Ground Marshals

Thank you for volunteering to be a Ground Marshal for your players' team!
There are two bits of administration you need to do before you hit the field and engage in one of the most important jobs on the day.
  • You must complete the course in the RX Learning Centre for Ground Marshals. The Course is a practical how to guide for managing situations that arise.
  • You must register as a volunteer/Match Official in RX.
Every team must have a Ground Marshal for every Competition Match. The referee will NOT start the Match unless both Teams have a Ground Marshal.  You must wear a Vest, and you must not coach or barrack from the sidelines.

The Role of the Ground Marshal is to:-

  • Look after the welfare of the match officials
  • Manage the Team Zones - All coaches and reserve players to remain within the team Zone
  • Manage the behaviour of players and coaches including staying in the Team Zone on seated areas and not near the sidelines
  • Manage Trainers also in the Team Zone - no roaming the sidelines calling out or coaching the players. Trainers must remain within 10 metres of the half way line unless tending to an injured player or offering water during a break in play.
  • Ensuring that Assistant Referees are not coaching players
  • Engage in crowd control including managing the behaviour and positioning of spectators i.e. behind the rope / fence
  • Check the set up and supervision of the venue
  • Ensure your Teams' replacements are made via the Assistant Referee

Crowd Management is key.

  • Ensure your Team’s spectators / supporters are not in breach of the SJRU Code of Conduct and in particular, no abuse of Match Officials or players.
  • Introduce yourself to the referee and assistant referee before the Match and ask if they require assistance with keeping time etc during the Match.
  • You should ensure that the referee is left alone or with his/her ref coach – there should be no approaches to the referee or the AR’s from team officials, spectators or players. Only the team Captains may speak with the referee.
  • In the first instance, address breaches of the Code of Conduct by opposition spectators / supporters with the opposing Team’s ground marshal.
  • Remove any person associated with your Team who does not comply with the directions issued to them by a ground marshal or the referee. The offending person should be directed to leave the playing enclosure immediately.

Management of yellow and red cards

In the unfortunate instance of a yellow card being given in your game you will need to assist the referee and assistant referee with dealing with the player from your team. They must remain seated on or near the half way line for the duration of the penalty. The penalty is:-

* Under 10 to Under 12 5 Minutes (Replacement allowed)

* Under 13 to Opens 10 Minutes (No replacement allowed)

In the unfortunate instance of a red card being given in your game you will need to assist the referee and assistant referee with dealing with the players from your Team. The penalty is:-

* Under 10 to Under 12 Duration of the Match (Replacement allowed)

* Under 13 to Opens Duration of the Match (No replacement allowed)

Serious Injuries

Where there is a serious injury you should notify the medic and provide any assistance they request. You must control the crowd. Parents of the injured player, managers and coaches are not allowed to be on the field unless they are invited on by the medic or the Referee.  It is your responsibility to control the situation and ensure the injured player has access to the medical care they need. This may be:

  • on-field assistance to ensure care and comfort of the injured player
  • if an ambulance is required then offer assistance with calling for the ambulance and ensure free access to the injured player
  • report cases of serious injury to players of your Team to your Team Manager and Club President