By Law:

Disciplinary Subcommittee

Last reviewed: 31 October 2025

Enacted: July 2024 · In effect from: 1 December 2024

1. Purpose

The purpose of the Disciplinary Subcommittee is to ensure that all members of the Robina Raptors Junior Rugby League Club adhere to the highest standards of conduct and behaviour, both on and off the field. The Subcommittee is responsible for reviewing complaints, conducting investigations, and imposing appropriate disciplinary actions, including suspensions, for breaches of the club’s Code of Conduct or other established standards.

2. Establishment

The Disciplinary Subcommittee shall be established by the Club’s Executive Committee and shall function as a standing committee with the authority to handle all disciplinary matters pertaining to the conduct of club members.

3. Composition

The Disciplinary Subcommittee shall be composed of the following:

• All members of the Executive Committee,
• All members of the Non-Executive Committee,
• The coaching co-ordinator / head of coaching,
• All coaches.

3.1 Disciplinary Review Panel (DRP)

When the disciplinary subcommittee is required to convene, a Disciplinary Review Panel (DRP) will be formed. The DRP shall be composed of at least three (3) and no more than five (5) members, appointed by the Executive Committee. Members of the Subcommittee / DRP must be impartial and have no conflict of interest in the matters they are reviewing. The Chair of the Subcommittee / DRP shall be selected by the members of the Subcommittee at the beginning of each term or sitting.

3.1.1 For Player related matters: For matters pertaining to members who are registered players, regardless of the age of said player, for all matters pertaining to either on or off-field behaviour at or during a game; or at or during training; or at or during a Club sanctioned event; or at or during an incident in which the player is wearing Club uniform or clothing with the Club’s logo or emblem on it; the composition of the DRP will be at least 2 and no more than 3 coaches / coaching co-ordinator and at least 1 but no more than 2 members of the Executive and/or Non-executive Committee, in line with section 3.1.

3.1.2 For matters related to all other members: For matters pertaining to members who are NOT registered players, regardless of the age of said member, for all matters pertaining to either on or off-field behaviour at or during a game; or at or during training; or at or during a Club sanctioned event; or at or during an incident in which the member is wearing Club uniform or clothing with the Club’s logo or emblem on it; the composition of the DRP will be drawn from the Executive and Non-Executive Committees and, in the event that a conflict of interest arises, the Coaching Co-ordinator; in line with section 3.1.

3.1.3 For all other matters: For matters pertaining to persons who are not members of the club, or who are related to or affiliated with a member of the club, regardless of age, for all matters pertaining to either on or off-field behaviour at or during a game; or at or during training; or at or during a Club sanctioned event; or at or during an incident in which the person is wearing Club uniform or clothing with the Club’s logo or emblem on it; the composition of the DRP will be drawn from the Executive and Non-Executive Committees and, in the event that a conflict of interest arises, the Coaching Co-ordinator; in line with section 3.1. Matters that fall into this category may also be reported to the District governing body, the QRL, NRL, and the Police.

4. Jurisdiction

The Disciplinary Subcommittee shall have the authority to:

• Review and investigate complaints against any club member, including players, coaches, officials, and other members.
• Hold hearings, interview relevant parties, and gather evidence to ascertain the facts related to a complaint.
• Determine whether a breach of the club’s Code of Conduct or other standards has occurred.
• Impose disciplinary actions, including but not limited to warnings, fines, suspensions, or expulsions, based on the severity of the breach.

A list of charges include:

• Club Charge of Contrary Conduct, Training; or
• Club Charge of Contrary Conduct, Game; or
• Club Charge of Contrary Conduct, Team; or
• Club Charge of Contrary Conduct, Other; or
• Club Charge of Bringing Club into Disrepute; or
• Club Charge of Bringing the Game into Disrepute;
• Any other charge as determined by the Subcommittee.

All of the above charges can have a grading attached, with sanctions determined based on the grading of the charge. The grading and sanctions will be determined by the Subcommittee and reviewed at least annually, and will be documented and published for all members.

5. Procedure

a. Lodging a Complaint

Any member of the club may lodge a complaint with the Disciplinary Subcommittee. Complaints must be submitted in writing and provide a detailed account of the incident(s) in question. A confidential digital lodgement mechanism will be provided.

Furthermore:

• A complaint is considered lodged if a player is mentioned in a Match Review / Charge Sheet.
• A coach or team manager has the right to lodge a complaint against their own player for breaches of behaviour and/or attendance at training (Club Charge of Contrary Conduct Training).
• A member has the right to lodge a complaint against a player for breaches of behaviour and attendance, either at a club sanctioned event or in public, if the player is in club attire (Club Charge of Contrary Conduct, Other).

b. Initial Review

Upon receipt of a complaint, the Subcommittee shall conduct an initial review to determine if the complaint warrants further investigation. If the complaint is deemed frivolous or lacking in merit, the Subcommittee may dismiss the complaint without further action. All matters involving players, especially if a club player is mentioned in a Match Review / Charge Sheet, will pass immediately to step c) Investigation.

c. Investigation — Players (3.1.1)

If the complaint warrants further action, the Subcommittee will form the DRP which shall conduct a thorough investigation. This may involve interviewing witnesses, reviewing any available evidence, and seeking statements from the parties involved.

For matters involving players who have been mentioned in a Match Review / Charge Sheet, where the matter is NOT “Straight to Judiciary” or the equivalent, or a Club Charge of Contrary Conduct, Training:

• A team staff member or ground manager who witnessed the event will be called to provide a statement or account of what occurred.
• Video footage will be reviewed, if any.

