 3). With team and monitored.
The selection in this area, objective factors will be taken into account include physical attributes, skill level, training effort, punctuality for training/games, and attitude.
Coaching staff should be guided by, but are not strictly governed by this policy. If parents have any questions in relation to their child's involvement in the team they should be raised with the coach or manager initially, keeping in mind that all the coaches and managers are volunteers and are focussed on doing the best for allplayers. Any unresolved questions may be raised with the Club President. The coaches and staff endeavour to ensure all players
have as much game time as possible every week.
Note: It has been shown that junior players who self-acknowledge they are still developing their skills and fitness may prefer to play within a squad/team with players at their own level.
Support Team Structure
Coach
The coach for each team is responsible for the development of skills for all players within the team as well as for promoting rugby as a sport that emphasises:
- Enjoyment
- Teamwork
- Respect
- Discipline
- Sportsmanship
Through constant reinforcement of these values, the coach will create a fun and physical environment that builds positive and respectful attitudes by the players to each other, to opposition teams, to referees and to other spectators and volunteers.
The coach will, at minimum, have undertaken the Smart Rugby training program designed by the ARU to ensure participation is a safe and enjoyable experience and will obtain a Working With Vulnerable People clearance.
The coach will develop a training plan that will seek to create fun and engaging training sessions that enable players to develop the rugby skills and techniques, as well as the physical and mental attributes, needed to be effective rugby players.
Coaches will take into account the strengths of a team and the skills and talents of individual players to build a game plan that provides the strategy and tactics for the team to be as successful as possible. Noting that winning or losing is most definitely not the sole definition of success or failure!!
Coaches will allocate players to positions that will best enable a balance to be achieved between the interests of the individual and the interests of the team as a whole. This may mean that players are not able to play in their preferred position. Wherever possible, and where overall team circumstances allow, coaches will provide opportunity for players to trial different positions, keeping in mind the need to balance the physicalrequirements of the position, the skills of the individual and the best interest of the team.
Coaches are open to feedback and always appreciate parents attending training to provide assistance in the delivery of the training plan. Speak to your coach about how you can lend
your support.
Assistant Coach
The assistant coach is responsible for supporting the coach in the implementation of the training plan and assisting in the training and game day coaching of the team.
Assistant coaches will have input into decision making concerning the strategy and tactics of the team, the training plan, position allocation and all other elements of coaching, with overall responsibility remaining with the coach.
Assistant coaches will also at a minimum have undertaken the Smart Rugby training program designed by the ARU to ensure participation is a safe and enjoyable experience, as they may be required to run training sessions in the absence of the coach and may at times be required to undertake other support or administrative tasks.
Assistance coaches will obtain a Working With a Vulnerable People clearance. While not mandatory, assistant coaches are strongly recommended for age groups from under 10 and over to ensure that players are provided continuous guidance on safe and effective rugby practices.
Team Manager
The team manager supports the team and the coach by undertaking training and game day support and administrative tasks. This might include (but is not limited to) completing team sheets, transporting and filling water bottles, managing a roster for the washing of jerseys, managing a roster for the provision of half-time oranges, assisting the coach through compiling match statistics and in the awarding of game day and season awards.
The team manager will also coordinate team volunteer contribution for broader support to be provided to Wests Juniors. This includes ensuring that each team provides appropriate support to help the club with match day setup/packup,
Canteen/BBQ
Support, fundraising opportunities, and other vital functions that will build a strong community-based club.
The team manager will need to obtain a Working With Vulnerable People clearance.
Game Day Roles
Assistant Referees (AR)
While the ACTJRU provides a game day referee for all games from Under 9 and up, it is the responsibility for the home team and the away team to each provide one AR. This person must not be officially associated with the team.
The AR shall report to the referee prior to the start of the game to ask the referee what duties he/she wants the AR to perform during the match (if necessary the AR can advise the referee if they are accredited). The AR is usually responsible for monitoring the touchline and signalling to the game day referee if the ball goes into touch.
The is assistant referee is also responsible for marking the offside line at set-pieces and after the awarding of a penalty.
As a non-appointed match official, the AR is not able to report on illegal or foul
play. These issues remain the responsibility solely of the referee.
The AR must be equipped with a flag and preferably have closed in shoes.
Team Score Keeper
All scores are to be kept up to the minute updates by the team manager using the rugby match day app (instructions here). After each game both team managers from opposing teams will compare the score with the referee confirming with his scorecard.
