Competition Playing Conditions and Rules and Regulations Of

Competition Playing Conditions

and

Rules and Regulations of Wellington Rugby League

Spirit and Intent

The spirit and intent of the Competition Playing Conditions and the Rules and Regulations of Wellington Rugby League (WRL) is to create a competition playing environment that is:

• Fair to all affiliated clubs; • Recognises the input of volunteers; • Contributes to the growth and development of the game in the Greater Wellington region; • Contributes to the enjoyment of all participants – players, referees, coaches, managers, administrators, supporters, sponsors and funding partners.

The intent of WRL is to have players playing the game so where possible WRL and Clubs should work closely together to make this happen.

1. Registration and Identification

1.1 ALL players, coaches, managers, trainers and volunteers playing and participating in the WRL competition must be registered in the LeagueNet database as active within a Wellington Club or Affiliate. 1.2 It is the responsibility and requirement of each Club or Affiliate to ensure such registrations are kept up to date.

1.3 The LeagueNet database management system shall be the WRL preferred system until further notice.

1.4 Registrations for membership must be made through the Club or Affiliate following the LeagueNet Online registration process provided by WRL.

1.5 The role of WRL is to satisfy itself to a player’s age. LeagueNet registration, especially in relation to representative football, must be accompanied by a Birth Certificate, passport or other accepted photo ID. WRL, acting in the spirit of goodwill, will look at age grade registration on a case by case basis where no Birth Certificate, Passport or other accepted form of photo ID is readily available but where there is other evidence to support the stated age.

1.6 LeagueNet registration must be completed, including photo ID two business days prior to the player taking the field. Failure to comply may result in a fine of $250.00 (senior) or $50.00 (Junior) per week (or part thereof) for their club and loss of any competition points gained (This does not apply to any preseason 9’s tournaments, or trial games arranged between clubs). Fines money received by WRL shall be tagged for reinvestment in community football programmes that also benefit clubs.

1 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

1.7 No person shall be a playing member of more than one club unless a club cannot provide Premier football for a player who is eligible for senior football and age grade football. In this case an application can be made to the General Manager to allow the player to play age grade for one club and premier for another.

1.8 If an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player (including but not limited to over aged juniors, non-transferred players, under aged seniors, suspended players etc) is brought to the attention of WRL via a misconduct report or official protest, that is upheld, the following action will be taken:

1.8.1 The offending team will forfeit any points gained from the games that the ineligible player/s are involved in. The opposing club will be credited with a 30-0 win.

1.8.2 A fine of $250.00 (Senior) or $50.00 (Junior) per offending player shall be imposed on the club.

1.8.3 If both clubs are found to be in breach, the match result shall be cancelled, and the fines as per above shall be imposed on the clubs concerned.

1.8.4 Payment of fines for Unregistered and other Ineligible players must be paid prior to the offending team taking the field for their next game. Failure to comply may result in a further fine of $250.00 (senior) or $50.00 (Junior) per week, or part thereof, for the club and the loss of any competition points gained.

1.8.5 Three infringements from any one team of playing unregistered or ineligible players may result in that team being withdrawn from the competition in addition to the fines already imposed.

1.9 All players must be registered with the club or affiliate for which they are playing. Any player once registered with a club or affiliate, regardless of inactive playing period, shall remain so until a transfer is requested, approved and completed by all parties involved.

1.10 Each club or affiliate is responsible for the identification and discipline of its players. However, when resolving a protest/query on the identity of a player for disciplinary purposes, the General Manager will recognise that a club or affiliate can only be expected to trace the identification of a player within reasonable bounds.

1.11 In the event of name controversy, the General Manager may require three nominated officers of the club or affiliate to verify the details on the appropriate form as understood at the time of acceptance.

1.12 Players can be registered at any time during the year however to be eligible for playoffs, a player must play a minimum of three competition games for the team in question prior to the playoffs.

1.13 There is no restriction on the number of players registered for Senior grade teams including Women’s.

2 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

1.14 When a club or Affiliate enters two or more teams in the same grade, at the discretion of WRL, the players in each team must be individually identified through separate team sheets, and all players are subject to transfer and regrading rules i.e. players cannot play for two teams within any one grade.

