24 Sep One Club. One Standard.
Why Navan RFC is introducing the Club Respect Passport
At Navan RFC, we want our club to be known not only for the style of rugby we play, but for the way we conduct ourselves. Every weekend, players, coaches, parents, supporters, volunteers and match officials come together because we love the game. Referees and other match officials are an essential part of that game. Without them, there is no match, there is no rugby.
The Navan RFC Club Respect Passport has been introduced because it is time to make a clear commitment to the standards set out by the IRFU and Leinster branch codes of conduct for Players, Coaches and Spectators. We expect this commitment from everyone involved in our club. This isn’t about taking the passion away or telling people they can’t question or disagree with a referee decision. Rugby is an emotional game, and disagreements will happen. However, disagreement must never become abuse, intimidation, threatening behaviour or personal attacks. Our referee coordinator has already been speaking to team head coaches and managers in terms of referee and match official etiquette on match days.
What do we hope the Club Respect Passport achieves?
The passport is about more than signing a piece of paper. It is about starting a conversation and ultimately changing our club culture. We want every member of Navan RFC to understand that when you wear Navan RFC colours, when you support a team, you represent more than yourself. You represent your families, and you are representing a proud club with more than 100 years of history. Your behaviour contributes to how our club is perceived by opponents, visiting teams, parents, volunteers and, more importantly, match officials.
We want referees arriving at Navan to know that they will be treated with respect.
We want our young players to see adults setting the right example.
We want our coaches and team officials to understand the influence they have on the behaviour of their teams and supporters.
We want our members to take pride in being part of a club where respect is not just something we talk about, it is something we demonstrate and is the foundation of our culture.
There are real consequences if we don’t change
This is not simply a campaign because the club thinks it would be a good idea. Our culture as a club simply must change. Over the past five seasons we have had five match official abuse incidents involving our members. The most recent incident last Easter has caused both financial and reputational cost to the club. If incidents involving abuse and unacceptable behaviour towards match officials continue, there are consequences for the whole club. There are consequences for the members involved the executive is taking a ZERO TOLERANCE approach to all match official abuse incidents.
A future incident will likely result in a sanction that stops rugby activity across the club for a period of weeks. That means the consequences wouldn’t fall solely on the individual responsible. Players, coaches, children, parents, teams and volunteers across Navan RFC could all be affected. This matters to every member. We cannot control every decision a referee makes, and we cannot guarantee that everyone will always agree with those decisions, but we must respect the person on the pitch with the whistle. Rugby has always been a sport and the vanguard of referee respect; we must get back to that.
One Club. One Standard.
The Respect Passport is our opportunity to draw a line under unacceptable behaviour and establish a standard that everyone understands. One that everyone can get on board with.
Respect the Game.
Respect the Referee.
Respect the Club.
Respect Each Other.
I am asking every member to engage with the campaign, talk about it with their teammates and families, and most importantly, put it into practice on match days in Balreask Old and when visiting other clubs. Ultimately, the reputation of Navan RFC isn’t created by a committee, a coach or a single player.
For this culture change to be successful, it must start at the top. Our Executive Committee and Trustees recognise that we have a responsibility to lead by example and to set the standard we expect from every member of Navan RFC. We will actively support and promote the Club Respect Passport, challenge unacceptable behaviour when we see it, and ensure that the same standards of respect and conduct apply to everyone, regardless of their role or position within the club.
Culture doesn’t change because we ask others to change. It changes when those leading the club demonstrate the change themselves. Our commitment is to lead from the front and create an environment where respect, accountability and positive behaviour become part of the fabric of Navan RFC. Very soon you will see new signage around the club designed to remind us of all of our commitment and responsibilities.
One Club. One Standard.
Yours in Rugby,
Gerry Sweeney
Honorary Secretary
