Penalties for Rugby teams announced

Earlier this week, in light of the recent incidents concerning anti-social behaviour, Imperial College Union released the penalties that will be held against both Imperial College Union Rugby Football Club (ICURFC) and Imperial Medicals Rugby Football Club.

The ICURFC has been suspended for two weeks from the 11th November, with the 22 members on the team that played on the 29th October suspended from all Union rugby teams until the end of the calendar year.

Meanwhile, the Medics team is also suspended for two weeks from the 11th, with a suspension of all social activities of the club until the 19th December 2014.

These penalties affect around 120 students in total from across the two clubs and the three teams each that they contain. The Medicals will be unable to host the Christmas Bop at Reynolds as a result of these penalties.

Additionally, both the Medics 3rd team who played on the 29th October and the ICURFC’s players will be made to perform “Union service”. The nature of “Union service” is yet to be determined by the Union, however the ICURFC members are said to be keen to spend their time taking part in some grassroots rugby training for children, through Community Connections.

The sanctions were announced to members of Union Council, who met on Tuesday evening in their third meeting of the year.

Union President Tom Wheeler added that the entire ICURFC is being punished, due to the fact that the club has decided that it is to take responsibility for the incidents as a whole, not just the individuals who were responsible.

ICURFC members were reported to have stripped on several Tube platforms on the 29th October, causing a District Line train to temporarily suspend its service. The Medicals were also recently involved in the smashing of a window of a coach whilst on their School’s Tour. The Medicals also are under further scrutiny after alleged drunken misbehaviour at the new Heston sports ground.

In a comment to Felix, Tom continued, “We, as a Union, are willing to vigorously defend student-led, independent activity in the Union. It is never our intention to stop students from having fun whilst participating in activity, however these incidents clearly crossed a line.

“I believe that the decision made by the Governance Committee is the first step of the process towards achieving a truly progressive, inclusive and positive reputation.

“The Sabbatical Team and I are willing to dedicate as much time as it takes to assist Clubs, Societies and Projects in reaching this common goal.”

The penalties against ICUFRC are considered stricter than those imposed on the Medicals, due to the team’s compliance with the Union’s investigations. Said Tom, “We can only commend George Cross [the Imperial Medicals’ Club Captain] for how he has responded during the investigation.”

Council was also informed that a Motion of No Confidence would be brought forward to the next meeting of Council against the Club Captain of ICURFC, Thomas Hobson.

As it stands currently, members of Council will be voting for or against this motion of No Confidence at the next meeting, on the 9th December.

Tom Hobson spoke to Felix about the sanctions and how this will affect his team.

Said Hobson, “I would first like to say that I believe these sanctions have been very harsh on our club and all our members will feel these punishments. It has put all three teams in a very difficult position, however this is not the end of anybody’s season.

“The 2nds and 3rds will only miss two games, and even though the 1st team will not be playing or training until after Christmas, we will still have the majority of our season left. This is plenty of time to regain a decent league position.

“As regards to the vote of no confidence, I believe this is mainly due to the fact we faced this issue and any consequences as a team and club.

“As Club Captain it is natural to bring my position into question, especially due to the media traction this event gained.”

In a statement published on the Union website, a spokesperson said: “Whilst we regret that some individuals who may not have been involved in these incidents will suffer as a result of the punishments, the culture and behaviour of the clubs as a whole needs to change.”

The Governance sub-committee of the Board of Trustees of Imperial College Union met earlier this week to determine these penalties. The sub-committee, made up by four members of the Board of Trustees, included Abi de Bruin, Deputy President (Clubs and Societies); Andy Heeps, Lay Trustee; Paul Beaumont, Council Chair; and Hiba Saleem Danish, a fourth year medical student who is also an elected Student Trustee.

Tom Wheeler and three members of Union staff were also present to observe the meeting.

The decision made by the Governance sub-committee does not affect other teams within the two clubs, who can, and will, continue to play matches in the British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) League.

In an email to the club, Thomas Hobson advised all people in the ICURFC first team who were not part of the team sheet for the match on the 30th October to play in the second team, who can still play for BUCS points too.

As a result of these suspensions, the Medicals will miss three matches, but should be able to make their next one on the 10th December.

ICURFC will miss a total of four games, one being a cup fixture. Two teams will be relegated, and the total BUCS points for the ICURFC will be 0, whilst the Medicals will sink down to -9 points.