2. Player Transfers

2.1 If a player is registered with one club and wishes to transfer to another, a Transfer request must be submitted by the receiving club following the LeagueNet Transfer process found on the WRL website. This applies to ALL age grades. Depending on grade, this may incur a transfer fee. Refer to clause 2.8.

2.2 A player may not take the field until the transfer is requested, approved and completed by all parties involved including WRL.

2.3 Should a player take the field prior to the transfer being completed and approved or without a transfer being actioned the following may occur to the offending club/team,

2.3.1 The offending team will forfeit any points gained from the games that the ineligible player/s are involved in. The opposing club shall be credited with a 30-0 win.

2.3.2 A fine of $250.00 (Senior) or $50.00 (Junior) per offending player shall be imposed on the club.

2.3.3 Payment of fines must be paid prior to the offending team taking the field for their next game. Failure to comply may result in a further fine of $250.00 (senior) or $50.00 (Junior) per week, or part thereof, for the club and the loss of any competition points gained.

2.4 A legitimate reason must be given for a club to decline a Transfer request. For example, subs owed from the previous season etc. Declined transfer requests should be resolved between the clubs and the player.

2.5 It is the responsibility of each club to monitor Transfer requests, received and submitted. These must be actioned within the stipulated timeframe. If not actioned by the club within the required timeframe, WRL has the authority to override the transfer and clear the player.

2.6 A maximum number of transfers of three players in and three players out per grade, per club is allowed per season.

2.7 Transfer cut off dates for each season will be stated on the WRL website.

3 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

2.8 Transfer fees as per below chart

Grade Club WRL Rep National Rep (3 or more games (In preceding 2 including NZ Maori in preceding years) & NZRL Resident season) (In preceding 2 years) 15s $200 $150 16s $200 $150 17s $200 $150 18, 19, 20s $250 $500 Women $100 $1000 Senior 1st & 2nd $150 Premier/Reserve **$200 $300 $1000 **Please note club transfer fees ONLY apply to the previous season

3. Regrading

The intention of regrading a player is to ensure that neither he/she nor his/her club or affiliate are unduly penalised when the player is substituting in a higher grade because of representative commitments, or a prolonged injury to a player in a specialist position in a higher grade. Any other reason should be discouraged.

3.1 The interpretation of a player’s “registered” grade is that in which his/her name appears on the applicable team sheet, and if for any reason this is not conclusive then his/her registration grade will be the most senior grade in which he/she has played in the previous three weeks taken from team cards.

3.1.1 Any age group player who elects to play in any higher grade may be registered in the grade to which they qualify by age. That player may then play for both grades during the season including Grand Final playoffs.

3.1.2 Outside of his/her registered grade, a senior player is permitted to play in his/her club or affiliates team immediately below that in which he/she is registered, with a maximum of two players in any relevant weekly draw.

3.2 Players registered in the two highest graded teams of a club or affiliate will be permitted to play in either grade without regrading, except when the higher team has a bye, then no more than three players registered in that team are permitted to play in the lower grade. Grand Finals Playoff criteria will take precedence over this rule.

3.3 Whenever a club or affiliate has a bye in any grade, the applicable players are not permitted to play in any lower grade game on that day except as in rule 3.2.

3.4 Any player applying for regrading may be called upon to personally appear before the WRL General Manager.

4 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

4. Competitions

4.1 The number of grades for each year will be dependent on and resolved by the number of applications from clubs and affiliates.

4.2 Grades provided for by WRL, but not limited to:

• Premier • Premier Reserve • Senior 1st • Womens • Masters • 19’s • 18’s • 17’s • 16’s • 15’s • 14’s • 13’s • 12’s • 11’s • 10’s • 9’s • 8’s • 7’s • 6’s

4.3 The criteria for premier status shall be at the discretion of WRL and the WRL Board. A premiership application and agreement must be signed and returned to the WRL office by the due date to enable a club to participate in the Premier competition.

4.4 Premier status will not be granted to any new club or affiliate where sufficient rugby league clubs with premier status already cater for that area.

