RFU Codes of Conduct

I don't want to discourage passionate debate about the league or the teams competing in Wisconsin. But the comments about the All Tournament Team require some additional comment. The whole debate reminds me of the writings of the historian Flavius Josephus who wrote: "but I don't see how those can be accounted great, who triumph only over the ignoble." His comment was a criticism of other historians who denegrate the losing side in a war. Such comments do not really help to praise the winning side, as it only cheapens the victory. I think his comments apply with equal force to comments about sports teams.

On a more practical level, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the home Union in England, has published Codes of Conduct for players, parents, coaches, match officials and spectators for youth rugby. I think that the spectator's code of conduct should apply to comments on this blog:

THE GOOD SPECTATOR’S CODE

SPECTATORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO:

• Act as positive role models to all young players.
• Be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection Guidance in relation to verbal and emotional abuse.
• Respect the rugby club with regard to spectator behaviour.

SPECTATORS SHOULD:

• Remember children play sport for their enjoyment not yours.
• Acknowledge good individual and team performance from all youngsters irrespective of the team for whom they play. Respect match officials’ decisions.
• Remember - they are volunteers providing an opportunity for youngsters to play rugby.
• Never verbally abuse young players, match officials, fellow spectators or coaches. Such behaviour can create a negative environment for young players and their behaviour will often reflect this.
• Acknowledge effort and good performance rather than ‘win at all costs’ethic.
• Verbally encourage all youngsters in a positive way. If you do want to shout make sure it is ‘for’, not ‘at’ the players.
• Encourage all youngsters irrespective of their ability - never ridicule any individual player, regardless of the team for whom they play.