| Hampshire Rugby concern over Abuse of Referees |
| Tuesday, 30 March 2010 | |
 I am issuing this statement because of the very real concern being expressed within the County about the increase in the number of cases of abuse against match officials. The area giving most concern is Senior players and coaches. We have seen players/coaches banned for periods of between 4 and 13 weeks this season already.
In many of our Clubs I am pleased to say this is not a problem. However, I am asking all Clubs to conduct self-examination and to do their best to make sure there is no further escalation. Club Chairman are asked to help the County by ensuring that their Club member, especially Coaches and players of their Senior XVs, understand that we must eradicate bad behaviour and bad language. Club Chairman could also make sure that those players who are unable to play to the Laws or to understand self discipline are not selected. The Game does not need them. Likewise Clubs should not continue to accept the services of any coach who cannot accept this. We are hugely dependent on the individual amateur volunteer referees who give up their time to enable others to enjoy their recreation; they too wish to enjoy Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings and afternoons. We have serious difficulties finding enough referees for all of the fixtures across the County in a weekend. Continue the current level of abuse and we will soon find ourselves in greater difficulties with fewer people prepared to take the whistle. While no one expects both player and coach to agree with every decision which goes against them, we do expect them to accept the decision and not to confront officials in an abusive or intimidating manner. |