Rules & Code of Conduct

The Spirit of the Game

Cricket Rules

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Code of Conduct for Junior & Youth Cricket

Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it is expected to be played not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action, that is seen to abuse this spirit, causes injury to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the players, captains, coaches, managers and supporters of all teams involved.

We expects all Players, Captains, Coaches, Managers and Supporters at all levels within our club to uphold the following values:

  1. Fun is the objective;
  2. Batsmen walk if caught;
  3. Fielders are quiet when batsmen are facing;
  4. Teams are prepared to play on time;
  5. Fielding teams maintain a fast over rate;
  6. No send-offs or abuse;
  7. Accept Umpires and Player/Umpires decisions;
  8. Complaints are voiced only through the captain and coach in an appropriate and respectful manner;
  9. Thank Umpires and opponents after the game;
  10. Report anyone who doesn’t uphold these values immediately and appropriately.
  1. Abide by the rules of the game, rules set down by your coach, club and competition.
  2. Never argue with an official or umpire. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the competition.
  3. Control your temper. Verbal or physical abuse of officials, umpires, spectators or other players on either side, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent or team member is not acceptable or permitted.
  4. Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Your team’s performance will benefit, so will you.
  5. Be a good sport. Applaud all good players whether they are on your team or the other team. Be proud to walk off the ground after each game knowing that you have given your best effort and never involve yourself in an argument with opposing players, umpires or officials.
  6. Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another player. Your involvement to play is for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of it.
  7. Co-operate with your coach and teammates, and respect the ability of your opponent. Without them, there would be no game.
  8. Play for the FUN and not just to please parents and coaches.
  9.  Avoid the use of derogatory language based on gender, race or religion.
  10. Smoking and/or consuming alcohol or partaking in illegal substances is totally forbidden by Juniors whilst involved in any Junior Cricket competition.
  1. Encourage children to participate if they are interested. However, if a child is not willing, do not force them.
  2. Focus upon the child’s effort and performance rather than the overall outcome of the event. This assists the child in setting realistic goals related to their ability by reducing the emphasis on winning.
  3. Teach your child that honest effort is as important as victory so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.
  4. Encourage your child always to play by the rules.
  5. Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing the competition.
  6. Remember your child should be involved in Cricket for their enjoyment, not yours.
  7. Remember your child learns best by examples. Applaud good play by both your team and by members of the opposing team.
  8. If you disagree with an official or umpire raise the issue through the appropriate channels rather than questioning the official’s judgement and honesty in public. Remember, most officials give their time and effort for your child’s involvement.
  9. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from Junior sporting activities.
  10. Recognise the value and importance of volunteer coaches. They give of their time and resources to provide recreational activities for your child and deserve your support.
  11. Support your club officials in maintaining the highest standard of behaviour both on and off the field for the betterment of the competition and your family. Offer your assistance to the team that your child is playing in so that every opportunity is being provided for the very best supervision and support. Your involvement will give both yourself and your child far more satisfaction.
  12. Avoid the use of derogatory language based on gender, race or religion.
  13. There shall be no consumption of alcohol or illegal substances at any Junior matches at any time. Smoking legal cigarettes is discouraged around children.
  1. Be familiar with the Laws of Cricket and abide by the rules and conditions of your Association and Club.
  2. Teach your players that rules of the game are mutual agreements, which no player should evade or break.
  3. Group players according to age, height, and physical maturity whenever possible in any competitive practice session.
  4. Avoid over-playing the talented players. The ‘just average’ players need and deserve equal time.
  5. Remember that the players involved play for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of it. Emphasise the importance of the learning and development of skills and positive attitudes. Never ridicule or yell at your players for making mistakes or losing the competition.
  6. Remember to play as the laws were intended and do not manipulate the laws to get an unfair advantage.
  7. Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate for the age and ability of the players.
  8. The scheduling and length of practice times and competitions should take into consideration the maturity level of the players.
  9. Develop team respect for the ability of opponents, as well as for the judgement of umpires and opposing coaches.
  10. Follow the advice of a qualified person when determining when an injured player is ready to play or train again.
  11. Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed of sound Junior coaching principles and developments. Complete coaching accreditation Foundations and Advanced Foundations courses at a minimum.
  12. Avoid the use of derogatory language based on gender, race or religion.
  13. Ensure that all players can compete in a safe and happy environment free of any type of harassment.
  14. No alcohol or illegal substances are allowed to be consumed by players, coaches or supporters at junior matches.
  15. Smoking whilst actively engaged in junior activities is not permitted.

