Queenstown Cricket Club

Code Of Conduct

Club Code of Conduct

The Queenstown Cricket Club has assembled some simple rules and guide lines to compliment NZ Cricket and the International Cricket Conference (ICC) own codes of conduct. The Code of Conduct covers all aspects of cricket, from players and officials to parents and equal opportunities.

The codes of conduct enshrine the meaning of cricket. Cricket in Central Otago is played hard with the aim of winning but within certain ethics and guide lines.

Bishen Bedi, ex Indian Test Player, described cricket as the only sport that truly represents life. He went on to explain:

Some days are perfect and everything goes well.
Some days are a trial and it is hard work to do anything.
Some days are a nightmare and everything goes wrong.
Some days we just muddle by.

This reflects life as a cricketer! As cricketers we aim to play hard but firm with respect to the opposition, umpires and officials. As cricketers we need to set ourselves goals - Sport Psychologists would argue that trying to do our best is not a specific goal - but it has to be our goal in life as well as cricket. Whilst representing our teams we need to try our best and give our all every time we play.

Queenstown Cricket Club wishes you all well in your cricketing careers and remember to play hard but fair - but above all, have fun!

Queenstown Cricket Club Code of Conduct

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

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

3. Players and Team Officials must at all times accept the Umpires decision. Players must not show dissent at the Umpires decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards the umpire at any time.

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

5. 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.

6. Players and Team Officials shall not make racially abusive comments or indulge in racially abusive actions against fellow players, officials, members and supporters. The Queenstown Cricket Club operates an active open door membership policy whilst respecting player qualification regulations and welcome players/members irrespective of ethnic origin.

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

8. The Queenstown Cricket Club will undertake to take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of its members and supporters towards players and umpires.

Spirit of the Game

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.

1. There are two Laws, which place responsibility for the Teams conduct firmly on the Captain.
Responsibility of the 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 fails to comply with the instructions of the Umpire, criticising his/her 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 Players Captain requesting the latter to take action.

2. Fair and Unfair Play.
According to the Laws, the Umpires are the sole judge 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.

3. The Umpires are authorised to intervene in the cases of;

Time Wasting.
Damaging the Pitch.
Intimidatory Bowling.
Tampering with the Ball.
Any other action they consider to be unfair.

4. The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for;

Your opponents.
Your own Captain and Team.
The role of the Umpires.
The games traditional values.

5. It is against the Spirit of the Game to;

Dispute an Umpires decision by word, action or gesture.
Direct abusive language towards an opponent or Umpire.
Indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, e.g.

a) Appeal, knowing the batsman is not out.
b) Advance towards an Umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing.
c) Seek to distract an opponent either verbally, or with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of ones own side.

6. Violence
There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

7. 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 Club Rules

The Queenstown Cricket Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing 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 and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, members are encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with the Club President.

As a member of the Queenstown Cricket Club you are expected to abide by the following junior club rules.
All members must play within the rules and respect umpires and their decisions.
All members must respect their opponents.
Members should keep to agreed timings for training and matches or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late.
Members must wear suitable kit for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach/team manager.
Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly.
Junior members are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions.
Junior members are not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on the club premises or whilst representing the club.

Code of Conduct for Parents/Guardians

The Queenstown Cricket Club is trying to ensure that your Child's time with the club will be both rewarding and fulfilling. The club therefore promotes and encourages the following codes of conduct for parents and guardians of all junior members and visitors.

Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them.
Discourage unfair play and arguing with umpires/officials.
Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.
Never force your child to take part in cricket.
Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performance of all.
Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.
Publicly accept umpires/officials judgements.
Support your Child's involvement and help them enjoy their sport.
Use correct and proper language at all times.

Equity Policy Statement

The Queenstown Cricket Club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following definition of sports equity.

Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.

" The club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.

The club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.

All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.

The club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures.

Code of Conduct for Club Officials and Volunteers

The essence of good ethical conduct and practice is summarised below. All volunteers must;

Consider the wellbeing and safety of participants before the development of performance.
Develop an appropriate working relationship with performers, based on mutual trust and respect.
Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part.
Promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play)
Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance.
Hold the appropriate, valid qualification and insurance cover.
Never exert undue influence over performers to obtain personal benefit or reward.
Never condone rule violations, rough play or the use of prohibitive substances.
Encourage performers to value their performances and not just results.