New Haven RFC
Member Code of Conduct

Below is New Haven Rugby’s Member Code of Conduct. For questions or concerns regarding the policy, please reach out to the Ombudsmen.

Email the Ombudsmen

Last Revision November 2025

Mission Statement

New Haven Rugby Football Club strives to promote the sport of rugby for all individuals by creating a welcoming and supportive environment. We are committed to exemplifying integrity, excellence, and quality in everything we do and endeavor to be an asset to the community through support of local businesses and worthy social causes.

New Haven Rugby Football Club and the New Haven Rugby Disciplinary Board expect all players to abide by the following code of conduct.

Code of Conduct

1. Objective

This document outlines guidelines to promote a safe, positive, and inclusive environment within NHRFC and all of NHRFC’s programs, competitions, events, and activities. NHRFC is committed to treating all individuals with respect and consideration, and fostering an environment that is supportive for all to enjoy rugby.

2. Application and Authority

In accordance with NHRFC’s bylaws, this Code of Conduct applies to any member of NHRFC, including all officers, coaches, team managers, and other members of the Club who are conducting or involved in NHRFC business, teams, programs, competitions, events, and activities.

Any individual who violates this Code will be allowed a fair hearing by the disciplinary committee and may be subject to discipline action decided upon by the committee.  The committee will be composed of the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Ombudsmen from each team.

3. Key Principles

Safety

Safety is a top priority at all times. All individuals have a responsibility to:

  1. enhance the safe play of rugby by instilling and upholding a culture of safety, injury prevention, and fair play.

  2. respect and play within the Laws & Regulations that govern the sport of  rugby, as set forth by the International Rugby Board (IRB), USA Rugby, NERFU, or Empire GU. 

  3. understand the symptoms of injury and concussion and support the disclosure of those symptoms.

  4. limit the consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs while participating in training, games, and competitions, or while responsible for other members of the NHRFC organization.

  5. take reasonable steps to manage the responsible consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs at events associated with NHRFC.

Integrity

Integrity is a core value of rugby and is upheld through honesty, diligence, and fair play. All individuals have a responsibility to:

  1. maintain a high standard of moral and ethical conduct, which includes self control, responsible behavior, and consideration for the physical and emotional well-being of others, including verbal abuse of players, opponents, officials, or supporters on the field and in public places where New Haven Rugby sponsored events/games are being held and while traveling to and from such places.

  2. consistently demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship, sport leadership, and ethical behavior.

  3. ensure adherence to the Laws of the Game and the spirit of those laws.

  4. adhere to federal, provincial, municipal, and host country laws.

  5. be in good standing with New Haven Rugby including being current with dues, union disciplinary sanctions, and USA Rugby membership.

  6. promote and uphold rugby as a Clean Sport by abstaining from the promotion, endorsement, supply or use of non-medical drugs or the use of performance-enhancing drugs. More specifically, NHRFC adopts and adheres to the American Policy Against Doping in Sport. Any infraction under the American Policy Against Doping in Sport shall be considered an infraction of this code and may be subject to further disciplinary action. NHRFC will respect any penalty enacted pursuant to a breach of the American Anti-Doping Program, whether imposed by NHRFC or any other recognized sport organization.

Respect

Respect is a core value of sports and the rugby community. All individuals have a responsibility to:

  1. treat all individuals fairly and respectfully regardless of body type, physical characteristics, athletic ability, gender, ancestry, ethnic or racial origin, nationality, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, religious belief, political belief, disability, or socioeconomic status.

  2. focus comments of criticism appropriately and avoid public criticism of players, coaches, officials, spectators, or other individuals.

  3. refrain from any behavior that constitutes harassment of any kind, including sexual, verbal, physical, psychological, or online.

  4. respect the property of others and not willfully cause damage.

Inclusion for All

Sense of community is at the core of the sport of rugby. This community is built through inclusion, camaraderie, and teamwork. All individuals have a responsibility to:

  1. promote the sport of rugby in a constructive and positive manner.

  2. be inclusive of all individuals at NHRFC events and activities regardless of body type, physical characteristics, athletic ability, gender, ancestry, ethnic or racial origin, nationality, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, religious belief, political belief, disability, or socioeconomic status.

  3. uphold safety and integrity as top priorities and make or provide modifications when necessary to facilitate inclusion, safety, and enjoyment.

4. Revision and Approval

This Code of Conduct shall be reviewed, and revised if needed, by the [Board] on a regular basis. Changes and revisions will be voted on by the [Board].

5. Contact

All feedback, comments, requests, and other communications relating to this Code of Conduct should be directed to: Ombudsmen@nhrugby.com

**We will consider the payment of dues, participation in games, club events or any activity relating to New Haven Rugby Club as a formal acceptance of compliance to the above code of conduct.