Hydration Specialist (Water person)
Teams may allocate the role of hydration specialist to two individuals per team.
Hydration specialists are generally expected to not be a coach / assistant coach or manager, however inregular season games this is likely to not be strictly enforced, particularly for younger age groups.
Hydration specialists may only enter the field of play during a stoppage for injury or a after a try has been scored.
Though, this requirement may be relaxed during regular season games, during especially hot weather, or by mutual agreement of both coaches.
The hydration specialists are to discourage players from placing their mouth over the spout of the bottle and tosqueeze the water only into their mouth. Drink bottles are to be maintained during the game ensuring no bodily fluids (blood) are on the bottle.
Bottles are to contain water only - NO sports drinks or other substitutes.
Hydration specialists also commonly run out the kicking tee for penalty and conversion kicks.
Ground Marshall
A ground marshall is to be in attendance at all home games. The ground marshall is to be identified by the wearing of a yellow hi-vis vest.
The ground marshall is responsible for: Being a single point of contact for all venue enquiries during game dayInspection of the ground prior to first game being played; Setting up and dressing the ground in accordance with the laws of rugby and competition rules including the display of games and locations for that day; Ensure that the medical kit, ice and stretcher are available;
Have access to all necessary keys for gates etc for emergency vehicles;
Having access to a telephone and emergency telephone list that includes:
a. Two after hours doctors or medical centre facilities
b. Nearest public hospital or emergency facility
c. The local police and ambulance
Spectator and crowd control their instructions are to be obeyed at all times
and that they comply with the code of conduct and expectations of behaviour
guidelines;
Maintenance of and patrolling of the playing enclosure; and Preventing the illegal entry of any person onto the field;
In case of Incident to the offending party, seek assistance the ground marshall is to issue a warning from club officials, request the offending party to leave or call the police. If the circumstances warrant it, the ground marshall is to stay with the referee after the match and escort him/her from the venue so as to
ensure no further incidents occur.
Contravention of any of the ground marshall rules will attract a sanction from the ACTJRU Secretary. A sanction under ACTJRU policy has no right of appeal and may include a pecuniary fine or any other penaltythe ACTJRU Secretary may see fit to impose. These sanctions are at the absolute discretion of the ACTJRUSecretary.
Field Marshall
All teams must provide a field marshall at ACTJRU games, with this person not part of the team's coaching staff. The field marshall is to be identified by the wearing of an orange hi-vis vest.
No game shall commence unless there are two field marshalls. The field marshall must introduce themself to the referee prior to the commencement of each game and be responsible for rectifying any problems which are brought to their attention by the referee throughout the course of the game.
Field marshalls shall be responsible controlling the behaviour of players, coaching staff, parents, supporters and any other person on the sideline and that they comply with the code of conduct and expectations of behaviour guidelines. Their instructions and/or directions shall be obeyed at all times.
Field marshals are also responsible for: Being a single point of contact for all sideline enquiries during the match; Maintenance of and patrolling the sideline and playing enclosure during the match preventing the illegal entry of any person onto the playing enclosure ensuring unofficial assistant referees are not calling out or coaching the players ensuring coaching staff, including trainers are carrying out their duties correctly, including not calling out or coaching when inside the playing enclosure.
In case of Incident the field marshall is to approach the ground marshall in the first instance.
Contravention of any of the field marshall rules will attract a sanction from the
ACTJRU Secretary. A sanction under ACTJRU policy has no right of appeal and may include the team forfeiting the game, loss of competition points or any other fine or penalty the ACTJRU Secretary may see fit to impose. These sanctions are at the absolute discretion of the ACTJRU Secretary.
Ground Medic
At every home game at Weetangera Oval, Wests Juniors has qualified medic (current senior first aid and CPR qualification) on hand to attend to any game day injuries. This person iS usually located under a medic tent (if not attending to an injury) and is easily identifiable in a hi-vis vest.
In case of serious injury where an ambulance is required, the ground marshall must be notified so that ground access is available and the field is cleared.
Regardless of the seriousness of any injuries, common sense must prevail and the player's safety must ALWAYS come first.
All our teams play their home games at Weetangera Oval, Southwell St, Weetangera. Parking at the oval is limited. There are four car parks surrounding Weetangera Oval Home Games. Parking combined provide formore than 180 cars. In addition to the oval car park (off and nearly 60 spaces at Weetangera Southwell St), there is space for approximately 80 cars to park at either the front or back of Weetangera Shops (off Shumack St) Primary School (that can be utilised on game days).
