One Spirit, One Team Report of the British Columbia Rugby Union Discipline Committee Submitted for the 2016 Annual General Meeting During the 2015-­‐2016 season, the BCRU Discipline Committee (DC) was comprised of new member Simon Coval, along with returning DC members Mark Lewis (Chair), John de Goede, Mike Devlin, Dennis Eden and Bruce McFarlane. John Lecky is thanked for his prior years of service to the DC. This season the DC held 46 hearings involving 32 red cards (29 for Club players and three for youth representative team players), 11 accumulations of yellow cards (either two yellows in one game or three yellows during the season) and one citing. In addition, there was one independent investigation regarding a Code of Conduct matter and one investigation of player who played while suspended. There was one appeal of DC sanctions, which was rejected. The following table summarizes the number of discipline incidents per Club: Club Red Cards Multiple Yellows Citings Other Total Games Suspended Bayside 3 Referee Abuse 7 Brit-­‐Lions 1 0 Burnaby Lake 1 1 10 Capilano 1 2 4 1 Team Misconduct 6 2 3 1 Team Misconduct 4 Castaway Wanderers 2 Cowichan 1 JBAA 1 Kats 1 1 Langley 1 1 One Spirit, One Team Meralomas 1 2 Nanaimo 1 1 Priest Valley Vicars 1 1 Richmond 4 13 Ridge Meadows 1 2 Seattle 3 1 9 SFU Playing while suspended 1 UBC 1 1 UBCOB 3 8 United 1 1 6 UVic 1 1 VRC 3 4 Totals 29 11 1 85 Overall, the total number of red cards was significantly down from last season (41). The total number of games suspended was down only slightly from 95 to 85 from the previous season as the average suspension was longer this season. To the extent the Committee noticed any trends regarding specific offences, there was a marked increase this year in the issuance of yellow and red cards for team and repeat infringements; in some instances the application of the laws in that regard was not consistent. The Committee maintains open lines of communication with the BC Rugby Referees' Society, and if the Committee has concerns about the application of the laws it seeks clarifications from the Society. Yellow Cards One Spirit, One Team There were a total of 231 yellow cards issued to 207 players this season. That is an increase of approximately 15% over the previous season in both the number of yellow cards (201) and the number of players who received yellow cards (173). Approximately 40 yellow cards were not formally reported by the referees and were only noted on the game sheets, which is a substantial increase from the 14 yellow cards not formally reported last season. The DC remains committed to have 100% reporting of all yellow cards and we encourage all referees to make fulsome reporting of yellow cards to ensure that an accumulation of yellow cards is addressed in accordance with the Discipline Policy. Video Evidence An important element to the DC's ability to do its work effectively and accurately is cooperation from players and club officials to make sure the correct player has been identified by the match officials when a card is issued. The DC encourages the submission of fulsome video evidence (video showing extended play leading up to the incident as well as the aftermath) in support of a player's submissions at a DC hearing where the player and/or team official wishes to challenge the referee's decision. The DC gives a very high level of deference to the referees' reports and, in the absence of video evidence to the contrary, it is difficult for the DC to reject (in whole or in part) a referee's decision as described in his/her report. The DC also encourages referees to provide as much detail as possible in their reports about red and yellow card incidents so the DC has the best evidence possible in front of it when it is holding its hearings. Record Keeping and Completing Sanctions Last season, the DC sanctioned a Club for fielding players who were suspended. In that situation, wins were vacated and points were removed. The same situation has occurred twice this season (one hearing has yet to be held). The Committee wishes to remind all Clubs that they should not and cannot rely on receipt of a notification from the BCRU as to whether a player has completed his or her suspension, or whether a player has accumulated three or more yellow cards during a season. The primary onus is on the Clubs to track suspensions and the yellow cards issued to their players. As noted in last year's report, the DC strongly recommends that each Club designate a team official to track the yellow cards issued to its players and if there is a concern about a player's eligibility then the Club should contact the DC. One Spirit, One Team Clubs and players are not permitted to 'self-­‐sanction'. The DC has the discretion not to recognize any 'self-­‐sanction' taken by a Club and, further, to sanction the Club itself for its failure to comply with the BCRU Discipline Policy. BCRU staff can only confirm sanctions previously issued by the DC; they cannot advise as to what a sanction would be and they cannot confirm whether a suspension has been served unless the DC has previously made that determination. As with tracking the accumulation of yellow cards, team must exercise prudence and, when in doubt, should contact the BCRU for clarification on the eligibility status of players. It is strongly recommended that any inquiry with the BCRU be made at least two days prior to a match. End of Season Sanctions The BCRU takes the standing position that a suspended player will play in no matches between the end of the championship matches and the resumption of league play in the Fall. Where a player has been suspended at or near the end of a season and the suspension has not been fully served by the end of the championship games, then it is the player's responsibility to ensure compliance with the sanction, in particular where the player wishes to play in representative matches or in a sevens tournament over the Summer. In order for a player to earn credit towards a suspension for a representative match or a sevens tournament, the player (or the team) much approach the DC prior to the representative match or tournament to confirm whether credit towards the sanction will be given. Requests made after a representative match or sevens tournament has been player will be denied in almost every situation. The DC will usually request written submissions from the representative or sevens team coach or manager confirming the player's eligibility for inclusion and likelihood for selection, and will consider those submissions as part of the application to have the game or tournament count towards the sanction. Off-­‐Field Incidents There was only one off-­‐field incident brought to the DC's attention this year, involving sideline conduct between spectators, which fell under the Code of Conduct and the Discipline Policy. The BCRU takes adherence to its Code of Conduct seriously and will ask the DC first to investigate where appropriate and then to issue recommendations with respect to possible sanction. All players, team and union One Spirit, One Team officials, referees and spectators should be treated with respect and should never be subjected to harassment. Cooperation with Investigations The DC wishes to remind Clubs that they are required to cooperate with any Code of Conduct or Discipline Policy investigation initiated by or at the request of the BCRU. In addition to any sanctions issued as a result of an investigation and subsequent hearing, sanctions can be imposed against Clubs whose members do not fully cooperate with a BCRU/DC investigation. Acknowledgements I would like to thank the members of the DC for all the time they have given to the DC this past season. Their time and commitment to the game are to be commended. Most importantly, a big thank-­‐you goes to the wonderful Louise Wheeler for all of her tireless efforts to keep the DC organized, on time and in line. Respectfully submitted, Mark V. Lewis Chair, Discipline Committee BC Rugby Union