Code of Conduct for Cricket Club Players, Members and Guests
|
Old Chelmsfordians Cricket Club is committed to promoting and maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct both on and off the field. This Code of Conduct applies to all players, officials and members of the club and any match played under the auspices of Old Chelmsfordians Cricket Club.
All players and officials are asked to read and abide by the following:
Before Play
1. Players should update their availability on the OCCC HitsCricket website before 9pm of the preceding Sunday of their availability. If any member needs assistance with this please contact any Captain.
2. Players will be notified by the respective Captain of selection by email, and the required meeting time, by no later than mid-day Wednesday for that weekend’s fixtures. Players who become unavailable after teams have been selected are encouraged to inform the Captain of the team for which they have been selected ASAP, and latest within 48 hours of selection. Contact can be made by email before 9pm Wednesday (for Friday fixtures) and 1pm Thursday (for Saturday and Sunday fixtures), after which contact must be made directly by telephone or in person.
3. Late withdrawals (after the times noted above) disrupt your team and lower teams. Players who do not have an appropriate acceptable reason for such instances may jeopardise their selection for future games. Any late withdrawals for Saturday fixtures after 1pm Thursday will be filled by the responsible team Captain and WILL NOT come from lower teams, unless in exceptional circumstances, as determined by the Selection Committee.
4. Players who fail to turn up for a game will be asked to provide an explanation to a member of the Selection Committee. If this is deemed unacceptable further disciplinary action may be taken.
5. Nets/coaching sessions during the season are held on Wednesday evenings (6pm to 8pm), Thursday evenings (6pm to 8pm), Monday evenings (Ladies only 6pm to 8pm) and Saturday mornings (from 11am). All players are encouraged to attend as many practice sessions as possible. All players improve their form and therefore their chance of selection if they regularly attend practice sessions.
6. Players will ensure they have provided their Captain for the game (or someone delegated by the Captain), or completed a bank transfer for the appropriate match fee for the team they have been selected for. Match fees (and bank details) are clearly available on the OCCC HitsCricket website, and in the Old Chelmsfordians Cricket Chat WhatsApp group.
On the Field
1. The Captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the laws.
2. Players, club officials and members must at all times accept the Umpire’s decision. Players must not show dissent at the umpire’s decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards the umpire at any time. They shall not at any time intimidate, assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, another player, or a spectator.
3. Players, club officials and members shall not use crude and/or abusive language, make offensive gestures nor deliberately distract an opponent. They shall not make racial or sectarian comments or indulge in racial or sectarian actions against fellow players, officials, members or supporters. Old Chelmsfordians Cricket Club operates an ‘open door’ membership policy welcoming membership from all sections of the community.
4. Players in all senior teams must take their turn in umpiring (except for teams where there are league supplied official umpires), scoring or performing other tasks as instructed by the Captain.
5. All players must accept the decisions made by the Captain, in relation to the game or management of the team, without question.
6. All players will wear OCCC or KEGS affiliated cricket clothing. If this is not available, then plain cricket clothing is acceptable. Players must not under any circumstances wear any clothing (including hats/caps) in a game where they are representing OCCC that would indicate an association with another Cricket Club.
After play
1. All players for all teams will, to the best of their ability, undertake certain tidy up operations once the game has finished, as far as they are able. These will be instructed by the Captain on the day of the match, or included in the selection email/message.
2. All players for all teams will, to the best of their ability, ensure that all club equipment is returned to the Cricket store in a tidy fashion, and ensure that any damage is reported as soon as possible to the relevant Captain.
3. All players for all teams will, as far as practical, ensure that the clubs premises are maintained to an appropriate standard and are correctly secured before leaving the premises. An appropriate standard means that the premises are left clean, tidy and ready for use the next day, and as a minimum, should be as they were found before play started.
4. All players are expected, as far as they are able, to volunteer for bar duty, club locking up rota and club coaching (if appropriate qualifications are held) at the start of the season. This can be communicated to any team Captain. All members are encouraged to return to the main clubhouse on Lawford Lane after their games to celebrate performances in their game, share these with other teams, and generally help foster a good club spirit.
5. All Captains are, as far as they are able, to ensure all match fees are collected on the day of the game. Players are expected to pay without prompting. Any waiving of, or reduction in, match fees must be approved by the Club Treasurer and Selection Committee. All payments for expenses will be made by the Club Treasurer, and not from match fees. As best practice all match fees should be collected before the start of the game. As most match fees are paid by bank transfer, there should be minimal cash payments, however this should be locked away in a safe and responsible manner, and reported on a weekly basis to the Club Treasurer. Captains are allowed to delegate match fee collection to a responsible team member as and when required.
All Players, Members and Guests of the OCCC will:
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person within the context of Cricket;
- Treat everyone equally and not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, nationality, colour, parental or marital status, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference or political belief;
- Not condone, or allow to go unchallenged, any form of discrimination if witnessed;
- Display high standards of behaviour;
- Promote fair play in Cricket;
- Actively discourage unfair play, rule violations and arguing with match officials;
- Encourage all participants to learn the laws and rules and play within them, respecting the decisions of match officials;
- Recognise good performance not just match results;
- Place the well-being and safety of Young People above the development of performance;
10. Ensure that activities are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual;
11. Respect Young People’s opinions when making decisions about their participation in Cricket;
12. Not smoke, drink or use banned substances whilst actively working with Young People in the Club;
13. Not provide Young People with alcohol when they are under the care of the Club;
14. Follow ECB guidelines set out in the ‘Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children’ and any other relevant guidelines issued;
15. Report any concerns in relation to a Young Person, following reporting procedures laid down by the ECB.
In addition to the above, all Club Officers and appointed volunteers will:
- Hold relevant qualifications and be covered by appropriate insurance;
- Always work in an open environment (i.e. avoid private or unobserved situations and encourage an open environment);
- Know and understand the ECB’s ‘Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children’