The streets surrounding the oval are narrow. We request that our members DO NOT park vehicles along Southwell St, either on the footpath or the grassed area between the oval car park and Southwell St, or on nature strips and front lawns. Please be mindful when driving in the area especially on game and training days of children in the area.
Please also ensure your is vehicle is locked and valuables removed from sight.
Club Building
A noticeboard is displayed advising of each field allocation and results.
The Wests home change sheds are located on the southern end of the building.
Safety of Children
Please be mindful of children at home games, the area is unsecured and is located in a busy thoroughfare, with numerous parking areas, and residents exiting and entering their own homes.
Fundraising at Home Games
Home games provide the opportunity for the touring team to raise much needed funds. This allows a team to travel to New Zealand every second year. The team is usually a combined U12/13 Team. To support our key principles of the participation of the entire family unit at both team and club level one or two parents from each team/age group (not coaching/management) are encouraged to assist either in the Canteen or the BBQ forapprox two hours. There will only be the requirement to do this once throughout the season.
To volunteer please speak with your team manager - the roster is coordinated by the touring committee - when nominating please advise of preferred time, every endeavour will be made to accommodate your request.
Volunteering at Home Games
If you have preferred role you wish to take on continuously please advise your team manager who will attempt to meet your request, if you are unfamiliar with the requirements of a specified role, the team manager or any member of the committee will only be too happy to assist you (many hands make light work).
Canteen
Each home game the canteen will operate prior to the first game commencing, until after the end of the last game. A roster is organised and distributed electronically including on the website. Please check the roster prior to a home game for your timings. It is important that you attend 10 minutes prior to your rostered time.
The canteen manager will assist you with your role once you attend.
EFTPOS facilities will be available along with Wests merchandise.
Security in the Canteen
Please ensure all valuables are secured when working in the canteen - do not
bring expensive items with you. Do not leave the canteen unmanned or money on display.
Do not allow being distracted. Report any suspicious people/incidents immediately to the ground marshall or committee member (if able). Remember your safety is paramount.
BBQ
Setting up, cleaning and putting away the BBQ are other tasks that require a volunteer - not much time required, but a great help.
Where the games are played
As mentioned above, our home games will be played at Weetangera Playing Fields,
Southwell St, Weetangera.
Away games are played mostly in the Canberra region, with some teams travelling to Batemans Bay, Broulee, Cooma, Goulburn, Jindabyne or Yass for the occasional match.
Additional information and maps relating to venues can be found via the ACT Junior Rugby website.
Health Care and Insurance
The game of Rugby enhances fitness, strength and endurance in a team-based atmosphere that will generate friendships and lifelong skills. Every effort is made by all coaching staff to prevent injury or risk to players in their care. Parents should be vigilant in telling the coaching staff of any illness or health issues their child may have before playing or training. If injuries are known a report from a physio or doctor will assist the coach in planning for your child to return to training/playing. This includes injuries that may not have become apparent during training or playing that became known after the fact.
As with most sports there a degree of risk of injury. An insurance component is part of your registration fee.
All insurance policies contain limitations and exclusions. The medical expenses covered by insurance are NOT a substitute for private health insurance and it is recommended that all players and officials take out separate private health insurance. Parents are responsible for the initial costs and will be reimbursed by the insuranceprovider. Ambulance cover is recommended for all players.
Full details of the ARU insurance can be found at the ‘australia.rugby’ website.
As is inevitable with such a large group of people there will be issues that arise from time to time which need to be addressed. If you have an issue that you wish to bring to the attention of the committee please send a brief email to the club or a committee member. The club and committee members' contact details can be found at our ‘Contact’ page.
It is also important to note that the only people who are any correspondence on behalf of the WDJRUC are the elected committee of the WDJRUC.
Under no circumstances is any unauthorised person(s) to engage in correspondence with the ACTJRU, Brumbies, ARU, any other clubs, government bodies, any media bodies etc on behalf of the Western
District Junior Rugby Union Club without the permission of a member of the executive.
Playing Kit
All registered players from the Under 7s to Under 18s will be provided with
a playing jersey, socks and shorts. While the playing jerseys will be managed centrally via the team managers during the season, they will be presented to each player at our end of season presentation for them to keep as a memento of the season. All players are responsible for the supply of their own boots, body/head protective gear and mouthguards.
Registration Fee
Registration fees can only be paid via the ‘Rugby Xplorer’ app and lays out all the associated costs. Details are on our Players Registration page found here.
