STATEMENT OF POLICY

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All Carolinas Geographic Rugby Union (CGRU) clubs, players, coaches, referees, administrators and supporters are considered to be ambassadors of the sport of rugby who are viewed by members of the general public and media as examples of the sport and those who play it. As such, each club, player, coach, referee, administrator and supporter in the CGRU is expected to behave with dignity both on and off the playing field.

Clubs, players, coaches, referees, administrators and supporters should not tolerate rude, profane, threatening or anti-social behavior of any sort which would reflect negatively on the image of their club, the CGRU, USA Rugby or the sport of rugby in general. Any breach of this Code of Conduct, as specified below, will be subject to disciplinary action by the CGRU Disciplinary Committee in accordance with the following provisions and the provisions of the CGRU Policies and Procedures.

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PROHIBITED CONDUCT

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The following actions occurring on the sideline at any match involving a CGRU member club are prohibited under this Code of Conduct:

• Public drunkenness manifested by anti-social speech or actions;

• Vulgar language or obscene gestures;

• Fighting;

• Throwing objects onto the field of play;

• Destruction or theft of property, and;

• Unreasonable verbal harassment of a referee that goes beyond mere bantering.

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DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE FOR VIOLATIONS

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• Reporting of Violations: The referee of the match at which any violation of this Code of Conduct occurs is the only person who may formally cite the violation. Any individual who witnesses a violation may report the violation to the referee at a stoppage of play; provided, however, that in order for the referee to take any action under this section, he or she must personally witness the violation or the violation may be confirmed by the match’s touch judges, if they are qualified members of the Southeastern Rugby Referees Society.

• Sideline Warning: Prior to citing any person or club for violating this Code of Conduct, the referee shall first give the person and club a warning regarding the behavior or actions in question.

• Disciplinary Report: If after the warning is given by the referee pursuant to subparagraph B, above, the behavior or actions in violation of this Code of Conduct continue, the referee shall cite the offending person and/or club by inclusion of a reference of the violation, and the specific conduct that constitutes the violation, in the disciplinary section of the Match Report, to be provided to the CGRU Disciplinary Committee within 72 hours of the match.

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PENALTIES

• First Violation: For the first violation of this Code of Conduct, the offending club will be fined a minimum of $50.00 and be placed on probation for thirty (30) days.

• Second Violation in Same Season: For the second violation of this Code of Conduct in the same season, which shall include pre-season and tournament matches, the offending club will be fined a minimum of $150.00, will be placed on six (6) months’ probation and will be required to present a plan of action to the CGRU Executive Committee to remedy the improper sideline conduct in the future.

• Additional Violations: For a third or more violation in the same season, the CGRU Executive Committee shall have discretion to determine an appropriate penalty for the improper conduct.

• Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4, the CGRU Disciplinary Committee and, where applicable, Executive Committee, shall have the discretion to impose stricter penalties than those set forth above.

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CONTEST & APPEAL RIGHTS

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Any club may contest any violation of this Code of Conduct or any subsequent decision made by the CGRU Disciplinary Committee in accordance with the provisions of the CGRU Policies and Procedures.