Disciplinary Policy

At Urban Rec, we’re all about creating inclusive, social, and fun-first sports. Our Code of Conduct exists to make sure everyone enjoys their time on the court or field. If that code is broken, we have systems in place to respond fairly and consistently.

👟 What Happens On the Ground

Our League Hosts are trained to manage the game environment in real time. Their job is to de-escalate, redirect intensity, and keep games safe and enjoyable. They don’t hand out suspensions or make final decisions - that part comes later.

Host Tools for Managing Behaviour:

  • 🗣️ Acknowledge, Coach, Call: Hosts will acknowledge the issue, coach players on expectations, and if needed, call fouls or penalties.
  • ⌛ Timeout: If either team is getting overly intense, the Host will pause the game for a quick drinks break and reset.
  • 🎯 Team Fun Reminder: If tension is rising, the Host may stop play and gather all players to remind them about our fun-first culture.
  • 🟨 Player Warning: When an individual’s intensity is affecting the game, they’ll be given a clear and respectful warning.
  • ⏱️ Call Time: If a game becomes unsafe or unmanageable, the Host may end it early. (This game won’t be replayed.)
  • ⛔ Sin Bin: Players who continue inappropriate behaviour may be asked to step out for a set period—or for the rest of the game.
     

⚠️ Important: League Hosts manage the situation in the moment but do not issue formal warnings, suspensions, or removals. If further action is needed, the incident is reported to Urban Rec Head Office.

🟡🔴 What Happens Next: Red & Yellow TIER System

Urban Rec’s Head Office team uses a Red & Yellow Tier system to assess the severity of any reported incidents or consistently low Fun Point scores. This process helps ensure consistent, fair outcomes across all competitions.

🟡 Yellow Tier = Warning Level

Given when someone’s behaviour has crossed the line but is still redeemable.

May apply when:

  • A player is rude, disrespectful, or ignores Host instructions
  • A game is made unenjoyable due to someone’s actions
  • A team receives repeated low Fun Point scores

Possible outcomes:

  • 1-4 week suspension
  • Probation for the rest of the season
  • A written warning sent to the individual or team captain

🔴 Red Tier = Removal Level

Given when someone’s actions put others at risk or break the Code of Conduct in a serious way.

Issued for:

  • Physical aggression (pushing, punching, fighting)
  • Discriminatory, threatening, or abusive behaviour
  • Breaching probation or ignoring previous warnings

Possible outcomes:

  • Removal from the league or team
  • 12-month membership ban (no refund)

📉 Team-Wide Consequences

All teams are scored on Fun Points after every game. If your team consistently scores low:

  • We’ll contact the team captain
  • A first and final warning will be issued
  • If there’s no improvement, the team will be removed from the league (no refund)

⚠️ What Is Probation?

Probation is a formal warning period for individuals or teams. If another issue is reported while on probation, it may result in immediate removal from all Urban Rec events for up to 12 months.

🧑‍💻 When an Incident Is Reported

When an incident is reported, we follow a fair and consistent process to review what happened and determine the appropriate next steps.

  • The League Host’s report is treated as the primary piece of evidence, as they are responsible for managing the game environment in real time and are a non-biased.
  • We aim to gather at least one statement from each team involved, to ensure both sides are heard.
  • Our focus is on what happened in the moment - not necessarily what led up to it.
  • Decisions are based on Host and witness reports, using the balance of probability - meaning if multiple accounts align, we consider those events likely to have occurred.
  • If a player or team disagrees with the outcome, they may request a review through Urban Rec Australia’s Discipline Review Committee

🧑‍⚖️ Disciplinary Board & Escalation Process

In more serious or complex cases, decisions are reviewed by the Urban Rec Disciplinary Board- a small group made up of senior Urban Rec staff, including management from multiple cities.

When the Board Gets Involved:

  • If a Red Tier incident has serious implications or multiple sides to the story
  • When someone disputes a warning, suspension, or removal
  • If a player or team has been removed and seeks a formal review

How to Escalate or Appeal:

  • A player or team captain may submit a written request to escalate their case to the Disciplinary Board.
  • Appeals must be sent within 7 days of being notified of any disciplinary action.
  • The Board will review all available information, including Host reports, Fun Point data, and any player statements.
  • A final decision will be communicated within 10 business days of receiving the appeal.

All disciplinary decisions aim to be fair, transparent, and consistent - while prioritising the safety and fun of our wider community.

🚫 Membership Rights & Club Values

Urban Rec is a privately owned social sports club, not a public service. That means while we’re here to welcome as many people as possible into our community, we also have a responsibility to protect the safety, wellbeing, and enjoyment of our staff and members.

We reserve the right to suspend or cancel any membership or registration at any time, with or without warning, if a person's behaviour or actions go against our Code of Conduct, compromise the experience of others, or create risk for our Hosts or players.

This includes behaviour on and off the field – including emails, messages, or social media interactions directed at staff, players, or the club.

We understand that everyone has bad days. But if someone shows repeated disregard for the kind of culture we work hard to build, we won’t hesitate to remove them. Our club exists for the benefit of the community – not at its expense.

🔐 Privacy & Transparency

We take both privacy and fairness seriously. Here’s how we handle communications around disciplinary matters:

  • We do not disclose individual outcomes to opposing players or teams. This protects the privacy and dignity of everyone involved.
  • We do not share personal details, player names, or written statements beyond what’s required to resolve the situation.
  • We are not secretive- we are fair. The people involved in an incident are informed of the outcome, and any actions taken are clearly explained to them.
  • If you’re involved in an incident, either as a player or team captain, you will be contacted directly and kept in the loop.
  • If you’re not involved, please don’t speculate or comment on what happened to another player or team.

This approach helps create a safe, respectful environment - where things are dealt with transparently, but not publicly.