4.5 Playing Conditions

4.5.1 Premier

Home and away round robin competition followed by a top 4 playoffs.

Teams will play

• Two forty minute halves • 40/20 as per NZRL new rules policy • 17 players • 10 interchanges

5 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

4.5.2 Premier Reserve

Home and away round robin competition followed by a top 4 playoffs.

Teams will play

• Two forty minute halves • 40/20 as per NZRL new rules policy • 17 players • Unlimited Interchange

4.5.3 Senior 1st

Home and away round robin competition top 4 Semi-Final and Grand Final (subject to team numbers).

Teams will play

• Two forty minute halves • 40/20 as per NZRL new rules policy • 20 players • Unlimited Interchange

4.5.4 Women’s

Home and away round robin competition to be confirmed subject to team numbers followed by Semi-Finals and Grand Final.

Teams will play

• Two forty minute halves • 40/20 as per NZRL new rules policy • Unlimited Interchange

4.5.5 Juniors

Min Mod Rugby League is played on Saturday (6-10 years) Youth Grade Rugby League is played on Sunday (11-17 years)

4.6 All Representative Senior (Premier, Premier Reserves, Senior 1st, Women’s), Under 17’s, Under 15’s and Secondary School games must have a barrier erected three metres out from the playing field, around the field to ensure that spectators are kept off the playing field. The exception to this is where there is already a permanent barrier in place, or it is not physically possible to enclose the complete field. If a barrier is deemed to be insufficient, the official referee may not start the game until such time as any alterations required are made or may call the game off. The three-metre clearance is required for safety and security of players and officials. The only people permitted to be inside the

6 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

barriers are the referee, touch judges, and teams (17 players, 1 coach, 1 manager and 2 trainers). Official WRL personal are also permitted within the barriers.

4.7 Any team defaulting for two consecutive matches, or three at intervals, may be taken out of the competition. The remaining team members can be allotted, at the discretion of WRL, to other teams within the club or affiliate, or transferred to another club or affiliate. These transfers cannot be approved if the competition is in the last four weeks of its normal season competition prior to playoffs.

4.8 Any Premier Team who fails to field a team for a scheduled fixture shall be fined up to $500.00 regardless of notice given for default.

4.9 Any other senior team failing to meet its engagement for a competition match shall be fined up to $200.00.

4.10 Where prior notification has not been given, the non-defaulting side must have a minimum of nine players recorded on the team card and the card certified by the referee.

4.11 Payment of default fee must be received by the WRL office by the Friday following the default. Failure to do so will result in that team being unable to secure competition points until the default fee is paid.

4.12 Any remission of penalty will only be considered in cases where, because of injury, sickness, absenteeism etc, a full team cannot be fielded. Default for club or affiliate disciplinary purposes is not considered a valid reason for default without penalty.

4.13 On receipt of fine payment, disbursement shall be as follows: 100% to non-offending club or affiliate.

4.14 Should a referee prematurely terminate a game because of any reason recorded in the “law of the game”, the matter will be referred to the Judicial Committee to investigate and they will take any appropriate action under the WRL Constitution and/or Rules and Bylaws.

4.15 In the event of a team being withdrawn totally from any competition during any round, results, points and scoring statistics will be adjusted as though that team never existed.

4.16 Postponement of Games

4.16.1 The postponing of any game may be sanctioned if written notification from the club concerned, requesting a deferral, is received by WRL no less than four weeks before the date of the scheduled game and the reason(s) for such deferral given. The General Manager will consider urgent postponements within this period due to special occurrences such as a funeral where the majority of a team are involved.

4.16.2 If weather and ground conditions are such that the safety of participants may be at risk, the local council, official referee in consultation with the teams concerned or WRL can make the decision to postpone, delay or transfer any match at any time.

7 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

4.16.3 Any match postponed needs to be replayed before the end of the competition season. The timing of the replaying of the match will be made by the two teams involved in consultation with WRL. If this match is not replayed, then it is counted as a default against the team originally requesting the postponement.

