Cook Islands Rugby League (CIRL) has adopted a “zero-tolerance” approach to unacceptable behaviour, warning that unruly spectators will be removed from the venue as the Rarotonga League 13s competition resumes this Friday.

The national body suspended last week’s senior league matches due to growing concerns about the abuse of match officials.

Francis Toa (Franky), Cook Islands Rugby League general secretary and competitions coordinator, confirmed that the domestic competition resumes this week at Teimurimotia Park in Titikaveka. 

However, Toa warned that unruly behaviour towards match officials would not be tolerated and would result in removal.

“CIRL already has policies in place that manage unruly sideline behaviour. Additionally, there is a code of ethics that outlines how our players, coaches, parents and spectators should be behaving in and at our games,” Toa said.

“I think the mistake we’ve done here is that we have been too lenient and giving people too many chances in the hope that they will change their behaviour. There are no more warnings now as we adopt a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach to unacceptable behaviour.

“I hope that the general public will also show respect to our officials at our games going forward. To do so otherwise will result in their removal from the games, which is the last thing we want to see happening to anyone.”

According to Toa, the Referees Association regrouped during the week break and confirmed at the CIRL meeting on Monday that they are “good to go” for this weekend’s games.

“We are still facing a shortage of human resources in our referee’s association, so, if there is anyone from the general public that would like to volunteer their services to our officials’ team, they are most welcome to make direct contact with the officials’ coordinator Tua Manea (Papa Moa) on 55151.”

Toa said the club leaders are well aware of the value these officials bring to the competition, and “I am confident that those leaders are doing their part to ensure our players and coaching staff adhere to the code of conduct of our games”.

“Our games bring people together, every week we watch our children and partners play whilst representing our villages. Let’s start to appreciate those things before we lose it.”

The suspension of last week’s games pushes the Cook Islands Rugby League calendar out by a week.

Toa said: “Although the change to the season calendar hasn’t resulted in major issues, there are those clubs who had already had seasonal plans in place and now have had to reschedule those plans.”

“There are some who had organised flights for some players coming in or returning back and now have had to change them.

“These all come at additional costs to the clubs. While they can be annoying, the impact is not major and they are all happy we are playing again.”

Fixtures

Friday: Teimurimotia Park - 4.45pm Premier Men's Titikaveka Bulldogs-Ngatangiia Matavera Sea Eagles. Saturday: Teimurimotia Park - 11.15am U14s Avatiu Eels-Arorangi Bears/Sea Eagles, 12.15pm U16s Bears-Eels, 1.15pm U19s Eels-Sea Eagles, 2.30pm Women’s Lady Bears-Lady Panthers, 3pm Premier Men’s Bears-Takuvaine Warriors, 4.30pm Premier Men’s Eels-Panthers.