Code of Conduct
Senior Players & Coaches

 

Responsibility of Captains

The Captains of both teams are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.

Players’ and Coaches Conduct

In the event of any Player or Coach failing to comply with the instructions of an Umpire, criticising his decisions by word or action, or showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the Umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other Umpire and to the Player’s Captain requesting the latter to take action.

Fair and Unfair Play

According to the Laws, the Umpires are the sole judges of Fair and Unfair Play.  The Umpires may intervene at any time and it is the responsibility of the Captain to take action where required.

The Umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:

  • Time Wasting
  • Damaging the pitch
  • Intimidating bowling
  • Tampering with the ball
  • Any other action that they feel to be unfair

The Spirit of the Game involves respect for:

  • Your opponents, their manager/coach, supporters and club officials
  • Your own captain, your own team, manager/coach, supporters and club officials
  • The role of the Umpires
  • The game’s traditional values

It is against the Spirit of the Game:

  • To question an Umpire’s decision by word or gesture
  • Indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, e.g.
    • appeal, knowing that the Batsman is not out
    • advance towards an Umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing

Distraction and harassment

It is not acceptable to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment in any way, including with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side.

Violence

There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

Consumption of alcohol and illegal substances

The consumption of alcohol and illegal substances by players/coaches participating in the game in progress will not be tolerated and any breaches will be severely punished.  This includes when you are not batting and play has not concluded i.e. you are out or waiting to bat.

Overall conduct

Players, Coaches, Captains, Managers and Umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match and every player is expected to make an important contribution to this.

Senior Player and Coach/Manager behaviour

Traditionally, cricket has maintained the highest levels of conduct and sportsmanship. While always a competitive game, the continued strength of the sport relies upon the acceptance of the Umpire’s decision and the preparedness to play within the spirit of the game.

The following areas are highlighted as not acceptable at WCC:

  1. the use of offensive language – generally as a disparaging remark to an opposing player, your own players, coaches, officials or toward an Umpire, or even as an expression of frustration or self-admonishment. This includes racial vilification (any act that is reasonably likely to threaten, disparage, vilify, offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or group based on race, religion, descent, colour or national or ethnic origin).
  2. the questioning/disputing of the Umpires decision – often in an aggressive manner or sarcastic manner. This applies equally to dismissals and unsuccessful appeals as to the judgement of calls on no-balls, wides, byes, etc.
  3. the excessive number of frivolous and ridiculous appeals – primarily aimed at pressuring and intimidating the Umpire into a favourable decision.
  4. the actions of the dismissed batsman – in failing to leave the crease promptly on being given out and any equipment abuse (e.g. banging the bat into the ground or against the fence or race, etc. and/or throwing the bat or equipment during or after his return to the pavilion).

 

Whether or not such behaviour is evident in higher levels of cricket or whether the language used is considered acceptable by today’s society is of little concern to WCC. WCC is primarily interested in having all cricket under its control played within the spirit and traditions of the game. WCC has two processes for the reporting and consideration of unsatisfactory behaviour:

  1. Serious breaches of misbehaviour will see the player/coach immediately reported by the Umpire(s) controlling the match.
  2. For less serious breaches where an Umpire has occasion to speak to a player/coach regarding his behaviour but does not believe a report is necessary, the incident will be noted on the Umpires Match Report. Should a player/coach be noted on the three such Reports during the season, he may be called to appear before the WCC Disciplinary committee to explain this behaviour.

 

IN BOTH INSTANCES, SHOULD A PLAYER/COACH BE FOUND GUILTY OF AN ACT OF MISCONDUCT, THEY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR A SUSPENSION AS DETERMINED BY THE WCC COMMITTEE.

The recruitment and retention of Umpires is made increasingly difficult by the regular unacceptable levels of player/Coach conduct. Few people are willing to continually subject themselves to the childish behaviour and offensive language on and beyond the cricket field.

All players/coaches can certainly play a role in raising the general standard of umpiring and the level of experience of cricket by lifting their personal level of behaviour and permitting the Umpires to concentrate on those aspects of the game for which they are responsible. All umpires will be requested to take a firm line with respect to player/coach misconduct especially with regard to the use of offensive language and the disputation of any decision.

ALL PLAYERS, MANAGERS/COACHES SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE STANDARDS EXPECTED BY WCC AND CONSEQUENTLY ANYONE CALLED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE WCC COMMITTEE CAN EXPECT LITTLE SYMPATHY AND, IF FOUND GUILTY, A PERIOD OF SUSPENSION.