Rugby families, staff lashed for 'appalling' behaviour towards referees
Junior rugby league referees, who can be as young as 13, are being threatened and copping verbal abuse, with families and team staff lashed for "appalling behaviour".
In one instance, a Sunshine Coast junior rugby league referee had to be escorted to their car due to threatening behaviour from players and families.
In another incident Rugby League Sunshine Coast said a referee was told "let's take this out to the car park" by staff members for a team of under 12s.
Yet another was shocked when a player called them a "f***ing r****d", and a fourth refused to referee some teams after consistent poor behaviour.
The league made the incidents public in a missive to all clubs and a post on social media.
Sunshine Coast Falcons chairperson Ashley Robinson said the behaviour was "embarrassing", particularly with officials and volunteers starting as teenagers.
"For them to be treated poorly by players and parents is appalling because if there are no officials there is no game and a lot of these referees are young kids," he said.
"If you think you can do a better job, go do a referee's course and get involved because you wouldn't want to see that abuse happen to your own child."
Mr Robinson said one of the problems was that parents were "living through their children" on the field.
And he said other parents and fans also had a role to play.
"We are all responsible to speak out when we see someone doing the wrong thing," he said.
"If it is a player, [the referee] needs to stop the game, call the coach onto the field and tell them if they can't get their kids under control 'then I will'.
"If it's a parent they need to stop the game, go over to the sideline and actually single them out and say that they will not continue this game until this club sorts out whoever is misbehaving."
Mr Robinson said in his decades in the sport it had always been hard to recruit officials and volunteers, and the bad behaviour only made it tougher.
Bad behaviour in junior sport is not unique to the competition on the Sunshine Coast.
Earlier this week a former elite soccer coach on the Gold Coast urged parents to stop yelling from the sidelines.
In early 2024, Queensland Rugby League (QRL) introduced a "green socks" program so fans and players could tell when referees were under 18.
QRL's Clayton Sharpe said it was about protecting emerging referees and officials from aggression.
"Primarily it is about treating young referees with respect, refraining from abuse, and understanding that our emerging match officials are still learning — just like the players," he said at the time.
In 2021, New South Wales Rugby League began banning competitive games for children under 13 and banned tackling until midway through under 7s.
In a statement Rugby League Sunshine Coast warned there would be penalties if the behaviour continued.
"Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League firmly stands behind our referees in all instances regardless of excuses given by those who are of the belief that their actions are justified," a spokesperson said.
"We are an organisation which fosters a safe environment where referees, just like players, are allowed to make mistakes without fear of retribution.
"For any player, team staff or spectator who disagrees with our values then we ask you to reconsider your involvement with rugby league on the Sunshine Coast."
Competition organisers have warned the league is considering penalties, including fines and the de-registration of players.
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