INTRODUCTION

Cricket has traditionally been the sport to maintain and promote the highest levels of conduct and sportsmanship. We are all familiar with the saying “It isn’t cricket” which implies that a certain type of behaviour is unacceptable in an ethical sense, even if it might be strictly within a set of rules. Cricket is more than a game; it is an education in character as well as skill. Cluden Cricket Club plays cricket for enjoyment and all the qualities able to be learned from the game, rather than in order to win for winning’s sake or other self-promotion. But we do like to win too!

This document is a set of guidelines to provide the players with an understanding of the expectations the club has of each and every player. These guidelines are relevant when players represent the club on match days (on and off the field), at training, or at a club functions. In addition, they provide an indication of the commitment to the Club expected of every player.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective is to ensure that all players, when representing Cluden Cricket Club, play cricket in the true spirit and traditions of the game so that the game can be enjoyed by all, including spectators, opposing players and umpires. The Club seeks to obtain from each player a commitment to the game, the team and the Club.

CITY OF MOORABBIN CRICKET ASSOCIATION & CRICKET VICTORIA CODE OF CONDUCT

All players within competitions run by or affiliated with the CMCA and Cricket Victoria (the competitions in which we compete) are bound by the official Players’ Codes of Conduct, which are enforced by the Judiciary Committee of Cricket Victoria.

The current Code of Conduct is as follows:

(Incorporating the By-Laws of Cricket Victoria). No person bound by this Code of Conduct shall engage in disorderly or improper conduct or behaviour.  Disorderly or improper conduct or behaviour includes, but is not restricted to, a person:

a)   Assaulting or attempting to assault, or abusing, either orally or physically, an umpire, player or spectator;

b)   Disputing, as distinct from questioning, an umpire’s decision, or reacting in an obviously provocative manner towards and umpire;

c)   Using crude or abusive language, or hand signals or other gestures;

d)   Engaging in any form of conduct or behaviour detrimental to the spirit of the game or likely to bring the game into disrepute; or

e)   Refusing to supply that person’s name and that person’s address when required by another person who is lodging a report.

f)    The captain of a team shall ensure that the players (including the person acting as 12th man) comply with the Code of Conduct. The captain of a team breaches the Code of Conduct if a player in that team engages in continuing disorderly or improper conduct or behaviour.

The captain of a team shall ensure that the players (including the person acting as 12th man) comply with the Racial and Religious Vilification Code.

EXPECTED PLAYER BEHAVIOUR

It is up to the individual players, members, supporters and committee members to do their utmost to uphold the Clubs good reputation. Consequently the Committee of the Cluden Cricket Club will not only enforce the Codes of Conduct, but will enforce its own principles of behaviour expected of players. Players in breach of these guidelines can expect to receive penalties varying from a gentle reminder through to suspension, depending on the severity and the nature of the breach.

These guidelines apply to all members representing Cluden Cricket Club, including spectators and officials:

1.         Play hard, but fair

All players are expected to give their best at all times on the field for the enjoyment of themselves, their team-mates and the opposition. We strive to win fairly as a benchmark of our success in perfecting our own game, our skills and character and not at the expense of the enjoyment of the game of the opposition or the umpires.   

2.         Respect

At all times players must show respect for their team-mates, their captain, the umpires and the opposition. By showing respect for your opposition you enhance your victory and by showing respect for yourselves you mollify your defeat. All players have a responsibility to protect the game from unseemly incidents and the Committee will act on the assumption, that it takes two sides to create an argument, no matter the provocation.

3.         Umpiring Decisions

The umpire’s decision is final and should be accepted immediately, whether batting or fielding. A  player is entitled to politely ask the umpire why he turned the appeal down, but should accept this explanation, if one is given, and accept the umpires prerogative to decline to give a reason, if it is not, and immediately play on. The use of offensive language - generally in the form of a disparaging or abusive remark to an umpire is not acceptable. The conduct of our players should be such propriety, that there can be no misunderstanding by an umpire and no excuses of that nature will be acceptable.

4.         Walking:

When there are no neutral umpires, a batsman should walk if he is in no doubt that he has been dismissed fairly. Placing pressure on your team-mate, who is acting as umpire, can place doubt in his mind and lead to unnecessary friction between the teams. You should not descend to the level of any other team’s bad sportsmanship if they do not do the same.

5.         Upon being dismissed:

A dismissed batsman should promptly leave the field without comment or conduct able to be interpreted as a criticism of the dismissal. Whilst there will be occasions where a dismissed batsman may not agree with the umpires decision, actions of the dismissed batsman such as banging the bat on the ground or throwing the bat on returning to the pavilion or audible foul language, are unacceptable.

6.         Sledging:

Players and Team Officials shall not use crude or abusive language (known as "sledging") nor make offensive gestures to opposition players. Similarly provocative or intimidatory conduct, however subtle or amusing at the expense of the opposition, shall not be acceptable.

7.         Racial Vilification:

Under no circumstances will the club tolerate racial vilification. The committee will deal with Cluden players if an official umpire’s report is not made. Likewise, if a Cluden player is subjected to such abuse, the club will take up the matter with the CMCA and the Club concerned and ensure the matter is dealt with in the appropriate manner.

COMMITMENT

Players can expect from the Club Committee, their Captain and the Selection Committee to be treated in a manner commensurate with the level of commitment shown by them to the Club. The Club expects as a minimum from every player the following commitment:

Player Availability: All players are expected to be available for all games throughout the season. Exceptions can occur, but wherever possible, plans involving weekends without cricket, should be scheduled outside the cricket season. Where a player does make himself unavailable for selection, he should not expect to be selected as soon as he makes himself available in the same team or in any grade, if teams are winning, and players making themselves available are performing. Preference in selections shall always been given to players, who show commitment to the Club and their team-mates by being available and/or participating in training or other functions of the Club.

Social Functions: Throughout the season there will be several functions organised by the Social Committee. It is expected that players will make every effort to attend club functions, and where appropriate, invite as many of their friends as possible.

Training Sessions: Players are expected to attend training on time if possible and assist with setting up/packing up of equipment. There is an expectation that each player will remain for the entire session unless advising the Captain of reasons.

 Match Days: Players are to arrive at the ground at least 30 minutes before the commencement of play, or at a time instructed by their captain or manager.  Players are expected to take the field in appropriate club headwear, either club baggy cap, club baseball style cap or non logo white floppy hat. Non club caps are not permitted to be worn on the playing field for any reason.

At home games there are various duties that need to be done on the match day. These include organising drinks, morning/afternoon tea, sweeping/marking the pitch. All players should assist the Captain or Manager in these duties. 

When using club equipment, it is expected you will treat it with respect and use it for the purpose it was designed for.

Member Accident/ Injury Insurance: Cluden CC has taken out insurance for all their members.  The correct and only procedure for any claim is as follows:

§         Notify a member of the cricket club Executive within 24 hours of the injury occurring.  Notification should be made for all injuries, no matter the degree of injury.

§         Complete an ‘Injury Notification Form’ (available from your captain or the Executive Committee)

§         See a doctor as soon as possible after obtaining the injury.  Should further treatment be required (such as physiotherapy, etc), you must get a referral from your doctor stating this treatment is recommended