IMPROVING CROWD BEHAVIOUR

WARNING + EJECTION CARDS

To improve crowd behaviour and support our staff and members, DBA has introduced spectator/club ‘warning’ cards and spectator ‘ejection’ cards ahead of the 2025 DBA finals (and ongoing).

Promotional signage on Stadium walls and member communications (via the monthly Chief Executive newsletter sent 31/10/2025 and DBA Facebook page post on 05/11/2025) has communicated the new rules.

Issuing ‘warning’ or ‘ejection’ cards will:

1. show that poor behaviour has been addressed and
2. act as a deterrent and improve crowd behaviour.

While DBA Referees and Court Supervisors (CS) can identify the need for a card to be issued – and CS can also directly issue them – in QLD, the delivery was found to be more effective when presented by a club committee member, team manager, coach (or other personnel) with a personal relationship with the offender.

CLUB Warning Card:

Warning: Comments and/or behaviour by your club’s spectators towards a referee, player, coach or spectator have breached the DBA code of conduct.

This is your club’s only warning. IF your club’s spectators’ behaviour continues:

• The game will stop immediately;
• Any identified poorly behaved spectator will be issued an Ejection Card;
• Any identified poorly behaved spectator must immediately leave the Stadium (and grounds) for 24 hours;
• Opposition team will be awarded 4 points.

SPECTATOR Warning Card:

Warning: Your comments and/or behaviour towards a referee, player, coach or spectator have breached the DBA code of conduct.

This is your only warning. IF your behaviour continues:

• The game will stop immediately;
• You will be issued an Ejection Card;
• You must immediately leave the Stadium (and grounds) for 24 hours;
• Opposition team will be awarded 4 points (if you are clearly linked to a team).

SPECTATOR Ejection Card:

Ejection: You need to leave the Stadium (and grounds) immediately due to repeated breaches of the DBA code of conduct.

Please be aware:

• The game will remain stopped until you leave;
• You are now banned from the Stadium (and grounds) for 24 hours;
• The opposition team will be awarded 4 points;

Note: If you refuse to leave, the Police will be called, the game will be cancelled, the opposition will be awarded the win (if you are clearly linked to a team), and you will receive a 2-year ban.

Note: Two Expulsion Cards within 1 year = 2-year ban.