Respect Our Game
Respect Our Game
One of the main reasons why adults drop out of sport is that they feel “they didn’t belong or didn’t feel welcomed”. Specifically, young players say, “it wasn’t fun anymore”. When people have a positive experience, they stay involved for longer and may look to give back to the club during their membership.
The ‘Respect Our Game’ campaign aims to enhance the overall rugby experience and satisfaction of participants. Following its inception in 2023, it focuses on amplifying the value of Respect towards our players, officials and volunteers, a crucial element to ensuring a positive experience for all.
Working with our clubs and provinces to highlight this message, IRFU targets specific weekends during which clubs promote the importance of ‘Respect’ with signage, branded merchandising, social media posts, fair play awards and positive sideline activities. Provinces and clubs can run their own events at different times of the season to help reenforce this message.
Some activities that help to reinforce the message are listed below and guidance is available through your provincial Spirit of Rugby Officer
Silent Sidelines
The idea behind silent sidelines is to allow players to control their own game, to make decisions for themselves and to show adults on the sideline that they can show their approval through the silent gesture of clapping. While instructions and cheers from the sideline are mainly positive they confuse players and don’t allow them to think for themselves. Learning by doing, including making mistakes is key to their long-term development. In addition, it’s an opportunity to show spectators that it’s not necessary to continually shout on the sideline; it’s their game, let them play.
Suggested ‘How to set up the event…’
- Pick a day that minis and youths teams are playing at home Advertise on club’s website, social media etc. and let parents know through what’s App, etc.
- Use IRFU pavement signs to reinforce your message
- Highlight instructions for the day through website, flyer, social media, etc.
- Head coach can give instructions at the start of the match bur after the first 5-mins there is no instruction from the sideline. Coaching staff can speak to the players at half time only
- Parents and other adults can applaud – they are encouraged to applaud good play by both teams
- Adults can cheer when a try is scored
- Referee can speak to the players
- Consider roping off sections of the sideline and have an area for parents where they can stand back and observe the game
- Players communicate among themselves and make decisions about the game among themselves – they can seek assistance from the referee if in doubt about something
- Young minis may need additional direction from the head coach and/or referee but should be given some time to work it out for themselves before adult intervention
- If the opposition doesn’t agree to get involved, don’t worry; use it as an opportunity to observe sideline behaviour – reflect on it – is it beneficial to the players? What did your club learn?