• Understand why pitchside behaviour matters to the future of the game
• Listen to clubs on the impact of working towards a positive pitchside experience for everyone
• Learn some skills to act upon inappropriate behaviour, building courage and confidence in your ability to intervene
Add in pic of happy, encouraging touchline
Mark Palmer President Duncan Campbell President
Positive pitchside behaviours
- Creating the Right Environment for Our Game
“Thestandardyouwalkpast isthestandardyouaccept”
Whathappenswhenwedon’t challengepoorbehaviour?
How many times do we have to see something for it to be normalised?
When we see something inappropriate, what % of people do nothing?
Was it inappropriate?
Why don’t we challenge poor behaviour?
Do I have responsibility here?
Not sure how to respond
Rationalising –“it won’t make a difference, anyway”
Fearful of consequences
What is inappropriate behaviour?
Completely Inappropriate Completely Appropriate
Where are you on the scale?
What is inappropriate behaviour?
During an adult rugby fixture several coaches, reserves and spectators on the sideline continue to encroach onto the field of play despite there being technical zones and a roped barrier in place. The touch judge now finds their path obstructed and asks individuals to move back which is met with resistance and in some cases ignored.
On the pitchside, a spectator consistently shouts at the referee for a decision in favour of their team. Fellow spectators seem uncomfortable with the way this adult is conducting themself and are concerned about the image of the club.
During a youth game, a parent screams instructions at their child and continually makes derogatory comments about their child and child's teammates performances.
What is inappropriate behaviour?
Completely Inappropriate Completely Appropriate
Where are you on the scale?
Core values
Positive pitchside behaviour
More than a game
Enabling positive pitchside behaviours
EDUCATION
Enabling positive pitchside behaviours 2
Developing knowledge, insights and empathy
More than a game
More than a game Enabling positive pitchside behaviours 2 SHARED VALUES
Developing knowledge, insights and empathy
Everyone involved, pointing in the same direction
We all have a roll to play
"To get the best out of everyone, we need to build environments where players and staff feel safe, included, and truly valued. As a leader, it's my responsibility to foster that kind of culture—one where people feel confident to challenge ideas, ask questions, and share different perspectives without fear."
- Gregor Townsend
What’s
your club doing to promote positive pitchside behaviour?
Top 10 Tips for promoting positive pitchside behaviours
Set Clear Expectations from the Start
Establish a Club Code of Conduct for players, coaches, parents, and supporters. Make it visible at your club, on your website, and on social media.
Positive Matchday
Messaging
Use pre-match PA announcements, social media posts, and pitchside signage to reinforce positive behaviours – Cheer for the team, respect the referee, let the coaches coach.
Brief Parents at the Start of the Season
Host a short Parent Welcome Session at the start of the season to outline the club’s values and expectations on behaviour.
Empower Pitchside
Ambassadors
Appoint Club Pitchside Ambassadors to wear branded bibs and engage with supporters during matchdays to promote positive behaviours and deescalate issues.
Referee Respect is NonNegotiable
Make respect for match officials a core part of your club culture. Encourage supporters to see referees as volunteers giving back to the game – just like coaches.
Recognise Positive Behaviour
Celebrate great examples of positive pitchside behaviour in club newsletters, social media posts, or at awards evenings.
Zero Tolerance for Abuse
Clearly communicate that verbal abuse of referees, coaches, or players will not be tolerated – and follow through on any breaches.
Create a Culture of Accountability
Give supporters permission to call out poor behaviour in a constructive way. Reinforce that everyone has a role to play.
Listen to Referees
Invite referees to speak to coaches, parents, and players about their experiences and how behaviour affects their commitment to the game.
Apply the 4 D’s
Make sure your volunteers understand the 4 D’s of challenge. Equip them with the confidence to address behaviours that don’t reflect your club’s values and contribute to a positive pitchside experience for all.
The 4 D’s of challenge
DIRECT
Directly intervene and challenge the behaviour, for example by asking the person to stop
DELAY
DELEGATE
DISTRACT
Delay your intervention until after the situation has ended and check in with the recipient
Speak to the other party about their behaviour after the situation has ended
Inform someone else about the behaviour (e.g. a coach, club leadership, Scottish Rugby (Tell US Policy)) or someone else you think can influence the situation.
Interrupt the conversation, change the topic, create a distraction.
This can end the behaviour, but does not address it.
Applying the 4D’s
How would you challenge these scenarios?
The overbearing coach
A volunteer coach is shouting instructions constantly from the sideline, undermining the referee and contradicting the team’s official coach. Players look confused, and parents are beginning to comment as well. How would you respond in the moment, and how might you address this after the match?
The Vocal Parent
A parent from your club repeatedly shouts at the opposition players and the referee during the match, calling decisions “a joke” and questioning whether some players “should even be on the pitch.
What are your options for dealing with this during and after the match? What if the behaviour escalates?
Criticism of Children
A family member loudly criticises their own child’s performance from the sidelines: “You’re useless!” “Get stuck in for once!” The child appears visibly upset and avoids eye contact with the parent after the game.
How do we handle emotionally charged moments like this, especially when it’s directed at the child?
