Warning that bad sports will be binned
TOWNSVILLE District Junior Rugby League will take a hard line approach with their players after reports of foul language and abuse of officials has marred a strong relaunch after COVID.
The TDJRL will enter its fourth round of competition this weekend, with junior numbers on the field surging despite the hit of the coronavirus pandemic.
The association has competitions in all age groups from under-6s up to under-17s including two dedicated all-girls leagues in the under-14s and under-16s. But a successful return to the field has been marred by the emergence of unacceptable on field behaviour which the league has vowed to crack down on.
In a letter to clubs earlier this weekend, TDJRL chairman Bert Petersen said the association would not hesitate to suspend or deregister players or coaching staff who continued to contravene the QRL Code of Conduct.
It is an attempt by the league to eradicate the behaviour before it becomes a problem. “We have women and children and grandparents watching the game and they should not have to witness that,” he told the Townsville Bulletin.
The problems have not derailed the association’s plans to see out a competitive junior league season which includes clubs from across North Queensland including regional centres Charters Towers, Burdekin, Bowen and Ingham.
The competition will run for nine rounds before the grand final day at Neil Stewart Park on October 17.