Spencer Bruerne Cricket Club Code of Conduct

Spencer Bruerne Cricket Club (SBCC) is proud of its reputation as a friendly and supportive club which upholds both the spirit as well as the laws of the game of cricket. We request that all SBCC players, coaches, team managers, parents, Carers & visitors comply with our Code of Conduct, which is described below: 

All members and guests of this club:

1. SBCC provides organised cricket for junior players between ages 5 and 17 and seniors. Our primary aim is to develop cricket skills in a format suitable for players of all abilities. The Club wants all involved to have fun in the process. 

2. The Club enters teams in local ECB affiliated Leagues. Whilst winning is a Club objective, neither SBCC nor the Leagues promote a ‘win at all costs’ attitude. 

3. Promote the positive aspects of Cricket, e.g. fair play. 

4. Players are expected to play within and know the laws of the game. 

5. Umpires, officials, opposition players, team mates and spectators should be respected at all times and will not be verbally or physically abused under any circumstances. 

6. No one should question an Umpire’s decision. The Umpire will always be willing to discuss any points about the game after its completion, if approached in a pleasant manner. 

7. Local League rules are dictated by the ECB and are mandatory. 

8. Captains or Team Managers (for minor infringements) or the club’s Disciplinary Committee (for serious matters) will resolve all breaches of this Code of Conduct. 

9. SBCC will follow ECB guidelines set out in the “Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children” and any other relevant guidelines issued. SBCC will report any concerns in relation to Young Persons or Adults at Risk, following the reporting procedures laid down by the ECB. 

10. Members will not smoke, drink or use banned substances whilst actively working with Young People in the club. 

11. All members & visitors will respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person, and treat everyone equally and not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, race, ethnic origin, nationality, colour, disability, parental or marital status, religious belief, class or social background, sexuality or political belief. 

12. All members & visitors will not condone, or allow to go unchallenged, any form of discrimination if witnessed.

Captains, Managers, Coaches, Club Officials & Volunteers 

1. All captains & team managers should have access to a copy of the laws of cricket and their respective League and Cup regulations. 

2. Place well-being and safety of Young and Vulnerable People above all other consideration, including the development of performance. 

3. Know and understand the ECB’s “Safe Hands – Cricket Policy for Safeguarding Children”. Adhere to all guidelines laid down by governing bodies. 

4. Develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect. 

5. Do not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward. Recognize good performance not just match results. 

6. Encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behavior and performance. 

7. Ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the player(s). 

8. Co-operate fully with other specialists e.g. other coaches/managers, officials, and medical staff. 

9. Promote the positive aspects of the game i.e. sportsmanship and fair play, and never condone violations of the laws of the game, behavior contrary to the spirit of the game or relevant rules and regulations, or the use of prohibited substances or techniques. 

10. Consistently display high standards of behavior and appearance. Always work in an open environment (i.e. avoid private or unobserved situations)

11. Where applicable, will be vetted in line with ECB requirements, hold the appropriate, valid qualifications and insurance cover. 

12. Respect Young People’s opinions when making decisions about their participation in Cricket. 

13. Always work in an open environment (i.e. avoid private, or unobserved, situations and encourage an open environment). This includes the online world – club officers and volunteers are discouraged from online or other electronic communication with children – any such communication should be via parents. 

14. Inform players and parents of the requirements of cricket 

15. Know and understand the ECB’s “Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children”. 

16. Develop an appropriate working relationship with young players, based on mutual trust and respect

17. Ensure physical contact is appropriate and necessary and is carried out within recommended guidelines with the young player’s full consent and approval 

18. Not engage in any form of sexually related contact with a young player. This is strictly forbidden, as is sexual innuendo, flirting or inappropriate gestures and terms. The ECB adopts the Home Office guidelines. 

19. Attend appropriate training to keep up to date with their role, especially with respect to the safeguarding of children 

Players 

1. Players should always be in control of themselves and abide by the Rules. Play to the best of their ability and remember that cricket is a team game. 

