An initiative to improve the sideline behaviour on Bay of Plenty rugby fields is being rolled out this coming season.
The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union message "for our game to grow, abuse must go" has evolved through the code of responsibility, signed by rugby clubs which includes improving sideline behaviour.
"We identified the need to take a more proactive approach to dealing with the issue of abuse in rugby," said operations manager Neil Alton.
"Every year we deal with the issue of either players or spectators losing their rag. These incidents affect the whole of rugby and our ability to attract and retain people in the game as either volunteers, referees, spectators or players."
The union's principal sponsor Cobb & Co Restaurants is supporting the initiative, which involves high visibility vests for Bay of Plenty secondary schools and senior rugby clubs. They will each receive three vests, for water carriers to wear at the games. The vests carry the anti-sideline abuse message.