|
At the halfway mark of the league season the contest for championship has opened wide as St Peter’s suffered their first defeat this season. While the game is at a point of boiling I read a handout issued by St. Peters titled “code of conduct for spectators.”
Normally we hear of unacceptable behavior and the usual response “we can discipline the players but how can we control the spectators.” It is encouraging to note and worthy of mention when somebody thinks that something can be done to help the game and those who host. On the other hand one is at a loss to understand when mayhem causes a match to be stopped elsewhere. The battle between Science and Thurstan started even before the whistle was blown. The issue was the positioning of the points table last year after the match between these two schools was abandoned.
 |
| Trinity dominated on Friday. Pic by Sanka Vidanagama |
This was an issue that virtually threatened a “no start “of the schools season with both teams claiming their right to be promoted. With the matter sorted through accommodating both teams one may have expected a full stop. It does not seem so and possibly we may see off field rivalry continued. Some will never learn that the game must be won or lost on the field and all issues must be left on the ground when the final whistle is blown.
St Peters College through their rugby foundation has taken a step in the right direction to see that it is not only on the field that teams have to excel but they have to do it off field too. Spectators whether it be parents, old boys or well wishers are an important and integral part of the game. The emotional nature makes them behave in a manner aroused by feeling than by rationale. Wild behavior sets a bad example to the average school boy who gathers to cheer the heroes of their school as they achieve the status of being a champion outfit. Getting a message that we are the best and we aim to be the best in all areas which include fair play is very good for the game.
The code of conduct for spectators at Peters reads “Your presence is much valued and thank - you for coming to see a great contest! Hope you enjoy the game whilst we wish to inform some ground rules for great sportsman and good behavior. (a) As much as you are passionate about the game and your team, be a good sportsman and be prepared to accept the result or decision. (b) Please do not engage in any conduct that would damage any property or item that belongs to St. Peter's College. (c) Please do not abuse verbally or physically at any spectator, a player, a team, the referee and touch judges, match officials or coaching staff. (d) Please do not throw any objects to the playing field. (e) Avoid making any discriminatory remarks to St. Peter's College or the visiting team, Rugby Foundation of St. Peter's College, players from both sides and officials that may cause damage to the goodwill of St. Peter's College or the visiting team. (e) Please remain in silence when the teams are converting touch downs or penalties. Relax and enjoy a fine game of rugby in our safe and relaxing atmosphere.”
While the game on the field is being taken to the next level on the field it is good to see somebody thinking of the whole game and just not the part on the field. The plea calls for a reconciliation of good sense enjoyment of the game and respect for officials as well as the players and supporters from the other side. What caught my eye was that the last point “remains in silence when teams are converting.” Great words in a world where we take the easy way out by saying what can we do when spectators misbehave. It is beyond our control. Here is an effort made to tidy things up and see that the game is that matters and all come along to see a good game of Rugby.
Table leaders and unbeaten St Peters suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Trinity on Friday. This will leave Royal as the only unbeaten team who met lowly placed Dharmaraja on Saturday. Then they come to their do or die battles as they have to play Trinity next week and also have to meet St Peters thereafter.
Thus the contenders for the title shift to the top four. That is Peters, Royal, Trinity and Pathana. The clashes between these schools will be the ones to watch.
Science who dampened the hopes of Kingswood last week notched another win against Thurstan and now has three wins to talk of. They are now serious contenders for the fifth position as Kingswood went down to St Josephs on Friday. The all important positions to be within the first eight too is being narrowed as one wonders who will occupy the last four slots.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB
|
E-mail
