Behaviour guide made clear
The South Canterbury Rugby Union is keen to ensure there is no repeat of the behaviour problems that beset the Heartland team last year.
Chairman Brent Isbister said the ‘‘code of conduct’’ was reviewed to ensure ‘‘readability and clarity’’, and that it included clear expectations of behaviour.
While there were a number of tweaks to the document the key change was the addition in the misconduct section, he said.
The new clause is that ‘‘no visitors into the team environment unless authorised by the team management.’’
Last year in Whanganui an allegation of rape was levelled at some players after taking a woman back to their room but eventually no charges were laid because of lack of evidence.
Four players voluntarily stood down while the investigation was under way and missed the Heartland season.
Isbister said in the main the document reflected the behavioural expectations of the SCRU and what was expected of a team representing South Canterbury at a senior level.
‘‘Behaviour that if adhered to will reflect well on the players and on the province.’’
Isbister said some thought was also given to how the code of conduct should be introduced to team members to ensure understanding and uptake.
‘‘This conversation has been conducted via senior team members and management with a series of talking points developed to sit alongside the code.
‘‘The goal is that the playing group has more ownership and awareness of what their responsibilities are.’’
Isbister said he had also asked team management for their offfield plan, from the point a match finishes. ‘‘We are using that as a base to develop a series of protocols to guide future team management.
‘‘The goal being to further reduce risk for individual players and for the SCRU as a whole.’’
Isbister said the protocols would be reviewed again at the end of season.
In March, Isbister announced the Heartland players would come home straight after their away games this season but it had nothing to do with player behaviour.
He said when possible the flight would bring the side back and the reason behind it was cost cutting.
‘‘The Heartland unions across the board are doing this where possible, mainly to reduce costs where we can. One less night away, food and accommodation.’’
The flights are part of a sponsorship deal between Air New Zealand and the New Zealand Rugby Union, which is passed on to all Heartland unions.
Isbister said the change may also make playing for the union more attractive. Some of the senior players prefer it because of work and family commitment. ‘‘The tradeoff generally is a earlier start time or less time for an aftermatch but those are the tradeoffs for the competition.’’
The overall cost of the Heartland team was $145,475 last season.