HUNTER HURRICANES

LAS VEGAS 9s PLAYER AGREEMENT

This Agreement sets the professional, behavioural, fundraising and participation standards applying to every Hunter Hurricanes player selected for the Competition.

1. Purpose and term

The Hunter Hurricanes will represent the Hunter region, the Club and its sponsors on an international stage. The Player acknowledges that sponsors and supporters are providing funding and resources to enable the team to compete.

The Player agrees to maintain professional standards and protect the reputation and integrity of the team, the Club, the Competition, the Hunter region and the Club’s sponsors.

This Agreement begins when signed and continues until the team has returned from the Competition and completed its official post-competition commitments.

2. Player commitments

The Player agrees to:

1. attend every scheduled training session, team meeting, match, recovery session and official Club activity;

2. arrive punctually, properly equipped and fit to participate;

3. notify the coach or team manager as soon as reasonably possible if illness, injury, emergency or another serious circumstance prevents attendance;

4. follow reasonable directions given by the coach, team manager and authorised Club officials;

5. behave professionally and respectfully toward teammates, coaching staff, officials, opponents, sponsors, supporters and members of the public;

6. during the 48 hours before any match, limit alcohol consumption to no more than two standard drinks with a meal on any one occasion, unless the coach or team manager has declared a specific period completely alcohol-free;

7. not attend nightclubs, bars, parties or other late-night social events during the 48 hours before any match, except for an official team or sponsor event approved by the Club;

8. not attend training, matches, meetings, sponsor activities or official events while intoxicated or adversely affected by alcohol or drugs;

9. comply with all team curfews, accommodation rules, travel arrangements and safety requirements;

10. not possess, use or supply illegal or prohibited substances;

11. comply with the rules and policies of the Club and Competition;

12. use social media responsibly and not publish or share material that could reasonably damage the Club, team, Competition or sponsors; and

13. avoid conduct that could damage the team’s preparation, safety, performance, reputation or sponsor relationships.

For this Agreement, a “standard drink” has the meaning commonly used in Australian alcohol guidance. Drink size and alcohol strength must be considered; one container may contain more than one standard drink.

An approved absence, genuine illness, injury or emergency will not be a breach where the Player gives reasonable notice and supporting information if requested.

3. Fundraising, media and sponsor commitments

Each Player must make a reasonable contribution to the Club’s fundraising and promotional activities. Before departure, every Player must:

14. attend and actively assist at at least two Club-approved fundraising events; and

15. complete at least one reasonable media or promotional contribution, such as photographs, a team announcement, a short interview, social media content or another agreed promotional activity.

The Player must also attend reasonable sponsor appearances, photographs or acknowledgements when requested by the Club, provided reasonable notice is given.

The Club may use photographs, video and audio recorded during these activities to promote the team, acknowledge sponsors and report on the Competition. The Club must not use a Player’s image to personally endorse an unrelated product without the Player’s further agreement.

A Player unable to attend because of work, illness, injury, emergency or another reasonable circumstance must notify the Club promptly. The Club may approve an alternative contribution. An unexplained failure will initially be treated as a minor breach. Refusal or repeated failure after a warning may be treated as a major breach.

4. Professional Standards Bond

The Player must pay the Club $500 when signing this Agreement. The amount is a refundable professional standards bond and is separate from any competition entry, travel, uniform, accommodation or other fee.

The Club will refund the bond within 24 hours after the Competition concludes if the Player:

16. complies with this Agreement;

17. remains available for selection unless excused by the Club; and

18. has not committed a major breach or repeated minor breaches under this Agreement.

The bond may only be retained following the process in section 7.

5. Minor breaches

A minor breach is conduct that falls below the required professional standard but is not sufficiently serious, by itself, to constitute a major breach.

19. failing to attend training, a meeting, recovery session, fundraising event, sponsor appearance or other required activity without communicating with the coach or team manager;

20. repeated lateness without a reasonable excuse;

21. failing to complete the fundraising or media requirements in section 3;

22. displaying a persistently poor, disruptive or uncooperative attitude;

23. treating a teammate, staff member, volunteer, official or other person disrespectfully or in a derogatory manner;

24. failing to follow a reasonable direction;

25. a minor breach of team, accommodation, travel or uniform requirements; or

26. minor inappropriate social media conduct connected with the team, Club, Competition or sponsors.

Consequences of minor breaches

Unless the circumstances reasonably require a stronger response:

27. a first minor breach may result in a verbal or written warning;

28. a second or repeated minor breach may result in a final written warning and possible suspension from training, selection or a Club activity; and

29. a further minor breach after a final warning may be treated as a major breach, resulting in loss of the $500 bond and possible removal from the trip or Competition squad.

The Club may consider the Player’s explanation, previous conduct, seriousness of the behaviour and whether the breach has been corrected.

6. Major breaches

A major breach is serious misconduct or conduct that creates a significant risk to safety, team performance, the Club’s reputation or its relationship with sponsors and supporters.

