Union guilty plea

HANDS UP: Wanganui Rugby Union chief Bridget Belsham cops to breach, but says it was an unintentional transgression.

New Zealand Rugby has fined the Wanganui Rugby Union $5000 and fired a warning shot to other unions around player safety.

The WRU admitted breaching the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) National & Regional Sevens Tournament Regulations by fielding an ineligible player in their women's sevens squad at the Central Regional Sevens Tournament in December last year.

The NZRU panel heard that WRU fielded an unapproved under-age player during the tournament. At the time of the tournament the player was 16-years-old, so required an under-age application to be approved.

"In the panel's view, player welfare, player safety and the protection of under-age players is paramount. Players must not be put at any undue risk. All prescribed steps to protect the safety and the welfare of players must be taken," said Nigel Hampton QC in the panel's decision.

"This penalty should be seen not just by WRU, but by all unions, as a warning shot. Player welfare is paramount; rules and regulations providing for such require strict adherence."

The WRU has admitted the breach and the accepted the panel's decision.
WRU chief executive Bridget Belsham said the breach was totally unintentional and the union understood and accepted player safety was paramount.

"We had actually gone through the process and made an application. Assuming the application would be approved we went ahead," Belsham said yesterday.

"We have been fined the $5000, but have to pay $500 up front with the remaining $4500 suspended for three years on condition of good behaviour. So if we have not transgressed at the end of the term the $4500 will be wiped and we fully intend on making sure we do not offend again.

"This was the first time we had sent a women's team to the Central Regional Sevens and it was a great experience for them," Belsham said.

The WRU declined to name the player involved.