NZ Rugby condemns referee abuse after provincial union postpones games
Unsplash / Davide Buttani
New Zealand Rugby has condemned the abuse of referees after a provincial union cancelled all this weekend's games following another incident.
Horowhenua Kāpiti Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) is postponing all club and college games after a referee officiating a college match between its college team and a visiting school side last weekend "was subjected to serious verbal abuse and physical intimidation".
The union said the abuse was directed at the referee throughout the match by multiple visiting individuals, with the abuse so severe members of the public felt compelled to escort the referee to his vehicle following the game for his safety.
"Horowhenua Kāpiti Rugby Football Union is appalled by this behaviour and stands with our match officials. This conduct has no place in our game, at any level and will not be tolerated."
New Zealand Rugby's general manager community rugby, Steve Lancaster, said the governing body supported the HKRFU's decision.
"New Zealand Rugby is deeply disappointed that the actions of a few individuals have resulted in the cancellation of this weekend's matches in Horowhenua-Kāpiti," Lancaster said in a statement given to RNZ.
"We fully support the decision made by the Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Football Union and commend their commitment to upholding the values of our game.
"Physical and verbal abuse has no place in our communities - whether at work, in study, or other activities - and rugby is no exception. There is no room for the physical or verbal abuse of volunteers in our sport. Rugby is built on respect, and we must all play our part in protecting and promoting that principle.
"We continue to work closely with our provincial unions to monitor and address instances of abuse, and we are committed to providing support to those affected."
HKFRU issued a warning at the end of May that it would consider cancelling games after it said a referee was
threatened with being stabbed
.
That statement, it said, made clear that the safety and respect of referees was non-negotiable.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the union said all rugby across the union on 28 June would be postponed, including junior, college-grade and senior matches.
"This will provide time to reflect and consider what kind of rugby environment we are creating and enabling. We must take collective responsibility to protect our referees, uphold the mana of our game, and ensure that rugby remains a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved.
"The standard you walk past is the standard you accept. Stand up and show your support for our Match Officials," chief executive Corey Kennett said.
In late May Kennett had said referees were being physically threatened, some faced physical abuse and a referee had been struck with a piece of field equipment, and one referee had been threatened with being stabbed.
The union board was united in its condemnation of this behaviour, chairperson John Cribb said in the Wednesday night post.
"It is unacceptable and not what we expect from anyone involved in rugby. Whether you're a player, coach, parent, or supporter, you have a responsibility to uphold the values of our game. Referee abuse undermines everything we stand for and will not be tolerated. We expect better, and our referees deserve better."
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