Skip to main content

Harlequin Values

Last year rugby celebrated its 200th year since the game began in 1823 when Sir William Webb Ellis gathered the ball and ran with it.

Rugby Union is known globally as a game that is played for enjoyment and develops leadership, team spirit, courage, sportsmanship, and friendships on and off the field through a shared interest in the Game. The long-standing tradition of players and supporters from competing teams enjoying each other’s company away from the pitch and in a social context remains at the very core of the Game. Rugby is proud of its ability to retain high standards of sportsmanship, ethical behaviour and fair play (Source: World Rugby Values)

 The Harlequin Rugby Club was founded in 1928. Many great players started their rugby careers with Quins as children – many have represented their state and some their country. Others have gone on to become officials, administrators, Quins parents and supporters.

 Our clubhouse was built by the members of our club and embodies commitment, one of our key values. Our members’ contributions over the years have shaped and modelled the club into what it is today. The culture and values are ones that all current and new members have a duty to protect and build.

 Our Values, together with the Rugby Australia Code of Conduct, govern and guide expectations of the behaviours expected by all those involved in our Club – players, supporters, coaches and volunteers. We have shaped these into four key values, drawing on input from our members.

Respect

Respect and Care for Others

 

  • Respect the game and its integrity, rules and traditions. For example, shake hands and form a tunnel after the game with players. Applaud good play from both teams.
  • Take accountability for your own behaviours and actions.
  • Be inclusive of all those involved in the game. Make an effort to welcome people and players new to our game and club.
  • Respect players, referees, officials, volunteers and spectators – treat people as you expect to be treated.
  • Appreciate the contribution that referees, officials and volunteers make.
  • Offer to help our volunteers and the club.
  • Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat, remembering that we often learn more from a loss than when we win. Good sportsmanship demands that coaches, managers, parents and supporters set an example.
  • Listen and communicate with understanding and care.

“The whole point of rugby is that it is first and foremost a state of mind, a spirit.”

Jean-Pierre Rives (Former French rugby union captain and member of the International Rugby Hall of Fame, known for his epitomising his team’s spirit and commitment).

Commitment

Do Your Best and Find the Next Level

We want our children, teams, coaches and volunteers to give every effort to achieve their full potential whatever that may be. We encourage them to push themselves to their next level. Every player and team can achieve a goal, irrespective of their position on the ladder or even when all hope of winning a game has gone. Our goals may need to be adjusted but it is important to always have a goal to improve. Coaches and parents are there to support our children and teams to achieve their potential through encouragement and support; helping them overcome their fears and doubts.

  • Do your best no matter what – give 100%, 100% of the time.
  • Improve your skills whenever you can. Every player and team, no matter what their skill level, should feel they can achieve a personal improvement goal within or for the team, whether it be an Under 6 player learning to catch and pass, an Under 12 gaining the skill and confidence to tackle bigger players or representing the Rebels.
  • Be regular and reliable with your training attendance. Communicate with your coaches and managers.
  • Be disciplined.
  • Seek and welcome feedback – treat it as a gift.
  • Own and learn from your mistakes.

“When I left school I wasn’t the best player at schoolboy level. You have really got to want to be the best. I think some people have the talent and get so far, but then they get sick of it or don’t work out a way to get to the next level. No matter what you do, if you feel you have reached where you want to reach, you are either going to decline because you haven’t got that drive or you look at something else to do.”

Richie McCaw (Captain and All-Blacks legend).

Teamwork

Play for the Team and Work together as One

Enjoyment comes from individuals working together and helping each other, with many small efforts leading to improvement and a great team environment.

  • Put the team’s development and success first.
  • Understand and play the role your coach and team need you to play. Rugby is unselfish and focused on team members working together. For example, whether that is passing the ball, being first to the breakdown, playing in different positions, spending time on the bench or trying something new this is part of being in a team.
  • Help others succeed, develop and use their strengths.
  • Pick others up when they are down or make a mistake. This is when they need your support most.
  • Support and encourage all Quins teams at games.
  • Volunteer to help the club. The junior part of our club is made up of lots of individuals; a small contribution from everyone involved with the club helps. Whether it’s attending a social function, running a touch line, cutting the oranges or washing the jerseys, every little effort helps. Remember, our coaches, managers and administrators are parents and/or volunteers, just like you – they have put up their hand to help all our children.

Rugby is not all about winning and not every junior will go on to play senior rugby as much as we would hope they do. We aim for our juniors and their families to have a fun and positive experience during their time at the club.

“We can achieve anything if we work together as one”

Siya Kolisi (Springboks 2019 World Cup winning Captain)

“Ask not what your team and club can do for you, ask what you can do for your team and club.” with apologies to JF Kennedy

Resilience

Respond to Adversity with Determination

We understand that experiences on and off the field will not always be easy and plain sailing. Some of the key behaviours and actions that help our children and teams are to:

  • Persevere and be determined to overcome challenges, difficult situations and solve problems.
  • Recognise and embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning.
  • Confront uncertainty and change by applying inner strength and engaging support.
  • Take a positive perspective on situations.
  • Manage your emotions and express your feelings in appropriate ways.
  • Focus on the things you can control instead of dwelling on what you cannot change.
  • Be kind to yourself and others around you.
  • Look for support from and support your teammates and the club.

“Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

Nelson Mandela

9 Points to Remember as a Parent and Supporter

  • Children play sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
  • Encourage children to participate – do not force participation upon them.
  • Focus on the child’s efforts and self-esteem rather than whether they win or lose.
  • Encourage children to always participate according to the Laws.
  • Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or for the team losing a game.
  • Remember that children learn best by example – applaud the efforts of all players in both teams.
  • Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from the game.
  • Show appreciation of volunteer coaches, referees, officials and administrators -without whom your child could not participate.
  • Respect the referee’s decisions, never question their honesty and teach children to do likewise.