Respect all referees and the decisions they make, even if they appear to make a mistake, (remember it could be you refereeing next week) and ensure that the players recognise that they must do the same.

Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner to all players, both during coaching sessions and matches.

Avoid the overplaying of the best players by using a squad system which gives everybody a satisfactory amount of playing time.

Ensure all players are coached play when in a safe environment, with adequate first aid readily to hand.

Never allow a player to train or injured.

Ensure good supervision of players, both on and off the field.

Recognise that players should never be exposed to extremes of heat, cold or unacceptable risk of injury.

Develop an awareness of nutrition as part of an overall education in lifestyle management.

Recognise that it is illegal for players under 18 to drink alcohol or for those under 16 to smoke. Coaches should actively discourage both.

Ensure that their knowledge and coaching strategies are up to date and in line with RFU philosophy.

Be aware of, and abide by the RFU recommended procedures for taking young people on residential tours at home and abroad.

Be aware of and abide by the policies and procedures outlined in the Policy and Procedures for the Welfare of Young People in Rugby Union.

Coach to the rules laid down in the Rugby Continuum and keep themselves updated on rule and law changes.

THE GOOD PLAYER'S CODE
Players should be encouraged to:

Recognise and appreciate the efforts made by coaches, parents, match officials and administration in providing the opportunity to play the game and enjoy the rugby environment.

Understand the values of loyalty and commitment to adults and team mates.

Recognise that every player has a right to expect their involvement in rugby to be safe and free from all types of abuse.

Understand that if an individual or group of players feel they are not being treated in a manner that is acceptable, then they should tell an adult either
sat the club or school or outside of the game.

Play because they want to do so, not to please coaches or parent.

Remember that skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important parts of the game.

Be attentive at all training and coaching sessions.
Work equally hard for themselves and their team- both will then benefit.

Recognise good play by all players on their team and by their opponents.

Be a sportsman win with dignity, lose with grace.

Play to the IRB Laws of the Game and accept, without question, all referees'
decision even if they appear to make a mistake.

Control their emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of team mates, opponents, coaches, match officials or spectators is not acceptable.

Treat all players, as they would like to be treated themselves. Do not interfere with, bully or take advantage of any player.

THE GOOD PARENT'S CODE

Club and Schools should encourage parents and guardians to:

Be familiar with the coaching and training programme in order that they can ensure their child is fully involved and the coaches are aware of their availability.

Be familiar with the teaching and coaching methods used by observing the coaching and training sessions in which their child participates.

Be aware that the Club or School has a duty of care to ensure the safety of players and therefore, where appropriate, assist coaches with the supervision of the players, particularly where numbers are large and there is a need to transport players to away games.

Be involved with Club and School activities and share their expertise.
Share concerns, if they have them, with Club or School officials.

Be familiar with the Good Coaches' Code contained in the RFU Continuum. In particular, be aware that:

Coaches should Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching players; and

Coaches should keep winning and losing in perspective encourage players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.

Support coaches in installing these values.

Remember that young people play rugby for their own enjoyment not that of their parents.

Encourage young people to play do not force them.

Focus on the players' efforts, rather than winning or losing.

Be realistic about the players' abilities; do not push them towards a level they are not capable of achieving.

Provide positive verbal feedback both in training and during the game.

Remember that persistent, negative messages will adversely affect the players and referees performance and attitude.

Always support the Club and School in their efforts to eradicate loud, coarse and abusive behaviour from the game.

Remember young people learn much by example.

Always show appreciation of good play by all players both from their own Club or School and the opposition.

Respect decisions made by the match officials, even if they appear to be a mistake, sand encourage players to do likewise.

THE GOOD SPECTATOR'S CODE

Club and Schools should encourage spectators to:

Act as positive role models to all players.

Be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection Guidelines in relation to verbal and emotional abuse.

Respect guidance from the Club or School with regard to spectator behaviour.

Remember children play sport primarily for their own enjoyment, not for that of spectators.

Acknowledge good individual and team performance from all players irrespective of the team in which they play.

Respect match officials' decisions, even if they appear to be a mistake remember, they are volunteers providing an opportunity for players to play rugby.

Never verbally abuse players, coaches, match officials or fellow spectators.
Acknowledge effort and good performance rather than ‘to win at all costs’.

Verbally encourage all players in a positive manner, shouting 'for' not 'at' the players.

Encourage all players irrespective of their ability - never ridicule any individual player, regardless of the team in which they play.

Abuse of Match Officials

All unions, Associations, Rugby Bodies, Clubs and Persons:

Must ensure that the Game is played and conducted in accordance with disciplined and sporting behaviour and acknowledge that it is not sufficient to rely solely upon the match official to maintain those principles;

Shall co-operate in ensuring that the spirit of the Laws of the Game are upheld and refrain from selecting players guilty of foul play.

Shall not repeatedly breach the Laws of the Game.

Shall accept and observe the authority and decisions of referees, touch judges, match officials and all other rugby disciplinary bodies, subject to Regulation 17;

Shall not publish or cause to be published criticism of the manner in which a referee or touch judge handled a match.

Shall not publish or cause to be published criticism in which the council or any other rugby disciplinary body handled or resolved any dispute or disciplinary matter resulting from a breach of the Bye-Laws, Regulations, or Laws of the Game.

Shall not engage in any conduct or any activity on or off the field that may impair public confidence in the honest and orderly conduct of a match, tour, tournament or series of matches (including, but not limited to, the supply of information in relation to the game, directly or indirectly, to bookmakers) or in the integrity and good character of any person.

Shall promote the reputation of the game and take all possible steps to prevent it from being brought into disrepute.

Shall not commit an anti-doping rule violation as defined in regulation 21;

Shall not abuse, threaten or intimidate a referee, touch judge or other match official, whether on or off the field of play.

Shall not use crude or abusive language or gestures towards referees, touch judges or other match officials or spectators.

Shall not do anything which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult, humiliate or discriminate against any other person on the ground of their religion, race, colour or national or ethnic origin.

Shall not do anything which adversely affects the game of rugby football, the board, any member union or any commercial partner of the game.

Each union and association is under an obligation to:
Comply with and to ensure that each of its members comply with this code of conduct.

In all sport players are impressionable and their behaviour will often reflect that of the adults around them. At Kendal we welcome spectators on our touchlines who embrace the ethos of the game as one of fun, enjoyment and skill development.