​​​​​





                     

                   

   

Northern Region Representative Rugby

Protest and Disputes Procedures

  1. Protests and subsequent appeals on disputed matters such as a match result, ineligible player or similar but not limited to that, relating to a breach of NRRC rules and procedures for match operations will be dealt with by an NRRC Protest Committee of three NRRC member PU delegates, chaired by the NRRC Chairman or his Deputy Chairman with two non-conflicted delegates, assembled by the NRRC Secretary.  
  2. If a specific cause for a protest is known before a match, it must be notified to the opposition team and referee before the match commences. Notwithstanding the Protest the match can proceed at the set time.  Noting that: 
    1. If the team being protested against can remedy the cause for the complaint then the protest lapses.
    2. If the team being protested against is unable or unwilling to remedy the cause for the complaint, then the game can proceed under protest and will subsequently be heard by the NRRC Protest Committee.
    3. Any player protested against will have his name recorded by the referee in his report and by the protesting team manager.  If a player refuses to cooperate with his details, that is to be recorded by the referee in his report and by the protesting team manager. The referee is not required to adjudicate a Protest at any time but is expected to record the Protest and brief details in his records, as a non-conflicted third party.
  3. If a cause to Protest is discovered during a match then the aggrieved PU must submit their protest in writing to the Chairman of the NRRC through the NRRC Secretary within 72 hours of the match kicking off.
  4. Belated protests arising from the issue coming to light post-match or some days later, will be accepted up to 12 days after the alleged incident.
  5. Process.   Protests can be made in writing or via email.  The Protest document/letter must contain the following:
    1. Date and time of the Protest
    2. PU and Team/Grade making the Protest
    3. PU and Team/Grade the Protest is against
    4. Protest details eg. name of player, team/PU, nature of the protest, date/time of incident, name of Protesting team official and role and the referees name and RRA.
  6. The Protesting team shall be checked by the NRRC Secretary that it is compliant in all respects before the Protest hearing proceeds.  If the Protesting team is found to be out of order in any way the Protest will be forfeited. 
  7. Sanctions. The Sanctions for a team if a Protest is up-held is loss of competition points and/or match result reversed.
  8. There is a Protest Fee of $200 for the NRRC which is returned if the Protest is upheld. The Protest Fee must be paid to the NRRC before the Protest proceeds. 
  9. Appeals. All participants have 7 days to appeal the Protest Committee decision from when they receive the written decision. There is a $200 Protest Appeal Fee which is returned if the Protest Appeal is Upheld. The Protest Appeal Fee must be paid to the NRRC before the Protest Appeal proceeds. The NRRC Chairman will then appoint an NR Protest Appeals Committee as required from non-conflicted PU Delegates and chaired by the NRRC Chairman or Deputy Chairman, whoever was not chairing the Protest Committee.  In the event of a Protest Appeal, the DDO will consult with the NRRC Chairman and assemble a Protest Appeals Committee to hear the Appeal. The appeal decision will be final.


Updated 2024