5. Competition Points/Playoffs

5.1 In deciding Premiership winners in each grade, points will be award for a win, a loss or a bye as follows.

• Win = 2 Points • Draw = 1 Point • Bye = 2 Points • Loss = 0 Points • Default (win) = 2 Points

The General Manager and/or the Judicial Committee may use these points as a penalty for serious cases of team misconduct.

5.2 At the conclusion of each grades round robin competition, the following formats will be used to determine the winner of that grade for that season.

5.2.1 Premier and Premier Reserve – All teams shall be ranked in order according to the number of competition points awarded to them in accordance with the preceding clause, but subject to clause 5.2.4. The top four teams shall take part in a straight Grand Finals Series to determine the winner of the grade for that season.

5.2.2 All other teams (senior/junior) – All teams shall be ranked in order according to the number of competition points awarded to them in accordance with the preceding clause, but subject to clause 5.2.4. The top four teams shall take part in a straight Semi-Final/Finals series to determine the winner of the grade for that season.

5.2.3 When the top four teams to take part in the Grand Finals Series of matches have been determined, the order of play for the Grand Finals Series shall be as follows:

• Semi Finals (Week 1): Match A - Team 1 vs Team 2 (Winner to Grand Finals)

Match B - Team 3 vs Team 4

• Preliminary (Week 2): Match C - Loser Match A vs Winner Match B

• Grand Finals (Week 3): Winner Match A vs Winner Match C

8 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

5.2.4 If at the conclusion of any premiership, two or more teams are equal in competition points, then for the purpose of determining the order of placement of teams for the Finals series, the teams who are equal in competition points will be ranked in order according to the difference between the number of points scored by a team and the number of points scored against it with the team with the greater difference being ranked ahead of a team with the lesser difference. In the event of that difference being equal, then the relative position shall be determined by ascertaining the relationship between points scored for and against expressed as a percentage to two (2) decimal points i.e. points scored for / points scored against x 100. The team with the higher percentage would be ranked ahead of the team with the lower percentage. If, after the application of the above procedures, two or more teams are still equal, then the final positions shall be decided by “toss of the coin”.

5.3 Competitions in grades will be arranged by WRL with special restrictions attached to any grade. The rules governing the competition in each grade when minuted, and approved by the WRL Board, shall have full effect and until repealed shall be binding in all clubs and affiliates, bodies, associations, members and players concerned in such competitions.

6. Grand Final Series Eligibility

The intention behind establishing criteria for the playoffs is to ensure that the playoffs are conducted in a spirit of fair play and with the competitions credibility in mind. This criteria was established at a meeting of WRL Club Chairs prior to the 2007 WRL Competition Playoffs and was reviewed by the Clubs Chairs prior to the 2009 playoffs.

6.1 Premier

By 5.00pm on the Monday prior to the commencement of the Premier Grand Final Series, all Premier clubs must have submitted to WRL, a list of twenty-two players, which are eligible for the Premier Playoffs.

To be eligible for the Playoffs a player must have played at least three games that season for that club in the Premier grade competition rounds prior to the Playoffs.

Of the twenty-two players submitted, five players are designated as being interchangeable between the Premier and Premier Reserves grades. The expectation is that these five players would have played both Premier and Premier Reserve grade football in the competition rounds and their interchange between the Premier and Premier Reserves grade for the playoffs would not be questioned by WRL or clubs. On the other hand, players named as part of the “locked in” seventeen players can only be replaced by any of the five (5) named interchange players for team tactical reasons, injury and/or cover for representative commitments e.g. NZ Universities. The named seventeen (17) cannot be dropped to Premier Reserve grade. The reasoning behind this is to preserve the integrity

9 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

of the premier reserve grade playoffs preventing clubs from unfairly transferring a player who has played the majority of games that season for the club’s premier team.

Players may be added to the original list of twenty-two players, only if an existing player is deemed medically unfit and unable to play and is supported by a Doctor’s medical verification. Verification must be sighted by WRL prior to a player taking the field.

6.2 Premier Reserves

By 5:00PM on the Monday prior to the commencement of the Premier Reserve Grand Final Series, all Premier Reserve Clubs must have submitted to WRL, a list of seventeen (17) players which are eligible for the Premier Reserve Grade Playoffs.

