New Zealand Rugby League are committed to creating more positive experiences on and off the field for our players, match officials and supporters. Be a Sport is a programme designed specifically to encourage positive supporter behaviour and provide more enjoyable rugby league experiences for our community.
In 2017 all seven zones launched BAS into their junior programmes, expanding into the internationals grades in 2018.
Be a Sport was adapted from an Auckland Rugby League programme and has proven to be effective in raising the profile of appropriate sideline behaviour by empowering team champions to manage their supporters’ behaviour. Additional to this NZRL, have worked extensively with Aktive – Auckland Sport & Recreation’s Good Sport’s team to ensure parents, coaches and supporters are more informed around their roles in children’s sport – to encourage and create fun learning environments through sport.
How will we find out about it?
Depending on what you are participating in, either a season competition or a tournament, the organiser will provide an information session to you about how BAS works – either through a booklet or a presentation.
BAS resources will be provided at the venue including sideline sandwich board signage, BAS team champions vests, wallet cards and the BAS guide sheet, all helping to promote and educate the rugby league community about the programme. Team cards have been updated to indicate whether team champions were in place for each game and note the quality of the supporters’ behaviour.
Game Day
Two parents or supporters (not the team manager, coach or staff) are appointed as the ‘Be a Sport’ team champions (TC’s) per team and are given a BAS hi-visibility vest to wear, wallet cards and the guide sheet.
The referee starts the game when all four TC’s are on the sideline wearing their vests.
The TC’s role is to;
o Smoke free
o Alcohol free
o Abuse free
Where behaviour is not appropriate, TC’s are to follow the steps as described on the BAS guide sheet. The tournament or competition manager will also be on hand to assist when the situation moves to step 5.
When signing the team card, the referee will also make note if the team has undertaken their BAS duties.
Inappropriate sideline behaviour – refer to the BAS guide sheet
If a supporter is behaving negatively on the sideline the TC takes the following steps;
If you require any further information about BAGS please contact community@nzrl.co.nz
Be A Sport resources – photos
• Vests
• Wallet card – Code of Conduct
• Sandwich Board Design
• Guide Sheet
• Incident Report
Additional resources
• Ride Home
• Good Sports
o Parent
o Coach
