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<p>I am not sure that we need to go as far as introducing a new rule. I think some common sense from players is needed. <br />What should be made clear is that if any player has concerns about the behaviour of their opponent or of any spectator they should call the referee or tournament organiser and discuss their concerns. They can stop the clock while they do this. The organiser can then step in as a neutral person. <br /><br />If there was repeated behaviour as indicated below, then timely speaking to the organiser would have allowed some neutral intervention to remove the parent. We sometimes have this issue at youth tournaments and the organisers keep an eye out and step in if needed. We usually request that parents do not watch their child's game closely as this has the effect of putting off the child. </p>
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<div class="pre" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; font-family: monospace">Alison Bexfield</div>
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<p>On 18/05/2019 12:13, Gerry Gavigan via tournament-org wrote:</p>
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<p class="ox-da5fee6f70-default-style">Dear tournament organisers,</p>
<p class="ox-da5fee6f70-default-style">I'm trying to create a set of rules that constrain spectators (e.g. over-enthusiastic parents) presented in a neutral way. The matter arose after an adult in one of our tournaments resigned after repeated intervention by a parent to the adult's child opponent (it is not clear about the nature of the intervention but the intervention itself was clear to see) </p>
<p class="ox-da5fee6f70-default-style">So I've drafted something and would be grateful for your reactions and comments</p>
<p class="default-style">Gerry</p>
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<p class="default-style">proposed new rule</p>
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<p class="default-style"> </p>
<p class="default-style">A person interfering in a tournament game (i.e., one in which they are not playing) may be asked to leave the tournament area.</p>
<p class="default-style">Any such person interfering in a manner directed to one player or team (e.g., operating the clock on their behalf, speaking or gesturing) will be warned that such behaviour renders the beneficiary liable to forfeiting the game. The beneficiary will be informed that a subsequent intervention will result in the game being forfeit.</p>
<p class="default-style">Interfering includes any behaviour, verbal or non-verbal, which has not been invited by both participants in the game or by a tournament official.</p>
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