Referee Abuse reporting
Incidence of referee abuse, where a red card had not been issued, should be reported through Report a Concern form on the Rugby AU website. Access the form here: Report a Concern Rugby Case | Rugby Australia
Yellow Card reporting
There is no reporting for the referee to complete for yellow cards issued.
Teams are required (via the team manage) to record players that received a YC in their Rugby Xplorer game app. The referee should do a cursory check that the team manager has recorded YCs.
Teams are required (via the team manage) to record players that received a YC in their Rugby Xplorer game app. The referee should do a cursory check that the team manager has recorded YCs.
Red Card/Send Off reporting
ALL red cards issued must be reported on-line through Rugby Xplorer.
There is a 'Send-off Report' button adjacent to the referee's appointments (in their 'Appointment history' section of their Rugby Xplorer portal).
This is so that the player can be summoned to appear before their respective judiciary. Players may be handed a further sanction based on your written report. Red carded players are excluded from playing until they are dealt with by the judiciary.
At the time of the incident the referee should record the details so that completing the report is that much easier.
Always note the following at the time the red card is issued:
1. Player name, number and team
2. Time in the game the incident occurred
3. Field position the incident took place
4. Brief details of the incident you saw which led to the send off
It is recommended that the referee draft a red card report before completing it in Rugby Xplorer. This will provide the referee with the opportunity to proof read (and take advantage of spell check functions). It will also enable the referee to have a copy of what is submitted. If there is video and audio of the incident, please ensure the written report description is identical to the video and audio. Ensure that language used is factual, clear and concise.
The Rugby AU Disciplinary Rules outlines the procedures that Unions must follow with send offs and dealing with a concern/abuse.
ACTRRA is provided with the senior judiciary written judgments after the hearing. A referee that has red carded a senior player, or was a party in an abuse case, is able to obtain a copy of the written judgment from the ACTRRA President or ACTRRA Registrar
If you were subject to referee abuse and the perpetrator attended a judicial hearing then you will be informed of the hearing outcome within 3 days. You also have an opportunity to appeal the sanction but must contact the ACTRRA President to discuss options.
ACTRRA Red Card Templates
Here are some example templates to assist to write a report.
ACTRRA Red Card Template - Tip-High-Dangerous Tackle
ACTRRA Red Card Template -Match Official Abuse
ACTRRA Red Card Template - Striking
ACTRRA Red Card Template - Generic - Other
There is a 'Send-off Report' button adjacent to the referee's appointments (in their 'Appointment history' section of their Rugby Xplorer portal).
This is so that the player can be summoned to appear before their respective judiciary. Players may be handed a further sanction based on your written report. Red carded players are excluded from playing until they are dealt with by the judiciary.
At the time of the incident the referee should record the details so that completing the report is that much easier.
Always note the following at the time the red card is issued:
1. Player name, number and team
2. Time in the game the incident occurred
3. Field position the incident took place
4. Brief details of the incident you saw which led to the send off
It is recommended that the referee draft a red card report before completing it in Rugby Xplorer. This will provide the referee with the opportunity to proof read (and take advantage of spell check functions). It will also enable the referee to have a copy of what is submitted. If there is video and audio of the incident, please ensure the written report description is identical to the video and audio. Ensure that language used is factual, clear and concise.
The Rugby AU Disciplinary Rules outlines the procedures that Unions must follow with send offs and dealing with a concern/abuse.
ACTRRA is provided with the senior judiciary written judgments after the hearing. A referee that has red carded a senior player, or was a party in an abuse case, is able to obtain a copy of the written judgment from the ACTRRA President or ACTRRA Registrar
If you were subject to referee abuse and the perpetrator attended a judicial hearing then you will be informed of the hearing outcome within 3 days. You also have an opportunity to appeal the sanction but must contact the ACTRRA President to discuss options.
ACTRRA Red Card Templates
Here are some example templates to assist to write a report.
ACTRRA Red Card Template - Tip-High-Dangerous Tackle
ACTRRA Red Card Template -Match Official Abuse
ACTRRA Red Card Template - Striking
ACTRRA Red Card Template - Generic - Other
Blue card process and reporting
Referees have no greater responsibility regarding player safety than assisting with protecting concussed players. Rugby AU is requesting that when a player is removed from the field with signs or symptoms of suspected concussion the referee show that player a blue card. This indicates that the player can take no further part in playing for the day (and must undergo the Rugby AU return to play protocols).
All referees should be aware of the Rugby AU Concussion Guidelines.
'When in doubt, sit them out' - player welfare is the primary concern of Referees, Brumbies Rugby Union, ACT Rugby Union and Rugby AU.
If during the match, a referee observes or is notified of a player being removed from the field with signs or symptoms of suspected concussion, the following will apply:
All referees should be aware of the Rugby AU Concussion Guidelines.
'When in doubt, sit them out' - player welfare is the primary concern of Referees, Brumbies Rugby Union, ACT Rugby Union and Rugby AU.
If during the match, a referee observes or is notified of a player being removed from the field with signs or symptoms of suspected concussion, the following will apply:
- The referee has sole responsible for deciding if a blue card should be given,
- The referee should consult with any present first-aider in order to make their decision,
- If it is suspected the player is displaying signs or symptoms of concussion, then a "blue card" is issued/shown
- In the event there is no first-aider present, the referee has sole responsibility for deciding if a blue card is issued,
- After the match, ensure the match sheet/ Rugby Xplorer App the team manager uses has recorded the blue card against the player. There is no further action for the match official.
- If however the team manager does not report the blue card on the team sheet, then contact the ACT/ Brumbies community rugby competition manager to advise of the blue card.
