Footy fam,
We’ve been advised by Cronulla Junior Rugby League that a more pro-active stance against offensive language at matches will start from Round 12 (this weekend) and carry through to the end of the season, including finals.
This is in response to reports from referees, Ground Managers, CJRL board members and spectators at many venues that loud swearing from players on the field and on interchange benches has escalated to a level that can no longer be tolerated.
From Round 12, match officials will be able to stop games and ask Ground Managers to address and note such behaviour. Offending players may be sin-binned and their team penalised (as a minimum penalty). More serious instances of dissent may result in dismissal.
For competitions up to under 12s, any instances of swearing may result in players being rotated out of the game at the discretion of the referee, who will ensure the Ground Manager is fully aware that the player is not to return to the game.
Parents, coaches, managers, please remind your players (every week) that De La is better than this. Let’s let the scoreboard do the talking!
We would also like to take this opportunity to note this recent crackdown on swearing follows a spike in Code of Conduct incidents involving spectators at various clubs. Please be advised that spectators are subject to the Code of Conduct too. Any teams found in breach of the Code of Conduct involving spectators will be stood down immediately as an entire team until the full code of conduct procedures have taken place.