RHINO RUGBY CLUB
PLAYER, PARENT AND
SUPPORTER AGREEMENT
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Rhino Rugby Club. In order to help answer questions and avoid
potential issues or problems during the season, it is important that Players, Parents and
Supporters understand the philosophy, expectations, rules, and policies of the Rhino
Rugby Club (Club) as outlined in the following pages:
PHILOSOPHY
The Rhino Rugby Club’s purpose is the long-term growth and development of each
Player, including his/her growth in skills as well as development as a person. The Club’s
Coaches will sometime make decisions and issue instructions that the Players may not
understand. Club or Team interests, Player development or other goals will
sometimes be given a higher priority than winning. Players and Parents must
understand this and conduct themselves in keeping with a healthy team environment.
Remember, playing only to win without taking into consideration other factors that are
important to the health of the team and each of its Players will not result in a solid
foundation for either the team or the Player and can have a negative effect on the team
and club dynamics.
Players should also understand that attendance and effort at practice can affect playing
time. Playing time during major tournaments and league finals where the primary
objective is to win, is not guaranteed and will be at the sole discretion of the Head
Coach.
The Club does not allow Coaching by other Players, Parents or Supporters. No one on
the sideline should instruct Players or complain to officials during or after a game. Any
abuse of Players, Coaches and especially Referees will be dealt with swiftly with
immediate expulsion of Player, Parent or Supporter from the field. If behavior of this sort
becomes a pattern then related Player of Parent or Supporter may be suspended or
asked to leave the team.
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Positive vocal support and encouragement are welcome during the game. However,
Parents and Supporters should keep in mind that something as simple as “Kick it!” or
“Pass it!” could be interpreted as instruction and are not desirable. These instructions
can be contrary to what the Coach is teaching or has instructed the team to do. The
Club insists members of the Coaching staff be the only voice at all games and practices.
No one other than those listed on official game rosters may sit on or near the team
bench during games. From time to time, Parents and Supporters may observe a Coach
addressing the team at half time or after the game. Please respect the space and
privacy necessary for your Coach and team to carry out their game responsibilities and
strategies.
Players and Parents should feel free to communicate with the Coach and ask questions
but should do so at the appropriate time. Players are encouraged to speak up and
communicate for themselves as much as possible. Coaches are expected to
communicate openly, honestly, and professionally with Players about their progress and
any problems. The Club encourages Player-Coach or Player-Team-Coach conferences
at appropriate times.
THE CLUB, THE TEAM, THE PLAYER AND THE COACH
The Club’s guiding principles when making decisions are as follows in order of
importance:
 First, what is in the best interest of the Club;
 Second, what is in the best interest of a Team;
 Third, what is in the best interest of a Player; and
 Fourth, what is in the best interest of a Coach.
POLICY ON COMMUNICATIONS
If a problem arises that a Player or Parent needs to resolve, the Club has a policy on
how to effectively address it. For everyone, follow the 48 hour rule, which means give
a problem two days to settle down before initiating communications. It is amazing how
much simpler a problem may seem after taking two days to cool down. After that, the
Player or Parent needs to follow this protocol.
Discuss the problem with the Coach. If not resolved then…
Discuss the problem with Team Management.
Coaches and Team Managers promise to address problems directly, quickly and
provide continuous feedback until resolved. When resolved, Team Management will
provide a clear explanation of the decision.
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Under NO circumstances should a Player, Parent or Supporter write to the entire
team, members of the Southern California Rugby Union or other outsiders soliciting
support and trying to influence a decision. Dealing with Player or team problems is the
sole responsibility of the Coach and Team Management. Going outside of the Club will
only cause confusion and could result in serious problems for our teams’ playing status
within our Union.
Coaches are the decision makers on the team. They will work together with Team
Management to keep you informed of team plans and changes to plans when they
occur. Most Coaches will communicate with team members via email. E-mails should
be used only to distribute factual information. They should not be used to air problems
or to express opinions.
Coaches will not use e-mail when an urgent message needs to get out to the team, as
a telephone call is the preferred means of sending urgent messages. Coaches will also
make sure that team members that do not use e-mail are contacted in another way.
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
Each Player registering to be a member of the Club assumes a financial obligation to
pay Club dues. Club dues include Southern California Youth Rugby Union registration
fees, insurance, facility rental fees, a uniform kit, visiting Player lunches, Referee fees,
and other costs as determined by Team Management. The Club relies on the timely
payment of these dues to ensure the proper functioning of the team.
Should a Player fail to pay Club dues in a timely manner, the Player may be suspended
from play until all accounts are brought current.
If a Player decides to leave the Club the Player must inform the Coach. A refund may
be requested and will be considered by Team Management if the departure is because
either the family has moved out of the geographical area or the Player has suffered a
season-ending injury before the 3rd league game of the season.
VOLUNTEER OBLIGATIONS
The Rhino Rugby Club is a volunteer organization. The Club relies on everyone,
Players and Parents, pitching in to help make the practices, games and tournaments
run smoothly. Tasks such as fundraising, providing snacks for the players, preparing the
fields, working in the concession stand, serving lunch and selling gear require
volunteers to be successful. Players and Parents will be assigned several jobs during
the season so please be on time and come with a great attitude to help your Club be the
best we can be. Please discuss any tasks for which you would like to volunteer or any
conflicts with scheduling with your Coach or Team Mom.
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THE CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT
As a Player, Parent and Supporter for the Rhino Rugby Club, you are part of a Team
and a Club. Your actions reflect not only upon yourself, but on everyone in the Rhino
Rugby Club organization.
Players, Parents and Supporters are expected to:
 Conform to the rules established by your team and the Club
 Respect the Coach’s and Team Managers’ decisions and follow their instructions
 Avoid inappropriate behavior during practice, games, team or Club sponsored
events, tournaments, and travel
 Follow the Club’s 48 hour rule and communicate only with Coaches and Team
Managers about any problems
 Attend practices, games, and tournaments to which your team is committed
 Treat teammates, members of the Club, opponents, Coaches, Referees and
other officials with respect
 Not use alcohol, illegal drugs and tobacco at the practice field, game or while
representing the Club. Doing so will be cause for immediate removal from the
field or club event.
 Refrain from using foul language
 Care for your uniform , other Club equipment and fields
 Remember that under the rules of rugby, a Coach, Parent or Supporter can be
ejected from the playing enclosure by the conduct of that individual, or a team
can forfeit a game by that conduct;
Coaches are expected to:
 Set high standards for their own and their Players’ conduct
 Set team rules, including attendance rules, and fairly and equally apply these
rules
 Treat all Players honestly, fairly, positively, and with respect
 Be committed to helping each Player develop rugby skills and game
understanding
 Communicate openly, honestly, and professionally with Players and Parents
 Represent the Club in a professional manner with any actions being beyond
reproach
 Act professionally at all times
 Abide by team and Club rules.
 Not use alcohol, illegal drugs and tobacco at the practice field, game or while
representing the Club. Doing so will be cause for immediate removal from the
field or club event.
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SIGNATURES
Please sign below indicating that you understand, accept and agree to the
responsibilities and obligations listed above and will comply with the Rhino Rugby Club
Player, Parent and Supporter Agreement.
Player Name:
Signature:
Date:
Parent Name:
Signature:
Date:
Parent Name:
Signature:
Date: