MCRU CLUB RUGBY SIDELINE PROTOCOLS
INTRODUCTION
The Mid Canterbury Rugby Union (MCRU) is committed to creating a positive environment to enjoy
rugby.
Rugby should be played within the spirit in which it was intended we must all work to ensure that
anti-social behaviour is removed from the sideline. Responsibility for ensuring that this happens lies
not with one individual – it involves coaches, captains, players, referees and spectators.
It is for this reason the MCRU Club Match Day Management Protocols is created to provide a
framework for clubs to ensure every person involved in a match has an enjoyable experience The
environment should be safe and free form abuse or harassment.
MATCH DAY MANAGER
Clubs shall appoint a Match Day Manager.
The Match Day manager shall be responsible for;
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Ensuring visiting teams and match officials are met
Ensuring change rooms are open & provide keys if applicable
Managing any ground marshals appointed to manage individual fields or games
Ensuring the field is safe, appropriately marked, and pads and flags are in place.
Crowd Control ropes are up and technical areas are clearly identified.
That teams are aware of the field layout, including the technical areas to be used at the venue.
Ensure anyone involved in the operation in the sideline management - Ground Marshal and/or
Match manager role is identified with a fluorescent vest or similar identifiable clothing.
Keep everyone other than authorised people behind the ropes.
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Ensure all coaches, assistant coaches, managers and players stay in the team Technical Areas
(refer to attached field setup plan) while game is in progress.
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Any sideline abuse of referees, or unruly behaviour is immediately addressed and offenders
appropriately dealt with or sanctioned in accordance to the processes as outlined.
Report any breaches in sideline protocol including anti-social or abusive spectator/participant
behaviour to MCRU.
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FIELD PREPARATION
 Clubs will ensure that fields are adequately roped to ensure the safety of players, spectators and
match officials. Ropes are to be a minimum of 3 metres from each touchline and run the length of
the playing area, from dead ball line to dead ball line. Technical Zones must be marked. (refer to
field setup options appendix 4).
 Host Club is to ensure that any stretching/pushing of the ropes does not lead to spectators
encroaching into the 3 metre area. If this cannot be managed, the ropes are to be positioned
further away from the touchline.
 Where a ground has two fields within 10 metres of each other and both fields are being used, the
area between the two fields is to be roped off. The area should not to be used for spectator viewing
of the matches. Club officials, selectors, medics or referee association officials may use such an
area.
 Clubs must Ensure post pads are fitted, field flags are in position and ground markings are
adequate.
SIDELINE PROTOCOL
Authorised persons that are permitted inside the ropes:
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Club Match Day Manager
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The Playing XV from each team. (This does not include Reserves or Substitutes)
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Match Officials – Referee and two Assistant / Referees plus Referee Coach.
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One person from each team who will administer first aid.
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One person from each team who will act as water carrier.
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No more than two persons from each team who act as coach or Manager – who must remain
in the Technical Zones at all times during play
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St John Ambulance Officials.
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Ball Boys
Reserve Players, Coaches and Management Must Remain Stationary in one of the Technical areas
identified in the field layout diagram. Host Clubs will determine which of these areas are available
for use to each team on a given day.
Coaches must not be on the field of play at any time (Grades U9 and above) other than the half
time break.
Note: It is the responsibility of team coaches and managers to ensure their team strictly complies
with these requirements.
Persons may only enter the playing area:
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To attend to an injured player during stoppages – St John and team officials only.
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To carry water to the players during stoppages – team officials only.
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At half time – team officials only.
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To assist in the carriage of an injured player from the field – St John, team officials, plus any
nominated assistant.
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To provide a kicking tee – team official only or any nominated assistant.
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To supply ball to players – team official only or any nominated assistant.
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To perform touch judge duties in the absence of an Assistant Referee
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Any person who are permitted to be within the playing enclosure other than the players and
match officials or the medic whilst attending to a player, are to remain stationary in the
designated areas.
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Reserve players are not to enter the playing enclosure during the match. A reserve player
when required to replace an injured player or as a substitute player, is to enter the playing
enclosure at the halfway line.
The Referee is required to stop the game if:
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Unauthorised persons remain inside the ropes
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Any referee abuse or general disorderly behaviour of spectators is not being addressed by the
Match Day Manager(s).
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Any abusive/disruptive spectator or team member does not abide by any requests made of
them by the Match Day Manager(s)
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Any player ordered from the field who does not immediately leave the playing enclosure.
REFEREE ABUSE AND SPECTATOR BEHAVIOUR
Abusive behaviour is not to be tolerated.
Abuse is defined as to attack with coarse or insulting, rude, threatening or maligning language or
behaviour.
Verbal Abuse includes:
Physical Abuse is as follows:
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Any form of foul language.
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Pushing
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Any form of threatening language.
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Bumping
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Continual complaining/sledging.
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Spitting
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Personal insults.
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Kicking
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Dissent by players.
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Punching
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Any insults or personal attacks
published in all forms of media including
all social media in or on a club affiliated
domain.
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Any form of attempt of the above.
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Any form of threatening behaviour.
FIELD SET UP OPTIONS
Players, Coaches and Management must remain stationary in the Technical Zones marked:
These Technical Zones are to be approximately 18m x3m.
Where less than 3m is available the team Technical Zones must be outside the roped area.
Crowd Control Ropes are marked:
Option A
3m Clear
AZone
Option B
3m Clear
Zone