15.1 While the Disciplinary Rules (The Black Book) is designed to deal with red cards, yellow cards, matches called off and acts of misconduct, alleged breaches of the competition rules are dealt with by the relevant competition committee under these competition rules. The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union’s role is to provide the framework around how competition rule breaches are resolved and to deal with any appeals to competition committee decisions.
15.2 Where any of the competition rules are alleged to have been breached by any participant (player, coach, manager, administrator, referee) team, club or school, the following process is to be followed:
15.1.1: Where the alleged breach revolves around a match day compliance issue and is detected on the day of the match prior to kick off, all reasonable steps must be taken by the respective teams involved to resolve the matter to the satisfaction of both parties prior to that match.
15.1.2: Where the alleged competition rule breach cannot be successfully resolved prior to the match, the game must still go ahead. The game is simply played, “under protest”. The result of the match will stand until such time as the rule breach can be resolved.
15.1.3: ONLY THE TEAM MANAGER of a club or school team, can lodge a breach of competition rules, except where the allegation revolves around ineligible players participating in the match or dispensated players breaching their player restrictions and the two teams chose not to comply with rule 11.1.4 (pre-match team list check). In this instance, no breach complaint can be made.
15.1.4: All complaints and protests are to be submitted using the online “Report of Competition Rule Breach” within forty-eight (48) hours of the completion of the match concerned.
15.1.5: All relevant information must be provided at the time of the complaint.
15.1.6: Upon receipt of a correctly completed report of competition rule breach the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union will refer the complaint to the relevant competitions committee who will arrange for a mediation meeting to be held between the two parties and a committee representative. The purpose of this meeting is to resolve the matter without any formal hearing being held.
15.1.7: Should this mediation meeting be successful in resolving the complaint to the satisfaction of both parties, then no further action need be taken.
15.1.8: A competitions committee may make any decisions regarding the complaint as they see fit, including but not limited to:
15.1.8.1: Written warning
15.1.8.2: Loss of competition points
15.1.8.3: Suspension of participant/s from matches
15.1.8.4: A club/school’s loss of hosting home games rights
15.1.8.5: Removal of a team from a competition
15.1.8.6: A fine, and/or reimbursement of reasonable match day expenses incurred
15.1.9: If the player/person/team wishes to appeal the decision of the relevant competitions or dispensations committee, he/she can do so in writing to the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union within seven (7) days after the date on which the written decision was issued and be accompanied with a $250.00 appeals bond. This is to be deposited into the following bank account: Account Name: Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Incorporated. Account Number: 020466-0329270-00.
15.1.9.1: The appeal must include proof of payment of the $250.00 bond and details explaining the grounds for the appeal.
15.1.9.2: The appeal letter and documentation will be provided to the Competitions and Emergency Committee who upon receipt will review the contents and advise the author as to whether there are valid grounds for an appeal and the next steps, which may include attending a Competitions and Emergency Committee Hearing.
15.1.9.3: The $250 bond will be:
15.1.9.3.1: Retained if your appeal is unsuccessful, or
15.1.9.3.2: Return if your appeal is successful, or
15.1.9.3.3: Part returned if your appeal is part successful.
15.1.10: The Competitions and Emergency Committee Hearing may:
15.1.10.1: Overturn the competition committee decision, or
15.1.10.2: Uphold the competition committee decision and
15.1.10.3: Add to, or reduce the original sanction/s or keep it the same.
15.1.11: If the player/person wishes to appeal the decision of the Competitions and Emergency Committee, they simply follow the process as set down in rule 14.7.
15.1.12: Any decision of the Appeals Committee is final. There are no further avenues of appeal.
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