JUNIOR PLAYERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT

Junior Players’ Code of Conduct

Teddington Cricket Club (“the Club”) is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all its members. The Club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the Club should, at all times, show respect, be encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the Club. A Junior Member is an individual under the age of eighteen and a member of the Club. A Parent is a Parent of a Junior Member.

As a Junior Member or a Parent you are expected to abide by the following Junior Club Code of Conduct as it applies appropriately to Junior Members and/or Parents of Junior Members. Parents are expected to set good a good example as regards their own behaviour (and those accompanying them) for the benefit of Junior Members.

The Code:

This code of conduct applies to all matches played when representing the Club. It also applies to all training and practice sessions organised by the Club.

All Junior Members are expected to comply with the England and Wales Cricket Board code of conduct (see below) and that, by taking part in activities organised by the Club, you agree to comply with all reasonable instructions from team managers and/or captains and/or coaches;

To comply with all other reasonable instructions from other members and officers of the Club including, but not limited to, any directives and instructions which may be displayed from time to time on Club premises;

  • Junior Members and Parents agree to respect, cooperate with and encourage their fellow Junior Members at all times, irrespective of their abilities. 

  • Persecution, humiliation or ridiculing of others will not be tolerated

  • Junior Members, under no circumstances, must make contact with a coach directly by email, text or call.

  • Behaviour and dress both on and off the field should be in keeping with the dignity and best traditions of the game of cricket.

  • Foul, abusive and inappropriate language on or off the field of play is unacceptable.

  • Intimidation, aggressive behaviour and deliberate distraction of opponents by words or actions are unacceptable.

  • Dissent at umpiring decisions is unacceptable.

  • The game should be played competitively, but the highest standards of sportsmanship must at all times be maintained. Recognise the achievements of both your team-mates and your opponents. Do not glory in their failures.

  • Remember that your conduct is a reflection not only on yourself but also on the Club as a whole. Conduct which damages the reputation of the Club will not be tolerated.

  • Junior Members and their Parents should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late.

  • Junior Members must wear suitable kit – (this must include a helmet, box, gloves and pads when a hard ball is being used) for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach/team manager.

  • Junior Members are not allowed to consume or purchase alcohol or drugs of any kind on the Club premises or whilst representing the Club.

  • Junior Members are not allowed to smoke or vape on Club premises or whilst representing the Club.

  • Junior Members agree to do their best at all times to improve their cricket skills and maximise their own potential, at whatever level of playing ability that may be.  Any conduct by a Junior Member or Parent that prevents a Junior Member from doing the same is unacceptable.

Failure to comply with this code of conduct may result in disciplinary action being taken in accordance with the Club’s disciplinary procedures.

                

England and Wales Cricket Board’s Code of Conduct
(Note: In junior cricket, team captains can be deputised by team managers)

The ECB is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct.  The Code of Conduct incorporates the Spirit of Cricket as set out below.  It applies to all matches played under the auspices of the ECB and may be applied to cricket in general.

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

Players and Team Officials 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 an Umpire at any time.

Players and Team Officials shall not intimidate, assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an Umpire, another player or a Spectator.

Players and Team Officials shall not use crude and/or abusive language (known as “sledging”) nor make offensive gestures or hand signals nor deliberately distract an opponent.

Players and Team Officials shall not make racially abusive comments nor indulge in racially abusive actions against fellow players, officials, members and supporters.  Clubs must operate an active open door membership policy whilst respecting player qualification regulations and welcome players/members irrespective of ethnic origin.

Players and Team Officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of illegal drugs.

Clubs must take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of their members and supporters towards players and Umpires.

Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game.  Any action, which 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 Captains. 

Responsibility of Captains

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

Players’ Conduct

In the event that any player failing to comply with the instructions of the Umpire, criticising his decision 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 when required.  The umpires are authorised to intervene in the cases of: tIme wasting, damaging the pitch, tampering with the ball, or any action that they consider to be unfair.

Spirit of the Game

The Spirit of the Game involves respect for your opponents, your own captain and team, the role of the umpires and the game’s traditional values.  It is against the Spirit of the Game to – (a) dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action or gesture; (b) direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire; (c) seek to distract an opponent either verbally or 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.

Players

Captains 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.

 

JUNIOR COMMITTEE

April 2024