Tough Love in League Policy – Curbing Violence in our Game

The Tough Love in League Policy (TLIL and the Policy) applies to all age groups from Under 13s to Open Age Community Rugby League competitions (Community Rugby League Competitions). A zero-tolerance approach to abuse and violence is implemented and does operate across all NSWRL Community Rugby League Competitions.

TLIL penalties may apply instead of, or in addition to any penalties otherwise applicable or imposed under the NSWRL Judiciary or Code of Conduct Schedule.

On Field Striking / Punching

1. Any Player who throws a punch or “strikes” another during a match will be automatically sent from the Field of Play. If that Player is subsequently found guilty through a Judicial process, (in the absence of mitigating circumstances), the MINIMUM penalty will be a one- week suspension.

1.1 The Player(s) deemed to be the Aggressor in throwing a punch / punches will have their Judiciary charge graded as Medium/Grade 2 (at minimum). 

1.2 Any Player found guilty of breaching rule 1.1 for the second time in a season will incur an automatic MINIMUM 12-month suspension from the game.

Referee / Match Official Abuse 

2. Any Player / Team Official / Spectator found guilty of touching a referee or official in an aggressive or inappropriate manner will be disqualified from the game for a minimum period of 12 months. Further, the team in which the person concerned is playing for, supporting or assisting will have the number of competition points that constitutes a win (2 or 3 competition points) deducted from their competition points score.

3. Any Player who is dismissed from the Field of Play and is subsequently charged under 15.1F (offensive language directed towards a Match Official) with a grading of serious/Grade 4 (referred directly to the Judiciary) and is found guilty of the charge and grading, will incur a minimum penalty of a 12-match suspension. Further, the team in which they represented will have the number of competition points that constitutes a win (2 or 3 competition points) deducted from their competition points score.

4. Any Team Official / Spectator who is charged with a High-Grade Code of Conduct Breach, and subsequently found guilty of abusing a referee will be disqualified from the game for a minimum period of a 12 months. Further, the team in which the person concerned is supporting or assisting will have the number of competition points that constitutes a win (2 or 3 competition points) deducted from their competition points score.

5. Should any Player be found guilty of, or accept an early guilty plea for a charge of 15.1.f Offensive Language Directed towards a Match Official, the following competition point penalty will be applied to the Player’s team:

5.1 Low grade charge – team will lose 1 Competition Point 

5.2 Medium grade charge – team will lose 2 Competition Points 

5.3 High and / or Serious grade charge – team will lose 3 Competition Points

Team/Game Official or Replacement Players

6. Players who enter the Field of Play illegally will automatically be sent from the Field of Play.

6.1 If a player enters the Field of Play and the breach is considered incidental, the Player should be dismissed from the Field of Play.  This Player should be charged with 15.1.i (Behaves in a way contrary to the true spirit of the game) with a minimum LOW grading. 

6.2 If a player enters the Field of Play the player should be dismissed from the Field of Play.  This Player should be charged with 15.1.h (Re-enters the Field of Play).   Rule 6.5 will also apply. 

6.3 If a Team/Game Official enters the Field of Play and the breach is considered incidental, the Team/Game Official should be dismissed from duties within the Field of Play.  This Team/Game Official should be charged under the code of conduct with B or E in the summary of offences with a LOW Grading.

6.4 If a Team/Game Official enters the Field of Play the Team/Game Official should be dismissed from the Field of Play.  This Team/Game Official should be charged under the code of conduct with B or E in the summary of offences with a HIGH Grading.

6.5 The offending Player’s or Team/Game Official’s team will be penalised the number of competition points that constitutes a win (2 or 3 competition points) for each person that breaches Rule 6. For example, if three Players are found guilty of entering the Field of Play illegally, their team will be penalised nine competition points where a win is awarded 3 competition points.

Players or Team Official Leaving the Playing Area 

The following penalties will apply for any Player or Team Official that leaves the Playing Area to become involved in any altercation or melee.  Penalties will be imposed on both the Player(s), Team Official(s) and team(s) concerned: 

7. Any participant (being a Player or Team Official) who leaves either the Playing Area or the team bench to become involved in any altercation or melee that is occurring outside the Playing Area (behind the fence or rope where Spectators are located) will automatically be sent from the Field of Play.

