AN Open Letter to all rugby clubs in the county was sent by Devon Rugby Referees.

It reads:

Respect the Ref. Respect the Game.

Rugby is built on values: respect, discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship.

Those values apply to everyone — including how we treat referees.

Referees are there to make the game possible: to keep it safe, fair and true to the laws. Abuse, dissent and poor touchline behaviour have no place in rugby and drive people away from officiating our sport.

You don’t have to agree with every decision — but you do have to respect it.

Players, coaches, parents and supporters all set the tone. The example we give today shapes the future of rugby tomorrow.

Let’s make Devon rugby a place where referees are supported, not targeted — and where the values of the game are lived, not just talked about.

Devon Rugby Referees

#RespectTheRef #RugbyValues #SpiritOfRugby