Cook Islands Rugby League has suspended this week’s senior league matches in the Rarotonga League 13s domestic competition due to concerns about the abuse of match officials.

Competition coordinator Francis (Franky) Toa says they have made a call to suspend the U16s, U19s, Women’s and all Premier Men’s grade games this weekend.

The matches have been deferred until next week to address issues concerning the wellbeing and safety of officials, as well as a shortage of officiating staff.

“There has been increasing concerns with the behaviour of our players, some coaching staff and also the supporters and fans at our local league games towards our officials,” Toa told Cook Islands News.

“Our officials who are already short staffed have grown tired of accepting the abuse as a norm with some officials resigning their post.”
Toa said she wanted to raise public awareness of this ongoing abusive behaviour because it is happening not only within their code but across all sports codes in the Cook Islands.

“Some people – not all, come to the game with all their ugly attitude and shout nonsense at our officials, verbally abuse and/or threaten them and laugh about it, not realising that those officials are human too and are doing their job to the best of their abilities and that they don’t need that kind of disrespect,” she said.

“The most disheartening part is sometimes those disrespectful people are our own families and friends.”

Toa said that as the competition coordinator, it is her duty to create a safe environment for all participants – for both the officials and clubs’ players.

“I think this weekend’s break will give time for all of us in rugby league to reflect on a few things and hopefully come back with a positive attitude as we head into the tail end of tournament.”

Meanwhile, the Mini Mods Programme and the U14s competition will be held at Teimurimotia Park, Titikaveka, on Saturday, from 10am-12pm.