Code of Conduct – Published March 2023
Devon CCC is well-regarded for good behaviour and sportsmanship and principles have been established to encourage County personnel to give the very best account of ourselves as people, to enable them to aspire to play winning cricket and to help them represent Devon CCC with pride at all times. They are also set down for players, coaches and committee so that they are able to operate always as a united and collective unit.
• Remember it is an honour to represent your County, and always regard it as such.
• As a County player you have a responsibility to set an example both on and off the field. In all the games that you play, not just County ones, ensure that your behaviour is appropriate, respecting the opposition and the officials and, above all, upholding the Spirit of Cricket.
All players and officials are reminded that not only the reputation of the Club but also the good name of cricket is in their hands when they are representing the Club both on and off the field. They are bound by the Spirit of Cricket and such other policies and regulations issued from time to time by the England and Wales Cricket Board and the National Counties Cricket Association. In particular, the Club has, for itself, its Members and those playing for the Club, adopted and implemented the ECB Safe hands – Cricket’s policy for safeguarding children” and will comply with such policy and adhere to any alterations to that policy and any future versions and policies substituted for it.
• Ensure that you are fit to play cricket and are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Gambling on the results of a county game in which you are involved is strictly forbidden
• You must accept that any breach of this Code is a serious matter and may result in you being formally warned as to your future conduct, or suspended, or banned from future representation by the County committee.
For the 2020 season onwards, the Devon CCC management committee has agreed that no player will play for the County 1st XI without signing (and adhering) to the players’ code of conduct, which is provided separately.
GENERAL
Communication
• Please acknowledge receipt and respond to all communication from cricket committee personnel. This may be with reference to availability for training and matches or to any other matter where information is required of players. If a required response to availability is not received, then we shall assume that you are not available.
Time Keeping
• Always be punctual for matches and squad training sessions. Ensure you arrive at the ground at least ninety minutes before the match is due to start to allow time for a pre-match talk, a warm-up etc.
• Warm-up will normally commence 75 minutes before the start of play.
Dress Code
• Please arrive at the ground smartly dressed in the agreed clothing.
• Championship games - County polo shirt and smart chinos, shoes or smart trainers. Blazers are optional.
• T-20 and KO Trophy games - County polo shirt, tracksuit bottoms and hoodie or tracksuit top.
• Please ensure you wear only Devon branded cricket warm-up clothing throughout the day.
• Ensure that Devon clothing is only used when attending Devon events i.e. matches and training.
On/off-field behaviour
• Always accept decisions on the field of play in a sporting manner without any show of dissent and don't question decisions off it, either whilst spectating or afterwards.
• Keep emotional responses for the privacy of the changing rooms..
• When taking the field, the captain will lead the side out and everyone else will follow immediately after in an orderly manner.
• Avoid foul or abusive language and any intimidation, deliberate distraction, sledging or other act of gamesmanship, including over-applauding your own players.
• Respect the opposition, umpires and spectators alike.
• Always make a point of being polite, thanking everyone who has assisted in making a game possible: umpires and scorers, groundsman and caterers.
• Do not criticise or complain about the ground or the wicket.
Behaviour on away trips
• At all times, and particularly on away trips, co-operate fully with. and abide by, the rules and guidelines laid down by the team management.
• During games, be in the hotel by 11.30pm and in bed by midnight.
• Ensure that you attend breakfast to ensure departure from the hotel to the ground in good time.
• Ensure that you represent the county and your teammates in the correct manner at all times, and are polite to hotel staff, caterers, ground staff and members of the opposition, management and spectators.
Social Media
• Players must not use any information technology to make or post inappropriate comments against other players, match officials, Devon County club Officials, or opposing county officials or their players, which are discriminatory or offensive. Information technology includes, but is not limited to e-mail, instant messaging, text messages, phone messages, and digital images, website postings (including social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and blogs).
Disciplinary Procedure
• Where players break this code of conduct, a panel made up from the management team will decide upon a proportional penalty. In some cases this will require a disciplinary hearing which will be communicated to player 10 days in advance of the hearing date.
• Following an alleged breach of National Counties’ rules a player will have seven days to appeal against any decision to the National Counties’ director of cricket, who will then arrange an appeal hearing with a panel of individuals not previously involved in the process. This appeal hearing will take place within 21 days of receiving an appeal and communicated to the player up to 10 days after the appeal.
All players and officials are reminded that not only the reputation of the Club but also the good name of cricket is in their hands when they are representing the Club both on and off the field.
All members and guests of this cricket club will:
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person within the context of cricket
• Treat everyone equally and not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, nationality, colour, parental or marital status, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference or political belief.
The Club has its own Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) policy.
• Not condone, or allow to go unchallenged, any form of discrimination if witnessed. In particular, the Club has, for itself, its members and those playing for the Club, adopted and implemented the ECB Anti-Discrimination Code Version 2022 and will comply with such policy and adhere to any alterations to that policy and any future versions and policies substituted for it.
• Display high standards of behaviour
• Promote the positive aspects of cricket, for example fair play
• Encourage all participants to learn the laws and rules and play within them, always respecting the decisions of match
Officials
• Actively discourage unfair play, rule violations and arguing with match officials
• Recognise good performance, not just match results
• Place the well-being and safety of children above the development of performance
• Ensure activities are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual
• Respect children’s opinions when making decisions about their participation in cricket
• Not smoke, drink or use banned substances while working with children in the club
• Not provide children with alcohol when they are under the care of the club
• Follow ECB guidelines set out in the Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children and any other relevant guidelines issued
• Report any concerns in relation to a child, following reporting procedures laid down by the ECB. *Members and guests include all members and officers of the cricket club and all guests of those members and officers, as well as all individuals who watch/attend/participate/ officiate in matches hosted by the club in whatever capacity.
Code of Conduct for Cricket Club Members and Guests* Putting things in place Section 3 – Code of Conduct for Cricket Club Members and Guests – August 2018
In addition to the above, all club officers and appointed volunteers will:
- Have been appropriately vetted, if required • Hold relevant qualifications and be covered by appropriate insurance
- Always work in an open environment (i.e. avoid private, or unobserved, situations and encourage an open environment) NB This includes the online world – club officers and volunteers are discouraged from on-line or other electronic communication with children – any such communication should be via parents.
- Inform players and parents of the requirements of cricket
- Know and understand the ECB’s Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children
- Develop an appropriate working relationship with young players, based on mutual trust and respect
- Ensure physical contact is appropriate and necessary and is carried out within recommended guidelines with the young player’s full consent and approval
- 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. These recommend ‘people in positions of trust and authority do not have sexual relationships with 16-17 year olds in their care’
- Attend appropriate training to keep up to date with their role, especially with respect to the safeguarding of children
