NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE 2012OPERATIONS MANUAL 2 NRL Operations Manual 2012 © National Rugby League Ltd. (ACN 082 088 962) 2012 Contents Introduction 4 SECTION 1 Attachment A 106 Match Operations & Facilities 7 Attachment B 107 1.1 ADMISSION PRICES 8Attachment C 108 1.2 BALL / SAND PERSONS 9Attachment D 109 1.3 BLEEDING PLAYERS 12 Attachment E 110 1.4 CANCELLATION, POSTPONEMENT, ABANDONMENT 15 Attachment F 111 1.5 COACHES FACILITIES 16 Attachment G 113 1.6 COIN TOSS AND TEAM RUN-ON 17 Attachment H 114 1.7 COMPETITION FORMAT 18 1.8 DISMISSED PLAYERS 22 1.9 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 23 SECTION 2 1.10 EXTRAORDINARY WEATHER CONDITIONS 26 Media Guidelines for NRL Matches 116 1.11 GOAL KICKING TIME LIMIT 29 1.12 GROUND MANAGERS 30 1.13 GROUND MARKINGS AND DIMENSIONS 35 SECTION 3 1.14 GROUND SIGNAGE 38 NRL Country Carnival 130 1.15 JERSEYS 39 NRL Trial Matches 130 1.16 MATCH DAY TIME SCHEDULE 42 1.17 MATCH FOOTBALLS 44 1.18 MATCH TIMES 46 SECTION 4 1.19 MEDICAL FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT & PROCEDURES 47 Travel & Accommodation 144 1.20 NATIONAL ANTHEM 52 1.21 PLAN OF FIELD 53 1.22 PLAYER EQUIPMENT 54 SECTION 5 1.23 PLAYER FACILITIES 57 Blood Borne Infectious Diseases Guidelines 152 1.24 POST-MATCH MEDIA CONFERENCE 58 1.25 PRE MATCH TRAINING AND WARM UP FACILITIES 60 1.26 PRINT MEDIA FACILITIES 62 SECTION 6 1.27 PRIZE MONEY 64 Development Fees 158 1.28 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS 65 1.29 PUBLIC FACILITIES 67 1.30 QUALIFICATIONS FOR NYC FINALS 69 SECTION 7 1.31 RADIO MEDIA FACILITIES 71 Licensing Guidelines 160 1.32 REFEREES FACILITIES 72 1.33 REPLACEMENTS (INTERCHANGE) 74 1.34 SCHEDULING 78 SECTION 8 1.35 SELECTION OF TEAMS 79 Ticketing - Major Events 186 1.36 SIDELINE AREA AND BENCH LOCATIONS 80 1.37 STANDARD EQUIPMENT & SERVICES 82 1.38 SUSPENDED PLAYERS 84 SECTION 9 1.39 TEAM CHANGES MATCH DAY 86 Medical Offi cers Handbook 210 1.40 TELEVISION MEDIA FACILITIES 88 1.41 TICKETING 89 1.42 TIME KEEPING 91 1.43 TRAINERS ROLES / TREATMENT OF INJURED PLAYERS 95 1.44 VENUES 101 1.45 VIDEO REFEREE 103 1.46 VIDEO RECORDING 105 NRL Operations Manual 2012 3 © National Rugby League Ltd. (ACN 082 088 962) 2012 Introduction Purpose and Application A. This NRL Operations Manual is Schedule Eight to the NRL Rules. B. It is intended to help regulate the conduct of Clubs, Club Offi cials, Match Offi cials and Players in order to organize, manage and administer the NRL Competition, the National Youth Competition and the Related Competitions (as each such expression is defi ned in the NRL Rules). C. As such, every Club and every person bound by the NRL Rules must comply in all respects with these provisions. By Rule 5 of the NRL Rules, that includes: • Clubs; • Club Offi cials; • Match Offi cials; and • Players. D. All references to NRL shall also apply to the National Youth Competition (NYC) unless otherwise specifi ed. Enforcement E. A breach of any of the provisions of this NRL Operations Manual may be enforced by the imposition of a penalty or penalties pursuant to Part 2 of the NRL Rules if a contravention of any of these provisions is found to have occurred. 4 NRL Operations Manual 2012 © National Rugby League Ltd. (ACN 082 088 962) 2012 Defi nitions in the NRL Rules Apply F. Unless otherwise indicated, words and expressions defi ned in the NRL Rules have the same meaning in this NRL Operations Manual. Construction G. In the interpretation of a provision of this NRL Operations Manual, the interpretation that will best achieve the objects set forth in paragraph B above is to be preferred to any other interpretation and regard may be had to the contents of the NRL Rules (including the other Schedules and Guidelines to the NRL Rules) when construing these provisions. NRL Rules H. In the event of any inconsistency between a provision of this NRL Operations Manual and a provision of the NRL Rules (save for any other Schedules or Guidelines to those Rules), the NRL Rules shall prevail. Amendments I. The provisions of this NRL Operations Manual may be amended by the Board from time to time, provided that any such amendments are made and notifi ed in accordance with Rule 2 of the NRL Rules. NRL Operations Manual 2012 5 © National Rugby League Ltd. (ACN 082 088 962) 2012 6 NRL Operations Manual 2012 © National Rugby League Ltd. (ACN 082 088 962) 2012 OPERATIVE PROVISIONS SECTION 1 Match Operations & Facilities NRL Operations Manual 2012 7 © National Rugby League Ltd. (ACN 082 088 962) 2012 NRL 2012 OPERATIONS MANUAL 1.1 ADMISSION PRICES 1.1.1 Each Club is responsible for setting ticket prices for their Home matches. 