Ground Manager's Guide to NSWRL Community Rugby League All Ages 2026

Under NSWRL Policy 4.15, check the playing field and surrounds to make sure all the safety measures and requirements of the league and the home club have been observed, and that there are no major depressions and no foreign or dangerous implements or articles protruding or evident.

Fields without permanent fencing must be "roped-off" to keep spectators a safe distance from the field of play. It is recommended that any temporary fencing or roped-off area be set at a minimum of three metres from the external perimeters of the field of play.

The home club is responsible for the control of spectators and supporters. Where there is doubt about the fitness of a ground, the referees, the two captains and senior officials from each club consult, and the final decision rests with the referee.

NSWRL Policy 4.30 requires the following at the score / officials table:

• 5 chairs: 1 for the ground manager, 2 for the opposing managers and 2 for the sin bin.
• 1 table and working pens.
• 2 touch judge flags (optional).
• 1 bell or hooter to signal players to the field, half time and end of play.
• 3 time clocks: 1 official game time clock, 1 for recording time off in the second half, and 1 sin bin clock (which can also be used as the half time clock).
• Referee's dismissal report book and referee's judiciary report book.
• The Rules of the Game (NRL Laws of the Game).
• Incident book.
• Appropriate team sign on / score sheets for each fixture.
• NRL Code of Conduct, Safe Play Code and Tough Love Guidelines.
• Players' and officials' identification cards / sheets for each participating team.
• First aid kit.
• NSWRL Ground Managers Folder.
• Electronic access to the NSWRL Policies & Procedures Manual.

Under NSWRL Policies 4.8 and 4.15, no match starts under any circumstances without, as a minimum, the on-field safety personnel prescribed by the NRL On-Field Policy present and available at the venue. Ground managers are responsible for checking this before any match commences.

• Identify each sports trainer through their Match Day Card and verify their accreditation the same way.
• Mark sports trainers on the sign on sheet. They must sign it before the game starts.
• If a team presents without the required sports trainer, you must direct that the match CANNOT start. Everyone must comply, and the match is deemed a forfeit.
• A coach cannot act as both coach and the required on-field safety person in the same game. One individual is needed for each role.

The NSWRL 2023 Team Managers Manual sets out the minimum by age group: for Under 6 to Under 12 the home venue needs at least one volunteer with League First Aid accreditation; for Under 13 to Under 15 each team needs a League First Aid accredited trainer; and for Under 16 to Open Age each team needs an accredited Level 1 Sports Trainer.

Each team can use a maximum of two sports trainers in Under 6 to Under 12 matches, and three in Under 13 and above.

Under NSWRL Policy 4.36, it is a breach of the rules for any spectator or unauthorised person to be inside the spectator fence, rope or barrier at any Community Rugby League ground without the approval of the ground manager. Only these people are authorised:

• Players actively involved in the current fixture.
• The coach, trainers and manager of each team.
• Approved medical support personnel.
• Club officials or representatives authorised to perform crowd and ground control (the ground manager or managers).
• Referees, approved touch judges and Referee Appointment Board representatives.
• Authorised people who have been given authority by the ground manager or have a legitimate reason to be there (for example an unofficial touch judge).

If the ground manager refuses to support a person being inside the fence, rope or barrier, that person must leave immediately. Anyone refused entry may complain to the League Administrator.

The home club ground manager should know who the authorised people are and tell the League Crowd and Grounds personnel or the League Administrator on request. Injured players from a participating team, and unregistered non-participants, are not allowed inside the playing enclosure or at team benches (Policy 4.33).

Unsportsmanlike comments from a spectator. Under NSWRL Policy 5.4 (Tough Love in League, Under 13s to Open Age):

1. The referee has the authority to stop the game.
2. The referee directs the ground manager to ask the coaches of both teams to speak to the supporters and ask them to stop making unsportsmanlike comments.
3. The referee then resumes the game.
4. If the same identified spectator does it a second time, the referee has the authority to abandon the match at their discretion.
5. The spectator is issued a Code of Conduct Breach Notice. If found guilty, the opposing team is awarded a win on forfeit and the number of competition points that constitutes a win (2 or 3) is deducted from the offending team.
6. The offending team is placed on a $1,000 bond for the rest of the competition season. A second offence related to any team means disqualification from the competition.

Touching a referee. Anyone (player, team official or spectator) found guilty of touching a referee or official in an aggressive or inappropriate manner is disqualified from the game for a minimum of 12 months, and the team they play for, support or assist loses the number of competition points that constitutes a win.

