Zero Tolerance Towards Referee Abuse

Zero Tolerance Towards Referee Abuse

We all want our kids to enjoy junior sport, but we can't do that without the help of the dedicated officials who volunteer their time to support the junior Touch Football. While our referees are paid a small fee, they are not professionals and can't be expected to perform as such!

Adopted 10/07/2010
Updated 23/10/2015

Applicability

Each coach is responsible for their own actions and the actions of their teams’ officials, players and spectators. Each coach, official, player and spectator shall at all times support the referees. Failure to do so will undermine the referees’ authority and has the potential to create a hostile environment for the players, spectators, officials, coaches and referees alike. No-one is to address the referees in a negative manner before, during or after the match.

Coaches Communication with Referees

Coaches may not address any referees during play except for:

  • Responding to referee initiated communication.
  • Pointing our emergencies or safety issues, such as an injured player on the field.

Actions

FIRST INCIDENT: Warning. Referee may verbally remind the coach of this policy.
SECOND INCIDENT: Penalty. The referee may issue a warning, via the team captain, to the coach that a third incident will result in the coach being dismissed from the match. The referee may award a penalty to the non-offending team for misconduct.
THIRD INCIDENT: Dismissal. The referee may instruct the coach, via the team captain, to leave the vicinity of the field. The coach must then move and remain no closer than ten (10) metres from the field of play.

Suspension for Dismissals

  • Any coach who is dismissed from a match will receive an automatic two (2) match suspension.
  • Any coach who is dismissed from a second match during the same season will be required to submit a Statement of Reasons to the TJT Executive Committee as to why they should be allowed to continue coaching in the competition.
  • Offending coaches may, at the discretion of the Disciplinary Tribunal Chairperson, be required to appear before a Disciplinary Tribunal.

Player Communications with Referees

Players who are not the team captain may not address any referees during play except for:

  • Responding to a referee initiated communication.
  • Pointing our emergencies or safety issues, such as an injured player on the field.

Actions

FIRST INCIDENT: Warning. Referee may issue a warning and remind the player of this policy.
SECOND INCIDENT: Penalty. The referee may award a penalty to the non-offending team as well as a warning to the player that a third incident will result in them being dismissed from the match for a Period-of-Time.
THIRD INCIDENT: Period-of-Time. The referee may dismiss the player from the match for a period of time as determined by the referee.
FOURTH INCIDENT: Remainder-of-Match. The referee may dismiss the player for the remainder of the match. The player must then move and remain not closer than ten (10) metres from the field of play and may not take further part in the match.

Suspension for Dismissals

  • Any player who is dismissed for a period-of-time two (2) matches in a row will receive an automatic one (1) match suspension.
  • Any player who is dismissed for the remainder of the match will receive an automatic two (2) match suspension.
  • Any player who is dismissed for the remainder of the match more than two (2) times during the season will be required to submit a Statement of Reasons to the TJT Executive Committee as to why they should be allowed to continue to play in the competition.
  • Offending players may, at the discretion of the Judiciary Chairperson, be required to appear before a Judiciary Committee.

Spectator Communications with Referee

No parent or other spectator shall address the match referees at any time. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Spectators shall not dispute referees’ decisions during or after the match.
  • Spectators shall not advise the referee to watch certain players or attend to rough play.
  • Spectators shall not yell at the referee, including criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation, condescending or discriminatory comments or feedback of any kind before, during or after the game.

Actions

FIRST INCIDENT: Reminder. Referee may request that the team captains and/or coaches remind the spectator of this policy.
SECOND INCIDENT: Warning. Referee may issue a final warning to the spectator, via the team captains and/or coaches, that a third incident will result in them being dismissed from the vicinity of the field.
THIRD INCIDENT: Dismissal. The referee may stop the game and instruct the team captains and/or coaches to direct the spectator to leave the vicinity of the field. The game will not recommence until the spectator has left the vicinity of the field.

Suspension for Dismissals

  • Any spectator who is dismissed from a match will receive an automatic two (2) match suspension from the grounds and will be required to submit a Statement of Reasons to the TJT Executive Committee as to why they should be allowed to return to the competition.
  • Any spectator who is dismissed from a second match during the same season will be banned from the grounds for a duration of time as determined by the TJT Executive Committee.

Power of Dismissal

In addition to the referees, the power to dismiss coaches, officials and spectators from a match is granted to the following positions:

  • TJT Executive Committee Members:
    • Chairperson/Junior Director
    • Vice President/s
    • Director of Referees
    • Director of Coaching
  • Members of Referee Coaching Panel acting on behalf of the Director of Referees and/or President

The pre-described actions are recommendations only. A referee may, at their own discretion, choose to impose other sanctions, in any order, as per the Touch Football Australia Playing Rules and accepted refereeing procedures.

Notification

Should a referee dismiss a player (for a period of time or the remainder of the match), he/she must record the players name and team on the reverse-side of the scorecard and, if the player was dismissed for the remainder of the match, notify the TJT Director of Referees or Chairperson and submit a written referees report to the TJT Executive Committee as soon as possible.
Should a referee or a member with the Power of Dismissal (as described previously) dismiss a coach, official or spectator from the match, he/she must notify the TJT Director of Referees or Chairperson as soon as possible. A written report must also be submitted by the referee/s to the TJT Executive Committee within 48 hours of the completion of the match. The TJT Executive Committee will refer the matter to its Disciplinary Tribunal for further action if deemed necessary.
A referee or a member with the Power of Dismissal may also submit a written report about any player, coach, official or spectator without a dismissal occurring during a game.

Statement of Reasons

Players, Coaches, Officials and Spectators who are required to submit a Statement of Reasons must do so prior to the completion of their period of suspension. Failure to do so will result in that person remaining under suspension.
The submitted statement will be reviewed and must be accepted by the TJT Executive Committee before the participant will be allowed to return. If allowed to return to the competition, the player, coach, official or spectator may be subject to monitoring and/or reviews by the TJT Executive Committee and/or Referee Coaching Panel.

Policy References

  • Townsville Junior Touch Football Codes of Conduct
  • Touch Football Australia Playing Rules (7th Edition)