1.1.2 Aged, invalid, TPI and service pensions are to be recognised by all Clubs throughout the season. 1.1.3 NRL season passes and NRL match passes are to be recognised by all Clubs during NRL competition rounds subject to the terms and conditions printed on the passes (refer Ticketing 1.41.2). 8 NRL Operations Manual 2012 © National Rugby League Ltd. (ACN 082 088 962) 2012 SECTION ONE 1.2 BALL / SAND PERSONS 1.2.1 A maximum of two Ball/Sand persons may be used by each Club during matches. 1.2.2 a. The Visiting Club may request the Home Team to make available a maximum of two people to act for the Visiting Club in the role of Ball/Sand persons. b. During NYC fi nals matches where both teams are from interstate, the NRL will appoint Ball / Sand persons. 1.2.3 Ball persons must place and leave the ball on the touchline at the point where the ball crossed the line and next to the touch judge. Ball persons MUST NOT under any circumstances, throw the ball into the fi eld of play or to a Player close to the touch line. 1.2.4 Ball/Sand persons who enter the fi eld of play to deliver sand or kicking tees may only do so at a stoppage of play and must leave the fi eld of play immediately. If a kicking tee is used, after the kick has been taken a trainer must remove it from the fi eld. 1.2.5 Minimum clothing requirements for ball persons are considered to be four (4) sets of shorts, socks (Club colours) and shirts/jerseys, and should be part of the gear carried to away matches. NRL Operations Manual 2012 9 © National Rugby League Ltd. (ACN 082 088 962) 2012 NRL 2012 OPERATIONS MANUAL a. Shirt/Jersey: White, long sleeve or short sleeve is preferred. However, designs without the Club’s dominant colour prevailing will be accepted. The Club’s sponsor’s logo can be displayed with the exception of alcohol product logos. In wet weather, clear plastic coats should be provided by the Home Team. b. Age: Ball/Sand persons must be a minimum of 10 years of age. 1.2.6 Use of Motorised Vehicles Upon written application, the NRL Director of Football (or his nominee) may approve the use by a Club of motor bikes or similar motorised vehicles (“the Vehicles”) for the purpose of conveying kicking tees and/or sand onto the fi eld of play. The following provisions for the use of these vehicles must be strictly adhered to at all times: a. The Vehicles may only be taken onto the fi eld when the ball is out of play for an attempt at conversion following a try, a penalty kick at goal, and starts of play from the 50 metre line. b. The Vehicles may not enter the fi eld of play in any other circumstances (e.g. a penalty place kick for touch, or a 20 metre restart). c. The Vehicles may only deliver the kicking tee to the kicker. They must immediately leave the fi eld and return to the NRL approved position where these vehicles must be parked when not in use. 10 NRL Operations Manual 2012 © National Rugby League Ltd. (ACN 082 088 962) 2012 SECTION ONE d. Under no circumstances are the Vehicles to stay on the fi eld until the kick has been taken (i.e. a trainer must retrieve the tee after the kick). e. The riders or drivers must be mature and competent enough to operate the Vehicles safely at all times. f. The operation of the Vehicle is to be under the constant management and supervision of a club offi cial. g. The Vehicles are not to be used in any manner that could potentially pose a risk of injury to players or on-fi eld offi cials. h. The Vehicles must at all times be operated responsibly and take the most direct route on and off the fi eld. i. When not on the fi eld the Vehicles must be kept at a safe distance from the touch line and not impede the access or movement of other offi cials (e.g. touch judges, trainers, etc.). j. The Vehicles must be well maintained and not cause any excessive noise or visual pollution when in use. k. The riders or drivers must adhere to any directions from the NRL appointed Ground Manager. l. The NRL reserves the right to withdraw approval for the use of such vehicles, without cause, at any time. NRL Operations Manual 2012 11 © National Rugby League Ltd. (ACN 082 088 962) 2012 NRL 2012 OPERATIONS MANUAL 1.3 BLEEDING PLAYERS 1.3.1 The following procedure will apply in all cases where a player is bleeding or his person, clothing or equipment has been contaminated by blood.