David Leslie, the Club's Chairman of Rugby Discipline, has authored the following protocols on disciplinary matters for both players and members of the Club. There have been occasions in the not so distant past when there has been ambiguity about the Club's procedures. So these new statements are very timely. These have been approved by the General Committee and come into force immediately.  

1.    In the event if it being alleged that any Club or Member has acted in breach of any of the Club Rules, or has acted in  a manner prejudicial to the interests of Fylde RFC Ltd, the Chairman of Rugby Discipline shall arrange for the allegation to be investigated. Any complaint must be forwarded to the Chairman of Rugby Discipline or to any member of the General Committee within a period of no less than 48 hours from the date of the alleged incident.

If, on investigation, there appears to the Chairman of Rugby Discipline to be substance to the allegation, he shall appoint 2 other General Committee members, excluding the President and any Member of the General Committee who has not  been involved with nor in the alleged incident, to form a Disciplinary Group to consider the allegation and adjudicate on it, affording the Club or Member against whom the allegation is  made the opportunity to appear before this Disciplinary Group and give evidence or make representations to it. If, on the balance of probabilities, the Disciplinary Group is satisfied that the allegation is proven, the Disciplinary Group is empowered to impose such penalties including expulsion.

2.    Clubs or members against whom an allegation of the nature referred to in 1. Above has been proven shall have the right to appeal against the Disciplinary Group’s findings to an Appeals Group comprising three full members of the Club appointed for the purpose by the President (or in his absence or incapacity ~ the Chairman of the Club), none of whom served on the original Disciplinary Group and who have not been involved with nor in the alleged incident.

Notice of any such appeal shall be provided to the Chairman of Rugby Discipline within 7 days of the date on which the  written notification of the decision of the Disciplinary Group was given,  along with a deposit of £50 towards the cost of any reasonably incurred expense

Any penalties imposed by the Disciplinary Group will be suspended pending the determination of the appeal

The Appeals Group shall afford to the Club or the Member against whom the allegation is found proven the opportunity to appear before the Appeals Group and provide evidence or make representations to it.    

The Appeals Group are given the power to confirm, vary, or set aside the decision of any penalties imposed by the Disciplinary Group.

The decision of the Appeals Group shall be final.

3. Any financial penalty shall be payable within 7 days of receipt of the written notification of the Disciplinary Group or, as the case may be, the Appeals Group.

A member who fails to pay such a financial penalty, or who refuses to adhere to the Committees’ decisions, shall automatically be suspended from membership of Fylde RFC Ltd and denied all the membership benefits until the penalties are adhered to

4.    Any Club or Member that unsuccessfully exercises the right of appeal provided in 2. Above shall, in addition to any penalty imposed shall in addition to any penalty imposed. Pay to Fylde RFC Ltd the costs reasonably incurred by Fylde RFC Ltd in hearing the appeal

5.    This Procedure complies with the Club Rules as laid down in 5.10; 5.11; 5.12

DEJLeslie
Chairman of Rugby Discipline

1 September  2008