Ahead of the new playing season, I would like to draw your attention to the WRU Disciplinary Regulations, which are currently in force and will be applicable for the forthcoming Season.
Each Member, Affiliate Member, which includes all registered players, coaches and Club Officials agrees to be bound by and comply with the provisions and requirements of the Regulations and the WRU Codes of Conduct at all times.
The Regulations and Codes of Conduct are available here: https://community.wru.wales/governance/policy- and-integrity/discipline/
Adoption of the WRU Codes of Conduct
The Codes of Conduct encompass the standards and expectations for all participants, including players, coaches, officials, and spectators. These codes are designed to ensure that our sport is played with integrity, respect, and fairness. By adopting these Codes, Members will:
- Promote a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.
- Uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and our Rugby values;
- Foster mutual respect among players, officials, and spectators.
- Encourage positive behaviour both on and off the field.
- Respect Match Officials at all times.
Regulation 6.21 – Aggravating Offences
Offences that will incur aggravated sanctions pursuant to the Disciplinary Regulations include, but are not limited to:
- Abuse of match officials: Verbal or physical abuse directed towards referees or other match officials will be met with severe penalties.
In order to strengthen our stance on this type of behaviour, the WRU Disciplinary Committee will continue to provide Disciplinary Panels with the discretion to further aggravate sanctions pertaining to Match Official abuse and to impose even greater and/or additional sanctions, which may include, but not limited to, financial penalties and points deduction being imposed, to reinforce and strengthen the message that abusive behaviour towards Match Officials will not be tolerated.
- Acts of violence: Any form of violence on the field will attract stringent disciplinary measures.
Player welfare must be paramount and striking or punching another player or any violent conduct (which places another Player at peril) runs risk of causing serious and grave injury.
It must be recognised that there is a high degree of risk associated with striking/punching or any violent conduct. The risks and potential consequences reach beyond the playing enclosure and could result in the matter becoming a civil and/or criminal matter.
- Discrimination: Any discriminatory behaviour based on the protected characteristics will be subject to stringent sanctions and will be aggravated by WRU Disciplinary Panels.
Rugby is a sport built on principles of respect and inclusivity. Discriminatory behaviour undermines these values and has no place in our game. By enforcing these stringent measures, we aim to create a safe and welcoming environment for all participants, ensuring that rugby remains a sport where everyone feels valued and respected.
Preventative Measures
During the course of the season, we will be deploying Match Day Observers (“MDO”) to attend ad-hoc fixtures. The MDO’s will have the responsibility of observing and reporting on factors such as, but not limited to, sideline and spectator behaviours, as well as the match day environment and will be submitting reports to the WRU Disciplinary Department. Similarly, as utilised last season, Referee Cameras (GoPro Ref Cams) will also be deployed during the course of next season.
VEO Camera and Match Footage
Pursuant to Disciplinary Regulation 5.9 and 5.10, a Disciplinary Panel shall be entitled to consider any footage or any visual during disciplinary proceedings and as such, the WRU Disciplinary Department will request copies of any available match footage which includes (but not limited to) the Club’s VEO footage.
During next season, please ensure that you fully cooperate with the WRU Disciplinary Department in respect of sharing visual material to support disciplinary proceedings.
If you are subject to any disciplinary matter and pursuant to Regulation 5.10, failure to provide or disclose any available visual material to the Disciplinary Department and/or Disciplinary Panel, the panel shall be entitled to infer that it is unfavourable to the Person, Player or Club.
We trust that all clubs will embrace these directives and work diligently to promote the values of rugby.
Welsh Rugby Union
