Rugby Football Union Codes for Youth Rugby

Players

Play for enjoyment, not just to please your parents or coaches.
Play by the Laws of the Game of Rugby.
Never argue with the referee’s decision. Let your captain or coach ask any relevant questions.
Play with control. Do not lose your temper.
Play for yourself and your team – your team’s performance will benefit and so will yours.
Be a “good sport”. Applaud all good play whether by your team or by your opponent.
Respect your opponent. Treat all players, as you would like to be treated.
Cooperate with the coach, teammates, and opponents.
Remember that the goals of the game are to have fun, improve your skills, and feel good.
At the final whistle applaud and thank your opponents and the referee for the match.
Always remember that you owe a duty of care to your opponents. Tackle hard but fairly; do not intend to hurt your opponent.
Win with humility-lose with dignity.

Coaches

Remember that as a coach of Age-Grade teams you act in “loco parentis” and to that extent your duty of care is more onerous than that of a coach of an adult team.
Remember that young people need a coach whom they can respect. Lead by example.
Be generous with your praise when it is deserved. Never ridicule or shout at players for making mistakes or losing a match.
Teach your players that the Laws of the Game are mutual agreements that no one should evade or break.
Prepare younger players for intramural and interschool activities.
Be responsible in your demands on the young players time, energy, and enthusiasm. Remember that they have other interests and demands on their time.
Ensure all players participate in matches. The “average” players require and deserve equal time.
Remember that young players play for fun and enjoyment and that skill learning and playing for fun have priority over highly structured competition. Winning is not the only objective.
Develop player and team respect for the ability of opponents, as well as for the judgment of referees and opposing coaches.
Insist on fair play and disciplined play. Do not tolerate foul play, fighting or foul language. Be prepared to take an offending player off the field.
Encourage young players to develop basic skills and sportsmanship. Avoid over specialization in positional play during their formative years.
Set realistic goals for the team and individual players and do not push younger players into adult like competitions.
Create a safe and enjoyable environment in which to train and play.
Do not over burden young players with too much information.
Make a personal commitment to keep your self-informed on sound coaching principles and methods, and on the principles of growth and development of young people.
Be aware of the effect you have on growing children.
Never criticize the referee and touch judges during or after a match in front of players or spectators.
Always thank the match officials and if they have made decisions that require clarification, discuss the problems after everyone has changed.
Seek and follow the advice of a doctor in determining when an injured player is ready to play again.
Insure that proper equipment and facilities are available at all times.

Parents

Remember, young people are involved in rugby for their enjoyment, not yours.
Encourage your child always to play by the Laws of the Game.
teach young children that honest endeavor is as important as winning, so that the result of each game is accepted without disappointment.
Help young people work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship.
Set a good example by applauding good play on both sides.
Never ridicule, humiliate, or shout at young players for making a mistake or losing a match.
Do not place an emphasis on winning at all costs.
Do not force an unwilling child to participate in the playing of rugby. If the child is to play, he/she will do so in good time. There are other aspects of rugby, other than playing that are equally fulfilling.
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical intimidation from rugby.
As a spectator, do not use profane language or harass referees, coaches, or players.
Do not publicly question the referee’s judgment and never their honesty.
Recognize the value and importance of volunteer coaches and referees. They give of their free time and resources to provide recreational activities for young people.
Encourage in your child an appreciation of mutual respect for teammates and opponents.

Spectators

Remember that although young people play organized rugby they are not miniature international players.
Be on your best behavior and lead by example.
Applaud good play by the visiting team as well as your own.
Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them, there would be no match.
Condemn the use of violence in all forms at every opportunity.
Verbal abuse of players and referees cannot be accepted in any shape or form. Players or referees are not fair targets for ignorant behavior.
Encourage young players to play by the Laws of the Game.