7.1 Players or Officials found guilty of any breach of Rule 7 will be suspended for a minimum of six weeks; and

7.2 The offending Player or Team Official’s team will be penalised the number of competition points that constitutes a win (2 or 3 competition points) for each Player that breaches Rule 7. For example, if three Players are found guilty of entering the Field of Play illegally, their team will be penalised nine competition points where a win is awarded 3 competition points. 

Abandoned Games 

8. In the event of a match being abandoned due to foul play the match will be deemed as completed. The team that is determined by the Match Officials to have instigated the foul play will be deemed to have forfeited the match.  In the event that the Match Officials determine that both teams are equally responsible for the match being abandoned, neither team will be eligible to be awarded any points for participating in the match.  The match will not be replayed.  Both teams will be required to attend a Code of Conduct Hearing. 

Finals Series Matches 

9. At the discretion of the relevant League, any breach of rules 6, 8, 11-14, occurring in finals series matches, will result in the offending team or teams being disqualified from the relevant competition. Teams disqualified following misconduct in finals series matches will not be eligible for any premiership honours for that season. 

Suspended Players

10. Participants are responsible for ensuring they do not take to the Field of Play whilst they are serving any rugby league-related suspension. Should a suspended Player take to the Field of Play whilst they are so suspended, the Player concerned will be issued an automatic and fixed further 12-month suspension which will be added to the end of the original suspension expiry date. The coach, team manager or other team staff will also be issued a 12-month suspension.

Spectator Field Intrusion

11. Any Spectator who enters the Playing Area or Field of Play with intent, or without the permission of the Ground Manager, will automatically be banned from attending Community Rugby League matches for a minimum period of 12 months. 

12. Should a Spectator contravene any such penalty, the League reserves the right to suspend any children / siblings of the parent or family involved from playing in NSWRL-related competitions.  A bond / fine may be attributed to the Spectator to allow them to resume attending matches after the expiry of the suspension imposed. 

13. Failure to Identify - Should a Club refuse, fail or neglect to identify any person(s) who has breached Rule 5, the League reserves the right to suspend the team the Spectator was supporting, until such time as the person is identified.   

14. Teams and Clubs are liable for the behaviour of their Spectators. If any breach of Rule 5 has been identified, the team concerned will be penalised the number of competition points that constitutes a win (2 or 3 competition points), and the match concerned will be deemed as a forfeit to the opposition team.

Spectator Unsportsmanlike Comments (to participants / Match Officials / volunteers or other Spectators) 

15. The following process will be followed when a Spectator is identified as directing negative or demeaning comments towards any Player, Match Official or other Spectator.

15.1 Should any Spectator be identified making unsportsmanlike comments during a match, the Referee has the authority to stop the game.   The Referee will direct the Ground Manager to ask the coaches of the respective teams to speak to the supporters and ask them to refrain from making any further comments that may be deemed unsportsmanlike.  The Referee will then resume the game. 

15.2 If there is a second instance of unsportsmanlike behaviour from the same identified Spectator, the Referee will then have the authority to abandon the match at their discretion. 

15.3 The Spectator deemed responsible will be issued a Code of Conduct Breach Notice.  Should they be found guilty, the opposing team shall be awarded a win on forfeit the number of competition points that constitutes a win (2 or 3 competition points) will be deducted from the offending team. 

15.4 The offending team will be placed on a $1,000 bond for the remainder of the competition season. 

15.5 Should there be a second offence related to any team, they will be disqualified from the competition.  

15.6 Any Spectator who is charged with a High-Grade Code of Conduct Breach and is subsequently found guilty will be disqualified from attending any games for a minimum period of 12 months.  

Further, the team with which the person concerned is supporting will have the number of competition points that constitutes a win (2 or 3 competition points) deducted from their competition points score.  

Suspended Persons

16. Community Rugby League Clubs are responsible for ensuring any suspended person who is associated with their club, does not act in any capacity which is contrary to the terms of such a suspension. Terms of suspensions are issued with all Judiciary and Conduct Notices of Outcome. 

17. Should a suspended person be found to be acting in breach of or contrary to the terms of their suspension, the Club concerned will be deemed liable. The Club will be fined $1,000.00. Further, if the person concerned is associated in any capacity with a particular team within the Club, that team will be ineligible to play in any Finals Series Matches. 

18. The NSWRL reserves the right to de-register any children / siblings or relatives of a suspended person, should that person to be found to be acting contrary to the terms of such suspension.

Open Age Competitions 

19. Leagues must apply to NSWRL if they do not wish the Tough Love and League Policy and associated penalties to apply in their Open Age Competitions.