Rugby is built on the core values of discipline, respect, integrity, passion, and teamwork, and maintaining these principles is essential to fostering a positive and inclusive environment. The Three Strike Policy plays a crucial role in upholding these values by addressing and eliminating poor or abusive behaviour, ensuring the game remains enjoyable for all.

Rugby Australia’s Code of Conduct reinforces club accountability, ensuring members and supporters uphold respectful conduct at all times. The Three Strike Policy complements the Code by deterring and eliminating misconduct, safeguarding the wellbeing and safety of all participants while maintaining the integrity of the sport.

To read the Rugby Australia Policy, click the button below.

Clubs are integral in promoting positive behaviour, as they are held accountable for their members' actions under this policy, helping to create a supportive and respectful community. Every participant has a responsibility to contribute to a positive environment in line with Rugby’s core values, both on and off the field. Poor behaviour, particularly match official abuse, poses a significant threat to the game, diminishing enjoyment and discouraging officials from participating.

The Three Strike Policy is designed to deter and eliminate poor and abusive behaviour exhibited during any community Rugby activity by making Clubs accountable for their participants’ behaviour by imposing incremental Strikes and penalties on Clubs. The Policy places responsibility on Clubs to implement sufficient practices to protect and ensure the wellbeing and safety of all match officials, participants, and spectators, and to appropriately manage the behaviour of its members and supporters.

Strike is a sanction imposed on a Club. Strikes are cumulative (up to a maximum of three) and remain valid on a Club’s record for 12 months from the date it is issued.

A Strike may be imposed where there has been poor or abusive behaviour by a Club’s participant that is of the kind that is prohibited under:

1. Rugby AU’s Code of Conduct, Member Protection Policy, Child and Young Person Safeguarding Policy, Social Media Policy or other integrity policy;
2. The following Laws of the Game:
   1. Law 9.12 – A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone;
   2. Law 9.27 – A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship;
   3. Law 9.28 – A player must respect the authority of the referee, and that behaviour has been directed towards a match official, player, coach, spectator, volunteer or other participant in community Rugby.
3. Any instance of verbal or physical abuse, or repeated instances of poor behaviour, including but not limited to using abusive, threatening, or intimidating language or behaviour with the intention to harm may result in a Strike and an additional penalty.

Visit Rugby Australia's "Three Strike Policy - Frequently Asked Questions" page below.