CODE OF CONDUCT - FIRLA

This Code applies to all Participants involved with the Game, whether they are in a paid or unpaid/voluntary capacity, including: 

• Individuals sitting on boards, committees and sub-committees; 

• Employees and volunteers; • Support personnel (e.g. managers, physiotherapists, psychologists, masseurs, sport trainers); 

• Coaches and assistant coaches; 

• Players;  

• Members, including life members; 

• Any other person or organisation that is a member of or affiliated to FIRLA; and 

• Parents, guardians, spectators and sponsors to the full extent that is possible. 

Note: This Code will continue to apply to a person even after they have stopped their association or  employment with the Game if disciplinary action has commenced. 

• Players of the Federazione Italiana Rugby League Australia will abide by this Code of  Conduct:
• Do not engage in any conduct detrimental to the spirit or image of the organisation,  it’s sponsors and the game of Rugby League. 
•  Prepare, train and play in a professional and committed manner. 
• Show respect for the game – sponsors, teammates, staff, opposition and officials. 
•  Be courteous to and appreciative of all staff – they are there for your benefit  Be punctual at all times, i.e. Training, Games & Travel.
• Adhere to the organisation’s drug policy – be drug free. 
• Smoking – is strongly discouraged and is banned from training and dressing rooms.
• Alcohol – for players under the age of 18 there is a zero consumption policy; for  players over 18 years of age – it is strongly recommended that alcohol only be  consumed in moderation. 
• Foul play will not be tolerated – know the rules and play by them 
• Sledging will not be tolerated – channel all your energies into your own  performance. 
•  Accept the referee’s decision – it’s final, never argue. 
•  Injuries – be committed to treatment and rehabilitation. 
• Dress Code – adhere to Club policy. 
• Commitment/preparation – before each training/match, ensure you’re physically,  mentally and tactically prepared to perform at your best. 
• Be humble in success and gracious in defeat. 
• Attend club functions as required 
•  Divulging match and team tactics or club confidential information through online  forums is also strictly forbidden. 
• While using online forums such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, engaging in  communications that are defamatory or intimidating towards fellow team members or opposition players or staff is strictly forbidden. 

•  Any member, administrator & official of FIRLA  is subject to a simple code of conduct;
• Treat everyone equally regardless of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity,  cultural or religious background, age or disability. Any form of bullying, harassment or  discrimination has no place in FIRLA. 
•  Act in good faith and in the best interests of FIRLA. This responsibility includes  avoiding all conflicts of interest 
•  Keep confidential and do not use or disclose any confidential information obtained as a result of your position with and relationship to FIRLA, including but not limited to, deliberations  of the board of directors, committee or other governing organisation  of the FIRLA.
•  Accept and respect the authority of a referee, assistant referee, touch judge or other match or  team official. Do not abuse, threaten or intimidate, use crude language or gestures, or show  unnecessary obvious dissension, displeasure or disapproval towards a referee, touch judge or  other match official, whether on or off the field, or a selector, coach, manager or other team  official. 
•  Do not make any public comment that is critical of the performance of a match official, player,  team official, coach or employee/officer/volunteer of any club or a League; or on any matter that  is, or is likely to be, the subject of an investigation or disciplinary process; or otherwise make  any public comment that would likely be detrimental to the best interests, image and welfare of  the Game, a team, a club, competition or a League. 
• Do not engage in promotion of illegal or undermining activity relating to FIRLA or other Rugby League intellectual property, reputation or business operations.
• Do not engage in actual or threatened violence toward any individual or group.
• Do not engage in conduct endangering the life, safety, health or well-being of others.
• Do not engage in comments or activities (on-line or in a public forum) putting the reputation of FIRLA, FIRL or any other Rugby League body or organisation into disrepute.
• Do not encourage, promote or turn a blind eye to any fixing or attempt to achieve a contrived  outcome in a match or any moment or aspect of a match. If you notice something, you must  report it immediately 
•  Do not otherwise act in a way that may adversely affect or reflect on, or bring you, your team,  club, League  or FIRLA into disrepute or discredit. If you commit a criminal offence, this is likely  to adversely reflect on you and your team, club, League and FIRLA.
•  You must assist in any investigation or disciplinary proceedings and ensure that no inaccurate  and/or misleading information is provided by you during the course of an investigation or hearing  under this Code or in relation to any other disciplinary proceedings. 
•  You must disclose any incident, matter or set of circumstances (irrespective of when it occurred)  that does, or has the potential to, render you an unfit or improper person to be a Participant in  FIRLA. This includes any incident, matter or set of circumstances that could damage  the game of Rugby League or bring into question the integrity and good character of FIRLA.   
• While using online forums such as Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram and/or participating in podcasts or media interviews (visual and print), DO NOT engage in communications that are defamatory or intimidating towards fellow team members/officials, administrators or opposition players or staff is strictly forbidden.  
• Use social media appropriately. By all means share your positive experiences of Rugby  League and FIRLA/FIRL, but do not use social media as a means to breach any of the above expectations and requirements of you as a Member, Administrator or Official of FIRLA.
• Prior to any request for media or social media interviews, permission in writing must be obtained and granted by the FIRLA Executive Committee.
• Any failure by a member, administrator or official to abide by the code of conduct and after failing to acknowledge formal warnings by FIRLA or follow advice relating to such perceived or actual breaches, will be subject to Section 11 and 12 of the FIRLA Constitution, which can result in being fined or having there membership being suspended, disqualified or expelled from FIRLA.