Inquiry focuses on rugby referee abuse

An investigation into a brawl at a high school rugby match has focussed on a spectator abusing the referee, which is outside of Canterbury Rugby’s jurisdiction.

Several players were stood down for a game following the incident, which happened at a midweek match between the Shirley Boys’ High School and St Bede’s College under-16 B teams on June 14.

A spectator claimed a Shirley supporter came onto the field and slapped the referee across the face after the fight broke out because the game was ended early due to low light.

Canterbury Rugby Football Union (CRFU) chief executive Nathan Godfrey said the designated disciplinary officer’s incident report had focused on the abuse against the referee.

Godfrey said while the CRFU had jurisdiction over players, coaches, administrators and officials, it did not extend to parents or supporters so the incident fell outside of the organisation’s jurisdiction.

‘‘The CRFU takes any form of physical altercation very seriously, but referee abuse is completely unacceptable. Our referees are some of the most committed volunteers in our game. The large majority of parents are positive role models but in this case we clearly have more work to do.’’

Godfrey sent a letter to both schools on Monday, outlining the judicial process and findings and reinforcing that the CRFU took referee abuse seriously.

Earlier this year, the CRFU introduced a new process for dealing with complaints involving youth. The new process, used in this case, was run by a designated disciplinary officer who had experience dealing with youth offending, and was based on restorative justice practices. The hearings are strictly confidential.

Shirley Boys’ High School principal John Laurenson said several of the Shirley players involved in the fight had been stood down for one game by the school, including one player from a different team who had run onto the field to get involved in the fight.

‘‘As far as I am concerned, the situation has been dealt with.’’

Laurenson said the incident was ‘‘unsavoury’’ and ‘‘not something we as a school would be proud of’’.

‘‘The key thing for me is that a boy as he grows into a man has to learn self-control, and there’s no circumstance at all that would be excusing behaviour where you’re pushing and shoving and punching, and acting outside of the rules of the game.’’

St Bedes’ College rector Justin Boyles said he had received an email from Godfrey and was satisfied with the process followed by the CRFU.