Subject: Important Update: RFU Regulation 19 (Discipline) Review
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to provide you with an important update regarding RFU Regulation 19 (Discipline), which has undergone a comprehensive review ahead of the 2024/25 season.
As you may know, Regulation 19 applies to all clubs at every level of the game. Over time, it has been updated in a piecemeal fashion, resulting in a regulation that became cumbersome, overly legalistic, and complex in certain areas. Recognizing this, the Regulation 19 Review Group was established to refresh and streamline the regulation, making it easier to understand and more user-friendly for all.
Review Principles
The review was guided by the principles of Accuracy, Brevity, and Clarity (ABC). The primary goal was to create a regulation that is simple, understandable, and consistently applicable. The review also aimed to avoid repetition and incorporate improvements from lessons learned while ensuring the regulation aligns with World Rugby’s core principles.
Key Changes
While the vast majority of Regulation 19’s content has been retained, it has been restructured and rewritten for improved clarity. Below are the key changes:
- Re-ordering and Removal of Duplications: This change enhances the flow of the regulation and makes it more volunteer-friendly.
- Introduction of a Discipline-Specific Definitions Section: New definitions have been added to clarify the discipline process, including an expanded understanding of terms like ‘Judicial Officer’ and ‘Match Official.’
- Explanatory Notes: These have been added alongside the regulations to assist those less familiar with the discipline process.
- Alternative Resolution Process: A new process has been introduced to handle certain cases more efficiently.
- Strengthened Compliance Measures: Measures have been enhanced for addressing non-fulfillment of education and alternative sanctions.
- Whistleblower Protection: New protections have been introduced for whistle-blowers who report incidents in good faith.
- Expedited Discipline Process: In certain cases, an expedited process can be used with the agreement of the CB. A new appendix outlining this process will be written in the first half of the 25/26 season.
- Appeal Review: The Head of Discipline now has the authority to review appeals and dismiss them prior to a hearing if there are no valid grounds for appeal.
Review Group
The review group included representatives from various regions and expertise within the RFU, including:
- Kirsty Marlor (Chair & Council Member Royal Navy)
- John Crate (Council Member Surrey, Discipline Secretary Surrey)
- John Constable (Council Member Dorset & Wilts, Member of ACMSC)
- John Downham (Hon Sec Cheshire CB & CBAGDS Cheshire)
- Kingsley Hyland (Northumberland CB Discipline Sec, Newcastle Falcons Discipline Officer)
- Clive Leek (Representative from Laws Sub-Committee and Member of East Midlands Referee Society)
- David Barnes (RFU Head of Discipline)
- Rebecca Morgan-Scott (RFU Disciplinary Hearings Manager)
- Angus Hetherington (RFU Legal Counsel (Discipline))
I encourage you to familiarise yourself with the updated Regulation 19 ahead of the upcoming season. Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Please click this link to review the full breakdown which is now held on our website under the Referee Hub – Disciplinary Section
You can find all the forms relevant to disciplinary in one place in this section, marked Disciplinary Forms. Click this link to view them.
Thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to upholding the standards of our game.
Availability
The season kicks off a week today so please ensure your availability is updated so we can appoint you to the fixtures, we have a range of games covering:
- Schools & Universities across weekdays
- Mens Adult & School Fixtures on Saturdays
- Junior & Ladies Fixtures on Sundays
Regional Training
New for the 24/25 season are our Regional Hubs, and to kick these off we’ve arranged training for the 3rd September as follows:
Aston Old Edwardians – Greater Birminggham Group led by John kelly
Droitwich Rugby Club – Worcs/Hereford Group led by Damian Hampton
Shropshire/ Shrewsbury Group led by Paul Salisbury
The events will kick off at 7pm
Other Business
At the AGM we notified our new structure along with new board members, over the coming weeks we will update our website and provide a bulletin on the changes and what it means for the society.