For all other matters involving players, including matters with the charge “Straight to Judiciary” or equivalent:

• A team staff member or ground manager who witnessed the event will be called to provide a statement or account of what occurred.
• Video footage will be reviewed, if any.
• The player may need to be interviewed; in the case of a Junior, the player will be required to be accompanied by either a parent or care-giver or a Mental Health Support Officer.

Regardless of offence type, the DRP will draw up a list of charges they believe the accused to be guilty of, as well as compile a brief report on the evidence gathered.

Timeline: Timelines for investigations shall be determined by the Subcommittee at the start of the playing season, documented and communicated to all members, and reviewed as required.

d. Hearing — Players (3.1.1)

The DRP shall convene a hearing:

For matters involving players who have been mentioned in a Match Review / Charge Sheet, where the matter is NOT “Straight to Judiciary” or the equivalent, or the Internal Club Charge of Contrary Conduct at Training:

• The hearing will review the brief of evidence.
• The hearing will consider prior player behaviour.
• The hearing may consider a player sanction or punishment in line with Club and QRL standards and guidelines.
• The hearing may offer the opportunity for the accused to take an early guilty plea for a reduced punishment.

For all other matters involving players, including matters with the charge “Straight to Judiciary” or equivalent:

• The hearing will review the brief of evidence.
• The member can choose to appear and may provide their own statement.
• The member may be accompanied by an advocate or representative. This representative may not be a legal professional, or in the case of a parent or care-giver, act in the capacity of a legal professional, in line with the Club’s Constitution.
• The hearing will consider prior player behaviour.
• The hearing may consider a player sanction or punishment in line with Club and QRL standards and guidelines.
• If the accused does not appear, the panel can pass additional sanctions.

d. Hearing — Non-Players (3.1.2 / 3.1.3)

The DRP shall convene a hearing where the accused member will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations. The member may present evidence, call witnesses, and be accompanied by an advocate or representative. This representative may not be a legal professional, or in the case of a parent or care-giver, act in the capacity of a legal professional, in line with the Club’s Constitution.

e. Decision — Players (3.1.1)

After the hearing, the DRP shall deliberate and reach a decision based on the evidence presented. The decision must be communicated in writing to the accused member and the complainant, detailing the findings and any disciplinary actions imposed. The DRP will present its report, including decision, to the Subcommittee. In the case of sanctions that include match suspensions:

• The suspension is effective immediately, unless a suspension from a higher authority is already in place, wherein it will take effect once the higher suspension has been served.
• The suspension cannot be taken concurrently, either with a higher suspension or from multiple club charges — they must be served in order.
• The suspension will carry over to the next season if required.
• The player cannot opt to take match sanctions over to next season in an attempt to qualify or play in a finals series.
• For preseason incidents, the DRP does have the authority to determine when the charge will be effective from.

e. Decision — Non-Players (3.1.2 / 3.1.3)

After the hearing, the DRP shall deliberate and reach a decision based on the evidence presented. The decision must be communicated in writing to the accused member and the complainant, detailing the findings and any disciplinary actions imposed. The DRP will present its report, including decision, to the Subcommittee.

f. Appeal

The accused member has the right to appeal the decision of the Subcommittee to the Executive Committee.

Players (3.1.1): The appeal must be lodged in writing within 24 hours of receiving the Subcommittee’s decision. In the case of match sanctions, the match sanction will remain in force during the appeals process — this is to prevent the appeals process from being used as a device to defer the sanctions. The Executive Committee shall review the appeal and issue a final decision, which shall be binding.

An appellate fee may be applicable:

• For players aged 15 or under, the fee is $100.
• For all other players the fee is $200.

In the case of players appealing charges arising from Match Review / Charge Sheet, Club Charge of Contrary Conduct (Training, Game or Other), or Club Charge of Bringing Club/the Game into Disrepute, the Executive Committee shall:

• Attempt to review the matter within 48 hours.
• If upheld, the sanction may be doubled, at the Executive Committee’s discretion.

Non-Players (3.1.2 / 3.1.3):

For sanctions involving Termination of Membership:

• Timelines for appeals are outlined in the constitution.
• The accused must provide an appellate fee in line with the constitution.
• The appeals process will follow section 3.7 of the Constitution.

For all other sanctions:

• The appeal must be lodged in writing within 5 days of receiving the Subcommittee’s decision.
• The accused must provide an appellate fee of $200.
• The Executive Committee shall review the appeal and issue a final decision which may include a change to the sanction, which shall be binding.

In all cases, when an appeal is successful, the appellate fee is refunded to the member. An appeal is only considered successful if the charges are dropped by Committee, or the sanctions removed entirely. An appellate fee is not refunded if a sanction is reduced, or the charge lessened.

6. Confidentiality

All proceedings and deliberations of the Disciplinary Subcommittee shall be conducted in strict confidence. Members of the Subcommittee and other involved parties are expected to maintain the confidentiality of all information related to the disciplinary process.

7. Reporting

The Disciplinary Subcommittee shall report its activities and decisions to the Executive Committee on a regular basis, ensuring transparency and accountability in the disciplinary process.

8. Review of By-Law

This by-law shall be reviewed annually by the Executive Committee to ensure its continued effectiveness and relevance. Amendments to this by-law may be proposed by the Disciplinary Subcommittee or any member of the Management Committee and must be approved by a majority vote of the Management Committee.

9. Constitution

This by-law extends and outlines procedures as per clause 3.11 of the club’s constitution (3.11.12).

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