Leek Rugby club, as agreed within its constitution and senior committee, one disciplinary panel which hears and deals with all matters relating to breaches of club rules covering both the Senior and Mini/Junior playing sections.

The members of the disciplinary panel are the Club Chairman/vice, The Discipline Secretary, Director of Rugby and or the Junior Chair [when required] or a nominated person. At all times there will be 3 persons to hear the allegation both in terms of on and off field allegations and any sanctions will be agreed based on a majority decision.

The process will follow the most up to date RFU discipline advice and guidelines which are well documented on the RFU website both in terms of senior and mini/junior processes and outcomes.

Any Mini/Junior red card would trigger an official RFU report from the match referee and that the discipline sanction would be dealt with by Disciplinary Panel. In this case the Mini/Junior Chairman would also be invited to sit on the disciplinary panel.

• Yellow cards within the Mini/Junior section are not reportable and they are to be dealt with by the Age Group coach with support from the club if required.
With any mini/junior discipline allegation it is important that the approach is child centred and ensuring the relevant parent/coach is fully involved.

• Other instances where club rules have been breached or complaints have been received etc, will be treated by a formal hearing/discussion by the club’s disciplinary panel/ committee. This will follow both RFU playing Disc guidelines/ RFU/ club policies along with HR discipline principles ie officials abuse, social media policy etc, where possible unless exceptional circumstances

The club will ensure any internal playing discipline decision is recorded and reported back into the RFU in accordance with guidelines and other Club Disc is recorded and retained for future reference. In terms of complaints received the relevant discipline members will be informed and attempts made to resolve the matters to both parties satisfaction following agreed principles,
however understanding this may not be achieved. Both parties must be updated, where agreed.

Juniors’ complaints must follow through the Junior Chairperson who will link in with other discipline committee members, where required to seek ways to resolve and improve.

Where any allegations are against any members of the discipline playing committee then reps from both the junior coaching and Senior committee will be requested to sit ensuring 3 persons are present and the RFU Disc guidelines are followed.

The club discipline policy needs to be living document and continually re- assessed with a clear understanding relevant RFU policies need to be understood and followed, where applicable.