Briars Cricket Club Player Responsibility and Code of Conduct

All players and spectators associated with the Burwood Briars Cricket Club should adhere to the following as part of our commitment to the game of cricket and the development of true sportsmanship as determined by the ideals that the club was founded on.

“To develop, maintain and enhance Club spirit and performance which can meet expectations of our membership whilst retaining sporting culture.”

Cricket has traditionally been a 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 deemed to be unacceptable. This document is a set of guidelines to provide all members and associates with an understanding of the expectations the club has of each and every player and spectator. These guidelines are relevant during match days (on and off the field), training, club functions and at any other time when representing the Burwood Briars Cricket Club.

The guidelines form part of the Players’ Code of Conduct (NSW Cricket Association) and will be enforced by the committee of the Burwood Briars Cricket Club, and/or by the Judiciary Committee of the NSW Cricket Association. Players and spectators in breach of these guidelines can expect to receive penalties varying from a caution through to suspension from the club, depending on the severity and the nature of the breach.

Objective

Our objective is to ensure that all players, when representing Burwood Briars 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.

Umpiring Decisions

The umpire’s decision is final and should be accepted immediately, whether batting or fielding. A bowler is entitled to ask the umpire why he turned the appeal down, but should accept this explanation, if one is given, and immediately play on. The use of offensive language-generally in the form of a disparaging and abusing remark to an umpire is not acceptable.

Walking

When there are no neutral umpires, a batsman must 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 two teams.

Upon being dismissed

The actions of the dismissed batsmen – in failing to leave the crease promptly on being given out and then banging his bat on the ground or throwing the bat on returning to the pavilion/sidelines, including the use of audible foul language, is unacceptable.

Post-Match Drinks

Players are encouraged to have a drink and friendly chat with the opposition after a match, either home or away, but should also make every effort to return to the Briars at Greenlees clubrooms in time for the after-match presentations.

After-Match Presentations

After-match presentations are held in the clubrooms as soon as possible after the last away team returns to the club. Awards are made to the best player of each team, as well as the “Player of the Round”. All players should make every possible effort to attend these presentations. Captains should be informed if a player is not able to return the club for any reason.

Training Expectations

All players are expected to train at least once a week. It is understood that work, study or emergency commitments can clash with those of the cricket club, but every effort should be made to attend training. Your captain should be made aware if you are unable to attend training either by phone call, SMS text message or email.

Training Attire

The club training shirt should be worn at all training sessions and will be provided to the player as part of the payment of fees.

Player Subscription Fees

All subscriptions should be paid as soon as possible after the season commences to the appropriate person. A playing shirt, training shirt and match day attire can also be obtained.

Afternoon Tea

As part of the player subscription fees the club will provide afternoon teas at home games of 2 day duration located at Rothwell Park, Ron Routley and St Lukes. This method is seen to be necessary as not all players in the past remember to bring it and the supply and quality has been unreliable. This system is fairest for all and has been a great success since being introduced in 2005.

Under-age Drinking

Burwood Briars Cricket club adheres to a Responsible Service of Alcohol policy within the club and players under the age of 18 are not permitted to drink alcohol at club functions, including training and match days/nights. Exceptions to this would be where the parent is present and permits his/her son to do so. Players assisting under-age players to gain access to alcohol is considered, by the committee, to represent a serious breach of our Code of Conduct.

Player Availability

All players are expected to be available for all games throughout the season. Exceptions can occur due to work, social commitments and emergencies but wherever possible, plans involving weekends without cricket, should be scheduled outside the cricket season.

Selection Policy

Where a player is unavailable for selection, he should not consider himself a certainty to be selected as soon as he makes himself available again. It is quite possible that the player will not be selected in any grade upon his return or in a lower grade than previously selected. Players will be selected on form, ability and financial status by the selection committee prior to the start of each round. Captain’s will advise each individual as to teams selected to play representing the Burwood Briars Cricket Club.

Social Functions

Throughout the season there will be several functions organised by the Social Committee. The Key functions being the Epping trophy round and if fortunate enough to win, Club Championship night as well as the Annual Presentation Night, but there are many others. It is expected that players will make every effort to attend club functions, and where possible, invite partners and friends to events organised.

Covers

Players are expected to assist with the laying of pitch covers on the evenings prior to home games. Generally speaking, this occurs between 4.30pm – 6.00 pm on Friday evenings and possibly Thursdays but may change due to inclement weather. If you cannot make it due to other commitments, phone your captain or whoever is responsible on the day involved. On match days the covers and Hessian are required to be put away in an orderly stored manner either before play if weather is unlikely to intervene or after play.

Match Days

Players are to arrive at the ground, at least one-hour and 15 minutes before the commencement of play, dressed in club match day clothing.

Home Games

Responsibilities include the laying of boundary markers, removal of covers from playing area, seats to be set up at Rothwell, general assistance for drinks and setting up the scoreboard. The covers and Hessian either before play if weather is unlikely to intervene or after play are required to be put away properly in an orderly stored manner.

Away Games

When playing away it is the responsibility of the player to arrange to be at the ground at least one-hour and 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the game, dressed in club match day clothing. If it involves a lift with another player it is their responsibility to arrange a car pool.

Code of Conduct

(Incorporating the By-Laws of the NSW Cricket Association)·

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:

• Assaulting or attempting to assault, or abusing, either orally or physically, an umpire, player or spectator
• Disputing, as distinct from questioning, an umpire’s decision, or reacting in an obviously provocative manner towards and umpire
• Using crude or abusive language, or hand signals or other gestures
• Engaging in any form of conduct or behaviour detrimental to the spirit of the game or likely to bring the game into disrepute
• Refusing to supply that person’s name and that person’s address when required by another person who is lodging a report
• 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.

Racial and Religious Vilification Code

Under no circumstances will the club tolerate behaviour of Racial, Religious or any other Vilification. The committee will deal with all Briar players if an official NSWCA report is not made. Likewise, if a Briars player is subjected to such abuse, the club will take the matter to the NSWCA and ensure the matter is dealt with in the appropriate manner and any counselling that may be required.

No person who is participating in a match under the jurisdiction or auspices of the NSW Cricket Association or its affiliates shall engage in any conduct, act towards or speak to any other person in a manner which offends, insults, humiliates or vilifies such person on the basis of that person’s race, religion, colour, descent or ethnic origin.

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.

Safeguarding Children Policy

Australian Cricket, comprising Cricket Australia and each of the State and Territory Cricket Associations, seeks to provide a safe, fair and inclusive environment for everyone involved in cricket and in particular Children and Young People. For the full policy, Click Here.

Commitment Statement

Australian Cricket’s Commitment to Safeguarding Children and Young People. Read More