The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Rugby club initiation leads to bans and fines
Behaviour classes for members after ‘serious incident’
Members of a Fife rugby club must attend mandatory behaviour classes as part of disciplinary measures after a “serious and regrettable” initiation ceremony.
Several players and officials of Howe of Fife rugby club have received bans from the sport following the incident, which is said to have taken place on the team bus after the first XV’s game against Jed-Forest last September.
In a statement issued to club members yesterday, club president Chris Reekie said that the punishment handed out by the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) was a warning that standards needed to be improved.
He said: “The Howe has been cooperating with the SRU which has been conducting a misconduct hearing following a serious and regrettable incident during the journey home from an away fixture last September.
“The trustees recognise this behaviour fell well short of what is to be expected of ambassadors of the club.
“The SRU has completed its exhaustive investigation which has resulted in sanctions being imposed across all parties involved.
“The trustees deeply regret the incident and hope that everyone involved will learn from this experience and move forward.
“As part of that process all those involved, along with trustees, directors, staff, coaches and all players over 16, will be required to undertake a minimum of four training sessions by not later than November 30 2017 with an organisation that specialises in improving behaviour.
“The club’s aim is to be friendly, progressive, and inclusive in line with its charitable objectives, and the creation of such an environment is what I and my fellow trustees are firmly focused on achieving, with the support of all the members.”
He said a £2,000 fine had also been imposed on the club.
The SRU refused to comment when approached by The Courier.
Two men avoided prosecution in July following last September’s alleged incident, though a 20-year-old and 22-year-old were dealt with under what are known as “direct measures”.
Though not made public in this instance, direct measures are often a fine or written warning issued when the procurator fiscal service determines that some form of punishment other than prosecution is necessary.
The SRU, however, decided to launch its own investigation, with The Courier understanding that a fine in the region of several thousand pounds is also likely to be imposed on the club.