Discipline is one of the core values of rugby. The Kent Discipline team strives to ensure that rugby is a game of controlled physical endeavour and that it is honest and fair. The disciplinary regime reflects World Rugby Regulation 17. It exists to penalise players whose foul play or misconduct is other than purely accidental, and one of its most important principles is to prevent the risk of injury to other players in a dynamic and physical sport. Players have an obligation to ensure that they do not cause injury to opponents. More information on processes and charges, can be found on the below links.
The Disciplinary Regulations stipulate that the County Disciplinary Secretary must be notified within 48 hours of any red card offence otherwise a player’s case may be delayed We try to hear every case quickly, but as a player is banned from the date of the red card, that delay may result in the ban lasting longer than may be necessary.
Under the Regulations, we can offer postal hearings for first-time offenders where the offence is deemed to be low entry. This can mean a player returning to playing quite quickly.
Kent County RFU will not publish the names of individuals found guilty of offences. However, we will reserve the right to publish names, pending the extent to which, if any, publication of anonymised information changes behaviour for the better (especially as regards Match Official Abuse). This approach does not remove the right of the Disciplinary Panel to publish names should the circumstances of an individual case make it appropriate, having due regard to the seriousness of the offence or repeat offending.
Please note we will not publish the names of those individuals aged under 18 years, whether they appear before the Adult or Age Grade Disciplinary Panel.
See our dedicated age grade discipline page for more information.
Clubs, Schools, should note the following extract from the RFU Disciplinary Regulations, Para. 10.6.6
A failure by a school or Club to report the results of disciplinary cases may lead to action being taken against that school or Club by the Constituent Body Schools & Age Grade Discipline Secretary or the National Schools & Youth Discipline Secretary which could entail their suspension from CB or National competition.
RFU Disciplinary Regulations, Para. 10.6.6