To be eligible for the playoffs, a player must have played at least three games that season for the club in the Premier Reserve grade preliminary rounds prior to playoffs.

In addition to the seventeen (17) players named, a club can use the five designated Premier Grade interchange players (subject to their availability as per above), giving a maximum of twenty-two (22) players. For clubs that do not have a team in the Premier playoffs, they will name twenty-two (22) players.

Players may be added to the original list of seventeen or twenty-two players, only if an existing player is deemed medically unfit and unable to play and is supported by a Doctor’s medication verification. Verification must be sighted by the WRL prior to a player taking the field.

For any player named in the Premier Reserve grade playoff list of players, where a club then wants to replace that player because the player is deemed to be unfit medically to play, that player could only return to the senior 1st grade playoffs if that player meets the eligibility criteria for that grade.

6.3 Senior 1st / Women’s

By 5:00pm on the Monday prior to the commencement of the Senior 1st/Women’s Semi Final, all clubs must have submitted to WRL, a list of twenty-two players, which are eligible for the Senior 1st/Women’s Semi-Finals and Finals.

A player must have played the majority of their games in that grade and have played at least three games for that club in the preliminary rounds of that grade that season to be eligible for the Playoffs.

Players may be added to the final players list, only if an existing player is deemed medically unfit and unable to play and is supported by a doctor’s medical verification. Verification must be sighted by WRL prior to a player taking the field.

10 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

6.4 Youth

By 5:00pm on the Monday prior to the commencement of Youth Semi Finals, all clubs must have submitted to WRL, a list of players, which are eligible for the Youth Semi-Finals and Finals.

7. Competitions Requiring “Extra-Time”

7.1 Premier top 4, all Senior and Youth Semi-Finals and Finals.

7.1.1 Whenever the scores are equal at the completion of the normal playing period. Captains will toss again for ends. Two spells of ten minutes each will be played in full.

7.1.2 Should the scores still be equal then further spells of ten minutes will be undertaken until the game is terminated immediately after the first point/s are registered.

8. Team Cards

8.1 Team cards must be completed and handed to the Referee or Match Manager at least thirty minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the game.

8.2 Full names of the players must be printed and legible – ensure the name is spelt correctly.

8.3 All senior players must sign the team card.

8.4 The number on the card must correspond to the number on the player’s jersey.

8.5 Only the names of the players participating on the day are to be recorded on the team card.

8.6 A player’s name must be recorded on the team card prior to taking the field.

8.7 Latecomers must report to the Referee or official Touch Judge during a stoppage in play.

8.8 No names can be entered in the team card after half time kick off.

11 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

8.9 Referees are to note on the team card anything that requires further action by WRL, i.e. sin binning, abuse, crowd behaviour etc.

8.10 Referees must check the team card for completion of all entries before signing it and forwarding it to WRL by 12 noon the first business day after the game.

9. Representative

9.1 A player must appear for his club or affiliate before representative selection is approved in that season.

9.2 Wellington Representative Players are not permitted to be available for any club, affiliate or other team under the jurisdiction of WRL and/or NZRL during the whole of three days preceding a representative fixture unless authorised in writing by the General Manager.

9.3 Coaches, Selectors, Manager, Trainer/Strapper positions for all representative teams will be circulated to all clubs and affiliates and advertised on the WRL website.

9.4 Applications for the vacancies will be submitted to the General Manager by the due date. These applications will then be considered by a selection panel.

9.5 All Coach, Selectors, Manager, Trainer/Strapper positions will require the approval of the WRL.

9.6 WRL is required to comply with all NZRL rules of representative teams, applicants for representative team positions may be required to consent to a Police Check which would be conducted under the auspices of the Privacy Act and any WRL Board policy.

10. Coaching Qualifications/Team Officials

10.1 Each club should appoint a Coach Co-ordinator who should ensure all coaches attend coaching courses in order to gain NZRL qualifications.

