Enjoy the Game is a game-wide campaign, building on the success of the sport's original Respect campaign which was launched by the RFL back in 2005.
While Enjoy the Game continues to stress the importance of behaving with Respect at all levels of the game, there is a fresh emphasis on promoting positive environments throughout all levels of Rugby League.
Whether it’s playing a junior or amateur league game, or watching on the terraces at a Super League or Challenge Cup fixture, we want to make the whole of Rugby League a positive and enjoyable game, in which we can all enjoy our role and our sport. In 2018 we carried out a review in the 12-18 Age Group and conducted online surveys of the Open Age game.
We wanted to listen and understand which areas have the biggest impact on participation in Rugby League. The feedback highlighted touchline behaviour as an area which requires attention. As a result, we want to sustain positive surroundings to create fun, safe and inclusive environments for all players, spectators, match officials, volunteers and coaches involved in Rugby League. We want you all to Enjoy The Game.
Below you will find a Code Of Conduct for each participation area across the game, as well as Enjoy The Game marketing assets for campaign promotion. Clubs have also been provided with new marketing materials for the 2023 season to emphasise the campaign to their players, staff, and all visitors to their club.
If you would like bespoke marketing assets featuring your club’s imagery, then please contact ross.alexander@rlcommercial.co.uk.
Players code of conduct
- Be a good sport. Respect all good play whether from your team or the opposition.
- Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit. Make every effort to develop your own abilities.
- Always respect the match official’s decision.
- Make every effort to be consistent with the General Principles of this code of conduct
- Honour both the spirit and letter of the competition rules and live up to the highest standards of ethics and sportsmanship; avoid gamesmanship and respect the traditions of the game.
- Never engage in discriminatory or unacceptable conduct of any sort including swearing, obscene gestures, offensive remarks, taunting or other actions that are demeaning or disrespectful to other players, officials or supporters. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
- Care for and respect the facilities and equipment made available to you during training and competition.
- Safeguard your health; don’t use any illegal or unhealthy substances.
- Recognise that many officials, coaches and match officials are volunteers who give up their time to provide their services. Treat them with the utmost respect. Remember, without them you do not have a game.
Coach code of conduct
- Be a good role model.
- Encourage all people engaged in the sport to abide by the General Principles and challenge people respectfully when they do not.
- Actively discourage foul play and/or unsporting behaviour by players.
- Seek to maximise the participation and enjoyment for all players regardless of ability;
- Avoid the tendency to over-use a talented player; treat all players as equals, regardless of their talent.
- Show concern and caution towards all sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a doctor, First Aider and/or physiotherapist to the letter when determining when an injured player is ready to recommence training or playing.
- Teach players that an honest effort and competing to the best of their ability is as important as victory.
- Encourage players to respect and accept the judgement of the Match Officials.
- Never engage in any conduct that could lead a Match Official to not Enjoy the Game.
- Never engage in public criticism of officials.
- Never engage in discriminatory or unacceptable conduct of any sort including swearing, obscene gestures, offensive remarks, taunting or other actions that are demeaning or disrespectful to other players, officials or supporters. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
- Maintain appropriate, professional relationships with players at all times.
- Make a personal commitment to maintain an accurate knowledge of the rules of the game and keep abreast of current coaching methods; maintain or improve your current accreditation level.
- Always consider the health, safety and welfare of the players.
- Teach young players to realise that there is a big gap between their level of play and the professional game; do not coach them as if they are professionals.
- Ensure that your coaching reflects the level of the competition being played; do not be a “win-at-all-costs” coach.
- As the coach, conduct yourself at all times and in all situations, in a manner, that demonstrates leadership, respect for the game of Rugby League and respect for all those that are involved in the game – the players, officials, the fans, the parents, the referees and the media.
- Do not engage in any form of sexually related contact or activity with any participant for whom you have responsibility. This extends to sexual innuendo, flirting or inappropriate gestures and terms.
Match Officials code of conduct
- Apply the laws of the game with complete impartiality.
- Prepare fully for a match, both physically and mentally.
- Conduct yourself both on and off the field with the utmost integrity.
- Set a good example by the way you dress, speak and act towards players, coaches, officials, parents and spectators.
- Place the safety and welfare of the players above all else.
- Be alert to minimise dangerous physical play, fair or foul, especially in junior matches.
- Respond swiftly to all instances of unsporting, foul or unfair play.
- Respond swiftly to any discriminatory or unacceptable language or behaviour
- Show concern and caution for sick and injured players.
- Be accountable for your actions.
- Report any incidents of Misconduct, accurately and impartially including any incident or action that could have prevented people from Enjoying the Game
- Avoid any situation, which may lead to a conflict of interest both on and off the field.
Parent & Spectator code of conduct
- Encourage all people involved in the sport to abide by the General Principles and challenge behaviours that do not do this.
- Do not force an unwilling child to participate in sport.
- Remember that children participate in Rugby League for their own enjoyment, not yours!
- Understand that sport is part of a total life experience, and the benefits of involvement go far beyond the final score of a game.
- Condemn all violent or illegal acts, whether they are by players, coaches, officials, parents or spectators.
- Respect the match official’s decisions – don’t complain or argue about decisions during or after a game.
- Behave! Unsporting or discriminatory language, harassment or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated.
- Encourage players to play by the rules and to respect opposition players and officials.
- Never ridicule or scorn a player for making a mistake – respect their efforts.
- Participate in positive cheering that encourages all the players in the team; do not engage in any jeering that taunts or intimidates opponents, their fans or officials.
- At all times, follow the directions of the Ground Manager and/or other match day staff.
- Never arrive at a game under the influence of alcohol, never bring alcohol to a game, and only drink alcohol, if it is available at the ground, in the designated licensed area.
Volunteer & Administrator code of conduct
- Always operate to the principle of “Friendship first – competition second”.
- Ensure that all operations are under the supervision of appropriately qualified staff who have been through the required recruitment and selection checks.
- Ensure that all staff understand and adhere to the Code of Conduct.
- Ensure that all equipment and facilities meet safety standards.
- Encourage all participants to remember that sport is enjoyed for its own sake- play down the importance of awards.
Access Enjoy the Game posters, marketing material and more by clicking* on the links below:
*right click on desktop devices, press and hold on mobile devices.