Queensland Rugby League behaviour crackdown: QRL introduces new laws to eradicate violence, thuggery

Rugby league legend Wally Lewis has back the Queensland Rugby League’s crackdown on player and spectator behaviour amid his own battle with probable CTE.

Maroons legend Wally Lewis has backed Queensland’s rugby league conduct crackdown and hopes it minimises the type of brain injuries that may have contributed to his own dementia diagnosis.

As revealed by this masthead, the Queensland Rugby League has vowed to come down hard on misbehaving players and spectators this year as competitions around the state prepare to kick-off.

Punching will now result in an instant send-off and unruly crowds that enter the field and join melees will be hit with 12-month bans as part of the push to clean up rugby league’s image.

The elite NRL has overhauled head injury protocols in recent years as the threat of litigation increases amid a surge of former players reporting long-term effects from the brutal game.

A fight breaks out at a Tweed v Burleigh match.

Lewis, regarded as one of rugby league’s greatest ever players, last year revealed he had been diagnosed with dementia, most likely caused by head injuries throughout his storied career.

And ‘The King’ hopes the QRL’s crackdown will help limit the next generation of footy players from suffering a similar fate.

“The number one target we should have is to make the game a lot safer and more credible by getting rid of thugs and those that cause trouble,” he said.

“It’s important we ensure the safety of players. If we can control it well, player safety is what we are after and we need to get rid of the on-field violence and even the dangerous tackle that can cause damage to the head.

“It’s a big change to the game when I played. I suffered head knocks like a lot of players from my era, and we don’t want that image for the game moving forward.

“It’s not just rugby league. Spectator issues and brawls involve other sports too.

“We’ve often seen bigger issues off the field – the parents and spectators can be the real trouble. The on-field battle is not always the biggest issue, it’s the battle on the sidelines.

“The challenge for the QRL authorities is to try and enforce the bans with spectators, but I fully support the crackdown.

“I’m sure a lot of parents just want it to be as enjoyable as it once was, where they can watch their kids or grandkids without the fear of some off-field abuse or physical violence.

“I’ve never been a supporter of on-field violence. If a player throws a punch, it’s not acceptable anymore. If this is the first step that the QRL is going to take, I fully support it.”

Wally Lewis has been diagnosed with dementia. Picture: Instagram

The QRL’s premier competition – The Hostplus Cup – started last week and grassroots leagues are set to begin in the coming weeks across the state.

QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher said the game had to clean up its on-field incidents to protect players, who are mostly amateurs, and emerging match officials who are often subject to abuse.

“The biggest thing we can’t ignore is the cheap shots and head highs,” he said.

“Striking or high tackles can cause some so much damage, not just now but into the future.

“The code of conduct is appropriate and failure to take a strong stance would limit the continuation of the game.

“We have a duty to stop spectators inciting violence and engaging in other stupid conduct, particularly towards children and match officials.

“I attend enough games to see how the anxiety is created. One mug can yell out something and suddenly the emotion spills over and we’re seeing brawls and outrageous behaviour.”

QRL crackdown: New laws to eradicate violent thugs, players

The Queensland Rugby League has launched its biggest crackdown on player and spectator behaviour in the game’s 116-year history, vowing to eradicate thugs in a statewide blitz.

Instant send-offs for punching and mandatory 12-month bans for unruly spectators will be dished out this season as the QRL strives to clean up rugby league’s image following a spate of ugly incidents.

The QRL has promised a “zero tolerance” approach and now backed it up by vowing to implement guidelines and penalties to protect players and match officials.

While most striking offences in the elite NRL only result in a 10-minute sin bin, the QRL policy should see players sent off for the remainder of the match if they punch a rival, including the state’s premier competition the Hostplus Cup.

The Positive Environment Program – reissued to clubs ahead of grassroots competitions kicking off around Queensland in the coming weeks – includes a framework to tackle behavioural issues on and off the field.

Last year alone, the QRL was forced to deal with a referee being assaulted on-field and multiple incidents of spectator brawls.

QRL campaign to end bad behaviour. Picture: QRL

Penalties for these types of offences now include:

– Striking (punching) upgraded from sin bin to send-off.

– Twelve-month bans for spectators that intrude on-field.

– Referee touching to trigger a send-off and 12-month suspension.

– Referee abuse a send-off offence.

– Spectators that abuse referees will be banned for at least four weeks, upgraded to 12 months for subsequent offences.

– Players and spectators from offending clubs to be stripped of competition points.

QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher vowed to clean up thuggish behaviour on and off the field to protect the game’s future.

“This is a major step for rugby league,” he said.

QRL boss Ben Ikin has launched a crackdown on fan and player behaviour.

“It’s important as leaders in this game we come down hard. We want a safe game for all.

“We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t try to take a stronger stand on and off-field conduct, to protect match officials, to ensure the safety of young children and to avoid players suffering potential brain damage.

“We don’t want thugs in rugby league at any level.

“We want a safe game for all the men and women who want to play the game and we always want to protect the match officials from abuse and physical threats.”

The QRL has introduced a new initiative this year – the green socks campaign – to better protect young match officials.

The “if their socks are green, they are under 18” slogan has been created to warn players and spectators that they could be abusing a child by attacking a referee.

“The QRL’s Positive Environment Program, which includes stronger recommendations for striking on the field, was introduced a few years back to call out and punish specific behaviours no one wants to see in community sport,” QRL CEO Ben Ikin said.

“There is a recommendation that if one player strikes another, they are to be sent from the field. We are trying to minimise the incidents of violence and abuse in community rugby league.

“We’re already seeing a positive impact from the program and will be building on the work already done by rolling out our junior match officials campaign, ‘If I’m wearing green, I’m under 18’.

“If you are a player or patron on the sideline, you should know that when you start verbally abusing a match official wearing green socks then you are verbally abusing a minor.

“Our 356 community clubs have a responsibility to provide a fun and safe experience for participants and patrons and QRL will be doing everything it can to support our volunteers to ensure that happens right across the state.”

The QRL’s premier competition – The Hostplus Cup – kicked off last weekend and community leagues are set to begin in the coming weeks, with players and spectators on notice that poor behaviour will not be tolerated.

Originally published as Queensland Rugby League behaviour crackdown: QRL introduces new laws to eradicate violence, thuggery