Role definitions
Within your role of Match Commissioner, you will come into contact with many other individuals involved in the process of staging the match. First let’s look at some role titles along with their commonly-used abbreviations.
| Abbreviation | Role title |
|---|---|
| ADC | Anti-Doping Commissioner |
| AO | Appeal Officer |
| CC | Citing Commissioner |
| CPVM | Commercial Programme Venue Manager |
| DCO | Doping Control Officer |
| DDO | Disciplinary Designated Officer |
| JO | Judicial Officer |
| LO | Liaison Officer |
| MDD | Match Day Doctor |
| MM | Match Manager |
| MOs | Match Officials |
| MPO | Match Press Officer |
| RNS | Rugby News Services |
| TC | Tournament Commission |
| TCC | Tournament Coordination Committee |
| TM | Team Manager |
| TMO | Television Match Official |
| VM | Venue Manager |
| VBM | Venue Broadcast Manager |
Key interactions
You’ll work with a wide variety of other individuals in your role as Match Commissioner. Here we’ll look at some key interactions.
Team Manager (TM)
Each participating team has a Team Manager who is responsible for team conduct and adherence to the Terms of Participation. This Team Manager will be your primary point of contact for all team-related matters related to the match.
Liaison Officer (LO)
The Liaison Officer (LO) is sometimes also called the team attaché. His/her duties are:
- to accompany the team to which he/she is assigned during the tournament (matches, activities and events), from the time they arrive until their departure
- to coordinate all important team information and distribute it as necessary
- to ensure the team is receiving all relevant information from the tournament organisers
- to assist the team and carry out any other tasks which can be reasonably expected of him/her.
The LO receives the same accreditation as the team so has access to the same zones in the stadiums, the official hotel and the training grounds. He/she will stay with the teams at their hotel during the during the tournament.
Match Manager (MM)
The Match Manager is the lead organising committee person in match planning and delivery. They will be the main operational contact for the Match Commissioner.
Their key responsibilities include the coordination of match venue staff, tournament suppliers, functional area managers and key commercial stakeholders in the planning and delivery of matches.
Match Officials (MOs)
As a minimum, a Referee and two Assistant Referees will have been appointed to your match. Additionally, depending on the tournament and/or level of the match, the following additional Match Officials may have been appointed:
- Television Match Official (TMO)
- Fourth official
- Fifth official
- Sixth official.
Key interactions with the Match Commissioner will include addressing any issues with team compliance in connection with the Technical Zone protocols, field of play issues and team kit specifications while team members are on the field.
Team member compliance with the team kit specifications is the responsibility of the Match Commissioner, while team member compliance with the Laws of the Game (e.g. leg strapping, forearm guards, etc) is the responsibility of the Match Officials.
Match Commissioners will also liaise closely with Match Officials on potential implementation of the Delays, Postponements and Cancellation policy and the implementation of extra-time and kicking competitions at knockout matches.
Match Press Officer (MPO)
The MPO is responsible for media operations in the venue. Primary interaction with Match Commissioners will be on any issues related to media positions on the field of play and team compliance with media elements of the Match Day Run Sheet.
The Match Commissioner generally is not required to make public comments to the media. This is facilitated through the Match Press Officer.
Anti-Doping Commissioner (ADC)
The ADC is the senior official responsible for the implementation of the Tournament Anti-Doping Programme for each match. Key interactions with the Match Commissioner involve any assistance in addressing issues with Team Managers and Team Members.
Venue Manager (VM)
The Venue Manager is responsible for all the logistics connected with the running of the stadium.
Venue Broadcast Manager (VBM)
If the match with which you are engaged is being televised, there will be a VBM. The VBM will not report to the Match Commissioner, however the two positions should liaise to address and resolve any relevant issues.
Match Day Doctor (MDD)
The Match Day Doctor's responsibilities are:
- Co-ordinate medical services delivered during a game
- Support the Team Doctor with an injured player (if requested)
- Adjudicate on blood injuries suitable to access temporary substitution (up to 15 minutes) - Regulation 15.2.1 (c)
- Request a HIA on a player if criteria defined in HIA procedures are identified
- Enforce permanent removal from field of play if a player has signs as defined in the HIA procedures for permanent removal
- Observe the HIA with the Team Doctor delivering the HIA unless assigned this responsibility by the Team Doctor
- Undertake HIA if the MDD is assigned the responsibility for undertaking a HIA by the Team Doctor. The MDD will complete the HIA and be responsible for deciding return to play unless there are simultaneous HIAs being completed
- If the MDD is concerned regarding a return to play following a HIA, this should be discussed with the Team Doctor. If an ongoing dispute persists, the MDD can request a repeat of the HIA before or after the player returns to play
- Remove a player from further match participation in a game if indicated as per Regulation 15.2.1 (d) - If the nominated Match Day Doctor gives his opinion that a player should not continue playing on account of his injury, (whether such injury is a blood injury or otherwise) that player shall not be allowed to resume playing. The opinion of the nominated Match Day Doctor shall be conveyed to the player’s Union or its representative and it is then for that Union to decide whether or not a replacement shall be introduced
- Confirm that Team Doctors have completed a post-match, same-day HIA2 on all players removed permanently or temporarily with a head injury during a game
- Confirm that Team Doctors are aware that all HIA paperwork is to be forwarded to the World Rugby Competition Co-ordinators each week including the post-match, same-day HIA2
- Confirm if World Rugby Heat Guidelines require implementation on days of extreme temperatures.