Abuse by a team official or spectator. A team official or spectator charged with a High-Grade Code of Conduct breach and found guilty of abusing a referee is disqualified from the game for a minimum of 12 months, and their team loses the competition points that constitute a win.

Either way, record abusive, insulting, threatening language or harassment of a referee in your incident report before 4.00pm on the Tuesday after the match.

The referee must not allow anyone other than the players and authorised team support officials onto the playing area without permission, and anyone who makes an unauthorised entry is in breach of league rules and codes of conduct.

Under NSWRL Policy 5.4 (Tough Love in League, Under 13s to Open Age):

• A spectator who enters the playing area or field of play with intent, or without the permission of the ground manager, is automatically banned from attending Community Rugby League matches for a minimum of 12 months.
• The league reserves the right to suspend any children or siblings of the parent or family involved from playing in NSWRL-related competitions if the spectator breaches the ban. A bond or fine may be set before the spectator can attend matches again.

The ground manager should record the identity of anyone who enters the field in the incident report (due before 4.00pm on the Tuesday after the match).

Under NSWRL Policy 4.15 the ground manager has the authority to request that the referee terminate a match for safety or security reasons.

If there is extreme inclement weather (such as lightning or hail), or repeated breaches of the NRL National Code of Conduct that cannot be rectified:

1. Approach the nearest touch judge and ask them to alert the referee to stop the game.
2. Discuss the issue with the referee and ask them to decide whether to continue.

If a match is terminated for any reason, the ground manager should complete an Incident / Code of Conduct report and make sure the local League knows the circumstances of the termination.

The referee, in consultation with the ground manager, also has the discretion to terminate a game.

Under NSWRL Policy 4.8, the ground manager must record in the match day report the names, and all other details, of each person identified as present at the match in the capacities required for the match to be allowed to commence. These are the people that Policy 4.8 and the NRL On-Field Policy require to be present, including the on-field safety personnel (sports trainers).

The ground manager must do all things necessary to work out whether the required people are present in the capacities required. If the ground manager is not satisfied that the required on-field safety personnel are present, the ground manager must direct that the match not commence.

The home club ground manager must also keep written records of the names of authorised people (other than coaches, trainers, team managers and players) allowed inside the spectator fence, and produce them to the league on request.

A club ground manager or other official must use the league incident report form and report all available information about serious breaches of league rules before 4.00pm on the Tuesday following the incident. The NSWRL timeline says the ground manager takes note of the incident at the completion of the match and completes the "Online Code of Conduct Incident Report Form".

Examples listed in NSWRL Policy 4.15 are:

• The identity of anyone who makes an unauthorised entry inside the spectator fence or onto the playing field, including players, coaches, trainers and managers.
• All assault matters and the identity of those involved.
• Abusive, insulting, threatening language or harassment of any referee, touch judge, official or other person.
• Crowd disturbance, riots, brawls and the cause.
• Any person under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
• Other serious breaches of league rules.

Rule breaches and issues should also be reported to the League Administrator without delay, by email, telephone or personal visit to the league office.

Under the NSWRL policy it is standing league policy to report all assaults and serious altercations to the police. A person who is seriously threatened or assaulted and does not report it to police is in breach of League Rules.

NSWRL Policy 4.15 authorises the ground manager (or the person performing that role) to approach the coach, trainers and team manager of the team the offending person is supporting and ask for the offender's name.

If the coach, trainers or manager refuse, hinder or harass efforts to get that information, they are themselves in breach of league rules. The penalty may be loss of competition points for the team and/or another penalty.

NSWRL Policy 4.15 says the first and most important action, whatever happened and whoever is involved, is to go to the aid of injured or distressed people. The steps are:

1. Give immediate assistance. If waiting for an ambulance or other services, move people away from danger or further harassment.
2. Phone 000 for ambulance, police or fire brigade. Every club has trained medical trainers who can be used in an emergency.
3. Protect and secure the victim's property and possessions, and provide a safe and secure environment if children are involved.
4. Make a note of the time, what happened, the cause if known, and who was involved.
5. Identify any offenders and detain them if possible. While waiting for services, identify witnesses and ask them to wait and assist with enquiries.
6. Co-operate with the emergency services when they arrive.
7. Contact the League Administrator and give the details.
8. Follow up with the victim, family or relatives: tell them the League Manager will follow the matter up, give them the League Manager's contact number, visit the hospital or doctor with them, phone the victim later that night, and find out what can be done to help.
9. Submit a written report to the League Manager.

In very serious cases (serious injury or death) it might be necessary to arrange a counsellor, and the League Manager can help with contact numbers.