Full playing kit
(jersey, shorts and socks) for players to keep at season's end
Senior Matches
As per tradition, our Under 11s will again in 2016 be the ball boys for our senior Wests 1st grade side at their home games at Jamison Oval, Macquarie and when our senior sides (any grade) make the finals. This is an excellent opportunity for some of our juniors to get up close to the action on game day.
It is also an ideal excuse for parents, grandparents and extended family to head out for the afternoon and enjoy some quality rugby in the John Dent competition.
We encourage all our families to get to Jamison Oval on a Saturday afternoon to support our senior club in their push for premiership glory. Entry into Jamison Oval id free for adult members of WDJRUC on presentation of their 2016 membership card (kids U18 are free). Entry for non-members of WDJRUC is $5 per adult.
Sponsors
For the WDJRUC, sponsorships are a vital component of our club as they make a huge difference in our ability to provide the necessary rugby related resources to our membership base.
WDJRUC aims to promote our sponsors in a professional and positive manner at all times across the Wests Juniors Community and urge all our members to reciprocate the support we receive by supporting our sponsors whenever possible.
In an effort to promote our club to other members, sponsors and we utilise images of children playing and interacting within our club. Images will be utilised on the club's newsletter (delivered electronically), website, social media and other promotional material such as sponsorship proposals etc.
Photos & Images
By registering with Wests Juniors you agree to the use of your child's image for the above purposes. If you do not wish for your child to be photographed and their image used in the above way, please let your manager know who will communicate it to the parent group and inform the club's committee.
If the club uses an image of a child it will avoid naming or identifying the child or will, wherever possible, avoid using both the first name and surname. We will not display identifiable information such as residential address, email address or telephone numbers without gaining consent from the parent/guardian. No additional information hobbies, likes/dislikes, will be displayed or given to other parties. Only appropriate a images of a child, relevant to our sport (ensuring that the child is suitably attired) in a manner that promotes the sport, displays its successes, etc will be used.
When taking photos identify yourself to the coach and or manager and ask
parents if they have any issues - let them know what your intention with the images are.
Do not allow yourself to be in compromising position with children always take
your photos in a public forum.
The use of cameras and phones (for the purpose of taking images) are prohibited inside a change room, toilets and showers.
Children are protected under the Commonwealth privacy laws relevant to the Privacy Act 1988, these regulate the publication of personal information that conveys the identity of a person or allows their identity to be determined. Children and the Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 protect children who are or have been subject to child protection, family court or criminal proceeding - for example if a child is in out of home care this should not be published.
Complaints
If at any time a parent has concerns regarding photography please address this in the first instance with your team manager who will report to a committee member. You will be kept informed of the investigation and outcome.
Team and Individual Photos
Every season the club provides the opportunity for families to purchase team and individual photos of their child.
Presentation
In the month following the grand final, the club organises a presentation day for all our junior teams and each player will be presented with a participation trophy and their playing jersey. In addition to the who have reached 100 awards mentioned below, player’s games during the season will also receive recognition.
This is also an appropriate time for players to acknowledge the efforts of the parent helpers e.g. coach, teammanager, etc through a small gift or kind words of thanks.
Coaches and managers will also receive a token of appreciation (in the form of small gift) from the club acknowledging their efforts for the season.
The club presents a number of special club awards of on presentation day:
- Coach of the Year
- Club Person of the Year
- The President's Trophy
- Team of the Year
- The President's Trophy for the Team of the Year is our club's most prestigious award presented and is the last award handed out on the day.
The team of the year closes out the presentation day by leading those present in the club song.
Along with the traditional awards presented as outlined, the 'Bluey Gordon'
Trophy (on and off field performance - U18s) is presented at Senior’s presentation night to one of our U18s boys and the ‘Amanda Harris’ Trophy for one of our successful U18 girls players.
End of Season Awards Procedures and Policy
From the U9 age group and above (including our 1st XV), the team coaches and managers present the following additional awards:
Best Back: Awarded to the player who was the best back throughout the season.
Best Forward: Awarded to the player who was the best forward throughout the
season.
Most Improved: Awarded to the player whose skills have improved over the
season.
Coaches Award: Awarded to the player who demonstrates and upholds the
club's core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship on and off the field.
Milestone Games
The club recognises those players who have played 100 games for the club.
Players that achieve the 100 game milestone will have the jersey that is resented to them at the end of the year embroidered with the date and opposition they faced when they reached this fantastic achievement.