10.2 NZRL regulations state that all Coaches must be qualified to coach prior to the commencement of the season. The following minimum accreditation is required for the following grades:

• 6’s to 12’s – Mini/Mods • 13’s to 18’s – Developing Coach • Senior 18+ - Senior Club Coach • Representative 15’s and above – Senior Club Coach or Developing Coach • National – High Performance Coach Course

12 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

11. Code of Behaviour

11.1 Clubs and affiliates are expected to enforce discipline and control on all teams in the promotion of the game. A club or affiliate is responsible for its players, officials and spectators.

11.2 A Coach, Manager, Trainer or other Team Official must not during the course of or after a match under the jurisdiction of WRL, abuse or address a referee or touch judge in insulting terms or act in a provocative manner toward a referees or touch judge or other appointed officials.

11.3 A Coach, Manager, Trainer or other team official must not use crude or abusive language or engage in any conduct detrimental to the sport or image of the game.

11.4 On the occasion of a Coach, Manager, Trainer or other Team Official being reported for a breach of the By-Law, they will be referred to the Judicial Committee for consideration of penalty.

11.5 WRL adheres to the NZRL Code of Behaviour and Be A Good Sport policy.

12. Protests, Challenges and Inquiries

12.1 All Protests and questions of dispute shall be forwarded to the General Manager who shall coordinate their actioning either by the WRL Judicial Committee (see 13 below), the WRL Board or within the office based on the type of protest and/or dispute. The protest must be in writing by the Club, Affiliate or Body protesting, on applicable letterhead, addressed to the General Manager, and received within forty-eight hours (including Sunday) after the completion of the match and must be accompanied by a protest fee of $50.00 which shall be returned if the protest is upheld. Note: any club or affiliate which lodges a protest on behalf of a team against another should first ensure that their team is in order; failure to do so may result in dismissal of the protest and loss of the protest fee.

12.2 The club or affiliate protested against is to be notified by the General Manager as soon as possible after the protest is received.

12.3 The intent of WRL is that all protests and questions of dispute should be heard and actioned within the week that they occur.

12.4 Any appeal against the outcome of a protest and or dispute will be heard by the WRL Judicial Committee and must be accompanied by a $200.00 administration fee which shall be returned if the appeal is successful.

12.5 Any Coach or Manager who has reason to doubt the eligibility of an opposition player may request the player to print their full name, address and date of birth on the reverse side of the team card. This may only be done in a reasonable manner and in the presence of the

13 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

referee. Should a player refuse to furnish these details the referee should note this on the card.

13. Judicial

13.1 The role of the Judicial Committee is to adjudicate on judicial matters involving any matches under the jurisdiction WRL, including on or off field misconduct by a club, team player or official, whether within the geographic boundaries of WRL’s jurisdiction or otherwise, and any judicial matters referred to it by either the WRL Board or General Manager. The Judicial Committee’s jurisdiction does not extend to adjudicating on employment matters or matters of internal club management or policy.

13.2 Matters will be dealt with by a Judicial Committee of one member of the panel, unless the Judicial Chairperson considers that the matter should involve an augmented Committee of up to three.

13.3 A party may request an augmented Committee, but the Judicial Chairperson is not obliged to accede to the request.

13.4 Any player sent from the field for alleged misconduct or is advised accordingly of a referee’s complaint following completion of the game, is required to attend the next meeting of the Judicial Committee and is considered suspended until the Judicial Committee adjudicates.

13.5 The player shall be reported in writing to the Judicial Committee by the Referee having charge of the match during which such alleged players misconduct took place, within forty-eight hours (including Sunday) of its alleged occurrence and such report shall state specifically the nature of the alleged offence.

13.6 The referee shall where possible attend the meeting of this Judicial Committee. A representative of the Referees Association may also be present.

13.7 A representative of the club concerned shall be permitted to attend the Judicial Committee and to speak for the player.

13.8 A player summoned to appear before the Judicial Committee is entitled to seek a copy of the Referee/Touch Judge report from the League office prior to appearance providing such report has been furnished within the required time frame. (see 13.5)

13.9 Any player dismissed from the field of play for alleged misconduct shall, should they fail to attend the next officially convened meeting of the Judicial Committee where the matter would have been heard and determined, be stood down from playing until such time as they either attend or plead guilty and serve the relevant penalty fixed by the Judicial Committee and meet any fines imposed upon themselves as a result of the Judicial Committee determination.

