It is with the utmost regret that on the 12th November 2022, during the 1st XV match against Sileby Vikings RFC, that a visiting Match Official was subjected to abuse at halftime by an individual associated with our rugby club. Since then, the club has worked with the NLD Disciplinary Committee to ensure that this never happens again at Nottingham Moderns RFC and to improve our preventative measures.

Therefore, from now on, please can all spectators endeavour to stay on the Clubhouse side of the 1st XV pitch and, if possible, on the bank and patio. These both provide perfectly good viewing perspectives for the game and leave the technical areas to only those involved in the match day arrangements. If you do go "pitchside", you must then please stay behind the ropes. They are there as much for your safety as the players/officials.

The club now has a suspended 5 point deduction for the 1st XV league until the end of the 2023/24 season. Should there be any repetition of this offence then this deduction will immediately be invoked, with any further penalties applied following a Disciplinary review.

Nottingham Moderns RFC has for many years had a good reputation with Match Officials as a welcoming club to visit and the club has never tolerated any abuse of Match Officials under any circumstances. Anyone associated with Nottingham Moderns RFC found to be breaking the standards of decency and respect to which we have held ourselves for many years, will find themselves banned from the Clubhouse and Club activities (both home and away) for an unlimited period of time.

If you would like to know more about the standards that we expect or about how to report/handle any incidents then please contact either Richard Pascoe (Nottingham Moderns RFC Chair); Edward Lisley (Nottingham Moderns RFC Honourable Club Secretary) or Nicolas Capon (Nottingham Moderns RFC Junior Chair)

Kind Regards

Richard Pascoe
Nottingham Moderns RFC Chair