CODE of CONDUCT

The RFU is committed to the ongoing promotion of the welfare of all its participants, including children, young people, adults and those at risk. Everyone involved in rugby has the right to feel safe and protected from any form of abuse or neglect and to take part in a safe, respectful and enjoyable environment.

We take our responsibility for the welfare and wellbeing of everyone involved in our game very seriously and want the rugby environment to be an inclusive, safe and enjoyable one. The core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship are important, for children in rugby and especially all the adults they meet along the way, who we hope will serve as role models providing a positive experience.

These values lie at the heart of what we do. The RFU is committed to developing a culture that lives and breathes the core values, is free of abuse, discrimination and harm, where everyone feels safe and able to raise any concerns they have, and challenge any concerns they see or hear.

To help clubs show their commitment to creating safer and inclusive environments for participants, the RFU have created a Code of Conduct template for clubs that can be edited and adopted as part of a club’s constitution.  This Code of Conduct will help club committees create a culture of accountability amongst their members, contributing to safer cultures. This Code of Conduct has been written in conjunction with the principles of the UK Coaching Code of Practice, the Age Grades Codes of Practice, and the RFU Core Values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship and we would encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with these documents, alongside the Code of Conduct.

The UK Coaching Code of Practice outlines principles that constitute good practice in coaching. Part of those principles include rights, relationships and personal and professional standards. These principles have been applied to the conduct of all individuals in rugby, including coaches, officials, and spectators, which extends to parents and guardians/carers and participants, and has influenced this Code of Conduct.

This Code of Conduct template has been designed for club committees to review and edit designated sections as they wish.  We would encourage clubs to adopt the Code of Conduct at a meeting of its committee or of all members, and publicise the adoption of the Code of Conduct to all members.

We intend that this Code of Conduct will help clubs to create safer environments, where people are empowered to speak up about and address any concerning behaviour they witness in their club. Remember, if you have seen, heard, or experienced anything that has made you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, please get in touch with the RFU via our Speak Up Policy.