A Judea rugby player has been banned from all forms of the game for nine months following an incident involving players and spectators, sparked by him threatening a referee for red-carding him.
Stacey Walker will not play rugby until March 17, 2016, the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's judiciary committee imposed late yesterday afternoon.
Judea Rugby Club's Stacey Walker has been stood down from rugby until 2016. Photo: Bruce Barnard.
This comes as a result of last weekend's incident during a Western Bay of Plenty senior grade clash between Judea reserves and Greerton Marist reserves.
The ban extends to rugby union, rugby league, touch rugby and rugby sevens.
The incident follows a spate of bad behaviour at sports matches throughout the country, including an incident on June 27 in Auckland where more than 40 people were involved in a brawl that broke out during an under-15 rugby clash between Otahuhu College and Tangaroa College in which a 15-year-old was hospitalised.
Half a dozen police officers were called to the park after a Tangaroa supporter had run onto the field and punched an Otahuhu player from behind.
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's judiciary committee says that, to an extent, the behaviour of the team and it supporters was incited by Walker's behaviour.
The committee says its aim to improve the behaviour of the club would be best led by the kaumatua, with the rugby union asked to offer assistance on what was and was not considerable acceptable.
It warns more serious sanctions would be imposed if a similar incident came before the judiciary in the 2016 season.
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's rugby operations manager Neil Alton says union and Judea club officials met last night to discuss the penalty and address any concerns regarding the behaviour of Judea's players and supporters.
'The club understands that they had a bit of a ticking time bomb there in the club. They have identified they could have probably done something with that player before he let loose with a tirade at the referee.
'They have taken some steps to remedy the situation and have got a chance this weekend to host a couple of teams and put on a good show.
Neil says although the season is coming to a close it is important this type of behaviour is dealt with swiftly.
In that the union is working to improve sideline behaviour to create a positive environment at games.
Initiatives include a code of responsibility in which coaches would be educated, sideline vests featuring positive messages would be worn by management and a robust system to deal with issues put in place.
The union says it is important that clubs, players and supporters maintained a level of respect for one another so people could enjoy their involvement in rugby.
Following the decision Judea Rugby Club on its Facebook posted a photo of the' Code of conduct for spectators' with the message: 'Kia ora whanau, last week there was a few complaints made to the BOPRU about our club players and supporters attitude towards the referee at our reserves game. Plz read the code of conduct as a reminder, without a ref we have no game.”
One supporter responded: 'Yes come on whanau! We don't get to be a 105-years-old with bad attitudes! Mana Tu, Mana Toa, Mana Akeake! Huria!”
6 comments
Brilliant!
Posted on 10-07-2015 10:29 | By penguin
An excellent decision which, hopefully, will send a clear message to others who think they are above the rules or decisions.
Top marks
Posted on 10-07-2015 11:21 | By nerak
to BOPRU. The sooner this path is followed, maybe the sooner we will see less of the undesirable side of sport. I heard a ref give a warning to both teams recently over swearing, players were 14 years old. Thanked the ref after game, we agreed it needs stamping out early. Some spectators included in this.
Make them Ref a game
Posted on 10-07-2015 11:24 | By StevieB
As part of an educational experience, instead of banning them from all aspects of the game (as a player) why not send them on a course to learn the rules, and make them ref a game to see first hand what it is like. That might change their attitude & give an appreciation from a ref's point of view. (might even encourage them to become a ref).
And thats a penalty ?
Posted on 10-07-2015 13:12 | By kellbell
Banned from rugby in the bloody off season.Years would have been more like it. Slap with a wet bus ticket at best!!
great idea---but
Posted on 10-07-2015 16:30 | By Ross01
Not for one minute do I think they would want him, but who gave the rugby union the authority to ban the guy from playing rugby league
There was a time...
Posted on 10-07-2015 18:08 | By morepork
... when we played sport (including contact sports like Rugby) with regard for sportsmanship and respect for the ref,the rules, and your opponents. You could acknowledge good play by the opposition and they did the same. Then people started being able to make a living from it and everything changed. Parents on the sidelines (probably with dreams of their kids becoming wealthy icons),abusing referees and players; no wonder the kids are ill-behaved. The concepts of sportsmanship, decency, doing your best, have been trodden down by the cult of "WINNING is ALL that matters". Bend the rules, hurt your opponents, do whatever it takes, but WIN, because that is all that is important. Go into a decline if you lose, and fester your frustration until the next game. People who care for sport shouldn't have to share a field with people who don't. Banning this guy is a good result.
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