14 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

13.10 Where a player has been found guilty of misconduct and is suspended by the Judicial Committee, they shall not be permitted to play in any game until the suspension has been serves and the appropriate penalty paid. Should a player under suspension play during that time they will be automatically referred back to the Judicial Committee for re- evaluation of penalties already imposed.

14. Reviews/Appeals

14.1 If an affiliate, team or member request a review of a first instance committee decision, setting out the reasons and within two days of receipt of the decision the matter shall be referred for review to a Review Committee comprising of three members of the Panel. One of them should be from the first instance hearing Committee, and the other two must be panel members who were not on that committee.

14.2 The Review Committee may govern its process as it sees fit. It may obtain what evidence it thinks desirable and need not rehear the matter. A Review Committee may adopt, vary or reverse a decision under review as if it were the committee of first instance, but without reviving a right to a further review.

14.3 Costs involved in an appeal or review

14.3.1 A Judicial Committee may fix generally or for a particular case or cases, any sum up to one times the average weekly wage most recently reported by the Government Statistician, as the deposit required from a party to any hearing.

14.3.2 The deposit shall be calculated to discourage frivolous and non-meritorious disputes, and to defray the costs of the Committee and innocent parties but shall be returned in full to a party that succeeds in full.

14.3.3 The Committee may determine that the whole or any part of the deposit of a party shall be forfeited to defray the costs of the process, if it finds any part of a complaint or allegation of wrongdoing upheld against that party.

14.3.4 The Committee may award to any innocent party part or all of a forfeited deposit, fine or other penalty to compensate for the innocent party’s costs, time and any distress.

14.4 A Right of Appeal to the NZRL Appeals Committee from a decision of the Judicial Committee (including a Review Committee) is available in accordance with the NZRL Rules.

15 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

15. Banned Substances, Alcohol & Gang Patches and Sideline Behaviour

15.1 Banned Substances, Alcohol and Gang Patches

15.1.1 All players playing under the jurisdiction of the WRL shall be subject to the NZRL regulations and by-laws regarding banned substances and could be drugged tested at any time.

15.1.2 Consumption of alcohol and/or use of recreational drugs around any Rugby League game are not permitted and is to be discouraged by all. The clubs will be held responsible for policing this matter or any other alcohol and/or drug related matters at home games. If in doubt on action to take, call the Police.

15.1.3 No Gang Patches are to be worn when in an official or team management capacity for any team under the jurisdiction of WRL.

15.1.4 Gang Patches are to be discouraged at any game under the jurisdiction of WRL.

16. Concussion

16.1 WRL adhere to the NZRL Concussion policy including the medical requirements and timeframe given under “return to play”.

17. Team Traveling

17.1 Where a team wishes to travel outside of the WRL boundaries, weather to play a game or not, written application must be made to the General Manager of the League for permission and approval. The application form is on the WRL website.

17.2 The application must state time of departure and return, mode of travel and name of the Team Manager/organiser. The Team Manager/organiser must personally appear before the General Manager of the League if required to do so.

17.3 The Team Manager/organiser may be requested to submit a written report on the trip within seven days of the teams return.

17.4 All teams wishing to travel outside of the WRL Zone, weather to play a game or not, must notify the League of their intended travel. It is the traveling team’s obligation to notify WRL should anything happen that brings the game or WRL into disrepute, the matter will then be placed before the WRL judiciary for them to determine the facts and hand out an appropriate penalty.

17.5 Any team known and proven to have travel without WRL permission will be fined the sum of $300.00 and the Club or Affiliate a similar amount.

16 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s

18. Affiliation Fees

18.1 The Club Affiliation fee is required to be paid to WRL no later than the 30th of May each year.

18.2 Failure to do so may result in the following, additional $500.00 per club being imposed, teams ceasing to gain any competition points until payment is made and/or all the clubs’ teams being withdrawn from the competition.

17. Competition Dates

17.1 Competition dates and duration to be set by WRL subject to number of teams and grades.

17 | P a g e 2020 W R L B y l a w s