30. violence, assault, threatening conduct, intimidation or serious aggression;

31. bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination or vilification;

32. conduct resulting in arrest, criminal charges or official investigation where the surrounding facts reasonably indicate serious misconduct connected with the trip or team;

33. possessing, using or supplying illegal drugs;

34. consuming more than two standard drinks on any one occasion during the 48 hours before a match, consuming alcohol outside a meal during that period, or consuming alcohol during a period declared completely alcohol-free by the coach or team manager;

35. becoming intoxicated, going out drinking, binge drinking or engaging in alcohol-related misconduct during the trip, including conduct affecting the Player’s fitness, punctuality, behaviour, safety, training or match preparation;

36. attending a nightclub, bar, party or other late-night social event during the 48 hours before a match, except for an official team or sponsor event approved by the Club;

37. a serious or deliberate breach of curfew;

38. deliberately damaging accommodation, venues, transport or another person’s property;

39. theft, fraud, dishonesty, match-fixing, prohibited gambling or conduct affecting the integrity of the Competition;

40. serious abuse of a teammate, coach, official, sponsor, supporter, opponent or member of the public;

41. publishing or sharing seriously offensive, discriminatory, threatening or damaging material relating to the Club, team, Competition or sponsors;

42. publicly criticising, insulting or disparaging a sponsor in a manner reasonably likely to damage the Club’s sponsor relationship;

43. refusing a reasonable direction concerning safety, preparation, conduct or participation;

44. conduct that causes or is reasonably likely to cause serious reputational, financial or operational harm to the Club, team, Competition, Hunter region or sponsors;

45. abandoning the team, becoming voluntarily unavailable or withdrawing without Club approval; or

46. committing further minor breaches after receiving a final warning.

An allegation, complaint, arrest or charge alone will not automatically establish a breach. The Club must consider the available information and make a reasonable decision under section 7.

Consequences of a major breach

A confirmed major breach may result in one or more of the following:

47. loss of the Player’s entire $500 professional standards bond;

48. removal from the travelling squad before departure;

49. suspension or removal from training, selection and matches;

50. removal from Club-funded team events, functions and activities;

51. withdrawal of Club-funded meals and other discretionary benefits after the breach;

52. termination of this Agreement; and

53. referral to the Competition organiser, police or another relevant authority where appropriate.

If a Player is removed before departure, the Club will not be required to provide or continue any discretionary Club-funded travel, accommodation, meals, events or benefits, subject to existing booking terms and applicable law.

If a Player is removed after arriving in Las Vegas, the Player may be required to meet their own meal, activity and other personal costs from the time of removal. The Club will take reasonable steps concerning the Player’s immediate safety and existing return-travel arrangements but is not required to fund replacement travel, upgraded accommodation or additional expenses caused by the breach.

The consequences imposed must be proportionate to the circumstances.

7. Disciplinary process

Before retaining the bond or imposing a major-breach penalty, the Club must, where reasonably practicable:

54. inform the Player of the alleged breach;

55. give the Player a reasonable opportunity to explain or respond;

56. consider the available information fairly; and

57. provide the Player with its decision and brief reasons.

The decision must be made by at least two disinterested members of the Club’s board or disciplinary committee. A person directly involved in the incident should not decide the matter.

The Club may suspend a Player immediately while an allegation is considered where reasonably necessary to protect safety, team preparation, the Competition or the Club’s reputation.

For an urgent incident during travel or the Competition, the coach or team manager may impose an immediate temporary restriction. The Club must review that decision as soon as reasonably practicable.

The Player may request one review by the Club’s board within 48 hours of receiving a major-breach decision. The board’s review decision will be final within the Club.

8. Competition prize money

If the team receives cash prize money from the Competition:

58. 60% will form the players’ prize pool; and

59. 40% will be retained by the Club.

The players’ prize pool will be divided equally among Players who:

60. are included in the Club’s final registered Competition squad;

61. remain eligible and available throughout the Competition, unless excused by the Club; and

62. have not been removed from the squad or had this Agreement terminated for a major breach.

“Prize money” means cash actually received by the Club from the Competition organiser, excluding non-cash prizes and less any tax or compulsory deduction applying directly to the prize.

The Club will provide a written calculation and distribute the players’ prize pool within 30 days after receiving cleared funds.

9. Selection and participation

Signing this Agreement does not guarantee travel, match selection, playing time or a particular team position. Selection decisions remain with the coaching staff.

The Club may withdraw a Player from selection or terminate this Agreement where the Player becomes unavailable, is not fit to participate, withdraws without approval or breaches this Agreement.

10. Injuries, medical expenses and insurance

The Player acknowledges that rugby league, training, international travel and participation in the Competition involve risks of injury, illness, permanent disability and, in rare cases, death. The Player participates voluntarily and accepts the ordinary risks associated with these activities.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Club and its board members, coaches, managers, volunteers and officials are not liable for any injury, illness, loss, damage, medical expense, loss of income or other cost suffered by the Player in connection with training, travel or participation in the Competition.

Nothing in this Agreement excludes or limits any right or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

The Player is responsible for obtaining and maintaining adequate insurance for the entire trip and Competition period, including:

63. overseas travel, medical and hospital insurance;

64. ambulance, emergency evacuation and repatriation cover;

65. sports injury cover expressly covering competitive rugby league in the United States;

66. cancellation and lost-property cover; and

67. income protection or loss-of-earnings cover, if required.

The Player must provide evidence of insurance to the Club before travel if requested. The Club does not guarantee that insurance held by the Club, Competition organiser or another sporting body will cover the Player. The Player is responsible for expenses not covered by their insurance.

The Player must disclose any injury or medical condition that could affect safe participation. The Player authorises the Club to obtain emergency medical assistance where reasonably necessary but remains responsible for resulting expenses not covered by insurance.

11. General provisions

This Agreement records the agreement between the Club and the Player concerning professional standards, fundraising, promotional obligations, the bond, prize money, injury risks and insurance.

Any change must be in writing and agreed to by both parties. If any provision is invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue to operate.

This Agreement is governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia. The parties submit to the courts and tribunals having jurisdiction in New South Wales.

Signatures

By accepting below, the Player confirms that they have read and understood this Agreement, voluntarily accept its terms, understand the required professional standards and consequences of breaches, understand the risks of participating, and are responsible for arranging adequate insurance. This acceptance, together with the typed name and timestamp recorded below, constitutes the Player's electronic signature to this Agreement.