2. Never argue with the Umpire or any official. Umpires, managers and coaches give their valuable time and effort to help you learn and play the game. 

3. Never take any items which could be considered inappropriate or give rise to allegations of foul play onto the pitch during a match, e.g. Vaseline, sun protection cream or a pen knife. 

4. Show courtesy to your opponents and practice good sportsmanship at all times. 

5. Always accept victory modestly and defeat graciously. 

6. Violent play and bad language are not acceptable under any circumstances. Players guilty of such behavior let themselves down as well as their parents, manager, coach, club and league. 

7. Do not retaliate even when provoked. 

8. Shake hands with the Umpire and your opponents at the end of every game irrespective of the result. 

9. Players should be well behaved at training; they should show respect to the manager and coach. Remember the training is for your benefit and not theirs. 

10. Players should be punctual for both training and matches. 

11. Junior players must wear helmets and any other protective equipment required in all matches. Jewellery must be removed or covered. 

Parents/Carers/Visitors 

1. Players in training and in competitive leagues are very impressionable, especially in the lower age groups. Parents should be seen to set a good example and promote the right attitude to players at all times.

2. Unseemly behavior will not be tolerated. The Club is held accountable for your actions and could face sanctions including dismissal from ECB affiliate Leagues. 

3. Discipline yourself and your language in front of impressionable children. They want to look up to their parents and not be ashamed of them. 

4. Remember that children are involved in cricket for their own enjoyment, not to meet your expectations. 

5. Condemn all violence and never question the decision of an official. 

6. Never ridicule a player for making a mistake. Respect their efforts. Applaud all good play from both teams. 

7. Be friendly and courteous to the opposition – players, managers, coaches, parents and supporters alike. 

8. Be supportive of the manager and coach. 

9. The Club provides excellent training and coaching but even though children are under the direct supervision of managers/coaches they are still their parents responsibility. Membership As a private members club, all players are required to pay their annual membership fee at the start of each season. New players are permitted a grace period of 3 games before being requested to pay their subscription. Put simply, funds raised from membership subscriptions are the lifeblood of the club and are essential for providing the facilities that make SBCC one of the best equipped cricket clubs in the area. The club operates a Standing Order scheme and all players are encouraged to use this to spread their costs over a 12-month period. Match Fees Match fees are charged in addition to membership and are equally crucial for the general running of the club, grounds man’s fees, new equipment etc. Please assist team captains by paying after each match before you leave Tasks for Home Games Out of courtesy for the opposition, the umpires, your captain and team-mates, please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of play as detailed in your fixture card. To ensure the prompt start of play, all players are allocated small jobs upon arrival at the ground. These are displayed on the team sheet in the dressing room and include putting out the boundary flags, setting up the scoreboard and opening the bar after the game.

Cricket teas 

Decided in advance by the team & re-confirmed by the team captain each week.

Bar

All players are encouraged to stay for at least one drink (soft or alcoholic) in the bar after matches, especially after home games. Toast a hundred, a great bowling performance or commiserate a heroic collapse. It is the responsibility of every member present to ensure licensing laws are being followed and that alcohol will not be given to children. 

Work parties (making the ground fit for the season ahead)

The wonderful ground that we enjoy when the sun is blazing in the summer, is as a result of the efforts of all too few members. Work parties are held throughout the year to maintain & prepare the ground & assistance is always welcome. 

Fundraisers (helping to keep membership costs low) 

Finally, the committee organizes social events, sporting quizzes and raffles throughout the year to raise further funds for the club and to help keep membership low. It cannot be stressed enough how important these events are not only in supplementing the income from match fees and membership, but in fostering team spirit in a club that draws its membership from an increasingly wide catchment area. Again, where possible, please show your support for SBCC by attending events where possible or buying a raffle ticket.

For the purpose of these procedures any reference to Spencer Bruerne Cricket Club also includes the facilities and members known as Stoke Bruerne Cricket Club

The club’s disciplinary procedures may be invoked upon breach of this code of conduct. Above all, remember the Spirit of Cricket is the overriding factor for this club. Cricket must always be the winner.